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“He said nothing that wasnae true.” Freya set the fourth block on the third. “That’s the trouble. He never once lied to me. I simply forgot what he told me in the first place.”
“And what was that?”
Freya looked at the blocks. Red, blue, red, blue. A tidy little tower that a baby could knock down with one hand.
“That I was a bargain. An heir and an alliance and three weeks to decide.” She swallowed. “I let meself think I was something more. That’s me own foolishness, nae his.”
“Me Lady—”
“He doesnae want to love anyone, Brigid. He told me so himself.” Her voice didn’t break. She was proud of that. “So I’ll stay for the twins. I promised them, and I keep me promises. But I’ll nae go begging for something a man has sworn he’ll never give.”
Brigid didn’t argue. She only reached over and squeezed Freya’s hand once, before letting go.
Archer knocked the tower down again. This time, Amelia laughed too, the sound bright and sudden. Freya smiled at her, and it hurt.
Out in the corridor, a footstep sounded. Then another, moving away.
Freya didn’t look up.
“Would ye like to take a walk, me Lady?”
She blinked, glancing at the door. “I daenae think so, Brigid. Thank ye for the offer, but it’s best I stay here with the twins.”
“Me Lady, may I be frank?”
Freya never minded when Brigid was frank. In fact, she preferred it.
“Always, Brigid.”
“Ye’re hiding from him.”
She scowled. “I’m nae hiding. I’m minding the bairns.”
“Ye’re minding them from a locked room with yer back to the door.” Brigid’s voice was gentle. “That’s nae minding. That’s a siege.”
Freya looked down at the blocks, stacking them again while Archer was reaching to knock the tower over again. “Perhaps it is,” she said quietly. “But I’ve nae decided yet who’s doing the besieging.”
“Me Lady—”
“Brigid, I appreciate yer concern, but I daenae with to discuss this any further. Let us talk about something else. How is yer husband? Yer children?”
Brigid sighed. “They are fine, me Lady. Send their regards.”
Freya hated that Brigid had pointed out the truth.
It was true. She was hiding in the nursery and using the twins as an excuse to avoid her husband. Helping with Amelia and Archer was something she enjoyed doing, but there were many servants in the castle who could pick up that burden.
“Brigid… perhaps a walk will do me good.”
Brigid smiled. “I’m glad ye’ve come to yer senses.”
“Though let us wait until later. The last thing I want is to run into me husband.”
Her smile turned knowing. “Aye, me Lady. Wouldnae want that.”
“I mean it, Brigid.”
“I ken ye do. Do ye hear me pushing back?”
