“And Hew McDolan?” Rhys asked.
“It will not be long before he and his warriors arrive at Macinnes keep,” Pitt said. “And Rab McLaud rides with him.”
“He is coming for his wife Saundra,” Heather said worry wrinkling her brow.
“And your family will have no choice but to return her to her husband,” Pitt was quick to advise.
Heather squeezed her husband’s arm. “We must do something. Rab means to see his wife dead. Something I doubt Hew McDolan knows. Perhaps there is another place where Saundra could hide?”
“If McLaud has eyes on the keep, it will not matter,” Rhys said. “McDolan is no fool. He probably sent someone ahead to see what he could find out.”
“That is good.” Heather said. “Then he will learn of our union and know he will face more than just the Clan Macinnes.”
“Our union has no bearing on this matter,” Rhys said. “A wife cannot be kept from her husband. Saundra will have no choice but to return to her husband.”
“How do we simply hand her over to a man who means to kill her?” Heather argued her concern growing and not only for Saundra. “Patience will never agree to return Saundra to her husband.”
“That refusal coupled with Greer’s wife being found dead on Macinnes land will surely start a war,” Pitt said.
“Send two trackers out and see what they can find out,” Rhys ordered.
Pitt appeared ready to speak, but hesitated.
“I will have a few moments alone with Pitt,” Rhys said to his wife. “And do not bother to argue. I have been more than generous in granting your numerous requests.”
She could not argue when he was right. She bobbed her head and stepped far enough away where she could not hear their conversation, though she wished she could. Pitt no doubt spoke to Rhys about their current enemy, a mysterious foe with far too many similarities to the ghost warriors. It made her more than curious.
Rhys approached her as Pitt went off to do his bidding.
His expression was stern, and Heather could tell his thoughts were heavy and rightfully so.
Heather took hold of his arm, an instinctive action, she gave no thought to, but Rhys did. Any fear she had of him was rapidly dwindling and he wondered why. Was she simply accepting her fate and forcing herself to tolerate him or was she truly at ease with him?
“Do you often wear peasant garments,” Rhys asked as they walked toward the village.
Heather took no offense to his remark, turning a smile on him. “Tending to the ill, seeing to the running of a keep, and tending a garden are all best served in peasant garments.”
“My home has two healers and servants tend the gardens. Peasant garments will not be necessaryfor the running of the keep. I will see that you have fine garments to wear.”
Heather chuckled softly. “Fine garments will not keep me out of the garden or lending a hand to the healers. Besides, these garments suit me better than any other.”
“They do not suit me and it appears that you need constant reminding that my word is law.”
Heather stopped walking, forcing Rhys to do the same.
“I was frightened enough when I was abducted, and you cannot imagine how my fear escalated when I found out that the infamous Dark Dragon had ordered my abduction. My fear soared beyond reason when my father told me he had given me in marriage to you. And when I met you for the first time and had to take my leave with you, I thought my legs would fail me.”
“I well remember, since I all but carried you from your keep.”
“In barely two days’ time, and to my utter surprise, I find fear has been replaced, somewhat, with curiosity. The Dragon may spit fire on occasion, but his nature is not evil as most believe.”
Rhys brought his face close to hers. “Do you not know that evil lies hidden until ready to strike?”
Heather rested her hand to his chest. “I do not believe evil resides in you.”
Rhys placed his hand over hers. “Trust me, wife, when I tell you that evil is there and warn you to be wary that one day it does not strike at you.”
Heather smiled and tugged him along as she started walking again. “Evil cannot touch a faithful soul, so I have no worry.”
