Lucerne gasped and paled, Crees warning made all the more potent by his murderous scowl.

Dawn stepped around Cree so that both he and Lucerne was forced to look at her. She pointed to her lips and to his over and over, informing them that they most talk now.

Cree nodded, cast a hard glare on Lucerne, and shoved her away from him. If you cannot be civil then take yourself to your quarters and remain there until you can, Lucerne tossed her chin up. Me be civil? You are a barbarian who does not know the first thing about civility.

And you would do well to remember that.

Lucerne flushed with anger, her skin blotching red. I would give anything to prevent this marriage.

My thoughts exactly, Cree said.

Then youll be free to rut endlessly with your"

Demean Dawn again and I will see you put in the stocks. It will make a welcoming site for your parents arrival.

You wouldnt.

Do you wish to find out?

Lucerne clamped her mouth shut and ran from the room.

Cree turned to Dawn. What are you doing here and why arent you wearing a cloak?

Dawn waved her hand as if dismissing his questions, then grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward his solar.

As they passed Sloan he said, This looks interesting may I come along?

If looks could harm, Sloan would be dead from the lethal glance Cree shot him.

I will wait right here, Sloan said backing away.

Once they stepped in the solar, Dawns hands started flying and Cree knew that he would never understand her. She was much too agitated and he grew worried.

Wait, he ordered and opened the door to yell, Sloan.

Sloan appeared in an instant.

Go get Lila.

Dawn shook her head and stormed past the two men. Her actions caught Cree by surprise and it took a moment for him and Sloan to catch up with her. By now Torr and Kirk had entered the Great Hall and seeing Dawn marching across the wide plank floor in determined strides had their eyes popping wide.

Torr stepped forward ready to protect Dawn but she brushed him away with a wave of her hand.

Whats wrong? Torr demanded as Cree nearly caught up with her.

Nothing that concerns you, Cree said and kept walking.

Kirk came up alongside him. I disagree. Anything that has to do with Dawn concerns us.

Cree ignored the man and his son and grabbed his cloak from the peg as he hurried out the wide wooden door. He caught Dawn as she reached the last step and draped his cloak over her shoulders, then took hold of her hand to walk alongside her.

This must be important, he said.

She nodded vigorously.

Villagers hurried out of their way while some stopped to whisper, but Dawn ignored them all and kept a quick pace. When they reached the cottage where Lila worked on the wool with the other women, Cree was quick to order the other women outside. They rushed into their cloaks and huddled a bit of a distance from the cottage to wait. He ordered Sloan to stand guard in front of the door and barred Torr and Kirk from joining them.

The two men could do little but protest, which Cree ignored.

When Cree closed the door, Dawns hands started flying. Lila talked as Dawn gestured. She heard voices outside the boarded window and climbed on the bed to listen. Lila was speechless for a moment as Dawn related the conversation she had heard.

Tell me, Cree ordered none too gently.

Lila told him about the exchange between the man and woman outside the window and Cree grew angrier with every word he heard.

Dawn stopped abruptly and shook her head, her hand going to her chest.

Cree was at her side immediately. Are you all right?

She shook her head.

Ill get Elsa, he said with worry.

Dawn shook her head again and placed her hand to his chest, and then she gestured slowly. She explained to him that the man and woman intended to see him dead as well and she told him that she did not want to think of life without him.

Her slow gestures and her expression allowed him to easily understand her. He rested his brow to hers. That is not going to happen. I will always be in your life. We are one you and I and nothing can tear us apart.

His loving words sent a joyful tingle through her and she smiled.

He kissed her, a light teasing kiss and whispered, I want you.

It wasnt a joyful shiver that ran through her this time; it was a shot of full blown passion and she shuddered from the strength of it.

Baby Thomas started crying then and they both turned to see a red-faced Lila scooping him up.

You will say nothing of what was discussed here or what you saw, Cree ordered.

Dawn responded before Lila could, her gestures slow enough for Cree to understand.

He smiled. I agree. Lila is a dear friend you completely trust and who would never betray you.

I concur, my lord, Lila said with a smile to Dawn.

Cree took Dawns hand, then turned to Lila. We will disturb you no more.

Once outside the cottage, Cree gave the women permission to return inside. They hurried past him bobbing their heads.

Kirk stepped forward. Anything we can help with?

Not at the moment, but I would appreciate it if you stand ready to help if necessary.

We are at your disposal, Kirk said with a nod. He then turned to Dawn. I hope we can talk again soon.

She smiled and nodded, and Kirk and Torr wisely took their leave.

Well done, Sloan said, Am I to be dismissed with bullshit so easily.

As if I ever could, Cree said with a slight grin. We have an important matter to discuss.

Sloan nodded and walked along with them to Dawns cottage. Not a word was spoken until they were inside, then Cree reiterated what Dawn had told him.

I can have one of our trackers see if they can pick up any trail, Sloan said.

Also post more guards but where they cant be seen and tell the men not to speak of it to anyone.

