Bound to the Barbarian

Katerina shook her head. ‘Below? My thanks, but I much prefer to be up here. This will suit me very well. ‘

‘Co…Ashfirth asked me to tell you that in here you may be assured of your privacy.’

‘Thank you.’ She looked warily at him. In recent years Katerina had kept men at a distance, but this Viking’s eyes told her she need have no fear of him. ‘What is your name?’

‘Toki, my lady. Toki Fairhead.’ He leaned towards her and lowered his voice conspiratorially. ‘I am a sergeant.’

‘Thank you, Toki.’

When the sergeant continued to hover in the doorway, it dawned on her that he was watching for her reaction. She made a show of looking about her. It was shady under the awning, and protected from the breeze. There were flaps on either side of the opening that could be released and tied shut, like a door. When they were closed it would be like living in a tent, a spacious pavilion of a tent.

Some effort had been expended to make her quarters comfortable. A pallet was made up with creamy linens, and the travelling chest that the Princess had given her was already in place, pushed to one side. A goatskin rug had been spread on the boards, and a brass ewer and jug rested in a corner.

‘Thank you, Toki, this is most satisfactory.’ As she spoke, the Commander’s manservant shouldered his way in with another pallet, doubtless for Lady Anna.

‘It won’t be what you are used to,’ the sergeant said gruffly, ‘but it will only be for a short time.’

Katerina smiled. Princess Theodora had been the most considerate of mistresses. Since being freed by the Princess and offered the choice of becoming her maidservant, Katerina had never had to sleep on the floor, she had always had a pallet. But space for herself and just one other? Privacy such as this? Never.

‘Toki, these quarters are perfect. Where is Lady Anna?’

‘With the horses.’

She managed not to grimace. ‘When she has finished there, would you please send her to me?’

Sergeant Toki bowed himself out, and it was not long before Lady Anna ducked through the opening.

‘You wanted to speak to me?’ Lady Anna’s voice was tight, Katerina hoped she did not resent being summoned. It was possible.

Not only does Lady Anna regret being sent home, but she is a noblewoman. Every time she looks at me, she sees a Cretan villager who was once a slave. Is she affronted by being asked to treat me as if I were the Princess? I shall have to tread carefully, if I am not to alienate her.

‘Lady Anna—’

‘Ashfirth Saxon’s man, Hrodric, explained matters to me. You had best call me Anna, as the Princess did,’ Lady Anna said, taking a seat on one of the pallets. ‘And I suppose I had better get used to calling you “my lady".’

Katerina gave a swift headshake. ‘I don’t think that will be necessary. Ashfirth Saxon may know that you and the Princess are on the best of terms. I have often heard you call her Theodora, perhaps you should call me that for the time being—it will seem more natural.’

Lady Anna lifted her shoulders. ‘As you wish. When we are being informal, Theodora it shall be.’ Her eyes were shrewd. ‘Was that all you wanted to say? I have to tell you that I am doing this for Theodora, for the real Theodora. If you think to use this as an excuse to order me about, you can think again.’

‘That is far from my mind,’ Katerina said, firmly. Saints, my task will be impossible if Lady Anna decides to take against me. However, back at the convent there hadn’t been time to think of everything; she must make the best of it. ‘Like you, I wish to help the Princess.’

‘The Princess was generous, I hear she gave you a casket of jewels. Is it true she has also promised you land?’

‘Yes, it’s true, but even without these gifts I want to repay the Princess for her kindness to me. That is why I called for you a moment ago—I would not have done so were it not important.’

Lady Anna nodded. ‘Hurry up then, I want to get back to Zephyr. What did you have to say?’

‘Can you write?’

Lady Anna blinked. ‘Write?’

‘We have to get a message to the Princess, and I think it best if Ashfirth Saxon is kept in the dark.’

Lady Anna’s haughtiness fell away, her eyes widened. She touched Katerina’s hand. ‘A secret message? Why, what on earth has happened?’

‘Anna, can you write? I can read, but my name is the only thing I can write.’

‘Yes, I can write. Tell me, Ka-Theodora, tell me! What has happened?’

