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“I will not deny I am unsure of our marriage and whether I will embrace it or see it ended. Presently, I am more concerned with my sister Sky than my own problems. I promised her before I escaped from the abbey, as did Elsie, that I would return and free her and we would go home. Elsie and I both failed to free her. I cannot fail to see her returned home.”

“Lord Slayer commands with a heavy hand. It is the reason for his endless victories. I do not know if he will allow your sister to leave since I know he would feel it is his duty to protect his brother’s widow, but I believe there is a chance he will allow you to visit with her.”

Thrilled to hear such good news, she squeezed her husband’s arm. “That would be wonderful, and I would be forever grateful for your help.”

“I doubt that since now it is your memory that fails you, wife,” Noble warned. “As I have told you and will continue to remind you… we are wed. You are my wife and will remain my wife. We will have children, raise them to be fine men and women, and, Lord willing, we will grow old together. Nothing, absolutely nothing will change that.”

His voice held such strength that he sounded as if he commanded it, and a chill ran through Leora thinking he had just sealed her fate.

* * *

They stopped brieflyfor a rest and for the horses to water at a stream, then they were on their way again. With nightfall settling late this time of year they could travel longer than usual, and Leora sensed that her husband was eager to reach their destination.

Leora did not bother to argue with him when once again he hoisted her up onto his horse. It gave her time to speak with him and learn more about him and to find out where they would eventually settle if she decided to remain wed to him.

She wasted no time in asking him. “If I should decide to remain in this marriage, where would we call home?”

“Wherewewill residepermanentlywill be Lord Slayer’s decision,” he said, emphasizing that there was no debating the issue.

“Why his decision?” she asked, her brow scrunching in question, then suddenly shot wide along with her eyes. “He promised you a clan of your own if you would agree to wed me.” She nodded as if confirming it for herself. “Of course, he would. He had to make sure you would not refuse and what better way than to offer you your own clan.” Her eyes widened again. “Clan Skirling. He intends to give you Clan Skirling.”

The thought had crossed Noble’s mind. It wasn’t a large clan, but it bordered Clan Ravinsher, which meant Slayer would be well protected if Noble was made the clan’s chieftain. He had not received any word on such a proposal but knowing Slayer, he was probably waiting to see how Noble handled the situation at Clan Skirling.

“What of your own family clan?” Leora asked, growing more curious about her husband.

“I am the youngest of three brothers. There is no future at Clan McCalgan for me.”

Noble wondered if she purposely left her hand resting on his arm or if she had forgotten it was there. She had gripped his arm when he had adjusted her to sit comfortably against him after mounting the horse, as if worried she might fall. Not that he would let her. He had a good hold on her and he did not intend to let go of her, in more ways than one.

He liked that she did not think twice of touching him as if they were familiar with each other. He enjoyed the touch of a woman, and it was a good sign that she touched him without hesitation or question.

“You have three brothers?” she asked, her curiosity about him continuing to grow since he truly was a stranger to her.

“Aye. Blake is the oldest, Dugald follows, then Charles, and I am last. So, when Lord Slayer presented the offer of an arranged marriage with the benefit of leading my own clan, I accepted it without hesitation. I would be grateful for any clan Lord Slayer offers me, for leading my own clan was something I never thought possible.”

“And you cared not who it was you wed, it was the benefit of leading a clan that only mattered to you?” she asked, annoyed at the thought that the woman he wed had not mattered at all in his decision, but that was the way of arranged marriages so why should she care?

A smile tempted the corners of his mouth. “I told you I like a challenge. I knew I could tame any woman I wed to be a good wife.”

His smile broke wide seeing her green eyes blaze with fiery anger, and realized just what a stunning green color they were, and he felt a pull in his gut. He found his wife appealing and that was not a bad thing.

The fiery blaze remained in her eyes, but a smile broke out on her face. “We shall see who tames who first.”

Noble laughed, he couldn’t help it, and he hugged her waist with his arm. “You do know I am known as the fiercest Gallowglass warrior, don’t you?”

“You will get no advantage from me for your disadvantage,” she warned, annoyed at his confidence.

“Disadvantage?” he asked, his smile remaining.

“Aye, if you think this challenge has anything to do with fierceness then you may as well surrender now since you have already failed.”

His smile vanished and he yanked her tight against him and lowered his head until their noses almost touched. “I never fail, wife. It will go no other way but my way. But do feel free to challenge me. I thrive on challenges.”

She pressed the tip of her nose to his and said, “As I said when we met… there is always a first time.”

A shout from Finley ended their discussion and Leora watched him and another rider approach.

She was relieved by the interruption. His voice not only held the power of command, but his touch did as well. She felt it race through her and take hold as if taking possession of her, and she silently warned herself to be careful. Her husband was fiercer than she thought.