Youre letting the McCluskys think you trust them and would count on them for help, but you have no such intentions of doing so, do you? Sloan asked.

Cree shook his head. I do not know if it is a coincidence that someone breaks into the keep around the same time the McCluskys arrive or if their intentions are far different than they have led me to believe.

You must recall that Lucerne had just returned from outside when we entered the Great Hall. She was still wearing her cloak. And she certainly made it known that she didnt want Dawn around and doing away with you after youre wed and taking a potion to prevent you from getting her with child would make certain that you have no heir, leaving her to wed again. And perhaps she already has someone more to her liking in mind. Maybe its her lover who broke in the keep and hid in her room. Shes conniving enough for such a scheme.

Wasnt her room checked?

I believe so, but I cannot say for certain since I was not there. Perhaps she refused the men entrance claiming that she would never do anything as improper as allowing a man in her bed chamber and they like fools believed her.

And what of Bree? Cree asked. Couldnt it just as well be her? After all she did poison food intended for Dawn.

Only because Lucerne threatened her.

Dawn listened to the exchange between the two men with interest and concern. Much of it confirmed what Flanna or Dorrie had told her, though this news about Bree was new. Old Mary had cautioned her well about trusting no one and now she saw why. Bree could be involved in this, though Lucerne did seem like the most likely person. Though they both were forgetting one important thing and she intended to remind them.

She gestured as if shooting a bow and pointed to Cree and demonstrated how he had flung her to the ground shielding her with his body.

Cree nodded. Yes, I did... He shook his head. Youre reminding me that the threats on your life started before anyone had arrived here. Lucerne and Bree had only learned of your existence when they arrived here.

You think that a woman in the village may be involved in this? Sloan asked shaking his head. But who?

The one thing that will solve this mystery is to find out why someone wants Dawn dead. Once we do that I think other questions will be more easily answered, Cree said.

Dawn reminded, with a gesture, that she was unimportant.

Evidently, youre important to someone, though Id say it appears that youre more a threat to someone, Sloan said.

Sloans right, Cree agreed. And since the person wants you dead, it would seem that the threat is of great importance. He turned to Sloan. Go see that the extra guards are posted immediately and get the trackers on that trail. Ill be with you shortly.

Sloan nodded and looked to Dawn before he turned to leave. Do not worry. You are well protected.

Dawn smiled, nodded, and patted her chest in thanks.

Youre easier and easier to understand each day. Sloan grinned. When you go slow that is.

Dawns smiled widened, though it faded after the door closed behind Sloan and she turned to face Cree. His face was set in a scowl that warned he was about to chastise her. And thinking back on her actions, she could see that she had been foolish for entering the keep. She could have had the guard fetch Cree for her but fear for his life had taken precedence over comportment. And she had no intentions of being reprimanded for trying to protect the man she loved.

Her hands went to her hips, she cocked a brow, and she titled her chin up daring him to admonish her.

A brief smile touched his lips, though it disappeared fast enough and he stepped toward her so fast that he startled her and she stumbled. He reached out and grabbed her around the waist to tug her up snug against him. And damn if she didnt feel that he was hard for her.

Your courage and defiance sets my passion boiling.

She smiled sweetly.

He laughed. Dont think Im going to let you get away with your antics. Storming into the keep the way you did was not wise. And taking command as if you were in charge and pulling me to my solar, then charging out so that I had no choice but to follow? Cree shook his head. Extremely unwise. He kept shaking his head. And yet I admire your brave"though foolish action"which is why Id like nothing better than to toss you over my shoulder, carry you to our bed, and spend the next couple of hours making love to you.

Dawn nodded in agreement, already feeling herself ready for him.

He brushed his lips across hers and groaned. We cant. I must tend to this matter first. I will return later and we will...

That he left it unsaid caused countless images to flick through her mind and she shivered at the endless possibilities.

He kissed her quick and laughed. I love that youre always willing and ready to make love. He tugged her closer. You are mine, always remember that.

She nodded, tapped his chest, and then her chest.

Are you telling me that I am yours and that I should always remember that?

She gave him one firm nod before kissing him.

They lingered enjoying each other for a moment and then Cree stepped away with a growl and mumbled an oath as he headed to the door. He stopped, his hand on the latch, and turned his head to Dawn. Lila knows all your secrets?

She scrunched her brow wondering why he would ask her such a thing.

I want you to feel as safe confiding in me as you do to Lila.

She patted her chest and nodded, letting him know that she did.

That doesnt answer my question. Does Lila know all your secrets?

Dawn gripped the sides of her skirt to prevent her hands from going protectively to her stomach where the babe nestled safely inside. She answered truthfully and shook her head.

But you do harbor a secret or why else would you clench your skirt so tightly?

She did not confirm or deny his question; she stood staring at him, her hands still gripping the sides of her skirt.

Later, Cree said with a nod, you will tell me this secret that makes you clench your hands in worry.

Dawn collapsed in a chair as soon as the door closed and wondered how she would keep her secret.