“I do not understand how the nuns could have permitted this, Cree said annoyed.
“From what Wintra had told me, she was never alone with Owen and he was always proper in his demeanor when around her. So the nuns believed him only interested in what he could learn from her about the gardens.”
“The nuns never spoke of him to me,” Cree said even more annoyed.
“There was nothing for them to speak with you about. Owen had never approached them about anything other than speaking to Wintra purely out of interest in her garden work. What troubles me is that I think he purposely sought out Wintra with plans to deceive her and convince her that he loved her and that he wished to wed her. The question is why? Did he believe you would bestow an exceptional marriage purse on her?”
“I did intend to, though I spoke of it to no one,” Cree said. “Of course, it now belongs to you.”
“I nor need it or want it. Wintra is gift enough for me.”
Cree cocked his head and glared at Torr. “You love my sister?”
“Is it not obvious?” Torr asked with a laugh.
“I would say you have not known her long enough to have fallen in love, but—”
“You fell in love with Dawn almost as fast.”
Cree grinned. “Though I was a fool and had not realized it.”
“Thank the heavens I am not a fool.”
“And that you are my sister’s husband and I do not make you pay for that remark.” Cree turned his attention to Sloan, having seen him enter the Great Hall and hurrying toward them.
Sloan stopped at the end of the table. “You wanted Owen brought to you?”
Cree nodded.
“He departed over an hour ago,” Sloan said. “I had assigned warriors to watch Owen and his men, though not let themselves be seen, and to inform me of anything they saw or felt was important. I was alerted to his departure and went to see Owen immediately.”
“Did he offer an explanation for sneaking away?” Cree asked, his annoyance now having turned to anger.
“He was much too cordial about it. He apologized for any misunderstanding, and he claimed to not want to disturb you any longer. The strange part was that I did not believe a word he said, so I sent a few men to follow them.”
“Good,” Cree said. “I do not believe we have seen the last of him.”
“My thought as well,” Sloan said.
“Join us,” Cree offered.
Sloan sat and filled a tankard for himself and raised it looking to Torr. “Congratulations on your unexpected marriage, though it was a relief to hear it.”
“Why is that?” Cree asked.
“You should have seen the way he,” —Sloan nodded at Torr— “insisted Wintra wake from her faint, and then there was the way she looked at him.” Sloan shook his head and laughed. “It was obvious they both loved each other, and all I could think was that you were going to kill him once we got home. So it was a relief to hear that they were wed, and you had known about it.”
“My sister loves you?” Cree demanded.
“She does, though I believe there are moments she fights that knowledge.”
Sloan snickered. “You are in for it now, especially since she is so stubborn.”
“Is she now?” Cree said.
“Aye, she is.” Sloan grinned. “But she cannot help being just like her big brother.”
“You really do want that tongue of yours cut out don’t you?” Cree said, then cringed right afterwards. A threat like that always upset Dawn, and he had tried to curtail using it, but he had said it so often to Sloan, never fully intending to ever do such a thing, that it had become an instinctive reply when Sloan annoyed him.
“I do not worry about that threat anymore,” Sloan said still grinning. “Dawn would come to my rescue.”
“That she would,” Cree admitted with pride, “though she will not come to your rescue when I pick a wife out for you.”
Sloan’s grin vanished. “That is not funny, Cree. I am not ready to please only one woman.”
Cree had been referred to by all as ‘my lord’ since taking the title of Earl of Carrick, so by Sloan referring to him as he once had, Cree knew he was speaking to him as a friend. “Ready or not, you would be wise to find a good woman before the King commands more marriages to settle the mess the previous Earl of Carrick’s wife created.”
“What of you and Dawn? Why didn’t the King wed you by proxy? Your union would be more important than any other?”
Cree looked to Torr. He had been the only one to see the document. The only one who knew the whole truth.
Sloan saw the look they exchanged. “Good God, you and Dawn are wed as well. Does she know she is your wife?”