Summer brought to the land a dazzling display of color. Although spring had been beautiful when nature seemed to wake from the long winter night, summer was intoxicating. The sun warmed the skin, and heady floral scents filled the air.
The warmth had been most welcome until this day, when Brenna approached Anselm’s settlement. She had thought herself most cunning by hiding her condition, which was quite obvious now, beneath her heavy cloak. But now she felt as if she had enclosed herself in an oven. She was debating whether to turn around and go home when she found herself in the yard before Anselm’s house, and a youngthrallhad already taken Willow to the stable.
To Brenna’s relief, the large hall was empty except for her aunt. “Brenna!” Linnet came forward and took her hands. “’Tis such a pleasure to see you.”
“And you, Aunt. I had hoped you would come to visit me now that the weather is much improved.”
“Forgive me, child. I meant to come, but there has been so much to do here. The planting of crops, the first thorough cleaning after winter. So much to keep us all busy.”
“And you helped to plant?”
“Yea, everyone helped. Anselm has many fields. Most are still being worked.”
“A Viking farmer,” Brenna said with sarcasm.
“He has many slaves and less fortunate kin that he must provide for. Besides, most Vikings are farmers. Surely you have learned this by now.”
“Yea, or merchants like Garrick,” Brenna replied in a quiet tone.
Linnet changed the subject quickly. “I see you brought your payment to Anselm, and extra ’twould appear. You have been busy too?”
Brenna nodded and set down the large bundle of furs. Sweat was pouring down her, but she did not make to remove her cloak. She could trust no one with the new secret she kept, not even her aunt.
“Did you come only to pay your debt, Brenna, or will you stay and visit a while?”
“I cannot stay, Aunt, I would know only how soon Anselm will sail. Can you tell me?”
Linnet frowned. “I do not know.”
“Is he still ill?”
“Nay, what ailed him was not serious and passed quickly. He is not here.”
“What do you mean, not here?” Brenna asked, her voice rising. “Did he sail without me?”
“His ship is here, Brenna. But he has sailed with Garrick and Hugh to hunt the great bears in the north.”
“How could he do that now?” Brenna gasped. “He has promised to take me home!”
“And he will. ’Twas Hugh’s idea to go north. Garrick was reluctant to delay his trading voyage, but since Anselm wanted this chance to hunt with both his sons as they used to in years past, Garrick agreed.”
“When will they return?”
“Soon. Cordella has reached her time, and Hugh will not want to miss the birth of his first child.”
“Of course not,” Brenna said caustically. “After all, he must play God and decide whether the babe should live or die.”
Linnet gasped. “Merciful Lord, Brenna! What wild notions have you in your head?”
Brenna wrung her hands beneath her cloak. “I am sorry, Aunt. I have been so touchy of late. I just want to go home. I long for the days before I met Garrick, before I learned to love and hate!”
Brenna ran from the hall, tears threatening to fall once again. She also longed for the days when she never cried. It seemed now that was all she ever did.
That night Brenna was roused from sleep by a fierce pounding on her door. She was not quite awake when she crawled out of bed to answer it and so she did not think to cover herself with more than a blanket.
To Brenna’s surprise, Heloise stood in the doorway, her face anxious. “I came as quickly as I could, Brenna. Cordella is calling for you.”
“Is it the baby?”
