The Silken Cord Read Online Free PDF Page B

gold filigree girdle around her waist
and discovered one jeweled dagger still remained. She mourned the
loss of the second dagger, for the pair had been a gift from her
father only months before his death.
    A moment of panic flooded her. She must find
a way home as soon as possible. Dafydd needed her.
    She licked her dry lips. “How far are we
from the mainland?”
    “Two islands over,” Callum said.
    “And have you a ship to get there?”
    He shook his head. “Only a small dinghy. I
herd sheep here on the island for Lord Dunbar. He sends a ship from
time to time to check on us, but otherwise we keep to
ourselves.”
    Her hopes soared. “But could you take us to
the mainland in your dinghy?”
    Callum hesitated. “The seas are too rough
right now. It would be dangerous to try a crossing.”
    She gripped her coin purse beneath her
robes. Buying Wulfgar had nearly emptied it, but there should be
enough to get them to the mainland and then home to Wales. She must
be careful, though. If these people knew she had silver, they might
try to rob her. Years of war had taught her to be careful. “I can
pay you once we arrive.”
    Callum’s eyes widened at the prospect. “I’d
need to discuss it with my wife first. I don’t like leaving her
here alone. Too many Vikings pass by the island and she and our
babe would be defenseless.”
    Ariana looked away, thinking this over. She
didn’t want to be responsible for any harm to Gara and her babe.
“You’re right. You should keep Gara and your child safe. May we buy
your dinghy instead?”
    He shook his head. “Without the boat, we’d
be stranded here. On calm days, I use the dinghy to catch
fish.”
    At least the man was honest. A greedy man
would have tried to make a deal and think about the safety of his
wife and child second. The only other alternative was to wait for
Jenkin to find them. In the dark of the storm, he may not have been
able to recognize this island amongst so many. It could take time
for him to search and find her here.
    Ariana stood and brushed a hand across her
wrinkled dress. Walking to the doorway, she stepped outside. Gara
was nowhere to be seen. She assumed the woman had gone behind the
hut where a makeshift fence surrounded an enclosure filled with
bleating goats and sheep. Ariana headed toward the beach, scanning
the sea for some sign of her father’s ship. The mast had been
destroyed and she wondered how Jenkin could steer the boat without
being able to catch the wind. They would be forced to unite with
the Norman’s on their ship.
    “My men will find us soon.”
    She jerked, realizing Wulfgar had followed
her out and stood behind her. For some insane reason, she longed to
confide her troubles to him. Then she remembered who she was, and
who he was, and why they were here.
    She stepped away and looked at him. "Your
men have no right to take you from me. You’re no longer a
knight.”
    His jaw hardened. "True, but I’ll rectify
that soon."
    She wanted to ask him what he meant by that.
She truly did. But not now. Not when she found herself in a highly
vulnerable position. "I’m alive, thanks to you. But I must get home
with haste."
    “Why?”
    She hesitated. Should she tell him about
Dafydd now, or wait until her men arrived? “I will tell you when
I’m ready. You are still my slave.”
    “You enjoy reminding me of that, yet I wish
to warn you it won’t always be so.” He stepped near.
    She backed away and tossed her tangled hair
away from her face. "Don’t think saving my life has won you any
special favors."
    His brows quirked together and he shrugged
one shoulder. “I would never harm you. Haven’t you learned that by
now?”
    A laugh burst from her mouth. “Other than my
men, I trust only God.”
    He snorted. “God has no place in
battle.”
    “But you are a Christian, aren’t you?” She
knew even his King William was a Christian, despite the many people
he had killed.
    “Yes, but I have little use for
religion.”
    She