Bhric let her go when he warned himself to stop her, take her in his arms, hug her tight, and never let her go, but the leader in him cautioned he had to get to the truth. It was the only way he could truly protect her.
He lingered in his solar, his thoughts heavy.
* * *
Bhric was not surprised to see the Great Hall empty for the evening meal.
“Where is my wife?” he asked the servant lass.
“In her bedchamber. Hertha is with her, she sent for her.”
“Lady Tavia is not feeling well?” he asked concerned.
“My lady did not say. She simply asked that Hertha be sent to her.”
“Has Lady Tavia eaten?”
“Nay, my lord, and she refused the offer of food brought to her bedchamber.”
“See that food and drink are brought to my bedchamber, enough for two,” Bhric ordered.
The servant bobbed her head and took her leave.
“My lord.”
The soft, hesitant voice had him turning to see another servant lass.
“I am Shea, my lord. May I speak with you in private?”
Bhric was not in the mood to settle any disputes in the keep. That was Marta’s chore.
“It concerns what happened here today, my lord,” Shea said when she saw that he was hesitant, then she quickly gave a quick glance around before lowering her voice. “I saw everything that happened here.”
* * *
“Wagging tongues are worse after what happened today,” Hertha said, sitting at the small table with Tavia in her bedchamber. “And the divide grows worse between the tribe and the clan. I do not know how Lord Bhric will ever bring the two together. Some of the Northmen and women talk about returning to their homeland. Those in the clan are eager to see them go.”
“I cannot believe people think I have bewitched Lord Bhric,” Tavia said, growing more upset over the news.
Hertha chuckled. “Well, he was bewitched but not by you… by love.”
Tavia chuckled as well. “That is nonsense. He does not love me.”
“He may not know it yet, but he is in love with you just as you are with him. The last week or more has confirmed that. All you had to do was look at you both and see it for what it was… love.” Hertha chuckled again. “I denied it up and down when Auda told me that I loved Hume. But she insisted she was right, and it was there for all to see. She was happy for me and Hume, so it was easy for her to spot it. Not so for people—”
“Who think me a witch,” Tavia said.
“I have been thinking on that and it is why I wanted to speak with you. I believe someone in particular is purposely planting the suggestion to all that you are a witch. It makes me fear for your safety.”
“But who would do such a thing?”
“Marta, Ingrid, anyone who believes you are not a fit wife for Lord Bhric. Anyone who wants to see you gone,” Hertha said. “And with news of you visiting the witch in your da’s dungeon, it is a perfect tale to weave. You must tell Lord Bhric so he can protect you.”
“He does not trust me or believe anything I say.”
“I do not believe that, my lady,” Hertha said. “Someone wants him confused, wants him to make a mistake so there is more blame to lay on you. Tell him and see what he says and if he thinks it is foolish, then you and I will need to find the culprit ourselves.”
“You are a brave one, Hertha,” Tavia praised.