detect anything remotely flirtatious in her manner. On the contrary, he suspected that her gratitude towards him was in no way influenced by liking. Nor could he entirely blame her. She had been courteous: he had been...abrupt. The subject of marriage was one he avoided when possible since he found it impossible to be impartial. Such discussions always awoke his cynicism, but then, he had nothing to go on except personal experience. Nevertheless, it occurred to him that, since Halfdan’s marriage to Ragnhild was a foregone conclusion, both he and Astrid would be bidden to the feast. That aspect at least was not displeasing. Perhaps he could make amends...
The idea gave him pause. His contact with women in recent years was about money for favours rendered. Astrid fell outside that category which made things potentially tricky. It surprised him that he should even want to see her again: usually his female acquaintances didn’t linger in the mind. The fact that she had might be due in part to the circumstances of their meeting. In part. There was something about her that he couldn’t quite explain, some quality that drew him in spite of himself. Her presence at the feast would make the occasion more interesting and, he decided, much more enjoyable.
Chapter Two
Lady Ragnhild’s marriage to King Halfdan was a splendid affair attended by music and feasting. Both bride and groom looked blissfully happy and had eyes only for each other. Astrid, looking on, thought that was how it ought to be, even though it rarely was. Too often marriages were made without any thought for the personal inclination of the participants. It made her glad for Ragnhild. So fair and kind a lady deserved the love of a good man. Halfdan would treat her well. Having almost lost her, he would know how to value what he had.
The only thing to mar events was the news of Hakke’s escape to Vingulmark, the seat of his power. He still had strong support there, including that of her uncle. A wily politician, he must be gnashing his teeth over recent events, as must the prince. Robbed of a bride and defeated in battle, his anger would be great indeed. He would seek revenge for that, and for his brothers’ deaths. Hysing and Helsing might have fallen in battle but their passing was the excuse that would fuel another uprising, sooner or later. Unless Halfdan pre-empted it...
‘You seem preoccupied,’ said a voice behind her, ‘though I have no expectation that your thoughts were of me.’
Her pulse quickened as she turned to see Leif at her shoulder. The chainmail byrnie was gone now, along with the dirt and gore of battle, and he was clad in a tunic of dark green wool richly embroidered with gold thread at the neck and wrist where the linen of his shirt was just visible. Round his neck he wore an amulet in the likeness of Thor’s hammer. The tooled leather belt round his waist held a fine dagger. He was altogether a most imposing figure.
‘No, they weren’t,’ she confessed.
‘I am crushed.’
She laughed. ‘It would take more than that to crush you, my lord. However, I am sorry to have dashed your hopes.’
‘I’m not convinced that you are sorry.’
‘In truth, not very,’ she replied, ‘but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings as well.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘I suppose I asked for that.’
‘I was thinking about Prince Hakke and what he might do next. I feel sure we have not heard the last of him.’
‘I’m afraid you’re right.’
‘Will he be able to raise another army?’
‘I’m sure he’d like to but, in reality, I think it unlikely. King Gandalf’s force took a hammering at Eid. The survivors will not seek another confrontation with Halfdan if it can be avoided.’
‘So we’re safe.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far; at least not while Hakke lives.’
‘It was unfortunate that he managed to escape.’
‘Yes, most unfortunate.’
Astrid’s eyes widened a little. ‘I did not mean to imply blame.’
His lips twitched. ‘I am relieved. I should not like you to think less of me.’
‘Oh, I could not think less of you.’ As soon as the words were out she winced inwardly, wondering if her tongue had suddenly become disconnected from her brain. She hurried on, ‘What I meant was that I could never be induced to think less of you, because of the great service you have rendered my mistress and me.’
He eyed her askance. ‘I am relieved.’
Astrid could hardly fail to miss the note of irony and wondered if he were really offended.
‘Forgive me. I expressed myself badly.’
‘My pride will doubtless recover—in a month or two.’
Unable to help it, she smiled. ‘Oh, I think it will be much sooner than that, my lord.’
The smile was both mischievous and unwittingly beguiling, like the look in those big violet eyes. All at once Leif found himself staring, realising that she was a lot more than pretty. Intelligent too. It was a rare combination. Perhaps that was why she aroused his curiosity. He took two cups of mead from a passing servant and handed Astrid one.
‘Tell me how you came to be into the queen’s service.’
‘My uncle placed me in her father’s household five years ago. Sigurd Hjort was an ally back then. It was an advantageous situation for me, given my mistress’s connections. She and I subsequently became good friends.’
‘Your uncle?’
‘He is my guardian now. My father died some years ago.’ She sighed. ‘My uncle was ever an ambitious man and it suited him to have a foothold in two camps.’
‘Two camps?’
‘Vestfold and Vingulmark.’
‘I see. Well, he isn’t the first man to hedge his bets thus.’
‘No. In any case I was glad to be out of the way. He is not an easy man to be around.’
‘Do I know him?’
‘Possibly. He is Jarl Einar of Ringerike.’
Leif’s cup paused in mid-air. He had miscalculated; he had supposed her to be of good birth, though possibly a poor relation placed in an advantageous situation. He could never have guessed that her family was among the foremost in Vestfold.
‘An influential man,’ he said.
‘He has influence,’ she agreed, ‘and wealth, and yet it seems the more he has the more he wants.’
‘It’s a common complaint.’
‘So I believe. At all events he holds jealously to what is his. Most of his lands lie just beyond the territory ceded to King Halfdan. Tensions remain high in the region.’
‘I know it. I too have lands there.’
‘You have?’
