By Love Enslaved Read Online Free PDF

thought such discretion necessary, Berit hoped they might share a closeness which would merit it. “You see, you had nothing to fear. We’ve not set the dogs on you.” That he still held her hand pleased her enormously, but when she gave his fingers an affectionate squeeze, he broke the clasp instantly.
    “That’s only because your mother doesn’t know that I’m here.” Erik had meant to keep his mood as lighthearted as hers, but when he tried to think of another teasing comment to make, his mind went completely blank. Berit was looking up at him with so adoring a gaze he was badly embarrassed. She looked as pretty and fresh as the summer morning, but he would not pay her compliments when he dared not encourage the affection that would be impossible for them to express.
    When Erik said nothing more, but continued to regard her with a perplexed stare, the silence between them swiftly grew to an uncomfortable length. Desperate to continue their conversation, Berit said the first thing that came into her mind. “Where’s Brendan? Wasn’t he waiting out here for you?” Alarmed that the slave might have run off, she turned to look across the meadow that bordered the path.
    Assuming her curiosity meant that she admired the man, Erik had difficulty speaking. “He’s just a thrall, Berit, and not worthy of your notice,” he instructed harshly, inflicting the same pain on her she had unknowingly caused him.
    Shocked by the undeserved rebuke, the lithe blonde began to back away. “I’ll notice whomever I please,” she informed him with a careless toss of her long braid.
    Despite being ill-groomed and poorly clothed, Erik had suspected Brendan would be a handsome man were his situation not so bleak. The slave possessed a fine physique, but Erik knew his own build was impressive too. He caught himself then, for he had no right to be jealous where Berit was concerned. Nor would he compare himself to a thrall. “Go back to your house,” he ordered gruffly.
    Berit could not imagine what had come over the young man. She knew he had once considered her company most amusing.
    “Erik?” Berit whispered in a breathless sigh. When he stubbornly continued to ignore her, she turned her back on him and hurried toward her house, but just as she reached the door Dana and her mother came through it.
    Dana had tarried only long enough to tell Grena her sister wasn’t feeling well, and now she was anxious to be on her way. She didn’t notice Berit’s pained expression as she brushed her cheek with a farewell kiss.
    “I should have put chains on Brendan,” Grena remarked absently. “Do you want me to do it now?”
    “Chains?” That offer was one Dana found so repugnant she was actually sickened by it. “No, with Erik’s help I’m sure I’ll have no trouble with him.” Before her aunt could question her judgment, she hurriedly mounted her mare and rejoined Erik, who seemed not to have moved in the time she had been gone.
    “What’s keeping the man?” she asked, but before Erik could offer an opinion, Brendan rode out of the stable astride Jørn’s bay stallion, whom he had named for the god Odin’s marvelous eight-legged horse, Sleipner.
    That was so audacious a choice, Erik could not help but laugh. “You told him to saddle a horse, but you didn’t forbid him to take Jørn’s.”
    “I didn’t realize I should have to,” Dana responded in amazement. She was used to giving orders to servants who were eager to do her bidding. Brendan had just made it obnoxiously plain that she could not expect such respectful obedience from him. She had not wanted to take the responsibility for him initially, and now she resented having to do so all the more. She glanced back toward her aunt, wondering for an instant if chains weren’t exactly what Brendan needed to remind him of his place, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask for them.
    “Careful,” Erik warned under his breath. “This may not be the best place to