Andrea’s was an elbow jab at him; she knew how he felt about the vast amount of soup he’d eaten, but luckily she remained silent.
When they were alone again, Cnut said, “Don’t be disappointed. I know you thought there would be enough for us to leave.” Assuming we can leave. “Look how much progress we’ve made so far. Have faith, sweetling.”
“Says the Viking or the vangel?”
“Both,” he said, giving her a quick kiss, and then a not-so-quick kiss.
“If you were given the choice, would you want to stay here in the past? I mean, you seem so contented today.”
“I’m contented today because of you, not my surroundings,” he said, giving her another quick kiss. He couldn’t help himself, even if his men were starting to gaze at him as if he’d lost his mind as well as the pounds. “Seriously, though, I guess it would depend on whether I were a vangel or human in either place. But, no, that isn’t true. Give me a choice between a good French baguette with soft Brie cheese, or a hunk of manchet bread with a smear of skyr, and you know which one I’d take. Or sliced boar with a side of turnips, compared to a rare T-bone steak with a baked potato dripping with butter and sour cream? Then there are the different beers to choose from. And desserts.” He smiled at her.
“So it’s food and drink that would make the difference for you?”
“Not just that. I like travel by longship, but I love my motorcycle. And television has its merits. And so many modern conveniences. What do you miss?”
“Warm showers and bubble baths. Gas stoves and my professional kitchen tools. Norah Jones music. The Game of Thrones series on HBO. Gourmet food stores and farmers’ markets. Thrift shops and yard sales.”
“It didn’t take you long to come up with a list.”
“And that’s only a start.”
Thorkel came into the hall then, and Cnut motioned him over. “Have you told the men I’ve scheduled military exercises for this afternoon?”
“I have,” Thorkel said, accepting a horn of ale offered by a passing maid. “They whined and complained about the cold, but they . . . all of us recognize that we have been lax of late. The most exercise we’ve had is dragging that big tree inside for Lady Andrea.” Thorkel winked at Andrea as he said the latter.
Cnut didn’t like Thorkel winking at Andrea. And he didn’t like her smiling in return.
“By the way, are we going to have a yule log tomorrow night, Cnut, or a yule tree like Dyna tells me you’ve had in the past?” Andrea asked.
Thorkel perked up at the mention of Dyna.
And Cnut said, “Whatever you want, dearling.”
She beamed.
And he added, “You can thank me later.”
“Whatever you want, dearling,” she countered.
Which caused Thorkel to choke on his ale.
“Moving right along,” Cnut said, nudging Andrea’s knees under the table, “there is something important I want to discuss with you, Thorkel.”
“Good. There is something I need to discuss with you, too,” Thorkel said.
“Should I leave?” Andrea asked.
“Stay,” Cnut and Thorkel both told her.
“You first,” Cnut said.
“Dyna and I have decided to wed, and we were wondering if we could do it during the Jól festivities.”
“Congratulations, Thorkel. I know you and Dyna will be happy together.” Andrea reached across the table and squeezed Thorkel’s hand.
Cnut didn’t like her squeezing Thorkel’s hand, even if he was betrothed.
“The Christmas . . . I mean, yule celebration will be a perfect time for a wedding, don’t you think, Cnut?” Andrea asked him.
“Certainly,” he said. “Thorkel, I agree with Andrea. Best wishes.
“What did you want to discuss with me?” Thorkel asked then.
“Right. Here’s the situation, Thorkel. If I should disappear suddenly, I want you to take over as jarl of Hoggstead.”
Andrea bristled, thinking he meant disappear, as in being taken by Zeb. Thorkel bristled at the suggestion that Cnut might be taken captive again, or whatever had happened to him last time.
Cnut put up both hands for them to halt before they protested. “You know that I left without warning before,” he pointed out to Thorkel. At the same time, he noticed Andrea relax, getting his direction now. “I can’t predict that it will ever happen again, but if it should, I need to know steps are in place to safeguard Hoggstead.”
“I am not qualified to be jarl,” Thorkel said.
“You are as qualified as anyone else here, and I will instruct you over the coming days. Do you agree?”