Tarass sped up the stairs, his heart pounding madly in his chest. When he heard Thaw’s frantic barks, he took the steps three at a time. It was Thaw’s soulful howl that made Tarass realize that Snow was gone before he reached the bedchamber door and threw it open.
“Find Snow, Thaw!” Tarass commanded as soon as he and the dog’s eyes met.
Thaw took off and Tarass raced after him, Rannock keeping pace behind them both.
Both men were puzzled when Thaw brought them to Snow’s solar and went to a section of one of the walls and began barking.
“The secret passage,” Tarass said, shocked and wondered how Polwarth would know about it. “I know where it comes out. Let’s go get Snow, Thaw.”
The pup didn’t hesitate; he followed after Tarass. Once outside, Tarass bolted for the back of the keep, Thaw staying right beside him, and as he rounded the one corner he saw the hidden door open. A man hurried out, tossing a torch to a pile of snow, the fizzled flame sending black smoke wafting into the air. His wife tumbled out behind the man, and Lord Polwarth grabbed her arm to stop her from landing face first in the snow.
Tarass let out a terrifying roar that his mum’s people would use when going into battle and that never failed to have the bravest of men cowering. It didn’t fail this time either. The two men with Lord Polwarth ran like the devil was after them, but Polwarth kept hold of Snow.
Thaw bolted past Tarass and launched himself at Polwarth.
Tarass didn’t stop him.
Snow’s eyes had difficulty adjusting to the change in light. She thought she saw Tarass running toward her, but there were so many gray blurs behind the larger one she couldn’t be sure. However, she was sure of the small gray blur that headed straight for her. It was Thaw.
Thaw might have grown some, but he was still a pup and when Snow felt Polwarth lift his leg to give Thaw a harsh kick and stop him from attacking, instinct had Snow reacting.
She swerved around and his leg caught her in the knee and sent her tumbling to the ground with such force that her arm was ripped out of his hand.
Thaw immediately dropped down beside her, trying to get his nose under her face that was buried in the snow.
Fury and fear gripped Tarass and while he wanted to go after a fleeing Lord Polwarth, he was more desperate to see to his wife.
“Get him!” Tarass yelled, knowing Rannock and his warriors were coming up behind him.
They rushed past him as he dropped to the ground beside his wife and gently turned her over to lift in his arms. He was surprised and relieved when she started brushing away the snow that had stuck to her face, Thaw’s tongue helping her.
“I’m good, go after Polwarth,” she urged.
“No need, Rannock and my warriors will get him and the other two,” Tarass said. “Besides, if I leave you, you’ll just get yourself into more trouble.”
“If I did, you would rescue me like you always do,” Snow said with a tender hand to her husband’s cheek.
“Aye, wife, always,” Tarass said and turned so that his lips kissed the palm of her hand and Snow shivered.
“Let’s get you into the keep and get you warm,” Tarass said, standing and carrying her around to the front of the keep and groaned when he saw Abbot Bennett and his clerics shivering in the cold as six of his warriors stood guard over them. “Inside, you have much to explain. Your men as well, before they freeze to death,” Tarass said as he walked past them.
“Thank the Lord your unharmed, m’lady,” Nettle said when the couple entered the Great Hall.
“I suffered a bit of fright but no harm, Nettle,” Snow acknowledged, hearing the worry in her voice.
Tarass’s anger surged, learning she had been frightened and he hadn’t been there to prevent her terrifying ordeal.
Nettle looked to Lord Tarass as she spoke to Snow. “Has this ordeal worsened your churning stomach, m’lady?”
Tarass was pleased that Nettle alerted him to the matter and acknowledged her with a nod.
“I had no time to think about it, but now that you asked, it seems to have settled,” Snow said.
“Perhaps some food and a hot brew will keep it that way,” Nettle suggested.
“A good idea, Nettle, and tell Maude there are guests to be fed,” Tarass said and placed his wife on her feet.
“And please take Thaw with you and get him a treat,” Snow said and went to bend down to give Thaw a hug and kiss and let him know how brave he’d been. As soon as she moved, a pain shot through her knee and if Tarass hadn’t snatched her up in his arms, she would have tumbled to the floor.
Thaw whined and followed Tarass and waited while he lowered Snow to a bench at one of the tables in front of the fireplace, then the pup sat beside her and whined as if he shared Snow’s pain.
Nettle hurried around the table to the bench to see if she could help and gasped when Tarass lifted Snow’s tunic and shift and she saw the deep bruise covering her knee.
“That bad?” Snow asked.
“I’m going to kill him,” Tarass mumbled.
A cacophony of raised voices had Tarass and Snow’s heads turning as the door opened.
“We got them,” Rannock called out, escorting Lord Polwarth in with a firm hand to his arm.
“Shackle Lord Polwarth and the two men that helped him and have the warriors keep watch over Abbot Bennett and his men. I’ll let you know when I wish to speak with them,” Tarass said and once again lifted his wife in his arms.
“Nettle, fetch Runa and bring her to my solar. Thaw, follow me,” Tarass ordered.
