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Chapter Forty-Seven
Last Updated:
2022-06-14 16:37:54
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The Bartered Princess Chapter Forty-Eight
Sigurd was waiting for a woman, though not in his usual place. He had not idled there for some time. This was different in any case. Not even Orm knew what he was about.He felt like there had been an almighty shift in his feelings since his adoptive sister came back into his life and breezed out again, even if he had been the one pushing her away. His liaison with the Queen was both dangerous and exciting, though it seemed as if she were on the point of unravelling yet again.Lateness was a given, owing to the nature of her role within the castle. Maybe she would not turn up at all. It really wouldn’t matter. If even the village was off limits, they were bound to run into each other again. There really was no place to hide.Sigurd hoped his news would meet with some sort of approval. You never could tell with a female like this, outside his normal scope. If he had to liken her to anyone, it would be Miriam. Her sweetness, her sense of justice, the awkwardness around him. He was hopin
Last Updated : 2022-06-15The Bartered Princess Chapter Forty-Nine
Ketil laughed out loud when Magnus told him what Miriam had taxed him about.“She thought Ruth had a crush on you, when Sigurd was around all the time?”“Your lady didn’t find it absurd.”“Anyone with eyes … No, maybe not,” he amended, not wanting to incur his uncle’s wrath after having dented his pride by labouring the point. “Sig will be offended, too.”“How so?”He chose not to answer, knowing his uncle had already worked it out.Instead, he said, “Ruth was confused about her feelings, I know that much. I’ve been meaning to ask, why didn’t one of you manage to wrest her from Daphne? That was the plan, wasn’t it?” While he already suspected what had happened, it would be good to have it confirmed. Magnus would not lie.“Her High and Mightiness would not release her. She said something about not allowing us to despoil her after all she had been through to ensure that didn’t happen. And Ruth seemed happy to remain with her.”“So, she didn’t just save Miriam? Maybe we have done her a d
Last Updated : 2022-06-16The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty
Daphne had received Lord Hubert in her chamber as planned. And then things had begun to change. She did not miss the predatory look in his eye as he took in her inappropriate outfit. Another one to be scratched off the list, she supposed. Why had she been given to understand he preferred to sleep with men when he was ogling her like that? “Forgive my unusual attire,” she told him, extending a bare arm, “I have been rehearsing a play.” “No doubt you were cast in the starring role,” he murmured, touching his lips to the back of her hand. She felt a frisson of something and told herself she had not yet come down from her high. Though that was hardly the case given the way she and Sigurd had parted. Or, rather, he had left her in that embarrassing and unsatisfied position. She wriggled her shoulders before moving across to the window seat. It was probably unconventional, but wasn’t that the kind of relationship she was hoping for? “I sent for you and apparently forgot all about it. How
Last Updated : 2022-06-17The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-One
Astrid excelled at mock fighting. She even had her own sword, Shatter, and had made friends with young women who were of an age to remember her from before but, strangely, didn’t. Had she been so different as a fourteen year old? Rolf seemed to think so. Unwisely, she had lain with him, simply because she had drunk too much ale and he had been pursuing her for ages. Now, it seemed, he wanted more and had even proposed an encounter with that middle-aged slave of his, the kind she knew too much about and didn’t want to repeat again. Ketil would probably be furious if he knew, which was why she hadn’t told him. She was only grateful he was looking after her welfare to such an extent that he wanted her out of the way when King Harald came to his demesne. It was a shame she would miss the wedding, but it would be good to see Eirik again, this time in the community close to the mountains she had heard so much about. Magnus was coming, too. It would be an opportunity to confide in him. No-
Last Updated : 2022-06-18The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Two
“You scare me, and I don’t know why.” For some reason those words haunted Sigurd throughout the night. He had asked her to explain how, but all she said was, “I have become accustomed to keeping my heart to myself.”Ruth was so different from any other woman he had ever known. He watched her sleeping. A woman who didn’t snore. Perhaps it was because she was not one to partake regularly of mead. The triptych mirror showed him different images of her. He stripped away the coverlet, knowing she was too hot.The nightgown was as modest as he had suspected. He had only come to check on her. The chill she had taken was showing no signs of abating, leaving her nose red and her throat, when she spoke, sounded raw.“Rest easy, little bird,” he said, preparing to stay awhile. The low stool in the corner had a tapestry cushion showing hounds chasing a fox.“She could have stripped me naked,” Ruth murmured, pushing at the frilled cap on her head, obviously in the middle of some dream. That would
Last Updated : 2022-06-19The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Three
Ruth was exhausted after a long day preparing the kind of exquisite delicacies which would please and delight these unexpected yet honoured guests. The mead supplies were dwindling though she was given to understand these men from the desert lands did not partake. Then she was sent into a panic by the news that a delegation from Abadon had arrived. She hoped the wine would not run out as it would be too late to brew beer.Sending one of the village girls with a couple of guards on a possibly hopeless mission to the taverns in the district, she was pleasantly surprised by their willingness to supply ale. That would never have happened in King Gregory’s day.Leaving Jenna in charge of the gooseberry fools, she headed upstairs to her chamber. A nice soak in the tub was just what she needed. Thanks to the Queen, she no longer had to risk being propositioned in the bathhouse. In fairness, that hadn’t happened in a long time and not often. It occurred to her now, after all these months, tha
