“Not quite,” Tarass corrected quickly. “I hold no grudge against you for what transpired in the past, and my da made a choice to protect a friend and I will not see that taken from him now. What disturbs me is that you caused my wife unnecessary worry and an unnecessary injury.”

“He didn’t mean to,” Snow said in Polwarth’s defense.

“You forgive too easily, wife,” Tarass said and reached down to run his finger gently along her cheek.

Snow looked up at him and smiled pleased that he was more than a gray blur standing there. He was still fuzzy, but she could almost see the color of his plaid and the impressive size of him. “You taught me that, since if I had held a grudge against you, rather than forgive you for all the times you were mean to me and made me apologize, ours would be far from a loving marriage. Lord Polwarth meant well and my leg was nothing more than an accident.”

“That should have never happened,” Tarass argued. “And wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t tried to abduct you.”

“Your husband is right, Snow,” Lord Polwarth said. “I stand ready for punishment.”

“Nonsense,” Snow protested.

“It’s not your decision. It’s your husband’s,” Abbot Bennett snapped.

“You’re right, Abbot Bennett, it is my decision as is the punishment. I deem this whole matter your fault,” Tarass said. “And I will see you appropriately punished. Actually, I have the perfect punishment for you both.” He turned to Lord Polwarth. “Your punishment is that you are to send a missive to whoever is in charge of Abbot Bennett and explain that you will no longer provide the monastery with a generous yearly stipend unless…” Tarass turned to the Abbot. “Abbot Bennett is removed from his position for failing to provide adequate and accurate counsel.”

Abbot Bennett glared at Tarass. “You don’t seriously think that Lord Polwarth would do such—”

“I agree,” Lord Polwarth said, the strength in his voice leaving no doubt he meant it.

“You can’t be serious,” Abbot Bennett said.

“I am, and I will see it done,” Polwarth confirmed and turned a slight smile on him. “And remember who also benefits from my generosity.”

Abbot Bennett paled, his fate sealed as he barely got his words out. “The Bishop.”

Tarass walked over to Abbot Bennett. “You leave here alive and well because of my wife’s good and forgiving heart. Otherwise, I would have seen you suffer horrendously for your deceit, and the danger it brought to my wife.” He looked to Rannock. “Take both men and remove their shackles. Return Lord Polwarth here to me and take Abbot Bennett and his men and see them escorted off my land.”

“I’m not leaving. I will hear what you have to say to Lord Polwarth,” Snow said as soon as the door closed.