“Well, it seems your laird, as you call him, has only done what I’ve come to expect from people over the years. I’d like to return to the inn now. Will you take me once I’ve dressed?”

He looked insulted by her suggestion. “Lady Gwendolyn, you cannot leave. ’Twould mean my head.”

“I’m sure you’re exaggerating, Gavin.” Gwen looked to Greylen’s mother. “Lady Madelyn, could you please explain to—” Gavin’s title escaped her. “To your son’s whatever he is, that it’s not appropriate for me to stay any longer?”

Lady Madelyn came back to the bed. She was so beautiful, regal actually. Her auburn hair was swept back and secured with jeweled combs. Oddly, she wore the most incredible long dress. It was the deepest shade of blue with bell sleeves that fell open to the sides. She looked straight into Gwen’s eyes. Speaking in a gentle but serious tone, she said, “I’m so very sorry, Gwendolyn, but what Gavin’s told you is the truth. You cannot leave.”

Gwen didn’t want to argue with her. But in true Gwen fashion, she did. “Why not?”

“Not only is there nowhere for you to go, but you belong to my son now. The formality of your marriage is just that, a formality, my dear.”

There it was again, her fictitious marriage that was just a formality. Maybe she was pregnant too. Oh yeah, they never had sex—and she wasn’t married! “Lady Madelyn, as much as I’d love to stay, I can’t. Spare me whatever dignity I have left.” Which at the moment, Gwen thought, wasn’t much.

“Gwendolyn, if Greylen’s men let you go anywhere, he’ll kill them without hesitation. You must believe me,” she warned.

“Isn’t that a little dramatic?” Gwen asked. “I know he saved my life, and you’ve shown me nothing but kindness, but you can’t think to keep me here.” Were they insane?

“Why don’t you dress and come below stairs. Anna will help you,” Lady Madelyn offered. Then she stood, obviously done with the conversation.

She’d been dismissed!

“That isn’t necessary.” Gwen’s voice caught. She was close to tears and needed desperately to be alone.

“Gwendolyn.” Isabelle looked upset as well.

Gwen pushed her own feelings aside. At the moment, Isabelle’s took precedent. The day she’d spent with her was one of the best she could remember.

Gwen stepped from the bed—and fell into Gavin’s arms. My God the bed had to be three feet off the floor. Feeling like a complete idiot, which wasn’t a stretch right now, Gwen murmured a thank-you. She held out her hands and smiled at Isabelle. She was absolutely stunning. Graceful beauty at its finest. She had a willowy frame and a face that matched. Long and delicate with the most stunning blue eyes and long blond hair.

“Please don’t worry,” Gwen told her, mortified that her voice cracked.

“Gwendolyn, you mustn’t leave,” Isabelle whispered. “Please. Greylen will return soon.”

“I can’t stay, Isabelle,” Gwen whispered, shaking her head. Her heart constricted as she realized the dream she’d embraced for only the shortest of time was now shattered. The one in which she had a family to care about. A family who cared about her.