“You claim much detail about my supposed exploits,” Slatter said. “How is that?”
James agreed. “Slatter is right. How is it you claim these accusations?”
Lord Sterling pointed to Slatter. “You cannot see why by just looking upon us? I have suffered greatly because of this miscreant. I have been accused of stealing, lying, bedding married women, and causing harm for a mere coin. I cannot travel far from home without someone accusing me of a crime and wanting me to suffer for it. I finally had enough and began my search for the man responsible for it all… Slatter.” He pointed again to Slatter. “Now it’s time for him to suffer.” He looked to James. “And when you learn what else he has done, you’ll agree with me.” He turned and shouted. “Bring her to me.”
Willow stood beside her husband more frightened for him than she had ever been. She wanted to shout out that Sterling was a liar. That it was he who had done all the things he accused Slatter of, but she held her tongue, though it wasn’t easy.
Her fear grew when she saw Maddie practically dragged and dumped in front of Lord Sterling. Her one eye was badly bruised and the corner of her mouth swollen and the way she held her one arm, it was obvious it pained her.
Her husband tensed beside her and Willow feared he would rush forward to help the woman, but he didn’t.
“Tell them. Go ahead. Tell them the truth,” Lord Sterling ordered.
Slatter spoke up. “Where’s your husband Kevin, Maddie?”
“You’ll not be asking her any questions,” Lord Sterling ordered. “She’s my prisoner.”
Slatter paid him no mind and said again, “Where’s Kevin, Maddie?”
Maddie rushed to speak. “He’s being held with the others. The ones who survived.”
Lord Sterling raised his hand ready to bring it down on Maddie.
“Hit her and I promise you you’ll lose that hand,” Slatter warned in such an evil threatening tone that it halted Lord Sterling’s swing and sent a heavy silence descending over everyone.
Maddie rushed to say more. “Beck is dead, so are most of his men. There’s only a few of us left.”
“You killed them?” Slatter asked with a nod to Lord Sterling.
“My warriors did. They were a motley crew of thieves and murderers and suffered a fitting punishment.” His lip turned up in a snarl. “But then you know their kind well since you’re one of them. Now tell them, woman,” Lord Sterling commanded.
Maddie looked to Slatter, her eyes pleading.
“It’s all right, Maddie. Say what you must, Slatter encouraged gently.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Beck paid a man to act as a cleric. You and Willow aren’t truly wed.”
Chapter 23
“Lies! You force her to lie,” Willow accused with a shout. “Just like all your other words are lies.”
“Watch your tongue, woman,” Sterling cautioned.
“Don’t ever threaten my wife,” Slatter warned his look even more deadly than his tone had been.
“She is not your wife,” Sterling argued. “And I have tracked you here and I intend to see you punished for your crimes. You will be hanged at sunrise.”
Willow’s legs almost buckled and she grabbed hold of her husband’s arm, not to keep from collapsing, but to keep anyone from taking him from her.
James stepped forward. “That is not going to happen. You are not known to us and until this can be sorted out no action will be taken against Slatter.”
Willow wanted to hug her brother for defending Slatter.
Sterling looked to Tarass. “You will let the man live who killed your warrior and attempted to kill one of his own?” He turned back to James. “And you would defend an evil man who lies for the pleasure it brings him?”
“You don’t step foot on our lands and dictate to us what will be done,” Tarass ordered, his potent tone leaving no room for debate. “I brought you here to have your say. Slatter’s fate is not for you to decide.”
“Then I will remain here until I am sure Slatter gets what he deserves,” Sterling said.
“You will be my guest,” Lord Tarass corrected with a look that warned him not to challenge his command.
Sterling looked ready to argue, but held his tongue, and calmed before saying, “At least lock the scoundrel away so he can’t disappear and cause more havoc.”
Willow’s stomach churned as wickedly fast as her mind, her thoughts focused on various possibilities, the most important… how to help her husband escape if he was imprisoned.
James spoke up this time. “Slatter is confined enough here. He needs no further confinement.”
“Yet you have one dead and another near death,” Sterling challenged, “and you’re still foolish enough to allow him his freedom?” He raised his arm and pointed to Willow. “At least keep him away from your sister so he doesn’t fill her head with more lies or fill her belly with a bairn and leave her in disgrace.”