Ragnar the Murderer Read Online Free PDF Page A

the wedding to take place within two full moons,” said Eadbald.
    “ That is acceptable,” said Aldulf. “Do you agree?”
    “ Yes, I can be ready in time.” Aelfwyn felt odd. Not excited, but not full of dread. Numb.
    “ The children are excited to have a new mother,” continued Eadbald. “Although my eldest is fourteen, so really not in need of a mother. She is my little helper, she is such a good weaver and cook. She will be relieved to have someone from an older generation guiding her.”
    Aelfwyn felt elderly at this. He made her sound like someone his own age. Was her life over before it had begun? She berated herself inwardly. Most girls her age had been married for four winters, she was lucky to have kept her freedom for so long. But could she not marry for love?
    “ You will be an asset to my family as I hope I will to yours.” continued Eadbald. “A sensible young woman like you will help keep my house happy.”
    “ Yes,” interrupted Aldulf. “We must arrange a lavish wedding feast. We can use the hall of our thegn Framric, he offered yesterday.”
    “ Or my hall,” said Cyneric.
    “ How generous. Thank-”
    “ Cyneric’s hall is very well equipped,” interrupted Eadbald. “We could fit the whole community in it. The decoration is beautiful…”
    As he rambled on, Aelfwyn remembered the Danish feast and all that had taken place there. She was lucky not to have been dishonoured by Kjartan, as this would have prevented her marriage to Eadbald. A wicked thought that this might have saved her ears, whispered through her mind. She berated herself for being such an immoral girl. Her duty to be a virtuous wife to Eadbald should take precedence, she shouldn’t rue his talkativeness.
    “ It is the speech of a man without a wife.” Cyneric whispered, interrupting her thoughts. “He will calm down after you have listened to him as his wife for a while.”
    Although meant to reassure, this instead depressed her. The Danish feast had indeed been her last time as an unmarried woman.
    “ So, your pottery making flourishes?” Aldulf interrupted Eadbald’s monologue.
    “ Oh yes. Everyone needs plates, bowls and cups, and I try my hardest to…” and he went off again.
    He’s not a bad man, thought Aelfwyn, letting his speech wash over her. He just talks a lot.
    “ Would you like to see my newest calf?” asked Aldulf of Cyneric and his friend. They hastily set off, leaving Aelfwyn with Eadbald, no doubt by design.
    “ Now, my dear,” he began. “I must say I look forward to the day you are my wife. I look forward to our first night together.”
    She didn’t know what to say. It seemed odd to be talking about a wedding night with her father’s friend. She wondered how rich he was: would his wealth make up for a lack of love for him? What would it be like being a woman with her own assets at last?
    “ I so look forward to knowing you, my wife to be. I don’t imagine we will have children as you are so small, with narrow hips. But we can enjoy trying. I look forward to showing you the pleasures of the flesh. I don’t imagine you know how they are. I am assured women find them as satisfying as men.”
    She swallowed, and wished he would stop talking.  A rotund and portly man, his shape differed greatly to Ragnar’s.
    Now where had that thought come from? Ragnar tall and muscular, Eadbald shorter and broader, she knew which one she preferred. She mustn’t think of him in that way. He wasn’t interested in her, only in his job and preventing disagreements between the Danes and the Anglisc. That was why he had protected her and Saehild, no other reason.
    “ My late wife, she loved to have me between her legs, pushing into her like a spear into a Dane’s guts.” Eadbald chuckled.
    Aelfwyn shivered. Why did he have to tell her about lying with his wife? Did he hope to arouse her?
    “ It’s been a few winters since I was inside a woman, I so look forward to it again, oh beautiful Aelfwyn.”