“Five nights you say?” Bhric asked, finding what Sven just told him difficult to believe.
“Aye,” Sven said with a nod. “When the night sentinels reported it to me, I thought your wife did it out of frustration and anger and the one night would end it. But last night has been the fifth night that the village sentinels reported that Lady Tavia walked through the village late when all were asleep and took Fen out of the shed and returned to the keep with him. Then just before dawn, before anyone stirs, she returns him to the shed where she visits him at least three times a day, bringing him food. I waited to tell you because Ingrid told me to leave it be that Tavia’s anger would settle, and she would forget Fen. But it is obvious your wife is as stubborn as she is courageous, and she does not plan to stop her nightly abduction of Fen.”
“You mean foolish,” Bhric corrected. “I will see to it… tomorrow morning.”
He glanced at his wife, sitting at the dais alone. Ingrid was off talking to some women and he, himself, was taking a turn around the tables to speak with his men and the MacShane warriors who gathered at one table together.
That his wife had been able to hide her nightly deed from him annoyed him. He had thought they had been getting along well starting the day after he ordered Fen kept in a shed. That day she had ignored him completely, the next he had made sure she had taken the morning meal with him, and he had spent a portion of the day with her. She had been congenial and talkative on the days to follow. But thinking on it now, what had he learned about her? Nothing. She had kept him talking more about himself with only a spattering of talk about her. Why hadn’t he noticed?
She may be more than you can handle.
Sven’s warning echoed in his head, and he was not laughing.
* * *
Tavia smiled when Fen licked her face. The hound was far more intelligent than anyone knew. It had taken only two days for him to realize that he had to return to the shed before sunrise. She had gotten little sleep the first two days, fearful of Fen being caught in her bedchamber. By the third day she had slipped into a deep sleep and Fen had woken her with generous licks to her face, sensing sunrise was drawing near.
Fen’s wound was healing well from the warm nights before the hearth in her bedchamber and the loving care she was giving him. She had grown attached to the large dog as he had to her, probably because they both felt alone with no loving touch to soothe them and with no one who cared deeply for them.
“I wish you were free to stay with me all day. I believe I would feel less alone,” she said, giving him a good rub behind his ears, something he favored.
She got out of bed and began to dress while Fen sat by the hearth getting his last bit of heat before spending another day in the chilly shed. Her husband had purposely sought her out the last few days and she had wondered why. She had taken advantage of that time to learn more about him and thought perhaps he had meant to do the same and learn about her. She had been surprised how easy it had been to speak with him, but then she had asked him about himself, and she had learned that if you got a person talking about himself you need not worry about holding a conversation, talk flowed smoothly.
She had to admit though that she had enjoyed the time spent with him. She smiled. “I like the feel of his large hand wrapped around mine, Fen. It not only feels good, but it also makes me feel… her cheeks heated thinking of the sensations that had poked at her when her husband held her hand or slipped his arm around her or lifted her with ease, and she shook her head.
“You know, Fen, after talking to Lord Bhric, I do believe he does have a good heart. He simply makes unwise decisions sometimes, but to him, they are necessary decisions. Once we show him that there is no reason to fear you, then all should be good, and we can spend more time together. At least, I hope so. Now remember, quiet does it,” Tavia said and pressed her finger to her lips as they approached the door. She had made the gesture each morning to remind him they had to remain silent so no one would discover them.
But this morning Fen backed away from the door and gave a low, steady growl.
Someone was on the other side, and she did not need to guess who it was.
“Sit and stay, Fen,” she ordered, and the hound obeyed, though a growl rumbled in his throat.
Tavia opened the door and smiled at her husband standing there, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “Good morning, husband. You are up early.”
“As are you, wife,” he said.
“I have been caught. Haven’t I?” Tavia said, finding no point in denying it.
“You have,” Bhric confirmed.
“Please do not punish Fen for my disobedience. He simply did as I directed,” Tavia said, fearful the hound would suffer for her defiance. “Though I must say his wound is healing well from the warm nights in front of the hearth.”
“I hear Lath is healing nicely as well,” Bhric said, not surprised his wife would continue to protect the hound.
Tavia’s face lit with a smile, thinking how well Lath was doing and she shared his progress. “Aye, he does do well. His fever has not returned, the stitches heal, though pain still lingers but has subsided.”
“Why, Tavia?”
She understood what he asked. Why did she disobey him? She stepped aside so he could enter. Fen did not look at all happy to see him.
“Go rest by the hearth, Fen,” she said softly, and he obeyed without hesitation.
The room was warm and the scent of her strong, a scent he had become all too familiar with after spending time with her. It was a scent that enticed his nostrils and tempted his manhood. And he had been questioning the wisdom of waiting to bed her. Thankfully, he wisely remained committed to waiting, or was it foolishness that kept him waiting?
Bhric kept his arms crossed over his chest and his feet planted a bit apart, his imposing stance meant to intimidate as he waited for her to respond. Her soft smile and soft voice made him think she was anything but intimidated.
“Truthfully, I’m not sure,” she said. “Maybe I felt as he did… helpless and unloved.” She shook her head. “I know you think hounds are creatures who are meant to obey and nothing more… much like what you expect in a wife. I suppose I feel a kindred spirit with him.”