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)
Chief barely escaped having the door hit him as he hurried out of the room he had barely entered to remain with Leora and Noble.
“I should not have said anything now. It is not the right time, and I don’t know why I said it.” She shook her head, her remark an unintentional lie that she would not let stand. “I do know why. I am frustrated, completely frustrated that you have shown me not an ounce of intimacy in the last few days, and I cannot express enough how much I miss it. How much it means to share something so precious with you.”
Noble spoke low, though with a strength that could not be missed. “I would kiss you now, but it would only flare my arousal that has lingered for days, waiting for you to heal. I have missed the precious time we share, miss feeling one with you, loving you, cherishing you.” He took a deep breath, fighting to calm the passion that flared so quickly. “But I wanted to make certain you had healed—”
“I have healed,” Leora said, interrupting him quickly, “and you will keep me… keep us waiting no more. And I will have your word on that.”
Chief stood close by, his small head swiveling back and forth from Leora to Noble as they spoke.
“You have it, wife,” he said and went to kiss her, but she turned her head away and he scowled.
“I want you to kiss me, I truly do, but if you do, it will not stop there. I will drag you, if I must, to our bedchamber where I will keep you imprisoned for the rest of the day and night and force you to make love to me. And we cannot do that now. Duty calls.”
“You would not need to drag me or imprison me. I would go most willingly and see you—us—satisfied repeatedly.” He stepped away from her and took another deep breath. “You are right, though I wish otherwise, duty calls.”
Leora opened the door before they both surrendered to their passion.
“Tonight, I promise you,” Noble whispered just before they stepped into the room and Leora’s smile turned to one of utter surprise seeing Ross and Lady Elizabeth laughing.
“Are we dreaming or am I actually seeing this?” Noble whispered to his wife.
Ross spotted them and raised his tankard. “The woman is a good storyteller.”
Chief trotted over by the hearth to curl up in front of the small fire lit there, a wide yawn escaping him before he rested his head down to get some sleep.
The discussion went easier among the four than Noble expected. Suggestions were tossed around, some with potential, some dismissed, and some accepted as a plan started forming.
Their discussion continued to go well when the door burst open, and Finley rushed into the room without knocking. “You need to come now!”
CHAPTER 24
Lady Elizabeth rushed around Noble toward a tall, slim man standing in the Great Hall looking quite distraught. “Hedley, you sniveling weasel you.”
Hedely took several steps back, fear vivid in his wide eyes. “The plan has gone awry. Completely awry.”
His hasty retreat did not help the man, Lady Elizabeth walked right up to him and poked him repeatedly in the chest. “Never! Never would I allow you to get even a small portion of the MacMurray wealth, let alone the title.”
Lady Elizabeth was forcibly pulled away from Hedley and shoved down to sit on a bench at a nearby table, Ross’s hand resting heavily on her shoulder as a warning she was not to move.
“How dare you—”
“I rule here, Lady Elizabeth, and it is time you obey my rule. Move or speak again and I will see you remain in your cottage until your departure home,” Noble warned, and when she looked ready to speak, he warned again. “One word, just one and you will be deposited in your cottage with a guard outside your door, and you will know nothing of what goes on from this moment on.”
“She is an evil witch, she is,” Hedley said, pointing his finger at Lady Elizabeth. I am the sole male heir to Clan MacMurray. It is rightfully mine. Her refusal to see me inherit it all caused me to seek help from Lord William, and now that has gone all wrong.” Hedley shook his finger at Lady Elizabeth. “This whole debacle is your fault.”
Lady Elizabeth sneered at Hedley but wisely held her tongue.
Leora joined her husband, walking over to where he stood in front of the dais to stand by his side, with Chief taking a protective stance at her side. She had seen how upset the two nuns had become with the situation, having shielded themselves behind Novice Angelica, who stood fearlessly protecting them. She had gone to them suggesting the novice take the nuns to the village to see if anyone was in need of their care since they did not need to be privy to what would be discussed, and busy hands would ease their worry.