He nodded, satisfied, and steered the cart in the direction she was indicating. Gulltoppr, who’d gone to the stream to have a drink, started trotting back to them.
“I’ve always wanted a horse, you know,” Eahlswith said, looking at the splendid animal, with his gold mane flowing in the wind. Why was she telling Sven this? She had no idea. Perhaps because she was finding it hard to go back to normal after what had happened earlier, when he had gifted her pleasure without asking for anything in return. Choosing an innocuous topic of conversation would help restore the ease between them. “Only, we could never afford to have even a mule when I was growing up and, living in town, there is little cause to have a mount.”
“If you want a horse I will get you a horse,” Sven said without even looking at her. She stilled. He would get her a horse. He’d made it sound so simple… She didn’t know what to say. “My father has a sweet chestnut mare which has just finished her training. The men at the village, being rather large and full of energy, prefer to ride sturdy geldings or stallions full of spirit themselves so we weren’t quite sure what to do with an animal that is as graceful as it is gentle. We’ve called her Amber for now but you can give her one of your animal names if you prefer. Doe would be a perfect name for her, actually, on account of both her coloring and personality. All the animal names don’t have to be fearsome, do they?”
Eahlswith stared at him. He was talking as if all this was very reasonable, making plans for the mare and not thinking for a moment that she could refuse his all too generous offer. But though she wanted to accept, she knew she could not.
“Sven, you cannot give me a horse,” she said feebly.
“Why not?”
Why not? “It’s…well…”
This time he did look at her. “Are you telling me you would mistreat her?”
“Of course not!” She was horrified that he would even entertain the idea. Was he teasing her? “But a horse is too precious a gift… Besides, I cannot really ride.” She had only ever ridden ponies and donkeys and never even attempted to trot.
He waved the objection away, the gesture surprisingly elegant for such a strong man. “That’s no issue. I can teach you to ride.”
Again. So easy. “To teach me, you’d have to see me often.”
“Yes. I would. But that is not an issue either,” he answered her with a piercing look. “Alva, make no mistakes, there will be no disappearing ever again. You are part of my life now. And I think you know it.”
Her body started to heat. Indeed she knew it. When she’d been abducted she had been about to make love to him in the most scandalous manner for that precise reason. But she wasn’t sure she was brave enough to say it out loud just yet, not here in the cold, while they were going back home after her near abduction.
Fortunately, the farm was now in view, providing a welcome distraction. She guided Sven on the quickest path to reach it and moments later they were at the door of a well-maintained and spacious hut. Eahlswith knocked.
The farmer’s daughter, a girl a few years younger than her, opened and stared.
“Eahlswith? What are you doing here at this hour? ’Tis almost nightfall, I?—”
The sentence was cut short when Gedla spotted Sven behind her, a tower of male strength. Despite the fading light, it was obvious that her cheeks had become quite flushed. Wonderful. Yet another victim to his charm.
“I know it’s late. That is precisely why we are here,” Eahlswith said, doing her best to regain the girl’s attention. How had she not anticipated the effect the Norseman would have on her friend? No doubt it would play to their advantage, as the girl would be eager to help, but she couldn’t help a pang of jealousy. “My friend and I were caught in the snowstorm yesterday and made it home too late to get back into town. Could we make use of your hay loft for the night?”
“Of course. Of course. Let me get you something to eat and drink as well.”
“That would be much appreciated, thank you.”
With those words Sven handed Gedla a silver coin he’d extracted from the purse at his belt. She took a step back and started to protest.
“Please, that is not necessary, Eahlswith is a friend and we would always?—”
“I know. Nevertheless, you will allow me to insist.”
No woman could resist Sven when he decided to use his charm. The farmer’s daughter, who’d already been struck, didn’t stand a chance.
“Very well,” she said, taking the coin. “You know where the loft is. Go there, get yourselves comfortable, I will be back in a moment.”
While Sven saw to the horses, Eahlswith climbed the wooden ladder and started to create two nests in the sweet-smelling hay. She guessed Sven would not have objected to sharing a bigger nest with her but a strange shyness had invaded her. Perhaps because she felt uncomfortable lying in his arms when people knew that was what they were doing. Up until then, every time she had shared a bed with him, no one had known about it. It had been between them only. The idea that Gedla would be lying in bed tonight, wondering whether her friend was being pleasured by the strong Norseman was too much to handle.
Besides, after her ordeal, she felt dirty, and she was aching all over. She wanted to be herself the next time they came together, because she already knew it would be the start of something new. She wanted it to be special.
“There you are. Sorry I didn’t bring any candles but you know, in the hay, it wouldn’t be the best idea.”
Gedla’s face appeared above the wooden floor. She was holding a loaf of bread in one hand and a basket filled with food was perched on her arm. As soon as she climbed off the ladder and landed on the platform, her eyes started to search the near darkness. There was no prize guessing what—or rather, who—she was looking for.
“Your friend…” she started when she saw they were alone.
