Then Ragnar laughed, a deep, booming sound that made the cups rattle. "I like her."
"Aye," Harald agreed. "She's got spine."
"More spine than Magnus deserves," Ivar added.
Magnus's hand tightened on Ada's arm, possessive, protective. "Are ye all finished?"
"Fer now," Erik said. He looked at Ada directly. "Sit with us, Lady Ada. Let's see if ye can keep up."
Ada let Magnus guide her to a seat between him and Claricia. As the meal progressed—platters of roasted meat, fresh bread, ale flowing freely—she found herself relaxing incrementally.
The jarls were loud. Crude at times. They argued about everything from ship designs to the best way to kill a man in single combat. But they also laughed easily, teased each other mercilessly, and treated her with a rough respect that felt more genuine than any court courtesy.
And Claricia, she was a godsend.
"How are ye feelin'?" Ada asked quietly during a lull in the conversation. "The bairn, I mean."
"Heavy." Claricia laughed, one hand on her swollen belly. "And impatient. He kicks constantly. Keeps me up half the night."
"He?"
"Erik's convinced it's a boy." Claricia's expression softened. "Though I dinnae care, as long as it is healthy."
"When are ye due?"
"Two months more or less," Claricia looked at Ada seriously. "I heard what ye did in the village. Figurin' out about the poisoned well together with Magnus. That was smart."
"I just—I noticed a pattern, that's all."
"Dinnae sell yerself short. A lot of people wouldnae have seen it." Claricia glanced at Magnus, who was deep in conversation with Erik. "He's a good man, ye ken. Beneath all the ice and severity. It just takes time tae see it."
"How much time?"
"Fer me and Erik? About three weeks of almost dyin' before we figured out we actually liked each other." Claricia grinned. "But I'm hopin' ye'll have an easier go of it."
Ada laughed despite herself. "That's nae a high bar tae clear."
"Nay, it's nae." Claricia squeezed her hand. "But ye'll manage. I can tell. Ye're stronger than ye think."
The meal stretched long into the evening. By the time it ended, Ada's cheeks hurt from smiling, her voice was hoarse from talking, and she felt more exhausted than she had in days.
But she also felt something else.
Acceptance.
CHAPTER NINE
The men withdrew after dinner, moving to Magnus's study to discuss matters of the Pact—security, shipping routes, the political situation with the Crown. Ada watched them go, relieved to have a moment to breathe.
Claricia touched her arm. "Come. Let's find somewhere quieter to talk."
They settled in a small alcove off the great hall, away from the noise of servants clearing tables. Claricia lowered herself carefully into a chair with a small groan. "God, I'll be glad when this bairn finally decides tae arrive."
Ada smiled.
Claricia studied Ada's face. "So. Two days until the wedding. How are ye feelin'?"
"Terrified. Confused. Exhausted." Ada laughed weakly. "But I suppose that's normal?"
