Page 53 of Merciful Salvation

“Briefly. I know he kidnapped your wife. I also know Frieda had a part in it.”

“Aye.” Tyr rubbed the back of his neck. “My kinsman has paid a heavy price for his transgressions.”

“And my father knows everything.”

“Did Aaron reveal that, too?”

“No. I pieced it together after our discussion last night. I often wondered why my sire disliked him so much. Opposing faiths isn’t reason enough to make a fool out of the king’s representative.”

“Clever girl.”

“I only wish . . .”

“What?” Tyr probed.

“Nothing.” She didn’t want to share any more than she already had. “May I borrow a horse after we break our fast, milord?”

“Do you have a specific destination in mind?”

“No,” she lied. “A bit of fresh air will help clear my head.” She looked away.

“Take one of my thralls with you,” Tyr directed. “And if you find yourself riding northward, stay on the main road. Aaron’s steading is visible from the path.”

She didn’t know whether to be grateful or offended. Cheeks burning, she retreated to the kitchen to ask for some bread to take with her.

Rachelle’s husband finally joined her at the high table. She had observed the conversation between him and Kara, watched the girl’s face grow redder by the moment. She’d also watched the girl flee the hall. What had Tyr said to her?

He leaned in and kissed her cheek affectionately. “Good morning, my love. It seems our guest cannot stay mad at Aaron for more than a day.” Tyr reached for a trencher of pork.

“I find it hard to believe she’s willing to admit it.”

“Aye,” Tyr said. “I’m sure it was unintentional, but her demeanor changed after I told her Aaron no longer resided here.”

Rachelle gaped at her husband. Sometimes his tactics were so underhanded. “Are you playing matchmaker again?” A hopeless romantic, her spouse had been the catalyst for eight marriages over the last three years. “You must let nature take its course.”

He chuckled. “If I had waited for you,” he teased, “I’d be cold in the ground.”

She cuffed his arm. “You’re shameless, Jarl Sigurdsson.”

“She asked for a horse.”

“And you agreed?”

Tyr took her wrist and pulled her toward him. “She thinks she’sfree.” He brushed soft kisses across her mouth. “Two of my guards will follow her at a distance.” He handed her a cup of milk. “I want to know where she’s going.”

“Why?” Rachelle asked. “She’s never been to this part of the country before.”

“I gave her directions to Aaron’s steading.”

She fingered a strand of his blond hair. “I’m very fond of you, husband.”

“All of me?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Some parts more than others,” she goaded. “But today, your heart.”

“The girl needs to accept her future. She knows she acted foolish last night, rushed to judgment. My cousin deserves to be happy. I’m convinced Kara is the only woman for him.”

Rachelle leaned back in her chair. Yes, Aaron appeared to be a changed man. But with Frieda lurking about the Trondelag, would Jarl McNally be tempted to revert to his old ways to get rid of her? “As adverse as I am to interfering, perhaps it’s time to invite her father here. Let’s help our kinsman achieve peace before rumors about Frieda’s son reach the south.”