Marrying Her Viking Enemy. Harper George St.

‘but one of the jewels that was taken with the coin was a bloodstone. It belongs to King Causantín’s family and has some ceremonial importance to them. That is what they want us to recover. If we can deliver it to them, then they will consider Father’s loyalty proven and release Baldric. Do you think you can do it?’

      She still didn’t understand their idea of loyalty. Wasn’t it possible for Father to despise them and yet return the stone to free Baldric? Sometimes she failed to comprehend the logic of warriors. ‘You want me to find the bloodstone?’

      ‘Aye. They believe that Rolfe led the band of Danes that took it. He’s here?’

      She nodded, because her mouth was suddenly too dry for speech. Last night Rolfe had sat with Lord Vidar and Lady Gwendolyn in the hall, sacks of coin between them. Later, when she’d patched his wound, she had noticed a red stone on his bed set amid some silver. Could that be the one?

      ‘Good. Then the stone is likely here as well. You must find it, Elswyth. It’s the only way to save Baldric.’

      ‘But how will I know which one it is?’

      He shrugged. ‘All I know is that it is the size of a walnut and is set in gold on a chain.’

      ‘I may have seen it.’