“You have no idea why Owen wants my sister?”
“Everyone knows he wanted her for himself, and we thought it was over once it was learned that your sister was wed. But it is as if he hasn’t changed his plans. And then there is his connection to the Earl of Kellmara. For some reason the man seems to support Owen’s madness in acquiring your sister as his wife. Kellmara troops are expected any day now.” George shivered. “It is whispered that Kellmara is almost as powerful as the King.”
“And I am more ruthless than both,” Cree said.
George paled and his eyes turned wide.
Cree turned to Sloan. “Take him to Elsa and have her see to his care and see that he stays there the night. Two guards at his door.”
“I do not want to go back to Owen McBride. I will pledge my fealty to you and serve you well. I just want to return home and get my wife and daughter and bring them here. We both will serve you well. I am only a farmer, but I know the land and can make anything grow.”
“We will see,” Cree said and turned walking out the door, Torr following.
The two men went only a few steps when Cree stopped. “What do you think?” he said.
“He speaks the truth,” Torr said and told him the same tale he had told Wintra.
Cree scowled. “Why is it that I have not come across this man?”
“He preys on the small, weak and isolated clans, so he will not be noticed.”
“Then why would he go after Wintra?”
“Perhaps he now has bigger aspirations.”
“George is a farmer,” Cree said. “Why would Owen send a farmer instead of one of his warriors to abduct Wintra?”
“Good question. Why would he?” Torr said.
“And why does the Earl of Kellmara support this devil’s madness? And why does he send troops to help Owen?” Cree asked more to himself than Torr.
Torr responded anyway. “I care not how strong Kellmara is. Wintra belongs to me and I am not giving her up. She is mine and will remain so forever.”
“You love her that much?” Cree asked happy to hear it.
“Even more than that.”
“That is good to know,” Cree said as they continued walking. “Now options and plans must be discussed, though not tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough.”
“What happened to Wintra that day on the farm when a man grabbed her?” Torr asked. He had thought about asking Wintra, but he did not want her to have to relive such a painful event in her life. However, he had to know.
Cree detailed the whole incident and Torr was delighted to learn that Cree had done what he would have, snapped the man’s neck.
Chapter Twenty-two
Wintra stood by the hearth, staring into the flames and heard the door latch shut. Cree and Dawn were gone. She and Torr were finally alone. While she had enjoyed talking with Dawn, she had not been able to keep thoughts of Torr and her naked in bed doing unimaginable, though acceptable, things out of her head. After all she and Torr were wed and their vows consummated. Why then did she feel her thoughts so sinful?
Torr walked over to stand behind her, his arms going around her waist and easing her back against him. “As I promised, I will tell you everything Cree and I learned from your attacker.”
She shook her head. “I do not want to discuss that now.”
He went to turn her around, but she stopped him with a firm hand to his arm that sat snug at her waist. She needed to speak with him of intimate things, and she did not know if she could face him directly while doing so. Even though they had made love, she still felt vulnerable and unknowledgeable when it came to intimacy.
“What do you want to discuss?” he asked.
She shut her eyes tight and plunged ahead. “Intimacy.” Her eyes shot open when he spun her around to face him.
“You have not been shy to speak what is on your mind, another trait I favor in you. And I have told you time and again that you could speak to me about anything, so why does intimacy prove difficult for you to discuss with me?”
“The nuns warned me against talking to my husband about the subject. They insisted it was his domain, and I was to do my duty without question or protest.”
Torr could not help but smile. “That would be impossible for you to do. You are much too inquisitive, another part of your nature that I love.”
She rested a gentle hand to his cheek. “I am lucky to have you as my husband, for there is surely not another man around who would be so tolerable of my persistent curiosity.”
“I am glad that you finally realize my worth,” he said, his smile growing. “Now what questions fill your mind?”