“I don’t mean to be ungrateful, Slatter,” Crofton said a bit of a tremor to his voice, “but you did say you would be moving all of us to a safer and permanent home. Will that be soon? I fear our small cottage will not do well in a winter storm.”

“I agree with the lad,” Devin said, joining the two. “It’s time for you to leave here, time for you to return home, where it is safe.”

The door opened and Crofton hurried to Willow, concern drawing his brow together in deep lines for one so young.

“Your grandmother does well and I’m going to show you how to prepare a poultice to help ease her aches.” After Crofton entered the cottage, a smile of relief chasing his worry lines, Willow looked to her husband. “You need not wait. I will be a while. I will see you at the cottage.”

Slatter nodded and stood there a few moments after the door closed.

“My wife tells me she saw me kissing a woman in the market before chaos broke loose,” Slatter said.

“He slipped through your fingers again. He’s as good at vanishing as you are. This has gone on far too long. You’ve come close to losing your life because of him and almost losing your freedom. And damn Beck for getting hold of you before we reached you. This devil-in-disguise has to be found and made to pay for what he’s done. This has to end.”

“I’ve noticed that this foe of mine vanishes for extended periods of time only to surface and create havoc again. I wonder if he does this of his own accord or if he has no choice and must return somewhere? Then when he gets anxious to play his little games again, he surfaces.”

“You need to make your wife aware of this,” Devin advised.

“I have little choice after what she saw.”

“It is better she knows what goes on, keeping her ignorant could harm her. Besides, once you return her home, this evil-doer could show up at her door and claim her as his wife.”

Slatter sat staring at the flames in the fireplace after Devin left. He could not get his friend’s words out of his head. If this man, so intent on making it appear Slatter an evil scoundrel, discovered he had wed, what evil deed would he attempt with Willow? Anger surged in him at the possibilities and made him all the more determined to keep her safe and by his side until the culprit was caught.

The door creaked open and he turned to see his wife enter the cottage. He did what seemed natural and stretched his hand out to her.

She responded as if out of habit. She went to him and his hand closed possessively around hers. He gave a tug to land her on his thigh, his arm going around her waist to keep her steady.