Page 52 of Merciful Salvation

Never.Since the day King Magnus deeded his lands, he hadn’t spent more than a week at a time there. Occasionally, he sent a man from Oslo to oversee the harvest. But he relied on his tenants to manage his household and keep records. “I’ve had no time to do so.” What he wanted to do at the moment was stalk upstairs and ravage Kara’s mouth with hungry bites and kisses. Not discuss his assets in the middle of the night with his kinsman.

“The longer you stay here and wallow in misery, the more likely the girl will continue to resist you. Go home. Kara is safe. You’ve done your duty. I’m happy to report, at the risk of reprisal for breaking my oath of secrecy to my wife, that the girl is as enamored with you as you are with her. My wife guarantees it.” He grinned.

Aaron shifted. Enamored? Maybe yesterday, not tonight. And likely not tomorrow. She’d chosen Frieda. And the idea ofgoing homeunsettled him. He’d been without for one half of his life, travelling back and forth between Scotland and Norway, even visiting distant relations in France as a child. Further testament of his failure as a son. The idea of establishing a household of his own set him on edge. Unless he could share it with Kara. “I’ll go.”

“I know you put off the investigation in Alesund to come here. Let a couple of my men take care of it. Send a letter to the king, so he knows where you are.”

Aaron’s eyebrows furrowed. “You trust your men to inspect aburned church? After my last visit, I’m not convinced they’ll do it.”

“They’ll do what they’re told.”

“Aye,” Aaron said. Few men disobeyed Jarl Sigurdsson. “Send Onetooth.”

Tyr’s lips curled into a roguish smile. “Onetooth?”

“Though he’d rather see me dead, I trust the old mercenary.”

“I’ll assign him first thing in the morning.”

“I’m grateful.” Aaron gripped his cousin’s shoulder. The king owed him some time off after everything he’d done.

Tyr waved his hand dismissively. “You’re my cousin.”

What about Frieda? Just because Aaron went away didn’t mean his problem with his former lover would. “And the child?”

“It’s obvious he’s not your son.” Tyr grimaced. “Frieda cannot leave my household soon enough. I’ll handle everything. Since she accused you under my roof, I am obligated to make inquiries. I’ll interrogate her and search for her kinsmen. We’ll find the father.”

“I cannot thank you enough.”

“Now, I’m tired, let’s go to bed.” Tyr stood. “Do you need help upstairs?”

Aaron smiled. “I think I can find my way.”

“There’s something else...” Tyr grasped his arm. “Of all the daughters in Norway, you chose well. Erik the Bald will make an excellent ally. If you wish me to intercede on your behalf—to negotiate a marriage contract—I will.”

Aaron appreciated the significance of his cousin’s gesture. “If he finds out I’ve bedded his daughter, while he entrusted me with her life, he’ll have cause to kill me.”

Tyr leaned forward. “Convince him otherwise.”

Just to prove her point of indifference toward Jarl McNally, Kara dressed early, then made her way to the great hall hoping to see him. Much to her surprise, he wasn’t there. Not at the high table or near the kitchen.

“Looking for someone?” Tyr asked as he came up beside her.

“Milord.” She shrunk back.

“Aaron isn’t here,” Tyr whispered. “He’s gone home.”

“Home?” she repeated, startled. To her knowledge, Aaron didn’t have a home. He lived in King Olaf’s palace or slept in a tent. “Scotland?” Her heart sank.

“No,” Tyr patted her arm. “He owns lands a few miles north of here. The poor man rarely gets an opportunity to visit his tenants. Considering the circumstances...” He stared at her. “...I think it a wise choice.”

Emotions gushed inside her.Odin, this isn’t what I planned.She’d intended to make Jarl McNally squirm a little. To earn her trust and affection back. After a sleepless night considering everything that happened at the feast, she’d finally realized how wrong she’d been to rush to judgment. Blame it on jealousy. Disappointment. And any other negative feelings. Knowing his past was one thing, seeing it in the form of a beautiful woman claiming they shared a child together, was another.

“Regrets?” Tyr interrupted her thought.

“Maybe,” she said half-hearted. “If you’re generous enough to forgive Aaron, then perhaps I should do the same.”

“He told you?”