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Olgrethe’s lilting laugh was spontaneous “Do you really think we can find abut does not continually boast of his prowess?”
“If such a man exists in this land then you shall have him,” Celiese promised confidently, for truly she was as fond of herwoman was of her
“I will insist he provide a fine husband for you, too We are the sae and if I must marry then you cannot be left alone”
Appalled by her suggestion Celiese rose froenerosity I have no desire to marry some other unfortunate captive and provide our e I am content to serve you as I always have”
“Celiese?” Olgrethe went to her friend’s side, encircling her slender waist tenderly with her ar Your children will be free, and so will you”
“No!” Celiese responded with fierce pride “I have no longing for a Viking’s, affections, no matter what the reward”
“Do you hate us all for taking you captive and bringing you to our land? Do you hate us still?” Olgrethe inquired anxiously
Celiese turned toward the narro cut in the thick stonewall and scanned the rocky countryside with an intense gaze “It is pointless to hate your family, for they are no worse than any of their countrymen who eanceâ??and I have never hated you, for you are not to blame for their horrible deeds”
Wishing to push the terror of her memories aside, Celiese forced a s a husband for you, and allow ht sadly
“I’ll give no such prorethe insisted “Now brush , the day is too lovely to waste in worrying over the future”
When her lowing tresses, pinning them atop her head in a profusion of curls, while she left her own hair swinging freely in loose curls that reached past her waist “If we do not worry now, I fear you will have far more to worry about once you find yourself wed to a row to despise Let us consider those who live closest first, the men you see frequently, before we discuss those who reater distance to visit you”
After a weary sigh Olgrethe coeable sons, dis them one by one as no better than loudrown men too, more than I can count, but this is siht my eye”
After a rethe continued in a hesitant voice, “Aldred Vandahl has sons, handsoest one of those men for my husband”
“Vandahl? I’ve not heard you ht they be?”
“It is a tragic tale My Aunt Helga told me about them only once, but I’ve rerandfather’s ti man, his best friend was a Vandahl They were inseparable, closer than brothers, until they both fell in love with the sa wo They fought repeatedly and randfather finally won, but his friend died, and our families have been the bitterest of enemies ever since”
Celiese stood back to survey her handiwork, fluffing Olgrethe’s tawny curls as she spoke “What of the young woman? Shouldn’t she have been the one to make the choice between her suitors?”
“She was randmother, and she died before I was born We will have to ask Helga to tell us more of her mother, for I knew her not”
“Would Helga not be a woe is too important a decision to be left to your father’s whim”
“Of course! My father’s sister is very clever When next she visits, I will ask her Now, please, let us forget this tiresorethe turned to look up, her blue eyes pleading for agreement
Celiese laughed as she laid the hairbrush aside “As you wish Let us go riding and hope Helga arrives before your father presents another suitor, perhaps one he will not allow you the privilege of refusing” Although the spring day ar the hood low to shade her face She would accompany her mistress, as she always did, like a shadohose face was never seen, deliberately attracting no notice in the ho men It was all she desired, and what she desperately needed to survive
The two lovely young wo down the steps and out to the stables, as they did nearly everywhen the weather was pleasant Their mounts were spirited, the day drenched in brilliant sunshine, their lives were placid, easy Olgrethe was the pa whose fierce reputation was as well deserved as it was richly rewarded
He was not a hter spent the early spring days being fitted for nens or riding through the expanse of rocky coastline bordering his vast far her future, unwilling to allow her to flaunt his will
Olgrethe found her father and brothers unusually boisterous at the evening ed to return to her chamber to retire and covered her yaith no real haste When first her father began to speak she scarcely listened, until she realized the import of his words