Harper George - The Viking Warrior's Bride

A battle for power and passion

A skilled archer with the heart of a warrior, Gwendolyn of Alvey has proved herself capable of defending her homeland. But the threat of invasion and her father’s deathbed wish force her to do the unthinkable: wed Vidar, leader of the enemy.

Duty to form an alliance between two powerful clans binds Vidar to Gwendolyn, but desire tempts him to distraction. Her nature is to dominate, but he’s determined to seduce her into submission on the battlefield—and in the bedchamber...

‘With this ring, I accept you as my husband.’

Gwendolyn had neglected to put the ring on her finger, so she moved to rectify that, but Vidar stopped her by covering her hand with his. Gently, he took the ring from her and slid it on her finger. He didn’t say anything, but it felt as if he’d claimed her. Just as his ring claimed her finger, he had claimed her as his.

He moved away, only to turn back with the sword his Jarl Eirik had given him. It was ornate, with two rubies set into the gilded hilt. He held it out to her, lying flat on both of his palms. ‘I am entrusting this into your care, to be given to our firstborn son. May you bear me many.’

She nodded and took the sword from him, handing it off to Rodor. ‘I accept,’ she said, her voice low enough that only Vidar and Rodor were likely to hear her. ‘But we never agreed to children.’

Now that the ceremony was finished he’d relaxed, and he even smiled at her when she said that. ‘I’m looking forward to the challenge, my lady.’

They were well and truly wed now.

Author Note

Vidar’s story brings to a close the books I’ve planned in the Viking Warriors series. I’ve had so much fun exploring the world of Jarl Hegard’s sons, and their journeys to find love in the unforgiving Viking age. Each book has meant so much to me, but I am especially happy to bring Vidar’s story to you.

We first met Vidar in Enslaved by the Viking when he was a young teenager working on his older brother’s ship. We saw him again when he played reluctant nurse to his ailing and grumpy half brother in One Night with the Viking. Now Vidar has shrugged off the weight of his overbearing brothers and has come into his own with his very own love story.

However, his journey is anything but what he wants it to be. He’s been saddled yet again with another responsibility that he doesn’t want: a wife. No longer free to roam the seas, he must take up the responsibility of his wife and her ancestral estate whether he wants them or not. He’s in for a surprise—because Gwendolyn isn’t in the market for a husband any more than Vidar is for a wife. When these two clash, no one is safe!

I hope you enjoy Gwendolyn and Vidar’s story. Please find me on Facebook if you’d like to chat about it ( Facebook.com/harperstgeorge). Thank you so much for reading.

The Viking Warrior’s

Bride

Harper St George

www.millsandboon.co.uk

HARPER ST GEORGE was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was this setting, filled with stories of the old days, that instilled in her a love of history, romance and adventure. At high school she discovered the romance novel, which combined all those elements into one perfect package. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two young children. Visit her website: harperstgeorge.com.

Books by Harper St George

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

Outlaws of the Wild West

The Innocent and the Outlaw

A Marriage Deal with the Outlaw

Viking Warriors

Enslaved by the Viking

One Night with the Viking

In Bed with the Viking Warrior

The Viking Warrior’s Bride

Digital Short Stories

His Abductor’s Desire

Her Forbidden Gunslinger

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk.

For Tara Wyatt,

who was there from the first Viking book.

Thank you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A battle for power and passion A skilled archer with the heart of a warrior, Gwendolyn of Alvey has proved herself capable of defending her homeland. But the threat of invasion and her father’s deathbed wish force her to do the unthinkable: wed Vidar, leader of the enemy. Duty to form an alliance between two powerful clans binds Vidar to Gwendolyn, but desire tempts him to distraction. Her nature is to dominate, but he’s determined to seduce her into submission on the battlefield—and in the bedchamber...

Introduction ‘With this ring, I accept you as my husband.’ Gwendolyn had neglected to put the ring on her finger, so she moved to rectify that, but Vidar stopped her by covering her hand with his. Gently, he took the ring from her and slid it on her finger. He didn’t say anything, but it felt as if he’d claimed her. Just as his ring claimed her finger, he had claimed her as his. He moved away, only to turn back with the sword his Jarl Eirik had given him. It was ornate, with two rubies set into the gilded hilt. He held it out to her, lying flat on both of his palms. ‘I am entrusting this into your care, to be given to our firstborn son. May you bear me many.’ She nodded and took the sword from him, handing it off to Rodor. ‘I accept,’ she said, her voice low enough that only Vidar and Rodor were likely to hear her. ‘But we never agreed to children.’ Now that the ceremony was finished he’d relaxed, and he even smiled at her when she said that. ‘I’m looking forward to the challenge, my lady.’ They were well and truly wed now.

Title Page The Viking Warrior’s Bride Harper St George www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author HARPER ST GEORGE was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was this setting, filled with stories of the old days, that instilled in her a love of history, romance and adventure. At high school she discovered the romance novel, which combined all those elements into one perfect package. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two young children. Visit her website: harperstgeorge.com . Books by Harper St George Mills & Boon Historical Romance Outlaws of the Wild West The Innocent and the Outlaw A Marriage Deal with the Outlaw Viking Warriors Enslaved by the Viking One Night with the Viking In Bed with the Viking Warrior The Viking Warrior’s Bride Digital Short Stories His Abductor’s Desire Her Forbidden Gunslinger Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk .

Dedication For Tara Wyatt, who was there from the first Viking book. Thank you!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

The hills had stood like sentinels for the past day and a half, watching over the boats as they steadily drew closer. The men’s oars cut through the murky water in a rhythm born from years of practice, a near silent heave-and-ho that kept the horde advancing with merciless efficiency. Vidar glared out at those hills, provoked by their silent taunting. Gwendolyn of Bernicia lived somewhere in the midst of them. His enemy. His bride.

He swallowed past the thickening in his throat that accompanied the thought while his palms itched to grab his sword, to do something to fight the ugly truth of the wedding that was to come. No matter how Vidar wished it, he and the men were not here to do battle. They were here to see him married.