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“How so?” she asked, her stomach suddenly churning.
“The heart was missing.”
CHAPTER 15
Tavia sat hunched over on a small stool before the burning hearth in her bedchamber, Fen at her side. For three days, the thought of the missing heart had not left her troubled thoughts and still had not. Tongues gossiped of what it might mean… evil had followed Tavia to Clan MacShane. But how could that be when the men who had been involved with the missing heart at Clan Strathearn could no longer cause harm. Who then could possibly have done such a heinous thing? And was it connected in any way to what had happened at Clan Strathearn?
“I know not what to think, Fen,” she said and hugged the hound, needing the comfort he brought her.
She wished Fia was there to talk with, the woman having a deep insight that Tavia wished she possessed. Right now, confusion reigned within her, and she was not sure what to do. She thought to hide away again as she had done after her accident, but that would solve nothing or be of any help. Hiding from a problem only made it linger and could worsen the situation.
“Time to face the day, Fen,” Tavia said with more conviction than she felt.
She stood with a stretch. She had hoped the talk in her husband’s solar had solved some of their issues and that the kiss they had shared was an indication that their marriage had a chance of developing into a good one. Unfortunately, she had seen little of him the last three days. She had thought it might be on purpose, until he informed her that he would be busy working with his men to find the culprit who killed the boar. It was all the talk in the village, people speculating over it and the possibility of a witch being involved.
The worrisome thought sent a chill through Tavia, and she stood, Fen stretching to a stand beside her. “I shall see you fed, Fen, then we will take a morning walk.”
It was early, Tavia having been unable to sleep once she woke. She was not surprised to see the kitchen empty, and that dawn had yet to arrive. She gathered sufficient food for Fen and once he finished eating, she stepped outside. She hastily drew her hood up and tucked her cloak snug around her, the bitter cold quickly bit at her.
“Snow will fall again today, Fen, and more than the last few days,” Tavia said as they headed toward the village.
The torches that lit the winding path through the village had nearly burned out, but it mattered not to Tavia, her interest only in a wander to ease her troubled thoughts. She had no specific destination in mind, it too early to trouble anyone with a visit. She simply needed to walk and think or better yet not think at all.
A sudden growl alerted Tavia that someone was nearby.
“The hound protects you well.”
“Easy, Fen, Greta means us no harm,” Tavia said as she turned and faced the elderly healer.
“You wake early,” Tavia said.
“As do you. A troublesome sleep?”
“Somewhat,” Tavia said.
“You do not trust me, do you, Tavia?” Greta asked.
She spoke honestly to the healer. “I do not know you well enough to make such a decision.”
Greta took hold of Tavia’s arm and continued to walk with her, Fen remaining close at Tavia’s side.
“It is time I was truthful with you.”
“That would be appreciated,” Tavia said.
“I did not think you good for Lord Bhric when I first settled eyes on you. Too small, I thought, too weak, no strength to her, and fearful. I feared you would not survive a birth let alone being wife to such a powerful man. Then I watched you stand for a clansman, plead for a chance to save his leg and his life. I watched with amazement as you stitched his leg with steady hands while you told a tale of courage and a strength few possess. I knew then I had been too hasty in my opinion of you and that Lord Bhric’s mother, Orianna, had wisdom in choosing you as his wife. You will serve him well and I will be honored to deliver your bairns.”
“Yet I hear hesitation in your voice,” Tavia said, pleased with the healer’s words yet cautious.
“The killing of the boar in the woods brings rumblings of ritualistic practice and what it might mean. Is evil involved or is there a simpler explanation? You have come from a clan that evil has touched and there are those who may assume evil has touched you.”
“Do you believe that?” Tavia asked alarmed by the healer’s remark.
“I would not be warning you if I did. I saw in you something I had not expected to see… a kindness that goes deep in the heart with a strength that encompasses it. You will make Lord Bhric a good wife, but I will not tell him that for he must see and learn it for himself.” When Tavia remained silent, Greta said, “You still do not know if you should trust me.”
“What do you expect when you have shown me no friendship since my arrival and yet suddenly claim you will be truthful with me and also believe I will make Lord Bhric a fine wife?” Tavia asked.
Greta smiled. “You are wise not to trust. Time will show differently.”
