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  “It is something I should have considered when Galvin had first approached you with such an arrangement. His reasons for wanting me to wed her were purely selfish, and my reasons for not wedding her were purely selfish. Neither her father nor I considered Purity, nor her safety or well-being, and that I regret.” Arran shook his head. “I remember him telling me to wed her, get her with child, then go and enjoy myself with other women.” He didn’t tell his da or Royden how Purity had asked him, though thinking back it was more like she had begged him to wed her, fearful of who her da might wed her to, and he had turned her down. He had never given her plight thought. He had been as selfish as her father.

  “You had no wont to wed,” his da said.

  “I had no wont of responsibility.” Arran nodded at Royden. “That was for him.”

  “You trained the men to fight,” Royden reminded.

  “Not well enough,” Arran argued.

  “We were outnumbered that day. No matter how good our men, they were too many to fight against,” Royden said.

  “We should have been better prepared,” Arran continued to argue.

  “It is over and done,” Parlan said. “Reliving the past will do us no good, learning from it will.”

  “Da is right,” Royden said. “We won’t take warnings so lightly or be caught unaware again.”

  Their discussion turned to plans for the future, especially since they would be dealing with Northmen, and what would be best for them all.

  Parlan finally said, “It grows late and you must be tired, Arran. We have time to talk more tomorrow and in the days to come.”

  “Something, among many things, to be grateful for,” Royden said.

  Arran rolled his neck back and forth as he walked through the keep to the stairs, stopping when he saw Bethany. She was more than the cook. She’d been like a mother to him, Royden, and especially Raven, their mum having died giving birth to her.

  “It is good to finally have you home, Arran,” Bethany said with a welcoming smile and tears pooling in her aging eyes.

  Arran was glad to see she hadn’t changed much. Her hair was no grayer than the last time he’d seen her and she was as slim as she’d always been, and her smile as warm and loving as always. He was truly glad to see her and the thought surprised him.

  “I’m glad to be home, Bethany, and glad to see you are as beautiful as ever.”

  “There you go charming with that sweet-talking tongue of yours,” she said with a chuckle. “I sure have missed it.”

  He was too stunned to respond. The words had slipped out of his mouth with familiar ease. And why not? He’d often told her she was beautiful and she was. Of course, it hadn’t hurt to tell her when he would try to get extra sweets out of her, which he’d done often.

  “I’ll have the tub filled for you to take a good hot soak. Your wife couldn’t keep her eyes open after she finished her bath and is sound asleep.”

  “Forget my bath, I don’t wish to disturb her,” Arran ordered.

  “You won’t. Oria had already thought about that. The bath is in your old room and your wife sleeps in Royden’s old room. Oria and Royden occupy the master bedchamber and your da and Wren chose to settle in a cottage nearby,” Bethany explained. “I also left you some sweet cakes to enjoy.”

  “You have my heart, Bethany,” he said, another familiar response he had often given her slipping easily past his lips. The only thing missing was the smile that had always gone along with his words.

  Bethany chuckled. “Go on with you and enjoy your bath.”

  Arran shook his head as he entered his old bedchamber. It was as he remembered it and it stirred no feelings in him. He was quick to undress once the tub was full and just as quick to wash, dismissing the servants who’d stayed to help him. He wanted no one seeing the scars on his back and gossiping about them. He was eager to get to his wife and see that she slept safe and sound, though as he thought on it, his hand slowed at his task.

  It would do him no good to climb into bed with her, just giving it thought stirred his loins, and he refused to disturb her much needed sleep. He had told her not to wait for him. There was time enough for them to consummate their vows. Why then was he so eager to see it done sooner rather than later?

  He rested his head back on the rim of the tub and was woken by a servant, how long after he didn’t know but if the cold water was any indication it had to have been some time. He ordered the servants away. The tub could wait till morning. As soon as they left, he dried off and got beneath the covers of his old bed. There was no sense tempting himself, since the thought of his wife in bed where he was to join her continued to stir his loins, but not enough to keep him from falling asleep.

