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She’d scoured the incoming longboats, searching for the handsome, blond Norseman and had spotted him at the front of the first vessel the moment it had entered the bay. That was when her breathing had become unexpectedly difficult. Leif had disembarked soon afterward, and then breathing had become all but impossible. But it was when his eyes had met hers, and she’d known that he’d been looking for her as desperately as she’d been watching for him, that her heart had ceased to function as it should. Its erratic behavior had continued when Leif had pulled her into his arms in the cemetery, and if its current thumping was any indication, the vital organ had something very important to say.

“I . . . I love him.” The words took her by surprise, but the moment they were spoken, surety of their truthfulness settled upon her. “I love Leif.”

Tears pricked Rhiannon’s eyes, and Gwenllian grinned.

“I am grateful that you needed no further persuading,” she said. “I could not in good conscience abandon you here in such a state of muddled ignorance, but I believe it is now safe for me to take my leave.”

Rhiannon smiled through her tears. “I am most grateful.”

Gwenllian reached for the door handle. “I shall miss you at the banquet, but I admire you for the choice you have made.”

“You have helped me with a far greater one.”

Gwenllian nodded reassuringly. “It will be well, Rhiannon. You shall see.”

Chapter 39

The air was still. Dew glistened on the leaves of the trees and beyond the sand dunes, the waves beat a steady rhythm against the shore. Rhiannon cinched her horse’s straps around the lowest tree branch and drew her shawl more securely around her shoulders. The first rays of sunlight were peeking over the craggy tips of Eryri. It would not be long before the sun’s warmth frightened away the chill of night.

Turning away from her horse and the woodland, she took the path between the sand dunes until it opened onto the beach. The tide was turning. Some of the Viking boats were pulled up on the sand, whilst others bobbed gently in the water, their timbers creaking with the shifting of the sea. With no obvious sign of life on the beach, Rhiannon’s steps faltered. Where was Leif? Had she arrived before him?

Unwilling to call out for fear that she would awaken any guards who had been left on board the vessels, she started toward the other side of the bay. The serpent figurehead on the bow of the closest longboat stared down at her with wooden eyes. Rhiannon shuddered and looked to the next ship. This one bore the head and shoulders of a fierce dragon. She picked up her pace, passing the monster just as Leif appeared from behind the next vessel.

He saw her coming and slowed his steps, the warmth of his smile banishing her fear of mythical creatures or sleeping Vikings.

“Come,” he whispered, taking her hand and drawing her away from the ships.

He said nothing more until they were far enough from the vessels to be out of earshot. It seemed that she had been correct about the guards.

“Are you willing to scramble up the rocks?” he asked.

Rhiannon eyed the rocky promontory. “That is not something most ladies would be willing to consider.”

“True. But I have come to discover that you are not like most ladies.”

She cocked her head to one side and eyed him impishly. “I am not sure that such a statement should be considered a compliment.”

He slid his arms around her and turned so that his back was to the ships and she was hidden from the view of anyone onboard. “I cannot think of a higher one,” he said.

“If I were to be completely truthful,” she said, “I believe I have clambered over far too many rocks for my conduct to be considered seemly.”

He chuckled. “I stand by what I said.” He brushed her lips with his. “Climb with me? I have something I wish to share with you.”

This was likely not the time to admit that his brief kiss had all but turned her legs to jelly. “It cannot be shared here?”

“You cannot see it from here.” She gave him a puzzled look, and his expression softened. “Trust me once more.”

She realized it then. She did trust him. Completely.

Stepping out of his embrace, she set her foot upon the lowest boulder. “Would you care to race?”

His laughter followed her up the uneven ground strewn with boulders and crab grass. Her feet slid twice—once on a dewy clump of sea pinks and once when a piece of sandstone gave way beneath her. Each time, Leif was there to steady her, and when she reached the top, the thrill of what she had accomplished mingled with her wonder at the magnificent view. Lowering herself onto the damp grass, she tucked her gown around her ankles and gazed out at the Viking ships gathered in the bay below.

Leif sat beside her and threaded his fingers through hers.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“That I have never seen so many ships.”