Birdie nodded and seemed to accept the reassurance. She rested her head against Svanna’s. Svanna marvelled at how natural holding the little girl felt. She knew she loved her for her own sake, but also because she was Rand’s. She clutched Birdie tighter at the realisation. She’d done what she’d vowed not to do—she loved Rand.
‘The child will become spoilt,’ the nurse said, shaking her head and bringing Svanna back to the here and now.
‘She is rapidly becoming the child of my heart.’
The nurse nodded. ‘A child who is easy to love.’
Svanna knew that she couldn’t confess that she loved the child in part because she loved her father. Her feelings for Rand were far too new and private, particularly as he’d made it clear that love from her was the last thing he desired. With Astrid, she’d become the second-best daughter. She was Rand’s second choice wife and wishing for anything else was not going to happen, even if her heart screamed that for once she wanted someone to love her for her own sake.
‘I assume you have the appropriate hiding place picked out in the round tower.’ Svanna forced a smile and waved her free hand. ‘All a precaution, you understand. Lord Randolfr will return shortly with the errant pair.’
‘Whatever happens, we will celebrate your marriage.’
‘Precisely. Sometimes marking these things matters. It will be a feast that is long discussed.’
The nurse made a curtsey. ‘I hope you are right. I would hate for it to be remembered for the wrong reasons.’
A loud banging at the gates made Birdie cry out. Svanna handed her to the nurse. ‘Go quickly where you must, but stay by her side. Don’t leave her in the dark to cower.’
The nurse promised to remain with Birdie until either Svanna or Lord Randolfr came to get the girl.
Svanna concentrated on smoothing her gown, before she went to the ramparts above the gate. Turgeis and a small band of fully armed warriors stood there. Her knees threatened to give way, and she felt physically sick. She put out a hand to steady herself and bade the feeling to go. She forced herself to look again. That number of warriors would be unlikely to besiege this fort for long.
‘My lady, is everything well? You should not be here. My lord would object,’ Rand’s helmsman said.
‘Is there a secret entrance?’ she quietly asked. ‘A way to escape?’
‘Known only to a few.’
‘Is it guarded?’
The man shook his head. ‘Only shared with those whom Lord Randolfr trusts implicitly and my late lady, of course.’
Those Rand trusted and who would never betray him must include Thorarinn and Rhiannon. She fought against the rising tide of panic in her throat. The small gathering of men at the front could be a feint, as Turgeis had done on Islay. They could be going through the tunnel, if Rhiannon had betrayed them. And how far to trust the nurse? She kept taking Birdie away for her so-called naps. She had to act on instinct until Rand returned.
‘Guard it now, block all the tunnels you know about, and keep a guard on Birdie’s nurse.’
‘My lady, we won’t be able to get out if we’re overrun. Go now.’
‘Don’t question my orders.’ She raised her hand. ‘Send word when it is done. Stay with the child, but get her to somewhere else besides the round tower. In the hall with the other children.’
The more she considered, the more she suspected that Rhiannon must have told Turgeis where the hidden entrances were. Turgeis’s swaggering pose screamed that he expected to win, and she knew Turgeis only won through treachery.
‘My lady, I’ve seen how you care for that child as your own, carrying her about.’ He bowed his head. ‘I’d give my life for that child. It will be done.’
‘Thank you.’ Svanna turned back to the gate and concentrated on the figure glaring up at her. ‘Why do you remain here, Turgeis? Why? Only death and destruction await you here. You don’t have enough men for a prolonged siege.’
‘Are we going to knock this gate down?’ Turgeis called. ‘You give me whatever I want, and I go. That simple, Ingebord. You’ve no choice. Whatever game you and your mother thought you were playing, you’ve been outplayed.’ He kissed his fingers. ‘The sweetness on top of sweetness.’
The words sent a distinct chill down her spine. Turgeis knew more than he was letting on, or wanted her to think he did. He hadn’t expected to encounter her here though.
Whatever else she did, Svanna knew she must keep his attention focused on her, until she received word that Birdie was safe. She silently prayed that the nurse had not hidden her deep within a tunnel or indeed had decided to escape with the little girl, straight into Turgeis’s men’s arms.
‘Give me what I require and your men can go, alive with their swords and honour intact,’ Svanna called back down in Norse. ‘We’re not playing silly games, Turgeis. I’ll not make this offer again. A small trifle from you. Non-negotiable.’
Turgeis gave a half-smile. ‘What is this small trifle you require?’
‘Your immediate surrender.’ Svanna leant forward over the rampart. ‘Your days of attacking peaceful communities are over. You must answer for your many crimes.’
