The Viking Takes a Knight by Sandra Hill

another heir to the throne, as far removed as Henry would be.”
    â€œOh, my God! That is why you shaved the boys’ heads.”
    She nodded.
    He inhaled sharply. “And you speak of honesty! Pfff!” he said, the iciness thick in his voice. “Continue your confession, and try to stick to the truth for once.”
    When she was done, John considered all she’d said and did not respond for a long time. When he did, she could tell he was furious. “You brought a horde of orphans into my keep. You told me that it was to escape Loncaster’s lascivious intents.”
    â€œIt is. That part is true.”
    He snorted his opinion.
    She stood and walked a short distance away, trying to blink away the tears welling in her eyes.
    He stood, too, and followed her. “Tears will gain you naught, you devious creature. You dared to hide a child of the king in my home, knowing I would be judged equally culpable when he is found. How could you?”
    â€œI had no other choice.”
    â€œYou had many choices. And damn your lying tongue for involving my mother in this scheme, too.” He combed his fingers through his hair with frustration. Then his eyes sliced her as another thought occurred to him. “You attempted to seduce me as further part of your plot.”
    â€œAre you demented? I wouldn’t know how to seduce a man if I could. I have not the equipment.” She waved a hand to indicate her face and body.
    â€œOh, you have the equipment, all right. You probably suck on the fingers of all your men.”
    â€œAll my men?” she sputtered. Then she stiffened. “I will go now and gather the children together. Mayhap if we travel by night we can reach Jorvik undetected, and find your stepfather’s ship.”
    â€œYou are not going anywhere.”
    She put her hands on her hips. “And how are you going to stop me?”
    â€œMayhap I will tie you to my bed. Naked. That way, when Loncaster arrives, as he surely will, he will at least believe that part of your story.”
    â€œYou are a loathsome lout. What a crude thing to suggest!”
    A smile twitched at his lips. “Tempting though, isn’t it?” He chucked her under her gaping chin and walked away.
    Leaving her stunned. And tempted.
    â€œI am still not going to marry you,” he called back over his shoulder.
    She made a rude gesture she’d once seen her father’s chief hirdsman make to a passing Saxon.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    C lueless men will believe anything when it comes to sex!
    John explained the situation to Hamr, Bolthor, and Ordulf, his chief hersir , that afternoon when they went to the bathing house following several vigorous sessions of swordplay on the exercise fields. They were all dripping wet, and not just from the muscle-straining practice in weaponry. Steam filled the room and invigorated the body.
    â€œThis is to be kept betwixt us,” John warned. “No one must know that the king’s son is here.”
    The three men nodded.
    â€œShould I send to Gravely for more troops?” Ordulf asked, fingering his impressive mustache that matched his well-trimmed beard. He was as tall and big a man as Bolthor, but a good twenty years younger.
    â€œNay. Not yet. Too many fighting men on hand might make Loncaster suspicious.” John did notwant everyone looking guilty. That was another reason for keeping the boy’s identity secret.
    â€œIt might all be a ruse to trap you,” Hamr suggested to John.
    â€œTrap me how?”
    â€œInto matrimony.”
    â€œPfff! Nay, Lady Ingrith’s story speaks true. We all know that King Edgar will tup anything with breasts. His by-blows must be innumerable.”
    â€œYea, ’tis true. And I recall how Eric Bloodaxe killed a dozen of his brothers to pave the way for his rise to the kingship once held by his father, Harald Fairhair,” Bolthor related. “In fact, John, didst know that your