“I know. It is but an excuse for me to have a few moments alone with you.” He kept his voice low as they walked slowly through the hall. “This decision is yours, Snow, but I wanted to make it clear that if at the last minute you change your mind, I will gladly see Lord Polwarth escorted out of the keep and sent on his way.”

“Do you not like him?” Snow asked anxiously. “And, please, your honest opinion, Slatter.”

“My honest opinion would be, I don’t know. He seems a pleasant man and while I know him only by name, I’ve heard no bad words said about him.”

“Still, you seem hesitant.”

“One truly never knows someone until they’ve spent time with them. A pleasant manner could hide a devious man. So, if you are unsure, speak up and reject this marriage. Then you will come live with Willow and me and our many future bairns and be well-loved.”

“You are a good man, Slatter,” Snow said.

“Shhh, you’ll ruin my reputation,” he warned with a laugh.

Snow laughed along with him, though her heart felt heavy, so heavy she feared it would break in two. She had not slept all night, her thoughts on this day, this marriage. Was it the right thing to do? Had she rushed foolishly into it and would she regret it? Should she change her mind?

Lord Polwarth had been nothing but kind to her even letting her know that he would not hold her to her word if she should decide differently, since this was a sudden decision for her. He had visited throughout the week, had sat and talked with her, held her hand or took her arm and had been more than kind and mannerly to her.

Thaw was pleasant to Lord Polwarth except when he placed a hand on her, then he growled and snapped. Lord Polwarth had assured Thaw that he meant her no harm and had assured Snow that the pup would grow accustomed to him.

“What do you whisper to my sister?” Willow asked when they reached her.

“A last minute escape,” Slatter said in a conspiratorial whisper.

“When? How?” Willow asked in hushed excitement. “I knew you’d come to your senses.”

“Slatter teases,” Snow said and could all but picture the disappoint on her sister’s face.

Willow went to punch her husband in the arm for getting her hopes up, but he grabbed it, wrapped her in a hug, and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“I told her if she changes her mind we are here for her,” Slatter whispered near her ear.

Willow hugged her husband. “Bless you.”

“I am sorry for the delay, Lord Polwarth. The cleric should be here soon,” James said as he and Polwarth entered the Great Hall, having finished in the solar.