Page 32 of Haakon's Fate
“So, you see, Theodebert never got to enjoy the fruits of his efforts. But alas, the damage within Gytha was already done. That day, she convinced herself that while I was reeve, any man approaching her would do so only to gain an alliance with me. She doesn’t trust they could come to her for any other reasons.”
Yes, she had said that Oswald’s decision to marry her had more to do with her father’s position than the appeal she exerted over him. Haakon wasn’t convinced that was quite the case, as the bastard had not abandoned his views on her when it had become clear she would never be his wife. Clearly, he still wanted her, even if it was only to rut with. But after her experience withTheodebert he understood why Gytha would think men were not to be trusted.
“Surely she must know that she is an attractive young woman?” he said, doing his best to sound matter-of-fact.
Attractive seemed a particularly weak word to describe her but he could not tell her father that she was so alluring she could send him hard with a glance and make him lose his mind with a sigh.
“We tried to tell her as much but I believe Theodebert’s appalling behavior hurt her so much that she is not ready to risk her heart again. She wants to be chosen on her own merit, which I can understand, and she is convinced it will not happen while I’m reeve.” Elstan straightened his back, his decision made. “So I will step down come winter. There is no other choice. She is my daughter and I love her. I will not condemn her to solitude and self-doubt for another six years.”
“No. I understand.”
It wouldn’t be fair.
Haakon took another swig of ale and swirled the liquid left at the bottom of the cup. He had wondered many times why a woman like Gytha, beautiful, engaging, and unafraid of her sensual side, was still unmarried. Say what she might, he suspected there would be no shortage of men willing to have her if she cared to look. Well, now he knew why she was still unattached.
Because she was convinced that being beautiful, engaging and sensual was not enough to catch an honest man.
“What became of this Theodebert?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Elstan made a gesture indicating he didn’t know for sure and cared even less. “Last I heard he had gone to London.”
Far away then. Good. Because Haakon couldn’t promise he would not plant his fist into his face if he ever met him, andensure his resemblance to a decaying corpse was clear for all to see.
There was a silence, only interrupted by the popping of the fire in the hearth.
“Well, all that doesn’t change the fact that we still don’t know where poor Osberga is,” Elstan said, wiping his hands on a piece of linen.
“No.”
The men stood up, having finished their meal.
“I will go see how my daughter is doing and then I’m going to investigate what happened to Alfred at the door. He would never have allowed Oswald to get into the house in the middle of the night, that is for sure, so I suspect something happened to him. I mean to find out what.”
Yes, Haakon wanted to know as well. “I will help, if I can, ask the neighbors if they heard anything suspicious in the night.”
“Are you sure it’s all right for you to stay another night? I’ve already asked much of?—”
“I am.”
Until he was certain Oswald was well and truly gone, he was not going anywhere.
10
Gytha was surprised to open her eyes to an already declining sun. Had she really slept most of the day away?
Her father had come to see her after breaking his fast, telling her he would be back on the morrow and she was free to go back to her own room. At first she’d stayed where she was, in the little space he used to conduct his affair, not sure she would be able to bear the memory of Oswald towering over her, fists raised and ready to strike if she went back to where it happened. Then she decided she was being silly. After all, she couldn’t stay away from her room indefinitely. The sooner she found the courage to go back, the better. Forcing herself to ignore what had happened earlier—and whatcouldhave happened—she’d entered the cleaned, silent room.
The bed had been made, a basin of water and a pile of linens were ready on the table, and the brazier was burning again. Everything was as it should be. Relieved, Gytha had stretched out on her bed and fallen asleep with Haakon’s comforting scent in her nostrils.
As soon as she stood up, she decided that a wash and a change of clothes would do her good. Once she had put herself to rights, she braced herself for an evening alone with Haakon, who had promised to stay the night to guard her.
She found him in the great hall, sitting in front of the fire on a folding stool, his long legs stretched in front of him. At the sound of her footsteps, he lifted his head and allowed his gaze to wander over her. Her core tightened under the scrutiny. Never had she imagined a man would be looking at her thus, with such naked intent and appreciation.
“Haakon,” she breathed, not quite knowing how to behave. In that moment she was not the reeve’s daughter, she was just Gytha.
He stood up, tall and confident. “Saxon.”
Oh, that word in his mouth! She could have sworn he had just paid her the most heartfelt compliment—or ordered her to spread her legs for him. It made her both blush in delight and heat up in lust.
