The Viking's Defiant Bride(38)

She did not hear Wulfrum return or see him bend over her. Her face was peaceful, untroubled, and he noted with relief that some of the healthy colour had returned. Golden hair spilled across her shoulders, taking on a soft, resinous sheen in the lamplight. He lifted a stray tress and his fingers brushed her naked shoulder. His eyes followed it along the curve of her arm to her wrists. There they stopped. Wulfrum frowned, looking closer. His frown deepened as he looked at the dark bruises encircling its slenderness. Five prints left on her skin, the prints of a man’s fingers.

He straightened, looking at the sleeping figure of his wife, tempted to rouse her now and demand to know how they came there. He controlled himself. It was late. There would be time enough to speak to her on the morrow. He undressed and blew out the lamp before climbing into bed beside her. Elgiva stirred in her sleep, but did not wake; for a long time he lay there in the darkness pondering what he had seen. Someone had left those marks on her, someone with a strong hand. Grim faced, he turned over the possibilities. His men wouldn’t touch her. He had seen their growing respect for her; besides, he trusted them. They would not lay hands on his woman. He thought of the Saxon serfs and knew it wasn’t one of them. Elgiva was their lady. In any case, it was more than their lives were worth and they knew it. Well, come what may, he would know the truth on the morrow.



Elgiva woke with the light and stretched lazily, pushing her hair out of her eyes. She felt Wulfrum’s warmth beside her and smiled. She had not heard him come to bed. It wasn’t until she turned her head that she saw he too was awake, propped on one elbow and regarding her intently. His expression was grim and her heart beat just a little faster as she tried to remember what day it was. Had he wished to rise early to hunt? Should she have risen and brought food? She started up in concern.

‘Wulfrum, I…’

A strong hand pushed her back on to the bed and held her there.

‘There is no matter pressing, Elgiva. Save one.’

She looked at him in confusion. ‘What is it?’

‘These.’ He slid his hand down her arm to her wrist.

Elgiva stared in dismay at the dark bruises there and the memory of their creator returned.

‘I…I must have hit my wrist yesterday, though I cannot say I recall doing it.’

Wulfrum’s blue gaze burned. ‘You play me for a fool, Elgiva. Do you think I don’t know the difference between an ordinary bruise and those left by fingers? A man left those marks and I would know his name.’

Elgiva swallowed and tied to rise, but his hand forbade it.

‘You are mistaken—’

‘Don’t lie to me, Elgiva.’ His voice was harsh now. ‘Who was it?’

‘Wulfrum, it is of no consequence.’

‘I will decide that.’

‘It was a foolish matter, not worth the mentioning.’

Her reluctance to speak caused Wulfrum’s frown to deepen as another thought occurred to him.

‘Whom do you protect, Elgiva? A lover?’

‘What!’ Elgiva’s heart thumped unpleasantly hard. Did he really think she would be capable of it? Did he trust her so little after all? ‘You cannot seriously think so, for you have had me well guarded, my lord. Would I carry on an illicit affair for the amusement of your men? Were it so, you would know of it by now, I think.’

Wulfrum saw the anger in her eyes and knew she spoke the truth. However, it still did not explain those marks and he was determined to discover their cause.

‘Then tell me truth, or, by all the gods, I will beat it out of you.’

Elgiva pushed his hand away and struggled to her knees, eyes blazing.

‘I will not be cowed by a Viking bully! You are no better than Sweyn, for I see you learned your manners in the same sty!’

‘Sweyn! Was it he who did this?’

‘Aye. It seems he has not forgotten how you kept me from him.’

Wulfrum’s brow darkened further. ‘Did he force himself on you?’

‘No, he only grabbed hold of me for a moment.’ It was a partial truth only, but Elgiva knew it could not be helped.

‘Why didn’t you tell me, Elgiva?’

‘Because I didn’t want you to fight him.’

‘Have you so little faith in my prowess as a swordsman?’

‘No, but Sweyn is treacherous, and I was afraid you would—’ Her voice quavered and she broke off, turning away. Wulfrum took her shoulders and turned her back.

‘Afraid I would what?’ he demanded.

Tears started in her eyes. ‘That you would be hurt or killed, even.’