As soon as Anna understood what was happening and that Princess Theodora—the real Princess Theodora—might be in danger should she sail in the other ship; as soon as she understood that Commander Ashfirth intended using the Varangian galley as a decoy for their merchantman, it took moments for her to unearth a quill and ink and letter a carefully worded message.

‘How do we get it to her?’ Anna asked, waving the parchment in the air to dry it.

Lifting the canvas flap, Katerina peered outside. As she suspected, the Commander stood nearby. He and his sergeant, Toki, were looking up at the mast. She bit her lip. Those turquoise eyes missed nothing. ‘I can scarcely march through the port with it myself, our…guard is bound to notice. And we cannot ask any of his men. Perhaps one of the sailors might be persuaded to take it. I don’t think they answer to him.’

Anna nodded. ‘I’ll do it.’ Tucking the roll of parchment out of sight beneath her veil, she went out on to the deck.

Some half an hour later, Katerina was leaning against the ship’s guardrail, ostensibly watching crates of Venetian glass being offloaded. In truth, she was gazing at the Varangian galley moored in the deeper water on the next quay. With the Varangians’ shields mounted along the gunwale, it was unquestionably a ship of war. Katerina looked at the barbaric shields and shuddered. Dragons and wolves snarled at each other from the brightly painted limewood; rams clashed with bulls; ravens flew over whales.

As the Commander had planned, every eye in the port was on that Varangian galley.

And this was the vessel in which the Princess must sail!

The message had been sent. Lady Anna had bribed one of the sailors with a gold coin Katerina had unearthed from a purse at the bottom of the Princess’s trunk.

Yes, matters were apparently proceeding exactly as Commander Ashfirth had ordered. The second party had arrived from the convent some minutes ago, Katerina could see the Imperial entourage milling about on the Varangian ship.

They hadn’t needed heralds to announce them. If there were Norman spies in Dyrrachion, they wouldn’t be able to miss them. Rich gowns bellied out in the breeze, laughter rang out above the gulls as the sea breeze blew veils out like pennons. Fishermen stared, porters goggled. Against the mailcoats and leather jerkins of their escort, against the drab sun-bleached clothes of the sailors, the silk gowns of the ladies-in-waiting looked as bright as poppies waving delicately at the edge of a field.

Katerina felt as though she had swallowed a stone. It was too late to regret taking part in this scheme, but the Princess would put it right, the Princess would know what to do. She had to!

Much as the Princess wanted to delay her marriage to Duke Nikolaos, surely when she read the letter she must realise their plan had become unworkable? Even now—Katerina cast a surreptitious glance in Commander Ashfirth’s direction—it was not too late to confess all. If the Princess were to board this ship and admit to the truth, Commander Ashfirth must accept it.

He was standing amidships. He chose that moment to glance across and as their eyes met, Katerina’s stomach clenched. It was odd how her body reacted when she looked at him; she felt a tightening in her stomach, a shiver of…what? It must be the old fear, but she was no longer certain.

Was this fear? It must be. And yet…he had held her in his arms on the ride from the convent and, though she had been wary of him, he had behaved impeccably. Of course, he would not hurt her, not while he believed her to be the Princess. She had thought his touch would distress her, but it had not; when he had looped back her veil she had felt perfectly safe.

A lock of his dark hair lifted in the breeze; his eyes seemed to bore right into her. Out of his body armour, Commander Ashfirth was startlingly attractive. His shoulders were wide, his waist narrow. Commander Ashfirth had none of the bulk of Sergeant Toki, but she suspected he had all of the strength. It was there in his confident stance, in the alertness of his gaze, in the way his men jumped to his command. When a dark eyebrow lifted, Katerina realised she had been staring.

Flushing, she nodded to him and returned to her contemplation of the Varangian galley. Please, Princess, please. If you will not put an end to this, at the least let me know that the message has reached you, that you know to take care …

‘Theodora?’ Lady Anna had torn herself away from the horses and had come to stand at her elbow.

‘Anna?’

‘I am sorry, ‘ Lady Anna’s voice was so low Katerina could barely hear it above the rumble of cartwheels on the dockside. ‘That Viking…oh, Lord…he spotted our sailor and …’ Her voice trailed off and she jerked her head in the direction of the quay where the Varangian galley was moored.

