Surrender To The Viking Read Online Free PDF Page B

reaction was not hard to imagine. Finn smiled wryly. Part of him wished he could have been a fly on the wall for that particular interview. In spite of their temporary truce this morning he was under no illusions that Lara had any tender feelings for him. Recent developments would only have added resentment to what was already a potent mix of emotions. He wished there had been time to talk to her first and perhaps offer a few words of reassurance. He might also have said other things too, about his admiration for her beauty and intelligence and spirit, but he surmised that she would have believed none of it, dismissing it as mere flattery. It wasn’t. To tell her he loved her would have been untrue. He had loved once, in another life, with a blind passion that had brought only pain and destruction. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. This time his eyes were open and the forthcoming marriage grounded in practicality. However, that didn’t mean affection would not grow later. It wouldn’t be hard to grow fond of Lara.
    For the first time he let his mind move ahead a little. He didn’t deceive himself that she would be easily won, but then nothing worth the winning was ever easy to attain. Nevertheless, he did intend to win. The challenge added spice to the relationship.
    * * *
    Lara stared at her father in disbelief. He can’t be serious. ‘I’m to marry Jarl Finn? Today?’
    ‘That’s right.’
    ‘That’s absurd.’
    ‘Not in the least. I offered him your hand and he has accepted.’
    For a moment she was silent, trying to take it in. He has to be joking. But as she looked into his eyes she knew he wasn’t. Her stomach lurched.
    ‘You...he...’ She strove to find the words to express a raft of emotions and failed. Only one word came immediately to mind. ‘No.’
    ‘It’s an excellent match, Lara.’
    ‘For the two of you I have no doubt.’
    ‘And for you. Thor’s teeth! You’re eighteen years old. You should have been wed long since.’
    ‘I will not wed at your behest.’
    ‘You damned well will. I’ve put up with your games for long enough.’
    ‘A game? Is that what you think it is?’
    He glared at her. ‘Isn’t it? Are you trying to tell me you haven’t enjoyed sending your erstwhile suitors packing?’
    Lara’s chin tilted at a militant angle. ‘No, I won’t tell you that. I did enjoy it and good riddance to the lot of them. I’ll enjoy it even more when I send Jarl Finn packing.’
    ‘Are you really so simple as to imagine you could?’
    She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her scattered wits. It wasn’t easy while she was trying to fight a sensation of rising panic as well. Deep down a part of her suspected that what her father had said was true. Finn Egilsson wasn’t the kind of man who could be sent anywhere if he didn’t wish to go.
    ‘This man isn’t like the others, Lara. If I’d thought so I wouldn’t have offered him your hand.’
    No, he isn’t like the others. He isn’t like any man you’ve ever met and that is the problem.
    ‘I can’t marry him. I barely know him.’
    ‘Don’t you?’
    ‘How could I? We only met yesterday for goodness’ sake.’
    He surveyed her with a level gaze. ‘And do you find him lacking in wit or intelligence?’
    Gods, hardly. The man is sharp enough to cut himself. ‘No, of course not.’
    ‘Well, then, is his manner uncouth?’
    ‘His manner is highly polished, as well you know.’ It’s practically got a gloss on it.
    ‘Do you fear mistreatment at his hands?’
    She shook her head. In spite of their short acquaintance she knew he would never be violent to a woman. Just how she knew was hard to say but the knowledge came from somewhere deep inside her. ‘No, I don’t fear that.’
    ‘Do you find him displeasing to look upon?’
    Just for a moment his face appeared in her mind’s eye; a face composed of strong lines and planes, a blade of a nose, a firm mouth, square jaw and piercing grey eyes. The kind of