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“But she is still very young. And after such a dreadful experience… It is too soon, surely.”

Gunnar shrugged.

“You would not force the issue? That would be cruel, and?—“

“I have little interest in arranging marriages, apart from my own naturally, though I do believe it would be a good solution here. But I will not force anything. I leave that to you, my love. You shall decide what is best for the girl, and when. How does that suit?”

She craned her neck to regard her husband’s deceptively fierce visage. “That would suit very well, Jarl. Thank you. And now, I must go to her. Perhaps I might help..."

She made as though to scramble from the pool but he tightened his arms about her. "Edyth will be glad of your ointments and such, I daresay. Right now, she is sleeping and Aigneis will remain with her until you return to the longhouse."

"I see... And Ferris? Where is he?"

"He is in the stocks at the back of the forge. He is going nowhere, at least, not yet."

"Not yet? What do you mean to do with him?"

"I would be within my rights to hang him, and I daresay the women of this land would be safer if I did so. Having heard what you have to say I might yet erect a scaffold."

"But you said he was to be whipped...?"

"Yes. Twenty lashes. That was the sentence he should have had last time but I curtailed it as he declared himself truly contrite. I will not be merciful again."

"No, I understand that. Rape... it is very serious."

Gunnar was no longer certain this was the worst of Ferris’ crimes, but it was what seemed to most concern Mairead and he could hardly blame her. Women were vulnerable to the violence of men, and he knew enough of her past to realise she had faced her share.

"Yes. I appreciate that you might consider that we Vikings set little store by such niceties, and I do understand where that sentiment comes from. A Viking raid is never a pretty affair and whilst I do not personally care for needless violence against those who are defenceless I am aware that the women we conquer do not always fare well. But be under no illusion, here, in our homes, within our own community, we will not tolerate such lawlessness. I am chief here. It is my responsibility to maintain order, to mete out discipline and justice. Edyth is but a slave, but she belongs to me and must be protected also. She is entitled to expect no less. Had Ferris laid hands on a Viking karl, or even a woman of the Jarl, I would have hanged him, have no doubt on that. His plotting to murder me would merit his death, but I would have to call upon you to bear witness to it.” Her rapid head-shake was not unexpected, and he resigned himself to the course he had already set out.

“Very well then. One slave attacking another, this is less serious in Viking law but not without consequences.

Ferris shall receive every one of his twenty lashes this time.

They are well-deserved. Following his punishment he will be taken to Hafrsfjord and sold.

I will not have him here, endangering the women of Gunnarsholm.

Or me for that matter, since I doubt his hatred will abate as a result of what I plan for him.

His new master will be informed of his crime, and can take such precautions as he sees fit. "

"Where will Ferris end up?"

"My guess? As an oar-slave on a dragon ship. He will have no further opportunity to molest women or plot against his master."

"That... that sounds like a hard life."

"Yes, and invariably a short one, too. The dangers are extreme.

He has brought this on himself though, and I want you to understand why I must deal with him harshly.

I hope that you can agree with my decision, despite your having sought to protect him from a whipping all these months, but I must tell you, it is final. "

Mairead met his gaze, her own expression steady. "Good. I am deeply sorry I kept his secrets."

She would be, he promised himself.

"Good? You are at ease with all of this then?"

"I under-estimated him, did not take seriously the danger he presented and Edyth was hurt. I now realise that he would have hurt me if he could, if he ever had a chance. You too. He cannot stay here and… and I know you must make an example of him. I... will you insist that I watch the whipping?"

"Under Viking law a trial is always public, and so is the punishment for a crime. I could add the charges you have made, his threats to you, his conspiring to murder me, but I prefer not to. I see no merit in giving his deranged ideas more credence that is absolutely necessary, and neither do I wish to insist that you bear witness. Unless you want to?”

She shook her head again.

“Very well. Just the attempted rape, then. All may witness the proceedings, but I will not compel you to do so. Nor Donald."

"Thank you. I prefer not to. When will it...?"

