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Hilda looked thoughtful ‘I dislike working in the kitchens, Edith It makes me want to pour poison in their soup And I hope they choke on the beef’

Edith shuddered slightly at the thought of her cousin poisoning someone Hilda was far too impetuous

‘Then it is best that you don’t have to work in the kitchens any ave a wry smile ‘Orders We all have to obey the with my hair Lord Bjornson dislikes my headdress’

‘I am to dress you now? Like a common servant?’

‘You are to be my companion and helpquickly ‘It is quite important It is why you must dress in your finest clothes’

‘Served up for some Norseman’s delectation so I can spy?’ Hilda went pale ‘It is all right for you, but I wanted so more from my life’

Edith bit back the words asking Hilda about why, then, she had agreed to be Egbert’s mistress? ‘Hilda, for once, help’

‘Very well, but I won’t wear own I want to be overlooked’ Hilda’s entire body shook and her eyes ild ‘You promised, Edith I came here to be safe from the Norsemen Keep me safe’

‘You never will be overlooked, Hilda’ Edith put her hand on Hilda’s shoulders ‘Hush now I’ll do my best to keep you safe, I proht now Some day we both will be You have to believe that The Norseain the land’

‘You don’t really believe that, do you, Edith?’

Edith looked over Hilda’s shoulder to the blank here she could see the shadows h her ‘I have to believe it I need hope If I give that up, the world will truly be black The only thing which keepsis my duty towards my people’

Her cousin leant her head against Edith ‘I’ood to bert and I—’