Wintra was stunned at how easily the lies spilled from Owen’s lips. What a fool she had been to believe anything this man had told her. And she was angry that these three men stood here discussing her fate as if she was nothing more than mere chattel to be bargained over.
“Please give me a chance to speak with Wintra alone,” Owen begged.
“No,” Torr said as if his word was final.
“You have no say in this,” Owen said with a self-satisfied smirk. “Cree decides his sister’s fate.”
“No one decides my fate but me,” Wintra snapped not able to listen to them discuss her as if she was not there. She took a step away from the three of them. “This is my life,” –she tapped her chest— “I will decide what I want.”
“Do not be foolish, my dear,” Owen said as if speaking to a child. “Men know what is best for women.”
A commotion at the door to the Great Hall prevented Wintra from spewing forth what she truly thought of Owen. Warriors hurried out of the way of a large warrior who appeared to be carrying the body of a limp woman in his arms.
Cree rushed forward to take the woman. He hugged her close, his eyes anxious with worry, though Wintra doubted many could tell just how very concerned he was. He concealed his feelings well, though not from her. She could tell how he felt with just one glance.
“What happened, Elwin?” Cree demanded.
“She was visiting with Lila and discovered your sister had arrived, and so she hurried through the village eager to meet Wintra. When her pace slowed, I realized something was wrong, and she turned to me, her face so pale, it frightened me. I caught her before she could hit the snowy ground.”
“Get Elsa,” Cree barked and Elwin jumped, turned, and hurried off.
Cree carried Dawn over to the large fireplace and sat on one of the benches closest to the fire. She was pale and so limp in his arms that he feared what may have happened to her and their babe. He ran a tender hand over her cheek as he whispered, “Return to me now, Dawn, before I lose my temper.”
Wintra watched, upset for her brother, for evidently it was Dawn, the woman he loved, who he held in his arms, and his obvious pain tore at her heart. She turned to Torr and was surprised to see how upset he was as well, then she realized that Dawn was his sister, so naturally he would be concerned for her. She wished she could help the two men she loved the most but felt helpless to do so. Then a sudden thought came to her. “The snow. Would it not help her?”
“Good idea,” Torr said and ordered a servant to hurry and get a bucket of snow.
Wintra noticed how everyone in the hall seemed concerned for the couple, their eyes steady upon them. All except Owen and his men, they huddled together whispering.
Wintra moved to stand where she could keep an eye on her brother as well as Owen.
Torr took the snow-filled bucket from the servant when she returned and knelt beside Dawn. “I used snow on your sister when she fainted and it helped.”
Cree nodded, though said, “Dawn fainted, no doubt due to our babe, but why did my sister faint?”
Torr rubbed snow over his sister’s face as he explained. “She took a tumble done a hill and rolled into a dead man.”
“We need to talk.”
“That we do,” Torr agreed.
Dawn began to stir just as warriors cleared a path to Dawn for a short, round woman.
“She fainted, Elsa, though she is coming around,” Cree said as the woman came to a stop behind Torr.
Elsa placed her hand on Torr’s shoulder. “Keep rubbing her face with snow.” She then reached into the pouch that hung from a knotted belt at her full waist. She pulled out a couple of sprigs of dried leaves and waved them beneath Dawn’s nose.
Wintra stepped closer, curious as to what plant she had used. A hand tightened so hard around her arm that she winced with pain.
“A moment to speak with you,” Owen whispered in her ear, pinching her arm harder and forcing her to take a step back. “I would not refuse my request or you will take a chance of seeing those you love suffer.”
While fear prickled her skin, Wintra felt a modicum of safety here in the Great Hall with everyone around, especially Torr and her brother. And besides, she wanted to let Owen know what she truly thought of him, so she stepped back away with him behind the dais.
“I have plans, Wintra, and I am not going to let you upset them. You will tell your brother that you wish to wed me or as I have said those you love will suffer greatly.”
She grew annoyed that he did not let go of her arm, but it did not prevent her from speaking her mind. “At one time, your idle threats would have frightened me, but no more. I see you for who you truly are, a deceitful, manipulative bastard. Now let go of my arm before I scream and bring my brother’s wrath down upon you.”
Owen leaned close and whispered, “I’ll tame that mouth of yours once we are wed.”
“Get your hands off her before I do everyone a favor and slit your throat.”
Wintra and Owen turned to see a furious Torr standing on the other side of the dais.
“I am talking to the woman I love and will wed,” Owen said continuing to carry on the ridiculous charade.
“I think not,” Torr slammed his hands so hard on the table that everything on it rattled and a tankard toppled over, ale spilling out.
That brought several of Cree’s warriors running over to stand behind him.
Owen wisely released Wintra, and she walked around the dais to Torr.
“What goes on here?” Cree demanded his warriors parting to clear a path for him.
“A few loving words with my intended,” Owen said stepping around the dais.
Wintra spoke up before anyone else could. “You are not my intended. I have no intentions of marrying you. I do not love you. I have never loved you. You are a deceitful and horrible man. And if you ever threaten to do harm to those I love again, I will kill you myself.”
