Page 25

“Very well.” Rheged claimed his sword from beneath his own pallet. “Prepare to tell me everything.”

Brecc smothered a grin. Under normal conditions, he and Rheged were fairly evenly matched competitors. But these were not normal conditions. Brecc’s overarching concern about Guthrum’s plans and his recent emotionally charged conversation with Aisley had left him in desperate need of a challenging physical outlet. He would fight especially hard today. And Rheged had not eaten for over twenty-four hours. Brecc reached for the door. “Never fear, you may concede at any time.”

Aisley completed her second circuit around the inner walls of the royal estate, having barely noticed the lush greenery, the half dozen buildings, or the clear blue sky. Her thoughts were on her father—on what he must have suffered during the long journey to Wilton and the battle there and on how much she missed his steadying presence. Memories of his voice, his smile, and his kindness filled her and melded with words, expressions, and gestures she’d shared with Brecc these last two days.

Not many gentlemen would have been so forthright with a lady. Somehow, he had managed to separate the gruesome reality of what he’d experienced with the information she’d so desperately desired. He had shared more with her during a short walk along the riverbank than Wulfhere had shared with her in six years. Without resorting to descriptions that would invite nightmares, he had offered her enough to bring a blessed level of closure to a chapter of her life—of her father’s life—that had been unsettled for so long.

Gratitude welled within her, and she wiped away another tear. She had shed many since escaping her mother, Diera, and the other women in the longhouse. Thankfully, her mother had been too pleased by her unexpected collection of cowslip to question her further on her early-morning outing. For her part, Diera had been so fully engrossed in an elaborate tapestry she and some of the other women were creating that she’d barely acknowledged Aisley’s return to the longhouse. It was just as well. Their distraction had enabled Aisley to slip away again, this time to walk the estate and sort through her thoughts alone.

She reached a large oak. Slowing, she set her hand against the gnarled bark, drawing strength from the old tree’s solid presence. Her eyes stung. She closed them, raising her head to face the sky above. The cold air caused her cheeks to tingle.

“What is it this time, Aisley?” At the sound of her brother’s voice, Aisley’s eyes flew open. “Are you plotting a way to add oak bark to one of your tinctures, or are you merely daydreaming?”

In her present condition, Wulfhere’s sarcasm cut deeper than it should. “Neither. I am simply taking a moment to enjoy nature.”

“In these frigid temperatures?” Wulfhere eyed her disapprovingly. “Your nose and eyes are so red, you have likely done damage to them.”

If she had damaged any part of her body during this day’s activities, it was her heart. Deep sorrow would certainly do that. The facial discoloration her tears had caused would fade, but mayhap it was for the best that Wulfhere thought she was suffering from the cold.

“You are right,” she said. “I should return to the longhouse.”

He grunted, seemingly surprised that she had agreed so quickly. “I am going that way. I shall walk with you.”

They started toward the women’s longhouse in silence. Aisley’s feelings were too raw to discuss their father, but as the silence between them lengthened, she felt compelled to say something. “Have you enjoyed the royal festivities as much as you imagined you would?”

“Arriving late certainly put me at a disadvantage,” he grumbled. “The best accommodations were already taken, and I have yet to be introduced to many of the guests. But the food and drink have been adequate.”

Adequate? That was hardly the word Aisley would have used to describe the feast they had enjoyed the night before. “I thought last evening was quite splendid.”

“I am sure you did.” He eyed her curiously. “Was there any particular reason that Ealdorman Brecc asked you to partner him in the carole?”

“Because he wished to, I imagine.” Aisley had self-doubts aplenty on that score, but a modicum of pride prevented her from sharing them with her arrogant brother. “I thought you were too far into your cups to notice.”

Wulfhere scowled. “Not so far gone as all that. And I daresay I was not the only one to wonder why he would single you out.”

When he could have had his pick of any of the other ladies in the room. The words went unspoken, but they hung in the air between them. After all, what gentleman in his right mind would consider a petite young woman with reddish hair and a liberal sprinkle of freckles across her nose when he could choose a tall, elegant lady with hair the color of ripened wheat and skin as white as snow?

“If you saw him approach our table, you surely know that Diera had already been asked by another.”

“I noticed,” he said, “and it caused me to realize that I have neglected acquiring suitors for you both for far too long.” He appeared unusually thoughtful. “Two advantageous marriages would go a long way to replenishing the family’s dwindling finances.”

Shock rendered her momentarily speechless, but when she found her voice, it shook with indignation. “You would sell your sisters to the highest bidders to cover your mismanagement of funds?”

“You know nothing of my financial dealings.”

“I know enough to recognize excessive spending on clothing and the horses in our stables,” she said. “I also am fully aware that the people of Wiltshire never suffered from so much poverty when father was ealdorman.”

Wulfhere reached for her arm and pulled her to a halt before him. “Leave Father out of this discussion,” he growled.

“Why?” She thought she had cried herself dry, but tears were pricking the back of her eyes once more. “If he was so important to you, do what you know he would have wished you do. What he would be doing if he were still here.”

“And just what do you think that is?”

“Taking care of the people under your stewardship,” she said.

He released her arm with a snort. “Further proof that you speak out of ignorance. I have taken care of you, Diera, and Mother since the day Father died. And I shall continue to do so by finding you and Diera wealthy husbands.”

Aisley was beginning to feel nauseated. “And the common people of Wiltshire? What of them?”