"Soon. As soon as Edyth is sufficiently recovered to accuse Ferris. There is enough evidence against him with just the testimony of Weylin and Steinn, and I myself saw her injuries. But the victim is entitled to see justice done so I shall delay until Edyth is ready."

"I see. And, Edyth is sleeping now, you say."

"Yes, that is right."

"She is not in danger? She has no need of my assistance at this moment?"

"I think not."

"Then we have a little time to ourselves. There is no pressing rush to get on with matters."

Gunnar tilted his head to one side, considering her statement. "No pressing rush, as far as I am aware."

"In that case, it would be a pity to waste this rare opportunity to take advantage of the waters. I... I would like to atone for my earlier ill-chosen words, and for… everything else."

"You intend to drape yourself across my lap then, and offer up your beautiful bottom for suitable punishment? Perhaps I should seek out a bundle of switches."

"Yes, if you wish me to. I deserve no less. But I was thinking rather of an act of worship."

"Worship?" He furrowed his brow. "What do you?—?"

He was silenced by the grip of her small hand around his solid cock. His balls contracted and his shaft lurched in her fist.

"My husband, if you would perhaps lift yourself up a little, perhaps be seated on the edge of the pool...?"

"Ah." He could find no objection to her suggestion and soon adjusted his position accordingly.

His cock jutted straight up, droplets of moisture already dribbling from the tip.

As he watched, Mairead rubbed the pad of her thumb around the crown, spreading the wetness about.

She moved closer and knelt before him in the pool, his erection at eye level to her.

With a slow smile she tilted her head back to look up at him.

The naughty little wench actually licked her lips. ..

"Mairead, I... oh, fuck..." He let out an oath as she opened her mouth and took his cock between her lips.

He closed his eyes, leaned back on his hands and allowed his head to drop back, savouring the sensations as her tongue curled around the smooth head, then traced the ridge on the underside.

Encouraged, she lifted herself higher and inched more of his cock into the wet warmth of her mouth.

Her teeth grazed his shaft, her tongue lapped at his head, her cheeks hollowed as she applied just a little suction.

"Wife, you will be the death of me," he warned, without conviction.

Her response was a low hum which sent delicious tingles the length of his erection. By Thor's balls, where did she learn such a trick?

Gunnar reached for her, grasped a handful of her wet hair in his fist but did not pull.

He merely held her there, her face perfectly positioned for him to fuck should he choose to take control.

Gunnar saw no immediate need for that. Instead he allowed her to continue her game, hissing as she took more of his length, then more still.

She angled her head to use the pocket of her inner cheek, and he permitted this.

In time, she would let him have her throat, but for now, her ministrations were bliss enough.

He sat upright again and watched her through heavily lidded eyes.

She was beautiful, this fiery-haired Celt he had become obsessed with and taken first as his slave, then his wife.

He had been right, she was perfect and never more so than when her lush lips were stretched tight around his cock.

Her cheeks worked, her throat rippled. He watched as she drew in a breath through her nose, and his balls twisted painfully. It would not be long.

"I will spend in your mouth and you shall swallow it. All of it." He lifted one brow as though to ask if this plan was quite to her liking, though in truth he was ready to insist.

There was no need. She nodded, just a little, but enough to leave him in no doubt.

He sank his other hand into her hair and now he did twist the flaming locks between his fingers.

Her eyes widened. He knew he was hurting her, but equally he was aware that she did not want him to stop.

One small hand cupped his aching balls, the other rested on the top of his thigh and squeezed his taut flesh.

She caressed his balls and dipped her head a fraction more, took as much of him as she possibly could and she sucked hard.

His release exploded from deep within his aching nuts.

Semen rushed to fill the hot cavern of her mouth and he saw her throat work hard to clear it.

There was more, spurt after spurt gushed forth and still she fought to swallow all of it, as he had instructed.

A trickle of the pale, milky liquid escaped from the corner of her mouth and he reached to catch it on the tip of his middle finger.

