Free Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger

been staring at her face, he would have missed the brief wounding revealed there. Regret pierced him; regret that she had seen more in their friendship than he did.
    But Nathara hid her feelings well, and anger replaced hurt in an instant. “Handfasted? With whom, may I ask? And how dare you do such a thing without even discussing it with me first? Do I mean nothing at all to you?”
    He pulled on his shirt. “Nathara, I’ve never promised you anything beyond the day, is that not so?”
    Her charms faded fast when her will was contested. Her voice became shrill. “You can put me aside this easily?”
    Adam stooped and picked up her gown as he explained. “I owe you much, ’tis true. If you hadn’t tended to my wounds . . .” He handed her the dress. “You saved my life, Nathara, and I am truly grateful. I had not thought to marry—”
    â€œThen why did you?” She clasped the gown to her chest but made no move to put it on.
    â€œI had no choice.” Briefly Adam described the circumstances of his marriage to Gwenyth.
    Nathara donned her clothes. “You admit the woman was forced on you—at the end of the year put her aside.” She twined her arms about his neck. “I will wait, Adam.”
    Adam lowered his head, mesmerized by the sultry tone of her voice. He reached for Nathara’s hair and stroked it. Saints above, she was so tempting, and so willing. He would need God’s help if he had any hope of fighting this temptation while chastely handfasted to Gwenyth.
    He had pledged the protection of his name, and the vows he’d spoken clearly announced he would honor Gwenyth with his word and his body. The words were no less binding for the year and a day than the church-spoken vows of a lifetime.
    Resolved to seek out Father Jerard as soon as he returned to the castle, Adam removed Nathara’s arms from his neck and backed away. “Nay, Nathara. I am not happy to be bound to Gwenyth against my will, but I will not break my pledge to her, either in thought or in deed.”
    Nathara’s facial features hardened and Adam saw the beginning of animosity and anger. Gone was the seductress and in her place stood a woman accustomed to getting her way. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been so forthright with her.
    He knew that she wasn’t chaste; she made no secret of her conquests. That alone made her inappropriate as a wife. He’d made it clear he wasn’t considering marriage with her, and she’d seemed content with what he was willing to give. Until now. The look on her face at the moment gave Adam reason to doubt just how well she was taking this news.
    â€œShe is nothing more than a servant, not fit to be wife of the Chattan captain. You want to remain laird, don’t you?”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œShe’ll be no more help than I would. Probably less, since she’s from outside the clan.”
    â€œDon’t concern yourself.” Adam was growing tired of the discussion. His time in the healing waters had been far too brief to soothe either his shoulder or his mind, and Nathara had only increased his agitation.
    â€œNathara, I’m sorry.”
    â€œI am, too, Adam. Sorry you feel compelled to honor vows that have no meaning and can bring you nothing but trouble. Sorry that you will not honor the unspoken vows between us.”
    So, she had hoped their friendship would end in marriage. Adam anticipated tears but saw a vengeful woman instead.
    Nathara spun on her heel and strode away, leaving him to wonder just what trouble he could expect from her.
    He finished dressing, irritated that his dilemma remained unresolved. He returned to the castle, and after a long talk with the priest, sought his mother.
    He found her in Gwenyth’s chamber. Eva put her finger to her lips, and Adam walked quietly across the room. Looking down at the sleeping woman, he was struck again by her beauty. Her thick auburn