The man was itching for any reason to fight Slatter ever since he had laid him low with one blow. Willow hoped her husband wouldn’t oblige him.
“Keep it up, Rhodes and the next time you feel my fist, it will be the last time you feel anything,” Slatter warned in such a deadly tone that it had people turning wide eyes on him.
“That’s a threat I won’t take lightly,” Rhodes said and took a quick step forward.
“Enough,” James bellowed, looking to Rhodes. “I’ll talk with you and William in my solar.” He turned to Willow, but Slatter spoke before he could.
“I’ll join you as soon as my grandmother is settled in bed.” Willow went to protest, but he stopped her. “I will see to this and you will see to my grandmother. We will talk afterwards.”
In his own way, he was letting her know he would share what was said with her, but would he tell her everything?
There was no time to argue. Sara needed tending.
Eleanor had been placed in Sorrell’s bedchamber to be close to Snow if she needed help. Willow had no choice but to have Sara taken to her own bedchamber. She would find a place for Slatter and her to sleep later.
Slatter placed his grandmother on the bed and went to release her from the blankets that had kept her warm.
“Leave her to us,” Willow said, placing her hand on his forearm to stop him.
Slatter saw that Snow had entered the room along with the other woman. The pup had entered as well, though this time he sat quietly, leaning against Snow’s leg. He wasn’t very big, though the size of his paws was evidence enough that he would be a big dog and it looked like he’d be protective of Snow.
Slatter rested his hand to his wife’s cheek, thinking he was a lucky man to have her as his wife, though unlucky that he couldn’t keep her. “I trust you.”
“As I do you,” she whispered, “so please don’t do anything to make me think otherwise.”
He turned a teasing smile on her and grabbed at his chest. “You wound me, wife, to think I would do such a thing.”
She loved his playfulness, but sometimes she wondered if it was meant to do more… distract or perhaps hide something.
Snow joined her sister along with Eleanor at the bedside as soon as Slatter left the room.
“He is so handsome that he startles the eyes,” Eleanor said.
“How did you ever become wife to the man who set fire to the shed that in turn caused the fire in the keep?” Snow asked as she stepped next to her sister.
Willow was glad Snow didn’t accuse, but rather was in search of an explanation. But then she knew Willow well and she was surprised Snow hadn’t asked… where did my responsible, sensible, sister go?
“After I see to Sara,” Willow said and Snow’s response was just what she expected.
“What do you need me to do?
Eleanor was dispensed to gather the things Willow needed and Snow went and fetched one of her nightshifts since Sara was petite like Snow. Once Willow had everything she needed to tend the woman properly, she, with the help of Snow and Eleanor, got busy tending to Sara.
Slatter was shown to James’s solar and was there only a few moments when Rhodes started on him again.
“He charmed Willow into marrying him to use her so he could escape punishment and like most women his good looks mesmerized her and his deceitful tongue charmed her into believing his concocted tale that someone who looked like him was responsible for all the evil deeds done in his name. How convenient for him.”
“It does seem contrived,” James admitted and turned a question on Slatter. “How did you and Willow come upon each other?”
“I rescued her from the man who took her from the Northwick troop,” Slatter said, leaving out the part that he had been abducted as well.
James continued to probe. “How did you wind up wed so fast and who wed you?”
“It was a moment we couldn’t resist and a cleric was close by to see us wed properly.” That sounded good to Slatter and was as close to the truth as he could get.”
“And Willow consented to this?” James asked.
“We both eagerly did,” he said, recalling how they both wanted to be on their way and as far away from Beck as possible.
James shook his head. “Willow is the most sensible woman I know. It makes no sense that she would wed the man who caused damage to the Clan Macardle.”
“I had nothing to do with the fire,” Slatter said, though it was a futile attempt. They hadn’t believed him before, so why would they believe him now?
“That tale again,” Rhodes said with a sneer. “You expect us to believe that some phantom man who resembles you is the true culprit. A tale more suited for the storytellers and minstrels.”
“Doubt all you want, Rhodes, it’s the truth,” Slatter said, though knew he wasted his breath. He would not be believed.
“A likely declaration from a liar,” Rhodes accused.
“Truth or tale, either way it presents a dilemma,” James said.
“What dilemma?” Rhodes asked. “Disavow the marriage and return Slatter to Lord Tarass.”
“How can the marriage be disavowed when Willow may be with child?” James asked and turned to look at Slatter. “Is there a possibility she can be with child?”
“A strong possibility,” Slatter confirmed without giving a moment’s thought to the consequences. If Willow’s brother thought any other way, their marriage would end and he didn’t want that as foolish a thought as it was.
“It is your decision, not Willow’s,” Rhodes argued, his anger not only flaring in his eyes, but his tone flaring with it as well.
“Willow would have informed you immediately that Lord Ruddock had granted her and her sister Snow their choice of a husband,” James said. “Are you telling me she didn’t explain that to you?”
“She did,” Rhodes said curtly, “but who am I to take her word for it?”
