“A reasonable request, as long as it is reciprocated,” the man said.
Colin nodded, intending that he receive his answer first.
“I am called Rath. And you?”
“I am Colin and this is—”
Rath finished when Colin looked to Eric. “The Irish Devil himself.”
Eric demonstrated not an ounce of surprise, though he asked, “You know me and yet you attack my camp. Not a wise move.”
Rath smiled as if he knew better. “It is common knowledge how much you favor your wife. I knew you would do nothing to jeopardize her safety.”
Faith attempted to step forward and protest, feeling she had made this trip difficult for her husband. His large body blocked her attempts and no amount of shoving would budge him from his protective stance.
Rath looked back at Colin. “And the lad… who is he to you?”
“The lad,” Colin said with the annoyance of a frustrated man, “is a lass, and she is my wife.”
Hope glared at him and was about to protest his lie when he turned a chilling stare on her that warned of his mounting wrath and the dire consequences if she should choose to disagree with him.
Colin continued. “She is a temperamental woman who has yet to learn her place and duties, though I intend to teach her well to obey me.”
That brought a laugh from Rath. “I have known the lad but a few hours and I would say that you have taken on more of a chore than you realize.”
Laughter circled the camp not only from the band of thieves but from Eric’s men as well. Though strangers, they all seemed to be in agreement.
When the laughter subsided Rath asked, “Tell me, Colin, how much is your wife worth to you?”
Colin laughed when he answered, “Not much.”
Hope grew furious but felt disappointed. Naturally, she wished to hear that she meant the world to him and that no monetary value could be placed on his feelings for her. Her anger made her react and she pulled to free herself.
Colin only tightened his grip on her and whispered harshly, “Stay as you are.”
Reluctantly she obeyed, seeing that she had no other choice.
Rath grinned and shook his head. “Come now, Colin, she must be worth something… even a small purse. She does, after all, possess a courage and strength not found in many women.”
Colin realized that the thief wished to barter and that the man fully understood the value of the possession he bartered over. “And what do you think her worth?”
“A heavy purse, for sure,” Rath said with confidence.
Colin had to keep up a pretense that he thought her worthless when her worth, to him, was priceless. “A weighty purse?” He shook his head. “I think not.”
The two men seemed to take joy in their bartering, as did the others in camp. In the end when all was settled it was a heavy purse that Colin agreed to.
“Now for delivery of my reward for seeing to your wife’s safe return,” Rath said, finishing negotiations. “The two women will remain behind in my protection while the rest of you see to collecting my coins and returning them to me.”
The Devil’s voice boomed in the darkness. “Absolutely not.”
A few men shivered; Rath merely stood his ground. “I am afraid I must insist, my lord, but fear not—your wife will be safe in my protection.”
“My wife will remain protected for she will remain by my side, and I am sure Colin feels the same about his wife,” Eric said emphatically.
Colin agreed with the Devil. “Aye, that I do. Hope will not leave my side.” It was then he finally released her and gently pushed her to stand behind him.
“I can understand your misgivings,” Rath said, “but it is the payment of coins that I am concerned with. Your wives will remain with me until the payment is received. If you wish to join them so be it, but then make arrangements for the payment so that your stay with me is a short one.”
Eric spoke up. “I will arrange for my men to return for the coins and instruct them as to where payment will be made.”
Rath seemed satisfied. “An acceptable arrangement. We will finalize the plans this evening. Until then we all might as well make ourselves comfortable for the night.” He looked to the Devil. “I think your wife has been on her feet long enough. She must be tired.”
Eric was impressed that the man actually showed sympathy for his wife and was curious that a common thief cared. But then the man looked anything but common.
Colin seemed to agree, for he exchanged knowing glances with the Devil, understanding full well that they both intended to keep a watchful eye on the man.
Faith gratefully settled on a bed of blankets her husband had arranged and used his wide chest as a comforting pillow for her aching back. Rook and Lady sat by her side, both dogs snuggling together to drift off into a much-needed sleep.
Hope was made to join Colin on the spread of blankets on the ground not far from the fire’s warmth. She sat straight and stiff beside a prone Colin, his arms cushioning his head.
He said but one word to her. “Why?”
She feigned confusion.
“Do not play ignorant with me. You know full well what I ask.”
Hope spoke low, her reasoning for his ears alone. “I did not feel our union a valid one.”
Again he asked, “Why?” His eyes settled on her lips and he wondered why they suddenly seemed so inviting; but then he remembered how they tasted and ironically he missed their robust flavor.
She sensed his attention was elsewhere, especially when his glance rested on her lips. She attempted to keep the question focused. “You do not wish to wed me.
He turned to his side, his head braced in his hand. “I agreed to wed you.”
“Agree and wish are vastly different.”
“So for this difference you ran away?”
Hope stared at him. “Of course, and given that you do not understand my reasoning, it was a wise decision for me to run away.”
