Osana huffed, pretending to be affronted. “I wondered when you’d notice me.”
Her friend left Cerdic, who was now grinning, and rushed to Osana. The women hugged, and when Osana pulled back, her eyes were smarting. “I missed you,” she muttered. “You’ve got no idea what an acerbic tongue my aunt has.”
Lora smiled, her blue eyes gleaming. “And I have missedyou… more than you can possibly imagine.”
Osana raised an eyebrow before flicking a look in Cerdic’s direction. “Much has changed I see?”
Lora responded with a sly look. “Aye … for us both.”
“Cerdic,” Aldfrith called out. “Go fetch Oswald. He will come to the Great Hall and wed us at noon.”
The warrior nodded, still smiling, and turned on his heel to do the king’s bidding.
Lora met Osana’s eye, her gaze wide. “You’re having your handfastingtoday?”
Osana nodded, her belly fluttering with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was really happening. “It seems so.”
“But you don’t have a dress … and what about the feast?”
“Don’t worry about that, Lora,” Aldfrith cut in. “Take some of the other women out with you into the fields below the fort and gather flowers for the hall. We’ll have whatever’s already planned for supper for our feast—I’m sure there are some cheeses and cured meats we can bring out of the stores.”
“Aye, sire.” Lora dropped into a neat curtsey, her face taking on a look of determination. “You will have guests for the handfasting too … forgive me, I forgot to tell you before.”
Osana watched the smile fade from Aldfrith’s face. Likewise, Osana’s buoyant mood dimmed. Neither of them wanted guests at the fort today.
“Who is it?” Aldfrith asked, after a pause.
Lora’s gaze flicked from the king’s face to Osana’s, her own smile dimming. “The ealdormen of Catraeth and Gefrin are here to see you, milord.”
Chapter Thirty
Unwelcome Guests
WHY NOW?IT sometimes seemed as if the world conspired against him.
The last thing Aldfrith wanted was a visit from Edwin of Gefrin and Wulfred of Catraeth. The ealdormen—these two especially—were not supposed to know of his wedding until after the fact. He did not want their interference.
“Aldfrith?” Osana’s voice intruded. He glanced down to see her watching him, her brow furrowed. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head and forced a smile. “Nothing … I just wish the ealdormen would give me some peace. Not a month goes by without one of them riding here to complain about some inconsequential.” He linked his arm through hers and feigned a lightness of tone. “Come, love. Let me escort you into the Great Hall. I shall have an alcove cleared for you so that you can prepare for the ceremony.”
Osana flashed him a grateful smile, and Aldfrith’s chest constricted. He would not have anyone ruin this day. He had already put Osana through too much. He would not make her suffer again.
Yet as they entered the tower, and his gaze settled upon the two heavy-set figures awaiting him upon the high seat, Aldfrith’s pulse quickened. He knew Edwin and Wulfred would make their opinions of this handfasting clear.
Aldfrith clenched his jaw.Let them have their say … it won’t change anything.By the time the sun starts its path toward the western horizon, Osana and I shall be wed.
The ealdorman of Catraeth spotted him first. Hirsute and broad, his girth even wider than the last time Aldfrith had seen him, Wulfred heaved himself to his feet. However, the greeting he had just been about to boom died on his lips when he spied Osana at the king’s side, her arm linked through Aldfrith’s.
Beside him, the ealdorman of Gefrin rose to his feet. Edwin’s gaze flitted past Aldfrith before spearing Osana. His mouth thinned. Aldfrith felt Osana’s step falter at his side. He squeezed her arm. “Don’t let them bother you,” he murmured. “Remember, it isIwho rule here.”
And yet from the way these two men, both warriors past their prime yet fighting men nonetheless, stood upon the high seat, you would have thought either of them was the lord of this land and not Aldfrith.
“Lord Aldfrith,” Edwin drawled as the king drew close. “We heard you were away hunting … is this your catch?”
“Good day, Edwin,” Aldfrith replied, keeping his voice as flat and emotionless as he could manage. There was no point in dancing around the subject with the ealdormen, better to have the truth out in the open. “I went to retrieve Osana from Jedworth, where she has been staying with her aunt. I plan to make her my wife shortly. Will you stay for the ceremony?”
That shocked them.
