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A man waited on the steps of an unimpressive keep and with the small size of the village itself, Shade wondered what the significance was for Lord Torrance to lay claim to Clan MacLeish.

“Stay beside you.” Shade spoke his demand before her husband could after he lifted her off the horse.

“You learn fast to obey without a word spoken,” he whispered.

Shade spoke with a whisper as well and a soft smile. “It’s not that I obey. It is that I know my husband well.”

“I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing,” Quint said teasingly, pleased to share a moment of humor with his wife.

“Shade!” a tall, lean man called out and hurried down the stairs.

“Nug,” Shade shouted and stepped forward, Quint stopping her. “I know Nug. I met him and a few others from the clan when Ula wed Caleb at her parents’ croft.”

Quint let her go but followed alongside her.

“You received Ula’s message,” Nug said anxiously when he reached her. “We prayed that you would and that you would find a way to get here. I wish I could have sent warriors to escort you here, but it would have been too dangerous for you with Lord Torrance still hunting MacLeish warriors.”

“I understand, Nug, but not to worry, my husband, Quint,” she said, turning to him, “made sure I arrived here safely.”

Shade made no mention of her husband being the infamous Monk. They both agreed it would be safer that way with someone hunting him.

“You’re wed. How wonderful. Congratulations,” Nug said. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Quint.”

Nug extended his hand and Quint gripped forearms with him. He was impressed with the man’s strength even though he wore a dried bloody bandage on his arm, and his face bore several bruises and abrasions, he stood tall though the slight slump of his shoulders betrayed his exhaustion.

“You must be in need of drink and food,” Nug said. “Thanks to Chieftain Ryland’s wise planning we have plenty of both forthe winter ahead, though if Lord Torrance raids our stock the winter will be bleak.”

“My wife will want to tend to your chieftain first,” Quint said.

Shade turned a raised brow on her husband.

“That would be much appreciated, Shade,” Nug said, and signaled to a lad standing nearby. “William will care for your horse. Please follow me. I will take you to the chieftain. Ula is with him while our healer Ena does what she can for the wounded.”

Quint’s arm went around his wife’s waist to help her up the stairs, so he would be close enough to whisper, “I know my wife well enough to know she would see to the care of others before herself.”

It touched Shade’s heart to hear him say that and she held tight to his words, knowing this would not be an easy day.

Quint entered the bedchamber close behind his wife and almost pulled her out, the stench so overwhelmed. He shouldn’t have been surprised to see his wife barely react to the foul odor, her nose wrinkling briefly. She had experience dealing with the odors of the ill.

The room was far too dark, the hearth’s glow the only light, leaving the lone woman sitting beside the bed bent over as if in prayer appearing a mere shadow.

“Ula?” Shade called out gently.

The young woman sprang up and her eyes rounded at the sight of Shade, and she rushed to her. Shade spread her arms in welcome. They hugged each other tight, Ula sobbing.

“Everything will be all right, Ula, I’m here now. I will help you,” Shade assured her, her heart heavy for her friend. She wanted to ask about Caleb but with her friend’s heavy sobs she feared she had her answer.

“I knew you would come. I knew nothing would stop you from helping me.”

“Not even a marriage,” Nug said.

“Marriage?” Ula asked, stepping away from Shade. “You are wed?”

“Aye, I am.” She turned with a smile. “Quint, my husband.”

“I am thrilled for you, Shade, and so happy you have found someone,” Ula said, and she looked at Quint. “You will be good to my friend.”

It was more an ultimatum than a question and Quint admired the young, slim woman who looked about to collapse from exhaustion for bravely looking out for her friend.