Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“I hear you have a ghost in the keep,” Henry said with a chuckle. “You know that is nonsense. There are no such things as ghosts.”
As if Henry’s word had insulted, a powerful roar ripped through the Great Hall with such force, it blew out all the candles, almost doused the hearth’s flames, and turned the room icy cold. The servants did not hesitate, they ran screaming out of the keep.
And so did Henry.
CHAPTER 28
Flora sat alone in the Great Hall for a moment and was pleased when Anwen entered, looking not at all frightened.
“I feared this would happen with how bad the wind is today, my lady.”
“I expected it as well, Anwen,” Flora said as she got to her feet. “Give them time to calm, then see that they return to their tasks. They need to learn there is nothing to fear in the keep, though I will admit that was the strongest moan yet.”
“And unlike the others, more sorrowful,” Anwen said. “You will remain here, my lady?”
“Aye, Anwen, and please tell my husband if you should see him that I have gone to the tower. I worry what the forceful wind might had done to those crumbling stones.”
“You should not go there alone, my lady,” Anwen cautioned.
“There is nothing to fear there, Anwen. I will be fine.”
“I will get the message to Lord Torin, right after I speak with and calm the servants,” Anwen said and hurried off.
Flora reached for one of the smaller torches in the Great Hall as she headed to the stairs, thinking how Anwen was right. The moan was unlike the others, sorrow heavy in it. She climbed the staircase cautiously suspecting the wind most likely blew out some, if not all, of the torches along the stairwell.
As she suspected, she stopped to light a few torches along the way. She was surprised that Henry ran as he did. His tempered manner sometimes could be misconstrued for lack of strength but being a knowledgeable man, certain things would not easily frighten him. She had expected curiosity from him, not retreat. She stopped, her brow wrinkling as she tried to recall a memory about Henry. Was it something he did? Something he said? Something said about him?
I do not believe Henry would be a suitable husband for Flora.
She had forgotten that she had heard Lord Simon say that as she waited outside his solar for them to leave for the abbey while he spoke privately with someone. But who? Her da and mum had already left for France.
Henry would know how to handle her never-ending chatter, even with her words being much like weapons, hitting her mark every time.
That was where she had heard that remark, but who had said it? She struggled to remember.
Flora only aims and hits at those deserving of it, and I doubt any man would tolerate it for long, even your nephew. I regret to say that I cannot help you in your endeavor to see Henry wed Flora.
Henry’s uncle!
She shook her head unable to recall his name. Henry barely mentioned him. She had never seen him at gatherings. Actually, she had never met the man. Why would he approach Lord Simon for help and had he done so on Henry’s behest? He couldn’t have if what Henry says is true and her da had wed her to him. Unless Henry never spoke of the marriage to his uncle.
She started up the steps again, her mind churning. Was it a coincidence that he had been in France the same time as her parents? But he had been on the coast, a distance from Paris where they had been.
The coast.
Flora stopped again, Iona’s words rushing into her head.
Growing by the sea and sandy soil.
Where one would find black henbane.
She turned to head back down. She had to tell Torin. He must know immediately. She did not want to believe it, but she feared Henry was the one who wanted her dead, though she still did not understand why.
She barely took a few steps when she heard footfalls rushing up the stairs. Anwen must have told Torin and he came to see if she was safe.
“Torin!” she called out. “I think I know the culprit. I think it’s—” Her mouth clamped shut when Henry came around the curve.
He smiled and shook his head. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you figured it out.”
She silently admonished herself for failing to make it a priority for her husband to teach her how to defend herself in any given situation. But once Torin learned she was in the keep alone, he would not fail to seek her out. She had to stay alive long enough for him to reach her and she had only one weapon to use… her words.
“I do not understand, explain it to me, Henry,” she said, encouraging him to talk.