Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“What of the woman? Does she want either man?”
The shout came from the back of the crowd.
Rogan recognized his wife’s voice, distinct and determined, and nearly grinned. Had he really expected her to stay out of this?
The crowd made way for her and she came to stand just at the edge of the circle.
“Shouldn’t the woman be heard?” Aliss asked, both hands set firmly on her hips.
The women cheered in unison.
The men attempted to drown them out with their own protests.
Rogan raised his hand and shouted, “Enough!” While he admired his wife’s audacity, he needed to keep order in his clan.
“We fight and settle this,” Peter said once it turned quiet.
“Aye, it’s the way of things,” Robert agreed.
Before Rogan could address the issue, Aliss turned to the crowd.
“Who claims to love one of these men?”
Both men craned their necks to eye the crowd.
Silence followed, everyone looking at everyone else.
“Sheila, speak up,” Peter cried out.
“Yes, Sheila, set this to rest once and for all,” Robert urged, his one eye wide and searching.
A young woman finally emerged reluctantly from the crowd, her head bent and her hands clasped together. Whispers and murmurs trailed her every step.
Rogan wasn’t surprised to see his wife walk over and offer her hand to the young woman, or that she took hold of Aliss with a nervous tremble.
Both men began to speak but Rogan quickly silenced them with a raised hand.
“What say you, Sheila?” Rogan asked. “Do you favor either man?”
Both men puffed their chests out and stood tall, though both looked a fright covered in dirt, blood, and bruises.
He noticed her hand tighten around Aliss’s, her slim knuckles turning white. His wife placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“You have nothing to fear,” he heard Aliss whisper to her.
Sheila raised her head and kept her eyes on Rogan.
He thought that a telling sign since if she loved one of them, her gaze would immediately go to him. He waited, as did the silent crowd.
“I favor neither man, my lord.”
A mingle of gasps and cheers circled the crowd.
Rogan recognized the young woman by the way she had addressed him. None in the clan called him “my lord.” He wasn’t one nor did he fancy himself one, he was Rogan to them all. But she had only joined their clan a short time before Aliss’s arrival, and she had kept much to herself like many did when they first arrived.
The women had befriended her and informed him that she had been badly abused by the lord she had served and was fearful of men.
“I bring you game for your table,” Peter said.
“I bring you flowers,” Robert said more gently.
Rogan caught the promise of a smile when Robert spoke. She liked the young lad but feared him at the same time.
“Do you wish them to stop?” Rogan asked.
Aliss whispered something in her ear.
“I like the flowers,” Sheila said.
Robert grinned.
The crowd cheered.
Peter grew red with fury and lunged for Robert.
Rogan stepped in quickly and Peter’s fist connected with his jaw.
Chapter 34
Silence pierced the earth; not even a bird sang or a leaf rustled. All stilled following the accidental assault on the chieftain that had left him standing and his jaw swelling.
“You idiot,” Aliss yelled and stomped over to Peter, who stood pale and speechless. With a wagging finger in his face, she let him have it. “Have you no brain in that thick head of yours? You use fists to settle a problem instead of using common sense.” She jabbed at his head. “Your own stupidity will see that you remain unwed, since no woman would want such a dumb man. You are—”
“Aliss.” A hand on her shoulder had her spinning around. “I think you have chastised him enough.”
She almost sagged with relief when she saw that Rogan’s jaw was not as swollen as she had first suspected. It was red and could possibly bruise but the swelling was not serious and would probably vanish in no time.
“He got what he deserved for hurting you,” she said, and turned to see Peter sulking off in defeat and humiliation. “Oh, dear.”
“You really gave it to him,” Raynor said with a laugh, as he approached through the dispersing crowd.
“I did not mean—” She shook her head, reminded of the young man’s injuries and her own fury at seeing her husband attacked. She had wanted to pummel the young man. She took a deep breath. “Raynor, go and bring Peter to my cottage so I may see to his wounds.”
“He doesn’t need a nursemaid.”
“No, but he could use a friend just now,” Aliss said. With a few mumblings and sputtered oaths Raynor complied.
She took Rogan’s hand and looked around for the other injured man. Spying him sulking away, she stopped him by shouting out, “Robert, to my cottage so that I may tend your wounds.”