Beyond the Sea Mist by Mary Gillgannon Read Free Book Online

deck of the vessel. It wasn’t the handsome face she’d hoped to see, but the heavy-jawed, leathery countenance of an older warrior. He gaped at her, his amazed expression implying that she was the very last thing he expected to see standing on the dock.
    “I’m Ailinn, daughter of Conlach O’Donovan of Locha Lein,” she called out to him in Norse. “I would like to speak to a member of your crew. He’s very tall, with tanned skin and light brown hair tinged with gold.” As she spoke, Ailinn considered how witless her words must sound. Most Norsemen were tall. And the hair of all seafaring men was lightened by constant exposure to saltwater and sun.
    She wondered if she should mention that her potential rescuer was young and handsome. But such a description would be meaningless to these crude seamen. They wouldn’t recognize comeliness in a man.
    Yet their ship was beautiful, a part of Ailinn’s mind noted, possessing an elegant grace. The long, sleek hull was as well shaped for traveling upon the waves as any water bird. If only she and the other women were allowed to board. On such a vessel they could sail far, far away from Croa and avoid his awful plans for them.
    More men appeared on deck. Ailinn perused them anxiously. Her nerves stretched to the breaking point. It was almost full light now. If some of Croa’s men had been left behind to guard his ships and those men saw her... She took deep, steadying breath.
Please
, she begged silently.
Please let the young Norseman be on this ship.
    A moment later, she spied his tanned countenance among the other men. She gazed up at him, her heart leaping. Yet her elation was mixed with an unease that set her empty belly churning. How could she make up for her lapse of manners at their last meeting? How to impress upon him the desperation of her situation?
    He made his way to the edge of the ship and stared at her, looking stunned. A moment later, he turned and moved away. Panic slammed through her. He wasn’t going to aid her! But then he returned, climbed over the side of the vessel and jumped down to the dock as easily as a cat leaping from a fence.
    Her heart beat faster as he approached. Her memory hadn’t tricked her. He was as big as she recalled, and just as pleasing to look upon. She drank in the sight of him—his proud, masculine features and striking blue eyes. The way the soft light of dawn burnished his skin tawny beige and gilded his hair with golden warmth.
    He appeared so strong and substantial. So comfortingly male. Ailinn wanted to collapse into his arms and press her face against his broad chest. With effort, she reminded herself he was a stranger and a foreigner. And after the way she’d spoken to him when they last met, he was unlikely to have any fond feelings for her.
    And yet, for a moment she saw a look of such concern on his face that she was stunned. Then the look was gone and he spoke in a curt voice. “Where’s Croa? How did you get away? Where are the other women?”
    She answered his questions as rapidly as she could. “With luck, Croa is still asleep back at his dwelling and has no idea we’ve escaped. We were able to sneak past the guard he set at the door because the man drank too much. As for the other women...they’re over there.”
    His gaze flicked in the direction she’d gestured, then returned to her. In clipped tones, he said, “If it were up to me, I would take you all aboard right now and sail away without delay. But as you pointed out when first we met, this isn’t my ship. I must speak to the captain and see if he will aid you.”
    The bitterness in his voice was evident. Recalling her harsh words at their first meeting, she knew she must try to make it up to him. She smiled at him. “I thank you for your kindness, sir. It does you credit. But...” she couldn’t keep the tremor from her voice, “...please hurry. I don’t know how long it will be before Croa discovers we’re missing.”
    Their gazes met and