The Warrior's Runaway Wife Read online

  She understood what he meant. Ever since this war between Stephen and Matilda started, thieves and murderers roamed the roads unfettered by law or morals of any kind. Those who normally upheld the law in the areas near their keep were occupied elsewhere with their duty to their chosen liege.

  However, Avelyn hadn’t spent her entire life protected by guards or safe behind the walls of her father’s keep. ‘You forget I am not like the women of court. There were no guards in the village where I grew up. Thieves were a part of everyday life. If you didn’t learn to protect things you valued, you would soon find them missing.’

  ‘You had no reeve? Nobody in charge of upholding order?’

  ‘No. The reeve cared only that the villagers showed up to work in the fields. He never ventured out to our village. Since our little gathering of huts was the furthest away from the keep, we were left mostly on our own.’

  ‘And when something dire happened?’

  ‘You mean like murder?’ At his nod, she said, ‘Rather than wait for the lord to hold court, the men took care of the law themselves. Once when I was a child, a stranger came into the village and killed the blacksmith’s wife. The next morning his body was found hanged from a tree at the entrance to the village. There was never another murder.’

  Samuel snorted. ‘That would be enough to deter me.’

  Elrik’s glare sent his man back to the task of setting out the food. He then reminded her, ‘You are no longer living in the village and need to become accustomed to your current life.’

  ‘As what? The lord’s natural-born daughter, or King Óláfr’s great-granddaughter?’ Avelyn laughed at the last thought. ‘I am only related to the King for as long as he holds on to his crown. He could have it taken away at any moment.’

  ‘Which is why you are so important. Your marriage will bring him more men to help keep him safe.’

  ‘Not many. Besides, while he is safe and warm, I will suffer under Bolk’s care. It does not seem like a fair deal to me.’

  ‘Fairness is not a consideration.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I nearly forgot, I am but a possession to be used at my family’s discretion.’ She drew up her legs and rested her forearms on her knees, leaning forward to ask, ‘Where was my family during the winters of my childhood when every night was a battle against freezing to death? Where were they the days my stomach cramped in pain from the lack of food? It seems to me that I owe them nothing—least of all my entire future.’

  ‘It is called life, Lady Avelyn, and whether I agree with you or not makes no difference.’

  ‘So, you do agree with me?’

  He shook his head. ‘You are not going to draw me into an argument over right and wrong. Your future is not up to me.’

  ‘Oh, my lord, I don’t need to draw you into an argument. You have already made your opinion known.’ He was returning her to her father—and Bolk—so she was well aware of where he stood on this matter. ‘I am simply asking if I am wrong to think this way.’

  ‘Make room.’ He waved her over on the log and sat next to her. ‘It would be easier for you if you accepted what was going to happen without dwelling on a different outcome.’

  ‘I cannot just accept Bolk without question. If I am the possession of a king and his grandson, surely I am worthy of someone other than a minor warlord.’

  ‘That’s where you need to begin your discussion with King David. What are you worth, Lady Avelyn?’

  ‘Someone younger than Bolk?’

  ‘Many people marry someone far from their own age. Why should you not do the same?’

  Had he lost his ability to reason? ‘Isn’t it obvious?’

  ‘Not to the King it won’t be. This will be your only chance to sway him. And trust me, King David isn’t going to care if you find your husband desirable or not.’

  She felt the flush heat her cheeks. Desire for the man hadn’t entered her mind. She’d been talking about the two of them having nothing in common. Bolk was an ancient warlord, while she was a servant’s daughter who knew nothing about his world.

  When she remained silent, Elrik continued. ‘This marriage will not be about your satisfaction with the man chosen as your husband. It is about the wealth or power he can bring, that is all.’

  ‘Wealth or power? Bolk has neither. He arrived at Brandr Keep with half-a-dozen poorly armed guards and a gold chest little bigger than my hand.’