Cree turned a murderous glare on Owen.
Owen was quick to say, “Wintra, I would never harm anyone you love.”
“You are calling me a liar?” Wintra challenged.
“No, I think that this man,” —Owen pointed to Torr—“has manipulated you into believing things about me that are not true, and it has left you confused. I love you and when we wed I will do my best to make you happy.”
“You are a fool if you believe you will wed Wintra,” Torr said.
“This is no concern of yours and you have caused enough damage already. Stay out of it,” Owen hissed.
Cree took a quick step forward, causing Owen to take several hasty and clumsy steps back. It was clear that Cree frightened the man, and he should be frightened. Cree could be cruel in his punishments and oddly enough fair, since any punishment he decreed was well-deserving of the deed.
“My sister does not lie,” Cree said adamantly.
Wintra smiled. He believed her, but then they had struck a bargain when they were young and he had caught her in a lie. He had told her that they must promise to always be truthful with each other, for only then could they trust each other. So no matter what, they must never lie to each other. She had kept her word and never spoke another lie to him, and so had he.
“I am sure she doesn’t,” Owen assured him. “She is upset and under another’s influence. I understand and I can help free her. All you need to do is give her to me in marriage.”
“No!” Torr said with such command that all eyes turned to him.
Owen sent Torr a murderous glare while he asked Cree, “Will you please inform this cretin that this does not concern him?”
Cree turned to Torr, and they stared at each other for several moments. To Wintra, it appeared as if either permission was sought or an agreement met, and for some unknown reason their silent exchange sent a chill through her.
Cree looked at Owen. “It does concern him.”
“And why would that be?” Owen asked annoyed.
Torr turned to Owen. “Wintra is my wif
e.”
Chapter Fourteen
“How can that be?” Owen roared.
Yes, how can that be? Wintra thought as she listened to Owen continue to claim that it was impossible and Torr as well as Cree assuring him that it wasn’t. She took a step back away from them, watching and listening as the scene unfolded as if she was stuck in a dream—no a nightmare—she could not wake from. Torr had known this all along and had never told her that he already was her husband.
“What do you mean the king decreed it?” Owen demanded. “Why would he do that? You are lying to me.”
“The why of it does not concern you,” Cree said in a warning tone. “It is done and cannot be undone.”
Her brother’s words resonated in her head. Cannot be undone. She was wed to Torr whether she wanted to be or not. She had no choice in the matter. He was her husband and would remain so.
She took a sharp step back as the three men continued to argue. Torr shot her a glance and it upset her even more that she had no idea what he was trying to relay to her. She had thought she knew this man, but did she? Was he an honorable man as he had claimed and as she had assumed after spending time with him? But if he was honorable wouldn’t he have told her the truth?
Her heart ached horribly. This man she trusted and loved—loved? Did he truly love her or had he made that claim knowing he had no choice? He was as stuck in this marriage as she was. So did he love her out of duty? Each thought made her heart ache more and more.
Owen continued to argue and press for proof of the King’s decree, and suddenly Wintra wanted to be anyplace but here. She wished she could suddenly vanish and be alone with her thoughts.
A hand sliding in to hers startled her, and she turned. A woman, taller than her by several inches stood beside her. She had plain, though lovely features and dark, straight red hair that hung past her shoulder.
She smiled at Wintra and gave a nod as if to follow her.
Wintra realized than that it was Dawn, and she immediately asked, “Are you feeling well?”
Dawn nodded and tugged her hand.
Wintra did not hesitate, she went along with Dawn. No one seemed to pay them mind since the argument had grown heated, and Cree’s warriors had maneuvered past them to surround him and Torr while several of Owen’s warriors hurried into the Great Hall to do the same for Owen.
Wintra was relieved that they left unnoticed, Torr most likely expecting her to stay put until he finished, and then offer her an explanation. Or would he? Would he and Cree expect her to simply accept what the King had decreed? She almost laughed aloud, for again she realized she had no choice. The decision had been made.
They reached the bottom of the keep steps and Dawn hurried her around the side of the keep to a cottage. A woman, stooped from age and with an abundance of wrinkles to prove it, stood in front of the cottage door.
“I had the feeling you needed me?” the old woman said to Dawn.
Dawn nodded and pointed to her lips, and then to Wintra.
She nodded to Dawn and turned to Wintra. “You must be Wintra, Cree’s sister. I’m called Old Mary and Dawn would like me to interpret as she speaks.”
Wintra nodded, still feeling as if she was dreaming, though now she did not feel so much in a nightmare.
They entered the cottage, a blast of warmth hitting them.
Dawn turned to Wintra and smiled, then patted her own chest before reaching out and patting Wintra’s.
“Dawn is very happy to meet you.” Old Mary continued interpreting as Dawn continued motioning. “She is happy to have you as a sister and is thrilled that you are here at last. Please sit while she makes a hot brew and she will talk with you.”
“Thank you for your kind welcome,” Wintra said. “My homecoming is not what I expected, but I am so pleased to meet you.”
Dawn smiled and motioned her to take a seat, and Wintra did.
