Page 12 of Seduced by the Viking (Bound and Betrothed #5)

CHAPTER 11

The forty-ninth day of the men’s sojourn on the island

As dusk approached, Rutger climbed the hillside for his rendezvous with Eldberg and J?rgen. Pausing on the upper portion of the track, he looked down upon the bay, where the dipping sun cast its umber glow across the horizon.

‘Twas a beautiful sight—one he wished Grethe were at his side to admire, but there was no chance of that now. Since their argument, she’d refused even to acknowledge him.

At first, he’d let her be, allowing the heat to wane from that hot head of hers. Perhaps he’d waited too long, for when he’d attempted to speak with her, she’d refused to open her door, keeping it barred from within. Thrice, he’d chased her down outside, and she’d acted as if he didn’t exist.

A tray of food appeared twice daily outside his door, but Grethe initiated no contact between them.

Left to his own devices, he’d been careful not to overstep. Though he and the other men moved more freely among the women these past weeks, he was still under Grethe’s care. He’d no wish to see her punished for failing to keep him within bounds.

In the end, it was Signy who’d come to him, urging that he give Grethe her space, that in her own time, she would be ready to open herself to him again. He wanted to believe it was possible, but he feared otherwise.

He could hardly blame Grethe. Every accusation she’d flung at him had been true. He had deceived her—more than she knew. Many times, he might have confided in her, but he hadn’t trusted her to keep the secret of his jarl’s plans.

Trust !

A sick feeling roiled in his stomach. After the way Tyra and his brother had betrayed him, he’d thought he’d never truly trust anyone again.

Nevertheless, I want that closeness with someone—to believe they’ll never act to deceive or hurt me. I want that with someone I can spend my life with, growing old together, raising children perhaps.

I want that with Grethe.

And yet, you ruined it all—expecting her to have faith in you, no matter all you withheld.

Telling her she was the one lacking trust hadn’t helped.

He could kick himself, looking back.

If anyone was entitled to be wary, it was Grethe—after the way that good-for-nothing Sven and her obnoxious aunt had treated her.

Little wonder she’d failed to believe his protests, that he intended to take her with him. He’d not said a word of how he felt for her, of how he’d carry her away against her will if necessary.

He thumped his forehead with his fist.

What are you thinking?

As if Grethe would forgive you for abducting her!

The most laughable thing was that she’d been privy to far more than he’d known, and she’d said naught to anyone. Even now, as far as he could tell, she’d kept his secret.

Turning back to the path, Rutger pressed on. His jarl didn’t like to be kept waiting. That was all he had—allegiance to Eldberg.

The thought rang hollow.

Too late, Rutger was realizing what Grethe meant to him and that there was no coming back from his mistakes.

Sitting upon the trunk they’d felled, Eldberg took a long draught from the water pouch before passing it to J?rgen. All the side branches were now removed, and the bark shredded away. Rutger was still chiseling one end, ready for the mast to be wedged into the holding place in the center of the boat’s hull. The pegs to which the sails would be attached would need to be inserted later.

“We can slide it down the hillside tomorrow night, then roll it across the beach.” Eldberg cracked his knuckles. “Only a few more nights, and we’ll be ready to make our departure. Think of that! Back to Skálavík, lads!”

“Aye.” J?rgen nodded. “The sooner we’re off this island, the better. Even Astrid agrees. She’s promised to say naught until the time comes, but she shares my disquiet. For all its beauty, this place makes me uneasy. I shan’t have peace until we’re far from here, preferably with our own fjord in sight.”

Eldberg slapped him upon the shoulder. “Spoken like a true man of Skálavík. As for Astrid, I trust you’ve won her over sufficiently to do all you command. She’s not the only one with knowledge of our plans. I’ve made a pact with Elin and with the old woman Bothild to safeguard the wellbeing of any woman who comes with us. They may remain in Skálavík, and I’ll safeguard them like my own kin or aid their return if they wish it.”

Rutger swallowed down the urge to add that Grethe also knew of their intentions. She’d kept silent so far, and he had to assume that would continue.

“Will you hold fast to such a pact?” J?rgen was bold enough to ask.

Eldberg narrowed his eyes. “A man is only as honorable as his word. Even if we bundle women on the boat by force, ‘twill be for their own good. I’ve little doubt when they’ve tasted what Skálavík has to offer, they’ll be glad we brought them.”

Rutger said naught. His jarl’s talk of honor was all very well, but he knew Eldberg’s actions would be governed solely by what suited him when the time came.

“We’ll be five and ten with our wenches,” Eldberg went on. “At least four more strong arms are required on the oars. Six would be better. They need only row as long as it takes to get us out of the bay. Once we’re in open waters, the sail and wind will take over.”

“Why only five?” Rutger paused in his work. “Are Rangvald’s injuries still severe enough to preclude him from taking an oar? In any case, Elin will want to do her part.”

Eldberg’s expression hardened. “Rangvald won’t be coming. I’ve not burdened you with the truth, but that cur tried to kill me. He’s been locked up, and there he’ll stay.” A sneer entered his tone. “Once we’re gone, the women may do as they like with him.”

J?rgen cast a sideways look at Rutger. Neither needed to speak. Eldberg brooked no challenge, and if Rangvald had been foolhardy enough to raise some weapon against his jarl, he’d sealed his own fate.

That Rangvald had done so, Rutger did not doubt. He remembered Rangvald’s words when he’d taken him the crutches. There was some deeper rift between Rangvald and his jarl, which neither seemed inclined to elaborate on.

As far as Rutger was concerned, ‘twas none of his business, though he felt compassion for Rangvald, nonetheless. He was too proud to allow Rutger into his confidence, but for all Rangvald’s bravado, anyone could see the man was tormented.

“Keep that information to yourselves,” Eldberg added dourly. “‘Twill go easier for these women if they believe us to have their best interests at heart. Discovering they’ve a would-be-murderer in their midst won’t help anyone.”

Rutger lowered his gaze. There was more to this than Eldberg was letting on, he felt sure, but there would be no further answers from his jarl.