Snow sighed with relief after her husband settled her in a chair near the hearth and placed her foot on a small stool to ease the pain in her knee. She wrapped the shawl around her, Tarass had ordered a servant to bring her, tucking it high around her neck.
“You’re chilled,” Tarass said, hunching down in front of her and draping a blanket over her legs and pushing it snug at her waist.
“A deep chill, I fear,” she admitted.
“I’ll warm you properly later, after this is all settled,” he said and kissed her softly, though ached for more than a tender kiss. He dropped his brow gently against hers. “I want to feel you naked against me and bury my manhood deep inside you right now and know that nothing or no one will ever tear us apart and that nothing or no one can ever stop us from loving each other.”
“Why do you wait,” she whispered. “Take me, for I want to feel you inside me and know I’m safe.”
“Your knee,” he reminded and shook his head. “And Nettle returns soon with Runa.”
“It’s no more than a bruise and you can make it quick,” Snow urged and slipped her hand beneath his plaid and smiled, feeling the strength and swell of him. “After almost having been taken from you, I need this. I need to feel we are one, and feeling how hard you I would say you feel the same.” She took his hand to tuck beneath her garments and brought it to rest between her legs. “I’m more than ready.”
Tarass grew harder when his fingers brushed her wetness. He could slip inside her with ease and make her come easily, himself as well, since he was just as ready as he was.
“Thaw!” Tarass called out and the pup got up from where he parked himself by the hearth and trotted over to him. “Come with me.” Thaw followed obediently and Tarass opened the door. “Guard Snow and let no one in.”
Thaw barked, turned, and sat, ready to do as ordered.
Tarass grabbed a stool by the fireplace and placed it in front of Snow’s chair, right between her legs, making sure not to disturb her injured leg, then pulled off the blanket he had tucked around her. He settled his hands on either side of her backside and gave her a quick kiss.
“I’m near ready to come, husband,” she whispered so excited she could hardly contain herself as he eased her forward in the chair.
“You fire my passion with words alone,” he said and brought her backside to rest on the very edge of the chair.
“And touch,” she whispered ever so softly as her hand found his manhood and guided it between her legs, brushing the tip over that tender spot her husband loved to tease.
She groaned softly.
Tarass wished they could linger in play longer, but they had no time. He brushed her hand off him and eased himself into her.
Between the strength of his hands and body, Snow didn’t have to do anything but enjoy every thrust of his manhood penetrating her deeper and harder, over and over and over… until,
“Tarass,” she whimpered in need.
“Let go,” he ordered and she did, and he joined her.
Their low groans mingled as ripples of sheer pleasure raced through them, and they both shuddered simultaneously when the last ripple faded away.
“I want to stay inside you, grow hard again, and bring us both to pleasure again,” he whispered.
“Later. Promise me you’ll do that later,” she said and kissed him gently.
“You have my word,” he said and sealed his promise with a strong kiss.
Tarass barely had her settled in the chair, the blanket once again wrapped around her when Thaw started barking. He reluctantly went to the door, silently cursing, intending to see this done and finished once and for all.
Nettle entered with Thaw.
The pup rushed to Snow’s side and after receiving his usual attention settled by her feet to sleep.
Nettle, seeing Snow’s flushed cheeks, smiled, though made no mention of what she realized had gone on in her absence.
“I have a nice hot brew for you and some bread and cheese,” Nettle said, placing it on the small chest next to the chair where Snow sat. “Runa will be here soon.”
It was only a few minutes later that Runa arrived and looked over Snow’s injury.
“A bruise that will heal well enough with a royal fern poultice and not staying long on your feet for a day or two,” Runa said. “Come with me, Nettle, and I’ll show you how to prepare one.”
Nettle looked to Tarass for permission and he gave it with a nod. “Send Rannock to me, Nettle.”
“Eat,” he ordered his wife when he saw she hadn’t touched the food Nettle had brought her.
“I’m not feeling hungry,” Snow said, too anxious to hear what Lord Polwarth had to say.
Rannock entered the room before Tarass could cajole her into eating something.
“Bring Lord Polwarth to me,” Tarass said.
“Abbot Bennett is demanding to see you,” Rannock said.
“Ignore him,” Tarass ordered.
Rannock nodded and returned moments later with a shackled Lord Polwarth.
“Must I remind you that I am a man of great influence and important friends?” Polwarth warned when made to stand in front of Tarass.
“Must I remind you that I am a man who has family and friends who don’t live by Scottish beliefs or rule and can make you disappear never to be found again?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Polwarth challenged.
“I dare anything when a man thinks he can take my wife from me,” Tarass said anger sparking his every word.
“You’re like your father, a shameful man,” Polwarth spat. “Snow is a good woman and deserves better.”
“How dare you claim my father dishonorable when you come into my home and try to abduct my wife,” Tarass said, his hands fisted at his sides and fighting to keep them there.
“To save her,” Polwarth said, his face blotched red with anger.
Snow could see the outline of the two men, but it was their mounting anger in their warring voices that she feared would cause far worse problems.
She spoke up, hoping to make Lord Polwarth understand. “I have explained over and over that I have no wont to leave Tarass. I love him and he loves me.”
