Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“It was an easy birth, at least as births go,” Elysia said.
Lendra nodded. “True enough, though I doubt Brit would agree after the hours she spent in pain.”
“But the little lass slipped out easily with little effort from her mum.”
“Again true, but still, you did well through it all,” Lendra encouraged and grinned. “I wouldn’t be surprised if nine months from now you’ll be delivering a bairn of your own.”
Elysia’s cheeks flushed.
Lendra rested her hand over Elysia’s. “There is nothing to worry about, Elysia. The way Saber looks at you, he will be gentle, and don’t listen to those who claim wifely duties a chore. It can be enjoyable.” Lendra lowered her voice to a whisper. “You don’t have to make a bairn right off.”
Elysia took advantage of the moment. “Aye, Bliss had told me about that, but I forgot how long she told me a woman must wait after taking the brew before it stops a bairn from taking hold.”
“At least a day and two tankards full if you want to make certain, and you must take the brew faithfully every day.”
“Thank you, Lendra,” Elysia said, relieved to know.
“I have to get back to the keep.” Lendra gave Elysia’s hand a squeeze. “Bliss truly would have been proud of you.”
Her words touched Elysia’s heart and had her near to tears. She missed Bliss and Annis and wondered about them. Were they both safe? Did either suffer? Would she ever see them again?
She blinked away the tears that had pooled in her eyes and wiped at them with her sleeve before she turned to face Brit and Kevin.
“She is a beautiful lass and will do well. I will be at the cottage during the day and at Saber’s croft, in the evening if you should need me. You did well, Brit, and I see no problem for you and the little lass.”
“It did go well,” Brit agreed. “And I thank you for your help. Much happiness to you and Saber. All hoped you two would get together and are pleased to see that you did.”
Elysia nodded and left, not sure what to think. Had it been that obvious to all about how Saber felt about her or how she felt about him?
She breathed deep of the chilled air and took only a few steps when a voice stopped her.
“You need to be careful.”
Fear kicked her heart into a rapid beat as her eyes scanned the area. She was relieved to see Rory step out from behind a tree, though his wobbling steps alerted her to his drunkenness.
“You are a good woman, Elysia, kind and generous. You must be careful, all is not what it seems,” Rory said.
“What do you mean?” she asked, his remark striking a tinge of fear in her.
“People aren’t always who we think they are,” he said.
“Are you referring to my husband, Rory?”
“You know little about him or if you can trust him. You can trust me. I am a friend,” he said, his steps faltering as he turned to walk away.
Her heart went out to him, almost feeling his loneliness. “Rory.”
He turned, swaying as he did.
“This woman you loved and lost, I will help you if there is a chance for you to find her?”
He shook his head almost toppling over as he did and righting himself only to wobble more. “I wish. Oh, how I wish. But there is no chance… she is dead.”
“Oh, Rory, I am so sorry,” she said, feeling the depths of his sorrow now more than ever since knowing Saber. Her heart had felt like it had broken when he had refused her marriage proposal. She could only imagine the intense pain of losing him completely now that they admitted they favored each other.
“Few if any can share someone’s hurt, truly feel for them. You are one of those rare people that truly care. My Shona was like that, caring and kind.”
Elysia had to ask and hoped by doing so it would help him release some of his pain. “What happened to her?”
“I wasn’t there when she needed me,” Rory said, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Her father sold her to another man to enrich himself. She lasted but three days and died suddenly in her husband’s arms.”
Tears poked at Elysia’s eyes. “How awful for you.”
“Pray for Bliss, Elysia,” Rory warned. “Shona died in the cursed lord’s arms… Rannick. She was his third wife.”
Chapter 7
Saber swung the axe again and again, splitting log after log. He had removed his shirt, the exertion heating him or it might have been his own anger at himself that caused it. The chill in the air didn’t bother him in the least and he wondered if the heat of hell had already laid its scorching hand on him. The problem he feared was that he opened a path for hell to touch his wife.