“You have my word now and I suggest you go and inform Lord Tarass about what has happened. Also advise him that I will speak with Willow first and send word when he can speak with her.”
Rhodes glared at James. “Lord Tarass follows no man’s dictate.” He turned and left the room, swinging the door open with such force that it slammed against the wall.
James looked to William who had remained silent. “You have nothing to say.”
“I don’t speak for Lord Ruddock. My task is accomplished with Willow home safely. My men and I will take our leave on the morrow and inform Lord Ruddock what has happened. I am sure he will send a missive to you as soon as he receives the news, though weather may delay it. So it could be weeks before you hear from him.” William gave a nod and left, closing the door behind him.
“I don’t like this at all,” James said, concern in his voice. “Something doesn’t ring right about this, and yet, Willow isn’t one to lie. If she claims you are her husband and will stay her husband, then I have no choice but to believe her.” He looked over Slatter with a questioning glance and shook his head. “Still, I find it difficult to believe she would choose you for a husband.”
“I can understand your misgivings, but I give you my word… I would never harm Willow and I would never allow harm to befall her.”
“Why should I believe the word of a liar?” James asked apprehensively, though caught a gleam in the man’s eyes that couldn’t hide his feelings for Willow.
“I can’t make you believe it, nor do I care if you do. I know it’s true and that’s all that matters to me.” Slatter turned a defiant glare on James. “Willow made it clear that I am her husband and I will remain her husband.”
James stared at Slatter and he knew why, so Slatter wasn’t surprised with what James said.
“Why then does it sound like you doubt your wife’s words?”
“You are tired and need to rest. We will talk tomorrow,” Snow said and gave Willow a hug. “I am so glad you are home.”
“I am too,” Willow said, returning the hug and realizing the tr
uth of her words. She also hadn’t realized just how much she had missed her family.
“Eleanor had Mum and Da’s bedchamber freshened for you. James has still to make use of it.” Snow chuckled softly. “Though, I think we were right about him being taken with Eleanor. He seeks her out more than necessary.”
“Do you think she feels the same?” Willow asked, recalling how she and Snow had seen how the two seemed to be drawn to each other almost from the day Eleanor had arrived here.
“I do. She grows giddy every time their path crosses and he finds chores for her to do that keeps them near,” Snow confirmed.
“I’m glad for them both. He deserves a good woman and Eleanor has proven to be one. She has been a great help here and…” A yawn stole the rest of her words.
“You need to rest,” Snow said, though it sounded like an order.
Willow was surprised and pleased by the strength she heard in Snow. Her absence had been good for Snow. Even though Eleanor had been here to help her, it wasn’t the same as one of her sisters she had grown dependent on.
Eleanor entered the room. “Your husband is bathing. He says when he is done, he will come sit with his grandmother so that you may bathe and rest. I will have a fresh bath prepared for you as soon as he is done. Food and drink also awaits you in your parents’ bedchamber.”
“I am most grateful for that, Eleanor,” Willow said, looking forward to finally having a good washing and donning clean garments.
“Come, Thaw, it’s time for supper,” Snow called out and the pup got up with a stretch from where he slept by the hearth, gave a quick bark, and hurried to Snow’s side.
Alone, Willow went and sat by Sara, her legs and feet far too tired to remain on them. Sara rested comfortable. Willow had redressed her wounds with clean cloths and had washed her and got her into a soft wool nightdress. Eleanor had helped, combing and plaiting Sara’s hair. She had sipped a good portion of the brew Willow had ordered prepared, and thankfully her fever hadn’t returned. Slatter had been right about his grandmother. She was a strong, stubborn woman.
She wondered about the conversation that had taken placed in James’s solar. What had James said to Slatter and Slatter to him? And what nonsense had Rhodes spouted?
“Slatter.”
The soft whisper had Willow moving from the chair beside the bed to the bed itself. She sat beside the old woman and gently took her hand. She was about to let Sara know that her grandson would be there soon and that she was Slatter’s wife when words rushed out of the old woman’s mouth.
“Not safe,” she said, squeezing Willow’s hand. “Not safe.”
“You’re safe now, Sara. There is nothing to fear,” Willow said, trying to reassure and calm her.
Sara shook her head and grew more agitated. “Not safe. Not safe.”
Willow stroked Sara’s arm. “It is safe, worry not. Rest and grow strong.”
Sara’s restless stirrings eased and once again she fell into a peaceful slumber.
Willow returned to the chair and sat. The warmth of the fire soothed and the crackling and spitting of the logs was like a comforting melody that lolled her, and she soon found her head bobbing as she dozed on and off.
A gentle hand on her shoulder had Willow turning her head.
“Your husband is finished and a bath awaits you,” Eleanor said. “I will sit with Sara until Slatter arrives.”
Willow didn’t argue. She longed for the hot water to soak away her aches and wash away the dirt of her journey. She thanked Eleanor and hurried up the curving staircase to her parents’ bedchamber.
