Rashel's polished chestnut hair shifted in the lanterns as she shook her head. "No, he wanted his freedom. He left when our father disowned him. He shouldn't come back here and be bound to a farm he didn't want. I thank you for the offer, but Arvid has his freedom."
"Then, what can I do for you?" Yeolani insisted. "You obviously don't want to be owned…or to marry these men."
Rashel's eyes grew huge with horror, realizing this magical stranger might know how upset she felt at her problem. Did she think he was reading her mind? Yeolani would never do so without her permission, but he could not reassure her of that without making the situation worse.
"Norton," she nodded toward the younger of the serious bidders, the huge burly man with children who needed a mother, "he…he's got a reputati