Last Updated : 2022-06-20The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Four
Miriam was vexed at the mention of the bride price. For once, Ketil didn’t make any untoward comment and she realised how solemn, as well as joyous, this occasion was. There was no exchanging of swords, since she didn’t own one, though he shocked her by producing a silver ring which had belonged to his late mother, Ylfa. Unable to indulge in mead, she happily watched the others, only wishing Astrid had been able to stay for the ceremony. King Harald’s ships had been caught in a storm and so she had yet to meet the Norse ruler, which was fine by her. Kings were not flavour of the month as far as she was concerned. Feeling nervous as the day wore on, she asked herself why. This was only confirmation of a commitment which had begun in the Great Hall of the Vercian palace less than a year ago. She had doubted sometimes, given what had befallen them, but there was no mistaking the love on both sides. Even Ragnar’s presence could not take away her joy and thankfulness, though he was on hi
Last Updated : 2022-06-21The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Five
Twenty Years LaterBeyla had wandered away from the settlement, in defiance of her mother’s instructions, and now she was lost. This was embarrassing, though she only had herself to blame. Easing her fingers underneath the cloth barbette which confined her neck, she lamented the fact that it was her duty to wear something so different to anyone else. So what if her destiny lay elsewhere? Couldn’t she conform then, or maybe institute a new fashion? As Princess Consort of Vercia, surely she would have that right?Princess Amber, wife to Prince Philip, was someone she didn’t want to become. The betrothal had been arranged when they were children. Maybe she could work on her father, because all her lady mother ever talked about was Beyla fulfilling her duty. Her elder brother, Tyr, would stay here in Eggsor and become Jarl when anything happened to their father. His Vercian middle name of Edmund would be forgotten and she would no longer be around to tease him about it.Leaving him behind
Last Updated : 2022-06-22
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The Bartered Princess Chapter Eighty-Two
So this was how her last night with Ketil was going to be spent, with them both miserable and not even a loving kiss to temper her heartache. There was no going back now. In true Norse fashion she really had burned her boats. Miriam turned over, hugging the pillow. Once she had taken such a thing for granted. Yet the time spent without one had been so much more – enlightening. “Please say you will come for a visit when the snows melt.” “No.” It was an unfamiliar growl. “Ketil, this is hard enough without you behaving like this.” “Did your vows mean so little, Miriam?” That stung. “You know how to wound.” She wiped away a stray tear, determined to show no weakness. Her resolve was already crumbling, but he wasn’t to know that. “Go to sleep,” he said. “You will need all your strength tomorrow.” Something in his voice set her wondering. Miriam supposed she was merely clutching at straws. “You do not command me,” she told him, her eyes wide open. Moving onto her back in a huff
The Bartered Princess Chapter Eighty-One
It was the hardest conversation yet but somehow she came through it, feeling virtuous and heartsick at the same time.“You know I am right, Ketil,” she said. “I was born to do this.”She could tell he didn’t like it.“Why now, Miriam?” he ground out. “Do you tire of me and wish for another? That noble husband I once promised to help you find.”“No, my love. There has only ever been you and I wish for no other. But King Hubert is losing public opinion. The people want a Feltspar. I owe it to Queen Eleanor.”“Well, that’s something at least,” he grumbled. “No debt of gratitude is owed to King Gregory, by any of us.”“I have to set right some of the wrongs he did. For her sake.”“You may think that, but I’m not so sure the King would welcome interference.”“He has already stated his approval.”“You sounded him out first? Miriam, sometimes I could strangle you.”“I – I didn’t want you to change my mind for me before I told him of my proposal,” she faltered, hating the fact that the old st
The Bartered Princess Chapter Eighty
The fight was already under way when the two of them emerged into the light. Something was off about her husband’s stance and yet he was more than holding his own against a man who had spent his life pampered and indulged. It almost seemed as if Ketil were toying with him. That couldn’t be right. This was important.“Aunt Astrid’s brilliant, isn’t she? Better than half the men.”Trust Tyr to decipher what she could not. And where then was he, the love of her life? Not with Ragnar, who was giving a slow handclap. The gloves were new and she guessed he was becoming self-conscious about his deformity these days.Miriam held up her hand and asked for them to cease their duel.“There is no need now Tyr is free.”Expecting her cousin to back her, she was surprised to hear him say, “This matter needs to be put before the court.”She supposed it was only right that justice be served.“Will this take long? If a jury is to be sought then it could take weeks and we need to set sail for home befo
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Nine