“So he says now, but he will discard you when he is done using you and cast you out as his father did to my sister?” Polwarth said, an ugly sneer spreading across his face.
Tarass shook his head, scrunching his brow. “What are you talking about?”
“Your father didn’t have the decency or perhaps he had been far too ashamed of what he had done to my sister, Fay, to speak a word about it.”
Snow caught the turn of his head toward her.
“I never meant you harm, my dear. My sole purpose of marrying you was to protect you. After hearing that you had been forced to stay with Lord Tarass for a few days, I feared he would destroy your honor as his father did to my sister. When I met with your da last, he was lucid, of sound mind, and he told me he didn’t believe he’d live much longer. I asked if there was anything I could do to help and he told me that he worried the most about you. Sorrell and Willow, he believed would do well, but you being blind and it being his fault, he feared what would become of you and asked me to be there to help you if ever needed. I was not only pleased to keep my word to him, but thought to redeem myself and save you when I couldn’t save my sister.”
“What is it you think my da did to your sister?” Tarass asked, unable to believe a word of Polwarth’s tale, his da having been the most honorable man he had ever known, far more honorable than he was himself.
“Marriage arrangements were being discussed between your grandfather and my parents for Fay and your da to wed. Fay visited here often and when she returned home,”—Polwarth shook his head—“I had never seen her so happy. My parents believed they were making a perfect match for her. Then your da returned from that trip with your mum, his new wife, and my sister was utterly stunned and heartbroken. She took to her bedchamber and wouldn’t leave it.” His eyes flared with anger. “She grew ill and my family was shocked to learn that she suffered a miscarriage. She had been carrying your father’s bairn. She begged for confession so her soul wouldn’t suffer endless damnation, and I brought Abbot Bennett to her to absolve her from sin. She confessed all to him. How she would sneak into the keep through the secret passage and meet with him, fornicate with him, and how they planned to wed and have a life together. Worse, she told Abbot Bennett that she didn’t want to live. She was glad she was dying.”
“My father would have never done that to your sister,” Tarass said.
“Ask Abbot Bennett. He heard the confession and told me about the secret passage.”
Snow’s heart broke for the young lass, she had never met. Loving Tarass as she did, she couldn’t imagine the pain the woman must have suffered being betrayed. Yet just as she couldn’t believe her da would ever hurt Tarass’s parents, Tarass believed his da couldn’t be so heartless and shameful. Were they both blind when it came to their fathers or was there something else to both tales?
Tarass sent for Abbot Bennett and he didn’t waste time in ordering the man to tell him everything that Polwarth’s sister had confessed to him.
His tale was the same as Polwarth’s and he seemed to enjoy telling it.
“My da would have never been so ignoble. I don’t believe you,” Tarass said, defending his da as strongly as Snow had defended her da.
“And well you shouldn’t, since it’s a lie.”
All eyes turned to see Twilla standing in the open doorway.
She shuffled in, closing the door behind her, and made her way to Tarass and laid her aged hand on his arm. “It’s a secret your da swore me to keep, but with what went on here today, it’s time the secret was revealed, at least to those in this room.” She turned an accusing glance on the Abbot. “Though Abbot Bennett already knows it.” She turned to Polwarth. “And it’s time you knew it as well.”
Tarass’s silence gave Twilla permission to speak.
“Fay and Winton, Tarass’s da, were good friends, but it wasn’t Winton she loved. It was another man and Winton helped her hide it, since the man was one of Winton’s warriors, certainly not an appropriate husband for the daughter of a noble.”
“Fay would never—”
“Love doesn’t distinguish between nobles and peasants,” Twilla snapped at Polwarth. “Fay didn’t plan on falling in love with this warrior. It caught them both off guard and both tried to deny it, but love is impossible to ignore.”
“Abbot Bennett told me it was Winton my sister snuck off to meet,” Polwarth said, looking perplexed.
Twilla looked to the Abbot. “He lied.”
“Fay never mentioned a name,” Abbot Bennett said in defense of himself.
“Another lie,” Twilla accused.
“You dare call me a liar,” Abbot Bennett snapped.
“I think Fay’s own words prove it since she begged to confess her sins. Isn’t that right, Lord Polwarth?”
“Aye, she did, begged me with tears in her eyes to save her soul,” Polwarth confirmed.
“Fay feared dying with a sin on her soul, never allowing her to join the warrior she loved when she died.”
“The warrior’s dead?” Snow asked, her heart aching for the poor lass.
“Fay came here as soon as Winton had arrived with his new wife along with his warriors who had accompanied him. While it was a joyous occasion for him, it was also a heartbreaking one. He had to tell Fay that the warrior she loved had died in an accident. Fay returned home distraught not over Winton’s new wife, but over losing the man she loved. She kept the bairn a secret until it was a secret no more. Losing the bairn he had left her with was like losing her love all over again and she gave up. Fay wanted to die. She felt there was nothing left in this life for her.”
“That is a ridiculous tale you concocted,” Abbot Bennett accused. “You have no way of knowing the truth.”
Twilla wiped at the tear that hung at the corner of her eye. “But I do know. I know because the warrior Fay loved was my son.”