Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Cree grew silent and Dawn let it be. She knew her husband well enough to know his mind was churning with ideas and simply sitting here with him in the silence left her content.
Cree broke his silence. “Cavell demands land from me. I wonder if it is someone’s way of trying to take part of our land.”
With a tilt of her head, Dawn shrugged.
“I wonder myself who would be so brazen to do such a foolish thing.” Cree stared at the flames that danced and crackled in the hearth. “If Cavell had demanded a specific area of land I would wonder if a nearby clan was involved, but he made no such demand. He demanded land for him and his men, though specified no area.”
Cree smiled when his wife gestured, her fingers fighting as if they were swords, then dropping her hands and sighing.
“You think he has grown tired of battle and wants no more of it?” Cree asked and nodded when his wife pointed at him. “Aye, I did grow tired of the endless battles, the suffering, and the senseless deaths.” He shook his head. “I need to speak with him and learn the truth of his mission. It is the only way to settle this problem, so no one suffers harm.”
Dawn agreed with a nod.
A short silence followed, then Cree asked, “So, tell me what Tate has been up to?”
The man was a thorn in his side that he wanted to yank out and crush until there was nothing left. He paid far too much attention to Dawn, and he was ready to send the irritating man on his way in a fashion that would make certain he would never return.
She gestured with her hand like the beak of a quacking duck.
“He talks endlessly?”
She nodded and sighed dramatically.
“You grow tired of him?” Cree asked and was pleased when she nodded. “I thought you enjoyed speaking with him about drawing.”
Dawn stretched up out of her chair and went to her husband. She took the goblet out of his hand and placed it on the table beside his chair, then settled herself in his lap.
Cree hurried his arms around her to tuck her comfortably against him. He loved when she cuddled herself in his lap. It was as if she could not get close enough to him and that pleased him and aroused him. He realized she was gesturing and though he missed part of it, he understood what she had said.
“You believe there is more to his visit than what he claims?” Cree asked.
Dawn shrugged and gestured.
“You are not sure, yet you question it, and your instinct is always good, wife. Any suggestions of what we may do to find out?”
Dawn smiled and gestured.
“Aye, I agree. We let him dig himself deeper into his lies and deceit.”
Dawn laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, content there with the strength of his muscled arms wrapped snugly around her and the warmth of him seeping into her. She wished he could hear her sigh of pleasure when his hand drifted to her breast to cup and squeeze it gently.
“I do not know why you put a nightdress on when you know I will take it off you,” he said teasingly.
She looked up at him and grinned.
“You purposely put it on so I will take it off,” he accused playfully.
Her grin turned wide.
Tightening his hold on her, he stood. “Time for it to come off, wife.”
Dawn agreed with an eager nod as they walked to the bed.
“I heard what happened yesterday,” Tate said anxiously as he approached Dawn outside the next morning. “I am relieved to know your daughter is unharmed. Who was it that she came across?”
“Why should that concern you?” Cree asked, coming up behind the man and causing him to jump in fright.
“Curiosity,” Tate was quick to say.
Cree glared at him. “Curiosity can get you killed.” He turned his head to his wife as if dismissing the man. “There is much that needs your attention. See to it.” He walked off hiding a smile, leaving Tate to reveal more of his true character to Dawn, who no doubt thought his command humorous while also understanding it.
Dawn fought back the urge to laugh at her husband’s teasing command and waited for Tate to remark.
“Now I know why you have not drawn what I have asked of you. Lord Cree demands obedience and like any good wife, you obey,” Tate said.
There were moments Dawn was grateful for her silence and this was one of them, for she would have burst out laughing otherwise. Instead, she gestured slowly.
“My daughter says all obey Lord Cree’s word,” Kirk said, approaching them. “But then that is the way of a strong leader, is it not? And a strong leader produces a strong clan.”
“Aye, aye, a clan that would obey without question,” Tate agreed. “I will keep you no longer, Lady Dawn. The day is quite pleasant, perfect for drawing the beauty of your surrounding woods.”