Free Highlander's Captive by Donna Fletcher

had under control.
    “Do I really have a choice?” she asked, though more to herself than him.
    “Did you ask that of Owen? Did he not take your honor into consideration? Did he not give you the choice of returning home to your brother and properly request a marriage arrangement between the two of you? And didn’t his rescue seem a bit too convenient?”
    “All valid questions, though what of you?” Wintra demanded. “How do I know if you are truly one of my brother’s warriors sent to bring me home?”
    “As I told you, I am an honorable man. All you need to do is ask.”
    So Wintra asked, “Are you one of my brother’s warriors sent to bring me home?”
    Torr leaned close to her, his mouth barely an inch from hers. “No.”
    For a moment fear gripped her, and then she realized that Torr had mentioned that the woman Cree loved was his sister. “You are not one of my brother’s warriors,” she said with confidence, “so why did he send you to fetch me?”
    “Your wit is sharp—at times.”
    She chose to ignore his jibe, instead reminding him of her query. “Why were you sent?”
    “Your brother had pressing matters that needed his attention, so I volunteered.”
    She had actually been surprised when Cree had not been with the troop of warriors that had arrived at the abbey to take her home. Cree had always promised her that he would come for her himself. The thought had never entered her head that anyone would be as foolish as to dare pose as Cree’s warriors. But she could see her brother sending one warrior to bring her home. A warrior he trusted without a doubt—a worthy man.
    “What matters?” she asked curious to know if these matters actually concerned his soon-to-be-wife.
    “Orders from the King that required his immediate attention.”
    Relief tugged at her heart. She was happy her brother had found love, though worried that she did not matter to him anymore. He was all she had after their mum had died. He had always been a good and loving brother and had taught her many things. Thanks to him she could swim, fish—clean and cook the catch herself—and handle a dagger. She had wonderful memories of hot summer days spent with Cree either fishing or swimming, after chores had been done. He had even proclaimed her a better fisherman than he was.
    Another tug caught her heart. She had missed her brother very much and was eager to see him.
    She startled when Torr gently tapped the tip of her nose and asked, “Lost in thought again?
    “Memories this time.”
    “Good ones?”
    She smiled and nodded. “Very good. Cree always treated me well.”
    “Then there isn’t any reason to think that he would do otherwise now, is there?”
    He was right. There wasn’t any reason to think that Cree would deny her happiness with the man she loved. He wanted her happy; he had told her that many times. And Cree was a man of his word.
    She sighed. “You are right.”
    He couldn’t stop himself from smiling. She may have agreed a bit grudgingly, but nonetheless she had agreed. Could she actually be a woman who saw reason? His smile grew. Stubborn and reasonable? Now that was a strange combination for a woman.
    “I am glad you agree. It will make our journey home that less difficult,” he said.
    “And the sooner we get there the better.” She tucked the blanket around her as best she could and struggled to get to her feet.
    Torr’s hand was at her arm in an instant to help her and once she was steady, and the blanket tucked more firmly, he let her go.
    Wintra went over to the chair that held her clothes and felt them. She turned to Torr. “They are dry, except for the hem, but I can sit by the fire once I am dressed and let it finish drying. Turn around,” she said with a twirl of her finger at him.
    Another smile he could not hide surfaced. “I have seen all of you already. What difference does it make?”
    “That could not be helped. This can. Now be a gentleman and turn around.”
    “Yes,