Page 55 of Merciful Salvation
“I’m a slave. I’m not allowed to voice my opinion.”
Kara rolled her eyes. Judging by the woman’s harsh words about Frieda, she believed Wolinda possessed ten years’ worth of impressions. “Whatever we discuss will never be repeated. I swear it.”
“By Allfather?”
“By Allfather, Thor, and Frigg.”
Wolinda cleared her throat. “Jarl Sigurdsson always favored Aaron—sometimes it seemed he loved him more than his deceased twin brother. Of course, once the jarl inherited his lands, he didn’t hesitate to invite his cousin to live in the Trondelag. At first, everything was peaceful. Tyr invested his wealth on improvements and strengthening relationships with the nobles in the north. We prospered. The north thrived. For some unknown reason...” Her face grew dark. “Aaron retaliated. Challenged my master at every turn. After the war—”
Kara held up her hand. “I’m familiar with what follows.” She didn’t care to hear it again. Aaron’s version still haunted her. “Do you believe men can truly change?”
“I believe men are easily tempted.”
That was true enough. But in Jarl McNally’s case, tempted bywhat?
“I know what’s troubling you, milady.” Wolinda gave her a sad smile. “You’re plagued by guilt for loving a man with a questionable history.”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
The maid nodded. “My husband was executed for stealing horses. For years after, I wondered why I chose such a man for a husband. The answer came to me one night after I’d prayed for hours. Hardship had changed him.”
Kara mentally deliberated. She respected the woman’s sentiments. Perhaps Aaron had experienced his own set of misfortunes. Although poverty wasn’t one of them. “What about Aaron’s family?”
“His poor father died before Aaron had a chance to make peace with him.”
“And now?”
“I cannot speak for the jarl, milady. I’m nospaewifeor reader of runes. But I’m a good judge of character after spending half a lifetime in service to the Sigurdssons. A man’swyrdis determined by the gods. I believe misfortune followed Aaron. But now...”
“Now?” The woman hesitated to finish her thought. Why?
“Does the prospect of marriage to Jarl McNally frighten you?”
“I never said anything about marriage.”
Wolinda chuckled. “I may be blind, but not stupid.”
This thrall had taken great liberties in the span of a few moments. From having no opinion, to sounding as irritatingly forthright as Amelia. “Perhaps we’d better return to Steingard.”
The slave sniffed. “I am yours to command, milady.”
What Kara truly desired, if she could muster the courage, was to ride directly to Aaron’s home.Not yet.Give him more time to think about his misconduct. Whether or not he fathered the child hadn’t been the problem, she knew that more than ever now. His complete disregard for the boy’s feelings remained the obstacle. She’d neverspend her life with a churl.
Rachelle and her husband received one of the guards that trailed Kara upstairs. Judging by the look on his face, Rachelle knew where the girl had gone. Even anger and resentment couldn’t keep the girl from her fate. Actions spoke louder than words. If she rode to Aaron’s steading, it should convince Tyr to summon Erik the Bald to the Trondelag.
“Tell me where the girl went,” Tyr said.
“As you predicted, milord, she rushed to Jarl McNally’s home.”
Tyr gazed at his wife, smiled, then regarded his warrior again. “Did you overhear anything?”
“A few words she exchanged with Wolinda.”
“Tell us.” Rachelle found herself intrigued by Kara’s stubborn refusal to forgive Aaron. Kara Dalgaard reminded her of herself and the impossible challenges she’d faced when she first landed in Norway.
“Mostly questions about your cousin’s past.”
“And what did my faithful thrall tell her?” Rachelle queried.