Katerina’s stomach gave a sick lurch. Sergeant Toki was stalking towards their ship, the parchment crushed in his fist. Some straw from one of the packing cases was wafting across the dock; he strode straight through it.

Oh, no!

And there stood Princess Theodora amidst the bright, sparkling flutter that was her ladies. The Princess was affecting carelessness as baby Martina, snug in Lady Sophia’s arms, was being clucked over by an enormous Varangian with legs like tree trunks.

Had the message been intercepted before or after it had been delivered?

Katerina bit her lip. Commander Ashfirth was by the handrail, head tipped to one side as he watched his sergeant’s approach. No more than curious yet.

Holy Virgin, this was not good.

Katerina’s heartbeat quickened; she wanted to wave at the Princess, to jump up and down and catch her eye. Had she read the letter before it was intercepted? Katerina had to know.

With a frown, Commander Ashfirth pushed away from the handrail and went to meet his sergeant. His eyebrows became a black line. The sergeant pointed, first at the galley, then at Katerina. There was a brief exchange of words and the parchment exchanged hands. And then Commander Ashfirth was striding towards her, the heels of his boots loud on the deck.

‘Lady Theodora?’

Katerina stood tall. The look in those turquoise eyes alarmed her, the set of his mouth was unyielding. She cleared her throat. Her mouth was dry with fear, but she would die before he knew it. ‘Sir?’

His jaw clenched as he took her arm above the elbow. It was not a gentle grip.

Heart banging like fury, Katerina lifted a brow. She glanced loftily down at the hand on her elbow, as though startled that he had dared to touch her. React as a real princess would react.

‘Really, sir!’ She was pleased with the way her voice came out. Shocked. Indignant. With a small hint of outrage.

It had no effect. The Commander’s fingers tightened like steel, and she was swivelled towards the canvas shelter.

Anna made a movement as though to come to her aid. Hastily, Katerina shook her head.

‘This way, my lady,’ Commander Ashfirth spoke through gritted teeth.

Strong fingers bit into her as she was hauled towards the pavilion and unceremoniously bundled inside.

Chapter Four

He paused in the entrance, and for a brief moment the glare of light from the deck made a silhouette of him. Time seemed to stop, and for a heart-stopping moment he was stripped of his individuality. This was not Ashfirth Saxon, Commander of the Varangian Guard, but a broad-shouldered, powerful man such as she had seen striding across the side of an antique vase. A man with no face. He was invincible, one of the heroes of myth, and she was entirely in his power.

Katerina’s hands began to shake. No, no, no. Not now. I am no longer a slave forced to do every man’s bidding.

Bile rushed to her mouth and she was swept back in time to the moment when Vukan—a fellow slave—had pushed her into a storeroom and issued her with an ultimatum.

‘Bed with me,’ Vukan had said, ‘and I will keep you safe from the others. No one else will come near you.’

Outside, the gulls were screeching in Dyrrachion’s harbour.

I am no longer in Rascia. Think about the gulls scrabbling for leftovers from a fisherman’s haul; think about anything, but do not let the old fears take hold. You must act at all times as though you are the Princess.

Ashfirth Saxon stepped towards her and the instant the light fell on his face—proving beyond doubt that this was the Commander—the blind terror left her. Her pulse remained jumpy, she was still afraid, but this was a different type of fear; she had battled with it before and had survived. This was the fear of a woman when confronted by a strong man. Thank God, she had kept her head high, she did not think he had noticed her moment of abject terror.

‘Really, sir! How dare you manhandle me in such a way? And how dare you come in here? Toki assured me this shelter was for my personal use.’ Her voice did not tremble, the blind fear was entirely gone.

He towers over me, but then he would tower over most men. He cannot hurt me, I am the Princess.

Ashfirth Saxon was furious. It had been there in the hard grip of his fingers and it was still there in the set of those wide shoulders. Katerina put her chin up. It was most strange though, because even though she knew this man was angry her terror had quite gone. Men, yes, she remained wary of men in general, but not this particular one. It was incredible. Was it because she had finally met one who could control himself? She had begun to think no such man existed.

Don’t be a fool! The only reason this man will not harm you is because he believes you to be the Princess.

