One of the advantages of having a distinctive design on your sails is that folk with keen eyesight announce early your arrival to everyone. Thus when I leapt, eager to be home, onto the jetty, I found Estrid lurking like a lynx about to spring into my arms. Lithe and sensuous as a feline and as difficult to detach, she set about me with a hail of questions. They did not cease until I planted a kiss on her lips once through the doorway to our hall.
The hunger of her mouth matched mine and I began to grab at the fastenings of her dress.
“Come, husband, to the bedchamber,” she tugged at my hand. But her strength was no match for my battle-hardened muscles and I hauled her into my arms, much as I might gather my shirt from the back of a chair. Lifting her off her feet, grabbing a cushion fro
