She’d take this unusually rough punishment over loneliness, and surrendered as he crippled her body with unrelenting momentum. Within minutes, relief thrummed through her.
“You’ve pushed me too far this time.” He complained as he climbed out of bed.
“Blame yourself.”
“There’s no pity for a woman who cannot control herself or demonstrate patience and obedience… serve as a role model for the women under her roof.”
“As you did for your men on your ship for ten days?”
He snorted and muttered. “Not the same.”
“Aye, it is. You’ve met your match for stubbornness, Randvior.”
He huffed and sat on the edge of the bed. Noelle rubbed his back soothingly.
“Who told you?” he asked suddenly.
She assumed he was referring to his mother’s treachery. “No one,” she lied. She needed to protect the identity of the woman who revealed the secret. “I pieced it together after Lauga gave me the wine today.”
“Unfortunately, ’tis true.” he uttered gloomily. “Lauga has resorted to these tactics before. Norse women are overly protective of their children.”
“So are the English, but we’re not driven to murder.”
Another sigh.
She knew his heart struggled with the truth. Any son loves his mother unconditionally. But she’d say whatever was necessary to protect her own life.
“I’ll make no demands. Whatever you choose I will accept without complaint. But for the sake of my own life, I must ask one thing. Either send Lauga away or send me home.”
“Vengeance fever is in my blood.” His face was a mask now. “I could choke the life out of her with my own hands the way I feel right now.”
She was suddenly sorry for bringing this to his attention in such a confrontational manner.
“Or,” she offered gently. “There ismysolution to consider.”
He nodded absently, willing to listen.
“End this unnecessary standoff, send me away. My family is no threat—my father would never send his ships to Norway. My king wouldn’t risk his fleet. I’ll marry whomever my father wishes and we can put this behind us.”
She had come to know the extent of his willingness to keep her. She could beg and plead, but Randvior would never let her go.
“It is out of the question.”
She breathed hard—realizing her hope of ever getting home was gone. It had ended weeks ago, but he need never know that.
“I’m a man of my word, Noelle. Once I pledged to become your husband, I shed my former life as easily as an old shirt. There is no room for compromise. An attempt on your life is a direct assault on mine.” He gripped her shoulders. “Woman, I’m inspired to love you more than anything on this earth. Trust me when I say no one will harm you.”
But someone already had, and she told him so. In answer, he kissed her. That silky tongue might convince her of anything now. What a fantastically foolish suggestion she had made.
“I…” She desperately wanted to confide in him, but one last pathetic attempt to hold on to her pride shut her up. She cursed the gnawing pain in her heart.
He saw through her emotional disguise. “Say it.”
“I love you.” Those cherished words slipped out of her mouth more hesitantly than a lie.
Her eyes flitted back and forth nervously, heartbeat pounding faster and faster.
“Come here.” He pulled her onto his lap.
