More importantly, Ragna thought, it would give her time to renew her friendship with Queen Emma and win her as an ally. There was nothing so valuable as a friend at court.

Aldred stood up. “I’ll leave you to think about that.”

“Thank you for taking care of my money.”

“Edgar traveled here with me. Will you see him?”

Ragna hesitated. She thought with regret of their last encounter. She had been too paralyzed with self-disgust to talk sensibly. He must have been terribly upset by her pregnancy, and her mood must have made that even worse. “Of course I’ll see him,” she said.

When he came in she noticed how well dressed he was, in a fine wool tunic and leather shoes. He wore no jewelry, but his belt had a decorated silver buckle and strap end. He was prospering.

And his face bore an expression of eager optimism that she knew well.

She stood up and said: “I’m glad to see you.”

He opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace.

He was careful of her belly, but he hugged her shoulders hard. It almost hurt, but she did not care, she was so pleased to be touching him. They stayed like that for a long moment.

When they broke apart he was smiling like the boy who won the race. She smiled back. “How are you?” she said.

“I’m all right, now that you’re free.”

“Have you finished your bridge?”

“Not yet. What about you, what’s your plan?”

“I have to stay here until the king comes.”

“Will you come to Dreng’s Ferry afterward? Our plan could still work. You could take refuge in the nunnery for as long as necessary. And we could talk at leisure about . . . our future.”

“I’d like that. But I can’t make any plans until I see the king. He is in charge of noble widows. I don’t know what he might do.”

Edgar nodded. “I’ll leave you for now. I have to buy iron. But will you invite me to dinner?”

“Of course.”

“I’m happy to sit around the table with the servants and children, you know that.”

“I know.”

“I have one more question.” He took her hands.

“Go ahead,” she said.

“Do you love me?”

“With all my heart.”

“Then I’m a happy man.”

He kissed her lips. She let her mouth linger on his for a long moment. Then he left.

CHAPTER 37

August 1003

ing Ethelred held court in the marketplace outside Shiring Cathedral. Every citizen was there, plus hundreds from the surrounding villages, and most of the noblemen and senior clergy in the region. Ragna’s bodyguards made a path through the crowd so that she could get to the front, where Wynstan and Wigelm and all the other magnates stood, waiting for the king. She knew most of the thanes and made a point of speaking to each. She wanted everyone to know she was back.