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“And how does Lath do?” Tavia asked.
“He presently sleeps, but he is doing surprisingly well. The wound is healing nicely, and he has managed to stand on the leg for brief periods without difficulty. He says the pain lessens each day and his mother asked if he could be moved to her cottage where she could look after him.”
“What do you and Hertha think about that?” Tavia asked.
Hertha believes his mother will tend him well and that we both can visit him daily to make sure all continues to go well.”
“I am glad for him, and I am grateful for the care you have given Lath,” Tavia said.
“You gave him far more than we did, my lady. You saved his leg.”
“We all did, Hume. None of us could have done it alone,” she said and after exchanging a few more words, Tavia went to take her leave.
“Be careful, my lady,” Hume warned. “Tongues wag with no thought to what peril they may cause.”
Tavia stared at the closed door, Hume disappearing in haste behind it and leaving her to wonder why he had cautioned her.
It was a short distance to Greta’s cottage, her mind troubled the whole way, thinking over what Hume may have meant. She was glad to see Hertha outside talking with a Northwoman, her smile wide and the woman appearing pleased with their conversation.
Hertha waved, her smile growing when she spotted Tavia and the Northwoman turned, her smile fading when her glance fell on Tavia, and she hurried away.
Hertha took hasty steps to reach Tavia, turning her away from the healer’s cottage. “I have only a few moments since I must go with Greta to visit the ill. You look happy, my lady.”
“I am, Hertha. I do not know how it quite happened, but Lord Bhric and I are getting along nicely, and he has been treating me well. I have hope of a good marriage with him.”
Hertha’s smile faulted. “Be watchful, my lady, word spreads that you have bewitched Lord Bhric as you did Bones and Fen and that you now command him to do your bidding. That you keep him to yourself away from others. They believe you are responsible for the tribe and clan members being forced to work together. And they worry if anyone says a word against you that you will cause them ill will.”
Tavia could not hide her shock at the ridiculous notion. “That is nonsense.”
“I agree, but others do not, and such talk and belief could prove dangerous for you,” Hertha cautioned.
Greta emerged from the cottage and summoned Hertha with a wave.
“Send for me, my lady,” Hertha said before she hurried off.
Tavia understood what Hertha meant. If she sent for her, they would have time to talk. She would do so later today and see what more Hertha had to say.
Greta handed Hertha a basket covered with a cloth, then reached for her staff she had left leaning against the closed cottage door and with a wave to Tavia the two women turned and walked off.
Upset with what Hertha had told her, Tavia decided to return to the keep. She noticed then how women whispered when she passed by, and men turned their heads away. Why had she not noticed this before now?
She had paid heed only to her husband this last week, spending endless time with him. She recalled how Marta had reprimanded her over it when she caught her alone in the Great Hall, only servants left to hear.
“Are you a fearful child that you will not let your husband leave your side?” Marta had asked. “He is a Northman of great power and greater duty, leave him to do what he must.”
Tavia had thought that she and Marta had been getting along better of late, though perhaps it had been because they did not see much of each other and when they did, Marta was her surly self but since she had last reprimanded her, the woman had held her tongue. Until today.
Tavia had wanted to lash out at the woman for chiding her like a child, but she tempered her response. “What goes on between my husband and I is none of your concern, Marta, and I warned you once about admonishing me. Do it again and I will see you permanently removed from the keep.”
Marta sneered. “Your word has no such power and while I know your kind, Lord Bhric will learn soon enough of your true nature and be rid of you.”
Tavia had stared after her speechless when she turned and left the room, thinking the woman was impossible to contend with and something needed to be done about her.
Once in the Great Hall, Fen stretched his long body out in front of the hearth and Tavia pulled a small stool close to stretch her cold hands out to the heat to warm them. She watched the flames dance excitedly and wondered if she had been in a dream this last week and she was finally emerging from it.
* * *
Bhric stood with his arms crossed staring at Sven in disbelief. “Bewitched? The tribe believes my wee wife has bewitched me?”
