He Chose the Wrong Sister novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: My Wife

"Mine to say now, wife," Cade said again.

"Then say it."

"Not here."

He took my hand and walked me across the yard, past the stables, into the long hall where the keep ate its supper.

It was full.

Fifty men and the cooks and the old housekeeper sat on the benches.

All of them were already talking about the prince.

The talk stopped when he came in.

He lifted me by the waist and set me on the end of the long table, so that I stood a head above everyone.

"Lord Garrow," I said, low. "What are you doing?"

"My job."

He faced the hall.

"You've heard the rumor all your lives," he said. "That I killed two wives."

Nobody moved.

"I had one. She died of a fever in my bed."

He did not drop his voice.

"I did not love her, and I've told no one that in four years. I'm telling you now."

A cook crossed himself.

"This is Imogen Garrow," Cade went on.

"She walked into my life and asked me for a husband, and I have not been a day sorry."

"She sewed this arm shut with green silk."

He didn't look at me.

"A prince knelt in my yard today and asked for her, in front of every one of you. She told him no."

The old housekeeper made a noise that was half a sob.

"She's your lady," Cade said. "She's my wife."

"If any man here ever raises his voice to her, he'll answer to me.

"If any man raises a hand, he'll answer to the sergeant, and he is worse."

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