Given the way the summer sun beat down, she was also pleased that she’d opted for her thin wool gown, the one that set off her eyes.
‘I’ll miss you,’ she said, brushing Astrid’s cheek with her lips. ‘But my instinct is to go with my new husband.’
She hadn’t expected Astrid to come down to the ship but, leaning heavily on Sigmund’s arm, she had. To her surprise, Rand allowed her a little time to make her private goodbyes.
‘A mark of good faith, my dear. You’re well placed to explain about the perfidy of the Brothers Drengrson, particularly Turgeis,’ Sigmund said. ‘Astrid explained how uncomfortable Turgeis made you in Agthir.’
Astrid pressed her hand. ‘I know you have been wary of that man for a long time, but I think Lord Randolfr will do his best to protect you.’
An ice-cold splinter went down Svanna’s back. Astrid believed Turgeis would attack her.
‘We need to go, my lady wife, or we will miss the tide,’ Rand shouted where he stood at the helm of his boat. ‘I’m not minded to forego this particular tide.’
The words were friendly enough, but there was an underlying warning. She went now or she lost the chance. ‘I should go.’
‘Sooner you go, the quicker we will see each other again.’ Astrid gave a tired smile. ‘Long goodbyes are wearisome.’
‘I will ensure Astrid is well looked after and that she recovers her strength. Never fear that,’ Sigmund said, putting his arm about Astrid’s waist.
In response, Astrid leant against him and gave a cat-that-got-the-cream sort of smile, before stepping out of the circle of his arm.
Svanna enveloped Astrid in one final hug. Astrid stood stiffly for a long heartbeat before giving her a fierce hug in return.
‘I will return for your wedding,’ she said into Astrid’s ear. ‘Halfr put his arm about you in public. He will not have you mistaken for a concubine. Say yes when he asks, please.’
Astrid’s cheeks flamed. ‘Nothing is settled between Halfr and me.’
‘Nevertheless, you have my word about wishing to attend.’
Astrid brushed Svanna’s cheek. ‘You have a good heart, Svanna, but no more of this matchmaking. Your future is elsewhere.’
‘I know that.’
‘And, Svanna, seduce him as soon as possible. It will help bind him to you. Stop being afraid. You can do this. I have seen how he looks at you.’
Svanna gulped hard and was pleased Rand was too far away to hear the words. Seduce him at the earliest opportunity? How? She’d spent years being an Ice Maiden. When and where? Her body still faintly ached from what had passed between them, but she suspected she’d been a disappointment to him, a novelty and nothing more.
‘I will try.’
‘That is the Svanna I know and love. Now, go. Make your mother proud. Make me proud.’
Without a reply, Svanna hurried to the boat and Rand’s helmsman helped her aboard. She stood beside Rand, but looked back towards the shore until Astrid and Sigmund became no more than faint dots.
The warmth suddenly appeared to have gone from the sun. She wrapped her arms around her and tried not to think on Astrid’s last injunction. All she knew was that it would be very awkward if Rand guessed. All she could cling to was how much the usurper had liked her and how that had assisted Astrid in the early days of the occupation. Maybe she could bond with the little girl and demonstrate to Rand how useful she could be.
‘How long to Tara?’
‘Before the sun sets in the West, we will make landfall,’ Rand said, handing the helm to one of his men. ‘I want to go to Donaghmoyne. Land in the North, rather than making our way from near Dubh-Linn. Less chance of encountering Turgeis and his men.’
Svanna shivered despite the heat of the day. She was voluntarily going to the same country as that man. Was she walking into a web he’d woven or would she be able to cut the strands and finally destroy him for ever? ‘You think that is a risk?’
‘After what happened, I consider it a distinct possibility. But under Máel Sechnaill, the men of Eire have managed to keep the Northmen contained to the area around Dubh-Linn. We will be safe landing in the North and travelling by land.’
A tremor passed through her. ‘We will be safe there?’
‘Turgeis requires power, not certain defeat. His ships might occasionally patrol the coastline but they don’t land.’
‘You sound like Lord Sigmund before Turgeis attacked. What Turgeis will dare depends on what he intends to achieve.’
