Oh she was still sore all right. There was the hard lump on the top of one of her shoulders and of course, one on the side of her knee. So long as no one touched them, she decided she could bear that pain. If only her back and her face would stop hurting. She walked to the window and looked out.

Then she remembered she was actually married to the man she had dreamed about for the better part of two years. How was that possible? He might not be a savage after all. She knew by the way he demanded to know who had assaulted her, that he could be a savage when he needed to be. But she also felt his regret for raising his voice. She thought about how tender he was with her and how he cared about her pain. It was very strange behavior for a man.

She was contemplating the idea that he may someday love her when she heard a shout downstairs. She froze. It took all her courage, but she gathered her wits, peeked out the door and eased onto the balcony to look down into the great hall below. Kevin was flanked by three of his soldiers and he didn't look happy. The commoner was trembling. He was dressed in English attire and stood with his back to her.

"I am her husband and if you have a message for her, you will give it to me!"