“Not necessary,” Owen said and stepped from behind a tree. “She has no voice and we have no choice but to bring her along or she will alert everyone to our presence.”
Dawn looked to Wintra, who continued to struggle, and shook her head. She would tire herself out and be of no use if a chance came to escape. As if understanding, Wintra calmed. They were quickly dragged through the woods and planted on horses. Owen mounted behind Wintra and a large man behind Dawn. They took off without a word being said, while other men who were with them took off in the opposite direction.
Owen plastered the side of his face against Wintra’s. “Your husband is going to pay dearly for foiling my plans. I do not take lightly to people who cause me to lose so much.”
Curiosity had her asking questions that had been on her mind, but she had never gotten a chance to ask. “What brought you to the abbey?”
“That simpering fool of a woman,” Owen said with disgust. She actually thought that I truly loved her and the child and that I would save them. She believed every bit of drivel I fed her just as you did.”
Wintra’s brow creased. He could not be talking about— “Are you speaking about the pregnant woman at the abbey who died along with her child?”
“Yes, she lied to me about her family’s wealth. They had little, though she told me they had much. By the time I discovered they were poorer than I was, it was too late. She was already pregnant. I did not want the burden of a child or her family’s worthless land, so I refused to wed her. Her family insisted that I bring her to the abbey and, wanting to be rid of her, I did. Then I saw you.”
“Do not think me foolish enough to believe you fell in love with me at first sight.”
“I fell in love with what I knew you could bring me, more land than I ever dreamed possible of owning and a title. One look at you and I knew who your father had to be. I had seen him several times, though he did not know me, but the distinct color of his eyes is quite memorable and not seen often. I did some investigating and put all the pieces together.”
“And you set your plan in motion. You made me believe that you loved me and wanted to spend your life with me. And like the naïve fool I was, I believed you. It was you who arranged for it to look as if my brother sent men to escort me home, wasn’t it. Then you attacked those men, as if rescuing me, and let me know that they were not my brother’s men. Tell me, did you do away with all those men so they would not tell anyone what you did?”
“I got rid of them so I would not have to pay them,” Owen said.
“As you will get rid of these men who help you now?” Wintra cringed when he pinched her arm hard.
“Keep your voice down,” he warned and gave the pinch a twist. “We could have been wed by now and with your father’s blessing if it had not been for Torr.”
“I thank God every day for Torr and that the King decreed us wed.”
“The King is a fool and since Torr ruined everything he will pay. I will enjoy you until your husband, your brother, and your father pay the hefty ransom I seek. Then I will leave Scotland never to return.”
“I never loved you. You were simply a way for me to escape the abbey and find my way home. I would have never wed you.”
“You would have had no choice,” Owen insisted.
“At one time I may have believed that, but no more.”
“You make no sense,” Owen spat, “and I have the perfect way to fill your mouth with other than words.”
Wintra recalled the scene in the cottage when he had almost forced her to take him in her mouth. She needed to escape and she had a good idea as to how to do it.
~~~
“Have you seen Wintra?” Torr asked Cree as he approached the large fireplace in the Great Hall where Cree stood looking as if he contemplated the day ahead.
“She went with Dawn to visit Old Mary,” —Cree scowled— “though that was some time ago. They should have returned by now.” Cree shouted to the warrior by the door to go see if Dawn and Wintra were still at Old Mary’s.
“We cannot say we know each other well,” Torr said, “but I want you to know that I am pleased that you are marrying my sister. You make Dawn happy and I am glad for that.”
Cree smiled. “She makes me happy as well.” He scowled again. “You better make my sister happy.”