Reina held up one finger and waggled it back and forth,<br/><br/>“Tut, tut, Faren,” she said with a haughty sniff. “We were married, bell, book, ring and priest. You know it. The township records show it. The church acknowledges it. The church does not condone adultery, bigamy or divorce. Now man up, and tell the harlot farewell. Better yet, bring her with you and she can keep my garden. I’m much too busy caring for Maisie to soil my hands in the dirt.”<br/>Reina was in full swing now, ignoring Maric. She only had eyes for Faren. The dark headed little girl with the big green eyes, took her finger from her mouth and sidled closed to Samantha. She just regarded the young woman with a somber gaze without blinking. Samantha felt as if she were going to throw up or faint but the child’s presence seemed to give her something non threatening to focus on.<br/><br/>Samantha smiled at her and held out her hand, palm up. Maisie, after a moment’s hestitation, laid her small hand, there with a trusting air. Samantha could see that the child did look like Faren, why she imaged their own children would look like but she also noticed the child was thin and there looked like finger shaped bruises on her little cheek. They were faded but the faint outlines were still visible. Samantha brushed the child’s face with the back of her fingers. Maisie flinched when she reached out for her but didn’t move away.<br/><br/>“My child and I need lodging and since I seriously doubt Faren still has two farthings to rub together, you,” Reina pointed at Maric, “as his employer, will see to it that the child and I are well taken care of in your own household.”<br/><br/>Nimue stammered, her anger beginning to rise,<br/><br/>“Now you look, you old cow. We don’t have room here. The ‘guest’ room is occupied and there is only the hearth in this room upon which to sleep or you might gain lodging at the Tor.”<br/><br/>Reina rounded on her.<br/><br/>“Occupied is it? By her?” she stabbed her finger at Samantha. “My husband’s whore? What would the Church think to here, Lord Maric, that you were pandering for your squire. I have retained counsel and I know my legal rights as his wife and his obligations as her father.”<br/><br/>Nimue stood, slamming both of her little hands on the table.<br/><br/>“Bugger the Church!” she said, “Samantha is Faren’s betrothed and she is my friend. She stays. Go to the Tor and if the Lady doesn’t toss you in the Lake, you can take this up with the priest in the Valley by the Twin Springs.”<br/><br/>Samantha calmly stood and straightened her gown.<br/><br/>“No, Nimue, I will go to the Tor. Would you call Layla? I would have her take me there.”<br/><br/>Faren tried to catch her by the arm, but Samantha pulled from his grasp.<br/><br/>“Don’t.” she commanded with great dignity. “Until this mess is put to rights, you have lost the priviledge of touching me.”<br/><br/>Reina laughed wickedly and yanked Maisie, causing the child to stumbled into the wooden bench. Oddly enough, the little girl didn’t cry out, but did look miserable.<br/><br/>“You can take a nap in your new room soon enough,” she said with mock sincerity. Her eyes gave her away for they were cold and calculating. “Faren, fetch my bags.”