“Can you assure me of this? Can you promise me that Garrick will not be allowed near my baby?”
“’Tis the law here that the father must accept the child and name it. You judge Garrick harshly. I have raised him with Christian love.”
“He is a Viking and he—he hates me now. He would not want my child to live.”
“’Tis his child too, Brenna. However, I will tell you this,” Heloise sighed. “Garrick sails east this summer and since his journey has been delayed, he may not return before next spring.”
This was the most assurance she could give Brenna.
Anselm and Hugh returned from the north, but Garrick sailed on without stopping. Brenna had every reason to believe that he would not come home this winter. She could bear her child with peace of mind.
Heloise had predicted Anselm’s reaction correctly: he refused to take Brenna home. He came to tell her himself, bringing Heloise along to translate. The meeting did not go well, for Brenna was bitter at having to spend another year in this land. However, Anselm was in an exuberant mood after seeing his first grandchild and learning he would soon have another.
He insisted Brenna return to his settlement. She refused stubbornly, taking offense at his offer.
“’Tis for your own good,” Heloise explained. “You can no longer live alone.”
“I can and I will!” Brenna said hotly. “Naught has changed. I will never again be dependent on anyone!”
“You must reconsider, Brenna. You will grow bigger and more clumsy. You cannot go on as you have been.”
“Nay!”
“For once, put aside your pride, girl. You have the child to think of, not just yourself anymore.”
“Ah, she is as stubborn as ever,” Anselm said sourly. “She would not be happy with us anyway. If only my pigheaded son were not so pigheaded, we would not have this problem!”
Heloise cleared her throat awkwardly. “Will you see reason, Brenna?”
“I will stay here, milady, and I will manage. My growing shape does not stop me from finding food. My aim has not changed. I will not be foolish and ride anymore, but the woods are near and game is plentiful. I will gather twigs for my fire instead of cutting wood. I will take care not to harm my baby.”
“’Tis not that we did not think you could manage alone, Brenna,” Heloise said. “We know you are able. But accidents can happen.”
“I will be careful.”
The older woman sighed. “If you will not live with us, will you at least consent to have someone stay with you here? Your aunt said you would take this stand and asked if she could come here to live with you. I agreed. If you will also agree, I will not worry over you.”
Brenna did not answer immediately. To have her aunt with her again would be wonderful. Someone to share her new experiences with, when the baby kicked or a new stretch mark marred her skin, someone she loved who she could talk to.
“Would you give my aunt her freedom?”
“Brenna, you are being unreasonable.”
“Would you?”
Heloise turned to her husband. “Brenna will agree to let Linnet stay here if you will give her her freedom.”
“Nay! Never!”
“What is more important here?” Heloise said, losing her temper for once. “Brenna could die here alone; the child could die!Shewill not see reason, so we must!”
“Thor’s teeth!” Anselm blustered. “Our lives were simple before I brought that girl here!”
“Well?”
“Do what you think best, mistress. Whatever it takes to see this girl cared for despite her foolishness.”
“Linnet will come on the morrow, Brenna—as a freewoman. I will also send a strong woman to help with the more difficult tasks. You cannot expect your aunt to chop wood or lug water at her age.”
