Return of the Rogue Read Free Page A

follow.
    Honora hurried along with them; after all, this was her future they would discuss.
    “You wait here.” Calum’s bark had her jumping back, and she bumped against what felt like a solid tree trunk.
    Her eyes widened when she glanced over her shoulder to see that she leaned against Cavan. She stumbled over her own feet to get away from him. Or was she trying to get away from the possibility of him becoming her husband? she wondered. He was quick to grab her arm and help secure her footing.
    “She comes with us,” Cavan said, giving no further explanation and dragging Honora along with him.
    She wasn’t surprised that her stepfather didn’t object. The look in Cavan’s dark eyes challenged anyone to defy him. In fact, it appeared that he’d welcome the defiance, and pity the poor fool who obliged him.
    Cavan didn’t release her until they entered his father’s solar. Though there were chairs aplenty, no one took a seat. Artair joined his brother Lachlan, who stood beside their father. Cavan stood close tothe blazing hearth, his cloak discarded over a chair. Addie stood with Honora to the side.
    Calum stood in the center of the gathering, stiff in posture and resolve, and with a shout ordered his daughter to his side. “Honora, here, now!”
    She obeyed without question, as she had for as long as she could remember. For a moment she feared he might raise his hand to her, but then realized he would not do so in front of the Sinclares. He but demonstrated his authority over her for all to see and know that his daughter was loyal to him and would do as told.
    Calum spoke directly to Tavish. “You will recall how adamant I was when the documents were drawn up that it be stated that my daughter would wed the next laird of the Sinclare clan.”
    Tavish nodded. “I do recall that, but she has wed Artair.”
    “Not so,” Calum said. “Artair was never mentioned in the agreement. The vows were between the next laird and Honora. Artair simply represented the next laird of the Sinclare clan, who with his return is Cavan.”
    “I agreed to no such arrangement,” Cavan said.
    “That makes no difference,” Calum protested. “Your father agreed and with him being laird of the clan, his decision is final.”
    Honora listened, her heart beating madly. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be wed to Cavan Sinclare. He didn’t want her when once she had been offered to him, and he still didn’t want her, and she didn’t want him.
    “I will not wed the frightened little mouse,” Cavan said defiantly.
    Calum smiled smugly. “You are already wed to her. Ask the cleric, he’ll confirm the truth of it.”
    Was that how he saw her, as a frightened little mouse? Scurrying about, running and hiding while all the time attempting to survive. Sadly, wasn’t that how she lived her life?
    “I want no wife, Artair does,” Cavan said. “She is his wife, not mine.”
    “I did agree to take Honora as a wife,” Artair said. “And I will honor that agreement.”
    Her husband had finally spoken up, but his words were not what she had expected. It seemed that Artair had no feelings for her. He had simply agreed to an arranged marriage, no more. She was nothing but chattel to these men, a brood mare who would bear sons so the Sinclare line would continue.
    “That wasn’t the agreement,” Calum said, pointing an accusing finger at Tavish. “The arrangement was clear, and you know it. Honora wed to the next laird of the Sinclare clan.” He swung his accusing finger at Cavan. “And that would be him, Cavan Sinclare, husband to my daughter Honora.”
    “This is ridiculous,” Lachlan said. “The cleric just claimed Artair and Honora wed.”
    “No. I say again, he sanctioned the vows of the next laird of the Sinclare clan husband to Honora,” Calum said haughtily, settling his arms across his chest in satisfaction. “Ask the cleric yourself. He will confirm my claim.”
    “Addie, will you please bring the cleric