Return of the Rogue Read Free Page B

here?” Tavish asked his wife, who turned with a nod and left the solar.
    “I only ask the agreement be honored as written,” Calum said confidently.
    “Why?” Cavan asked, walking over to him, to stand in similar fashion, arms across his chest. “Want to rid yourself of the little mouse?”
    Honora glared at him, wishing she had the courage to defend herself.
    “So, the mouse rears her head,” Cavan said.
    Calum snatched Honora’s wrist and twisted it. “I’ll brook no disobedience from you, daughter.”
    Honora leaned into her stepfather to ease the pressure of the pain.
    “Let her go.” Cavan ordered.
    The angry growl was more animal than human, and her stepfather eased his hold, though he did not release her.
    Honora saw that Cavan had stepped closer, as had Artair and Lachlan. They stood beside their brother, ready to follow his lead.
    “Do you claim my daughter as wife?” Calum challenged. “If you do, then you have a right to dictate to her. If not? My daughter obeys me.”
    Cavan made a move to step forward, his dark eyes burning into Calum, and to Honora’s surprise, she felt her stepfather tremble.
    The door opened before Cavan took another step, and Addie hurried in, followed by a frantic cleric.
    The short, skinny man, his face full of wrinkles,shook his head. “What madness is this? I claimed this pair man and wife.”
    Tavish stepped forward and detailed the problem for the cleric. The man listened intently, nodding now and again.
    Calum added his opinion. “You do recall our talk before the ceremony? I expressly made it known how the vows were to be spoken and confirmed.”
    “That you did,” the cleric said. “And you provided the signed marriage papers as proof of the arrangement.”
    Honora didn’t like the sound of what she was hearing. She couldn’t be Cavan’s wife. She didn’t want to be his wife. She wished she had never set eyes on any of the Sinclare men.
    “Then my claim is valid,” Calum said. “Honora is wife to Cavan.”
    “She is wife to Artair,” Cavan protested.
    The cleric shook his head. “Calum Tannach is right. The documents state Honora was to wed the next laird of Clan Sinclare, therefore, Artair proved to be proxy for his brother Cavan, since Cavan has returned, and appropriately enough on his wedding day.
    “This is nonsense,” Cavan argued.
    The cleric appeared mortified, his thin face turning bright red. “How dare you question my authority. The documents are binding. You are husband to Honora.”
    Cavan pointed to Artair. “She is my brother’s wife.”
    The cleric shook his head. “Calum Tannach is correct. As the marriage papers state, Artair was but proxy for you, and I will not debate the matter. It is settled, and there is a union to celebrate and vows to be consummated. Do your duty as the next laird of Clan Sinclare and as a husband.”
    The cleric stomped out of the room, his abrupt departure announcing that the matter was at an end.
    Honora felt her senses spinning out of control. She couldn’t be wife to Cavan. She didn’t want to be wife to Cavan. Presently, she didn’t want to be wife to anyone; she simply wished to be free.
    Cavan turned to Artair. “Do you love her?” he asked.
    “I barely know her.”
    His words hurt her heart, though they were the truth. There was no love between them. She had hoped perhaps there could be in time, but Artair was nothing more than an acquaintance, and Cavan even less than that to her.
    “None of that matters,” Calum demanded. “You heard the cleric. It is settled. Cavan and Honora are wed.”
    Tavish stepped forward, his sons moving aside in respect not only to their father, but also to their laird.
    “Leave us, Calum,” Tavish ordered firmly.
    Calum bristled. “I have a right to protect my daughter’s rights.”
    “No longer,” Tavish said calmly. “Honora is now a Sinclare, wife to Cavan. You no longer have say over her. Now leave and join the celebration.”
    Calum nodded with a