Viking's Desire: Sexy-Romance Novel: A Viking Love Story (13 page)

Chapter 31

The wedding plans continued and the fear kept
mounting as Lillian was trapped in an unconscionable situation.  Perhaps if she escaped to Eriik’s camp and told him everything, he could somehow save her father and they could be together after all.  Perhaps and somehow didn’t make her feel all that confident.  If she ran to Eriik and her father died, she would never forgive herself.  On the other hand, she couldn’t marry the vicious Lord Montfort, even if she wasn’t with child, but she certainly couldn’t go forward with it carrying Eriik’s child.  What in the world could she do?

This is what she felt like the night before she walked down the stairs to Erii
k so many months ago.  It had been traumatic then but somehow not so much as now.  She felt as if her life was over then too, but she fell in love with Eriik instead.  Could she be that lucky a second time and a miracle save her again?  She decided to go on with the wedding feast before trying to make a decision.  Her father would be there and perhaps she could come up with some way for them both to escape unharmed.  Her head was constantly spinning with ideas, making for quite the headache.  She felt dizzy again, so with Alicia’s help, she changed and decided to lie down for awhile.  Before she could get any rest, Simon burst into the room, shooed Alicia out, and sat by her side on the bed. 

“My dear, we need to have a little talk.”

Lillian looked at him apprehensively but didn’t say a word.

“I’m sure you
’re thinking of all sorts of ways to try to escape to your lover, somehow leaving your father unharmed, and I’ve come to put those silly notions out of that pretty head of yours.  You see, I will be placing my best archers in the struts of the great room, with their arrows aimed straight for the heart of the Jarl and your father, should you say or act the slightest bit odd.  Therefore, you will act the part of the perfect bride to be, do you understand?”

She couldn’t stop the shocked look on her face.

“Yes, just as I expected.  Your scheming, conniving ways are very evident.  Do you think I’m a complete idiot?”

“No, I, uh…”

“Stop it now.  Just tell me what a good girl you will be and I’ll leave you to your rest.”

“Yes my lord, I won’t do anything to upset you, I swear.”

“Yes, you better swear, on your father’s life.”

“Not only do I expect you not
to do something strange, I expect you to smile and laugh and be the loving bride to be.”  He stressed loving as he sauntered out with an evil grin on his cruel face.  He acted as if he was enjoying himself.

Chapter 32

Everyone was gathering in the great room
, festive with wedding decorations.  The servants had outdone themselves at Lord Montfort’s orders.  Great succulent slabs of pork, beef, goat, pheasant, and chicken on great trenchers were being served with so many huge containers of fruits and vegetables, one couldn’t count.  There were a variety of sweets with their fragrant, appetizing aromas escaping from the kitchen, teasing the guests palate, waiting to be served later.  Jugglers, musicians, wrestlers, and songsters entertained the guests and no one, except Eriik, who had been observing the revelry attentively, would have ever been able to guess that anything sinister was going on.  It looked to be nothing short of pure joy, but Eriik couldn’t help but believe that something else was afoot.  As Eriik and Bjorn were being seated, he beheld the most exquisite vision he’d ever had the pleasure of gazing upon, as Lillian gracefully descended the stairway in a gorgeous cream colored creation of silk and lace, with a décolletage low enough to catch just a glimpse of the cleavage of her soft, flawless breasts.  Eriik was glad he was seated so no one could see how hard he was becoming, simply catching sight of his lovely Lillian.  He couldn’t really call her his now, could he?  He noticed many other gentlemen acting quite the same way and an unreasonable stab of jealousy hit him hard.  It took every ounce of strength he had not to jump up and take their heads off right then and there.  She reached the chairs and with grace and elegance took her seat at the head of the table, and not for the first time put her hand protectively on her belly just for a second, but he was watching her so closely, a second was all he needed to notice.  This was not the first time, and he found it to be quite peculiar, but thought no more of it as he couldn’t take his eyes off the bounty of her beauty.  It brought him nothing but pain, both physical and emotional.  Just for a moment, emerald green and sea blue eyes met, then she looked away quickly.  Why wouldn’t she meet him eye to eye? 

