She looked up at him with gratitude. Thank you.
He held her arm, obviously concerned she would stumble again. Are you all right?
When was the last time anyone had inquired after her with no more reason than basic human concern? These Chrechte warriors might not be civilized, but they showed more care for her well-being than her family.
She brought forth a smile, a weary effort at best. Merely tired. It has been a . . . complicated . . . two weeks.
Preparation for marriage is that way for women, I have heard. He dropped her arm but stayed close enough to be of assistance should she need it.
I did not know I was preparing for marriage. I believed I was going to Scotland to visit my sister, Emily. She was not sure why she had admitted it; maybe it fell under being as honest as she could be. More likely it was simply that she trusted this big, scarred warrior as a friend. For no more reason than her heart told her she could.
The Balmorals wife? he asked, confusion lurking in his gray eyes.
Yes.
I do not understand. Your father petitioned your English king for redress when she
married the wrong laird. Your marriage to our leader has been a foregone conclusionat least to our monarchsthese past weeks.
I did not know that.
Niall looked at her with pity and something else. Something that told her she was right to trust him as friend. Understanding . When did you learn you were to be married?
The day before we left my stepfathers keep.
Looking properly furious, Niall nodded as if agreeing to something someone said, and his gaze fixed on something behind Abigail.
Chapter 5
Hello, Talorc.
I will not apologize.
I will not ask you to, she said, trying to figure out why he thought she expected it.
It was her idea, wasnt it?
Ah, he had overheard her conversation with his soldier and had correctly surmised her mothers machinations had been behind Abigails ignorance. Maybe he had called Sybil an indelicate name?
Abigail did not care. Yes. She did not think I needed to know the plans for my future.
Neither man asked Abigail why her mother would treat her so cruelly. Thank goodness. They probably attributed it to the fact Sybil was English.
Talorc winced. When I arranged my sisters first wedding, I told her the moment the plans were finalized.
Emily used to remind Abigail that tone of voice held as much or more meaning than the words people spoke, but Abigail could not even remember what those tones might sound like. She only knew that when watched closely, a persons face told its own story. One that did not always agree with the spoken word either.
Talorcs expression was a mixture of chagrin and righteousness, both at odds with his claim.
That was the same night he had her wed to his second-in-command, Niall said with a wink.
Ah, that explained it. Her husband had no wish to think he was like the Englishwoman he had called bitch.
Twas not the same. I had not arranged her mating with a stranger from a foreign land. Caitriona knew Sean from the time she was a babe, and they liked each other well enough. But something in Talorcs expression told Abigail he felt guilt for his actions all the same.
She liked him for that. He cared that he might have hurt his sister. It was something Abigail could cling to in regard to her own future. She hoped.
The first time she wed? she asked.
Sean died in battle. Cait wed Drustan, second-in-command to the Balmoral, after.
No wonder you are now allies.
Niall snorted. It was not words but an expression of disbelief that Abigail had seen far too many times not to recognize. Talorc gave his soldier a quelling glarewith little appreciable effect.
Your sister and my own would have it no other way, Talorc said.
There was definitely more to it than he was saying, but Abigail was caught by one truth above all others. And you listened to them? she asked in true shock.
Her stepfather never admitted to taking the advice of a woman, even Sybils.
It was a good alliance to make.
Aye, it was. Niall inclined his head toward Abigail. Your bride is so tired, she can barely stand.
She needs to eat.
Let her eat in the tent, where she can sleep after.
You think to advise me how to treat my bride? Talorc asked, looking dangerous.
Why not? Abigail asked. He is your second-in-command, isnt he? Surely he is allowed to have an opinion. She wasnt trying to be rude but realized after speaking that her questions could be taken that way. She simply wanted to understand the Highlanders way of things.
Nialls smile might be considered frightening by some, but Abigail saw the honest amusement lurking in his gray eyes. Your wife is feistier than I thought.
She is.
She does not flinch from me. He appeared both pleased and astounded by that fact.
I noticed you held her arm.
She would have fallen otherwise. Nialls head bowed in apology.
She is right here. Abigail frowned at both big men.
Really. She was accustomed to being ignored by her family, but this was getting out of hand.
For good or ill, Talorc gave her his full regard. Niall is not my second-in-command. His brother holds that place.