  Arran woke early the next morning, stretching himself awake, and hurrying out of bed. He donned a tan shirt and plaid, and boots that had been left there for him, and went to fetch his wife. He was eager to see her and share the morning meal together.

  He knocked before entering, not wanting to startle her, only to find the room empty.

  Chapter 12

  Arran hurried to the Great Hall, ensuring himself that he’d find his wife there. When he didn’t, and he saw that the keep itself was just stirring to life, he began to worry. He asked servant after servant, but none had seen Purity.

  Quick strides took him to his brother as soon as Royden entered the Great Hall. “Have you seen Purity?”

  “No,” Royden said. “She must move gently if she left your bedchamber without waking you.”

  “I stayed in my old bedchamber last night,” Arran admitted. “She was exhausted and I didn’t want to disturb her.”

  A scrunch of Royden’s brow told Arran that he had a question on his mind and Arran knew what it was. He wondered if their wedding vows had been properly sealed.

  “Don’t ask,” Arran warned before his brother could voice his thought.

  Royden obliged with a nod, then asked, “Have you seen the dog and cat that seem to go everywhere with her?”

  He’d been so concerned with not finding Purity that he hadn’t even given thought to the animals. They were missing as well, which at least meant his wife had some protection.

  “No, I haven’t seen them either,” Arran said.

  “Something wrong?” Parlan asked when he entered the room and saw the worry on Arran’s face.

  “I can’t find Purity.” His own words were like a punch to his gut.

  “What do you mean you can’t find Purity?” Oria asked, her hand rushing to her stomach as she anxiously hurried her steps to the men.

  Royden hastily slipped his arm around his wife. “Do not worry yourself. Purity probably took the animals for an early walk through the village.”

  “Did you see her on your walk?” Oria asked.

  Royden hated to admit that he didn’t. “No, I didn’t see her or the animals.”

  “Where’s, Wren, get her, she will know where Purity is,” Oria demanded. “And what of Quiver, perhaps she went somewhere with him.”

  Arran was annoyed that he hadn’t thought of that as well. “Da, get Wren. I’ll find Quiver.

  His da hurried off.

  “I’ll show you where Quiver is staying,” Oria offered and Royden was quick to go along with his wife.

  Quiver wasn’t at his cottage and that gave Arran hope that he was with Purity.

  “There he is,” Royden said, spotting Quiver talking with Wilfred, the arrow maker.

  Arran rushed over to him. “Have you seen Purity?”

  Quiver continued shaking his head as he spoke. “No, sir, I haven’t seen her since yesterday.” He paled. “Is Purity missing?”

  Arran didn’t answer. He turned away from the man, running his hand over his short, cropped hair. She couldn’t be missing. He didn’t get her home safely just to have something happen to her here in his own home.

  His da rushed toward him with Wren in tow.

  “Tell me you know where she is,” Arran demanded, though it sounded more li
ke he begged.

  “I’m sorry, Arran, I don’t know. I see or sense nothing,” Wren said, holding tight to Parlan’s hand.

  “If you see nothing, what does that mean?” Arran demanded once again.

  “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything,” Wren said.

  “She could be dead, that’s why you see nothing,” Arran said, anger warring with his worry.

  “Or it could mean all is fine and she goes about whatever she is doing,” Wren explained, her grip on Parlan growing stronger.

  “Easy, son,” Parlan said calmly. “Wren is doing all she can to help.”

  Arran wanted to roar in frustration, not having felt this helpless since his capture.

  “The woods,” Oria said. “Purity had a favorite spot where she sought solace.”

  “Take me there,” Arran demanded, thinking if she had dared ventured into the woods alone he’d… he shut his eyes briefly and prayed he’d find her there.

  Royden kept hold of his wife’s hand as he hurried along with her.

  Parlan and Wren followed as did Quiver.