  ‘That may be true, but he has something your family wants. And you are the means of gaining it.’

  ‘And my safety, happiness or, as you said, satisfaction is of no consequence.’

  ‘No.’

  Avelyn knew that whether she desired the man or not made little difference to anyone—however, physical desire did have one benefit others might consider. She asked, ‘Having more men gives the King more wealth and power, does it not?’

  He nodded. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then my husband’s ability to get me with child, creating more subjects for the King, should count for something.’

  Elrik looked at her, his brows raised and asked, ‘What makes you so certain Bolk is not able to do so? You do realise a man’s age has little to do with his ability of getting you with child?’

  No, that was something she hadn’t realised. Her stomach seemed to turn over at the thought of sharing that man’s bed. She frowned while desperately seeking any answer. Finally, instead of answering his question, she asked, ‘How old is his youngest child?’

  Elrik smiled, then said, ‘Twenty-seven, I think.’

  ‘And Bolk’s last wife died how long ago?’

  ‘It has been less than a year.’

  ‘How old was she at the time?’

  ‘I am not certain, but she couldn’t have been much over thirty yet.’

  ‘If I am correctly remembering what I’d overheard, she was sixteen years old when they wed and in all their years of marriage she never had a child.’

  ‘It is possible she was barren.’

  Once again Avelyn frowned. ‘You are making this difficult.’

  ‘That is my intent. Since this is not a matter to be taken lightly, King David will make it more difficult.’

  ‘Oh!’ She turned to face him more fully. ‘Did Bolk dally with other women?’

  ‘Dally?’ Elrik laughed. ‘Several and not all of them willing.’

  Avelyn was shocked to learn that her family thought nothing of marrying her off to such a base man. ‘Did any of them have his child?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘It is doubtful every woman of his acquaintance was unable to conceive.’

  ‘But possible.’

  She narrowed her eyes. ‘Doubtful.’

  He shrugged. ‘I’ll grant that your argument holds weight, but it’s going to take more than questioning his ability to sire children to sway the King to your side.’

  Avelyn sighed. ‘I can think of nothing else.’

  Elrik nodded towards the food. ‘Perhaps something to eat will help you.’

  Her stomach growled in response, drawing a laugh from him before he stood and pulled her to her feet. ‘Come on, up.’

  * * *

  Elrik fought back a yawn as he stretched out on his makeshift pallet at the edge of the fire’s flickering light. It had been a long day on the road and now with a full stomach all he wanted was to fall asleep. Samuel and Fulke would see to the camp and guard duty until he relieved them later.

  However, the woman lying on her back atop the pallet next to him, staring up at the sky through a break in the canopy of tree branches overhead, kept darting glances at him.

  Even though it was not yet nightfall, he’d hoped to retire soon so they could get an early start in the morning. Apparently, this day’s travel hadn’t made her tired enough to seek slumber. Finally, he asked, ‘What keeps you from sleep?’

  She s
ighed and then rolled on to her side to face him. ‘Other than strength and wealth, of which I possess neither, what does a man value?’

  ‘Sleep.’ He regretted his response the second it left his mouth. Before she could turn away, he apologised. ‘I’m sorry. I meant not to be so abrupt.’

  When she moved to roll over, he snagged her hand. Curling his fingers around her wrist, he held her in place. ‘Honesty, soft words, a warm and comfortable place to lay our head, an ear to listen, a well-managed abode.’

  ‘So, basically, you want a servant who will see to all your needs, share your bed and offer no complaint?’

  He blinked. ‘Is that what you heard me say?’

  ‘Not in so many words but, yes. Do your servants not see to the making of your bed and fire for warmth in your chamber? Do they not listen to your complaints without argument? Do they not see to every aspect of your keep?’

  ‘Well, yes, but a wife’s touch would add much.’

  ‘Such as?’

  He never should have started this conversation. ‘Was there anything special your mother used to do or make for you that seemed different when another did or made the same thing?’

