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)
“She is,” Ross answered without thinking and shook his head, then cast another pleading look to Noble.
His wife would have Ross telling her things he shouldn’t if he didn’t stop her, and Slayer would not be happy about that. He took hold of her arm and tugged her away from Ross. “Go with Mother Abbess so she can see to your wound.”
Her husband’s firm command warned Leora that she had gone far enough. But she had one last thing to say, and she did so with a brilliant smile that completely mesmerized Ross. “Please tell my sister that I will visit with her soon.”
That snapped Ross out of his daze, and he frowned at Noble. “She must wait to be summoned.”
“We look forward to the summons whenever Lord Slayer issues it,” Noble said to Ross’s relief, not so his wife. Her smile faltered though she caught it quick enough.
Noble was not fool enough to think his wife intended to wait to see her sister and she confirmed his thought as he heard her say to Mother Abbess as they passed by him, “How far is Clan Skirling from Clan Ravinsher by horse or foot?”
CHAPTER 7
Mother Abbess’s solar was much like the other parts of the abbey, clean and sparse. A table and a few chairs sat in the center of the room and a beautifully crafted tapestry of a nun praying over a dying warrior hung on one wall. Tall iron candelabras held numerous candles all lit, while a fire crackled in the small fireplace that Noble recalled Slayer insisted be installed for Mother Abbess.
Ross filled two tankards from the jug of ale on the table and sat, pushing one of the tankards across the table opposite him, a signal that Noble should join him, and he did.
“Lord Slayer guards Sky closely, and she fares well but that is all I am at liberty to say, so we will discuss your wife’s sister no more,” Ross said as if he feared having said too much already.
“One question since my wife will nag me endlessly if I do not return with an answer,” Noble said.
Ross leaned forward, resting his arms on the table and looked at Noble bewildered. “How do you handle such a beautiful woman with a smile that just wants you to agree with anything she asks?”
Noble laughed. “I will let you know when I figure it out, until then I do my best to keep my wits about me.”
“You poor bloke. Give me an ugly woman anytime.” Ross took a generous swig of ale. “One more question about Sky, then no more.”
“Do you think Slayer will allow my wife to visit her sister soon?”
“I doubt it. Both women are safer remaining home, where they are, making it easier to protect them, and I assume you agree with me.”
“I do but it depends on where I call home as to how safe I can keep my wife,” Noble said.
“Slayer expected you would question that since it concerned your wife, but you would not question the task he set for you at Clan Skirling since he knows he can depend on you without question.”
“He can and I will see the task done.”
“And Lord Slayer will honor his word. Clan Skirling is yours to lead. You are the new chieftain of Clan Skirling. With Lord Slayer claiming you the new chieftain, there should be no problem with you taking command since none will want to go against the Gallowglass. The clan is yours to command. It is not a large clan, but I am sure you will see it grow and Lord Slayer is not adverse to sharing some of his land with you when needed. He also grants your warriors the choice of remaining with you or returning to Clan Ravinsher if they prefer not to settle at Clan Skirling. Though, he believes all your warriors will remain with you.”
“I tend to agree with him, though that will be their decision to make,” Noble said, joy and relief running through him. He had wanted this for some time, a clan to call his own, and it was thanks to this marriage that he was getting it sooner than he had expected. He owed Slayer for the opportunity, but he owed Leora much more since she, unlike him, had not been given a choice.
“Lord Slayer also wants you to know that if by any misfortune your wife falls victim to from whoever seeks her death, Clan Skirling still remains yours.”
His remark struck Noble like a hefty blow. He did not want to lose Leora. He favored her and surprisingly cared for her. He wanted a chance to establish a good marriage with her, a good future, a good life. A clan of his own, a wife, and bairns had been only dreams a few years ago—no more. They were in his grasp, and he would not lose them.