Page 115 of The Evening and the Morning
These people have clearly been part of my husband’s life for many years, Ragna thought; how come I have no idea who they are?
Finally they split up, still without noticing her. Wilf headed for the stable, no doubt to make sure the grooms had taken care of his horse. Inge and the boy went into the house Ragna had agreed to allocate to Wigelm, Milly, and Inge.
Ragna could not live in doubt and suspense any longer, but still she was unwilling to confront Wilf. So who could she talk to?
There was really only one possibility: Gytha.
She hated the thought. She would be revealing her ignorance, showing herself weak, and giving Gytha the position of the wise, knowing one—just when Gytha seemed to be accepting that she was no longer the ruler of Wilf’s home.
But who else was there? Wynstan would be worse than Gytha. Aldred would be at prayers now. She did not know Sheriff Den well enough. She could not sink so low as to ask Gilda the kitchen maid.
She went to Gytha’s house.
She was glad to find Gytha alone. Gytha offered her a cup of wine, and Ragna took it, needing courage. They sat on stools near the fire, facing each other. Gytha looked wary, but Ragna sensed something else: Gytha knew why Ragna had come, knew the questions she was going to ask, and had been waiting for this moment.
Ragna swallowed a mouthful of wine and tried to assume a casual tone of voice. “I noticed a newcomer in the compound, an adolescent boy, about sixteen, tall.”
Gytha nodded. “That would be Garulf.”
“Who is he, and what is he doing here?”
Gytha smiled, and Ragna saw with horror that the smile was loaded with malice. Gytha said: “Garulf is Wilf’s son.”
Ragna gasped. “Son?” she said. “Wilf has a son?”
“Yes.”
That explained the kiss, at least.
Gytha added: “Wilf is forty years old. Did you think you married a virgin?”
“Of course not.” Ragna thought furiously. She knew that Wilf had been married before, but not that he had a child. “Are there others?”
“Not that I know of.”
So, one son. It was a shock, but she could bear it. However, she had one more question. “What connection does Garulf have with the woman in the red shoes?”
Gytha smiled broadly, and it was ominously clear that this was her great moment of triumph. “Why,” she said, “Inge is Wilf’s first wife.”
Ragna was so shocked that she jumped to her feet and dropped her cup. She let it lie there. “His first wife is dead!”
“Who told you that?”
“Wynstan.”
“Are you sure that’s what he said?”
Ragna remembered clearly. “He said: ‘Sadly his wife is no longer with us.’ I’m sure of it.”
“I thought as much,” Gytha said. “You see,no longer with usis not the same asdead, not at all.”
Ragna was incredulous. “He deceived me, and my father and mother?”
“There was no deceit. After Wilf met you, Inge was set aside.”
“Set aside? What in heaven’s name does that mean?”
“That she is no longer his wife.”
