Aoife thought for a moment, hoping Tormod was right. She realised just how at the mercy of others she lived, and now Elisedd’s safety rested in their hands as well. “I would just like to make sure he is all right… Sometimes.”
Tormod moved to stand in front of her, his feet placed wide apart. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“Is the boy of more concern to you than me, your husband?” he asked coldly.
Aoife hesitated before answering. “Of course not.”
“And yet, you ask to see him when I have already assured you of his safety,” he said. “Do you not trust my word?”
She drew in a breath, realised that she had hesitated too long when Tormod started to turn away from her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He stopped but made no effort to turn back.
“He is the son of my maid. Former maid. She was not allowed to accompany me to the abbey, of course.” She stopped, tears threatening as she remembered the ugly scene when her father had sent her away.
Rhiannon had watched with tears in her eyes, knowing she was to serve Ula’s youngest daughter from then on, a spoilt, difficult child who made life for everyone around her miserable.
Elisedd had chased after the cart that took her to the abbey, screaming her name over and over, until she’d had to cover her ears to block out the sound of his distress. A distress equal to her own.
“I am alone here,” she said. “He is simply a reminder of home in better times.” She grimaced. Those times may have been better than her time at the abbey, but they had been far from ideal. Still, Rhiannon’s company had made her life more bearable in so many ways.
Tormod paused before he faced her once more. For a moment she thought that he understood, then his eyes narrowed. “You consider yourself alone here, despite our marriage? Has our marriage meant nothing to you?”
The question hit her with an almost physical force. Her head snapped up and her jaw dropped.
“Yes, it has.”
This was not what she had meant. She frowned, struggling to understand why he was so suspicious of her motives to see Elisedd. Surely it was not a difficult thing to understand, to wish to spend time with someone you share a common past with.
“If this alliance is tested,” he said. “How can I be sure you will stand with me as a wife should?”
“You can be sure,” Aoife stated firmly. “I have made my vows; I will honour them.”
They stared at each other.
Aoife’s thoughts raced while a chill swept through her body. No matter what she did or said, her husband simply did not trust her, and she was powerless to change his mind. She had done everything asked of her so far, and yet it did not seem to be enough.
Feeling like she had little to lose, she stormed past him into the hall and headed straight back to their room. Once there, she closed the door firmly behind her and crossed to the missing knot in the wall which let her see a little of the outside world. Some villagers still stood around talking in small, huddled groups. Most were starting to drift apart and get on with their normal, everyday tasks.
Aoife closed her eyes and sighed. It was early days, but if even Tormod didn’t trust her, then what chance did she have here? Would there ever be somewhere where she was not seen as different, an outsider? That she was trusted?
Maybe she should take Elisedd and return to her father. She leaned against the wall, wondering whether to run out, or to stay and try to sort this out. There would be many things to establish. Life was all about compromises and fitting in with the demands of others. She heard the door open and close and decided to ignore it.
She opened her eyes when Tormod’s hand landed on her shoulder, and he turned her to face him. He didn’t seem angry, just thoughtful.
“This morning,” he began. “You were talking in your sleep. Of fields and fires. You said it was only a dream, and yet it happened, and Elisedd was there. The boy that you wish to spend so much time with, was there. Why?”
She nearly told him that it was not important and would have done had it not been for the anguish in his expression. For a man who appeared to be so sure of himself, her loyalty was clearly something that concerned him. Her treatment here might have been far, far different. She had not been threatened in any way. Maybe it was time to repay him for his kindness by telling the truth. Or a version of it.
“Sometimes I dream things. It is not something I control, not something I want. I played no part in this. Please, trust me. This is my home now. I owe my loyalty to you, and you only. It was naught but a dream.”
They stared at each other, each trying to work the other out.
“Please,” she said. “I would like to see Elisedd again. And if I see him alone, he may tell me more of what is happening with my father than he would share with any of your people. Perhaps he will tell me who was behind the attack. He knows, but was too afraid to tell me just now. If I know that, then I will tell you and it might help you, help the village.”
“Very well,” Tormod replied. “Tomorrow, I have promised to help Håkon clear up the damage and replant what we can. I willhave Ragna bring you to us at the end of the afternoon and you can speak to the boy.”
“Thank you.” She sighed and sat down on the bed, staring at her hands. “Elisedd and I are outsiders here… however, if you are sure he will be all right, then I will believe you.”
