“It is of a private nature, my lord,” Hertha said.
“What do you wish to hide, Hertha?” Bhric demanded.
“Nothing, my lord, nothing,” Hertha hurried to say. “It concerns a woman’s nature I wish to speak to Lady Tavia about.”
Tavia waited, seeing her husband was giving it thought and she feared he would make Hertha speak of it in front of him and her father.
“Then go and be done quick,” Bhric ordered.
Tavia hurried Hertha a distance away where whispers could not be heard.
Hertha kept her voice low and remained close to Tavia so she would easily hear her. “I lied, my lady.”
“I assumed so,” Tavia said, “but it matters not. What do you wish for no one to hear?”
Hertha hesitated.
“We do not have much time, tell me,” Tavia urged.
“Word spreads that Lord Bhric is disappointed in his new bride and that he may break the marriage agreement and take his leave. The clan worries what will happen to them, while I worry what will happen to Doritt and Edward, the two children who suffered under Lord Ivan and are meant to accompany me and Hume to their new home at Clan MacShane. He will surely demand their return and without Lord Bhric’s protection, Chieftain Newlin will have no choice but to surrender them. Please tell me it is nothing but gossip.”
“I cannot,” Tavia said softly, “for I do not know for sure.”
“What do I tell the children. They are so frightened.”
“Tell them all will be well.”
“But it might not,” Hertha said, a tremble of worry in her voice.
“Fear not, I will see that it is.” Tavia tried to assure her but saw the doubt in her eyes. “Trust me, Hertha. We will leave here with the children.”
“I hope you are right, my lady,” Hertha said, tears stinging her eyes as she hurried from the keep.
Tavia worried for her clan and the children if her marriage failed. There was far too much to be lost if the marriage agreement faltered. She could not let that happen.
Her husband had said that if he fully committed to the marriage it was forever. They would never separate. The only way she could see that done was to see their marriage consummated tonight. But how did she do that when he avoided her bed?
“Is everything all right, Tavia?” Bhric called out, seeing his wife had not moved since Hertha had taken her leave.
Tavia turned, hoping her smile did not appear forced. “Everything is well, husband.”
It startled him, though he did not let it show, that she referred to him as her husband. While he had referred to her as his wife often upon his arrival, she had not called him such until this moment. It sounded pleasant enough coming from her, but he had yet to decide what to do with her and he could not delay in making a decision. She would leave with him, or he would leave her behind.
He felt a tug of sorts when he thought of leaving her behind, but why? He did not know her enough to have any true feelings for her, though she did feel good and fit well in his arms. He also favored the pleasing, light scent of mint that drifted off her and she also had a pleasing smile. Those were qualities he could not deny, but were they enough for him to keep her as his wife?
“Your husband and I will be busy in the village. See that you are ready to leave with him tomorrow,” Newlin said with a pleasant smile to his daughter.
Bhric did not comment. There would be time enough to tell him whether he would accept Tavia as his wife, the decision continuing to trouble him. His mother could be a formidable force and no doubt it would be easier to simply commit to the arrangement agreed upon. He trusted his mother, that would never change, and yet he could not help but continue to question her wisdom in this situation. And it irritated him that he did. So, what did not set right with him about it?
“There are still things that need to be done before then. I must make sure that Hertha, Hume, and the children are ready as well.” Tavia bobbed her head to her husband, “My lord, I will see you later.”
Bhric watched her walk away, glad to see her limp not as pronounced, though it still lingered. Had her injury been worse than he had been told?
“My wife is healing well, is she not, Newlin?” Bhric asked, the man following him to the door.
“Aye. Aye, my lord,” Newlin assured him. “She heals nicely.”
Tavia heard them from where she had hidden in the shadows and her worries grew. Things would not go well once he found out the truth about her leg. He would surely end the arrangement when he discovered her limp was permanent and she could not let that happen.