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He was off the bed in a flash, grabbed the bucket, and was back to sit her up before she began to retch.
“This is not pleasant,” Tavia said when it finally passed, and she lay with a cool cloth on her brow.
“My mother’s morning illness did not last long, hopefully yours won’t either,” he said, hoping he offered encouraging words.
A thought crossed Tavia’s mind, but she said nothing to her husband, not knowing if it would prove helpful or perhaps worried what may come of it. It was something she would have to do on her own.
“One can only pray,” she said. “I am glad Ingrid retched for only a short time and she now does well and that no one else has turned ill.”
Bhric had taken precautions after poison was suspected at Clan Strathearn. He placed guards at the food sheds and instructed Shea to let only those she trusted prepare the meals. He believed his immediate response to the threat had prevented the culprit from doing more damage.
“Aye, we are all relieved no illness or poison spread, though Sven is concerned since Ingrid is determined and eager to find the culprit who did this to her.” He turned silent for a minute before addressing an issue he worried might upset her. “Ingrid asked me not to send Marta home just yet. She has engaged her help in finding the culprit believing whoever hurt her is also responsible for what happened to Marta.” When his wife surprisingly remained silent, he continued. “Ingrid believes that if Marta helps her discover who truly is responsible, then she will see that you had nothing to do with it and perhaps change her mind about you. I should also tell you that Ingrid wishes her help when the bairn arrives. Marta is wonderful when it comes to caring for bairns.”
“Why then did you put her in charge of the keep?”
“She requested it.”
“Didn’t you find that odd?” Tavia asked, since it seemed so to her.
“I never gave it thought. Marta has proven herself capable of handling most any task given to her. I had no doubt the keep would run well under her direction. Besides, running the keep would include seeing to the care of the bairns that came along.”
Tavia would not allow that, but she had her own reasons to see Marta remain here, so she held her tongue, for now.
With no objection from his wife, Bhric said, “I am going to let Marta remain here for now so that she may help my sister.”
“Aye, a good decision,” she said.
That his wife agreed surprised Bhric, though he wondered if she had truly paid heed to what he had said since she appeared more lost in thought. Glad she posed no argument, he let it be.
“Lord Ivan finally takes his leave today,” Bhric reminded.
“He has finally run out of excuses to further delay his departure.”
“Or whatever reason brought him here has been settled,” Bhric suggested. “He has given no indication to what that might be in all the various discussions I or Sven have had with him. He has not approached me about having Doritt and Edward returned to him or has even made mention of the incident that brought the two here. He rarely speaks with my tribe but talks often with those of Clan MacShane.”
Tavia removed the wet cloth from her head to drop in the water bucket beside the bed before turning to slip in the crook of her husband’s arm.
“He came here for a purpose, and I wish we knew what it was,” she said.
“I would say to spread lies and fear about evil residing here.”
“But why? For what purpose?” Tavia questioned. “Every time he visited with my da it was for a specific reason: a request, a demand, a warning. He is a man who wants and demands and does whatever it takes to get it.”
“He came here to warn of evil,” Bhric reminded.
Tavia looked up at her husband. “But to what conclusion? To see me blamed, then why so? To instill fear, then why so?”
“I see your reasoning. Why bother to come warn us if it did not benefit him in some way?”
“Aye,” she confirmed eagerly, glad he saw what she did. “Everything he demanded of my da, in the end, would benefit Ivan.” Her stomach grumbled then.
“You need to eat,” Bhric said, “and Ivan leaves and troubles us no more. But I will see that my warriors escort him off MacShane land.”
Tavia had her doubts. “He may take his leave, but what does he leave behind?”
* * *
With her husband busy seeing Ivan off and addressing some issues in the clan, Tavia was left free to do as she pleased as long as her leg was not troubling her or the bairn was not playing havoc with her stomach, according to her husband.
