spend all the time with you and not even know he has held company with the same sister repeatedly. All you need do is act differently at times and he will never know.”
“Why do I get stuck with him all the time?”
Aliss lowered her voice to a bare whisper. “Because you would kiss him if given the chance, where I would not. And I think you should find out if perhaps Tarr would make a fine husband.”
“I look for love, he does not,” Fiona reminded her sister.
“Love can strike even the most uncooperative man.”
“Ladies,” Tarr called out, startling both women. He stood and walked toward them. His smile started slow and languished as if uncertain, then suddenly it burst free and spread across his handsome face along with a devilish glint that sparked his eyes.
Fiona responded instantly, a smile bursting out before she could stop it.
“It is a fine morning for a walk. Who will accompany me?” He did not give either one a chance to respond; he reached out for Aliss.
Fiona could detect the panic in her sister, though she contained it well enough. Tarr did not notice that her smile was forced and that her eyes pleaded with Fiona for help.
Fiona struck with a curt remark. “Good, I had enough of your company last night.”
“You both play this game well. I admire challenging opponents,” Tarr said, and tugged at Aliss’s hand so that she would stand, and as she did he brought his face close to hers. “Perhaps we shall share another kiss today.”
“I warned you last night that you go too far if you think I will willingly kiss you,” Aliss said.
Tarr released her and frowned at Fiona.
She fought the smile that lurked beneath the surface. It did her heart good to see him unsure of his own choice. “I have an ill prisoner to tend.”
“I think not,” Tarr said. “You shall be the one to accompany me on a walk.”
“Are you certain?” Fiona asked. “You appear indecisive today.”
“You think to befuddle me, but it does not work. I know whom I ask to walk with me,” he said firmly.
“Who is that?” Fiona challenged.
He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. “A twin who will rue the day she has challenged me.”
Fiona was almost out the door when she turned her head and grinned mischievously at her sister.
“Where do we go?” Fiona asked as they left the keep.
“To show you the strength and wealth of my clan, and have you understand why I need to wed a woman of equal strength.”
“I would be honored to view your holdings,” she said sweetly, and his brow knitted. “Perhaps I can offer you advice on how to run your holdings more efficiently.”
“You think yourself capable of leading a clan?”
“I know myself capable of leading a clan,” she smiled, and sauntered on ahead of him.
The day was overcast though warm for autumn. Soon enough the weather would change and daylight would grow shorter. The clansmen and women were busy gathering the last of the harvest and seeing to repairs to their cottages before winter set in.
Fiona waited for Tarr to catch up with her, then she walked beside him in silence. She needed no one to tell her of the strength and pride of the Hellewyk clan. It was there in everything she saw from the well-maintained cottages and fields to the excellent weave of the cloth the clan’s people wore, to the healthy animals grazing in the pens and the delicious smells wafting out of cottage windows. Hellewyk was obviously a prosperous clan.
Tarr needed no advice. He was an exemplary leader and certainly a man any woman would be proud to have as a husband, any woman but her.
She was greeted with smiles, waves, and a shout of welcome now and again. They did not stop to speak with a single soul, this walk was not to introduce her to anyone since how could he; he knew not who she was. This walk was for her to be introduced to a home, a home that could be hers if she so chose.
It had its appeal, she had to admit, as did the man walking beside her. The gleam in his eyes spoke of pride for his people, his confident gait announced him a strong leader, and the width of him left no doubt he could defend his clan with honor.
“I have much to offer a wife.”
He was right. He had much to offer a wife, all that most women