Chapter Forty-One

Daphne’s face burned when she spotted Sigurd standing behind her former maid.

“Ruthie, what a surprise,” she declared, reaching down to hug her.

If others were uncertain around her, she knew how to handle them. This man had always been different. She tried not to think about what had happened in that mirrored room. Why did it stand out in her mind among all the other sordid liaisons? The answer was simple: it hadn’t felt sordid. Not with him.

The why of it was a mystery to her and likely to remain so forever, she feared.

Mindful of certain sensibilities, she elected to see them outside the building. Their walk took them past a flowering apple tree which would only bear fruit later in the season. That had seldom mattered in the palace given that foreign varieties came in through the ports all the time. She had observed as much for herself given that Papa liked to be seen to be indulging her so much.

The red bearded giant came straight to the point.

“We need your help.”

“Oh?”

“Ketil has