Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“You trust a woman you barely know over a man who has been friends with you since you were young?” Ingrid asked. “Or pay no heed to the concerns of your tribe?”
“I came here to keep my word to our grandfather, to rule the Clan MacShane. I welcome you and your husband here, Ingrid, but know that here you are part of the Clan MacShane. If it is the tribe you prefer than return home with your husband.”
Bhric turned and walked away, a knot in the pit of his stomach, twisting ever tighter. How was it that only a few hours earlier he felt joy, the future full of promise and now all that was lost? He found it difficult to believe his wee wife would cause his sister harm. He had only seen kindness from her. It made no sense. But he had two women who swore to it and their word would spread and only add to the gossip already spreading about his wife.
Tavia stood by the hearth when he entered his solar, Fen by her side, instinct telling him she needed protection.
“You disobeyed me,” he said.
“You left me no choice. Fen protects me and I protect him, and I will not leave him with liars who wish me harm,” she said, showing strength when she felt anything but it.
“You think they mean to harm you?” he asked, her suggestion disturbing him for that would mean she was not safe in her own home.
“Why else would they lie? And why do they wish for people to doubt my word, to think badly of me?” Sorrow filled her eyes. “They had you believing it.”
The hurt in her eyes stabbed at his heart since she was right. There was an ounce of doubt in him.
“I gave you my word that I would speak only the truth to you, and I have. Yet you gave no thought to that promise when faced with this problem. You did not stand by me and claim me innocent without a shred of doubt. You wavered unsure which means my word means nothing to you. What does that tell me?”
“Tell me what happened?” he ordered, not knowing what to say to her since he hated to admit she was right.
“Why would you believe my word against your sister and those you have known far longer than me?”
“Why would they lie?” he snapped.
She shook her head. “I do not know. That you would have to ask them? But you should also ask why would I lie? Why would I have any ill will toward your sister? Or is it that you have heard the gossip that runs through the village and wonder what others do… that I have bewitched you.”
“Have you?” he asked without thinking.
Her hand went to her chest as if he had stabbed her with a dagger so painful were his words. “Say it, husband, say I tricked you into my bed and now I tricked you to seal our vows and bind me to you forever. Say that nothing we shared these last few weeks has been real that it has meant nothing, that I felt nothing, that I tricked you—nay—bewitched you into believing it so.”
Tavia fought hard not to cry but she was sure her heart was breaking, the pain hurt so badly.
Bhric felt as if he was losing her almost seeing her fade away in front of him and his heart felt like it was splitting in two.
“Tell me what happened so I may get to the truth,” he urged.
“The truth is you do not trust me and that is all the truth you need,” she said and ran out the door choking back tears, Fen close on her heels.
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.