Flora bit her tongue, warning herself to keep silent, but how could she when the man beside her was an idiot? One word. One word would silence him. She opened her mouth and caught the fearful look in Tavia’s eyes and clamped her mouth shut tight. Tavia sent her an appreciative smile.
Flora swore to herself that she would never marry, especially an idiot like Lord Torin. Lord, help the woman he wed.
“Flora does as well,” Newlin said with an eye to Lord Torin. “After all, she is my brother’s daughter.”
Flora turned such an evil eye on her uncle that he backed away from her.
“She is quiet. A good trait in a woman,” Torin said and hastily turned to Dawn. “Forgive me, Lady Dawn, I meant no disrespect.”
Dawn nodded and was not surprised that Cree spoke up.
“If I thought you did, your arse would be on the ground and your nose would be broken and bloody.”
Flora bit back her grin and once again turned evil eyes on her uncle. He refused to look her way. She knew what he was up to. He was trying to get her to talk so their bargain would be broken, and he could marry her off to whoever he wished. And with the idiot things the man next to her was saying, she feared her uncle just might be victorious. She locked her lips shut, sealing as best she could the words ready to spew from her lips. She was relieved when a man hurried into the Great Hall with a message, ending the conversation.
“Chieftain Newlin, Lord Ivan has entered the village with a small group of his warriors.”
Newlin smiled and waved the man off. “I told you. It was Ivan’s tracker and he got word to him. He is probably here about the demon.”
Dawn was eager to hear what Ivan had to say, especially if it would help fill in some missing pieces to the puzzling problem.
Flora turned to her uncle and shooed at him to move, which he hurried to do.
“You leave us?” Torin asked, catching Flora’s eye.
“Things to do,” she said softly and with a forced smile.
“Address Lord Torin properly,” Newlin admonished.
Torin defended her. “Do not scold her for being a woman of little words, Newlin.”
“I heard you caught the demon,” the loud shout preceded Ivan into the Great Hall and the wood floor planks creaked under his bulk as he hurried into the room. He came to an abrupt halt when he spotted Flora. “Who is this lovely woman you have kept hidden from me, Newlin?”
Torin stood and went to stand partially in front of Flora. “She was just leaving.”
It was not lost on Flora that Torin did not make mention of her name or that he had taken a protective stance in front of her. While most women would probably be thrilled by his gallantry, she was not. His actions were obvious to her as were his repeated mention of her quiet nature. He was showing interest in her and she had no doubt her uncle would find it appealing. While he had welcomed her into his home, she did not feel as though he truly wanted her there.
Torin turned his head to her. “Go!”
Flora wisely did not hesitate. She left the room in haste.
“We will discuss her later, Newlin,” Ivan said, glaring at Torin.
“You had a tracker in the woods?” Torin asked with a commanding tone.
He caught Ivan off guard addressing him in a superior manner and the man responded without hesitation. “I sent no tracker into the woods.” His chin shot up and his eyes narrowed. “I have come to see the demon.”
“WHY?”
All eyes turned to Cree’s forceful question.
Ivan’s nostrils flared as he responded, “I want to know what the demon did to my people.”
“I assure you, Lord Ivan, we will find out the fate of your people,” Newlin said, hoping to appease the large man and keep an altercation from breaking out amongst the three powerful lords. He wanted none of them his enemy.
“I will see to that myself, Newlin, and need I remind you that you would expect the same from me,” Ivan said.
“You may speak to the prisoner, but that is all you will do,” Cree said, settling the matter to Newlin’s relief.
“And if I do not get what I seek?” Ivan challenged, his annoyance mounting.
Cree stood. “Let me ask you this. Do you truly wish to step into a cell and confront a demon?”
Ivan appeared to give it a moment of thought and with a smug expression, asked, “How does a mere cell hold a demon?” He shook his head. “I will see for myself, for I do not think you caught a demon.”
Cree caught the way his wife and Tavia exchanged slight smiles as if they knew something the men did not, and he wondered what that might be.