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  She bit her lip, realizing she should have feigned ignorance. “Beatrix is somewhere safe. That is all I can say.”

  “You had something to do with this?” Tor asked.

  From his even tone it was impossible to guess what he was thinking—she suspected that would be a common occurrence in her future. Would he punish her for defying her father and helping her sister escape? She took a deep breath of faith and nodded.

  He frowned, and for a moment, she tensed.

  “She went alone?” he asked.

  He didn’t sound angry. Cautiously, she nodded again.

  Her father broke in. “You stupid girl. Do you not realize the danger she is in? A beautiful innocent like your sister? It’s like sending a lamb into a pack of hungry wolves. If she’s been harmed, it will be your fault.”

  “He’s right, lass,” MacDonald agreed, in a far less belligerent tone. “The Highlands are no place for a woman alone. She could be in danger.”

  Danger…

  No! Christina refused to let them scare her. She wasn’t alone. There had been many other women travelers on the boat, as well as a friar. Beatrix would come to no harm. With favorable winds, she would be there before night fell.

  She chanced a glance at her new husband; he was watching her with a curious expression on his face. “You knew the risk?” he asked.

  She nodded, pleading for understanding. “We had no choice. Beatrix…” She twisted her hands, searching for a way to explain. “You see, she isn’t strong. It was far more dangerous for her to stay.” It might have been her only chance to get away.

  Her husband gave a curt nod, as if satisfied by her explanation.

  She couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t going to demand that she tell him what she knew. The show of trust was more than she could have dreamed.

  But her elation was short-lived.

  “How dare you!” her father growled. Despite his dislocated shoulder, he looked as if he’d like to grab her again. “ ’Tis not your decision to make.” To his guardsman he said, “She couldn’t have gone far. Check the jetties for any boats that have departed and ask the guards whether anyone was seen leaving the castle. She knows no one in the area—” All of a sudden he stopped. A steel glint came to his eye. He turned to Lamberton. “Where is the closest nunnery?”

  Christina paled. Dear God, how could he have guessed so quickly? He knew Beatrix better than she’d realized. Would the nuns protect her sister against an angry father demanding her return?

  Lamberton frowned. “Do you have reason to believe she would have sought sanctuary in the church?”

  “Aye,” her father said. “The foolish girl thought to take the veil. Of all the ridiculous notions; with her beauty I could gain a kingdom.” Noticing the bishop’s darkening expression, he amended hurriedly. “It is just a silly girl’s fancy, nothing more.”

  “It isn’t a fancy,” Christina countered vehemently, outraged by her father’s lie. “It is all she dreams of.” She turned to Lamberton, remembering the kindness he’d shown her. He was a bishop, a churchman—surely he understood the spiritual calling? “There’s something special about my sister. Something pure and holy. She’s always wanted a life dedicated to God. Marriage…” Tears blurred her vision. “It would kill her.” She felt Tor’s steadying hand on her arm. The unexpected comforting gesture made her chest squeeze. “I couldn’t let that happen,” she said in a whisper.

  Tor gave Lamberton a long look. “I think her fear of marriage is understandable under the circumstances.”

  The bishop took his meaning, his expression suggesting that he couldn’t agree more. Staring at Christina’s father, he said, “After the way you secured the betrothal of one daughter, I think a gift of your second to the church is fitting atonement, wouldn’t you agree?”

  MacDonald smothered a sharp laugh with a cough.

  Her father’s mouth tightened so hard the veins in his thick neck bulged a fiery red. “You ask too much,” he said through clenched teeth. “It will cost me a small fortune.”

  Not only in the lost alliance. A woman from a good family entering a nunnery would be expected to give a substantial dowry.

  “Consider it an indulgence to me,” Tor said flatly, but the threat was clear. Her father was getting off lightly.

  Her father had been backed into a corner and knew it. Beatrix was lost to him.

  Christina couldn’t believe it. Her sister was safe. Truly safe. The unexpected gift from her husband more than made up for the disappointment of their wedding ceremony.

  Playing the good host, MacDonald moved to soothe her father’s pride. “Come, Fraser, join me in the solar. We’ll find some cuirm and attend to that arm. We have much to celebrate this day. Let us not forget it.” To Tor he added, “You’re certain you won’t stay for the feast?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve delayed long enough already. From the amount of food I saw being loaded on the birlinn, I think we are bringing half the feast with us. We’ll leave as soon as the lass is ready.” He gave her an expectant look.

  “I have only a few trunks,” she said. “The rest will have to be sent for.”

  “And your servants?”

  Christina motioned to the maid who’d been watching the proceedings from a safe distance. “Mhairi has agreed to come with me.” The poor girl was only too eager to be away from Christina’s father. Christina was grateful for the familiar face.

  Her father and MacDonald had started to make their way out of the chapel, with Lamberton close behind. Her father had taken that well—too well. He must have wanted their alliance greatly to acquiesce so easily. They were planning something; she was certain of it.

  Tor stopped MacDonald’s henchman before he could follow. “MacSorley, stay for a moment.” He turned to her. “If you’ll tell me where your sister has gone, I will see that she has arrived safely.” Christina hesitated, and he seemed to anticipate the reason why. “Your father will keep his word. I will see to it.”

  The steely certainty in his voice checked her doubts. There was very little she did not think this man could do. In her mind, he’d become even greater than the magnificent heroes in her books. Her moment of hesitation suddenly seemed disloyal. What was the matter with her? She should be grateful for his thoughtfulness. They’d been married for only a few minutes and already he was offering to help her. Besides, she was anxious to assure herself that Beatrix had arrived safely as well.

  “I’m sorry; of course I will tell you. Thank you, for everything. Beatrix has gone to the nunnery on Iona.”

  He arched a brow, clearly impressed. There were other places she could have gone that were far closer. He eyed her speculatively, as if something suddenly made sense. “You arranged a boat?”

  She nodded.

  He held her gaze for a moment before turning to MacSorley. “Catch up with them and make sure that the lady arrives safely. Tell her she has nothing to fear.”

  MacSorley gave him a curt nod and started to turn away. Christina didn’t know what surprised her more—that Tor was giving orders to MacDonald’s henchman or that he was following them.

  “But the boat left at dawn,” she said. “You’ll never catch them.”

  The two men exchanged amused glances, and then the big pirate gave her a jaunty grin. “Consider it done, my lady. Is there anything you wish me to tell her when I catch up to her?”

  Christina admired his brash confidence, crazed as it seemed. She thought for a moment. Their leave-taking this morning had been hurried and tainted by the fear of discovery. Just as Christina worried about sending Beatrix off, she knew her sister worried about leaving her behind. But Christina was even more certain that she’d made the right decision. Not only had her husband calmly listened to her explanation and stood up for her, he’d ensured her sister’s safety and happiness.

  “Tell her…” She hesitated, gazing into those piercing blue eyes. Her heart swelled with admiration for this handsome man who’d burst into her life just when