All the while Mairead maintained eye contact with him and lapped at his turgid, demanding cock.

Only when the final tremors of his climax had passed did he loosen his remaining hold on her hair. He relaxed and settled back again, though he continued to watch her as she sat back on her heels. His cock bobbed free again and she managed a tremulous smile.

"You lost a bit." He offered her his finger to lick, the stray droplets still balanced there.

Mairead wrapped her tongue around his digit and cleaned it thoroughly. He stroked her cheek, then her hair and knew he had the most ridiculous smirk on his face but it did not matter. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too, my husband," came the reply.

Now he smiled in earnest. "In that case, there only remains the matter of your earlier ridiculous outburst and your utterly regrettable lapse in judgement."

"You mean to take a switch to me." Her features betrayed her apprehension, but Gunnar was never a man to shy from administering discipline when required.

"Ah, you thought to distract me with your delightful mouth?

Alas, it has not worked though I do thank you for your efforts, my sweet.

I have no switch to hand but I shall treat you to a spanking, and believe me when I tell you, you will not sit easily for a week.

Then I shall fuck you. I consider it best."

"As you say, Jarl. Should I...?" She glanced about, as though seeking a suitable location for her spanking. She need not bother.

"You should clamber up here and lie across my lap, wench. Be quick about it."

"But, it is cold, out of the water..."

He flexed his shoulders, now quite dry since he had been out of the warming confines of the pool for some time. "You will become accustomed to it, though I grant you it is all the more reason not to delay. Do you require my assistance?"

"I believe I can manage." She poked with her toes at the floor of the pool until she found a solid footing, then stood up with care. She stepped forward, leaning on his shoulder for balance and lifted her foot up onto the ledge beside her.

Gunnar almost missed it. The subtle, barely perceptible gesture very nearly escaped him.

Mairead slipped, lost her balance momentarily before he grabbed at her waist to steady her.

She tightened her grip on his shoulder, and brought her other hand to her abdomen where she spread her fingers protectively over her flat stomach.

He helped her from the pool, then held his silence as she draped her slim body over his thighs.

He took a few moments to admire the plump curves of her bottom, then laid his hand on the fleshiest part.

"When were you intending to tell me?"

"Tell you?" She twisted her body around to look up at him. "Tell you what?"

"When were you going to tell me about the baby?"

Her face paled. "How did you know?"

"I am the one asking questions. You, my sweet, are the one tipped up ready for a hard spanking. So, when?" He dropped a gentle slap onto her upturned buttock by way of encouragement.

"Soon. I... I only became sure myself a day or so ago. It is very early..."

"Is it too early? After Tyra?"

"I do not believe so. I am well, and strong. And, if it has happened, then..."

"Quite. So, I shall need to extend my longhouse at this rate."

"I am sorry, my husband. Perhaps it would have been preferable to delay, but?—"

"But that is not in your control, Nor mine, really. The gods have a way of determining these things, we mortals must accept our fate."

"I... I suppose so."

"Accept our fate, but we should not tempt it."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, my love, that I am not minded to seriously spank a pregnant woman, however deserving you might be of such attention.

I will not risk harm to you, or our baby, so I shall have to devise an alternative means of punishing you.

Your current situation does lend itself to various possibilities, though.

" Again he dropped a soft spank onto her unprotected buttock.

"I wonder, could I ask you to reach back and spread the cheeks of your bottom for me? "

"What? What did you say?" She made as though to squirm from his lap but he was quicker and anchored her in place with his arm.

"You heard me. I can manage without your aid, of course, but the experience will be less daunting for you if you cooperate."

"What experience?" she squeaked. "What do you mean to do to me?"

"I intend to bury my fingers in your arse, my love. One at first, then two, then a third. By that stage I expect you will be ready to take my cock."

"Your cock? You cannot mean to... to..."

"To fuck your arse? I assure you, Mairead, that is exactly what I do mean. So, is it to be with your cooperation or without it? Your choice."