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)
“Did Slayer assume that, or did he receive word of it?” Cavell asked.
“There is not much Slayer doesn’t hear. You know as well as I do that he has eyes and ears all over the Highlands. I believe I know you well enough to know you would make the wisest decision for your clan and pledge your allegiance to the clan that would prove more beneficial to you.”
“Or the clan that I trust more,” Cavell said.
Eldon grinned. “Then it’s Lord Slayer you pledge your fealty to.”
“Aye, Clan Murdock pledges its allegiance to Lord Slayer of Clan Ravinsher,” Cavell confirmed, not caring what his father would think.
Eldon stood, raising his tankard. “Clan Murdock pledges its allegiance to Lord Slayer and, of course, the Gallowglass!”
Cheers rang out and Elsie saw the relief on the faces of those in her clan. They now felt protected, something they had worried about ever since her da had taken ill.
Once the cheers settled and Eldon sat, Cavell said, “You will report back to Slayer once you have caught one or two of the mercenaries?”
“Aye, I will take them to Slayer and let him deal with them,” Eldon confirmed. “It should take no more than a day, so we should be home in about three days’ time.”
“Melvin was about to leave for Clan Ravinsher with a message I have for Slayer. I would prefer he travel with you than alone and he can return with the troop Slayer sends me.”
“Melvin is always welcome to travel with my troop. He is a skilled and fearless warrior.”
“And better than you are with an axe,” Melvin said, having neared the dais.
Eldon’s bulk shook with laughter. “You never fail to praise yourself, Melvin.”
Melvin grinned. “You mean I never fail to tell the truth.”
“There is truth to that,” Eldon said with respect. “Be ready to leave tomorrow at dawn.”
The men got lost in talk of past battles and deeds and Elsie drifted off to leave them to talk, and having done what she could for the injured in the room, she left and went to see if May needed help.
It was several hours later when Elsie stepped out of the cottage with May. “It is night already?” She gave a hasty glance to the night sky, clouds hiding any signs of the stars.
“Time gets lost when tending serious injuries. Your only thought is on fighting to save the person, May said. “You have done enough. Go to the keep and rest.”
“Heath will be all right, won’t he? Brit is due to deliver their first bairn any day now,” Elsie asked, worried for the young man and his wife.
“Heath is young and strong and with rest and care his wound will heal and he will do well,” May said. “Now go and rest yourself. It will be a busy day tomorrow seeing to how the wounded are doing.”
Elsie nodded and wished May a good evening and walked to the keep.
“You should not be walking alone at night.”
Elsie jumped after having taken several steps, her hand hitting her chest in shock, the sudden voice from the darkness frightening her… until she realized who it was.
“You frightened me,” she said, scolding her husband when he stepped out of the darkness in front of her.
“You were gone far too long from the keep and I am in far too much need to have you naked in my arms not to come look for you,” he said, and his arm went around her waist to grip it firmly. “Time to retire for the night.”
His lips found hers and his kiss spoke of his need and fired her own.
It took little time for them to reach their bedchamber and once inside, the door closed, locking everyone and thing away from them, Cavell ordered, “I will have you naked… now!”
CHAPTER 22
Elsie was about to toss the last of her garments aside when her husband’s arm coiled around her waist and drew her back against his warm, naked body. His hand grabbed the garment from her and flung it away, then his mouth descended on the curve of her neck to nip and kiss and send gooseflesh rushing over her.
“Perfect. You are perfect in every way,” he whispered between nips.
She gasped softly when his teeth nipped at her neck, sending more gooseflesh racing over her. But it was her husband telling her that she was perfect while standing naked in front of him that soared her love for him and fueled her passion. Though it also may have been the way his hand roamed over her, caressing her breasts and teasing her nipples with playful pinches before moving his intimate strokes along her stomach on his way to settle his fingers between her legs while continuing to feast teasingly on her neck.
“I have thought about touching you like this since the battle ended,” he whispered and nipped at a sensitive spot on her neck that sent a sensuous shiver through her.