Wanted by the Viking (4 page)

Eight

              Kendra held the infant close against her chest as she continued down the road. The child let out a loud squeal.

              "Hush now sweeting. Hmmmm… we must think of a name for you."

              The baby quieted. She smelled so sweet that Kendra could not resist kissing her downy head over and over. A name… her mother's name had been Rowena after her fair hair. The child's hair appeared to be a bright copper color. Perhaps that would suit…

              "Rowena… Weena… do you like that sweeting?"

              Kendra had a skin full of goat’s milk but that wouldn't last more than a few days. She needed to find a place to take the child. Willa would tend to it, she knew. The woman had been unable to have children of her own. But for some reason, Kendra was loath to let the baby out of her sight.

              Never mind that Grayson Hendrick and his men were back that way.

              She felt a small tinge of regret when she thought of him, but she brushed it aside. Surely he'd given up by now. After all, she'd given him what he was after and then some.

              He had certainly cured her of her curiosity. Strangely enough though, she missed his touch. And his warm body to sleep next to at night. Not that she'd ever admit that to a living soul.

              A solitary farm was up ahead, barely visible in the fading light. As she got closer Kendra could see that it was abandoned. There was a large hole where the thatched roof had caved in. But the barn looked otherwise intact.

              She guided Marshmallow inside and looked around. It was filthy but had a partial roof and looked clear of wild animals. She sighed and led the donkey to the far corner where there were a few partitions creating stalls where animals had been kept.

              "Well my friend, this will have to do."

              There was another stall next door where she laid her bags down. Then she made a thick pile of stale hay and spread a blanket on top for she and the baby.

             
Rowena.

              The name was growing on her. It was fitting somehow, to give life to the name of her mother.

              She looked around the barn, hoping to find a bucket for water or something to feed Mallow. But when she turned, the donkey was contentedly munching on the straw that had been left there. Tomorrow would be soon enough to find water and see about something to eat. Perhaps they could even stay here for a few days and rest... the ordeal with the slave master had taken a lot of energy from her.

              She fed Rowena a few sips of goat’s milk and lay down beside her, pulling the child onto her belly. Her eyes closed softly and she fell into a light doze.

              When she woke it was dark inside the barn. Dawn was just beginning to light up the sky, diffusing soft light. She could barely see her hand when she held it in front of her face. But she could hear the sounds the men were making outside.

              A scuffling sound alerted her to the more immediate threat.

              Someone was in the barn. Her heart was pounding. She knew that her luck had finally run out.

              "Kendra?"

              She stifled a relieved laugh. It was Grayson. How the man had tracked her down was beyond her. He was determined, she had to give him that.

              The baby didn't appreciate the intrusion, no matter how benign, and let out a loud squeal.

              "Hush now."

              She kissed the baby again and wrapped the blanket around them both, tying the child to her chest. Then she eased quietly to her feet and into Marshmallow's stall.

              "Where are you woman?"

              She giggled breathily and slipped her hood over the head of her donkey. The light was growing now. It wouldn't help her escape, but it might provide some amusement. Grinning wickedly, Kendra snuck back into the other stall. Grayson must have seen her red cloak immediately because she heard his footsteps approach at a run.

              "The sight of your red cloak inflames me…"

              She stepped out of the stall to observe as Grayson slipped his arms around the donkey.

              "What the?"

              She laughed and he turned, scowling. But the relief on his face was plain to see. The way her heart leapt at the sight of him was another matter altogether.

              Who would have thought it?

              She had missed the oaf after all.

********

              Grayson stared at his woman. His ornery, sneaky, trick playing woman. Then he let out a loud whoop and scooped her into his arms.

             
By Odin he was glad to see her!

              "You are unharmed?"

              "Aye I'm fine- ouch- Grayson you are crushing me!"

              He set her on her feet and stared at her, gripping her shoulders.

              "I am mightily displeased with you woman!"

              But he was smiling. Odin help him, he could not stop smiling! She was alive and well! And he would not let her get away from him so easily again.

              He saw her lips start to quiver as she attempted to repress a smile. The woman was laughing at him! He growled and yanked her against him for a kiss. A long, lingering, mating is imminent sort of kiss.

              "Lift your skirts woman. I will have you now."

              "Grayson-"

              "Now!"

              "Oh, very well!"

              She sighed dramatically and turned to brace her arms against the wall. He pulled her skirts up, too impatient to wait. In an instant his hose were around his ankles and he was guiding his shaft to her plump nether lips. He groaned as he eased his shaft inside her.

              He grasped her hips and started to pump himself into her honied sheath. He wanted to go slow, to savor the feel of silky walls gripping his shaft but he could not. He grunted as he slammed into her again and again.

              Beneath him, she was starting to moan with equal fervor. He reached down and took hold of one breast, using his other hand to strum her jewel with the other. She bucked beneath him as she bore down on his cock, making him ride her faster.

