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“I don’t avoid anything,” Rannock grumbled again.
“I am not blind, but I’ve learned I can be. I argued endlessly with Snow before I realized I had feelings for her, that I refused to acknowledge. Maybe there is something about Nettle you refuse to acknowledge.”
“I like Runa,” Rannock argued.
“Do you? What is it you like about her?”
Rannock grinned. “She’s beautiful.”
“What else?”
Rannock went to speak and nothing came out of his mouth.
“What annoys you about Nettle?”
“What doesn’t annoy me about Nettle,” Rannock said, shaking his head. “Her endless chatter, her refusal to obey my commands, her constantly pointing out things. That she finds everything curious, smiles all the time, and she’s plain to look at.”
“Then why do other men look at her?”
Rannock lips turned up in a snarl. “Who’s looks at her?”
Tarass kept his smile from surfacing. “A few men have given her more than a glance. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more makes their interest known soon.”
“It’s because she has an important position in the keep now. That’s why men have shown interest in her,” Rannock argued.
“Or they find her attractive,” Tarass said. “Either way, someone’s bound to claim her soon.”
Rannock grumbled again, then said, “I need to see to the count of the people and animals.”
“Check with the cook as well and see if any animals were slaughtered in the last two days and what was done with the blood.”
“I never thought of that,” Rannock said with a nod. “I’ll see to it, and I’ll see to having this cleaned away.”
“One other thing, Rannock,” Tarass said. “Send a few warriors to see if the cleric made it to the monastery.”
“You think this could be his blood?”
“I don’t know, but if it is I want to know before anyone else does,” Tarass said and headed back to the keep.
He spotted Nettle heading toward the hall that connected the kitchen and called out to her.
She turned and hurried over to him. “My lord, Lady Snow asked to wait for you in the room—”
“She’s claimed as her solar,” Tarass finished.
“I do believe she has claimed it as such, my lord,” Nettle agreed with the smile she wore spreading. “The hearth was left to burn out and a chill has set in. I got a fire going, plied her with blankets, and left Thaw snuggling at her feet. Now I’m fetching m’lady a hot brew.”
Rannock was right, the woman could detail things. “You take good care of Lady Snow.”
Nettle’s smile captured her whole face. “Thank you, my lord, though it is no chore in serving Lady Snow. She is a kind and wonderful person, and I am honored to be in her service.”
“That is good to know, Nettle. I want to talk with you. Please direct one of the servants to take the hot brew to Lady Snow, then meet me in my solar.”
“Have I done something wrong, my lord,” Nettle asked nervously.
“There is nothing for you to be worried about, Nettle,” Tarass assured her and spotted Fasta. “Have Fasta take Lady Snow the brew.”
“No, my lord, that would not be wise,” she said in haste to keep him from calling out to the woman.
“Why is that, Nettle?” Tarass asked, concerned he had failed to see something else.
“It’s a bit of a tale, I’d prefer to tell after I make sure Lady Snow gets her hot brew.”
“Very well,” Tarass said with a nod. “Meet me in my solar when you’ve seen to it.”
Tarass went to his solar, wondering if he’d been blind to more things than he’d realized. Had he been so bent on revenging his parents’ death that he hadn’t paid enough attention to the reason for their deaths. And what of Fasta? Why hadn’t Nettle thought it wise for the woman to take a brew to his wife? He was eager to talk with Nettle and was glad he didn’t have to wait very long to his relief.
“Lady Snow rests comfortably,” Nettle said proudly.
“You do well by Lady Snow, Nettle. Now tell me why you didn’t want Fasta to take the brew,” he said impatient to find out.
Nettle settled into detailing what had taken place in the Great Hall earlier. She left nothing out and spoke with pride of how Lady Snow had defended her.
Tarass kept his anger contained, recalling Rannock’s words how Nettle knew all that went on in the clan. “Is there any reason you would know why Fasta would take such liberties to speak as she did.”
“You asked so I shall be truthful and tell you what I told Lady Snow.”
“That is what I want, Nettle, the truth.”
Nettle bobbed her head. “Fasta believes herself privileged because she implies that you share her bed.”
All Tarass could think was that she told Snow this, but he wouldn’t ask Nettle his wife’s response, he would ask Snow himself.
“Of course, everyone knows you don’t,” Nettle said and continued as if knowing what he’d ask next. “You would find no interest in her. It was plain to most, maybe a few, or perhaps I saw what others didn’t. That you loved Lady Snow long before you brought her here.”