“A foolish decision,” he corrected firmly. “You will be my wife soon, that I promise you, but for now everyone will think you my wife.” He avoided her protest by continuing on. “You will behave accordingly, follow my dictate and perform your wifely duties without question.”
Hope eyed him critically. “You think this to be so?”
He sat up and brought his face to within inches of hers’. “I know it to be so. Defy me and suffer the consequences.”
“A threat?”
His charming smile irritated her. “A promise.”
“You think you have won—”
He did not allow her to finish. “I know I have won.”
“Borg tells me that you always wager foolishly.”
“And I always win,” he said, planting a quick kiss on her lips.
She pulled back and wiped at her lips with the back of her hand. “There is always a first time.”
Colin could not help but grin and lean in close to her. “Aye, Hope, that there is and it is me who you will be sharing your first time with.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next day found them on a tedious journey to a remote area that sat well secluded from prying eyes. The small village was tucked between hills and buried in a thicket of heavy trees and bushes. Only those who called the village their home knew of its existence and it seemed the inhabitants intended to keep it that way.
Eric’s men had been sent back to Shanekill with a message to Borg who was to secure the agreed upon coins and bring them to a designated area within a week’s time. Until then Eric, Faith, Colin and Hope were guests of the thief Rath.
Colin and Hope were secluded in a small cottage not far from a similar cottage that Eric and Faith occupied. They were provided with drink and food and a continuous guard outside their doors.
Colin had little time to speak with Eric before they were directed to their temporary residences, but one look in the Devil’s eyes told Colin he was not at all happy and that concern for his wife was uppermost in
his mind.
Colin understood that Eric would not risk his wife’s safety and, therefore, they were to be patient and wait. Colin, on the other hand, found his patience seriously waning. The reason for that was a pint-sized woman named Hope.
It was dark by the time they were secured in the cottages. A generous serving of food was provided for them, a warm fire chased the slight chill from the air and a narrow bed sat prepared for husband and wife to share.
Unfortunately Hope and Colin were not in a loving mood. They were ready to argue. Over what they could not say, though any topic would do.
Colin chose it, and Hope was ready to defend herself. She stood in front of the small hearth, warming her chilled hands.
Colin tore a chunk of bread off the freshly baked loaf on the small table in the center of the confined room. “Upon our return to Shanekill I intend to see those garments you wear burned.”
Hope shrugged, though her chin rose. “No matter; if I wish to wear a lad’s garments, I will.”
“No more you will,” he said firmly, ignoring the warm bread in his hand.
“You are not my husband and have naught to say over me.” Her words were issued with the bearing of one accustomed to giving commands.
Colin tossed the bread on the table. “I will be your husband; it would be foolish of you to think otherwise. And it would be foolish of you not to heed my words.”
Hope gave a defiant and emphatic toss of her head. “I will not marry you and I most certainly will not bed you.”
Colin smiled with the charm of the Devil himself and caused Hope’s knees to tremble. “Guard your words wisely, sweet Hope, for you respond most ardently in my arms.”
Hope intentionally fussed with warming her hands in front of the flames; the pause gave her time to consider a response. “You do charm.” Her curt reply was meant as an explanation for the way she responded to his intimate touch.
Colin would have none of it. “You refuse to admit the truth.”
“And what truth is this that you speak of with such confidence?”
“That you enjoy my touch.”
Hope shrugged indifferently. “As I said, you do charm.”
Colin understood women by their actions and their words, though it was often what they did not say that betrayed their true feelings. He realized that Hope fought against what she felt; the nervous warming of her hands alerted him to her unease.
Did she actually war with the possibility that she loved him? And if she did, why fight a union with him? Their confined time together would give him a chance to discover answers to his questions. Patience, however, was not one of his virtues, especially, it seemed, when it came to Hope.
So he decided to be forthright. “Do you love me, Hope?”
She abruptly stopped warming her hands and turned around to face him with stunned eyes that glistened with pooled tears.
He waited what seemed like forever for an answer and realized that her response was more important to him then he had thought. She seemed small and fragile, standing there dressed as a lad, her eyes on the verge of tears, her soft lips fighting a tremble and her hands clenched tightly in front of her. But then there was her courage, which always seemed to take charge and defend. He expected it to spring forth any moment and retaliate with a wise response.
Her answer, therefore, stunned him speechless.
“Aye, Colin, I do love you.” She had thought briefly about avoiding the truth, but what good would that do? He knew women well enough and would soon come to realize it on his own, especially now, while sharing such confined living quarters. It was better she admit it herself so that he would understand why she could not marry him.
Colin took time to clear his head. He had not expected such a definitive answer. He had thought perhaps she would throw the question back at him, demand he speak of his feelings, and yet she simply spoke the truth. He decided to do the same.
“I did not expect such honesty.” He took a step toward her and her hands went up, warning that he step no closer. He obliged her silent request and stood a short distance from her.
“What good would it do me to deny it?”
