Page 46 of The Reluctant Viking

“Falsely accused!” Thork sputtered, as Olaf reached out a hand and pulled him back to his chair. Meanwhile, Gyda refilled their cups of ale, probably hoping that would mellow them a bit. Gyda’s eyes registered with Ruby’s for a moment in sympathy.

“I refuse to hear your lame excuses. ’Tis not at issue here, leastways. Sigtrygg bellows madder than a wounded bear and would have you punished to the death, whether you be kin to Hrolf or not.”

“Mayhap we women could go to him and explain how harmless the talks were,” Gyda offered placatingly.

“Yea, and wear a black eye like the good Byrnhil does,” Dar commented dryly.

“Get you from this company, Gyda,” Olaf roared like a wild bull at his wife’s breaking into men’s talk. “Where did you learn to act the man, interrupting in such an uncomely manner? Probably from this meddlesome lackwit.” He looked pointedly at Ruby, then back to Gyda. “In truth, I have been too lax with you, wife.”

Weeping loudly, Gyda fled the room with her apron thrown over her face. So, this is what her interference had brought to one of the few friends she’d made here! Ruby chastised herself.

“That was unnecessary and cruel,” Ruby chided Olaf, and before he could respond, she turned to Thork coldly, “What do you want me to do?”

Ruby saw the angry emotions warring inside him and knew he struggled to contain them. Finally he told her in a flat voice, “We travel to my grandfather’s home tomorrow. Gyda and her family accompany us—not for your company, but because my grandmother Aud requests it. There you will remain silent and biddable, causing no more trouble, until the Althing releases me from my responsibilty. Do you understand?”

Ruby nodded.

“Because, if you do not, you will be bound and gagged in his keep till you cannot move or speak.”

Thoroughly subdued, at least on the surface, Ruby went back to her chamber to contemplate the fine mess she’d made of things—once again. Lying on her pallet, staring at the ceiling, Ruby eventually fell asleep. She was surprised several hours later to look up and see Thork leaning against the door jamb, watching her curiously.

“What? What have I done now?” Ruby jumped up, alarmed.

“I thought I told you not to speak,” Thork said in a surprisingly soft voice, tinged with humor.

Ruby sniffed contemptuously and walked over to her small window. Dusk settled lazily over the clear sky. It would be a nice day tomorrow for traveling. Then she turned to study Thork’s blank face, unable to read his emotions, or know whether there was some new crime of which she was to be accused.

Drops of moisture from a recent bath beaded in his hair and dripped down his clean-shaven face. The silky blond hairs on his bare arms and calves glistened in the afternoon sun streaming through her small window. The rich outlines of his strong shoulders strained the fabric of his crisp, buttery brown leather tunic, and the dragon belt accented his deliciously narrow waist and hips.

He was a devilishly handsome man, no doubt about it. The sheer masculinity he exuded filled the air and made Ruby blush with unbidden, secret thoughts.

Thork returned her bold gaze with hooded, hawklike intensity, as if trying to solve some great puzzle. “Tempted I am to offer you freedom in exchange for information about who you really are,” he said huskily.

Ruby’s traitorous heart skipped a beat at his softly spoken words. She sighed, trying to get her emotions under control, and answered him, “I’ve told you repeatedly who I am, but you won’t believe me. I have many faults, Thork, but I’m not a liar. I despise lies.”

“And I hate mysteries.” He held her gaze steadily, then shook his head in wonder and a hint of humor. “What could possess you to teach the women birth control, of all things, and where would you have gleaned such information?”

Ruby bridled under his criticism. “Perhaps, if the women you and the other Viking men bed so indiscriminately knew more about birth control, there wouldn’t be so many bastards around.”

“Do you call my sons bastards?” Thork challenged, then softened. “Would you begrudge them life?”

“Of course not. That’s not what I meant.” Then Ruby thought of something. “Thork, do you have other children?” Good heavens! He probably had dozens of children in as many countries.

Tiny laugh lines crinkled at the edges of his eyes and mouth. He knew exactly what she imagined. “Nay, Eirik and Tykir are the only children I have.”

“How do you know for sure?”

“I was young and careless when they were born.”

He seemed so certain, and yet, if these people didn’t practice birth control, how could he be so sure?

Sensing her thoughts, Thork continued with a cryptic grin, “Your Christian Bible tells it all.” At Ruby’s puzzled look, he explained, “Was there not a biblical man…Onan…who spilled his seed upon the ground?”

Oh, my goodness! He meant that he ejaculated outside a woman’s body. Ruby felt her face flame hotly.

Thork grinned at her discomfort and sat down on her little bed, then—oh, my God!—lay down on her pallet with his magnificent bare legs crossed and arms folded behind his head. He looked up at her innocently through the shadows of his sinfully long lashes—dark contrasts to his pale hair. Ruby licked her dry lips and had trouble swallowing. He looked so damned irresistible. Would she ever be able to sleep in that bed again without imagining him in it?

“Have you any inkling how strange ’tis to have such an intimate conversation with a woman?” Thork said non-chalantly.