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“I found my courage and there is no stopping me now,” Hertha said with a broad smile. “You found your courage a long time ago, my lady, but you have only just begun to use it. Do not stop now.”
* * *
“Tell me, Shea,” Bhric said once settled in his solar.
Shea nodded. “It started with words Marta had with Lady Tavia while she sat by the hearth, Fen sleeping beside her.”
“What words?” She appeared hesitant to say, and Bhric eased her concern. “There will be no reprisal from anyone for what you tell me here. You have my word.”
Shea nodded and continued. “Marta accused Lady Tavia of being a fearful child who clung to her husband. She said you were a Northman of great power and greater duty, and she should leave you to do what you must. Lady Tavia responded calmly, telling Marta that what went on between you and her was none of her concern. She also reminded Marta that she had warned her once before about admonishing her and if she did it again, she would see her permanently removed from the keep.” Shea paused a moment, then quickly continued. “Marta sneered at her and told her that her word had no such power and that while she was familiar with Lady Tavia’s kind, you would learn soon enough of her true nature and be rid of her.
Marta then complained to Ingrid when she saw her, though the story she told Ingrid was far different from what had taken place.”
Anger rumbled in Bhric, not only at the lies spewed but at his failure to believe his wife. “What happened then, Shea?”
“Ingrid approached Lady Tavia and they exchanged words. Ingrid sounded as if she wished Lady Tavia to argue with her, but Lady Tavia remained calm and responded with ‘as you say’ when Ingrid told her that senseless threats are useless and made her appear a fool. She said ‘as you say’ again when Ingrid told her that Northmen and women were strong, and they do not frighten easily. That was when Lady Tavia stood, and Fen stepped forward to give her room and Ingrid hurried several quick steps back and stumbled of her own accord. Lady Tavia hurried to reach out and help her so she would not fall, and Marta yelled out not to harm her as she ran to Ingrid. Lady Tavia quickly ordered Fen to sit so he would not think Marta rushed to attack. Marta then threatened that you would hear about what happened and Lady Tavia tried to explain she was reaching out to help Ingrid and offered to help her get Ingrid to her feet. That was when Marta called Lady Tavia a witch and suggested Lady Tavia intended to harm the unborn bairn.”
“I heard that part. Why did you not come forward there and then?” Bhric asked.
“I hurried out before anyone saw me for fear of what Marta might do to me if I challenged her words. She is unfair to the MacShane servants when they displease her, which is often. She leaves some to work endless hours and get little sleep, so they often fall asleep while working. But after I heard what was being said about Lady Tavia, I could not hold my tongue. My lady has been kind to me. She calls me by my name, asks how I am doing when she sees me. She is a good woman and I do not believe she is a witch.”
“How long have you worked in this keep, Shea?” Bhric asked.
“Since I was little. My mother worked here, she is gone two years now, and she would bring me with her. This was my home, and Lord Donald treated all of us well.”
“But now my arrival here changed that?”
“Marta’s arrival changed that, my lord,” Shea said, her voice turning low without realizing it.
“I am grateful that you had the courage to come forward and tell me the truth,” Bhric said. “You will be rewarded for it.”
“That is not necessary, my lord, I just want Lady Tavia to be safe.”
Bhric thought on her words after she left. His wife was not safe with all the lies being told about her, but who was telling them and why?
He made his way to his bedchamber. He had much to discuss with his wife. He only hoped she would talk with him, though it did not matter for he had much to say to her.
CHAPTER 20
Bhric should not have been surprised or annoyed not to find his wife in his bedchamber. She was angry with him and rightfully so, but he would not have her anger fester and grow a wedge between them. He did not want that, not ever.
He opened the door that connected their bedchambers and found her sitting by the hearth, Fen sleeping beside her, though his head shot up. When he saw it was Bhric, he dropped his head down but kept his eyes open.
“A servant told me you sent for Hertha. Are you not feeling well?” he asked as he approached her.
“I feel fine. I but wished to speak with her,” Tavia said, keeping her word to speak the truth to him. She waited assuming he would want to know what they discussed and was surprised by his response.
Bhric stretched his hand out to her. “Come and sup with me. There is much for us to discuss.”
She knew she was being petulant, but she was angry at him and with herself for believing they could have a good marriage but mostly because she allowed herself to fall in love with him when there was no chance of him feeling anything for her at all.
“I am not hungry. I am tired and shall sleep here in my bedchamber tonight.”
“That is not going to happen, wife,” he said and reached down and scooped her up off the bench and into his arms. “Stay!” he ordered Fen abruptly when the hound hurried to his feet.
“I am safe, Fen.” Tavia was quick to tell the hound, fearful he might attack Bhric if she did not alert him that she was not in danger. She slipped her arms around her husband’s wide neck as he carried her to his bedchamber and whispered, “You do not mean me harm, do you, my lord?”
“That would depend, wife,” he said, kicking his bedchamber door closed behind him, “if you consider a good pounding from me harm.”
