Page 116 of Viking in Love

And Breanne realized something horrible in that instant.

She had fallen in love with the loathsome lout.

And she was not the only one to come to that realization.

Rashid was just passing by behind her, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear, “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”

Unfortunately, this was only a one-sided love.

And Caedmon must never find out.

The only gift he wanted was…you know what…

They had been back at Larkspur for two days, and Vana had not yet returned. King Thorvald and his followers were restless. And Caedman was miserable beyond anything he had ever imagined.

The first thing Thorvald had done was order wagonloads of goods to be delivered to Larkspur. Food, spices, barrels of ale, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, even a flock of noisesome peacocks.

When Caedmon protested, the old man had pulled him into another of those rib-crushing bear hugs, and he had even kissed him on the cheek. “’Tis the least I can do to repay you for what you have done for my daughters. You risked much, and I must needs show my gratitude.”

What I have done is swive your daughter. So, please, no more gifts.

Caedmon would have argued more, but the king had chosen that moment to ask, “Is there any chance you might marry Breanne?”

Oh, good Lord. Did I say that aloud? “Huh? What? Uh, why do you ask that?”

“Your stuttering is answer enough.” Thorvald had sighed with disappointment. “I see the way you two look at each other betimes when you think no one is looking. I just thought…”

He shrugged.

I look at her like that because I cannot not look. I am like a starving man watching a juicy boar steak float by. “Thorvald…I mean, Your Highness—”

The king waved that higher address aside.

“…I have great respect for your daughter, and if I were ever going to marry again, I would be honored to have Breanne. But you can see how things are here. Children everywhere. A man reaches a point where it is just too much.”

“’Tis a sad thing when a man disdains the gifts the gods give him. No matter what you say, children are gifts.”

“I know they are, but I have too many gifts.”

He had stormed away then.

But speaking, or thinking, about his children brought him to the problems they were currently causing him. Not a one would speak to him, except Piers, who could not speak anyhow. Angus, angry all the time anyway, had walked up and kicked him in the shin, hard, and without speaking just stomped away on his little legs. They wanted Breanne to stay, and they blamed him for her imminent departure. He also suspected that they felt responsible by their mere existence…which in some ways was true.

When had his life become so complicated?

He knew the answer to that without thinking. When the princesses had arrived at his door.

Right now he had another bone to pick with King Thorvald. He found him sitting outside in an armed chair he had ordered one of his men to bring out so he could watch the soldiers exercise, both his and the Larkspur hird.

“What is the meaning of this?” he said right off, dropping the two heavy leather bags onto the king’s lap.

Thorvald jerked back with surprise. “A gift.”

“What for?”

“Does there have to be a reason? We Vikings like to give gifts. Wouldst begrudge me that?”

The sly old bird! “Listen, there has to be several hundred mancuses of gold in those bags. I cannot accept it.” Even if I need it.