Edgar held out his arms to embrace her, but she did not come to him.

He had lived this moment many times in his imagination: the happy smiles, the nonstop kisses, her body pressed hard against his, the murmured words of love and joy. The reality was nothing like his dream.

He took a step toward her, but she stood up and moved back.

He had to make allowances, he realized. Her spirit had been crushed. She was not herself. He must help her to act normally.

He found his voice and said gently: “May I kiss you?”

She lowered her eyes.

Still speaking in a low, loving tone, he said: “Why not?”

“I’m hideous.”

“I’ve seen you better dressed.” He smiled. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re you. We’re together. That’s all I care about.”

She shook her head.

Edgar said: “Say something.”

“I’m pregnant.”

“I can see that.” He studied her figure. The bulge was clearly visible, but not enormous. “When is the baby due?”

“August.”

He had suspected this, but confirmation came like a blow. “So it’s not mine.”

She shook her head.

“Who, then?”

“Wigelm.” She lifted her head at last. “His men held me down.” Defiance showed in her face. “Many times.”

Edgar felt as if he had been knocked over. He could hardly breathe. No wonder she was in the depths of despair. It was a miracle she had not gone mad.

When he recovered his voice, he did not know what to say. Eventually he managed: “I love you.”

His words made no impression.

She seemed numb, stunned, like one barely conscious, a sleepwalker. What could he do? He wanted to comfort her, but nothing he said seemed to register. He would have touched her, but when he lifted his hands she backed away. He might have overcome her resistance and embraced her regardless, but he sensed that would just remind her of what Wigelm had done. He was helpless.

She said: “I want you to go.”

“I’ll do anything you ask.”

“Then go.”

“I love you.”

“Please go.”

“I’m going.” He went to the door. “We’ll be together one day. I know it.”

She said nothing. He thought he saw the glint of tears in her eyes, but the room was dark and it might have been wishful thinking.

“Say good-bye to me, at least,” he said.

“Good-bye.”

He knocked at the door and it was opened immediately.

“Au revoir,” he said. “I’ll see you again soon.”

She turned her back, and Edgar walked out.

Ragna left the hunting lodge the next day with Cat and the children. They rode on the same cart that had brought them. They departed early and arrived as darkness was falling. The two women were tired and the children were cranky, and they all went to sleep as soon as they got into the house.

Next morning Cat borrowed a big iron pot from the kitchen and they heated water on the fire. They washed the children from head to toe, then themselves. After putting on clean clothes, Ragna began to feel less like penned livestock and more like a human being.