Page 127 of A Tale of Two Vikings

“And what of you, Esme?” Dunstan inquired, as if he cared. “Wouldst accept Toste Ivarsson as your husband?”

Before she had a chance to answer, Toste interjected, “Your Grace, Ealdorman, could I have one moment to speak to Esme alone?”

“Speak fast, brother,” Vagn said to him from his side where he’d been sitting. “And remember Alinor’s advice.”

Toste did not wait for the Witan’s approval but rushed over to Esme, who appeared stunned, grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the corridor.

“I love you, Esme,” he said right off. No one could accuse him of being a total lackwit. He could tell that his declaration was not what she’d expected.

“You do not need to say that, Toste. I appreciate your offer of marriage, but I would not have you sacrifice your freedom for me. You have done enough.”

“Not nearly enough. I should have told you earlier…I thought you knew, or leastways suspected. Did you suspect?”

“Suspect what?”

“That I love you.”

“Stop saying that.”

“Why?”

“Because ’tis not true.”

“Yea, ’tis.”

“When did you make this amazing discovery?”

“Just afore I left the woodcutter’s hut for Evergreen.”

She punched him in the stomach, which barely hurt, but he winced just the same. “What was that for?”

“For not telling me.”

“About going to Evergreen? I already apologized for that.”

“About loving me. You are a dunderhead.”

“Yea, I am. Does that mean you believe me?”

“I do not know. Say it again.”

“I love you.”

She smiled.

“Do you perchance love me, Esme?”

“Mayhap.” She was still smiling.

“Will you marry me?”

“Of course. There was never any question of that.”

Some women liked to torture men. He kissed her deeply, then whispered in her ear, “Did I ever tell you about this sexual position that is a favorite of betrothed women?”

She laughed and said, “Is it just you, or are all Viking men so irresistible?”

“We are all irresistible,” he said. And that was the truth.