Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Fiona sensed her sister’s fear and reached out to clasp their hands together, giving the impression she was the weaker twin.
Aliss gave a grateful squeeze and, holding tight, took the first step forward.
Fiona joined her determined pace until they stopped in front of Leith and Tarr.
Their cousin looked from one to the other, his brown eyes looming large as though in shock. His cheeks glowed red and his nostrils flared, he appeared ready to erupt.
“Your appearance insults.”
Aliss stuck her chin out and struck with a sharp tongue. “You demand our immediate appearance and now offend us?”
Leith’s face reddened even more. “You knew wedding arrangements were being made, Fiona.”
“Against my wishes,” Fiona snapped.
Leith’s head jerked left to stare at the twin he had assumed was Aliss. “What game is this you play?” He looked from one to the other then slammed his tankard on the corner of a table, the ale sloshing over the sides. “Fiona, step forward.”
The twins dropped hands, folded their arms across their chests, and took a step forward.
Leith shook his head, stared at the two women, then reached out and grabbed Aliss. “You cannot fool me, Fiona. You will wed Tarr of Hellewyk this day.”
Aliss began to beg pitifully. “Nay, please do not force me to wed.”
Leith instantly released her and grinned with satisfaction, which vanished as soon as Fiona joined with her sister in begging for mercy, their pitch growing to a piercing shriek.
“Enough!”
The thundering shout had men jumping in fright, walls trembling, and immediate silence reigning.
Tarr stepped forward, his stern glance shifting from twin to twin, then to Leith. “You told me all was settled.”
“Along with Fiona’s strength comes a mind of her own.”
“What of obedience to her chieftain and duty to her clan?” Tarr focused on the sisters, his dark eyes intimidating in their scrutiny. “I will wed Fiona. She will step forward.”
Aliss and Fiona glared at him, neither making a move.
Tarr folded his arms over his chest and circled the twins slowly. “They appear no different, and if the weaker can appear stronger then she has the courage I seek. I will wed either one.”
“But does she have the strength you seek?” Aliss asked.
Fiona grinned, her sister’s remark so caustic that she thought she herself had spoken.
Tarr lowered his arms and walked up to stand only inches from Fiona. He remained silent, as did she. She noticed that the warm color of his sun-drenched skin made a short, narrow scar that cut through one eyebrow, and another on his jawbone below his right cheek, more prominent. Except for these two scars, his face bore no other marks or blemishes. His dark eyebrows were not thick, though they were full and arched over his eyes as if applied with perfect strokes. His eyes, she had first thought black, were a deep brown with faint gold specks that were visible only when the fire’s light caught them and turned them brilliant.
He was, Fiona decided, a handsomely compelling man.
“Now that you have assessed me what say we wed, Fiona?”
She laughed so that her shock at him guessing her identity would not show. “I cannot assess you in one glance. It takes time to know the manner of a man, and you cannot be sure who I am or what manner of woman I am.”
“Strength, honor, courage, I would say you possess all three.”
Aliss stepped forward, her eyes roaming over him slowly. “Arrogant, demanding, impatient, I think you possess all three.”
Gasps could be heard but were interrupted by Tarr’s thunderous laugh.
“Your tongue is quick and sharp,” Tarr said, his laughter subsided.
“She must be Fiona,” Leith insisted, walking to stand beside Tarr.
“Are you sure about that?” Fiona asked. As the two men stared at Aliss, she moved next to her sister so that they appeared mirror images of each other. “Tell me you are certain I am not Fiona.”
Leith moved his mouth, yet no words emerged.
Tarr did not react; he simply glanced from one twin to the other.
“I demand Fiona step forward,” Leith said sharply.
The women looked at each other, then to Leith and laughed.
Fiona caught the corner of Tarr’s mouth twitch as if to laugh before his expression turned stern and uncompromising. He finding them humorous made him less intimidating to her.
“I have a few days before I must return home. I can be patient,” he said, looking to Aliss.
“Time will not help you,” she said. “We do not wish to wed.”
“It matters not what either of you wish. A marriage contract has been arranged and will be honored.”
“We will see,” Fiona said with a challenge.
Tarr walked up to her until their faces almost touched. “It is done. There will be a wedding before I leave here.”
“But who will be your bride?”
“Fiona will be, I am certain of it.” Tarr stepped back and, without looking at Leith, he ordered, “Food and drink, it is time to celebrate.”