As Lord Montfort entered the room, everyone, excepting Eriik and Bjorn stood and clapped, shouting congratulations to the bride and groom.  Lillian rose and met him with open arms and a smile on her face.  Eriik couldn’t believe his eyes
, even though he was looking straight at her.  She looked happy.  How could she have lied so convincingly when she was with him?  Had the whole time been one big lie for her, just waiting to escape?  He was not only full of pain but rage as well.  At this point he was sorry he had insisted they attend the feast, all he wanted to do was get out of there and journey home as fast as their ship could take them.  He didn’t know how much more of this he could take without ripping someone apart, or being ripped apart himself from the inside out.  He could only hope he was keeping his emotions to himself.  It was then he spotted Lord Devorn being escorted to sit beside Lillian.  He seemed frail and gaunt, and why was he being lead to his seat?  Was he ill?  He had no more time to think about it as Montfort leaned over to kiss Lillian on the cheek and she actually seemed to beam at him, or if not, she was one hell of an actress.  Oh by the gods, he wanted to jump over the tables and tear Montfort to shreds. 

The night seemed
to go on an eternity until finally Eriik and Bjorn could rise, pretend to thank their hosts, and leave.

Lillian was watching
Eriik, the pain etched clearly on his handsome face, watching him walk out of the room and out of her life…forever.  The frozen smile on her face hid the desolation she felt.  Everything in her wanted to scream for him to stay, to take her with him, that she loved him.  But she remained quietly frozen in place.

Chapter 33

As Eriik and Bjorn reached their campsite, Eriik bellowed as loud as he could, “Brothers, we break camp at dawn, to the ships
, and back home!”

A cheer went up.  It seemed to Eriik that all the men were as ready as he was to be away from this Saxon land.  Dawn couldn’t come fast enough for him.  He was looking forward to feeling the cold spray of the sea in his face. 
He needed to feel his muscles strain with the pull of the huge oars.  He was going home.  As he stared at the stunning display of stars dotting the night sky like jewels, he saw, not for the first time, Renouf sneaking off for the fortress, and he couldn’t help but smile.  At least someone was tossing up a skirt.  He knew he should stop and chastise him.  It was, after all, a bit dangerous, but he was a big boy and could take care of himself.  Eriik wondered who the English wench was and hoped she didn’t get Renouf in trouble.  As long as he was back by dawn, Eriik shook his head and decided to let it be.  Freya, the goddess of love, would have to look out for the lucky lad tonight.

****

Eriik and his men started breaking camp at dawn and he noticed that Renouf was not among them. 

He hoped he had not been foolhardy
with his decision to let him go on to the fortress for reasons of the flesh.  Eriik could not wait around for the young man to return because Renouf had let his randy side get the best of him.  He would have to catch up with them on his own.  Surely he hadn’t decided to stay.  He couldn’t even speak the language.  He briefly wondered how he communicated with the young lady.  Flesh to flesh he guessed and laughed out loud.  Bjorn looked at him questioningly and Eriik asked him, “Have you noticed that Renouf isn’t here?”

“Aye yes, he has a young lady at the house.”

“I hope he knows what he’s gotten into.”

“I think that’s all he knows.”

They both laughed as they started the long trek back to the ship.  Laughing felt good after the previous evening. 

This was t
he first part of the journey home and that felt good too.

After a couple of hours, Eriik’s keen hearing picked up hoof beats coming toward them at a rapid
speed. 

He motioned toward the sound of the horse,
“Men, be ready.” 

All the men were
prepared when over the rise they saw Renouf riding fast with his young lady balanced in front of him.  Eriik’s men relaxed and put their weapons down.  As Renouf brought the horse to a halt, Eriik asked the young man sternly, “Renouf, what in hell do you think you’re doing?  Stealing a horse and bringing your lady here.  You’ve got a lot of explaining to do and I suspect you should be quick about it.  We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and I’m anxious to get started home.”

“My lord, I can’t really explain it…”

Eriik exploded, “Can’t explain it!”

“Wait a minute and let me tell you what I know.  Alicia has been prattling away for the last hour and as you know, I can’t
understand a word of what she says, but she keeps fearfully grabbing me and talking about the lady Lillian.  She wouldn’t let me leave this morning without her and before I knew it, she had the horse saddled and, well, here we are.”

“Alicia, you say?”

Alicia interrupted at the mention of her name, “Aye my lord.  I understand you speak English?”

“That is so young lady.  Now what is all this about?”

“My lord, Lady Lillian is with child.”

Eriik’s face went as white as a snow covered peak.

“Thank you for apprising me of the happy couple’s good news.  Why in the world would you come here to tell me this?  Did Montfort put you up to it?”

“
Oh my lord, no you don’t understand, I can’t let you leave without telling you the truth of what injustice is being dealt to the lady Lillian.”

“The lady has made it quite clear…”

“No!” Alicia interrupted again, “You do not know what you speak of.  The lady is being forced to play the happy bride to be.”

