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)
“I do feel better, Elsie, and I am relieved now that Cavell is chieftain of the clan,” he said. “All will be well as will your sisters.”
She chose carefully what she would say to him after hearing him speak of being relieved. “Why did you send us to the abbey, Da?”
“A safe place,” he said on a yawn.
“We were safe at home, Da.”
He shook his head. “No longer. Brother Kendrick keeps your sisters safe.”
“Safe from what, Da?”
“Not your worry, Elsie,” he said, weakly waving off her concern.
Why he refused to tell her puzzled Elsie, but not so his dismissive wave. Once he did that, she knew he would discuss it no more with her. He was hiding something from her, and he was doing so because he thought it was for her own good. Somehow, she would have to get him to reveal his secret. She thought about telling him all that had happened at the abbey but dismissed it, fearing the truth might upset him badly and worsen his illness. She would go slow in delivering that news.
Instead, she said, “I learned that Warrand visited with you not long ago. Had it anything to do with clan business that Cavell should be made aware of?”
“Warrand will no doubt be in touch with Cavell as soon as he hears he is now chieftain.”
“I am so sorry to tell you, Da, that Warrand was killed on his return home from visiting you and Lord Bannaty died a week later from being poisoned. Slayer now leads the clan.”
Her da grabbed at his chest as his eyes turned wide, and he gasped for breath.
CHAPTER 11
“It is my fault,” Elsie insisted, her steps echoing softly on the wooden floor as she paced back and forth before the crackling hearth. Her troubled expression mirrored the nervous flickering flames, and the weight of her words hung heavily on her shoulders.
“Nay, it is not,” Cavell said and came up behind her to grab hold of her and wrap her in a strong hug. He disliked seeing her so upset and senselessly blaming herself and felt an overwhelming desire to shield her from unnecessary anguish.
“May said it herself after seeing my da. Any shock could worsen him, and she warned me against sharing any more news that might disturb him. So, it is my fault he has gotten worse.”
“You did not know the news of Lord Bannaty and his son Warrand’s deaths would shock him, and why would you? They were not friends who visited often. As you told me, you simply inquired if I needed to be made aware of anything concerning them now that I am chieftain. Your da’s unexpected reaction begs the question… why was the news so upsetting to him?”
Elsie succumbed to her husband’s hug, relaxing against him, and accepting the comfort he offered. “He keeps a secret, refusing to say why he felt my sisters and I needed a safe place. Why had our home suddenly become unsafe and from whom?”
Cavell rubbed her back, feeling his wife relax with each tender stroke, “A puzzle to be solved for sure.”
“But how do we solve it when two of the three people involved are dead, and my da is unavailable to us for how long? We do not know.”
“Someone here must have heard something, even a small snippet of what Warrand and your da discussed. A servant must have served them drinks or food. A few words are all we need to begin to piece everything together,” Cavell said.
“Alda would know which servant served my da the day of Warrand’s visit,” Elsie said with a glimmer of hope.
“Then we will start there and find out who else in the village might know something about Warrand’s visit.”
Elsie eased her head back, her eyes connecting with his. “I could have killed my da.”
“But you did not kill him, and he will heal soon enough with Ann offering to help look after him. May cannot give him the attention he needs with others in the clan needing her. Ann can be there for him, see that he eats and takes the proscribed brews when he should. So, you need not worry over him.”
“That will not stop my worry.”
“But it will ease it some and free your mind to dwell on me,” he said with a teasing smile and a wink.
“My mind always dwells on you,” she responded without thinking.
He grinned. “I am an impressive and unforgettable man.”
His playful humor tickled her, and she chuckled softly. “No wonder you are forever on my mind.”
He continued to tease playfully while finding it pleased him that he lingered on her mind. “My rightful place as your husband.”
Her smile was just as playful. “Then that means I must occupy your mind just as often since I am your wife.”
He took hold of her chin and gave it a squeeze. “You forever haunt my thoughts, wife.”