our victory. We shall rest here long enough to bury the dead and tend our wounded. Then we push on until all Northumbria is ours.’
A rousing cheer tore from the throats of the assembled men. He held up his fist for silence.
‘Before we leave we shall witness the joining of Earl Wulfrum and this fair Saxon maid in marriage. She will bear him fine sons who shall inherit this land after him. Let it be known that the Norsemen are here to stay.’
Another cheer shook the rafters. Elgiva closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, determined to stifle the wail of terror rising in her throat. When she opened them again, it was to see Wulfrum watching her. Under that cool gaze her resolve stiffened.
‘If I am to take a wife, I would have a name to lay to her,’ he said.
For a moment she was tempted to refuse, but then common sense came to the fore. If she did not tell him, he might well beat it out of her.
‘I am Elgiva, daughter of Egbert, and sister to Osric, late the thane of this manor.’
‘Elgiva. The name is pleasing—as pleasing as the outward form.’
She felt herself grow warm beneath that keen scrutiny. Wulfrum smiled and removed his helmet. The face beneath might have been chiselled from rock, so strong were the planes of cheek and brow and jaw, the latter accentuated by a beard close trimmed and dark as the hair that fell over his shoulders. The eyes regarding her now were the startling blue of a summer sky. She saw their expression change and he reached out a hand, lightly touching the cut on her neck.
‘You are hurt?’
‘No. ’Tis merely a legacy of your brave friend, Sweyn.’
He ignored the gibe. ‘How is it that you speak our tongue so well, Elgiva?’
‘I was tutored in it by my nurse. Her mother was a Dane.’
‘It is an advantage I had not thought to find.’
‘An advantage indeed, for now I can call you the loathsome reptile you are and have you understand.’
Wulfrum was not so easily goaded. If anything, his enjoyment grew.
‘You could say it in your own language if you wished.’
Hearing him speak the words in fluent Saxon, she was temporarily at a loss.
‘I have learned much in my travels,’ he explained.
Letting his hand drop a little, he brushed the top of her gown. Elgiva instinctively took a step back. The smile widened.
‘Soon you will beg me to touch you, lady.’
‘That I never will.’
‘You say so now—you have yet to share my bed. May I say I look forward to it?’
Hot colour flooded her face and neck, but before she could reply Ironfist appeared beside them. He glanced down at her for a moment and then took her chin in one huge hand, turning her face to his.
‘By all the gods, not bad.’ He let his hand slide to her arm, encircling it easily. Then he looked at Wulfrum and grinned. ‘She’s a little slender for my taste, but to each his own.’
Elgiva glowered. Did these Viking clods think her a prize horse to be mauled thus?
‘I’m glad you approve,’ replied Wulfrum.
‘Thor’s beard, ’tis high time you took a wife. A man must breed sons.’
‘I intend to.’
‘I’ll cut out your liver first!’
Both men looked down at her in silence for perhaps the length of two heartbeats. Then they laughed out loud.
‘I do believe she’d try,’ said Ironfist. ‘You’ll have trouble with this one, believe me. Are you equal to the challenge?’
‘Trust me,’ replied Wulfrum. He turned her to face him. ‘Come, Elgiva. Let us seal our betrothal.’
Before she could anticipate him she found herself being forcibly kissed, drawn hard against him, held in strong arms and kept there at his pleasure in an embrace that left her breathless. No man had ever kissed her like that, a kiss that was both knowing and disturbingly assured. When he released her, the warmth of his mouth lingered on her lips. Her eyes blazed as she hit him, the crack ringing loud. There was a sharp intake of breath from others nearby and heads turned to watch the developments with keen interest. Not a man there but expected to see the mutinous wench laid at Wulfrum’s feet with one blow of his fist. To their surprise he merely grinned.
‘I suppose I deserved that.’
‘You said it,’ replied Ironfist.
Elgiva launched a second blow, but Wulfrum caught her wrist and held it. ‘Now that’s no way to behave towards your future husband.’
‘I will never take you as my husband.’
‘You will, Elgiva, believe me, and that soon enough.’
Before she could reply Lord Halfdan drew near.
‘Come, that’s enough romantic dalliance, Wulfrum. You can deal with the wench later. There is work to be done.’
‘As you say, my lord.’
‘Take her back to the upper chamber and put a guard on the door. Then join me outside.’
Wulfrum nodded and turned to Elgiva, ignoring her attempts to pull free.
‘Don’t you dare touch me!’
He raised an eyebrow and threw Olaf a speaking look. The hand round her wrist tightened and he strode to the stairs, drawing her after. Resistance was futile for his grip was like a vice. When they reached the upper chamber, he pushed her inside.
‘Until later, Elgiva.’
Then he left her, pausing only to issue instructions to the guards outside the door. Breathless and shaking, she watched him go.
When she was satisfied that he really had gone, she turned and looked fearfully at the scene before her. The two children were still there, apparently unharmed and being comforted by frightened servants. With enormous relief Elgiva saw one of the latter help Osgifu to her feet. The older woman was still dazed. Her lip was cut and a dark bruise was already showing down her cheek. Hastening forwards Elgiva guided her to a chair before pouring a little water into a basin and gently bathing the cut lip. Osgifu sat very still throughout, though her hands trembled slightly in her lap. As she had no access to her medicine chest, there was relatively little that Elgiva could do for she had no arnica or salve to hand. The best she could manage was a cool compress on the bruised area of the face.
For some time neither woman spoke, each trying to come to terms with the terrible events that had shattered the peaceful course of their lives and changed it for ever. Eventually it was Osgifu who spoke first.
‘Are you
