He didnt wait; he snatched hold of it. Her chilled hand soon turned warm in his heated one, and he was surprised that her skin felt soft. He had thought with all her chores that calluses would mar her hands, but not so.

With his grip strong, he assisted her to the ground. He then returned to the other side and sat down.

Did you cook any of this? he asked.

She shook her head.

You dont work in the kitchen?

She nodded.

What do you do there?

Dawn stared at him a moment surprised that he attempted to converse with her and surprised that she favored the idea.

She pointed to the thyme in the bread and the onions in the stew and with her hands demonstrated picking and chopping them.

You gather and help prepare.

She nodded.

Many work in the kitchen?

She held up her two hands and then closed one.

Fifteen, he said and she confirmed with a nod.

He was impressed that she could count and did so without hesitation. She obviously was familiar with numbers or she would have hesitated.

Column must love to eat.

Her hand moved back and forth to her mouth as if shoveling in food, and it caused Cree to laugh and Dawn to smile.

Even with the bare amount of light they had he could see that her smile had turned her otherwise plain face quiet lovely. She would never be a beauty, but he found something about her attractive that was just too damn hard to ignore, and so did his groin. It stirred much too much to his liking.

Does Column feed his people as well as he feeds himself?

Her smile faded, though she nodded.

He feeds his people but does not treat them well.

She shrugged and Cree understood that she would dare not betray the man who could cause her great harm.

Have you lived in Dowell since your birth? he asked, deciding to take a different tactic. Hed learn more about her, thus learning more about the workings of the village and in essence Column.

She shook her head and held up both hands spreading her fingers.

Ten years youre here?

She nodded and smiled.

He noticed that her dark eyes lit along with her smile. You came here with your mum and da?

Dawn held up one finger.

You came with only one"your mum?

She nodded and again her smile faded as she shook her head.

Your mum died?

She nodded surprised he understood. She hadnt been trying to tell him of her mums passing. She always saddened at the memory of losing her mum. She loved her dearly and mi"

You miss her.

Again he caught her by surprise, understanding her thoughts, as if he could read them. She gave a quick nod.

You are alone now?

She shook her head and smiled.

Column sends me a wedded woman? he snarled.

Dawn drew back fearful. He sounded like a snarling dog ready to bite and she hastily shook her head.

Explain, he snapped.

Dawn panicked, her skin turning hot and her stomach churning. How could she explain to him? Would he understand her gestures or would he grow angry with her?

She quickly held up two fingers.

You have two friends?

With a nod, she continued, pointing a finger at him and then to her.

A man and a woman?

She gave another nodded as she linked two fingers together.

Theyre wed.

She grinned, joined her hands together and extended them past her stomach.

The woman is with child.

She nodded.

Are they youre only friends?

Dawn thought a moment. While there were many villagers who were pleasant to her, she couldnt call them friends, and then there were a few who made fun of her and far too many who simply ignored her.

She nodded and patted her chest.

They are the only ones who you care for and who care for you.

Her smile grew and she was disturbed to see him grow angry, his eyes narrowing and his jaw tightening. His nostrils even flared.

No men force themselves on you do they?

She gave a fast shake of her head.

Have you taken any man willingly between your legs?

Her body flushed with heat and she was glad for the darkness that she hoped concealed her red-stained cheeks.

And dont lie to me, he snapped, for I will learn the truth myself.

Her stomach churned at his words. He intended to have his way with her and there was nothing she could do to prevent it.

Answer me, he snapped again.

She patted her chest and shook her head.

Youve never given yourself to a man?

She continued shaking her head.

Youre a virgin?

She nodded slowly, as if perhaps she shouldnt admit the truth to him.

How have you managed, "he laughed and shook his head" Column has ordered his men to stay away from you. Hell have none of his men sire a du "

He bit his tongue as soon as he saw the hurt surface on her face, though she turned away from him quick enough.

You will not turn away from me, he ordered and she had no choice but to obey.

Her chin went up just a bit, but enough to be noticeable and though the hurt remained in her eyes, her face and the pale column of her neck had grown taut with courage.

No one will lie between your legs but me.

Her mind went silent and for a moment she knew what was meant by someone turning speechless. His edict had so shocked her that no thought came to her head.

You belong to me now.

It took her a moment to form a clear thought and when she did his words struck her hard.

Belong to me.

She was nothing but chattel to him, to be owned and worked like the burdensome beasts who toiled for their masters. She would be expected to spread her legs for him whenever he ordered, and she would not be able to object. Had she expected any different? Had she foolishly thought, if only for a few moments, that because he had attempted to converse with her that he would be kind and treat her as kindly as her friends?

A spark of anger misplaced her fear and suddenly she wanted to lash out at him and tell him she was not a woman to be used at his whim. But even if she had a voice, she would not be able to speak her mind or she would face Colums wrath. And a beating from him was something she might not survive. So she would deal with the lesser of two evils... and spread her legs for the infamous Cree.

Chapter Five.

Cree watched Dawn as she gathered what was left of their meal and placed the remnants in the basket. He could tell by her fumbling movements that she was nervous, and it had been his fault.

His body certainly made no attempt to conceal his desire for her, having grown hard telling her that it would be him who would lie between her legs. He found her features plain, though her creamy skin looked soft to the touch and while her breasts were small they were pert enough to garner attention.

Damn if he wasnt hurting with how hard he was swelling.

He had to stop this. He had no intention of coupling with a mute. Hed not spill his seed and worry that it would take root in her. He had worked too hard to throw away his dream for one night of lust.

Still, he could not take his eyes off her, the sway of her generous hips, the slimness of her waist, the gentleness of her movements. Try as he might, he could not help but wonder how she would respond to him if he coupled with her.

He shook the tormenting thought from his mind so hard that he stumbled.

He felt her hand on his arm and when their eyes met he saw concern in her dark eyes. She didnt have to speak for him to know that she worried over him and his desire for her grew. Never had he seen a spark of concern for him in any womans eyes and it startled him to the point that he pulled away from her, as if her touch had burnt him.

Her head went down, and she turned away.

He grabbed her arm, and she swung her head around.

I will warn you one more time only... never turn away from me.

She bobbed her head, kept her eyes on his and shrugged as she pointed at him.

He easily understood that she was asking how he was. Tired, he said.

She slowly eased her arm from his grasp and set about arranging a sleeping pallet. He saw that she had saved some sprigs of heather and after bunching some of the rushes together she added the heather to them and then laid a clean wool blanket on top. She spread another blanket on top of that one and folded the top back.

Well done, he said with a nod to her.

She bobbed her head, and he was sorry to see that she did not smile. He liked when she smiled. It made him smile.

What was the matter with him thinking of smiles? He had no time for such nonsense. He had a mission to accomplish and foolish musings would not help him. He had to use her for what she was worth and be done with it and yet...

The thought did not set right with him. What little he could surmise, she was a good woman and did not deserve to be treated badly and yet...

Whatever was the matter with him? He had done far worse than using a lone woman to achieve victory. He could not allow himself to feel for this woman, mute or not. She was but a pawn in a high stakes battle and he would do what was necessary to be the victor just as always.