Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“She is faster on her feet than you and it is no wonder she doesn’t seek a permanent home here. It is obvious she is not welcome to do so.”
“I say what I must to keep my clan safe. You may trust Dru, but she presents too many problems for me to trust her,” Nug argued.
“Or is it that she gets the best of you more often than not,” Quint accused.
“It is a thought we must consider like it or not,” Nug continued to argue. “It is unlikely it is Brother Peter since he is a man of God and has administered endlessly to the people while here.”
“Not all men of God are Godly, Nug.”
“Still, the likely culprit is either Witley or Monty since they are mercenaries and work for whoever will pay them the most.”
“Witley has found himself a woman and has been spending more time with her than doing anything else. She confirmed he was with her last night. And Monty is not the brightest warrior and since being here, he has been helping tend to the animals. He spent last night seeing to a sick horse, which a clam member confirmed. Monty also asked my wife if there was any help she could offer the animal. She examined the animal explained what to do and advised them both to stay the night and keep watch over the horse.”
“I know you don’t want to believe it, but after eliminating all those who possibly could be at fault, it leaves Dru. And with her being the only one who investigated the hiding spots or even knows they exist, then I’d say she is the guilty one. For the clan’s sake, at least consider it.”
“Leave me,” Quint ordered and Nug left.
He grabbed his tankard of ale and went to the chair in front of the hearth to sit. He couldn’t say he had known Dru for very long, but he felt he knew her well. She had spoken about wintering here and how Chieftain Ryland treated her well, but he could tell from her own lack of words that Clan MacLeish was not home to her, and now he understood why. She might laugh off Nug’s insults, but they had hurt and had made her feel that she wasn’t welcome.
He heard the door open. “Unless you are my wife, go away,” Quint ordered.
“Then it is good I am your wife,” Shade said as she rested her hand on his shoulder.
Quint placed his tankard on the table beside the chair and reached around to grab his wife by the waist and place her on his lap. “You, in my arms, is exactly what I need right now.”
“No luck in finding the culprit?” Shade asked, settling herself comfortably in his embrace.
“Nug believes it is Dru.”
Shade laughed. “That’s nonsense.”
“He insists all evidence points to her.”
“Nug is wrong and please do not let him make you doubt Dru for a minute.”
“I don’t. I know Dru better than Nug.”
“Then maybe it’s Nug who is at fault. Maybe he wanted to meet with someone, and he didn’t want you to know about it. Maybe he’s worried you might try and rule the clan permanently.”
“You are a wise woman. I never thought of that,” Quint admitted.
She caressed the wrinkles between his eyes caused by his scowl. “This is not going to be settled tonight. Come to bed and think on it tomorrow.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Will you help me forget it for the rest of the evening?”
“I will do my best,” she said and kissed him with a hunger that soon had his manhood rising and poking at her.
“Let’s not waste a moment,” he said and went to lift her off his lap.
“I almost forgot. Caleb hopes you haven’t canceled his return home tomorrow with what happened today. We still see it done in the morning, right?”
“Aye. His return will chase the worries of today’s incident and return hope to the clan.” He swung her off his lap. “But right now. You are mine for the remainder of the evening.”
He kept his arm around his wife’s waist as he flung the door open.
Ena jumped back, having been about to knock. “I am sorry to disturb, but Dee, Liam’s wife went into labor a few hours ago and I fear there will be a problem with the delivery.”
CHAPTER 26
People cheered as one of the sentinels, a huge smile on his face, led Caleb into the village. Ula rushed to him, hugging him gently and calling out for Shade.
Quint was the only one who didn’t look happy and that was because Shade hadn’t gotten any sleep. Dee’s delivery had taken the whole night. For a while, Shade and Ena had feared they might lose the bairn and the mum. But things turned out good and mum and son were doing well with the help of the village women looking after them and a very happy Liam as well.