  “It’s a spot where Raven and Purity would meet and I joined them a few times,” Oria said as she hurried along. She took the lead when they reached the area by the table and benches under the oak tree. “It’s not that far into the woods from here.”

  They all stopped suddenly when they heard the bark of a dog and in the next second Purity appeared a few feet from the edge of the woods. When she spotted them, she waved and smiled.

  Arran rushed forward and grabbed her by the arm, practically dragging her the rest of the way out of the woods, the look on his face one of pure rage. King was quick to swipe at his ankles once out of the woods while screeching at him and Princess barked furiously at him.

  “It’s all right. It’s all right,” Purity warned the animals. “He means me no harm.”

  “MEAN YOU NO HARM?” he shouted at her, his face nearly plastered against hers. “I should strangle you for going off without telling me.” He shook her and King took another swipe at his ankles, the cat’s claws ripping at his boots.

  Quiver bravely snatched King up in his arms, receiving several scratches, and Princess followed the trembling man at his urging. He tried to reassure the animals, repeating what Purity had said, that Arran meant her no harm. At least he hoped the furious man didn’t.

  “YOU WILL NEVER EVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT TELLING ME!” he ordered, his voice so strong that it shook the brightly colored autumn leaves loose from their tenuous hold on the branches and they began to fall. He shook her again. “NEVER, EVER, WILL YOU DO SOMETHING SO FOOLISH AGAIN!” he warned. “YOU WILL OBEY ME, ALWAYS!”

  Royden went to step forward worried what his brother might do to Purity, his anger out of control.

  Oria grabbed his arm, shook her head, and whispered, “Let them be.”

  Royden reluctantly remained with his wife.

  Purity managed to raise her hand and rest it against her husband’s cheek, his anger not worrying her as much as the fear she saw in his dark eyes. She knew in her heart he would never hurt her. He couldn’t, not after suffering so much hurt himself.

  “You’re right, husband, and I am sorry for causing you concern. It was foolish of me and I give you my word I will never do it again,” she said and sealed her promise with a brief kiss.

  The anger, worry, frustration, fear, melted away and Arran wrapped her in a tight hug, relieved when he felt her arms close around him.

  “I thought I’d lost you, wife,” he whispered, his heart pounding against his chest. “I cannot lose you.”

  Purity felt tears prick at her eyes. His words were the closest he had ever come to telling her he loved her and hoped soared in her heart. “I truly am sorry. I never meant to worry you,” she whispered. “I love you, husband.”

  He hugged her tighter, her words of love calming his heart.

  Princess’s bark drew them apart and they looked to see everyone staring at them.

  “I should have known from the first where you went,” Oria said, breaking the silence.

  Purity’s smile eased the tension. “It has been so long since I’ve been there and King and Princess were eager to be out of the bedchamber.” She quickly looked to her husband. “I should have woken you. I’m sorry.”

  “I think we can all use food and a drink this morning,” Oria said. “Come, and let’s share the morning meal together.” Oria stopped Quiver when he turned to walk away. “That includes you, Quiver.”

  The thin man looked surprised as he quickly joined them.

  They all turned and walked to the keep, Oria waiting a moment until the others were a distance away and looked to Arran and Purity. “Take your time to join us.”

  Arran looked to Royden. “You have a wise wife.”

  Royden nodded. “So do you.”

  As soon as Royden and Oria walked off, Arran turned and took his wife’s face in his hands and kissed her. It was a demanding, possessive kiss, letting her know… “I won’t lose you. You’re mine now,” he whispered after resting his brow to hers.

  Her heart filled with joy, since once again Purity felt that he expressed his love for her the only way he could—for now.

  “And you’re mine and I won’t lose you either,” she whispered. “And again, I am sorry.”

  He raised his brow off hers, shaking his head. “I should have realized you went into the woods—the one place you feel at home.”

