Page 98 of The Reluctant Viking

“’Tis nothing of honor to it. The king will do what is to his best advantage, like any other.”

It was Thork’s turn to go forward on behalf of King Sigtrygg.

“Thork! Back so soon!” the king exclaimed and embraced him like an old friend. “Do you check on your brother Haakon? I thought you were not fond of court life.”

“I come on behalf of King Sigtrygg of Northumbria who pays homage to you as ruler of the English. Also, I bring you his formal acceptance of the betrothal contract for your sister.” He placed in the king’s hand a magnificent Viking sword with a twisted metal blade and a solid gold hilt embedded with rubies.

There were disgruntled rumblings behind them from some of the nobles about Athelstan’s giving his sister to what they considered a heathen barbarian while they waited in line like lowly beggars. Athelstan stopped them with a cold look.

“When will he wed my sister?”

“Would the thirtieth of January suit?”

“It would. Will you come to my solar tomorrow afternoon to discuss further details?” When Thork nodded, the king asked who accompanied him, and Thork introduced Ruby and Selik.

“Ah, the godly handsome Norseman who breaks the hearts of sweet maids from here to the Holy Land and beyond!”

Selik tilted his head in arrogant acknowledgment of his dubious reputation and bowed to the king.

Then the king turned to Ruby.

“Surely not the woman who claims to come from the future?” he asked Thork, who nodded, then frowned, probably wondering what spy network reported to the Saxons so well on events in Jorvik.

“Wonderful!” He clapped his hands together and demanded, “Bring her with you on the morrow. I want to hear all her stories. I understand I could learn much from her.”

They were about to be dismissed in favor of the long line of people waiting to be presented to the king when Athelstan asked, “Where do you stay?”

Thork shrugged uncertainly. “We just arrived this morn. With all the crowds here in Kingston, we will no doubt go back to my men who camp in tents near my ships.”

“Nay, you will not.” The king directed a servant to find a room for Thork and “his woman.”

His woman! Where did he get that idea? Ruby wondered as her face flushed hotly.

“And one for Selik, as well. ’Tis certain he will find his own woman afore the night is over.”

Thork smiled so smugly as they walked away from the dais that Ruby had to elbow him in the ribs.

“A private room at last,” Thork whispered, putting his arm around her shoulders intimately, uncaring of the people’s stares. “Your time of sweet reckoning has come, dearling.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you,” Ruby whispered to Thork as they walked up winding stone steps to the second and then the third floor of the massive palace. They followed a grumbling servant who complained incessantly of the demands put upon him by a king who thought there were endless rooms to be had.

Selik was shown his broom-closet-sized room at the top of the third-floor steps. When Ruby started to enlist his aid in escaping Thork’s inevitable amorous advances, Thork clamped a palm over her mouth and laughingly informed his friend, “Overcome with emotion she is over the night to come.” She tried to bite Thork’s palm, but he held her too tightly. The overworked servant just stared at them in tired boredom, as if people behaved in this manner all the time.

The small tower room he showed them was spartan, but clean. Thork indicated with a satisfied grin that its biggest asset was the full-sized bed, rather than the expected pallet.

Ruby thought the servant would have a heart attack when Thork asked him what the chances were of having a bath.

“On the third floor?” the old man choked out. But he quickly overcame his exhaustion when Thork offered him a coin which would be matched by another if he brought the tub and water in record time.

“Master, ’twill be here afore you have your clothes off,” he promised, adding solicitously, “Wouldst ya be wantin’ perfumed soap fer yer lady?” He flashed Thork a lascivious, toothless grin.

Oh, great! A conspiracy of like minds.

“We have to talk while that servant is gone,” Ruby asserted quickly, while Thork rummaged through the large leather bag that held their belongings. So studiously was he searching for something and ignoring her words that finally Ruby asked. “What are you looking for?”

“This!” Thork held up her homemade teddy-bustier and grinned. “After you bathe, I want you to put this on. I have dreamed the picture for days,” he explained huskily.

“No!” Ruby exclaimed, despite the wild hammering of her heart.