She sighed heavily, as if in doing so it would release the sadness that overwhelmed her. She smiled when she felt Thaw uncurl from the ball he had wrapped himself in near her feet and jump into her lap to lick her face, as if he sensed her melancholy and was offering comfort.

Her arms instinctively went around him and she hugged him tight. She was surprised how much he had grown in the last two weeks, but happy he still fit in her lap, though she feared not for long.

“I am foolish, Thaw,” she said, a tear trickling down her cheek. “We have each other and that is all that matters.”

Thaw licked her cheek, catching her tear and snuggled against her, letting her know he felt the same.

They settled comfortably together in the chair.

“Maybe I should accept Willow’s offer and have us go live with her and Slatter. I may not have bairns of my own to love and enjoy, but I would have Willow and Slatter’s bairns to love and enjoy.”

Thaw barked and Snow assumed he liked the idea.

A knock sounded at the door, Snow had been keeping it closed after entering, making it clear she preferred to be alone.

“It’s Eleanor, Snow. I have a message from your brother.”

Snow bid her to enter.

“Sorry to disturb you when you look so warm and comfortable, but James requests your presence in his solar on an important matter,” Eleanor said.

There was something in Eleanor’s tone that had Snow questioning, “Is there something wrong, Eleanor?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“Yet, you sound doubtful.”

“He is not alone.”

For some reason, hope sprang in Snow. Was it Tarass?

“Who is with him?” Snow asked calmly, though felt anything but calm.

“Lord Polwarth,” Eleanor said.

Snow’s stomach plummeted and she thought herself a fool ten times over for thinking Tarass might miss her.

She forced a smile. “Lord Farrell Polwarth is an old friend of my father’s. He’s probably asked to see me.”

“That must be it,” Eleanor said, joy returning to her tone. “I only caught a snatch of their conversation and my thoughts went wild when an arranged marriage was mentioned, then a short time later I was asked to fetch you. I wrongly assumed that perhaps the marriage had something to do with you. A foolish thought since your brother would never see you sent away.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I refresh myself,” Snow said.

“I can help,” Eleanor offered.

“Not necessary, I’ll do fine.”

Arranged marriage.