Eric ignored the woman’s outstretched hands and asked, “How did you come to be here?”
A hint of sadness crossed her face. “After I thought you had died, I could not…be with Eyker anymore. I made a terrible mistake. I needed to return home.”
He didn’t believe her. The tone in her voice sounded soft, guileless. Her eyes held back tears, tears he was certain she knew how to use for the maximum effect. He had seen women like her in the London ton, ruthless women who spoke lies to get what they wanted. He didn’t know why she had come, but he held no trust in this woman.
“After they told me you were alive, I had to come. I had to see for myself.” She moved closer, resting her hands upon the table before him.
“I imagine they also told you that I married Katarina.” Beneath the table, he reached out and took her hand, to reassure her that he had no interest in the other woman.
Beside him, he saw his wife clench her eating knife. He wondered if Svala was aware of the danger. He’d stake a wager on his wife over any other woman—especially now, when they had spent the afternoon together.
Svala barely spared her a glance. “They told me you married to protect her from Leif.”
As if that were the only possible reason why he would wed Katarina. Before he could speak, his wife answered, “We married over a week ago.” She clenched her blade, and his wife reminded him of a wallflower trying to face down a London debutante. Eric squeezed her palm in silent support.
But Svala dug in further. “It was kind of you to take pity upon her. When the danger is gone, I suppose you will end the marriage?” From the way she stared at him with a suggestive smile, her interest was clear enough.
Eric couldn’t believe her boldness. Was she hoping that he would turn his attention to her?
“Why would I want to do that?” he mused. “Katarina is everything I could want in a woman.” To emphasize his words, he leaned down and kissed his wife. She kissed him back, but her face reddened. Then she stood from her chair and rested her hands upon his shoulders.
“I am tired, Eric. I will wait for you in our bed.” With a pointed look toward Svala, she walked toward the partition that divided the sleeping areas from the larger gathering space.
He was tempted to follow Katarina, but instead, he waited until she had gone. “What is it you really want, Svala?”
She reached out to touch his hand. “I want to make amends for what I did to you. I never should have betrayed you in that way.” Her face softened, and she admitted, “I did love you, Arik. Whether or not you believe me, it is true. I don’t think I realized how much I cared until I thought you were gone.”
He pulled back his hand. “It is in the past, Svala.”
Her face faltered with uncertainty. “Is it?” She folded her hands in front of her and regarded him. “My feelings have not changed.”
He suspected that words would not dissuade her, so he decided to divert her attention. “Earlier today, did you visit the dwelling where my wife and I were staying?”
She gave a pained smile. “I did. But you were in the midst of training, so I left.”
It was a possible reason for the dog’s barking, but he probed further. “And what about Katarina’s blade? Did you take it?”
At that, her expression turned confused. “I do not know what you are talking about.”
Eric had his doubts, but he made no move to press the issue further. He knew better than to trust this woman. She had betrayed Thorgrim once and would do so again if it was to her benefit. But he would not allow her to cause trouble. He saw the true worth of his wife, and there was no comparison between them.
“It does not matter. You have seen that I am well and whole. If you have family, go back to them and leave us in peace.” Eric stood, intending to return to Katarina, when he heard her cry out.
He bolted toward the partition, not knowing what he would find. When he reached Katarina, he saw that her hands were covered in blood. Fear iced through his veins until he realized it wasn’t hers. She was holding the wolf pelt her brother always wore.
“What’s happened?” he asked, hurrying toward her.
“Hrafn is wounded.” Her voice was broken and she clutched the bloodstained fur to her gown. “Someone left this for me to find, and I don’t know where he took my brother.” Her voice revealed her terror, and though she made no accusations, Leif was likely responsible.
“We will find him.” He took the wolf pelt from her and met her stricken gaze. Katarina was trying her best to remain calm, but he understood her fear. Hrafn was her only surviving family member, and she couldn’t bear the death of another sibling.
Eric turned back to Valdr. “I will need some of your men to join in the search for Hrafn.” He had no doubt that Leif intended to lure him into a fight. His enemy might be trying to draw him away from Katarina, in an effort to take her. But if Eric brought her along, she might face even greater risks.
He moved toward her and took her hand. “Do you want to go with me to find him? Or would you rather stay behind?”
“I am not remaining here while my brother is in danger.” But she added, “I will stay at your side.”
So be it. At least then, he would know she was safe. Katarina rested her hand upon her dagger and added, “If he dares to hurt my brother, I want him dead.”
