“I have, twice, when he came to visit my da. From what I recall he was a short man, thick in the stomach with a pudgy face, dark eyes that always seemed to judge, and no hair on top of his head.”

“I would say he hasn’t changed much,” Tarass said, watching the Abbot approach on a horse, Lord Polwarth riding beside him.

Abbot Bennett spoke as soon as he brought his horse to a stop. “I will speak with Cleric Norman before speaking with both of you.”

Abbot Bennett confirmed what Tarass had feared. Cleric Norman never made it back to the monastery.

“Cleric Norman left here in the snowstorm shortly after arriving here and against my warning,” Tarass said.

“It must have been of the utmost importance for Cleric Norman to take his leave in a snowstorm. What happened here that forced him to take such a dangerous chance?” Abbot Bennett demanded.

“What makes you think you can come to my home and make demands of me?” Tarass’s hand snapped up when Abbot Bennett went to respond. “This is my land, my clan, and I rule here. You have no authority here so I warn you… guard well what you say to me.”

“I care not for your heathen soul, but I do care for Snow Macardle’s soul and I have come here to save her. Your marriage is invalid and Lord Polwarth has been generous enough to agree to honor the valid arrangement that had been made between him and James Macardle. Snow is fortunate that Lord Polwarth would do such an honorable thing under the circumstances.”

“Snow is where she belongs… by her husband’s side. She stays with me.”

“Perhaps it would be best if we discussed this inside,” Lord Polwarth said, glancing around at the crowd that was gathering.

“Nettle, direct our two guests to my solar,” Tarass said as he turned and, continuing to hold his wife’s hand, entered the keep.

Snow remained silent, her shoulders slumping in relief when her husband seated her in a chair in his solar and took her cloak to drape across her lap.

He bent down and kissed her softly. “You didn’t actually think I wouldn’t allow you to be part of this meeting, did you?”

“I should have known better.” With a smile, she kissed his cheek and feeling the chill there placed her cheek against his and whispered, “I’ll warm you later.”

“You warm me now,” he whispered in her ear and smiled when he felt a shiver run over her.

“Snow, you will leave us so we may discuss this matter,” Abbot Bennett ordered upon entering the room and seeing her there.