With an impatient noise, he turned away to close the tent-flaps. The shadows deepened, and Katerina was alone with a man as she had not been since the dark days of her slavery.

And the abject terror did not return, though her heart thudded like a drum.

‘My lady, explain yourself, if you please.’ His voice was strained, his fist clenched and unclenched on the parchment.

He is angry but he will not hurt me. He is not Vukan. He will not demand sexual submission as the price of his protection. If she repeated this to herself often enough, she would believe it. He will not hurt me, he is not Vukan …

‘What do you mean by sending this frivolous piece of nonsense—’ he waved the letter under her nose ‘—to the other ship?’

‘Frivolous nonsense? Sir, I do not care for your tone.’ A glint in his eyes warned her that she was testing his patience. She gave a careless shrug. ‘Some of my belongings were packed in the wrong coffer. I asked one of my women to bring them over.’

‘You were missing some belongings? Oh, dear, Lady Theodora, that will not do.’

His tone was blistering; she squirmed inside.

Unrolling the parchment, he started to read. Holy Virgin, the man could read Greek! ‘"To Katerina, my body servant. Greetings, “ it says. “I have discovered my favourite ivory comb is not with me, the one engraved with Celtic patterns. It is in the holly-wood box, along with my silver hairpins and tortoise-shell comb. I need those too. Anna says we will need them to dress my hair properly. Please be so good as to find them. I order you to bring them to my ship at once. I cannot sail without them. “’ His lip curled. ‘"A comb…hairpins…I cannot sail without them. ” Lord, my lady, I thought I made it plain. We cannot be seen to communicate with the other ship.’ His blue eyes burned like flame. ‘It was not a light request. This is no palace game. Your person—’ a long finger stabbed at her breastbone ‘—is at risk here, your person.’

Again his hand came towards her, but before he touched her a second time, his fingers curled and the hand was lowered. It came to her that he had not intended to touch her and that he had startled himself by so doing. He glared at her. ‘Do you understand, my lady?’

‘Thank you, sir, you have made your views plain. I shall not attempt a second communication with my woman.’

‘No, my lady, you will not. I have seen to that.’

At her puzzled expression, Ashfirth Saxon lifted an eyebrow. Opening the canvas door-flap, he pointed outside.

They were moving! Their ship was sliding slowly by the large vessel, indeed, it had almost reached the edge of the dock. She saw the bright flash of silk, a burst of female laughter, the flash of a silver bangle. Close to hand, a rope creaked; a sailor shouted an order. A deckhand ran past the entrance to the pavilion. Another shout. The ship gave a slight jolt.

‘We have cast off!’

‘Yes, we are underway. That should put paid to any further attempts to communicate with the other ship.’ He leaned towards her. ‘Tell my, my lady, do you usually ignore advice when it is offered? Or only when it suits you?’

‘Sir?’

He spoke through clenched teeth. ‘I am the Emperor’s right hand. His sword arm. When I command you, it is your Emperor who commands you. Is that clear?’

Katerina tried to look down her nose at him which, given his height, proved impossible. ‘Perfectly.’

‘Good. I am going to give you some more advice, and this time you are going to heed it.’

‘Oh?’

‘You are remain in this tent for the rest of the day. Sergeant Toki will be posted outside.’

She drew in a breath. ‘You would confine a princess?’

‘Until I know she will do as she is told, yes. As I said, this is no game. I have my orders. I shall send Lady Anna to join you, and you will both remain in here until all chances of bribing one of the sailors is past.’ He let the tent-flap fall back into place and the shadows closed in again, creating an illusion of intimacy. He sighed. ‘I am sorry if you consider that I have violated your privacy, my lady, but we could hardly have this conversation out on the deck. With the exception of the captain, the sailors of this ship believe you to be a Greek noblewoman returning to Constantinople. Only my men know the truth. My main concern, my only concern, is to ensure your safety. And to that end I am prepared to sacrifice anything.’ He tucked the parchment into his belt and made a sound of exasperation. ‘I thought you were intelligent, I thought you could be relied upon to understand the gravity of your situation. I seem to have misjudged you. Hairpins, indeed! I will not make that mistake again, I can assure you.’

