Page 51 of Viking in Love

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I noticed that your two Viking bears are back. Ah! You have had word, have you not? And it is not good.”

Even though the light was fading, he could see her blush.

“The truth, wench,” he demanded.

“I hate it when you call me wench.”

“I know,” he said. “Enough evasion!”

She made a clucking sound of disgust. “Ivan and Ivar brought a missive from my sister Tyra.”

He released her hand. “Give it to me.”

Reaching into a side flap on her gown, she took out a piece of crackling parchment, which she unfolded. “Can you read?”

Saying a foul word under his breath, he grabbed for the letter. Once he had read through quickly, he read it again more slowly.

Handing it back to her, he stared at her with consternation, fisting his hands at his sides to keep from throttling her. “When did you receive this?”

“Several days ago.”

He swore again. “Search parties are out,” he repeated from the letter, “not just for the earl of Havenshire, but for Vana, as well.” He glared at her. “The same Vana who is residing under my roof?”

“You know it is.”

Reading again from the missive, he said, “Dunstan is on a rampage.” Then he tipped her chin up so she could not avoid his gaze. “You are aware that Archbishop Dunstan nigh sits on Edgar’s shoulder. If he comes here, and it appears he will be coming for Geoff’s wedding—”

She gasped, having been unaware of Dunstan’s upcoming visit to Heatherby.

“…do you not think he might stop by Larkspur?”

“We could hide Vana,” she suggested.

“Where? In the new pigsty with the flower carved trim?”

“Do not be snide.”

“Snide? I will give you snide. How about the rest of you? Am I to hide four princesses? And if I am found out, what then?”

“Listen, we could pay you well.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yea, we could. Tyra and Vana’s dowries are long gone, but Ingrith, Drifa, and I still have substantive dower wealth. We could pool our coins and give them to you.”

“Not that it matters, but how much?”

She quoted a figure that gave him pause, but only for a moment. “And if any of you decides to marry, what then?”

“I am sure our father will be so happy to have Vana back, he will replenish Ingrith and Drifa’s dower, and as for me,” she waved a hand dismissively, “I have no intention of getting wed-locked.”

I should not ask. “Why?”

“Well, look at me. I am not a great beauty…”

Oh, I do not know. I see a certain attraction.

“…and, besides, I plan to open my own market stall in Jorvik.”