A Viking For The Viscountess by Michelle Willingham Read Free Book Online

feared living under the same roof as this man, for he tempted her in ways William never had.
    Raising her eyes to his, she lifted her hands in surrender. “Stop. We’ll never be able to eat all of these. We should release them.”
    “You will need most of them until spring,” he corrected, “but we may release some of them.”
    He placed a wriggling fish into Harry’s hands, and the boy beamed with delight. One by one, they tossed the smaller fish back into the sea, keeping half of the catch for their own. The sun had already drifted downward into late afternoon, and when they sailed back, Harry curled up to sleep on a fur resting upon the bottom of the ship.
    “He had a long day,” she murmured. “But it meant a great deal to him.”
    Thorgrim tied back the sail and came to sit beside her. “You should be proud of the boy. Even if you did indulge him and treat him like a girl all these years.”
    “I never treated him like a girl.” Why would he think that? She’d taught him his lessons each day, and Harry was wearing clothes befitting a five-year-old boy. He was well-mannered, though a trifle too enthusiastic at times.
    “He doesn’t know how to hunt, use a knife, or defend himself.” Thorgrim nodded toward the sleeping boy. “You might as well put a gown on him.”
    Oh, for goodness’ sake. She supposed this man would already be teaching Harry how to engage in fisticuffs.
    “He doesn’t need to know how to use a knife. I am raising him to be kind, intelligent, and polite.”
    “Like a girl.”
    She was about to make another retort, when she saw the teasing look in his eyes. “If you had your way, you’d be teaching him how to stab things.”
    “It is a useful skill.” He shifted his weight, sitting closer to her. “I might also teach him how to treat women.”
    “You had better not!” she said, thinking of the night he’d seduced her. “He’s only five.”
    “Women should be protected,” he said quietly. “Do you disagree?”
    Slowly, she shook her head. In his demeanor, she saw a man who believed in what he said. She didn’t doubt that if any enemy attacked his woman, he would fight to the death for her. No one would threaten her with this man at her side, and the thought was strangely comforting. Still, she told him, “You don’t have to fight my battles for me, Mr. Thorgrim.”
    “Arik,” he corrected. “And you are wrong.” He took her hand in his, bringing it to his face. Against her fingertips, she felt the rough texture of his beard, and she had to press back the flare of interest.
    “I know not what brought me here, Juliana of Arthur,” he said, kissing her fingertips. “But this world of yours is not so different from my own. There are enemies to fight, and children to guard.” He leaned in, his hands sliding around her waist. “Women to touch.”
    She had to remind herself that he wasn’t speaking the truth. He might believe he was from another era, but only a madman would speak as he did. And yet, there could be no doubt that he wanted to help her.
    When she stared into his eyes, she saw a man who would never stand down for a cause he believed in. No one had offered to help her before. But this stranger had promised to defend her and get back the lands she had lost.
    A blush spread over her cheeks. “Why would you want to help me?”
    “Because I believe, even if you do not, that I was brought here for a reason. If I give you the help you need, I may meet the fate I deserve in Valhalla. I will destroy any man who dares to take what belongs to you.”
    There was no doubt that he meant it. But she couldn’t have this man attempting to kill Marcus, even if William’s brother had taken Harry’s inheritance.
    “It’s impossible,” she argued. “If you stay with me, people will talk. They will accuse me of letting you into my bed.”
    “Your husband has abandoned you,” he pointed out. “It is your right to take another protector.”
    She didn’t believe that.