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A small sigh escaped her throat. The old Edith would never have kissed in public. She was worried, though, how long she would be able to be this way, how long before she reverted to the old Edith?
‘There you are, Edith,’ Hilda said. ‘I was wondering if you had gone to Godwin’s house?’
Edith firmed her mouth. ‘No, but I will go and see them tomorrow and explain the situation.’
‘You know you are far prettier when you smile. Right now you look fierce enough to turn people to stone.’
Edith stood up. Trust Hilda to thoroughly deflate her well-being. ‘I will take that as a compliment. There are times when I have to be fierce, but I enjoy smiling more. I trust there is nothing else amiss?’
‘Did you find out what the messenger wanted?’
‘I forgot to ask.’
‘Halfdan has sent a decree.’ Hilda put her hands to her head. ‘Anyone harbouring or aiding the rebels will be severely punished. Edith, you know what this means. You and I will be punished if we are caught. You must give Athelstan up.’
‘How did you learn about this?’
‘They were talking about it in the kitchen. I went to see about the bread.’ Hilda shivered. ‘I’m beginning to get a bad feeling. Why did he have to come back?’
‘The proclamation changes nothing. It merely confirms what I suspected. The king will not forgive readily and Brand will have no choice but to follow orders.’ She took a deep breath. ‘He owes everything to his king.’
‘But what about us?’ Hilda’s voice rose an octave. ‘What will happen? It is bound to come out. You must protect me, Edith.’
‘Your part is finished,’ Edith said, covering Hilda’s hand with hers. ‘I will not ask any more of you.’
Hilda crossed her arms and then she tilted her head. ‘You have washed your hair.’
‘The sun is drying it. I had a bath.’
‘The one thing I will say for the Norsemen is that they smell better than the Northumbrians.’ Hilda’s laugh was a little too loud.
A shadow fell over her. Edith felt a distinct tingle. Brand. He put his hand on her shoulder. Hilda rapidly made her excuses and departed.
‘She seemed awfully nervous about something.’
‘She wants to look her best for the feast this evening.’ She leant forwards and dropped her voice. ‘I suspect secretly she wants to have a bath.’
‘There won’t be a feast tonight. The king’s messenger has returned to Jorvik. I gave him a full accounting of what passed with Hrearek.’
‘Surely it will be up to the king to decide now?’
Brand’s mouth twisted. ‘Hrearek escaped, rather than face Halfdan.’
A distinct shiver went down Edith’s spine. Hrearek had escaped and probably blamed her for what had happened to him. ‘But there is no danger here.’
‘He’d be unwise to try his luck here. The men know what he is about. I suspect he will go to Ireland and try for a position there. His sword arm is second to none. You have nothing to fear if that is what you are worried about.’
Edith forced a laugh and tried to ignore her churning guts. Hrearek had given her such a look when he left. ‘Am I worried?’
‘You wore a distinct frown when I spied you sitting with your cousin. I’d wondered if that was the gossip—that he wanted revenge. Hrearek is not like that.’
‘Hilda feared you remained angry with me. I assured her that our breach was healed,’ Edith said and carefully composed her face. Every time she thought about it, her heart gave a little pang, but she knew what she was doing was right for everyone and when the time came, she’d confess.
‘Is there anything else?’
‘Hilda explained anyone helping the rebels is to be punished. Surely the rebellion has finished? All the rebels are dead or at least the ones from here are.’ Edith clenched her fists. Athelstan had only gone because she insisted. He hadn’t precisely rebelled against the king. He had followed her orders.
‘A formality. I’ve assured Erik that all the rebels from here are dead.’
‘You were there,’ she said lightly. She knew it should make her heart easier, but it only served to twist the knife. Brand would not go searching for any rebel, but there would come a day when she’d have to confess.
‘Yes, I was.’ He gave her a curious look. ‘Know this, Edith, even if Halfdan had not given that order, I would have done precisely the same thing. We are like-minded on this. The rebels abused our trust. Good men died that day because of your late husband and all his men.’
