On the Cold Coasts

sure that tithes were collected, and I have acted as intermediary in the stockfish trade for the farmers in the fjord. Indeed, I have overseen the interests of all the Eastern Settlement throughout the years, to the great advantage of our family and everyone there.” He paused before continuing. “The old couple has not been capable of much in recent years. They’re getting on, and only one of their ten children has lived at one time. Now their only daughter—indeed their only child who survived to adulthood—has passed, leaving a husband and three promising sons. Her husband, Valur Hauksson, has overseen the property and the stockfish trade in Hvalseyjarfjord. He is a hardworking, capable man, even if he is from the Western Settlement.”
    “And how does this letter concern me?” asked Ragna.
    “Valur seeks your hand in marriage, and after careful consideration, your mother and I have decided that he shall have it.”
    Ragna was speechless. She stared at Thorsteinn and then her mother, filled with disbelief. “You have made such a decision without consulting me?” She stood up from the bed with as much dignity as she could muster and placed her hands on her hips, tilting her head back. “I am no longer a child who can be forced into submission and ordered around at will!”
    “Ragna my dearest, please, we only want what is best for you,” Sigridur said miserably and reached for her hand. “Hear your foster-father out. There are many arguments in favor of this proposal. You should be grateful that he has arranged it.”
    “The Bible states that thou shalt honor your father and your mother,” Thorsteinn said curtly, standing up to face Ragna. They were about the same height. “Again, he is a hardworking man, and it would be to our great advantage to have him as a son-in-law. We need good men in Hvalsey, and this is the best way to secure our connections with the Eastern Settlement. This is highly important now that the English have started to show an added interest in the fish trade there and are looking to trade with the Greenlanders directly. Obviously a man who owns a share of the land and earns revenues from it is far more trustworthy than any ordinary administrator. He has a vested interest in the proper management of his own land.”
    She wanted most of all to scream, but when she opened her mouth, her voice was barely audible. “And what do I stand to gain from this arrangement?”
    “Ragna, you are well past the common age for marriage,” Thorsteinn said gently. “You are perfectly aware of why suitors have not appeared. You could lose your life in giving birth to another child, and the sin that is at the root of that affliction is known to all in these parts. Valur already has three sons, who are all likely to live. They are also related to you by blood—and they need a mother. The situation could not be more favorable.”
    “Valur understands how things stand with Michael and has offered to adopt him as his own son,” said Sigridur. “He will then have the same right to inheritance as Valur’s own sons. For his sake as well as your own, you should be happy about this arrangement, my dear.”
    Ragna let her arms drop down by her sides. She sat down on the edge of the bed, downcast and wan. “But what about his education at Holar? He might be able to become a deacon, or even a priest,” she said glumly. She felt dejected. Was there no way out of this?
    “How can you entertain such thoughts, Ragna? You know that a bastard cannot be ordained,” Thorsteinn replied, evidently surprised. He added, more kindly: “The boy would make a good seaman and would no doubt welcome the opportunity to sail. He might even grow up to become first mate. Moreover, if he is adopted, he could be ordained in Greenland, should that be his wish.”
    Ragna glanced sideways at her mother, but Sigridur avoided her daughter’s eyes. She looked despondent. Thoughts whirled through Ragna’s head. Could they force her to go? Michael could become a legal heir. She would probably never see Thorkell, or Iceland, again. She would be mistress of her own farm, respected by all in the district. What would her life be like if she refused? Would the bishop keep her on as housekeeper, against her parents’ will? Not likely. And what if she went to live with Thorkell at Grenjadarstadur, became his mistress in plain view of all—he with his three illegitimate children, and perhaps even more? Everyone would look on her