The door opened as she reached for it and she almost fell into her husband’s arms, but righted herself before she did. His appearance stunned her speechless. She didn’t think he could look more handsome than he already was, but he did. He was dressed in a Macardle plaid, a tan shirt beneath and his dark hair was damp from its recent washing, the shoulder-length strands curling some at the edges.
“Your turn,” he said, drawing her out of her musings and he stepped aside for her to enter.
A round wooden tub sat near the hearth and Willow almost ran to it.
“I will return after spending some time with my grandmother,” Slatter said. “She does well?”
“She does. Her fever hasn’t returned and she rests comfortably. Though, she did speak, repeatedly saying, ‘not safe, not safe’. I assured her she was, but you might want to reassure her yourself.”
Slatter reached out, his arm circling her waist. “There are no words to let you know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for my grandmother. She has been a vital force in my life and continues to be. I don’t want to lose her.”
“I understand and I’ll do all I can to make sure that you don’t lose her.” Willow couldn’t stop the yawn that slipped out.
“You need to rest. You’ve done enough,” he said, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes that appeared to fight to remain open. “I will see you later.” He released her and stepped past her out the door.
Willow shook her head, fatigue fogging it, but recalling what she wanted to ask him. “What did you say to James?”
Slatter turned, a grin surfacing. “It’s not what I said but what your brother asked of me.”
“And what was that?”
“He asked if there was a strong possibility that you were with child.”
Shock turned her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
His grin grew. “I told him there was a very strong possibility.”
Willow’s response stole his grin. “Then you best get started to make it so.”
Chapter 14
Slatter stood, staring at the door his wife shut in his face, and mumbled several oaths. What game did she play with him? He shook his head. Willow didn’t play games.
He’s my husband and he’ll stay my husband.
Did she mean that? Or had she said it to protect him until they could absolve their marriage? What difference did it make? He couldn’t remain wed to her. Could he? He was better off asking… could he let her go?
He shook his head as he took the stairs down. It was as if she had become part of him and there was no existing without her.
He stopped abruptly on the stairs.
Damn, could it be possible? Did he even dare admit it? Had he actually fallen in love with her?
He smiled at the absurd yet truthful realization. What did he do now?
You better get busy making it so.
Was she inviting him to seal their vows, seal their fate?
Once he made love to her that would be it. He’d never let her go. Had she been telling him that it was her wish to remain his wife?
Still, there was much to be settled. How did he offer her any kind of life without laying the past to rest? And could he?
He shook his head, feeling at war with himself. Part of him told himself to let her go, he was no good for her, and the other part urged him to return to the bedchamber and plant his seed deep inside her, sealing them together forever.
He continued on to his grandmother, needing time to think and wishing she was lucid. She was a wise woman his grandmother and she had offered him endless advice through the years, that he had benefited from. He could use her wisdom now.
Eleanor left shortly after he entered the room. He moved the chair closer to the bed and took his grandmother’s hand in his. Her hand, while small, had always held such strength, felt fragile now and caused him to worry. But he trusted Willow. She knew about healing, though she didn’t consider herself a healer. In time she would realize her skills as her mother probably had recognized her latent talent and had taught her well.
“I need to talk, Seanmhair,” he said. “I need your wisdom.” He proceeded to tell her all and every now and then he could have sworn she had squeezed his hand, though it might have been that he had wanted to believe that she did.
Eleanor returned a couple of hours later. “It has been a tiresome journey for you and Willow. Go sleep. I will watch ov
er Sara for the night.”
He consented, though with guilt. He felt he should stay with his grandmother, but he wanted to be with his wife. Though, it might not be wise to join her in bed, especially a decent, comfortable bed, that accommodated more than one person.
After thanking Eleanor for her help, he rushed up the stairs and to the bedchamber he would share with Willow. He found her asleep in bed, lying on her side hugging her pillow.
He was relieved or so he told himself. He hadn’t wanted temptation poking at him and temptation was surely poking, though more like jabbing hard at him. A thought brought an image to mind of him sliding gently between his wife’s legs and burying his manhood deep inside her and leaving her… with child.
What was he thinking? He couldn’t do that. Not yet at least. He wouldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t let her wake one morning to find him gone.
He told himself not to remove his garments, not get in bed naked, but he paid no mind to his own warnings. Besides, she wore a nightdress, one he itched to remove, but warned himself against doing. He eased himself up against her, his arm going around her waist to draw her slowly back against him. She was toasty warm, her flowery scent ridiculously tempting, so much so that his manhood roused considerably.
He buried his face in her slightly damp hair and enjoyed its fresh scent. She smelled so good and felt so good that he could devour her, except… she snored lightly.
She was exhausted and he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her, even if his manhood urged otherwise.
He settled comfortably around her, thinking how easily he had grown accustomed to sleeping with her. He’d never felt that way about a woman. A woman had meant nothing more to him than a way to satisfy a need and a warm body to wrap himself around on a cold night.
With Willow, it was more than a need. It was a feeling of being content when he was with her, and suffering an empty ache when separated from her. And being wrapped around her warm body felt like a welcoming hug after being away from home.
Damn, he did love her, and he had no idea what he was going to do about it.
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