Page 31 of Merciful Salvation

She made a growling noise. “My maid is riding astride.”

He itched to give her a spanking because he knew she would fight him at every turn. Whether it involved her clothing or where she sat, Kara Dalgaard couldn’t behave. He cast a glance over his shoulder. “I see.” He shrugged noncommittally. “And what does this have to do with your present arrangement?”

Her hands fisted at her sides.

“Let me be clear,” he said, looking her directly in the eyes. “The next time you straddle something, it won’t be a bloody horse.”

Chapter Ten

Sanctuary

With everyone situated,Aaron signaled. If they hurried, they’d reach camp by nightfall. Hours later, they stopped to eat near a creek. Water skins were filled and they ate day-old loaves of bread. Aaron sent a guard with Amelia into the woods. But Kara wasn’t permitted to go with them. He’d escort her personally if she needed to relieve herself.

“Why can’t I join them?”

“I’ll walk with you,” he said.

Her cheeks reddened.

“If you wish to find a place—”

“Please accept my apology for being uncooperative. I’m exhausted, Jarl McNally. Erling Solheim tortured me every day. Deprived me of food and water and forced me to fight until I...”

His smile disappeared. “Did he hurt you?” He saw red.

“What good will it do to discuss my misfortunes? I made a selfish choice when I left home without a proper escort. My unhappiness has nothing to do with you. Not really.”

“Why did you really leave?”

She looked away, staring at the trees. “To visit my cousin.”

Odin’s beard, would she continue to lie even now?“Tell me the truth.”

Her head snapped around. “Forget everything.”

He shook his head. “I can’t do that, lass.” Any more than he couldforget to breathe. These were the kind of moments he craved with her—intimacy—building trust.

“Somewhere between our meeting, the cruel joke my family played on you, and hearing my father criticize me so unfairly, I guess I lost my mind. I’m accustomed to things being a certain way. I needed to get away.”

“Things change, lass. For the better if you let them.” His heart thundered. He’d comfort her if she asked. Too many questions were circulating in his head right now. “Tell me what Erling did to you. Why did he kidnap you? Is he an enemy of your family?” Visions filled his head of her being raped.

“I’m still a maiden.”

Relief coursed through him as he studied her face. She was telling the truth, thank the gods.

“From what I could gather, milord, the man observed many of my training sessions in the woods. He claimed he admired me and made it a point to kidnap me so he couldbreak my spirit. There is no connection to my family.”

Aaron had never heard anything so laughable. Men sought women for two reasons, love or lust. “What else did he say?”

“He often told me in great detail what he’d do to me if I tried to escape. I searched day and night for a way out. I couldn’t remember north from south, so deep in the forest. And Amelia—” She shook her head. “My obedience guaranteed her safety. I had no choice but to stay.”

He rubbed his chin. What motivated Erling? Who was he and what did he want? “I admire your loyalty. From what I’ve seen, Amelia is more your friend than a servant.”

“Aye,” she agreed. “The sister I’ve never had.”

“Fortunate you found someone to love so much.”

“Do you have brothers and sisters?”