Page 59 of The Lone Wolf's Bride

She said nothing, but he could see her tremble.

‘Her name is Gwen,’ said Raghnall evenly.

‘Is it?’ he snarled. ‘Whatever she has told you, I am here to tell you different.’ He pointed to Ilene, his eyes locked on Raghnall’s. ‘You have what belongs to me, and I want it back.’

Raghnall stood up. ‘Whatever her name is I’ve a mind not to relinquish her and you will dare to claim nothing in my hall without my say so.’

He saw Ilene look up at Raghnall and swallow hard.

‘Laird, I am not leaving without her.’

‘Perhaps you will not leave at all.’

‘That woman is mine, and I’ll not leave her at your mercy, as your prisoner.

‘She’s at my mercy because when I first saw her, she was throwing herself off a cliff into the sea. If not for mymercy,she would have been a feast for the crabs. Was it you who drove her to that?’

Ilene started to rise. ‘Raghnall…’

‘Quiet,’ he bellowed and she sat back down. He turned back to Murray. ‘She was half drowned and dying of cold when we pulled her out.’

Murray turned anguished eyes to Ilene who looked away, trembling.

‘And she is no prisoner here. She is, and always has been, free to leave.’

Murray looked at Ilene again and but she would not meet his gaze. Did he really bring her to this? What kind of a man did such a thing to someone he loved? For love her he did, with all his heart, and seeing her alive after all these weeks of searching made his heart soar. But he pushed such soft feelings aside, for they were a weakness here. Instead, he concentrated on what he must do.

‘For the last time, she’s mine, I’m leaving and she’s coming with me.’

‘How is she yours? What claim do you have on her?’

‘A husband’s claim.’

There was a gasp within the hall.

‘Is this true?’ Raghnall said in a hard voice, turning to Ilene.

Yes,’ she whispered.

‘If you are wed to this man why did you leave him? Did he mistreat you, beat you?’

‘No …I … the marriage was not a happy one and I could not stay with him.’

‘Do you fear him?’

‘No, I have never had any reason to fear him, truly.’

‘But youaremarried.’

‘Yes.’

‘Then you lied to me.’

Ilene looked down at her lap. “Forgive me Raghnall,’ was all she said.

There was silence as he glowered at Murray. He must have been shocked by Ilene’s admission but he hid it well. A calculating expression came over his face. There was no emotion in the man’s voice when he spoke, though Murray was certain he felt some. There was just an icy determination, which made Murray realise that he was up against a man every bit as ruthless as he was.

‘If I purchase her from you, before witnesses here, and compensate you adequately for the loss, then your wife can build a kinder future with me.’

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