“Shh,” Lorna warned. “Dinna say anything yet. I canna tell who can hear.”
When they entered Lena’s home, Lorna did a sweep through the chambers until it satisfied her that no one was hiding.
“What’re you doing? There’s no one home but us. My father has gone to visit his companion, and my brother is in the mead hall thinking he has a far higher tolerance than he does. I just hope he doesn’t come home with another black eye and broken fingers.”
“There’s nay one here this time, but I’m nae confident that there willna be someone lying in wait one of these days.” Lorna took Lena’s hands and drew her to sit before the fire. “Inga is dangerous. Her brothers dinna see it, but I do. She and Ulfhild are nae women to underestimate. They may nae wield swords, but they are manipulative and have learned how to make men do their begging. Inga in particular. At least ten of the guards who traveled with us receive favors from her in return for spying for her.”
Lorna cocked an eyebrow at Lena as the latter looked at Lorna askance. It was no great shock that Inga might not be a virgin, but Lena worried for Ivar’s safety if she set ten men against him.
“Ye’re worrying about Ivar’s wellbeing, but it’s yer safety ye should fear for. Lena, I’m serious. Inga is plotting something. I’m nae sure what yet. But I watched her throughout the meal. She seethed after Rangvald humiliated her in front of Ivar. He basically said Ivar would beat her or take her roughly if she didna start being sweeter. She canna do anything to Rangvald, and she doesnae dare do anything to Ivar. But she will take out her anger on you.”
“How can you be so sure? She knows who I am, but there are still laws about attacking free women.”
“Because she’s tried it on me. She had some of her lackies attack me one day just after I’d left the sparring ring. Rangvald was on a hunt, and none of the women like me enough to come to my aid. I could fight them off, but nae before they banged me up. I lied to Rangvald and told him missing him distracted me while I practiced, and I received my comeuppance for it. I defended myself well enough that none of her men will risk taking me on. And, to be honest, Rangvald hasnae left me alone long enough. I think he suspects more than I told him, but he hasnae pressed.”
“What are you suggesting? I can’t tell Ivar any of this. He would never leave my side. I can’t ask you and Rangvald to protect me, or Jarl Thor would tell Jarl Soren I’m trying to cause trouble. Eindride won’t keep a secret from Ivar. And I sure don’t trust Harold, and Sven is just too young. My brother is too young. My father is still strong enough to work the fields and fight one or two men, but he would die before he fended off ten men. Even Ivar or Rangvald would.”
“I will speak to Rang tonight. We can keep Inga occupied and with either Signy or me until the wedding. Once they are bound by the trial marriage, it will give Inga more freedom than any of us can control. Leave then. Find someone who can take ye away. It doesnae have to be forever, but it does have to be until Ivar can prove the marriage is a disaster.”
“Eindride has to be the one then. I intended on asking him to take me Kaupang where I could live once Ivar married. Ivar trusts him, and if Ivar knows it’s not forever, he will let Eindride take me. If Inga believes I’m leaving for good, then she might not care if you and Rangvald accompany us. Or if she minds, she won’t be able to kill me as easily while we travel.”
“Speak to Eindride as soon as ye can. This canna wait. Ye canna go to Ivar, and he canna come to ye. Eindride will have to be yer go-between. Perhaps people will see ye with Eindride and think Ivar has passed ye along. That is the best that ye can hope for until we can get ye away. Pack tonight and be ready to go as soon as the ceremony is over.”
Lorna pulled Lena in for a tight embrace, and both women savored the moment, neither having had sisters.
Lorna tucked hair behind Lena’s ear before hugging her again.
“I only had brothers, and they died before they could marry. I already love Signy as a sister, but I am so glad to have ye as well. I think one day blood shall connect our families. It will be yers that courses through our grandchildren.”
“Do you believe that?”
“I do, and I havenae even asked Signy.”
“Do you have the gift of sight?”
Lorna chuckled. “Nae in the least. If I had, my family would be alive. And if I had, then I would have realized without so much heartache that Rang feels the same aboot me as I do aboot him. I just have the strongest feeling that I can’t shake. We will be a family one day. More than once over, I am sure.”
Lena walked Lorna to the door and peered out before Lorna stepped into the brisk autumn air.
“There’s Eindride,” Lena murmured. “Send him to me, and I can explain everything tonight.”
Lorna looked around before sprinting to Eindride who appeared to be headed to the mead hall. Lena watched as Lorna was brief before tilting her head in Lena’s direction. Eindride nodded and stepped around Lorna. His frame blocked Lena’s view of Lorna. She waited at the door until he reached her. Lena moved aside and allowed Eindride in. She breathed a sigh of relief that they had been friends since they were both toddlers.
“What’s going on, Lena? Lorna said it was urgent that I see you. You need my protection, but she wouldn’t say why. She said no one can see her talking to me for too long and that you would explain.”
“Lorna came to warn me about Inga. She’s already been on the receiving end of Inga’s threats, and she fears Inga will take action to make sure I don’t live long enough to tempt Ivar.”
“Inga has never swung a sword in her life. I doubt she even knows what to do with a knife.” Eindride crossed his arms, and his smug expression made Lena want to slap him.
“She might not, but she has at least ten of her guardsmen who will act on her behalf. She has arrangements with them.” Lena paused to let that set in. “Ein, I wanted you to take me to Kaupang before Ivar marries, but he refused when I brought it up. Now, with Lorna’s warning, I have little choice. Inga had some of her men attack Lorna while Rangvald was away hunting. Apparently, they bashed her about enough for Rangvald to question what happened. She didn’t tell him, but she believes he’s guessed. Ein, take me to Kaupang at least long enough for Ivar to prove the marriage is a sham. With me not here, no one can say I’m tempting him away. Lorna said she and Rangvald might to ride with us.”
“No,” Eindride shook his head emphatically. “Absolutely not. Ivar will lose his mind if you disappear. No.”
“I didn’t say we would hide this from him. You have to be the one to explain. I can’t take the chance of being seen with him. Please, Ein. If not for my sake, then for Ivar’s. He has to at least try with Inga, or everything will fall apart. And who will people blame? Not Ivar. Not Inga. Not Jarl Soren. Me. I’ll be to blame.”
Eindride paused for a long moment, but Lena saw when he capitulated. She embraced him, but before she said thank you, the door burst open with a roar so loud, Lena thought it was a bear.
Ivar watched Lorna speaking to Eindride and wondered why his friend’s woman was speaking to his other friend. Then his heart rate spiked when Eindride looked around as if to make sure no one was watching him and walked to Lena’s door. He watched Lena waiting for Eindride at the door and welcoming him with a smile. Eindride had not visited Lena alone in her home since before Ivar became involved with her. Or so he thought.
