Elgiva walked slowly from the paddock towards the orchard and sat down in a pool of dappled shade. It was pleasant out of doors and for the time she began to relax, to let the sweet air and the sunshine soothe her. She did not hear the man’s approach, for the turf silenced his steps, and was not aware of his presence until his shadow fell across her face.
‘Aylwin!’ For a moment she was numb with shock. ‘Are you insane?’
‘I had to see you again, Elgiva.’
‘In heaven’s name, why?’ She looked round, scanning the place with anxious eyes. ‘If you are found here…’
‘I had to thank you.’
‘For what?’
‘For the warning and the information…’he paused, searching for the words ‘…and to say how much I regret what occurred at our last meeting. I can see now that the words were harsh. You don’t know how often I have wished them unsaid.’
Elgiva shook her head. ‘Let’s not quarrel about the past.’
‘You are generous.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘And brave too. You took a risk to send that message.’
‘All the more reason for you to heed it and take your men away from here before it is too late.’ The amber eyes were earnest as they met and held his gaze. ‘Ravenswood is of strategic importance to the Vikings. They will not suffer a Saxon challenge.’
‘There are many kinds of challenge, Elgiva. I am not so foolish as to think we could meet them in open battle yet. They are too numerous, but more men will join us. Our intelligence improves apace. We are in communication with other rebel groups. In the meantime, we shall use what means we have to harry the foe and then melt back into the forest.’
‘Give it up, I beg you. It can only end in more deaths.’
‘I told you, Elgiva, I will not give up what is mine.’ He bent a meaningful look upon her. ‘But I was wrong to doubt you. Come away with me now. The forest has many secret places. The Viking will never find you.’
‘Wulfrum would find me,’ she replied. ‘I am his wife.’
‘You were mine before you were his.’ His hand closed round her wrist. ‘I know you fear his wrath and rightly so, but I will never let him harm you.’
‘His wrath would not fall on me alone, Aylwin, but on others too.’
‘That is a price I am willing to pay.’
‘But I am not.’ She tried to disengage her hold, but his grip tightened. ‘You must understand that.’
His gaze hardened. ‘Still you make excuses to remain with him.’
‘Aylwin, please! This is a futile argument. You must go before someone sees you here.’
He let out a ragged breath and she saw some of the tension leave him. The grip on her wrist slackened a little.
‘I’m sorry, Elgiva. I did not come here to quarrel with you. I shall go—for now. But know this: one day soon I shall kill the Viking and free you.’
‘You cannot.’
‘Lord Halfdan has shown me the way, Elgiva.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Be ignorant of the knowledge until you can applaud the deed. Suffice it to say that Wulfrum must ride for York in the autumn. The waiting is almost over.’ Aylwin smiled and released his hold. ‘Meanwhile I must go.’
‘Stay. Will you not tell me what you intend?’
He shook his head. ‘Farewell, Elgiva.’
‘Aylwin, wait!’
But he was gone, running swiftly through the trees. Elgiva watched until he was out of sight, her heart thumping with fear and horror at his words. Automatically she massaged her wrist, feeling yet the imprint of those strong fingers. She was left in no doubt now that he had meant every word. He would not go. Anxiously her gaze scanned the quiet orchard, but she was alone. The nearest men were raking hay two fields away, too far to have seen or heard anything. She drew in a deep breath. Aylwin had taken a foolish risk to come here. His words had disturbed her much and she understood now how far she had underestimated the strength of his feeling for her. Ironically her warning had had the opposite effect from the one she had intended.
She was so preoccupied in thought that she failed to see the man at the orchard’s edge until she was almost upon him. Then her heart missed a beat. Sweyn! He smiled at her, the cool grey eyes missing no detail of her appearance.
‘Well met, Elgiva. It seems married life agrees with you.’
‘As you say, Sweyn.’ She tried to step around him, but he blocked her path.
‘I have missed you, my lady.’
‘Really?’
‘I can’t get you out of my mind.’
‘Try harder.’
‘You are still cold, Elgiva.’
‘I am not like to be different.’
‘Not toward me, perhaps,’ he agreed, ‘but what of the man you were with just now? He didn’t look much like Wulfrum to me.’
Elgiva forced herself to meet that mocking gaze. ‘Hardly,’ she replied. ‘It was one of the serfs.’
