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)
“You are done? Finley will do well?” Leora asked anxiously, wondering how long she had been lost in her thoughts.
“Almost. Novice Angelica is more than capable of seeing to what remains and then she will settle him comfortably in his cottage. She will also make sure that he does what he has been told, allowing the wound to heal before he returns to his duties.”
Having gotten to know Finley’s dedication to Noble, Leora couldn’t help but chuckle. “That will not be easy.”
Mother Abbess chuckled as well. “I have no worries where that is concerned. Novice Angelica has the voice of an angel and the nature of a commander and while young, she can be quite formidable.” She reached over to Leora and laid a gentle hand on her arm. “You smile but behind it I see concern in your eyes. What weighs so heavily on you, my child?”
“I would share with you, but you are a nun and have no experience with what troubles me,” Leora said softly.
“I know of marriage woes, since many women come to me with them.”
“You would think I would have many of those since this marriage was forced on me and I have debated remaining in it. But marriage to Noble is far different than I expected.”
“Why is that?” Mother Abbess asked.
“That is the odd part.” Leora shook her head. “I cannot say for sure.”
Mother Abbess patted Leora’s arm and smiled. “You are falling in love with your husband.”
Leora was surprised by her response. “What do you know about love? You are a nun.”
Mother Abbess smiled softly. “I am also a woman… a woman who once fell in love.”
Leora’s brow shot up. “You fell in love?”
Mother Abbess nodded slowly. “I did.”
Mother Abbess looked at her as her hand stroked the beautifully craved cross that hung from a rope around her neck. Leora could tell it wasn’t her the abbess was seeing… it was a memory. And Leora did not have to think long to realize what must have happened.
“Your da didn’t approve of him?” Leora asked.
The past must have faded, for Mother Abbess nodded and her eyes took on more focus. “He was not what my da wanted for me. I sought the comfort of the abbey after my da made it clear he would never approve of such a union. A few months later I learned the man I loved died in battle. My da intended to arrange a marriage for me but I told him I intended to take my vows to the church. I knew deep in my heart that I could never love another man as I loved him, and I could not stand the thought of having another man’s arms around me, holding me, kissing me, demanding intimacy of me. I expected my da to argue and order me to return home, but he didn’t, and I was relieved. I often think it was my brother, God rest his soul, who had convinced him to let me be. So, I do understand the joy and sadness of love, and that joy still lives in my heart and memories to this day. If you have found love with your husband, don’t deny it, Leora. Embrace it and never let go of it.”
“How do I know if it is love? I barely know Noble and yet I feel things I have never felt before when I am with him, and I worry endlessly about him when he is gone.”
“Love can’t be defined with words, Leora, and even feelings can lead you astray—”
“Then how does one know when one is in love?”
“A question that will be pondered until the end of time. For me, I knew instantly, as soon as I saw him, and I saw the same recognition in his eyes when his glance settled on me. It was like being reunited with a missing piece of myself and once together we felt whole.”
Leora could only imagine the sorrow and pain the woman must have suffered losing the man she loved, and her heart broke for her.
“Do not waste a moment, Leora,” Mother Abbess urged. “If you are lucky enough to have found love, then love him every day you can before it is too late.”
It was late. Noble hadn’t expected to be gone well into the night, but he had learned that the man who had fired the arrow hitting Finley had not been alone. He and Bew had managed to find tracks, far too many of them, and whether it was sheer luck or skill, he didn’t know which, but he was relieved to have found the group. Unfortunately, and to Noble’s bewilderment, they all were dead.
He wondered over who had killed them. Had Slayer seen it done? Was it another band of mercenaries? Had the troop of Lowlanders reached here already? But most importantly, was his wife still in danger?