Brede saw a swirl of pink in the shadows at the far end of the corridor, and he ducked into the alcove to await its arrival. A pink gown in the castle was almost certainly Estrid, unless the Countess had come by – and with her baby so ill, he did not think she would.
It was Estrid.
He grabbed her arm as she passed and pulled her roughly into the alcove with him. He took a risk that she would cry out, but it was worth it to feel her struggle against him for a moment before melting into his arms as she realized who he was.
“You brute,” she said with a pretty pout after she decided the kiss had gone on long enough.
He grinned at her.
“You’re mad – we shall be seen here.”
“I haven’t but a moment,” he whispered. “I must run to the King. But Estrid, is it true that you will be staying here tonight?”
“I stay with Eadgith.”
“But Eadgith is caring for the Princess.”
“I suppose she is.”
“Come to me tonight.”
“What?”
“Come to my room. It’s nothing at all – only three doors down.”
“Brede!” she gasped.
“You’ve come before.”
“In the day!”
“And? I don’t turn into a hairy monster at night. Unless you do?” he teased.
She didn’t laugh. “No, but – it’s different.”
“Of course it’s different,” he whispered. “There’s no chance of being disturbed. Estrid! We shall have all night. Everyone is sleeping, or taking care of the babies.”
“Oh, Brede, you’re so bad. How can you think of such things when all the babies is ill?”
“What? I don’t have any babies.”
“No, and neither do I, and neither do I want any! So, I don’t come.”
“Estrid! What nonsense! We shan’t… we shan’t have any. Do you think I want any?”
“I think you want other things so badly that you don’t care.”
“Estrid! I’m no fool.”
“Neither am I. So, I don’t come.”
“Estrid, Estrid, please think a moment. You like to come and see me, don’t you?”
“In the day.”
“Nothing will be different at night, I swear. Except that we shall have all the time we like, and there won’t be steps going up and down the corridor all the time to drive us mad. When shall we have another such an opportunity?”
“I don’t know,” she murmured, and then she looked cannily up at him from under her lashes. “Our wedding night, perhaps?”
Brede lifted his head, stunned a little, though he knew she was bound to mention it one day. He should have planned a reply in advance. “But… Estrid, we’re too young to think of that,” he said weakly.
“So! If we’re too young for that, we’re too young for this,” she whispered. “You said it.”
“But – no, but I only mean that I haven’t a home, or an income, or – or anything.”
“If you did?”
“Well, I shall someday, and then I shall think about it. But, listen, Estrid, we haven’t time for that now. I must go. Only promise me you will come tonight.”
“Oh, wait now. What if you did have those things? Would you marry me then?”
“Estrid, not now,” he pleaded.
“Why don’t you say? You want me to come tonight, you want me to promise to come, but you don’t promise me anything. You think I am a fool.”
“No, Estrid, I certainly don’t – ”
“I promise no more than you promise,” she said, breaking free of his arms.
“Estrid – ”
“So, you think about that. I must go too. I see you at supper.” She threw back her head and continued down the hall as if he had never appeared at all, or were simply beneath her notice.
Brede leaned back against the column and sighed. A lot of good it did to tell himself she wasn’t worth it! He wasn’t a fool, perhaps, but she certainly made one out of him.
Chapters
Hmm, my opinion of Estrid has lifted a bit. Unlike some others who would disagree, I think Estrid is really pretty. And she seems to have her head on straight. I think Hilda and maybe Eirik have the bad influence to turn Estrid into the near-monster she is when teasing Eadie. I know someone a lot like her; too easily swayed by the crowd, but a good person at heart. Of course, this could all be an act and she could be the true mastermind--another Dick Cheney, but until that is revealed, I rather like her.