Page 41 of Haakon's Fate
“He will think that you were that someone in town, I guess.”
Yes. But again, that didn’t quite answer her question. She wanted to insist but wasn’t sure how to formulate what she wanted to ask.Did you tell him the earrings were a present for me, the reeve’s daughter, and did you explain to him why you wanted to give me such a gift? Could you now explain it to me?
“Do you always caress inanimate objects?” Haakon asked before she could open her mouth.
“I b-beg your pardon?”
“You stroked the lid of the sewing box as if it could feel the caress when you took the needle out earlier. You did the same thing just now, when you put it back.”
She had probably had, even if she hadn’t really paid attention. It had become an automatic gesture. But to have noticed that, Haakon had to have observed her closely, as closely as she was observing him. He also had to be interested in her reasons. Inher. Her heart began to thump wildly and she placed her hand on the smooth, carved wood as if to draw strength from it.
“That box belonged to my grandmother. I was very close to her. We used to spend hours sewing and talking together when I was young. The box always held a special appeal to me, I used to think it was magical, that I created exceptional work thanks to it and the tools it contained.”
He cocked his head, amused. “You mean you were good at embroidering from the moment you started to learn?”
“No.” She laughed. “Not at all. I should have seen that the logic was flawed, but you know…”
“I do know. But sometimes objects do have a special magic.”
Did they? Now that she was grown, she wasn’t sure she believed in such things. But she was starting to think thatpeoplecould very well hold magic. Like the man standing in front of her, looking, once again, as if he was battling the need to kiss her. Was he even aware of it?
“I’ve been thinking about Osberga,” she told him. It was not just a distraction aimed at steering herself away from a situation that was becoming dangerous. She had thought about the little girl a lot over the last few days and an idea had occurred to her.
“Yes?”
“Well… After she escaped her new owner, wouldn’t she have tried to go home to her mother? After all, she has no reason to think Matilda has left her husband. She probably imagines she still lives in the village, in which case she would have wanted to try and find her, even if it is rather far away.”
Haakon stilled. “Of course. So obvious. How did we not think of this before? The poor girl could be even now making her way back home to her mother, who has no idea, and a man who wants her gone.”
“Yes. Though, of course, she is aware of that. After all, he was the one who took her to the farm, so she will know to stay away from him. But I really believe she will try to contact her mother. That’s what I would do in her place.”
She and Haakon looked at one another, obviously thinking the same thing. Such a journey would be fraught with danger for a little girl on her own. Had Osberga risked it?
“Have you told your father?”
“No. I meant to tell him today. Let’s go now.” She made to go to the door then thought the better of it. While they were alone, there was something she needed to say. “Thank you for coming here today, Haakon. I love the earrings.”
His eyes glittered.
“It was my pleasure. They are perfect for you.”
They foundthe reeve at his desk in the little room at the other end of the great hall, working, as could have been predicted.
Haakon thought he looked preoccupied but watched as his face lit up when his daughter entered the room. No surprises there. The little Saxon was a ray of sunshine and would have that effect on everyone. And he, fool that he was, was falling under her spell a little bit more every time they met. It was not just that she sent his senses on fire, even if she did, it was also that she made his soul hum and his heart beat faster.
But how could he tell her as much? Was he not making the same mistake he had been making all his life? Being attracted to a Saxon woman who wanted his body but would never want more? He knew she would not consider any man’s suit as serious at the moment, he’d been told as much only the other day. So should he wait for the winter, and a new reeve to be elected before he acted on his feelings? Should he even act on them? He had sworn he would forget about Saxons.
Yes… But he had not met Gytha then, had he?
By an odd twist of fate he had met her moments after making the decision to stop pursuing a dream that had brought him only disillusion.
You decided to stop considering Saxons as potential wives, but there’s nothing preventing you from bedding them, is there, you fool?
No. And he did want to. What was worse, he had the feeling that she shared in his desire. Little Gytha had sworn not to let men into her heart. But she didn’t seem adverse to letting them enjoy her body. Hadn’t she told him she was not ashamed of who she bedded?
So, why shouldn’t he be the next one?
Except that he suspected he would never be able to leave it at that. If he did bed her, he would want to bed her again. And again.