“Forced, how?”

“Her father is being held captive, his life in danger if she does or says anything disobedient to Lord Montfort.  He will kill Lord Devorn if she doesn’t obey him absolutely.”

“Why would you endanger your own life to bring me this information?”

“Lady Lillian has been very kind to me and Lord Montfort is, well, to say he is not kind would be treating his wickedness lightly.  He is a cruel and sadistic man and the lady spending her life with him, especially carrying
your
child would be a travesty.”

“
What lass?  Carrying whose child?”

“Yes, of course it is your child.  Think about it, she hasn’t been here that long and I know
for a fact the lady has not shared the lord’s bed.  The child is yours.”

Her hand protectively on her belly.

“Mine!” Eriik bellowed like an angry bear. After allowing himself a moment to settle down, he asked a little less violently, “This is a fact?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Where is her father being held?”

“In the cellar below the stairs where prisoners are kept.  He has guards twenty four hours a day with orders to kill
him if there is any escape attempt on her part.  Lady Lillian is beside herself with worry.”

“Thank you Alicia.  You will not return, in case someone has noticed your leaving.  It’s too dangerous.
”

After some consideration, he continued, “
What would you think of returning to our land with us?”

“With the lady Lillian?”

“Aye.  As long as I have breath in my body, I will not leave this land without her safely in my arms!”

“
Yes, yes.”  She looked shyly at Renouf, who looked on in complete ignorance. 

Eriik smiled,
“You are welcome in my household, Alicia, always.”

“Thank you my lord.”

Eriik explained all that had transpired to his men.

“This is not something I’m commanding of you, it’s absolutely voluntary.  You are free to go
back to the ship with my blessing and no hard feelings.  You’ve already come this far for me for personal reasons.  You need not go any further.  Aye or nay.”

Each and every man raised their weapons above their heads, “Aye!”

Eriik smiled, “Brothers, we have a lot of planning to do.”

Chapter 3
4

After breakfast the next morning, Lord Montfort held his hand out, expecting Lillian to take it gracefully, however she only looked at him with contempt.

“Don’t make a scene, I’ll be escorting you to your chambers
without incident,” he whispered.

“The only person I wish to escort me to my chambers is my father.”

“I’m afraid he’s tied up at the moment.”  He laughed at his own joke and took her hand, even as she tried to jerk it back.

“If you’re not careful dear you’ll be sleeping down there with him.”

“Oh, you pig!”

“Shh, you little slut.  I won’t have a
commotion where the help can see or hear, but if you think I won’t make you pay when we’re alone, then you better think again.  Now behave yourself or you’ll be sore tomorrow.”

“You mean sorry?”

“I mean sore.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, but I would, and I’ll enjoy it too, but even more so I’ll be giving instructions for your father to be beaten as well.  He’s on the frail side these days so he might not be able to stand a good beating.  I guess we’ll have to see.”

“No, no.  I’m sorry my lord.  I
mean no disrespect.  I’ll accompany you happily to my chambers, as you wish.”

“Now that is a good girl.  I knew I could convince you to be reasonable.  Come along.  We’ll speak of our upcoming nuptials as we walk.  You are excited about them
, as any young bride would be, yes?”

“Yes my lord.”

Lillian blinked back tears as they walked.  She didn’t know what Simon would do if he noticed, but she didn’t care to find out.  Eriik was gone and she was left here to marry the most horrible man she had ever met and try to pass Eriik’s son or daughter off as his.  The thought of it was sickening.  What fate he or she would meet was too horrible to contemplate, especially if it was born with beautiful golden hair.  Even if Montfort thought the child was his, she couldn’t imagine him being anything but a horrid father.  Perhaps he would just ignore the boy or girl, as did most lords with their offspring.  That would be the best future she could hope for her son or daughter.  She prayed the child would have her hair color.  She had no misconceptions about what would happen otherwise.  At the door of her chamber, she turned to Simon and politely said, “Thank you, I believe I’ll lie down awhile.  I’m still a bit tired from last eve.”

“Yes, it
was a trying evening.  I would insist on staying in your chamber this morning since you’re planning to be in bed anyway, but that will happen soon enough, so I’ll take my leave, I have so much planning to do.  Remember Lady Lillian, very soon you will be in my chamber.  Don’t forget it.”

She closed the door and tears streamed down her cheeks. 
She tiredly slipped into bed wondering how she could go on with her life with the repugnant lord beside her night after night.  And worse still, not just beside her.  She prayed for a miracle and then cried herself to sleep.