Bhric let go of his wife’s hand and went to his sister to take her in a hug.
“I believed everything Marta was telling me about your wife,” Ingrid said through tears. “I suppose it did not help that I agreed that Tavia was not strong enough to be your wife, between her small size and her limp but I was wrong. What appears weakness to others is what actually gives her strength. She has proven that with the many challenges she has faced since arriving here and has managed to remain strong through them all.”
“The largest challenge of all being me,” Bhric said with a smile.
Ingrid smiled as well and gave him a jab in the chest as she stepped away from him. “You are right about that, brother. I do not know how she puts up with your stubborn, demanding ways.”
Bhric was glad to see his sister smile and tease him like she usually did.
“Sven and I will not be going anywhere. Clan MacShane is our home now. Besides, you could never do without Sven, you need him,” Ingrid said as she joined her husband, his arm going around her.
“You are right, Ingrid,” Bhric said after returning to his wife’s side. “I could never do without Sven’s loyalty and never-ending friendship.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Sven said knowing Bhric’s remark was his way of forgiving him.
“As for you, Marta,” Bhric said.
“I am sorry, my lord. I will hold my tongue and do what is expected of me,” Marta said.
“That is not enough, Marta,” Bhric said his voice harsh with authority. “You lied about my wife and there is no excuse for that. You also have been treating the MacShane servants unfairly.”
“They are a lazy bunch,” Marta snapped.
“Not from what I learned speaking to our people,” Bhric said. “Did you think I would not speak to all involved to learn the truth before making a wise and fair decision? You have shown me that you cannot be trusted when after all these years of not just serving my family but being part of it, I never doubted your trust.”
“I want only what is best for you, my lord,” Marta said tearfully and pointed at Tavia. “She is not to be trusted, and she is weak and will never serve you well let alone be able to bear you many bairns.”
“That is not for you to judge or decide. Your duty is to serve me not decide for me. You will be sent home and it will be my father’s chore to decide what is to be done with you.”
“Please, my lord, do not send me away. I have looked after you since you have been young, you are like a son I never had. Please, my lord,” Marta begged.
“If that is so, then you should have done all you could have to help my wife adjust to her new life here, not condemn her. And you should know, Marta, that I love my wife very much and I look forward to the life I will spend with her and the bairns she will give me, for she truly is a strong and loving woman.”
Tavia was not the only one to stare at Bhric shocked. He may have claimed his love to her privately, but never did she think he would claim it publicly.
“Shea will be in charge of the keep’s servants and my wife will run the keep as is her duty,” Bhric announced.
Marta turned and fled the keep in tears.
“See that she does not spread more lies, Sven, and we need to talk. I do not like what is being said about my wife and I fear someone may be spreading lies about her on purpose,” Bhric said.
“Lady Tavia and I can share a brew while you two talk,” Ingrid suggested and looked to Tavia. “It will give me a chance to apologize and to truly get to know her.”
“I would like that,” Tavia said, hoping for a fresh start with her sister-in-law.
Bhric hugged his wife and kissed her cheek. “My mother was right about you. You will make me a good wife and I will make you a good husband.”
Tavia was afraid to feel blissful once again, fearing something would challenge it, and it did.
A warrior rushed into the keep, snow covering his cloak. “Another animal has been found dead in the woods, my lord, and his heart is missing.”
CHAPTER 21
Tavia walked through the village, a light snow falling. Fen sniffed the snow-covered ground not far from her, his glance never long away from her. It had been several days since a wolf had been found gutted and the heart removed. People did not waste time speculating on what it might mean. To the Northmen, a wolf indicated power and strength but also savagery. Was it a sign that a savage was among them? Would he grow tired of killing animals and kill a human next? Or was this the work of an evil witch who sought more power to do her evil deeds?
Some villagers turned their backs on Tavia as she walked and while it troubled her, she was not surprised by it. Some were upset with what happened to Marta, blaming Tavia, believing she bewitched people, fearing what she might do to those who would speak against her. She had no idea how to change their perception of her. Also, she did not think it had helped that Bhric had proclaimed his love for her. That news had spread rapidly and only added to the belief that she had bewitched him. How had he gone from displeasure with his wife to love so swiftly? She had to have done something to him, a potion or spell of some sort the wagging tongues insisted.
The gossip did not have her questioning how she and Bhric felt about each other, their love was undeniable. It was love that gave her pause. How was it that love could claim a heart so suddenly? She could not explain it just as she could not explain how she missed him terribly when he was not with her or how happy she felt every time she saw him or how her passion soared for him with the simple touch of his hand, and how she loved to fall asleep in his arms at night and wake wrapped in them in the morning. How had he become such an essential part of her life?