He scowled. “Aye, I am.”
Lora stiffened. “What’s wrong?”
Cerdic cast a glance around them, to ensure they were not being overheard. “Aldfrith and your mistress grow close.”
Lora stared at him, confused. “Sorry?”
Cerdic huffed out a breath. “Earlier, when Edwin of Gefrin arrived, I went looking for the king in his annex. I found them there … together. I think I interrupted something.”
Lora cocked an eyebrow. “And how do you know that?”
“I may look a dolt,” he growled, folding his muscular arms over his chest, “but I know the look of a man and woman who’ve just leaped from each other’s arms.”
“Are you sure?”
“Aye. I’ve never seen such two guilty faces.”
Lora sighed, pushing a strand of hair that had escaped her braid out of her eyes. This news concerned her, for Osana was putting both their futures at Bebbanburg at risk. However, she would not share her fears with Cerdic. Instead, she decided to take the opposite approach with him. “Should either of us be worried? Aren’t they both free to do as they wish?”
He favored her with an incredulous look that made Lora wilt slightly. “I took you for a clever woman,” he growled. “Surely you realize that a widow like Osana can’t consort with the king without ruining herself. Likewise, he has a responsibility to take a highborn wife to strengthen this kingdom’s position in Britannia.”
Anger spiked within Lora. It annoyed her that Cerdic thought her a goose, and she wished she had spoken her mind to him rather than trying to diminish the situation. However, she was stubborn and would not back down now. “Surely Lord Aldfrith can consort with whomever he wishes?” she replied tartly. “He is king after all. Likewise, Osana knows what she’s doing. We shouldn’t meddle.”
His gaze bored into her with such intensity that Lora felt her breathing quicken. This man’s nearness distracted her. “Speak to her, Lora.” The sound of her name on his lips made her pulse quicken. “Warn her of the situation she risks putting herself in.”
Lora held his gaze before wetting her lips nervously. She instantly regretted the act when she saw his eyes drop to her mouth. “What situation is that?”
“Aldfrith can’t take her as his consort openly. If she lies with him, she will always live in the shadows. Folk will treat her as his hore.” Lora flinched at the baldness of his words, but Cerdic had not yet finished. “And you too will be tainted by association.” They stared at each other for a long moment before Cerdic’s mouth softened. For an instant, the severity of his face eased, and Lora caught a glimpse of the man beneath. “I would spare you that.”
“Cerdic came to speak to me today.”
Lora’s words, quietly spoken, made Osana glance up from where she was unlacing the front of her woolen dress. They stood inside their alcove, readying themselves to retire to their furs for the night. Osana was in a tense, distracted mood, and was glad to be able to hide from the rest of the hall, to be able to crawl into her furs and be alone with her thoughts.
“Did he?” Osana replied with a smile. “It seems that warrior has his eye on you.”
Lora huffed. “He spoke to me of you … and Aldfrith,” she replied, ignoring Osana’s comment. “He’s concerned.”
Osana stiffened. Of course—Cerdic had known exactly what he had stumbled upon earlier that day. “I hope he hasn’t gone around the hall sharing his concerns,” she said tightly. “I didn’t take him for a man with a loose tongue.”
Lora shook her head. “No … I think he has only spoken to me.” Her blue eyes were pleading as they met Osana’s. “He believes you are putting your life here at risk … and I agree with him.”
The words fell like heavy axe blows between them. Osana went still. Her first reaction was anger. She hated the thought of Lora and Cerdic discussing her. A moment later panic swelled within her breast. Life here would become unbearable if rumors started circulating about her. It would be easier for Aldfrith; he was a man and could take lovers without ruining his reputation. She, on the other hand, had a tenuous position in the Great Tower at best.
“We only kissed,” she said after a long pause, her voice barely above a whisper. “Neither of us planned for it to happen.”
The look of sympathy on Lora’s face made her want to weep. “It cannot go any further than that,” Lora replied softly, coming forward and placing a comforting hand on Osana’s arm. “Or you put both of us at risk.”
Osana’s mouth twisted. “You don’t fancy living with my shrewish aunt in Jedworth then?”
Lora shook her head. “Not particularly.”
Osana sighed heavily and sat down upon the furs. The strength had gone out of her suddenly; she felt weary beyond her years. “You don’t need to worry, Lora,” she said, trying and failing to keep the bitterness out of her voice. “Aldfrith realized he’d made a mistake the moment the kiss ended. We won’t be spending any more time alone together.”
Lora nodded, and Osana saw the relief in her friend’s eyes. Self-recrimination stabbed at her. Upon coming here to live, she had only focused on herself. She had not stopped to consider what Lora wanted.
That would have to change.
Chapter Nineteen
