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Rhys’s heart pounded even as his indignation rose. “How can you suggest such a thing? You know full well that I am committed to seeing this rebellion through to completion. Now, more than ever, my focus must be wholly on our country’s battle for freedom.”

“Which is exactly why you should take her as your wife.”

Was Maredudd purposely trying to torture him? He glared at his brother. “You have said enough.”

“For the sake of everyone at camp, put aside your obstinacy and hear Maredudd out?” Gwilym growled. “There’s not a single man amongst us who would wish it differently.”

Rhys stared at Gwilym incredulously. “And why is that?”

“Because we value our lives.”

Maredudd cleared his throat, and Rhys’s attention swung back to him. “Like it or not, Rhys, your feelings for Catrin have begun to influence your actions. Your decision to ride into Flint Castle with a price upon your head attests to it. You risked your life—”

“Along with my life, those of our men, and the whole plan,” Gwilym muttered.

“You risked everything simply to see her,” Maredudd finished.

Rhys’s stomach clenched. He could not argue the point. Not when his brothers were right. “I admit I have fallen in love with Catrin. But I fail to see how marrying her will help the situation.”

“It changes everything,” Maredudd said. “When I saw how it was for Catrin at Flint Castle . . . how it was for you . . . I recognized the truth more fully.” Something in Maredudd’s eyes told Rhys that his brother truly understood. “Once you are married, you will be hers, and she will be yours. All doubt will be gone, and although current conditions may force you apart for a time, your reunion will be all the sweeter for it.”

Rhys looked away. Maredudd had identified the secret yearning of his heart, but surely that was not sufficient. “I can offer her nothing,” he said. “Not even a home. You have given Margaret that much, at least.”

“Given the circumstances, I think it extremely unlikely that Catrin would choose living in a fine manor over being at the camp longhouse. She has already turned her back on castle life in favor of being with you.”

“Aye, and the only explanation for such behavior is that she’s equally addlepated,” Gwilym said, a grin teasing the corner of his mouth.

Maredudd chuckled, and from somewhere deep within Rhys’s heart, hope took flight.

“You truly believe . . . ?”

“Ask her,” Maredudd said, already urging his mount forward. “Gwilym and I will ride ahead to give the preacher fair warning that he will have a wedding to perform before the sun goes down.”

______________________________

Catrin closed her eyes and breathed deeply of the damp, cool air, allowing Seren’s steady gait and the serenity of the valley to sooth away her lingering fears. There was safety in the mountains. Safety and peace.

“Are you in danger of falling asleep, my lady?”

At the sound of Rhys’s voice, Catrin’s eyes popped open. To her surprise, he had dropped back from his position at the head of the group and was now riding beside her. They’d barely spoken before he’d been called upon to lead his men out of Conwy, and ever since they’d put the town behind them, he, Maredudd, and Gwilym had been in deep conversation together. Catrin had assumed they’d had much to discuss and had been content to follow behind, exchanging a few words with Emyr or Dyfan and keeping company with her own thoughts. Now, however, she wished she’d remained more alert.

“No, I am merely . . .” She paused. He was smiling. “You are teasing me.”

“Forgive me.”

She felt her cheeks color and looked away in time to see that Maredudd and Gwilym had ridden on ahead and were now galloping across the bridge that led to the Llanrwst church.

“Where have your brothers gone in such a hurry?”

“They are hoping to get word to the priest before we arrive,” he said.

She looked at him quizzically. “We are stopping at the church?”

“Some of us are. Dyfan and Emyr are taking most of the men directly back to camp.” He extended his hand to her. “Would you like me to take over the care of the satchel?”

“Yes.” She drew the strap over her head with such alacrity that Rhys laughed.

“It seems I should have taken charge of it sooner.”