"You have indeed grown up, Rurik," he said, rising from the chair across the table from him. "I have land enough for my two sons to share, as I did with my brother. Gunnar has recommended that you take control of my lands in Sweden and that Thorfinn be given the Orkneys and my lands in Norway."
"I thought that you had power in name only here, through Agnes's claim and not blood?"
"Aha! So you have studied it then?" He seemed pleased that Rurik came here with some knowledge of the situation. "You are correct. Unless Agnes bears me a son, I have no blood claim on these lands, other than that I possess them now and hold them in trust from the old earl through her. But Norway owns these islands and I serve Magnus's and Eric's interests here, so I see no end to my claim, at least not while I'm alive."
Rurik understood his father's plans now, he just did not know if Thorfinn would feel cheated by them. Standing as well, he thanked his father for the meal and excused himself. He'd heard and observed and learned so much today that his head was spinning with it. Walking through the halls, he noticed that servants bowed to him as he passed and the few others still in attendance acknowledged him or stopped to greet him.
A far different situation that when he left sixteen years ago. The thing that worried him most was that with each boon granted him, the desire for more increased. He did not feel greedy about this, he felt as though every dream was being fulfilled for him, everything he wanted was being given him.
There was so much to think about now, his own counselors to choose, and he hoped for Gunnar's thoughts on that. Although he wanted to have Sven and Magnus at his side, he was not as certain about the three men who came from Lairig Dubh. There were most likely others whom his father would recommend, mayhap others due some small reward or honor who should be chosen.
Rurik turned down the final corridor that led to his chambers. It would take some time to learn everything expected of him, but he was committed to this now. His chambers were large and comfortable with a view of the harbor. A servant had prepared his bed, left a pitcher of ale and some bread and cheese on the table and had a fire blazing in the hearth.
He could get used to being treated this way.
"Lady Margriet? Your father is waiting for you and asks you to hasten your preparations." Brynja, the young maid assigned to her care on her arrival at her father's house, stepped into her chambers and delivered the message.
'Twas not about her preparations, for she sat fully dressed and arranged in the new clothing her father ordered for her. With a sigh, Margriet stood, walked to the door and saw her father there in the corridor. He had been patient with her, providing tutors even, to ease her way back into her place here.
They were about to depart for Kirkvaw, for Lord Erengisl had ordered Gunnar and his other counselors and vassals to be in attendance when his son was presented.
His son, Rurik.
Margriet only knew she could not face him without doing something irrational after discovering his lie. And now that she was reacquainting with her father and his family and kin here in the Orkneys, she had no desire to embarrass him with her actions. At least her actions now, for she had not yet revealed the sins of her past to him.
'Twas a near thing, she thought as she walked down the hall to him, for the seamstresses and servants almost discovered the truth when measuring her for the new gowns and tunics. Several tunics pulled tightly across her breasts, breasts now sensitive and sore … and swelling, it seemed, with each day that passed by, and she fought the urge to tear them apart to lessen the pain they caused.
And she'd begun to walk in the most unattractive way, waddling like a duck did. One of the young boys had imitated her as she walked past him and Margriet was stunned by it. Correcting it was another problem of its own, for her hips seemed to ever move like that and no amount of holding her back straight helped.
She was waiting, waiting and giving herself a chance to find Finn to let him know before her father discovered the fact of the pregnancy. She'd even traveled to the market town nearby, hoping to see him there among the merchants, but she did not. And she fought the fear that he was not really there and mayhap not even the person he said he was when they met in Caithness.
Her father motioned to the carts and horses waiting outside and swept her out the door as soon as he took her hand.
"I had forgotten about how much time young women need to primp and prepare themselves for almost any occasion," he said.
"Forgive me for delaying you, Father. If you'd like, you could ride on ahead and I will join you there."
Her father was not a foolish man, but he took her attempt for what it was-nervousness. "And deny me the pleasure of seeing you introduced to Lord Erengisl and his court? Do not think to do it!"
Margriet wanted to cry. Her father had been kind and generous and patient since she'd returned and she would be repaying him with a terrible failure and dishonor. Even as she searched for him, she feared being recognized by Finn before she could confess her sin, for it would mean having her father bear the brunt of it before all those he respected and served. She knew now that in sending her to the convent, he'd thought to protect her during the restless years in Orkney as the old earl died without sons and Erengisl took control in his wife's name. For his concern and love, she would repay him with shame.
Her father had explained how he had urged Lord Erengisl to call Rurik home to prepare him to inherit his father's lands in Sweden. Although Rurik considered himself in exile, his father had kept watch on him and his life since sending him away over a decade ago. At Gunnar's urging, he was called home now to learn from his father and ready himself for the responsibilities ahead.
So when Rurik had said that her father would not approve of him as a match suitable for her, he'd meant that she was beneath him, not above him as she'd thought. For, and the servants were the ones to tell her, Erengisl planned a marriage for him, too. One arranged to his wife's kin that would provide a strong alliance with the royal house of Denmark. Erengisl strove high for his bastard son, mayhap to make up for the years Rurik spent out of favor … ?
"Nay, Father, I am but overwhelmed by my journey here and our reunion . Forgive my tardiness."
He helped her into the cart and patted her hand. "There will be time enough for you to rest and become accustomed to our ways here once we are in Kirkvaw." Then he mounted the horse he would ride alongside of the cart so they could talk. "Lord Erengisl has summoned me and we can delay no longer."
"Aye, Father."
The journey to the city would take most of the day, and it left her with much time to think on everything that had transpired between her and Rurik. And one thing that left her puzzled.
At that moment, when he was about to claim her, he knew she was simply Gunnar's daughter and yet he'd offered her everything he had. Was that just to have his way with her or did he mean he would give up his father's plans for her? She was beginning to suspect that men would say anything to gain their pleasure.
Her confusion over him was not aided by the fact that he was all her father talked about since her arrival. Oh, he'd asked the polite questions about the convent, her education, her life there and about the most trivial details of her journey here, but then the topic would change to him. Margriet was tempted to laugh when she realized that she was now referring to Rurik as Thora had when she was angry.
Apparently Rurik was everything and more that her father, and his, had hoped for. Even now, as they traveled the road between Orphir and Kirkvaw, he mentioned him again. Finally, she asked the question that had bothered her about this whole arrangement.
"If Rurik has only just returned, how do you know so much about him, Father? Surely, he did not display all this wisdom and good judgment before he was sent away?"
He laughed and shook his head. "I could tell the kind of man he would be when he left, but it took some convincing for Lord Erengisl to believe. And the earl has watched his progress with each passing year as Rurik has become an accomplished warrior and counselor and … "
"Womanizer?"
Her father laughed then, the laugh that men did when appreciating some attribute of another man-part appreciation, part envy and part disbelief. If Rurik was here at this moment, it would have been followed by a slap on the back or a knowing wink from man to man. That much she'd learned while traveling with his company of men. "Well, that as well, it would seem."