Page 33 of Viking in Love

He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the door frame. “I think not.”

“Well, I am not getting out of this bed until you do.”

“Mayhap I will join you.”

“You would not dare.”

“I would dare much in my present mood.”

“What has your bowels in a knot this time?”

“Do not push me, wench. I am beyond angry.”

“Why?”

“Get your arse out of that bed. I want you and the rest of your princess brood out of my keep and on your way.”

“Brood?”

“Brood, horde, troop, herd, flock, passel of trouble, whatever you want to call yourselves, it matters not to me. Just begone.”

“That is not nice.”

“I am not trying to be nice.”

“Are you not even a little bit grateful that we nursed your children and servants back to health?”

“I am very grateful. That is why I will provide six men to guard your way to wherever you want to go.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Something has happened.”

“You could say that.”

“What?”

“I know your bloody secret.”

Her heart skipped a beat, then began racing. “You do? Who told you?”

He shrugged.

Well, he was bound to find out sooner or later if they remained here. “You could at least offer sympathy for our plight.”

“I could also turn you over my knee and paddle your arse.”

“You are such a coarse creature.”

He just stared at her, waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

“We did not mean to kill him.”

“What?” Caedmon’s eyes nigh bulged with horror, and his jaw worked, unable to speak, at first.

Oooh, this was not good.

He sank down into a chair and stared at her as if she had sprouted horns. “You killed the king?”

“Do not be silly. Of course not.”