Page 201 of Moon Craving

only hope he was refusing his king's offer.

"King David was sure you would be pleased by this offer when he received your

message demanding redress for the English baron and his daughter's deception."

Talorc had sent a message to the king telling him of Abigail's secret? He had

demanded redress? The nights of making love since then meant nothing. The fact that he

had never repeated her words of love or indeed acknowledged the truth of hers made

perfect sense now. Talorc had just been biding his time until his king annulled the

marriage. Just like Sybil, Talorc had made plans to get rid of Abigail permanently.

Pain lanced through her and she doubled over. Guaire's arms were there, stopping

her from falling. She looked up at him, but she could not form the words to tell him what

she had heard.

His eyes were filled with compassion, but determination was there, too. "Do not let

them see your pain."

She nodded, sucking in air and resolve. She forced herself to stand straight and

step away from him.

"We either go back through the kitchen or walk through the great hall. Your

choice."

As annoying as she found Una, the other woman would be much easier to hide

Abigail's devastation from. She pointed toward the kitchen and Guaire nodded, then led

the way. Their pace was much more sedate this time, though they did not dawdle in the

kitchen. Thankfully, Una was not there at the moment.

They found her outside. With Niall. Kissing.

Guaire's entire body went rigid with shock, the anguish of what he saw causing him

to cover his face.

Niall pushed the widow away, his gaze zeroing in on Guaire with unerring

accuracy. He opened his mouth to speak, but Guaire spun away, dragging Abigail with

him.

If Niall called after them, she could not hear, but she felt the vibration of the ground

as he chased after them. She did not know what Guaire said over his shoulder at the big

warrior, but the scarred man did not follow them onto the path to the lower bailey.