He rested his hands at her slim waist and with a gentle tug brought her closer to him. “Aye, I do have to wed you. I have no choice.”
A tiny pang stabbed at her heart. What had she expected him to say? That he loved her that was why he was marrying her? More dreams that are just that… dreams.
She pulled and turned away from him as that pang grew more hurtful.
“No, you don’t,” she insisted. “I will speak with James and make him see reason. He can find me another husband.”
“Turn around and look at me, Sorrell,” John said.
She wasn’t used to such a firm tone from him and she turned out of annoyance, about to let him know not to speak to her that way.
“Don’t you want to marry me?” he asked before she could say a word.
“Do you want to marry me?” she shot back.
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”
With a lift of her chin, she demanded, “Why? Because you feel it’s the honorable thing to do?”
“I won’t let a lie ruin your life,” he said, knowing all too well what such a consequence could bring.
“It won’t ruin it. I’ll survive,” she insisted, though a bit of doubt nagged at her.
“How? MacCannish will spread the lie about us in no time. Tongues will wag and the lie will grow even bigger and more outrageous. It will gain momentum and you won’t be able to stop it.”
Sorrell remained silent, thinking on his words. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, John was right. No one would believe the truth.
“The lie is always a better tale to tell,” she said.
He knew all too well the truth to her words. “And easier to believe.”
“We must wed. We truly have no choice,” Sorrell said, the realization of it sinking in and while in a way she should be pleased, marrying the man she would much rather have as her husband, she also felt guilty.
John slipped his finger beneath her chin as it drooped and lifted it. “What weighs so heavily on your mind?”
“It is my fault Seth will join with Walsh MacLoon and if what he says is true…” Sorrell didn’t want to think of what might happen if the powerful Lord Northwick attacked the Clan Macardle.
“You had nothing to do with Seth joining with Walsh MacLoon. That decision was made as soon as he learned who would help him. Seth chose the side he believed had a better chance of victory.”
“If that is so then others will side with MacLoon as well.”
“It’s possible, though from what I hear the Lord of Fire is a powerful lord himself. Lord Northwick may have met his match.”
“Sorrell.”
A repeated yelp followed Sorrell’s and they turned to see Snow as she stopped walking.
“You found them, Thaw?” Snow asked, raising the little pup, she held snug in her arms, to kiss the top of his head.
“He did,” Sorrell said to her surprise as she and John walked over to Snow.
“Willow and I were so worried when we couldn’t find you, and when I learned what happened I wanted to make sure you were all right and thank John for doing the honorable thing.”
“Nothing happened between us, Snow,” Sorrell said a bit disappointed that she would believe that of her.
“I never doubted it did. He had no obligation to wed you, but he offered anyway. That’s what makes John so honorable, and what makes me so pleased to call him brother,” Snow said with a tender smile.
“As am I,” Willow said, joining them. “I am pleased Sorrell will have a husband who rescues her without complaint.”
“Very funny, Willow,” Sorrell said and thought how true her words.
“While there is not enough time to have a festive celebration, we will have a small one for now. We can have a big celebration later,” Willow said.
Sorrell made sure to remind her sister of their present food situation. “Much later when there is enough food for all.”
“I will make sure there is enough food for your clan,” John said.
“Your clan now as well,” Willow said.
“Aye, my clan.” John nodded, claiming it his own.
Willow linked her arm with Sorrell. “Now come. Snow and I will get you ready for the ceremony, and while I take a look at that wound on your forehead, though it already looks well-tended, you can tell me how you got it.”
“Another fight?” Snow shook her head. “This must stop.”
“It will happen no more, at least with Peter,” John said and took a moment to explain what had happened and what had been agreed to.
“You are sure he’ll not bother Snow again?” Sorrell asked, turning a skeptical look on John.
“I have no doubt, since I told him I would break him in two if he should break his word to me.”
“That should do,” Sorrell agreed.