“Why?” she demanded. “Is it that I’m too plain for you, you don’t find me appealing? Or perhaps I’m not strong enough. Is it a more courageous woman you want? Or is it that I’m a virgin and wouldn’t know how to satisfy a man as experienced in poking as you are?”

Willow’s eyes shot wide and she jumped. But she had no time to move, her husband was upon her so fast, his hand at the back of her neck gripping it firmly. And anger simmered in his dark, fathomless eyes.

“Hear me well, wife, I see a timeless beauty every time I look upon you. Most times I cannot take my eyes from you or have a thought in my head that doesn’t include you.” He stopped and a growl-like sound rumbled from him before he continued. “And you appeal to me like no other woman and you have since I first laid eyes on you. Strong? Courageous? I’ve met no woman that can compare with your strength and courage.” He lowered his face closer to hers. “I believe I told you once that it wouldn’t be a poke I’d give you. We’d make love and once we did, I’d never let you go.”

His mouth came down on hers in a punishing kiss, almost as if he was trying to frighten her away, but it didn’t work, not after hearing his last few words.

I’d never let you go.

His kiss stopped abruptly and that’s when Willow heard Sara moaning.

His hand released her as soon as she turned and he followed her to the bed.

“Her fever rises again,” Willow said, her hand on the old woman’s brow.

Slatter reached the bucket before he finished saying, “I’ll get more snow.”

It was a difficult night. They took turns watching over his grandmother. They got little sleep, but when the day dawned, her fever had broken, leaving them both much relieved, though not completely worry free. Willow knew her fever could return and there was still the possibility of her wounds turning putrid. And while she made no mention of it to Slatter, she could tell he was already aware of it.

Once he saw that the snow had stopped, he had told her he would go hunt, in hopes of finding them a more substantial meal.

With Sara sleeping peacefully and Slatter hunting, Willow decided to freshen herself with a quick wash. She grabbed the empty wooden bucket, not bothering with her cloak, since she’d be but a moment in scooping up some snow to melt by the hearth.

She cast a glance at Sara, checking on her as she opened the door and kept her head turned to make sure she closed the door good, not wanting to let any cold air in the cottage. She turned and took a step, halting abruptly, the bucket falling from her hand.

A few feet away stood not only Rhodes and his warriors, but Ruddock’s warriors as well.