His fingers tightened around the cup in his hand. His knuckles turned white and he forced himself to relax his grip. It didn’t matter what she did. She was his. He’d simply punish her for any infractions when he got her back.
The Luther brothers were a font of information. They had spies everywhere. One had returned earlier this evening with word that a woman fitting Roxanne’s description was at Craddock Keep. The Luthers seemed to have an ax to grind with these Craddocks, which was good for Michael. He hoped they all killed one another. As long as he got his hands around his sweet wife’s neck, he didn’t care.
The biggest problem facing him was how he was going to get back to his own time.
He still couldn’t quite believe he was in another time and place, but there was no denying the obvious. Roxanne had been responsible for bringing him here. She’d damn well get him home too.
Satisfied, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, shutting out the brutal sounds of the fight beyond. With a smile on his face, he daydreamed about the reunion with his faithless wife. He couldn’t wait.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Roxanne was no further ahead in making her decision than she’d been the night before. She’d awakened alone, which surprised her. Both men had held her wrapped in their embrace all night. The strange thing was that she hadn’t felt smothered by it, but rather protected and cherished.
The sun streaming through the window told her that the morning was well underway. It was strange not to be watching a clock all the time or worried about a schedule. The days here followed a natural rhythm that was quite soothing.
A low knock sounded on the door. Roxanne tugged the covers tight beneath her arms before answering. She didn’t think either Sednar or Radnor would knock. “Come in.”
An older woman bustled in, carrying a tray in her hands. Darrina. This was the woman who’d tended her when she first arrived.
“Morning, my lady.” The older woman gave her a slight curtsy before placing the tray on the table.
“Good morning, Darrina. Is it very late?” Roxanne noticed the robe placed at the end of the bed and silently thanked whichever brother put it there. Grabbing it, she slipped it on before sliding out of bed. When she had the robe belted tight, she headed to the table.
“The morning is almost gone.” Darrina hesitated as if she were about to say something. She firmed her lips and held her tongue.
Roxanne was curious as she glanced at the tray of food the woman had brought.
Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten much yesterday. “Was there something you wanted to say to me?” Roxanne was getting tired of the innuendoes and dark glances.
Darrina squared her shoulders and spoke in a low whisper. “You should leave here, my lady. The Craddock brothers are a cruel lot. Four of them, all older, are dead, rot their souls.”
Roxanne was taken aback by the venom in her tone. “Sednar and Radnor have been cruel to you?”
The older woman began to reply, then stopped. “Their brother, Leon, was a demon.
He took what he wanted, not caring who he hurt. They raided and murdered. Planned to give their sister to the Luther brothers.” Darrina shivered and wrung her hands together. “They’re the vilest creatures ever born. Hamid, Bren and Lednar were no different than Leon.”
Roxanne was worried about the older woman, she was so pale. She pulled out a chair. “Sit, please.”
Darrina appeared startled. She glanced at the partially open door before perching on the edge of the chair, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.
“What happened to their sister?” She couldn’t imagine Sednar or Radnor being cruel to their sister. But, then again, she couldn’t have imagined Michael beating her either. Not at first.
“She ran away.”
“By herself?” That seemed dangerous in this wild world.
Darrina’s lips firmed. “Radnor helped her.”
Roxanne nodded encouragingly and the older woman continued. “She’s married now to one of the younger Bakra brothers. They’re good to her. Not like it was here.
Leon worked her like a slave, he did.”
Her earlier hunger fled. “What about Sednar and Radnor?” She needed to know.
The older woman shrugged. “They mostly ignored her.”
“I see.” But she didn’t. Not really. Why hadn’t they helped their sister?
“It wasn’t safe to gainsay Leon about anything,” Darrina continued. “He’d beat anyone, even his own brothers.”
Roxanne swallowed hard. The brothers had grown up in an atmosphere of violence.
That kind of situation bred even further violence more often than not. “What about now? What about since the older brothers died?”
Darrina frowned. “They built the land and the keep back up. It was in poor shape before, I can tell you. Things are more prosperous now.” Roxanne felt her ire rising as she continued her questions. “Then why do all of you seem to fear them so much?”
“Because they’re Craddocks. The evil is in them somewhere just waiting to come out.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, getting angrier by the second. “So, they haven’t done anything in the past six years but build up the keep and tend to the lands.”
Darrina hesitated briefly before nodding. “Aye.”
“Then what you’re saying makes no sense. Truly evil people could not contain themselves for that long. You’d have seen evidence of cruelty by now.” The older lady pushed back from the table. “I’m just warning you is all. It’s your choice. I only know what I’ve seen. I’ve lived here my entire life. It’s not safe for any woman in this family. They say that their father killed their mother. Of course, no one can prove anything.” On that note, Darrina left the room, obviously still agitated, closing the door softly behind her.
Roxanne sank down into the chair Darrina had abandoned, her mind sorting through everything she’d learned. She had to ask them about it. She bit her lower lip.
What if it made them angry?
No, she had to trust them to tell her everything. Before the tapestry came back late tonight or early tomorrow morning, she had to know the truth.
Roxanne had just finished washing and dressing when a sharp rap came on the door and Sednar walked in before she could answer. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
“Yes, I would.” It would do them all good to have the upcoming discussion in private. “Is Radnor coming?”
Sednar inclined his head. “He’s saddling the horses.” He held the door wide as she swept past him.
“You should know that I’ve never ridden before.”
“Never?” She could hear the incredulity in his voice.
He sounded so appalled, she laughed. “It’s not quite that easy where I come from. I take the bus.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw him frowning. “Do you know what a bus is?”
“I do. I’ve heard stories from the other tapestry brides.” His palm was warm on her spine as he guided her down the stairs and out of the keep. “I can’t say I like much of what I hear about your world.”
“It has its good points, just like any place does.” His frown deepened. She wondered what he was thinking but there was no time to ask. Radnor waited in the courtyard seated on a huge horse, the reins of another held in his strong, capable hands.
“Come, Roxanne. It’s a beautiful day and the world awaits.” Radnor held out his hand. She went to him, eyeing the large black beast he was seated upon. The creature seemed well behaved. For now. She’d never realized just how large horses were before, had never had the opportunity to get so close to them before coming here. And this one was bigger than most.