              He bellowed his pleasure as his seed erupted from his member, filling her womb with a week's worth of pent up essence. He leaned over her trembling body, tenderly kissing the back of her neck.

              That's when he heard it. Something was in the next stall. He yanked his hose up and lifted his axe as he barged into the dark corner.

              "Grayson no!"

              "What is it?"

              He frowned, staring down at the wiggling little bundle. Kendra giggled behind him.

              "Tis a bairn, silly."

              "Aye, I can see that. But whose?"

              "It was one of the slave women who I tended to. It would not have survived so I took it with me. Rowena will live a long and fruitful life. With me."

              He watched at she adjusted her skirts and lifted the baby into her arms.

              "That is why you must stop following me Grayson. I have responsibilities beyond myself and my patients now."

              He growled and stepped closer.

              "I will not follow you because you will be safe and sound in my hut, tending to
my
bairns. How could I follow you that way?"

              He lifted her up and carried her to the barn's entrance.

              "Gather her things and yours- we head for the coast. By tonight we will be sailing for home!"

Nine

              Kendra scowled at the calm sea. She was gagged and tied up by the edge of the boat. He'd kept her restrained since the third time she'd tried to escape. At this point, she was more angry about the principle of it than anything.

              Rowena lay cooing beside her in a basket. Periodically one of the men would come and check on her, giving her some water or feeding some milk to the bairn.

              Grayson had thought of everything. He'd even stolen a healthy young goat on their journey to the coast. She'd been afraid he would toss the child over the edge of the boat but he'd been surprisingly complacent about the waif.

              Most likely because he knew the child would keep her docile. If that's what he thought however, he was in for a surprise.

              And she'd tell him so too, as soon as someone removed the gag from her mouth.

              The moment she was free she intended to jump overboard with the child and swim for the nearest coast. She was strong. She could manage a few miles at sea. That's if her arms and legs weren't numb from the damn ties!

              She adjusted herself again as Grayson walked by humming. The foolish man had the audacity to wink at her, as if this were all in good fun! He'd abducted her, breaking their bargain. She would not trust him to keep his word again.

              Kendra knew now that the gigantic warrior planned on keeping her indefinitely. She could admit to herself that the thought wasn't entirely unpleasant- if he'd asked instead of just taking! She'd come to enjoy his touch, and even appreciate his company. But to be his woman forever was a different matter altogether! She was still a healer and did not want to lose that part of herself.

              Several hours passed without incident, the boredom lulling her to doze off even in the uncomfortable position she was in. Once or twice, a stoic Viking brought her something to drink, even dribbling milk for the babe. At last the men seemed to spring into action, hoisting this and pulling at that. The ship was a flurry of motion. Kendra made herself ready to flee. If they were close to shore then there was a good chance she could escape.

              Just then Grayson's thick calves came into view. She wrenched her neck to stare up at him with unconcealed malice. But the stupid man just smiled at her with something akin to glee.

              "Mhhffffffrahhh!"

              He patted her head reassuringly.

              "Don't be frightened, woman. We are here!"

              She followed the direction he was pointing in and her eyes grew wide with awe. It was a bustling port, a true Viking stronghold. They had crossed the ocean, instead of sailing up the coast as she had hoped.

              Now she was well and truly stuck.

**********

              Grayson hoisted his woman onto his lap, settling her bound body against him before accepting the baby that Ulric handed up. He smiled at the infant and nestled her into Kendra's lap. He put one arm on the child and grabbed the bridle. Behind him, the donkey was laden down with his portion of the spoils the warriors had taken.

              It had been a good season.

              He squeezed the tempting flesh of the silent woman in his arms.

              A very, very good season.

              "Are you thirsty woman?"

              She said nothing. That's when he remembered the gag in her mouth. Gently, he pulled it free.

              "Here, have a sip of wine. 'Tis good Flemish wine."

              "Stolen most likely."

              She sounded surly but she opened her mouth and drank deeply all the same. He chuckled.

              "Twas fairly won. We are the stronger, and the stronger wins the spoils."

              She said nothing but made a disdainful harumphing sound. He chuckled some more, grabbing a round breast and squeezing. She squealed indignantly and wiggled, bringing her bottom in direct contact with his loins.

             
By Odin, his woman pleased him!

              Grayson had never had anything of such value before. He had a newly finished hut, some wealth, and a remarkably fine woman to keep his furs warm.

              He could hardly believe his good fortune as he rode out of town with a wide grin across his face. The countryside rolled by as he contemplated taking his woman in his own bed and all the ways he would pleasure her. Aye, he wanted his mate to be happy as well.

             
And she would be happy. Even if he had to make her so.

              "There on the hill! Do you see?"

              "What is it, you brute?"

              "Your new home!"

              He dug his heels into the nag and hastened up the hill.

              Sooner than he knew it, he'd be taking his woman in his own bed.

              He could hardly wait.