‘Not likely. Sweyn isn’t that good.’ He paused as the import of her words sank in. ‘Would it matter to you then if I had been?’

‘Of course it would.’

‘Why?’

When she remained silent, he took her chin in his hand and tilted her face to his. ‘Look at me, Elgiva.’ Reluctantly, she met his gaze, but he persisted. ‘Why?’

Elgiva felt herself blushing. Wulfrum grinned.

‘Come, my lady, I await your answer.’

‘Because you are my husband and I owe my loyalty to you.’

‘Don’t prevaricate.’

She saw his grin widen and grew hotter. ‘Because if you were dead, I might fall into Sweyn’s clutches.’

He chuckled. ‘He would get more than he bargained for, then. However, our guests left early, at first light. Sweyn is gone.’

‘Gone?’

‘Aye, but he will pay for his insults in good time. Meanwhile, you have nothing to fear from him.’

The tone was mild and threw Elgiva off her guard. A powerful arm tipped her backwards and she found herself pinned beneath him.

‘Wulfrum?’

‘You still haven’t answered my question, Elgiva.’

‘I have. At least all the answer you’re going to get.’

‘Is that right?’

‘Wulfrum, let me go.’

‘No.’

She tried to push him away, but her efforts left him unmoved, except perhaps to deepen his amusement. Then he took a kiss.

‘Answer the question.’

‘I will not.’

He kissed her again and for longer this time and there was a dangerous glint in his eye.

‘What did you call me just now? A Viking bully, was it not?’

Elgiva struggled in vain. ‘If the cap fits…’

‘Oh, it does, my lady, as you are going to discover.’





Chapter Thirteen




Mindful of what he had been told by Torvald, Wulfrum sent out various patrols to test the truth of the rumours about raiders and outlaws. Having established peace at Ravenswood, he had no intention of having it destroyed by neglect. Therefore, Ironfist and his companions rode out into the forest and made a thorough search of the surrounding area, but found no sign of the rebel band Torvald had spoken of. He reported back to Wulfrum.

‘We found evidence of an old camp, but the rebels were long gone.’

‘All the same, we will increase the patrols on the boundaries and post extra guards until we know more.’

‘You fear a surprise attack?’

‘I fear nothing, but I will not be caught napping. See to it, Olaf.’

Ironfist nodded and went off to deal with the matter.

Elgiva, who had been listening carefully to the exchange, felt both guilt and relief. Aylwin had thought better of it and heeded the warning after all. Surely now the rebels would not attack Ravenswood. It was a question she put to Wulfrum.

‘If they do, it will be the last mistake they ever make,’ he replied. Then, seeing her worried look, he smiled. ‘Have no fear, Elgiva. No harm shall befall Ravenswood while I have breath.’

‘You guard well what is yours,’ she replied.

Wulfrum laughed then. ‘Just so, my lady. Therefore, no harm shall befall you, either.’

Elgiva regarded him quizzically. Was he merely guarding her along with the rest of the property? Somehow she did not think so; his behaviour to her of late had been more markedly gentle, or mostly anyway. Recalling that recent scene in their chamber and the confession he had extracted, she felt her face grow rather warmer.

‘Meanwhile,’ he went on, ‘you and Osgifu will not go out to collect herbs again until we know more.’

She did not argue for she could see the reason behind the words. Besides, thanks to their former efforts she and Osgifu had replenished many of the plant supplies they needed. The forest was no longer the sanctuary it had seemed. Once she had thought that, being a Saxon, she would never come to harm at the hands of her fellows. Now she wasn’t so sure. Would they consider her to be treacherous, a turncoat? It was not a pleasant thought.



Wulfrum was as good as his word and posted men at strategic points around Ravenswood to forestall any attempt to attack his holding. However, as the days passed, there was no sign of the raiders.

‘It is most like they have moved on,’ said Ida when a week had gone by with no trace of the enemy.

‘Perhaps,’ replied Wulfrum. ‘However, we shall maintain our vigilance until we can be certain.’



Elgiva hoped that Ida was right. However, two days later one of the men reported the loss of two sheep from the flock. Tracks were found leading into the forest but a thorough search again revealed nothing. The guards were increased and men took it in turns to patrol the boundaries, but still no trace was found either of the livestock or the thieves. Shortly after that a steer was taken.