“Until the truth surfaced,” Erskine said and shook his head. “Forgive me, my lady, I did not mean to speak ill of her, but I watched the clan suffer when the truth came to light and it did such damage to the clan.”
“It was lies that damaged the clan not Lady Alida,” Sorrell corrected. “And you would do well not to spread lies.”
“Pay heed to my wife’s warning or you will find yourself in the stocks and no longer needed here.”
Sorrell turned with a smile and Erskine with an apology.
“Forgive me, my lord, I meant no disrespect to Lady Alida,” Erskine said.
“It didn’t sound like that to me,” Ruddock said, raising his hand when Erskine went to speak. “I’ll hear no more. You’ve been warned.”
“Aye, my lord,” Erskine said with a bow of his head.
Sorrell had not made a move. She didn’t want to disturb the silence that her husband’s presence had brought. No one had moved or spoken. They all stood in silence, staring at Ruddock.
“Get back to work,” Ruddock ordered and held his hand out to his wife.
Sorrell looked to Erskine as she reached out to take her husband’s hand. “I look forward to learning more about the keep tomorrow.”
“I will await you, my lady,” Erskine said with a nod.
Once in the Great Hall, Ruddock took his wife in his arms. “I have gone too long without seeing you.”
“I was thinking the same and planned on finding you as soon as I finished with Erskine.”
“Erskine needs to watch his tongue,” Ruddock said annoyed.
“Blodwen told me that there is much gossip among the servants and your father mentioned I wouldn’t learn the truth of his previous marriages from the servant’s wagging tongues. So the keep would be a good place for someone to start lies.”
Ruddock placed his hand to Sorrell’s back and guided her to his solar. “Privacy is preferred for what I have learned.”
“Tell me,” she said with eager anticipation.
“I have learned that it was Lander who was the messenger between my father and the barbarians.”
“We should speak to him.” Her eyes went wide. “He can’t speak.” She grew more excited when a thought hit her. “The reason he lost his tongue, so he couldn’t tell what he knows.”
“He can still manage to communicate.”
“Then his tongue was cut out as a warning of what else he would suffer if he told anyone anything,” Sorrell said. “And what better way to accomplish it and to confirm what all were told about you joining the barbarians then to have the Northwick troop attacked.”
“And leave my friend who was as close as a brother not only harmed enough to hate me, but to have him believe he saw me watching the whole vicious ordeal,” Ruddock said.
“Someone has to hold a tremendous amount of hatred to do such a thing.”
“Even a little hatred can go a long way over time,” Ruddock said.
Sorrell rested her hand on her husband’s chest. “You have no time to hate any longer. You have me to watch over and keep safe.”
“A chore in itself,” he said with a chuckle.
“Aye, and one that will forever keep you busy,” she said with a smile that dripped sweetness.
A knock sounded.
“Hugh no doubt, since I asked him to bring Lander to me,” Ruddock said, then called out, “Enter.”
Hugh walked in, his brow scrunched. “Did Erland just leave here?”
“No,” Ruddock said.
“He was outside the door when I approached and scurried off in a rush, almost as if I’d caught him by surprise.”
“He was no doubt listening to see if he could learn anything new to take back to my father,” Ruddock said.
Hugh shrugged. “Then he should have stayed around to hear that Lander can’t be found anywhere. I’ve had a few warriors searching the entire village and he hasn’t been seen.”
“If he ran after learning I was looking for him, that tells me he has something to hide,” Ruddock said. “Keep the men searching and extend the search outside the castle.”
Hugh grinned. “I already did. I figured that’s what you’d want.”
“The reason you’re my counsel. You know me well.”
“Also Sage, the healer from the woods should be here shortly,” Hugh said.
“She wasn’t expected until tomorrow,” Sorrell said.
“Lana tells me Sage is coming here today to see one of the women who will give birth in the next month or two and isn’t doing well. She is pleased to be able to visit the woman, since you let her know she is welcome here.” Hugh looked to Ruddock. “Though, I’ve heard that Wilda made it clear to all that Sage would not be allowed to see Lord Finn.”
“That’s not her choice,” Ruddock said.
“Maybe not, but I believe it was Lord Finn who issued the order.”
Ruddock made his way to his father’s quarters, having left Sorrell to visit with Sage when she arrived. His father was sitting up in bed, his head resting back on the pillows and his eyes closed when he entered and for a sheer moment he thought his father had passed.