  She frowned a few moments before saying, ‘Yes. When she tucked me into my pallet at night she sang to me and stroked back my hair before kissing my forehead. But after she got sick, Mistress Berta would simply send me to bed with little more than a wave to shoo me away.’

  Her comparison was a little more drastic than what he’d meant, but it would do. ‘It’s the same difference between a servant’s touch and a wife’s.’

  ‘How so?’

  Elrik feared she’d ask for a more detailed explanation. It wasn’t as if he’d had much experience in the matter as his wife had never cared about his wants or needs enough to offer anything that could have been considered a gentle touch. In truth, he’d only given voice to wishes that he’d once taken to heart.

  ‘The servant does their job—it is nothing more than a task to complete before moving on to the next task. But when a wife does, or sees, to the same task she’s interested in more than simply finishing the chore at hand. Usually, she wants her husband, or children, to be happy, comfortable with what was done with them in mind.’

  ‘Usually?’

  Since he had no intention of discussing his former wife, he shrugged in response.

  ‘While I understand what you are saying, I do not see how that will help me sway King David.’

  ‘I simply answered your question. I’ve truly no idea how you can use that information to your advantage. I can only tell you that King David possesses a soft spot for women. He has great regard for his mother and still, after nearly fifteen years, speaks highly of his dearly departed wife.’

  Avelyn frowned. ‘It is something I can think about over the next day or two.’

  He cleared his throat. ‘Since we covered so much ground today, we should arrive at Carlisle before sunset tomorrow.’

  ‘What?’ She bolted upright, repeating in a higher-pitched tone, ‘What?’

  ‘Is that a problem? I thought you would be relieved to have all of this over and done with.’

  After tossing her cover aside, she grasped the skirt of her tunic. ‘In this?’ Her hands flew to her hair. ‘Looking as though I just left the fields?’

  ‘The King knows you’ve been on the road. He isn’t going to expect you to arrive dressed for court.’

  ‘Being dressed for court isn’t a consideration since I do not own any clothing so fine. What matters is that I smell as bad as you and your men. I am filthy. My hair is a nest even a rat would avoid.’

  ‘Are you saying we stink?’

  Wrinkling her nose, she nodded. ‘Horribly.’

  Unable to stop himself, he laughed.

  She crossed her arms against her stomach and glared at him. ‘I am glad you find this so amusing.’

  ‘I had no idea that you were so vain, Lady Avelyn.’

  ‘Vanity has nothing to do with my concern. I am going to beg for my future and it will be a little difficult to claim any worth if I am covered in grime.’

  She had a point. ‘We can stop in the village before Carlisle. There is an inn there and I’m sure I can procure a chamber for your use. I might not be able to obtain a bath, but surely they’ll supply water. I have soap and a comb you can use. I am also certain the innkeeper, or a serving maid, will know where clean, serviceable clothing can be found.’

  ‘I have no coin to purchase clothing or for the use of a chamber.’

  ‘The cost will not be so great that I cannot afford the expense.’

  ‘But I have no way of repaying you.’

  He waved away her worry. ‘I do not expect you to do so.’

  She shook her head. ‘Since you are not related to me, nor betrothed or wed to me, it would be inappropriate.’

  Inappropriate? It wasn’t as if he’d suggested they do anything unseemly. ‘I think you worry far too much.’

  ‘No. If anything I worry not enough. I may be inexperienced in the ways of court, but I do understand how gossip grows and spreads. You would be seen as my...my protector...my keeper. And I would be seen as your woman.’ She sighed heavily before continuing. ‘While I may find you attractive, I do not wish to be known as your woman. It would make finding a suitable husband more difficult. If I did find someone, once he heard the rumours it is doubtful he would wish to take another man’s cast-off to wife.’

  ‘Procuring clean garments to casting you off is quite a long jump.’

  ‘Not when it comes to gossip.’

