Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“None that I foresee,” Zia assured them both. “It’s a precaution, after all your time is just two months away and I prefer you reserve your strength for that battle.”
“I understand,” Alyce said, “and will heed your advice.”
“Good, then I will see you later for supper,” she said and left.
Alyce yawned as Lachlan tucked the blanket around her. “There is something I must tell you, but I don’t recall what it is.”
“Don’t worry,” he said with a kiss. “You’ll remember sooner or later. Now you must rest. We can talk later.”
“You’ll stay until I fall asleep?” she asked, reaching out to grab hold of his arm while her eyes started drifting closed.
“I’ll stay as long as you want,” he promised, pleased she wanted him there, though annoyed with himself for being the cause of her worries and injury. If he had kept his word and had not judged her, she would have never left with Septimus and she would have never been wounded.
He had to smile; knowing his wife she would have argued, telling him that the situation would have been worse since help would have come too late to the Connors. He was proud of his wife’s courage and tenacity, both made her a remarkable woman…his woman, his love, his life.
He waited until she slept soundly and then he left. He had plans to make before she woke and he wanted everything perfect, since tonight his wife would finally have her chance to choose.
Alyce was famished and ate heartily, though no one knew she silently struggled to recall what it was she had to tell her husband. She knew it was important, very important and it troubled her that she could not recall it.
The great hall was filled with revelry, everyone celebrating the victory at the Connors farm and the news that the last of the rogue warrior band had been found and disposed of with haste. Caithness was safe once again and many paid homage to Alyce for her bravery.
She smiled and graciously accepted the many thanks bestowed on her and while Septimus’s visit had stirred memories of her home and family, he had also made her appreciate her new home and family. She had been angry when she first arrived here and had little interest in the Sinclares, but she learned fast enough they were good and generous people, and it was hard not to like them.
A roar from the middle of the room got hers and everyone’s attention. She was surprised to see her husband standing there and she smiled. He was devilishly handsome and she swelled with pride, for he belonged to her.
“I have something to say and I want all to hear me.”
He walked toward his wife, his smile as charming as ever and his dark eyes aglow with what surprisingly looked like mischief. And Alyce smiled, prepared for whatever challenge he intended to throw at her.
However he startled her when he began with…
“Alyce Bunnock, I intended when the time was right to search for a wife, one that would fit my needs and plans for the future. I never considered love and then I met you and tasted true love for the first time. I knew from the start I didn’t want to live life without you, and I knew one life would never be enough time for us to love, but it is what I have to offer you.”
Alyce remained stunned when he took her hand in his.
“Alyce Bunnock. It sometimes frightens me how very much I love you, and how my world would crumble without you, but I give you a choice here and now. Marry me, Alyce. I love you and always will. If you choose not to accept my proposal, as hard as it would be for me, I will set you free.”
Alyce struggled to get up and Lachlan quickly helped her stand. Tears glistened in her blue eyes and she shook her head.
“You don’t wish to marry me?”
Loud gasps echoed in the great hall.
“No, you fool,” she said aloud. “I just can’t believe you offer me a choice. I can’t believe you would free me from our vows.”
“It is what I should have offered you from the beginning. And it is the only way we can ever truly be free to love one another.”
“Good lord, I love you so much!”
“Does that mean you’ll wed me?” he asked with an eager grin.
“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I will wed you,” she cried and let her tears of joy flow.
Cavan stood and offered the first toast and told everyone to prepare for a wedding celebration to remember. Artair’s toast followed and more after his.
“You truly mean to wed me all over again?” she whispered to her husband, surprised.
“Of course,” he said. “I want it done right this time. We will be wed by a cleric, you will sign the document, and there will be a feast.”