So tall and assured. With every moment spent in his company, the conviction was growing that Ashfirth Saxon was a rarity in Katerina’s world, a dependable man. The Princess had insisted that such men existed and that Katerina was a fool if she let her experiences blind her to them.

He might confine me, but I really do not think he will hurt me.

Determination shone in those turquoise eyes. This man appeared to mean it when he said he was prepared to sacrifice anything for her. She was the Princess and he had been ordered to see to her safety. Many men would pay lip service to their orders, but if she could trust her instincts, this one was a rarity. He would carry out his orders with ruthless thoroughness, he would ensure her safety, he would die for her.

He thinks you are the Princess. If he knew your real identity, he would toss you overboard sooner than breathe.

Katerina thought quickly. Was Ashfirth Saxon dependable enough to be trusted with the truth? With matters as they stood, the real princess was in danger!

No, she could say nothing, it was not her truth to tell. She must remember her place—she was but a maidservant carrying out her mistress’s orders. It was not up to her to reveal Princess Theodora’s deception. I do not like lying to this man, but I have no choice. What an irony! The one time in her life she needed a man who was not dependable, and the Emperor sent this one! She could have done with someone like Commander Ashfirth years ago; God mocked her to send him now.

His eyes had darkened. He cleared his throat and shifted back a pace. ‘My lady, I will send Lady Anna to you.’

Katerina’s pulse quickened. Is he attracted to me? Yes, I think he is. He is watching my mouth, his fingers are digging into his palm, and …

The realisation that Ashfirth Saxon might be attracted to her sent panicky thoughts flying this way and that. Her stomach clenched; she could not cope with this!

Remain calm. Concentrate. This man is not driven by his baser instincts, he does not expect sexual favours from you, nor will he force compliance on you even if he desires you.

Indeed, there appeared to be a steadiness in his character that was at odds with what little Katerina knew of his comrades in the Varangian Guard. They were known to be wild, fierce fighters who fought to the death. Mercenary barbarians. If they had a fault, it was loyalty. No, they had another fault, Varangians had something of a reputation for drinking themselves insensible. It was hard to visualise this man doing such a thing, Commander Ashfirth was all control; anyone could see that.

Unfortunately, as far as she was concerned, this presented something of a challenge.

What if something happened to the Varangian galley while she was masquerading as her mistress? She would never forgive herself if the Princess and her baby came to harm.

What could she do? She was following the orders of her mistress. It would help if she knew more about Ashfirth Saxon’s background and nature. Perhaps he was not quite as honourable as she imagined. If she could only question him without raising his suspicions, she might discover another way to get word back to the Princess. But he was so angry with her! She must try to make amends.

He tipped his head, his attention caught by one of her earrings…that is, by one of the earrings Princess Theodora had given her. It was a gold filigree butterfly, Katerina had been told it came from somewhere in the East, somewhere beyond the land of the Turks.

‘Thank you, sir—’ she kept her expression carefully neutral ‘—I should enjoy Lady Anna’s company, but I do have some questions.’

His gaze shifted from the butterfly. ‘My lady?’

‘Will we make landfall this evening?’

‘No, tonight we will anchor offshore.’

‘Shall we be dining on board?’

‘Yes…but I should warn you, my lady, you will have to accustom yourself to simple fare. You and Lady Anna will be served here in the pavilion.’

‘I understand. It is Lent, I was not expecting a banquet.’ She smiled. ‘Sir, I have a favour to ask.’

A dark eyebrow lifted, his eyes were fixed on hers.

‘Since you have seen fit to deprive me of the company of my other ladies, and since you have confined me in here, I would be grateful if you would join us for the evening meal.’

His eyes were briefly lit by what looked like surprise. And was that a disarming hint of uncertainty? Yes, it was uncertainty; she had wrong-footed him with her invitation to dine. The tension lifted a little.

Then he bowed and shielded his eyes. ‘Thank you, my lady, I would be honoured.’

With a slight smile, he ducked out onto the deck, the parchment still in his belt.

Katerina stared at the swinging tent-flap.

Good, she would use tonight to learn as much as she could about Commander Ashfirth. She would test him. Subtly, of course. She would begin by seeing if he was one of the men who had helped the Varangians earn their hard-drinking reputation; she would try loosening his tongue with wine.