“What do you need me to do?

Eleanor was dispensed to gather the things Willow needed and Snow went and fetched one of her nightshifts since Sara was petite like Snow. Once Willow had everything she needed to tend the woman properly, she, with the help of Snow and Eleanor, got busy tending to Sara.

Slatter was shown to James’s solar and was there only a few moments when Rhodes started on him again.

“He charmed Willow into marrying him to use her so he could escape punishment and like most women his good looks mesmerized her and his deceitful tongue charmed her into believing his concocted tale that someone who looked like him was responsible for all the evil deeds done in his name. How convenient for him.”

“It does seem contrived,” James admitted and turned a question on Slatter. “How did you and Willow come upon each other?”

“I rescued her from the man who took her from the Northwick troop,” Slatter said, leaving out the part that he had been abducted as well.

James continued to probe. “How did you wind up wed so fast and who wed you?”

“It was a moment we couldn’t resist and a cleric was close by to see us wed properly.” That sounded good to Slatter and was as close to the truth as he could get.”

“And Willow consented to this?” James asked.

“We both eagerly did,” he said, recalling how they both wanted to be on their way and as far away from Beck as possible.

James shook his head. “Willow is the most sensible woman I know. It makes no sense that she would wed the man who caused damage to the Clan Macardle.”

“I had nothing to do with the fire,” Slatter said, though it was a futile attempt. They hadn’t believed him before, so why would they believe him now?

“That tale again,” Rhodes said with a sneer. “You expect us to believe that some phantom man who resembles you is the true culprit. A tale more suited for the storytellers and minstrels.”

“Doubt all you want, Rhodes, it’s the truth,” Slatter said, though knew he wasted his breath. He would not be believed.

“A likely declaration from a liar,” Rhodes accused.

“Truth or tale, either way it presents a dilemma,” James said.

“What dilemma?” Rhodes asked. “Disavow the marriage and return Slatter to Lord Tarass.”

“How can the marriage be disavowed when Willow may be with child?” James asked and turned to look at Slatter. “Is there a possibility she can be with child?”

“A strong possibility,” Slatter confirmed without giving a moment’s thought to the consequences. If Willow’s brother thought any other way, their marriage would end and he didn’t want that as foolish a thought as it was.

“It is your decision, not Willow’s,” Rhodes argued, his anger not only flaring in his eyes, but his tone flaring with it as well.

“Willow would have informed you immediately that Lord Ruddock had granted her and her sister Snow their choice of a husband,” James said. “Are you telling me she didn’t explain that to you?”