  “I woke and you weren’t there so—”

  “I’ll be there when you wake from this day on,” he said, realizing he had failed to be there for her when in need.

  “Only if you truly want to be, Arran,” she said and smiled when her stomach grumbled. “I was up early and saw King and Princess fed, but waited to share the meal with you.”

  An apology wavered on his lips for how he had treated her, but for some reason would go no further. While captive, he had learned that to apologize was a sign of weakness and learned never to offer one. It was far too ingrained in him to do so now, even if she deserved one.

  He took her hand. “Come then and let us eat.”

  “Were you told as I was that my father is away for at least a week?” Purity asked as they walked toward the keep.

  “I was told and from the smile on your face I would say that it pleases you as much as it did me.”

  “It does. I’m glad we can spend more time here before we have to go to my home,” she said, hugging his arm while leaning her head against it.

  He enjoyed how easily she touched him and comfortably leaned against him. It was an intimacy he had never experienced before. He had shared many a quick poke, but never had he shared a comfortable intimacy with a woman as he did now with his wife.

  “I thought I’d spend some time with Oria today. It has been so long since we’ve had a chance to talk,” Purity said as they neared the keep.

  A surge of annoyance hit him and he had to tamp it down. Was he actually jealous that his wife would spend time with someone else? That was nonsense. He was simply worried as to her whereabouts.

  “You will stay in the keep?” he asked, though it sounded more like a command.

  She leaned her head back. “The gathering clouds and the heavy chill in the air would advise so.”

  He hadn’t even noticed the clouds or the chill. He’d been too concerned about finding her, but she was right. The day did not appear promising and there was a scent of rain yet come.

  “Where in the keep will you be?” he asked.

  “Probably, Oria’s solar, and I imagine you will be spending time with your father and brother in Royden’s solar,” she said, turning a pleasant smile on him.

  He couldn’t get over the difference in her when she smiled. Was that why he had never noticed her before? Surely, he would have spotted her beauty if she had smiled. He couldn’t shed the thought as they entered the keep. Why? Why had he failed to see her beauty before now?

  Purity sat with her mouth agape and her
eyes spread wide after Oria finished telling her how Wolf, the Northman and leader of the mercenaries, the man responsible for all that had happened to the Clan MacKinnon and other clans was her brother and went on to explain how their sister, Demelza and her husband Trevor have laid claim to Oria’s home, the Clan MacGlennen.

  “It is a tale I found difficult if not impossible to believe. I met my true parents but I’ve yet to think of them as such. My memories of the parents who raised me are too strong and loving to think that anyone else could be my parents.” Oria wiped at the tears in her eyes.

  “This upsets you. You don’t need to tell me this,” Purity urged, herself upset at seeing her friend in tears.

  Oria smiled. “It is good to have a friend to discuss this with.”

  “I can’t imagine how it must have felt to learn the news and know your brother was responsible for all the heartache we have all suffered. If it were me, I don’t know if I could forgive him.”

  “Either do I. I struggle with it every day. At first my brother hadn’t known I was here, though when he found out he didn’t alter his plan. He made other plans he thought best for me and that’s difficult for me to accept,” Oria said, wiping away tears again. “Enough about that, though I would like you to meet my sister Demelza. I know you will like her. She is petite but so strong, standing up to her powerful husband, and she gave birth to the most adorable son, Aric, a few months ago.” Oria smiled through her tears. “No doubt soon you will be with child and we will all raise our bairns together.”

  Purity’s hand went to her flat stomach. “I always feared who my father would force me to wed. I prayed that Arran would agree to marry me when my father presented the offer to Arran’s father. I wasn’t surprised when Parlan turned my father down.” She shook her head. “And I’m shocked that he’s now my husband.”

  “Are you just as surprised to discover you love him?” Oria asked.

  Purity laughed. “I discovered that a long time ago. I think it was his kindness that had me fall in love with him.”

  “You would not think him kind today when he yelled at you, though I must say you handled it well, understood him even better.”