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i tle…the wealth!” He bellowed in rage.
    “Oh! Ye think like every other man! Well, let me tell ye something, my lord! I am not most ladies! Titles and wealth mean naught to me! What are ye doing?” She asked as he retrieved his clothes.
    He turned cold eyes on her. “I am going somewhere else where my honor is nae besmirched so vilely! Ye are too perfect to be sullied by my unworthy touch!” The bed shook from the force of the slamming door.
    “Honor? What honor?” she screamed at the closed door before she broke down in tears.
    Connall stalked into the common room, where his men pretended to sleep. The entire inn had heard their argument. It was a small building. He sat on the floor before the hearth seething with rage when he felt a small pat on his back.
    “Are ye going to play warrior this eve, as well, Da?”
    Connall could not help but chuckle. “Aye, Poppit , it would appear so. I have fought the battle…now tis time to lick my wounds.” She squealed as he scooped her into his arms then stretched out beside her. “Time for sleep, lass.”
    “Aye, Da.”
    * * *

Chapter VI
     
    * * *
    They began the final leg of their journey before dawn. Amy barely woke long enough to dress snuggly in her new clothing. Connall cocooned her in his plaid once he was mounted while Robbie assisted Brighde. They traveled at a steady pace till dawn, then sped up once there was enough light.
    Brighde was cold and heartsick. She knew that she should not have accused him of the drugging. It would have been wiser to ask if he knew of it. Insulting him at the start did not bode well for a congenial marriage. I will have to apologize to Connall. Whoever did the deed makes nae di f ference now. We be wed and that is that.
    Blacksword scowled. He was not pleased at how the eve had progressed. Instead of bedding his bride, he had slept with his men…when he slept. He had deliberately kept the argument short. It was not a discussion to have where so many ears could not help but overhear. He had meant to tell her all last eve, till she broached the subject in such an accusing manner. Let her think the worst! What do I care? But there lay the problem…he did care what she thought of him.
    They stopped to rest the horses , and eat , around mi d day. Brighde took Amy by the hand, leading her into the woods to relieve themselves . Connall followed at a distance to give them some privacy. Foolish wench! She should nae go traipsing off in the wood without escort! There are many dangerous beasts here. He snorted. His wife would prob a bly scare them off with her temper. A grin touched his lips. Aye…he did admire her temper.
    His head shot up as he realized that the forest had gone quiet…too quiet . The stillness was deafening. Connall u n sheathed his sword as he crept closer to the place where they had entered. He heard a deep growl and a small whi m per from Amy. Peeking through the brush, he was surprised at the scene before him.
    The bairn was hiding behind Brighde’s skirts clinging to a squirming grey ball of fur while his wife faced down an angry wolf with nothing more than a tree limb in her grasp. He quickly assessed the situation , realizing what the child was holding.
    Stepping out slowly so he did not startle the beast into an attack, he murmured softly to them. “Do nae move, wife. She will attack if ye do. Poppit , put the pup down gently and release him.”
    Big blue eyes turned on him. “But Da, I saved him. He was all alone…like I was when ye saved me.”
    His heart melted. “And that is a good thing, lass. But he was merely lost from his mother , nae orphaned, and she wishes him back. If that had been what happened with ye, I would have returned ye to your mother . Tis the honorable thing to do.”
    She considered his words for a moment then released the pup. It ran straight to its mother and they slunk off into the woods. Connall breathed a sigh of relief, then ran to catch his bride as she fainted. He carried