I can see that the phrasing might have been confusing, but it is actually Radomir who is the Earl which might make things a bit clearer. Garrick is the Baron. Although now that you say it I think he could have been nicely placed into the scene too . Cindra didn’t tell him about the incident though. I think she does feel a bit sorry for Radomir even though she thinks he’s a troll and she doesn’t actually want to see her husband smash him into a pulp. For the moment she’s keeping it to herself.

Oh, and “squashy-faced baby”? Adorable. Just like a man. “They do all have eyes, don’t they?”

This is a really important development I think. I’m a little surprised Varda admitted it… she must feel the importance herself. What could even save Harndall now? He’s the only man besides Radomir who even made it into the room, and Radomir obviously didn’t do it. Not from what we’ve seen of his own mind. Unless Valeriya talks? Oooh…

I bet Varda is going to be in danger as well if Radomir ever finds out she let Harndall into his wife’s room…

“Radomir was already clamouring for his head and Lochan was loathe to leave him out there where the Earl in his blind rage, might find him. He had been rampaging through the castle all day, sword in hand, randomly stabbing hay bales and frightening the peasants.” Apparently this was just me, but I read the “He had been rampaging” as referring to the Earl? (Which seemed perfectly reasonably to me, I might add, after Cindy’s little run-in with Radomir. Did she tell anyone about that?)

It is a little more complex with Varda than a crush I think. Varda, as has been suggested at before has both a deep respect for rank and for powerful men. In Varda has a visitor she is slightly put out that Lekha wants to immediately call her by her first name. In Sigurd meets a butterfly she immediately assumes that it was the Duke or the King who punched Radomir, not her own husband. The flushing really had more to do with the fact that she was embarrassed to be lying in bed in front of the Duke and ashamed about what she had to tell him next. You are right, she isn’t generally the flushing type but this was a unique circumstance. Lochan even noticed at the end that she wasn’t being her usual tough self, but I think a lot of that has to do with her pregnancy. We already know that she tends to be a little more vulnerable during those times.

If I lived in Mhalwae I would have a crush on Lochan. Or maybe Garrick. You just know he gives the best hugs

“He had been rampaging through the castle all day, sword in hand, randomly stabbing hay bales and frightening the peasants.”

Heheh. I can so see Radomir doing that.

“Lochan noticed that her face was flushing pink with embarrassment as she spoke”

Hmmm. Never thought of Varda as the flushing type. Does she have a little, harmless crush on Lochan, perhaps? Not that I blame her