Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
She liked it when he wore a teasing smile. It lit her heart and fluttered her stomach, and she wondered if his teasing was his way of trying to make amends.
She shook her head. “I doubt anyone could deprive you of anything, husband.”
He chuckled. “You have come to know me well in a short time.”
“How well have you come to know me?” she asked and was surprised by his quick response.
“Not well enough.” He leaned toward her. “But I will learn much, on that you have my word.” He leaned back and reached for a piece of meat and handed it to her. “Now appease your husband and eat at least one more piece so you are not hungry on our journey to your home tomorrow.”
Her husband’s teasing manner had settled her stomach and she would be wise to eat a bit more since they probably would not eat until they arrived at her home.
She took the meat from him and took small bites, chewing slowly.
Relieved she ate a bit more, Cavell reached for more himself. “Now tell me, is there anything I need to know about your home before we arrive there tomorrow?”
Elsie detailed the village and the small keep, talked about the various people, and suggested he see their healer.
“May is a skilled healer, you should have her look at your scars.”
“My scars are what they are. Nothing can be done about them,” he said.
“Not if you don’t try, but it is your decision to make,” she said and went on talking about her clan.
That she did not pursue it or try to persuade him made him think that his scars truly did not bother her, though how so amazed him. They slashed through his face making him look as though he’d been pieced together. He turned his concentration back on his wife, not wanting the memories of that day he got the scars to take hold.
It wasn’t long after that Cavell announced, “Time to sleep. We need to get an early start in the morning. We’ll let the fire die so it will be nothing more than a few embers by the time we wake.”
Elsie nodded and looked at the narrow bed. “We’ll never fit.”
“I will brace my back against the wall, and you will stay tucked against me so we will keep warm, and both get the sleep we need,” he said and got into bed, tossing the blanket back before bracing his back against the wall. He then reached his hand out to her. “Tuck yourself in, wife, with your back to me.”
Elsie did as he said, though tried to avoid tucking herself too close. She had no choice when his arm settled around her and pulled her tight against him then he tossed the blanket over them both.
She feared she would never sleep, her mind going to the intimate night they had spent together, but the warmth of his body soothed her, and she was soon asleep.
Not so, Cavell. He knew he took a chance getting in bed with her, but the room would chill as the fire died and he wanted to make sure his wife stayed warm. Besides, he had upset her once already tonight. He was not about to do it again. They both had enough to consider without adding coupling to their problems.
One thing that he was glad to see thus far was that his wife had shown no signs of madness. She actually seemed more reasonable than most women he had met. But he intended to learn more about her from others once they reached her clan, and he would also see what he could find out that would help Slayer discover who killed his father and brother since Melvin would be lurking about waiting for news to report to Slayer.
He yawned, and feeling content and comfortable wrapped around his wife, he fell asleep.
“Keep your hood pulled down,” Cavell said as they approached the Clan Murdock village. “If all proves safe, we can reveal your identity.”
“Then we can remain here,” she said, sounding hopeful.
“Aye, we can,” he said.
He hadn’t planned on it, but then he hadn’t planned on hearing the news about Slayer’s loss or that his help was needed with it. It was wiser that he remained here and discovered what he could, not only for Slayer but for his wife.
“We will speak to my da immediately,” Elsie said, anxious to see her da and know how he was doing, and for her husband to hear the truth so she could finally discard the monk’s robe.
“You knew of my scars, so I assume your clan is well aware of my appearance as well.”
“They are and care not about the scars since they are pleased that they will have a courageous warrior as their chieftain,” Elsie said with pride and hope that he would choose to remain in the marriage.