“You are when you carelessly ride through a village with no thought of anyone but yourself,” she accused, shaking a finger in his shadowy direction.

Tarass grabbed her finger. “Not only does that annoying pup of yours need a leash, but so do you.”

“A leash would be best served on you,” Snow said with a heavy scowl.

Gasps were heard from those in the Great Hall, all except Slatter… he smiled.

Tarass yanked her against him, the little pup snarling and snapping at him. Tarass paid him no heed. “Don’t ever, ever point a finger at me again and as far as a leash, if you were mine, I’d keep you on a short one.”

Snow could make out the shadow of his face and she planted her own face close to his. “Then I thank the heavens that I’m not stuck with an idiot brute like you.” Thaw snarled in agreement.

“Snow!” James called out in a reprimanding tone as he approached her.

Tarass appeared ready to explode. “If you weren’t blind—”

“What? What would you do to me?” Snow challenged.

Tarass planted his nose against hers. “Trust me, you don’t want to find out.” He gave her a slight shove and stepped away from her.

Slatter leaned down and whispered to his wife, “You Macardle woman certainly have courage.”

Willow had been worried for Snow, fearing what Lord Tarass might do to her, but Slatter was right. Snow had gained much courage in her absence and she was proud of her sister. She was about to hurry over to her when her husband stopped her.

“She can make her way to us, just let her know you’re here,” Slatter said.

“Snow, over at our table,” Willow called out, realizing habit would have had her going to Snow.

Snow made her way to Willow, leaving James to speak with Lord Tarass.

“You need to deal more firmly with the Macardle sisters. First, you allow Sorrell to ruin the marriage arrangement made for her, then you let Snow, a blind woman, wander around without anyone looking after her or chastising her for being disrespectful, and now Willow arrives home with Slatter, my prisoner, now her husband. This will not do, James. Husband or not Slatter needs to pay for his crimes. I received a missive from Lord Ruddock before I learned of Slatter’s escape from my men, letting me know that he played a part in the devastation his family suffered. Slatter needs to pay and I intend to see that he does.”

“My husband did nothing wrong,” Willow said, Tarass having spoken loud enough for all to hear.

“You are a fool if you believe his lies that a man who resembled him is responsible for his dastardly deeds,” Tarass said.

“But what if it is true and you condemn an innocent man?” Snow asked.

Tarass shot Slatter a look. “You let women speak for you, Slatter?”

Slatter grinned. “Intelligent, courageous women can speak for me anytime.”

“You’ll not take my husband from me,” Willow said with a defiant toss of her head.