Her mouth opened slightly, and she sent him a dark glare. “Why should it bother you?”
“I don’t trust him.” His hand moved up to cup her chin. “Norsemen tend to take what they want.”
She pushed his hand away. “He has thus far treated me with kindness. Unlikesomeone elsewho is threatening my brother.”
He caught her wrist before she could retreat. “Be careful, Caragh.” Her innocence could lead her into real danger, and he didn’t want any harm to come to her.
Her violet-blue eyes turned serious. “Let me go.”
She touched his fingers, staring at him as if he were the threat. Didn’t she understand how vulnerable she was? A man could force himself upon her, and Caragh could do nothing to stop it.
Her defiance tempted him to take her from Ivar’s house this moment. It was as if she wanted to attract the Norseman, taunting Styr with the knowledge that he could not prevent it.
He gritted his teeth but ultimately released Caragh. She stared at him as if she didn’t recognize him any more. “Is this the man you’ve become?” she whispered. “I thought you had more honor than that.” Without waiting for a response, she followed the women to the back of the dwelling, behind another wooden partition.
After she’d left, Ivar asked again, “You’re certain she is not yours?”
He wanted to deny it, if for no other reason than to keep this man away from her. But he didn’t lie. “I am her protector. Nothing more.”
At the gleam of interest in Ivar’s eyes, Styr let his hand drift down to his battleaxe. “You would do well to remember that I will allow no man to harm her.”
The Norseman smiled. “She is very beautiful. Though delicate.”
“She has suffered throughout the past year, from a famine. When I found her, she had nearly starved to death.”
“Then we will be certain that she eats well this night.” Ivar’s attention shifted towards the partition. From the sound of water pouring and female voices, Styr’s own imagination was distracted.
Although she was thin, Caragh did possess curves. He’d noticed the softness of her breasts pressed against him when he’d held her. She was a woman any man would desire.
Especially a man like Ivar.
Styr suppressed the snarl of anger rising up. Caragh was right; he shouldn’t care. But the look in Ivar’s eyes pushed him toward his breaking point, and he didn’t know why. He barely heard the man’s conversation, though he caught the mention of his brother’s name.
“When did you leave Hordafylke?” Styr asked him.
“Six years ago. We came to trade, but I decided to stay here.” He nodded towards the house. “I came to build my fortune, and so I have. It’s time that I chose a wife and began giving her sons.” Ivar’s glance moved towards the partition again, before he turned back to Styr. “For a man with no claim upon her, you seem to have a strong interest.”
“She will make her own decisions.” He unsheathed his dagger and studied it. “That doesn’t mean I won’t stop her from making the wrong ones.”
Ivar inclined his head. “So be it.”
Styr took a sip from the goblet of wine Ivar had poured him. “You purchased some new slaves in the past few days. They were members of thehird, free men who were taken captive and sold by the Danes.”
“We’ve had trouble with them,” Ivar admitted. “The Danes have been attacking our ships along the coast. Some believe there will be another invasion.” He refilled his own goblet and eyed Styr. “You want your men back.”
“Yes.” But more than that, he wanted to find Elena. And he wanted vengeance against those who had taken her.
Ivar’s face twisted into a smile. “I suppose you think I should simply release your men, despite the silver I paid.”
“Or I would challenge you for their release,” Styr offered. The idea of wielding a blade against Ivar gave him a means of releasing the physical frustration within him. He wouldn’t mind the fight at all.
“There are other things you possess that could be used to bargain for your men,” Ivar said.
Styr knew exactly what the man was implying. “No.”
“Leave the woman in my care,” he said quietly. “If she allows me to grant her my attentions, I would give her everything she desires. And your men can go free.”
“I wouldn’t leave a dog in your care, Nikolasson,” Styr retorted. Before he could say anything further, Caragh emerged from behind the screen.
