“No. But I wager you saw her about a month ago.”
“What the fuck are you?—”
And then it hit him.
A month ago.
Yes, he had definitely seen her then. All of her. He’d made love to her all night. On his last possession he’d even found it impossible to leave her heat before exploding in pleasure.
And this was the result. She was not retching from hunger or lack of warmth, of course not, what was he thinking? This was a different kind of ailment. He let go of the reeve’s collar and fell with his back against the wall. His legs no longer supported his weight.
“She’s with child,” he whispered, collapsing to the floor. He’d pushed the notion that his loss of control might have consequences to the back of his mind because he wasn’t sure what he thought of the possibility but there was no choice but to face it now. And he was…elated. What would Eahlswith think, though? This might well scare her or she might be furious. Or both.
She might never forgive him.
Oh, what had he done?
“I cannot be sure, but yes, I think she might be with child,” was the reeve’s answer. “This is the third morning in a row she’s been ill, when the rest of the day she’s fine, if a little bit tired.”
“I need to see her.”
“Yes. Worry not, she’s not been put in a dank, dark cell, nor is she starving. I made sure to give her all the comfort I could without appearing suspicious. It was important the family saw I was taking this seriously. But I promise you she has not suffered.”
“No, I know. Of course. I brought her here because my father trusts you.” Sven sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry for barking at you. Only, for a moment, I didn’t think.”
The man scoffed. “Don’t worry I’ve endured far worse. Will you be able to stand, though?”
Everything within Sven bristled. He had never been accused of being a weakling before, and he was not going to start now, when he was about to be a father. A father!
Sven shot back to his feet, invigorated at the thought.
“Yes. Take me to her.”
Eahlswith was rinsingher mouth with ale when the door behind her swung open. She was not surprised. The reeve regularly came over to visit her and she knew he had noticed her bouts of morning sickness. Was he starting to suspect what she had come to accept? She was with child, there was no doubting it. It was not just the sickness, though this was rather damning. But she hadn’t had her courses since that night spent with Sven in her house, that night he had spilled inside her. Secretly she had come to hope that his seed might have taken root.
She smiled to herself. It was as if someone—perhaps Edwin himself, from wherever he was—was making sure she accepted her feelings for Sven. A child was the best way to ensure that he became part of her life.
“I’m fine, don’t worry,” she started to tell the reeve, before she was swept up off her feet by a huge, hulking Norseman. “Sven!” she squeaked. No one else would be strong enough or bold enough to do this.
Their faces only inches apart, she stared into his amazing eyes and was shocked to see them shining with what looked suspiciously like tears. Her own were burning. He’d made it, he was back. He hadn’t died. She could breathe again.
“Alva. Thank the gods you’re safe.”
“Of course, I am,” she said, trying to smile. “How could I not be, when you made sure to take me somewhere safe?”
With her still in his arms, he sat down on the stool behind him. His hold around her was firm but careful. Then he glanced at her stomach, awe and pride lighting his face. That look could only mean one thing.
“You know,” was all she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I know,” was his answer, pronounced in the same husky tone.
“Are you not?—”
“I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
Everything within her relaxed. He knew about the child and he was pleased. It was all she wanted to know for now.
She assumed that he had found her sister and brought her back to face her punishment. He wouldn’t be here otherwise. She didn’t need to know more. Ealawynne was dead to her. The reeve would do what was necessary, all she needed to know was that Sven was safe and that he wanted this baby. If truth be told, she had worried about his reaction. Though he had explained to her that he was ready to settle, considering his past, she couldn’t help being dubious. There also was the possibility of him doubting the paternity of the babe, since he knew she had welcomed men to her bed on occasion. But he hadn’t even asked any questions, taking for granted that he was the father of the babe she was carrying.