  ‘Lady Avelyn, I am fairly certain that your conversation with the King will prove more gossip-worthy than who supplied your clothing. A king’s great-granddaughter running away from a marriage, then returning only to cry assistance from another king to avoid the marriage, is not an everyday occurrence.’

  ‘Don’t you see? That is precisely what will make every detail open for speculation and gossip.’

  Elrik frowned. The only thing that would calm her worries and allow him to get some sleep was to work out how she could pay for it herself.

  At a loss as how to accomplish that, he shrugged. ‘Let me purchase something from you.’

  ‘What? I have nothing of any value.’

  ‘A bauble, a ribbon, something. I don’t know.’ He glanced at her, noticing her frown and pursed lips, then said without thinking first, ‘A kiss, perhaps.’

  Her eyes widened briefly before she leaned towards him. ‘Since I have no baubles, nor ribbons, a kiss will have to do.’

  He leaned away, surprised that she’d taken his offhanded suggestion seriously. She was overly worried about possible gossip at court, but not worried about kissing a man she barely knew?

  She dipped her head and looked at him through her eyelashes. ‘It is all I have. I trust you not to seek anything more than a kiss.’

  Her breath brushing warm against his lips left him wondering how they’d come so close to each other when he didn’t remember moving. His fingers slid easily through her hair as he cupped the back of her head. ‘You don’t have to do this.’

  She shifted on her knees to lean against him. ‘Oh, but I do.’

  Elrik groaned at her breathy whisper. Sleep was not going to be an option this night. ‘Avelyn, this is a mistake.’

  ‘Are you afraid?’

  He heard the teasing lilt of her voice, but it settled in his mind as more of a challenge than anything else. Gathering her closer, he asked, ‘Of what?’

  ‘A dove.’

  ‘A defenceless little dove?’ Although at the moment he was the one feeling rather defenceless.

  She curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. ‘One with fangs.’

  Elrik covered her lips with his.

  He had already guessed that curiosity had prompted her to be so bol
d, so her startled flinch wasn’t unexpected. However, the sudden catch in the pit of his stomach was more than just unexpected, it was downright disconcerting.

  But more disconcerting was her extended pause. After her initial flinch of surprise, she seemed to quickly become...distracted. His original plan had been to chastely kiss her lips, fully expecting that would be enough to satisfy her curiosity. But he’d tarried over-long and her lack of response brought those plans to a crossroads.

  Did he end this kiss, leaving her to think poorly of the act? Or, did he veer off his chosen path—a safe path—and recklessly change her opinion?

  When had he ever trod the safe path?

  Elrik lifted his head, leaving barely enough room between them for a breath of air to escape, and asked, ‘Not quite what you expected, little dove?’

  The second she parted her lips to reply, he captured her open mouth beneath his. Threading his fingers through her hair, he tightened them against the back of her head, tilting it slightly before sweeping his tongue across hers.

  Chapter Six

  Avelyn gasped at the stroking touch, thankful for the tightness of his arm around her, preventing her from falling to the blankets beneath them.

  She was more thankful that he’d changed his kiss into something that dispelled the disappointment that had been building.

  His first touch hadn’t been at all what she’d expected from a man’s kiss. From what she’d overheard the other girls talking about in her father’s kitchens, she’d been certain the act would prove so much...more. She’d foolishly worried that her expectations had been too high.

  But this...this was far better than what she’d expected or what she could have hoped. It wasn’t just a kiss. There was nothing gentle or soothing about this kiss. He wasn’t cruel, but he silently demanded that she respond, that she follow his lead. She willingly did so, knowing that she couldn’t have ignored the demand had she wanted to do so.

  It was as if he were claiming her and it sent heated shivers clear down to her toes. He did nothing more than hold her impossibly close and kiss her, yet every speck of her flesh tingled with longing. A virgin she might be, but Avelyn knew what her body longed to experience and it was all she could do not to beg him to—