Page 96 of Desire's Ransom
“Remember us, lass?” said Osgood, gesturing to his brother Godwin.
Warin smugly added, “Never try to get the best of a de Ware.”
The woodkerns made their appearance then, materializing as if by magic from the trees, their bows drawn. Ryland gulped. If he’d arrived a split-second later, he was certain Adam would have gotten Cambeal’s arrow through his heart. The knights froze, realizing they might no longer have the upper hand.
Ryland raised his hands in a gesture of calm. “Everyone, please. Put away your weapons. There’s no need for fighting.”
The woodkerns had no interest in obeying him. They were under Temair’s command. And as long as the outlaws had loaded bows, his knights weren’t going to put up their swords.
He looked at Temair for help. But she was studying him now with a horrified fascination.
“Ye never sent them for the ransom,” she realized. “Ye sent them for reinforcements.”
“I can explain,” he said.
“Who is this woman?” his brother demanded.
“Ye betrayed me.” She said the words under her breath, but they sounded as loud as a cannon to Ryland’s ears, and they hit his heart with the same damaging impact. “I trusted ye and—”
“Whoisthis woman?” Adam repeated.
“This woman is my bride,” Ryland declared, “Temair O’Keeffe.”
Temair felt as if the world careened out from under her feet. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Then she gasped—a long, rough, rasping breath of shock—and dropped herbata.
“How…” Her chest caved in, and she staggered back from him. “When…”
“Last night,” he said. “I’m sorry, Temair. I meant to tell you, but…”
But he’d been too busy trysting with her.
One of his men called out, “You’re betrothed to anoutlaw,m’lord?”
Another said, “She’s aprettyoutlaw, I’ll grant you that.”
His fellows chuckled.
“Quiet!” Ryland barked.
Temair’s brain churned as she remembered everything Ryland had ever said, wondering how much of it was untrue. Maybe all of it. And maybe the only reason he’d made love to her last night was to secure his marriage rights.
She felt her heart crack.
And then she felt dread creep over her like a black shadow.
Would Ryland drag her back to her father?
Her breath quickened with panic. Orlaith had promised her—the woodkerns had promised her—she’d always have a home with them. She couldn’t go back to the tower house. She couldn’t be subject to her father’s abuse again.
She wouldn’t.
Before anyone could stop her, she snatched up herbata, wheeled, and fled—back through the forest to the only home she knew.
“Temair!” Ryland cried.
She refused to answer. She didn’t want to see him again. Ever.
Her throat clogged with grief, and tears streamed down her face as she crashed through the trees.