Her sorrowful eyes caused his heart to ache. He wished to reach out and offer her the comfort of his protective arms but he understood that her pride and courage would force her to refuse his offer. He stood with his hands at his sides hoping to comfort with words.
“I think you are wise not to deny your feelings.”
She seemed relieved, her hands lowering to her sides and a soft sigh whispering from her lips.
He continued to comfort. “I am honored by your love.”
Honored.
She cared naught about honor. She only wished that he loved her in return, though she understood his words were meant to soothe and comfort her. He was always the charmer, always fulfilling a woman’s needs. Perhaps this was good, for then he would understand her reason for not wedding him and would no longer object to voiding the arranged marriage.
His next remark warned her otherwise. “I am pleased that I will have a wife who loves me.”
“I cannot wed you,” she said in disbelief.
“Why not?” he asked, his own confusion obvious. “You love me.”
“That is precisely why I cannot wed you.”
He ran his fingers through his dark hair in frustration. “This makes no sense.”
“You are right, it does not,” she insisted and paced in front of the hearth several times.
Firm hands on her shoulders forced her to stop her nervous pacing. “You love me yet refuse to wed me?”
A warm, safe feeling wrapped around her and she suddenly wanted to surrender to the comfort of his arms. That was impossible, for if she succumbed she would surely be lost forever.
She could ask him if he loved her; perhaps then he would understand why their marriage could not be. But she feared his answer, for her heart ached enough without hearing him admit only that he cared.
She chose a simple response. “It is best this way.”
“It makes no sense.” He lifted her chin for their eyes to meet. “I will be good to you, Hope. I will give you all that you need and treat you decently. I will make a good husband and father.”
She so wanted children, lots of children, so that her home would be filled with much laughter and love.
Love.
It always came back to love. And if she gave it thought, would it not be better that she wed someone whom she at least loved compared to someone she did not love at all? Any sensible woman would agree on such a wise decision. So why, then, did Hope feel she could not wed Colin?
Love.
She wanted his love, not his charm, and she feared that the years to come would only serve to destroy the love she felt for him. She would know every day of their lives that he cared and provided for her out of duty… and that she simply could not endure.
She preferred to love him and walk away with cherished memories than to watch those memories fade or turn bitter.
The tears she had fought so valiantly not to shed began to fall and Colin wiped them away one at a time.
“I care for you, Hope.”
His words tore at her heart and she knew without a doubt that she could not, would not marry Colin. She must prevent their marriage; she must. And she must not surrender to his charm and chance getting with child, a difficult prospect since their confined quarters would afford ample opportunity for surrender.
Colin kissed her damp cheeks, her tears having subsided. “We will do well together… I promise you.”
She ached with the love she felt for him and surrender would be all too easy, but when had she ever chosen an easy path?
He kissed her gently, lovingly, his hands cupping her face, his body moving closer to hers.
She needed to distance herself from him or she would soon be lost in his charm. Her hand moved to rest on one of his. “Please, Colin, I need time. So much has happened so soon and I feel confused.”
&nb
sp; He placed his forehead to hers. “I will not rush you, but do know that I want you and these confined quarters will prove difficult for me to keep a distance.”
“I understand.” All too well. She knew the strain it would cause them both.
Colin stepped away from her, going to the table, taking a seat and reaching for a piece of bread and cheese. “Tell me how you met up with Rath.”
Hope smiled and felt the tension drain from her body. She also suddenly realized how hungry she was and joined Colin at the table, reaching for a large chunk of cheese.
She was only too glad for the change of subject and the tasty food that filled her stomach. “My intentions were to seek refuge at Croom Abbey.”
He raised a brow. “You thought to make that journey on your own’
“Lady and Rook were with me.”
Colin laughed as he filled their goblets with wine. “Lady is presently returning with Rook, whose side she refuses to leave, to Shanekill. We both know that she is a coward at heart.”
Hope ignored his disparaging though accurate remark. “My previous experiences on the road gave me the confidence to attempt this easy journey. I saw no reason to believe I would have difficulty in reaching my destination.”
“Please do not tell me that you attempted to thieve from a thief,” he said teasingly.
She shook her head. “Nay, I brought sufficient food with me and kept off well-traveled roads. He appeared out of nowhere and at first I thought nothing of it. He was but one lone man and Rook was there to help. It was Rook who alerted me to the others’ presence. His senses are keen and his reactions quick.”
“He took off, did he not?”
She nodded, a yawn following. “I realized he went for help, knowing it was the only choice possible and I hoped he would find it. The men thought him a coward and besides, Lady remained by my side shaking with fear, confirming that they were a pair of cowards.”
“What did Rath want of you?”
“He offered me safety, shelter and food if I but helped them in their thieving.”
“You wisely agreed?”
Another yawn prevented an immediate answer. “What choice did I have? While Rath did not seem ready to harm me, he also did not seem eager to let me go.”
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