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“Aye, and it is the very reason Lord Slayer should see to the problem himself,” Leora insisted.

“You are angry and thinking only of yourself,” Elsie warned.

Leora went to argue again and stopped, realizing what her sister meant and grew annoyed at herself for not seeing it. “I could get to Sky and make sure she is safe.”

“And see if you can get Lord Slayer to send her home, here with those who love her,” Elsie said tearfully. “We both told her we would return for her, and we have failed her. Please, Leora, this is a chance for us to see that our sister is returned home, where she will be loved and kept safe.”

“You are right. We have failed Sky and I foolishly stand here thinking of myself while we do not truly know what Sky suffers. I will go with Noble not because he is my husband but to secure our sister’s safety and her return home.”

“And along the way see if this marriage may benefit you,” Elsie urged.

“And if it doesn’t benefit me?”

“We will find a way out of it for you that doesn’t involve poison,” Elsie said with a gentle smile.

Leora had brightened seeing her sister’s soft, teasing smile. She was glad to see how much Elsie had flourished since she had last seen her in Dundren Abbey. She had always known Elsie possessed a strength that she had yet to discover, and she was thrilled she had finally discovered it and that she had discovered love as well. She could leave Elsie without worry, knowing that she had a husband who loved her and would protect her with his life, but also that she had the strength and courage to protect herself if necessary.

Leora also recalled Cavell’s parting words to her.

“Noble is a good man and will make you a good husband if you are not too stubborn to let him.”

She was determined not stubborn, and it was born out necessity. Her da was a strong man, but her mum was stronger, and her strength was there for all to see if they but took notice. Her mum had seen that her husband never made an important decision without consulting her. And she had seen how her mum had helped settle disputes in the clan better than her da. When her mum had taken ill, she had asked Leora to be there for her da when needed. She had realized that her mum had asked her to take her place in guiding her da when necessary. She had not minded since helping her da make good decisions had come easily and after a while, he told her to do what she thought was best and she no longer consulted him on clan matters. She had enjoyed her leadership role in the clan and did not like the prospect of having to follow orders instead of issuing them.

How she would deal with her husband was a matter yet to be determined. What was more important to Leora was to get to her sister and see that she was safe and to make sure she got her returned home as soon as possible.

There was one fault she possessed that she had agreed with when her mum had told Leora that at times, she could be… impatient. She did her best to keep that in mind and not let it interfere when patience was called for. Right now, she worried that she would fail at being patient.

Her husband had yet to speak with her since leaving her home, and he had barely said a few words to her that had not been a command while at her home. He should at least have had the manners to properly introduce himself and discuss their marriage that she had not known about until recently. That he ignored her, riding just ahead of her and speaking with a warrior who she assumed was his second in command, annoyed her. Was that how he intended to treat her, as if she did not exist?

After they were a good distance from home, her patience worn far too thin to ignore it, she directed her horse to ride alongside her husband’s.

“Whatever it is you want will wait until we stop. Until then, you ride directly behind me,” Noble ordered.

“Nay, I will not,” she said and went right on speaking. “You barely spoke to me when at my home and you have spoken not a word to me since leaving there. You have yet to properly introduce yourself to me or discuss this marriage I have yet to accept. So, nay, I will not ride behind you or wait until we stop to speak with you.”

That his expression did not change surprised her. She thought he would at least turn a scowl on her, or she would see anger in his deep blue eyes. His expression did not change, which told her that he was secure in his command. Also being this close to him, she could not help but be struck by his handsome features. They could distract, if one let them, but she had no intention of being distracted even if she felt a strange tug to her stomach when looking at him which, of course, she blamed on her irritating husband.

“It is not a request, wife,” Noble said and turned to the man beside him. “You know what to do.” The man rode off, and Noble turned to speak to his wife. “While I need not offer you an explanation, I feel it is only fair I give you one for not paying mind to you since leaving your home. I am presently more concerned with your safety than introducing myself properly to you. Our marriage was conceived for your safety, and with Cavell having informed me that someone searches for a woman with your description and that one woman has already been killed because she bore your striking reddish blonde hair color, I am making plans to see that you are kept safe. Cavell may have minimized part of the threat by killing the man hired to see you dead, but there are others who will gladly take his place. So, wife, you can be reasonable and do as I command, or I can force you to do as I command.”

The man who had ridden beside Noble approached with two warriors and Leora had no doubt they were meant to flank her sides, forcing her to obey her husband’s orders and remain behind him.

“Do you always command with every word?” Leora asked, annoyed at seeing reason in his explanation.

“Aye, I do, and you would be wise to grow used to it.”

“I doubt that will happen, just as I doubt this marriage will be permanent, but I understand your reasoning and will do as you say… this time.”

Leora went to turn her horse around to resume following behind her husband when he grabbed the reins, halting her.

“Only death will end this marriage,” Noble warned and released the reins.

CHAPTER2

Noble glanced at his wife where she sat by the campfire. He had had little time for her today, his orders from Slayer having been urgent.

Get to Clan Skirling posthaste and settle the mess there.

He did not know what mess he would face but he was prepared for it. He had not been prepared for the kick to his senses when he met his wife for the first time. He had heard she was beautiful, but she was beyond beautiful, if that was possible. Her face was flawless, not a blemish on it, and while she wore her reddish blonde hair piled on the top of her head, more stands fell in waves around her face and neck than looked to be secured. But it was her bold green eyes and her infectious smile that captured a man’s attention and refused to let go. Her body held its own appeal, full and luscious with curves that ached to be stroked. One look and a man would believe her a perfect wife… until she opened her mouth.