 by Donna Fletcher.jpg)
Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1
“Do not waste your breath, Elsie,” Leora warned before her sister could say a word. “He is no husband of mine. Not now. Not ever. I will not have a husband chosen for me. I choose who I will wed.”
“Perhaps that was possible at one time, but no longer,” Elsie said, joining her sister to sit on the end of her bed. “I wish it could be that way for you, truly I do, Leora, but Da wed you and me to Gallowglass warriors to keep us safe and our sister Sky to the brother of a Gallowglass warrior, and it is a good thing he did. That warrior now protects Sky, his brother’s widow.
“I would never choose a husband from a fierce group of aristocratic mercenaries,” Leora argued and raised her hand to still her sister so she could finish what she had to say. “I do understand Da’s reasoning for doing what he did. He and Mum inadvertently caused this situation out of nothing more than kindness and love by accepting three newly born bairns, in danger, as their daughters and never telling anyone about it. I love them even more for saving us from dire circumstances, but I do not want to be forced into a marriage with a man I have never met, let alone a fierce Gallowglass warrior.” She silenced her sister again with another abrupt raise of her hand when she went to speak. “I know what you will say. Your marriage turned out wonderful. You love your husband and Cavell loves you, and I am happy for you, believe me, I am truly happy for you both. But Da spoke with you about the arranged marriage and you agreed to it. I was not given such an opportunity.”
Elsie hurried to speak before her sister could stop her again. “And why do you think Da did that?”
Leora threw her hands up in the air as she hurried off the bed. “It is obvious. He knew I would reject such an outrageous and ridiculous proposal.”
“So, Da did what any good father would do. He took it upon himself to save you whether you liked it or not,” Elsie said and remained where she was and watched her sister’s lovely face scrunch with annoyance.
“It is easy for you to say when things turned out so well for you. What if my husband, Noble, turns out to be nothing like his name. What if he is cruel to me and beats me?”
Elsie rushed off the bed to her sister’s side, gripping her arm. “You will tell me right off and I will help you poison him so you will be rid of him.”
Shock held Leora’s tongue captive but only for a short time. “You would do that?”
“Without hesitation,” Elsie confessed. “I would not see you suffer such a horrible fate.”
Leora smiled softly. “You finally found your courage, Elsie, and I am so pleased you have. But I would never risk having you do such a dangerous thing for me.” She grinned. “I would kill him myself.”
Elsie smiled at her sister’s bravado. “You always could look after yourself, far better than Sky or I could.”
“Determined,” Leora said. “I have a determined nature.”
Elsie laughed. “Stubborn. Da would call it stubborn.”
Leora laughed as well, though it faded. “Presently, I am more perplexed than stubborn. I am aware of the wisdom of Da’s decision, yet that wisdom has determined my fate and I find that difficult to accept.”
“I understand perfectly, Leora, and perhaps it would help for you to know what Cavell told me about Noble.”
“Aye, do tell me,” Leora said anxiously and tugged her sister to the bed for them to once again sit.
“My husband said that he is the fiercest of all of Slayer’s warriors and tracks better than Slayer’s hounds. He follows Slayer’s command without question and expects obedience from the warriors he commands.” Elsie hesitated to continue.
“Tell me everything, Elsie,” Leora urged.
“Cavell told me that Noble will take this marriage seriously and commit to it.”
“Leaving me forever trapped with a husband who expects obedience at every turn,” Leora said and shuddered. “Not a future I favor, and what if I cannot abide his features? What if he is sloven and has a God-awful odor about him?” She scrunched her nose as if she could smell it.
“Why don’t you seek the solitude of your room for the remainder of the day and give the situation thought,” Elsie suggested, hoping Noble would be to her sister’s liking and that time alone would help her come to terms with the situation. She was surprised when her sister’s face brightened.
“That is a good idea, Elsie. That will give you time to meet my husband, since he has arrived here without prior notice, and return to my room and tell me what you think of him.”