At least she thought that until she heard Sin walk across the floor and out the door.
Stung, she rolled over to make sure she had heard correctly.
Aye, she had. Her husband was nowhere to be found.
Grinding her teeth in frustration, she lay there and let the pain of rejection wash over her.
Very well then, if he didn’t want her, so be it. She wasn’t going to lie around and ache like this. She had made her offer. He had rejected it.
He had no use for her. Fine. She would be home in a few days and then she could do as he did and just pretend he didn’t exist. Fine. Wonderful.
If that was what he wanted, she would give it to him.
And yet even as her anger spoke loudly in her head, there was a tiny part of her that wanted the kind of marriage her parents had shared. The kind of marriage Morna had had with her father. The kind Emily shared with Draven. One of love and respect.
“I know not what to do,” she breathed. But inside she did. She would have to continue the fight for his heart.
She only hoped he didn’t fight her with the same determination he’d shown with Draven. If he did, then she would have no hope whatsoever of winning.
Nine
Callie paused as she saw her beloved home in front of them. They’d made it. Finally!
Jamie let out a war whoop as he spurred his horse toward the old keep where they’d been born.
Home. That one word repeated itself in her mind as she raced after her brother. Her heart pounded in joy and happiness.
Dermot was the first to meet them. Tall, thin and possessed of the same curly red hair, he beamed at the sight of her. “Praise be to the Lord! I never thought to see your face again!”
Callie laughed as she slid from the horse, into his arms. “On with you! You relished the quiet and well I know it.”
Aster swung her away from Dermot so that he could plant a kiss on her cheek and hold her tight. His gray hair was thinner than before, but his beard was still so thick that it obscured most of his features. “Ach, my bonnie lass. Thank heaven you’re home!”
She looked past him to see Morna holding Jamie as if she’d never let him go again. Tears flowed from her beautiful face as she rocked her son while Jamie had one hand buried in his mother’s red hair.
Love and joy overwhelmed her and brought tears to her eyes.
At least until she heard Aster curse, then call for armed men.
Her breath caught as she realized that she and Jamie had left Sin and Simon to their own means.
“Kill the English dogs!”
Sin reined his horse at the words and made sure to put himself between the angry Scots and Simon. He placed his hand on his sword, ready to draw it if they came any closer.
Callie rushed toward him and placed herself between them and her clan. “Please, Uncle. He’s me husband.”
That news fell over the group like a pall.
“The devil he is.” The old man started toward Sin.
Callie took him by the arm to keep him from reaching them. “Please, Aster. You harm him and Henry will make us all pay.”
The fury on Aster’s eyes was nothing new. Curling his lip, the old man spat on the ground. “To the devil with all of them.”
Sin saw the same reaction on everyone in the castle’s bailey.
“Nice reception,” Simon said drily. “Think you we should pitch a tent in the woods?”
