Page 36 of Merciful Salvation

“Your honor has already been compromised, milady. Weeks in Erling’s camp has raised suspicions. Your father’s captain has spoken with me on several occasions. I assured him your maidenhood is safe.”

“I don’t remember you giving me an examination or inviting a spaewife to visit me.”

His mouth tipped ruefully. How could he ever know what had really been done to her? “I believe what you told me.”

She closed her eyes. “A refreshing thought—a man accepting my word.”

“I admit you’ve told some lies before,” he said. “But I cannot fathom you being dishonest about something so serious. I’ve seen the results of rape.” He inhaled sharply. “Out of desperation, women usually tell the truth in order to protect themselves from retaliation within their families.”

“I, too, know the bitter sting of rape.” Her eyes widened. “Girls employed by my father have fought off drunkards or succumbed to their relentless assaults. I’ve held weeping women in my arms too often, milord. Seen the devastation of bearing illegitimate children who will never know their fathers. If it weren’t for the grace of my sire’s compassion, those women would have starved. Believe me when I tell you I’d never lie about something so important.”

He felt his throat constrict in pain for what violence she should have never been exposed to. “Then it’s settled. We leave in the morning, together.”

“Will Marteinn be there to say goodbye?”

“No,” Aaron answered more astringently than he intended. “He’s scouting west of here.”

“All right,” she said. “I’ll be ready.”

“Good. I suggest getting some sleep. It will be a long day.”

Erling skillfully used his teeth and fingers to bind the ends of the clean linen he dressed his shoulder with. The injury had healed well, no infection, and the pain was tolerable. The bloody Scotsman had wounded him in a place he knew would kill him or take forever to heal. Just above the armpit. It didn’t alter Erling’s plans.

Instead of abandoning his old camp, he’d rebuilt it. Recruits showed up every day. King Olaf was assembling a new army, why shouldn’t he? Many sought refuge in the forest after the war, criminals and outcasts. People who refused to pay tribute to a Christian king who failed to rally the Norse army in England. Erling welcomed them—for a price. The more men he commanded, the closer he’d get to Aaron McNally. Although he respected the jarl’s accomplishments,he despised him for joining the king’s ranks after he was banished from the Trondelag.

A rogue was a rogue—there was no redemption. Above all, if Erling bided his time wisely, he’d be reunited with Kara Dalgaard soon enough. The fact that the two people he wanted the most were now together couldn’t be counted as less than a blessing from the gods.

Kara met Aaron outside her tent at dawn. Dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening rain. “Good morning, milord.” She proffered her only bag.

He didn’t speak, but grabbed her satchel, then turned when Amelia approached with their horses in tow. She looked too happy to see her leave. And without a chaperone. Since when did her maid approve of her traveling alone with a man?

“Lady Kara,” she curtsied.

“Good morning.”

Amelia handed the reins to Aaron, then approached Kara. “Embrace me,” she whispered.

Kara preferred to smack her. Instead, she opened her arms wide. The maid pressed something hard into her right hand. What on Odin’s green earth?

“For your protection.”

Kara hid the bale under her cloak.

“Are you ready to go?” Aaron asked.

Home, Kara wanted to go home. Away from everyone. She brushed past him and mounted her horse—riding astride as she was accustomed to. She arranged her skirt so it covered her thighs.

“I’ll make an exception on this journey.” He stared at her.

What choice did he have? She gave him an appraising look. He’d taken time to groom himself, no stubble darkened his chin and his long hair was tied back in a queue.

“Like what you see, lass?” he asked.

“I’d prefer to see much less of you.”

His horse trotted a few feet, then halted alongside her. “Hungry?”

At the mere mention of food, her stomach growled. “Yes.”