“Solomon Whitmore says your marriage is invalid.”
Eleanor frowned.
“On what grounds?”
The man hesitated.
Then answered.
“Your incapacity.”
For a moment, the words seemed to empty the air from the cabin.
Eleanor stared toward the door.
Henry had spent fourteen years telling her that her body made her less capable than other women.
Now Solomon was using that same cruelty to challenge her right to marry.
She felt the old instinct to apologize.
To explain.
To prove that she could think and make choices.
Then she looked at Caleb.
He was watching her with unmistakable concern.
Not pity.
Concern.
He seemed ready to defend her.
But he waited.
He allowed her to answer.
Eleanor straightened.
“Mr. Vane.”
“Yes?”
“Tell Solomon Whitmore that a woman's body is not evidence that she lacks a mind.”
The wind howled.
She continued.
“And tell him that if he wishes to challenge my marriage, he may do so before a lawful court where I'll have an opportunity to answer him.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Vane's voice became vicious.
“You think that mountain brute can protect you?”
Eleanor's eyes narrowed.
“He hasn't had to. I'm speaking for myself.”
Caleb looked toward her.
For a moment, admiration softened his expression.
Then something moved outside the kitchen window.
A shadow.
Too close to the wall.
Caleb noticed immediately.
He turned toward the sound.
Then the glass shattered.
Eleanor flinched as cold air rushed into the cabin.
A gloved hand reached through the broken pane toward the wooden latch.
Caleb moved quickly.
He shouted for Eleanor to stay back and forced the intruder's hand away from the opening. Outside, the man cursed, stumbled, and disappeared into the snow.
The disturbance woke the enormous dog sleeping beside the hearth.
Bracken rose with a deep growl.
He was a rough-coated mountain dog with a broad head, thick brown-and-black fur, and a bark that seemed to shake the floor.
Eleanor had barely met him.
Now he stood between her and the damaged window, bristling.
Caleb called him back.
The dog obeyed reluctantly.
Then another sound came from outside.
A horse screamed.
The noise was followed by frantic shouting.
Eleanor looked toward Caleb.
“What happened?”
He listened.
For several seconds, the men outside seemed to be arguing.
Then Vane shouted.
“Get the horse!”
A hoof struck the porch.
A man cried out.