“We haven’t talked in some time. I’ll walk with you a short way,” Purity said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Arran ordered and took hold of her arm.
Purity thought a shackle had locked around her arm, he held her so tightly. With a sharp snap of her head, she looked him in the eyes and demanded, “Let go of me now!”
Arran turned his attention to George. “She was attacked by three men earlier. She was wounded and it could have been far worse if I hadn’t arrived when I did.”
“Good, Lord, Purity!” George said. “It is good Arran was here to rescue you and keep you safe. He is right. Do not be foolish. You must stay here with him.”
“You should be careful yourself. Travel on one’s own can be a challenge,” Arran cautioned.
“I am well aware and do my best to keep safe, but I am grateful for the advice. Now it’s best I be off since a room waits for me at the monastery and there are those looking forward to seeing me.”
“You’ll return soon?” Purity asked anxiously.
“I have delayed telling you since it troubles me to say that I won’t be returning,” George said. “I will join my sister’s clan and help her see it thrive.”
“I am happy for you. Stay well and safe,” Purity said.
George looked from Purity, then to Arran, and back again to her. “Things are changing in these parts. You should let him keep you safe, Purity.”
George disappeared into the woods and Purity felt tears sting her eyes. She had been waiting for the message he had delivered and now that it had come, she wasn’t sure what to do.
“Do you have feelings for this man that you grow upset over his permanent departure?” Arran asked, seeing her eyes grow moist as he released her arm.
“He was no more than a friend, someone to talk with, and that I will miss.”
“You will have many friends when you return home with me,” he said.
She shook her head. “Don’t you understand that I cannot go home? My father will force me to wed a stranger or one responsible for the attack on your clan will send one of his warriors to claim me and the Clan Macara. It is not safe for me to return home.”
“You’re with me now. I will keep you safe.”
Again he spoke as if it was done and Purity got annoyed. “It is not as easy as that. You cannot keep me safe if my father chooses to wed me to someone or if I am forced to wed someone.”
“It is easy,” he insisted. “You once asked me to wed you.”
“I begged you to wed me,” she reminded, feeling ashamed that she had pleaded with him.
“However it was, I accept. We will wed and that will keep you safe.”
Chapter 4
Purity woke the next morning frustrated. Arran refused to see reason no matter how much she argued against his proposal. He was intent on seeing her kept safe and sacrifice himself to do so. She was not so willing. She used to dream—more so pray—to one day become his wife, and though her love for him hadn’t faded, the dream and prayers had. Many things had changed, including her. He’d always have her heart, but life was different for her now. She had found a place for herself and she was content.
She stretched herself out of bed and hurried out of a worn shift that she used for sleeping and into her day shift and tunic. Both garments were a bit worn but they did well enough. She had one more shift and tunic less worn and wore it as little as possible so it would last. Wren, the woman who lived here before her, left a few garments for her, but she saved them for future use.
Her life was good here and no matter what Arran had said, she would not return home with him and she certainly wouldn’t become his wife.
After giving her hair a good combing and braiding it, she ventured outside. Arran had refused her offer to bed down in the cottage on the floor. He insisted on remaining outside even though a misty rain had been falling. She hadn’t argued with him, since she was learning quickly enough there was no arguing with him. He would learn soon enough his dictates were lost on her.
She stepped outside and she froze in place as her eyes settled on Arran’s naked back. He stood with his back to her next to the rain barrel, water streaming down the grooves, muscles, and scars along his back. Five years ago, she had watched him from the woods when he’d been on the practice field. Often in the summer he would remove his shirt and she recalled how smooth and unmarred his skin had been and the muscles along his back and arms had been plentiful. His back was unmarred no more. It bore a mixture of scars he had to have gotten in battle and some from the lash of a whip. His shoulders seemed broader than she remembered, though it could be the muscles he had gained there and along his arms that made him appear that way.