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

Gifu was teaching her some Norse words when the unthinkable happened. She reached out and patted Miriam’s middle.“How long?” she asked.She blamed the tight-fitting apron dress with the belt which was her only alternative to the Vercian gown. Why was she continuing to say him nay when it came to marriage? It seemed important to him, despite availing himself of her body as and when he liked. Once, he had caught hold of her in the byre and she had remembered how to blush all over again.Fortunately, Ketil seemed none the wiser about her condition. He had teased her about gaining weight, indicating that he saw nothing to complain about in terms of her chest, though he would not want her to be rotund when they were handfasted.At this rate, any wedding dress would have to be let out and extra panels inserted, though Miriam would have liked to have sewn her own.In truth, she did not know the answer to the older woman’s question, so she shrugged and referred vaguely to Yuletide.“I help,”

Daphne had discovered the ideal bedmate in Sigurd. She could trust not only to his discretion but also that he would not take advantage of her sudden and unexpected wish to be restrained. Was that to banish her demons? He performed best in playful mood, as he was now, though she was thinking of introducing something new to the mix: role play. He could be whatever he suggested: over-eager suitor, jealous husband, would-be rapist, just so long as it was as rough as she preferred and no more.In turn she could be a shocked virgin, unfaithful wife or slut who was asking for it. She drew the line at wearing her nun’s habit. Some things were sacrosanct.They were continuing to be careful, meaning that sometimes he fucked her mouth or withdrew before spilling his seed. She liked it best when his tongue slid between her legs and she felt his manly beard on her inner thighs. Far too many of her ‘lovers’ had been foppish and prurient. He treated her like a woman and never failed to hold her clo

Men were starting to wander in and out, including an abashed-looking Toby. Ruth whisked her skirts aside and considered all the housekeeping duties which awaited. “Let’s get out of here,” Sigurd said. She felt rather wicked in those moments. This was the Queen’s lover. Her face softened. Daphne was undeniably lovely when her mood was good, with her shoulder-length fair hair and those eyes which tended to adapt to the colour of the gown she was wearing. Her mouth was too often set in a thin line and her nose was over long, but at least the latter was straight and complemented the chin she had inherited from her father in its sharpness. As a result, the former Princess Royal always dressed boldly, and little had changed in that respect now that she was Queen. Her deportment was a byword in public, unlike what Ruth had too often witnessed in private. Should she tell him, disclose the truth – or did Sigurd already know? Certainly, he would be aware of some of it. “I need to be back in

Ketil laughed out loud when Magnus told him what Miriam had taxed him about.“She thought Ruth had a crush on you, when Sigurd was around all the time?”“Your lady didn’t find it absurd.”“Anyone with eyes … No, maybe not,” he amended, not wanting to incur his uncle’s wrath after having dented his pride by labouring the point. “Sig will be offended, too.”“How so?”He chose not to answer, knowing his uncle had already worked it out.Instead, he said, “Ruth was confused about her feelings, I know that much. I’ve been meaning to ask, why didn’t one of you manage to wrest her from Daphne? That was the plan, wasn’t it?” While he already suspected what had happened, it would be good to have it confirmed. Magnus would not lie.“Her High and Mightiness would not release her. She said something about not allowing us to despoil her after all she had been through to ensure that didn’t happen. And Ruth seemed happy to remain with her.”“So, she didn’t just save Miriam? Maybe we have done her a d