“The Clan Macardle is recovering from difficult times. I don’t want that recovery hampered in any way,” James explained.

“Are you asking for my word that I will behave properly?” Slatter asked.

“I would if I could trust your word.”

“James,” Willow said in a scolding tone. “I will not have you speak with such disrespect to my husband.”

“You would be the first to tell me that men earn respect. Do you truly believe your husband has earned respect after knowing what problems his lies have cost others and what he has cost the Clan Macardle? And please don’t tell me it was someone who resembled him who is responsible for it all. That is a poor excuse unless it can be explicitly proven.”

“Then I suppose we’ll just have to prove it,” Willow said, standing. “But until then I will not have my husband disrespected, especially in my own home.”

James stood as well. “I gave your father my word that I would take care of his daughters and that is why I question this marriage. I don’t want to see you hurt or suffer any regret over a hasty decision.”

“When have you ever known me to make a decision that I hadn’t thought out? Believe me when I tell you that I wanted this marriage.”

“I believe that, Willow. What I question is the reason you married Slatter.”

A knock at the door interrupted any response.

“Sorry to disturb,” the servant said after entering, “but the Lord of Fire approaches.”

“The devil has come to collect his due,” Slatter said with a laugh.

Willow scowled at him, more from fear than annoyance, worried that Lord Tarass would demand Slatter be returned to him for punishment.

James openly admonished him. “This is not funny. Lord Tarass is a formidable man. You would do well to beg his forgiveness.”

Slatter’s joviality vanished in an instant. “I beg no man’s forgiveness and most certainly not the man who wrongfully imprisoned me.”

“It would be best if neither of you were present when I meet with him,” James said.

“No!” Slatter and Willow said in unison and Slatter took his wife’s hand.

“We will face Lord Tarass together,” Willow said and felt her husband’s hand close tight around hers.

The three went to the Great Hall to wait for Lord Tarass, James ordering food and drink brought to the table.

“Let go of my arm, you idiot!”

Willow’s mouth dropped open and James rolled his eyes and shook his head. Slatter smiled seeing it was Snow who called Lord Tarass an idiot.

“What did you just say to me?” Tarass demanded.

“You’re not only more blind than I am, you’re deaf as well,” Snow said and Thaw, cradled in the crook of her arm, agreed with several barks.

“You walk blindly about the village and almost get run down by me, yet I’m the one who’s blind?” Tarass argued.

Snow yanked her arm free of his grasp, though truth be told he let her go, his grip having been too firm to free herself when she had first tried.