‘Indeed?’
‘I do not think I need explain myself to you.’
‘But would your husband feel the same if he knew?’
‘Why don’t you ask him and find out?’ The words were uttered with far more confidence than she felt. ‘Though, of course, he might wonder then how it was that you sought out his wife for a private conversation.’
He frowned and she saw the shot go home. ‘It is nothing to me if you lower yourself to converse with peasants.’
‘It was ever the custom to treat our people well,’ she replied. ‘You should try it some time.’
She would have swept on, but he seized her arm, detaining her.
‘I would treat you well, Elgiva, if you gave me the chance.’
Incredulous, she could only stare at him. Then, recovering herself, ‘Let go of me, Sweyn. I am Wulfrum’s wife and he would not take kindly to having another man lay hands on me.’
‘Do you think I fear Wulfrum?’
‘No,’ she replied, ‘but I have seen enough bloodshed to last me a lifetime. Even the sight of yours has no appeal. Now let me go.’
For an instant she saw something like admiration in his eyes. Then he loosed his hold. With intense relief Elgiva walked away, conscious of his gaze at every step.
She returned to the chamber she shared with Wulfrum, and lay down on the bed, trying to order her scattered thoughts. The experience had left her feeling shaken and she needed to be calm when Wulfrum returned, lest he suspect something untoward. She had no wish to see Sweyn again before he left, and no wish to play the hostess to his companions, either. Somehow she must avoid the evening meal without arousing suspicion. Elgiva closed her eyes and tried to think.
Some time later she awoke with a start to see Wulfrum looking down at her in concern.
‘Are you well, Elgiva?’
She struggled up on to one elbow, feeling groggy and disorientated.
‘A headache, that is all.’
Her pallor was genuine enough and Wulfrum frowned, sitting down on the edge of the bed to scrutinise her better. His hand felt her forehead for fever, but if anything it felt cooler than usual. He pushed her gently back and covered her with a pelt.
‘Stay here and rest,’ he said. ‘I will send Osgifu to you.’
‘There is no need. I am sure a little sleep will serve.’
Wulfrum frowned, but did not press the point. ‘As you wish.’
He bent over her and brushed her cheek with his lips, a caress that was both gentle and caring. Elgiva wanted to put her arms around his neck, wanted to feel his arms around her, but she was afraid that he would suspect something. Unhappily she watched him move to the door, saw him pause and look back with concern in his eyes. Then he smiled.
‘Rest, my lady.’
With that he was gone. Elgiva felt tears pricking her eyelids and forced them back, feeling both relief that he had suspected nothing and guilt that she had lied to him, if only by omission. If Wulfrum ever found out about her meetings with Aylwin, his anger would know no bounds. As for Sweyn, she could only pray he would not attach any real significance to what he had seen. Aylwin had been garbed as a peasant and from a distance the disguise protected him well. Her story was credible. Elgiva sighed. She felt as though she were caught in a web of deceit. Yet what else could she do? To speak would betray Aylwin—not to speak betrayed Wulfrum. For that was how he would interpret her silence. Once she would not have cared, but now she knew his good opinion of her was important. More than that, he was important. He never spoke of his innermost feelings, but his behaviour towards her spoke of regard and warmth. She wanted to think that she had his heart as he had hers. It was the reason she had not wanted to see him fight Sweyn. Though she knew well his prowess in battle, what if, in defeating his enemy, he were to be fatally injured? Or what if, through some evil trick, Sweyn were to emerge the victor? The idea was chilling. She would rather be dead than fall into his clutches again. Better to remain silent and let the matter rest. Sweyn would be gone on the morrow.
Elgiva unfastened her gown and slipped out of it, laying it aside over a chair. Then she bathed her face and hands and unfastened her hair to comb it out. The familiar rituals were soothing and some of her former mood began to lift. From the hall below she could hear the muted sounds of men’s voices, their laughter. Wulfrum would play the host well. In her mind’s eye she could see him there among his men and for the first time was thankful for their presence. The thought of Olaf Ironfist was a distinct comfort tonight. With him at his back Wulfrum would be safe from treachery. Elgiva smiled to herself and, finishing her grooming, slipped off her kirtle and returned to bed drawing the coverlet over her.