Willow was relieved to hear some common sense being made, but it also annoyed her that a decision would be made for her, then she remembered.

“It is no one’s decision but mine,” she said, drawing both men’s attention. “Lord Ruddock claimed that I was free to pick a husband of my choosing and I picked Slatter.”

Rhodes’s brow creased in annoyance and he looked to William. “This is nonsense. He’s charmed her and now she lies for him. He’s a scoundrel, liar, and thief, and I refuse to believe they’re wed or if for some outlandish reason they are, that James Macardle would approve of their union.”

“Evidently you didn’t hear what I said,” Willow said caustically. “It’s no one’s decision but mine who I wed.”

“If you are wed,” Rhodes challenged.

William spoke up. “We have only one choice, return them home and let James Macardle and Lord Tarass decide what is to be done with them.”

Rhodes didn’t hide his deepening anger. “The Lord of Fire will see it made right.”

That was what Willow was afraid of, that Tarass would have his way no matter what, and the thought made her shiver.

“Worry not, leannan, all will go well,” Slatter whispered near her ear.

His words only worried her more, since she recalled how he’d talked with pride of how he could escape anyone or anyplace. Would he eventually make his escape and leave her? She shivered again.

His arm coiled tighter around her waist. “The only ones to make this right between us will be you and me.”

Something about the way he said you and me as if no one else mattered, only the two of them and that only they would decide their destiny, vanquished some of her worry.

“Get yourselves together, we leave shortly. I want this mission done,” Rhodes said.

“We’re not leaving until it is safe for the old woman to travel,” Willow said, turning to Rhodes.

“Who is this old woman to you?” Rhodes demanded.

Her husband gave her side a squeeze and she understood, though she had had no intention of telling Rhodes the truth, fearful it could hurt Sara.

“She was a good friend of my mother’s,” Willow said, since neither man would know if that were true or not.

Rhodes conceded with a complaint. “We can’t wait long or they’ll send another troop out after us and if it snows again and we get stuck here, it will not bode well for mine and William’s warriors.”

“I will let you know after I see how she fares,” Willow said and stepped away from her husband, expecting him to follow her into the cottage. When she saw that he headed toward Rhodes, she stopped, fearful for what might happen.

Rhodes didn’t wait for Slatter to reach him, he walked straight at him.

Willow worried this would end poorly and as she’d seen him do on other occasions, her husband moved with such speed that Rhodes didn’t even see the punch coming. He was flat on his back, his eyes stunned wide, his lip bleeding and already swelling.