Page 27 of A Tale of Two Vikings

“A thickening?” she asked, frowning.

Holy Thor! The lady is twenty and eight years old, and she does not know what a thickening is. He waved a hand toward his nether region, which was hardening even more just at the mention of itself. Well, that should clearly show her where my thoughts dwell.

“Oh,” she said, face flaming. Then she raised her chin haughtily and said, “Surely you two did not share the same…uh, bed pleasures…from a distance.”

He grinned. “We ne’er did in the past, but as sure as snow is cold I felt it this time. My brother is with a woman and enjoying himself. I would bet my life on it.”

“Seems to me that men get…those things…without much provocation, like a belch or a sneeze.”

He grinned. “There is no similarity between a thickening and a belch or a sneeze, believe you me.”

She waved a hand as if to dismiss the disagreeable subject.

It wasn’t disagreeable to him.

“It would be foolish to make the trip now. As you know, the winter freeze hits the Norselands much earlier than here. Even if you could find a ship to travel the stormy seas and ice-covered fjords at this time of year, it would be highly dangerous. Would it not be best to wait till spring?”

Vagn put aside his brush and gave her his full attention. In fact, he began to advance toward her.

He saw the moment that Helga realized she was alone with him in the barn, dark except for two wall torches attached to the horse stall. She backed up till her shoulders hit the wall with a thud.

“And what would I do with myself here all that time? Twiddle my thumbs?”

She glanced down at his one thumb in panic, as if the appendage were a wicked instrument of erotic torture.

Hmmm. It could be.

He stood so close to her he could smell the cold air on her skin and the wet fur of her cloak.

“Play chess?” she offered.

“For three months?” He arched his eyebrows at the ludicrous idea.

“I’m sure Father could use your help in training his troops, or running the estates.”

Vagn braced his arms on the wall on either side of her head, trapping her. His eyes homed in on her mouth.

Her eyes darted right and left, as if seeking some means of escape.

Too late, my lamb. Too late. “You know what that would lead to, don’t you? He would be grooming me for son-by-marriage.”

“I had not thought of that.”

“Do you know, Helga, it has been a year and more since I have lain with a woman?”

“What has that to do with me?” she asked in a near shriek, as he gave in to temptation and nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck.

He relished the softness of her flesh and the silkiness of her blond hair. And, yea, it was lavender he had smelled. Did she bathe in lavender-scented water? Intriguing picture, that.

“Everything,” he said and took a small nibble at her earlobe. Then another. And another. He licked, too. What a delicacy! Better than any sweetmeat in a royal harem.

“Don’t,” she protested.

“Don’t what?”

“Play with me. You are bored and seeking a dalliance to pass the time. I will not be used so.”

What a perceptive maid! Play is exactly what I have in mind. “You would enjoy it.”