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)
“Then go and see to your chores,” Noble ordered again.
“Aye, sir, and thank you again, sir,” Wendell said and hurried off.
Leora tilted her head and turned a questioning look on her husband. “It is obvious that Wendell is relieved not to be living at Clan Ravinsher any longer. Is it not a pleasant place?” Leora asked, thinking she had been too quick to assume her sister was doing well there.
“I have seen no discontent when I have been there,” Noble said.
“Wendell obviously fears Lord Slayer,” she said and turned at the sound of Chief yapping to see him chasing after a small group of young, squealing bairns with delight.
“He should be, he disobeyed him.”
“And yet Lord Slayer allowed him to remain here,” she reminded.
“A wise decision on his part.”
“How so?” she asked, curious as to why he would believe that.
“He rids himself of someone he cannot trust, someone who does not obey rules, someone who could put his clan in jeopardy for failure to obey him.”
Leora got upset upon hearing that. “Has he no heart?”
“A question many ask,” Noble said, “but he never questions his duties and seeing your sister safe would be a priority for him. But worry not about that, we have reason to rejoice.” He smiled.
Leora looked puzzled. “Why is that?’
“Lady Elizabeth decided to go to Whitehall Abbey and see what she can learn there. We are free of her for a while.”
“That is nonsense. Mother Abbess will come here. There is no reason for her to go there. You need to stop her. It could prove dangerous for her,” Leora insisted.
“She will not listen to me, and I cannot stop her. Besides, I do not care if she leaves. She is annoying. I wish her departure was permanent,” Noble argued, wanting to be rid of the woman.
“Annoying or not, she is not familiar with the Highlands, and can she truly trust the mercenaries?”
“What does it matter to you?”
“I feel sorry for her. She has no family left. She is all alone and fighting for her clan. We should at least respect her for that.”
Noble leaned his head down and kept his voice low and touched with a hint of annoyance. “Do not tell me you believe her foolish tale about you being her granddaughter.”
Leora rested her hand on his arm, for comfort or in need of his strength, she wasn’t sure. She only knew she needed to touch him and feel she was part of him.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore,” she said. “I believed I was part of my parents and my sisters, only to find out I am not. Their blood does not run through me, and I wonder who my true parents might be. Who I truly am. I suppose that makes me curious to know for sure if I am or am not Lady Elizabeth’s granddaughter.” She shook her head before Noble could speak. “I am not leaving you or the Highlands no matter what is discovered about my birth. My heart would shatter if we were ever separated, and I cannot live in any other place but the Highlands. Whether in my blood or not, the Highlands is my home.”
Noble eased his arm around his wife. “I am selfish, my only thought was of myself and not wanting to lose you. I never gave thought to how this news might make you feel or knowing the parents who raised you and loved you are not your true parents.” He gave her waist a gentle squeeze. “That would have been something I would not have minded hearing about my own parents.” His teasing got the response he wanted… his wife chuckled. “We will do what we can to find out the truth.”
“I truly appreciate that, husband, and hopefully, Mother Abbess can shed some light on the problem,” she said, pleased she could count on her husband’s help, but then he had been helpful from the beginning even if she had not realized it until now.
“I will go stop Lady Elizabeth from leaving.”
“You told me you couldn’t stop her,” she said with a slight grin, knowing full well he could if he wanted to.
“My clan. My rules,” he said with a wide grin.
“I thought you might say that, so I believe it would be better for you and Lady Elizabeth if I talk with her,” Leora suggested, already imagining the altercation that would take place if her husband forbade the woman to take her leave.
“I will not argue with you over that,” Noble said with relief. He had no desire to spar with the old woman yet again.
Leora kissed him lightly. “Please keep Chief with you. Lady Elizabeth is not a dog lover and Chief does not tolerate her well.”
“Chief is one wise animal,” Noble said and watched the pup stumble over his feet once again but right himself quickly and continue to play with the bairns.