Hannibal smiled as he shook his head. "As soon as I knew my father had plans for you to be my bride, I began to research you. Everything I saw grew my curiosity about you and my desire to meet you. I had grown impatient and had discussed with my father the possibility of me going to Highgarden to meet and woo you. He had agreed to my plan and arrangements were prepared. The day I was to leave we discovered Ramsay had gone to collect you on his own. I nearly rode out to stop him, but my father told me to be patient. Your grandmother is a protective and strong woman. My own father dared not cross her. I would have done the honorable thing had I been given the opportunity."

He smiled to her as he looked deep within hose brown eyes. "I am forever thankful you gave me the chance to earn your trust." He said.