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“Aye, that she is, and I regret misjudging her instead of seeing her worth.”
“It is better you learned for yourself,” Greta advised. “You will respect and admire her more for it and love her all the more for it.”
“I had hoped in time I would come to love the wife chosen for me. Never though, did I imagine I would lose my heart completely to her,” Bhric said amazed that he had.
Greta rested her hand on Bhric’s arm. “Your strength gives her strength, keep her strong and perhaps fate will reward you.”
Bhric caught sight of his wife and the way she swiped at her eyes as she walked. She was crying and it not only upset him, but it also angered him that someone or something had brought her to tears. He walked away from Greta without saying a word, though Greta smiled as she saw where he was headed and turned and entered her cottage.
“TAVIA!”
Bhric not only got his wife’s attention with his powerful shout but those around them as well.
Tavia sniffled back her tears. She did not want her husband to see her crying.
“Who made you cry?” he demanded when he caught up with her.
“I did,” she said truthfully, for she had allowed what Marta said to disturb her.
“I do not believe that for one minute,” he said and took hold of her chin to turn her face up to look at him. “You will tell me whose words made you cry.”
“I would prefer not to discuss it in front of the whole village,” she said softly.
Bhric did not keep his voice low, though he did not shout. “Everyone should know I will not tolerate anyone who brings my wife to tears.”
“Now that they will spread the word on that can we talk in private?” she asked and took his arm and began to walk, giving him no chance to deny her.
Bhric shouted for a hot brew in his solar before escorting his wife there and seeing her seated comfortably, Fen curled up beside her/
“Now you will tell me,” he ordered.
“I had a thought after you mentioned how you recalled your mum being ill when with child that might shed some light on what my own mum may have suffered.”
“Who here could possibly know anything about your mum?” he asked perplexed.
“Strange as it may seem… Marta.”
Bhric’s brow wrinkled for only a moment before it spread wide. “Of course, there would be a good chance that Marta would have accompanied my mother on a few visits to see your mother.” Why hadn’t he thought of that? A sudden thought hit him, and he grew worried. “Marta told you something that upset you. What is it?”
“Nothing to do with the bairn,” she hurried to say, seeing his concern. “But I did find out why she dislikes me so much. She believes I am a liar like my mum and that she got what she deserved. She told me that I tricked you into marriage and she thinks I carry another man’s bairn and I fear I added to her belief when my hand instantly went to my stomach as if I needed to protect our bairn.” Her hand went there again.
Bhric squatted down in front of her, his hand covering hers. “I will see her sent home.”
“As much as I would not mind that, I do not think it wise to do right now. People will blame me and believe Ingrid has been left vulnerable to my evil ways.”
“I will not tolerate this from Marta. I will speak to her,” Bhric said.
“So, you can find out more of what she refuses to tell me?”
“You are far too quick-witted, wife,” he said since she was right. It was exactly what he intended to do.
Tavia shook her head. “Marta’s words are so contrary to what I have heard others say of my mum. I cannot understand what lie she has imagined—”
“Tavia, what’s wrong?” Bhric demanded concerned after his wife suddenly stopped speaking and had turned pale.
“It cannot be. I must be wrong,” Tavia said, sitting forward in the chair shaking her head.
“Wrong about what?” Bhric helped his wife to her feet when she reached out and gripped his arm hurrying to stand.