Wintra watched Dawn bustle around the room as if it was familiar to her and perhaps the look on Wintra’s face betrayed her thoughts since Old Mary addressed her silent musing.
“Dawn lived here for a while. The sleeping quarters are beyond that curtain,” Old Mary said with a nod in that direction.
Dawn stopped, gestured, and Old Mary nodded. “She says that there are clothes in the chest at the foot of the bed, yours to use if you would like.”
“Thank you and thank you for bringing me here. It is a welcoming and comfortable cottage,” Wintra said, wishing she could reside here away from everyone. She was used to solitude, had learned a great deal about it while at the abbey, though it had been a forced lesson. She had even come to enjoy it at times. So it would be no hardship to have this lovely place all to herself.
“May I help with something?” Wintra offered. “After all you did faint and probably should be resting.”
“You fainted?” Old Mary said with a chuckle that surprised Wintra, though her next words explained her reaction. “How did the mighty Cree take it? Bet he was mad as hell that he couldn’t do anything about it. He probably threatened you to wake. And no doubt he would rain hell down on heaven itself if you hadn’t.” She chuckled again and looked to Wintra. “That brother of yours loves Dawn to death. And I do not know how he will ever survive her birthing his babe.”
Wintra stared wide-eyed at Dawn. “You carry my brother’s child?”
Dawn eyes widened with alarm and her hands started gesturing.
Old Mary reached out, laying her hands over Dawn’s. “Dawn is upset that you should find out this way, but it is my fault for not considering that you might not know yet.”
“No, it’s all right. It’s just—” she couldn’t seem to finish. It was as if the words stuck in her throat.
Dawn could see the hurt in Wintra’s eyes and her heart went out to her. She rested her hand over Wintra’s and with her other hand tapped her chest and pointed to her.
“Dawn’s urging you to tell her what is troubling you,” Old Mary said with empathy in her aged-eyes.
The constriction in her throat dissipated with the two women’s heartfelt compassion and she found herself eagerly sharing her concern. “I have a husband I did not know I had, and I now learn I am to be an aunt and strangers knew all this before I did.”
“What do you mean you have a husband you didn’t know you had?” Old Mary asked while Dawn patted her chest and shook her head.
Wintra looked from one to the other. “Neither one of you knew that I am Torr’s wife?”
They both shook their heads.
“No one has heard such news,” Old Mary assured her, “for if they did I would have known about it. Nothing gets passed me in this village.”
Dawn nodded, agreeing with the old woman.
“I heard them say that the King decreed it. What I do not understand is why the King would do such a thing. Is my brother beholding to him for something?
Dawn began gesturing and Old Mary interpreted. “Torr probably knows why and will explain it to you. He is a good man, not because he is my brother, but because he has proven himself to be. He will make a good husband.”
“Because he has to,” Wintra said sadly. She was not ready to share the fact that she had fallen in love with him or he with her. Or had he? No doubt she would continue to debate that question over and over since it continued to torment her. And hearing he was a good man and knowing it for herself only proved that he would do his duty and wed her whether he loved her or not.
The door burst open then, startling the women, and the whoosh of cold wind sent the fire’s flames dancing wildly. Cree ducked his head to enter, the width of his shoulders filling the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded and walked over to Dawn, his arm going gently around her waist and lifting her off the chair to rest against him. “You should be in our bedchamber resting.”
Wintra watched as Dawn’s hands spoke for her and was surprised when Cree answered her as if she had spoken aloud.
“I understand you wanted to meet
my sister and that you feel you are fine, but you fainted—”
Dawn’s hand started moving again.
“Presently we are talking about you, not my sister and Torr. I will address that issue when I finish with you,” Cree said.
Wintra did not need anyone to interpret Dawn’s response, her gesture was obvious when she crossed her arms over her chest and folded her lips tightly in her mouth.
Cree planted his face in front of Dawn’s until their noses almost touched. “We are not finished until I say we are finished.”
Wintra shivered, recalling that tone of voice. When she was young, it was that tone that had warned her to push no further, obey him or else. She had never bothered or had the courage to find out what else meant. So she was surprised when Dawn dropped her arms and started gesturing, not showing a bit of fear for Cree’s tone.
“It is not your brother’s place to explain to Wintra; it is mine.”
Wintra turned to see Torr standing in front of the closed door. He seemed bigger, broader, taller to her, and his scar more dominate on his handsome face. Had she not bothered to truly see him? Was this man—her husband—standing only a few feet from her the man she had thought he was, or was he a stranger?
He took a cautious step toward her.
She slid off the chair and hurried around to the other side of the table.
He did not like that she was using the table as if it was a shield keeping him at bay. Nothing would stop him from reaching her, certainly not a puny table.
“I want my brother to explain,” Wintra insisted.
“No,” Torr commanded. “Everyone will take their leave now. It is time you and I talked.”
Old Mary hurriedly left the cottage as Cree turned to Torr and said. “I will talk with my sister.”
“Tomorrow,” Torr said with a warning glint in his eyes.
Cree looked ready to argue when Dawn took his hand and tugged at it.
Highlander's Captive (Highlander Trilogy) Page 13