Page 49 of Moon Craving

When was the last time anyone had inquired after her with no more reason than

basic human concern? These Chrechte warriors might not be civilized, but they showed

more care for her well-being than her family.

She brought forth a smile, a weary effort at best. "Merely tired. It has been a . . .

complicated . . . two weeks."

"Preparation for marriage is that way for women, I have heard." He dropped her

arm but stayed close enough to be of assistance should she need it.

"I did not know I was preparing for marriage. I believed I was going to Scotland to

visit my sister, Emily." She was not sure why she had admitted it; maybe it fell under being

as honest as she could be. More likely it was simply that she trusted this big, scarred

warrior as a friend. For no more reason than her heart told her she could.

"The Balmoral's wife?" he asked, confusion lurking in his gray eyes.

"Yes."

"I do not understand. Your father petitioned your English king for redress when she

married the wrong laird. Your marriage to our leader has been a foregone conclusion--at

least to our monarchs--these past weeks."

"I did not know that."

Niall looked at her with pity and something else. Something that told her she was

right to trust him as friend. Understanding . "When did you learn you were to be married?"

"The day before we left my stepfather's keep."

Looking properly furious, Niall nodded as if agreeing to something someone said,

and his gaze fixed on something behind Abigail.

Chapter 5

She turned to find her new husband standing not a foot behind her. Normally, she

was much more aware than this. It must be her exhaustion.

"Hello, Talorc."

"I will not apologize."

"I will not ask you to," she said, trying to figure out why he thought she expected it.

"It was her idea, wasn't it?"

Ah, he had overheard her conversation with his soldier and had correctly surmised