It was so much colder down in the dungeon. Miriam was concentrating so hard on not falling off the steps – the rope handrails had long since rotted away – that some of the fear for her first-born went unexamined. She longed for Ketil to scoop her up in his arms and carry her, even though she knew it would not be seemly. Even in the royal court long ago he had afforded her the dignity of walking.What had Mistress Ford said? Things were not as black as she had foreseen. Then why had Beyla experienced false pain? They had always been a close family. Her own legs were trembling and one look at her husband’s set face had shown her he was not himself.“What’s happening? I got here as soon as I could.”Sigurd. Just hearing his voice brought her a measure of relief. They had shared so much that was bad in the past. Surely she could come through this, as well?“It’s the King,” Njord told him. “It appears he has gone mad.”Thank God for that sensible, calm and competent young man. Whatever his
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Eight
When they reached the palace as quickly as it was possible to do, Beyla feared that Njord would tell her to go to her room and bar herself in, admitting no-one. Instead he sought out her father with her in tow only for them to receive the worst kind of news. It seemed her brother was missing.The last possible sighting appeared to have been of him heading towards the edge of the cliff.“Tyr wouldn’t jump,” she said. “Not even if a thousand Celias changed their mind about marrying him.”“It was her family who objected to the match,” the Jarl corrected. “I thought all such prejudice was over and done with. Apparently not.”“Can you be certain it was him? I mean, Tyr’s a skilful climber. He might just have wanted some breathing space.”“That’s just it, Njord. One moment he was there, a speck on the horizon, the next he had vanished. I – I fear the worst.”Impulsively, Beyla hugged her mother. “If anything had happened to him, we would know.” She put a hand to her chest. “In here.”The ha
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Seven
The day started out poorly and soon deteriorated with one exception. Miriam had begun to pack her things together but the idea was unappealing somehow. She felt restless and desired to be outdoors. Something was telling her there was a price still to be paid. Happiness was always costly in one way or another.Reassuring herself that Ketil was still on the mend brought its own unlooked for rewards and she lost herself in the bliss of their lovemaking for a while. Even so, she was on high alert like a mother hen for her chicks when the fox came to the henhouse. The notion that it was already here, once lodged in her head, would not go away.Was Beyla still under threat? Surely not Tyr? Could there be trouble back home in Eggsor? Magnus would have sent word if so and she didn’t mean the new King of Svedland.Considering Celia, who was seldom far from her thoughts if truth be known, Miriam realised how little she knew about her future daughter-in-law. Her first-born son loved her wholehea
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Six
Two whole days had passed and she was eager to be going home. Her mother had grilled her thoroughly about her ordeal and Beyla had been keen to emphasise that perhaps Kaan hadn’t done too much wrong. That had led Aunt Astrid to let out an oath and pretend to look out of the window slit.“I don’t have a silly crush on him,” she said. “He’s not my type.”That was when she realised there was someone behind her and she whirled, only to find herself wrapped in her father’s welcome embrace.“Our child has become a woman without us noticing, Miriam.”“You, maybe. I knew a while ago,” her lady mother retorted.As usual, she didn’t understand the wordless look which passed between them and heated those plumper than ever cheeks. Would she gain weight when she reached that ripe old age? Hopefully not. Njord would have nothing to do with her then. He might even fall out of love with her.She was seeing him later by the stables, though no-one knew. How they felt about each other was scarcely a sec
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Five
When Miriam sought an audience with the King, Ruth was already prostrated before him. She didn’t have to cudgel her brains too hard to work out the reason why. Her own mission was on similar lines, but she wasn’t about to cut in given the impressive nature of this heartfelt plea.She felt pleased, too, that Jenna had sought to inform her in advance of her fellow housekeeper’s plan, even if Ketil had grumbled about the intrusion into their personal time.King Hubert’s face was impassive, though she thought she saw a softening as he looked down at the housekeeper. Her hard work was a byword, she had never given a moment’s trouble and it wasn’t as if her husband’s fatal attack on the Prince was unprovoked.“Get up, Mistress Olafsson,” he said, after a time. “I am sure those flagstones are cold and uncomfortable.”“I care naught for that, Your Majesty,” she replied.“Then I fear I must make it a command,” he told her, beckoning to Miriam with a crook of his fingers.For some reason she th
The Bartered Princess Chapter Seventy-Four
It was Kaan who stood there, an imposing figure in his long robe. The fact that his curved scimitar was exposed was not lost on either Beyla or her tormentor.“What is the meaning of this intrusion?”The bluster cut no ice with the Emperor of the Desert.“This farce has gone far enough,” he said.Beyla’s head was whirling. Had he sold her, or not?“Please, help me,” she begged, just to be on the safe side.“Has he hurt you, little one?”“No, but he was going to make me do humiliating things,” she said, trying her best to cover her body.If only she had more than one pair of hands!“Come here, Beyla. The sale’s off,” he said to the bewildered would-be purchaser.“By whose authority?”When he gave his full name and title the man in question beat a hasty retreat.“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she dared, backing away.Just then, there was a commotion further down the passage. When the door burst open to reveal a stocky man with ice-blue eyes, Beyla believed she was dreaming.“What’s
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