Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You are lucky you finally stopped being foolish and listened to me or my husband would have killed you by now,” Leora scolded, her finger still wagging.
“It would have been a relief instead of listening to you endlessly harangue me,” the man snapped again.
She turned to her husband and smiled. “As much of a foolish arse as he is, you should know that he tended to the wound on my arm and treated me well.” She stretched her arms out to her husband.
Noble quickly hooked his arm around her waist, and her arms went around his neck as he lifted her off the man’s horse and settled her in front of him on his horse. He wanted to hug her tight, kiss her, tell her how much he loved her and how happy and relieved he was to have her in his arms. But that was for later and he almost let loose his smile when she whispered, “Later.”
“Who are you?” Noble demanded of the man after tucking his wife snug against him.
“He is Lord Drake, son of Lord Willian of Clan Braverman,” Lady Elizabeth said as she approached on a horse with Novice Angelica. “You made the trip here for nothing. Your father’s plan failed. Hedley is dead. There is no one to wed your sister and unite Clan MacMurray with Clan Braverman.”
“Aye, there is, and I came here to see it done so this senseless feud between my father and you can be brought to an end and two strong clans can form an even stronger alliance,” Lord Drake said. “Unfortunately, your granddaughter is already wed, and she tells me she may not even be your granddaughter, which leaves your clan without an heir.”
“There is someone here who may be able to confirm that Leora is my granddaughter,” Lady Elizabeth said with a haughty lift of her chin.
Noble looked at Ross. “Mother Abbess is here?”
“Aye,” Ross said with a nod. “She waits in the keep.”
“Then we go to the keep and find out if Mother Abbess can finally solve this dilemma,” Noble said and ordered Penn to see Lord Drake’s men settled on the outskirts of the village while everyone else proceeded to the keep.
Noble kept a slow pace, lingering behind the others to have time to speak with his wife.
“You killed Hedley?” she asked.
“He deserved it,” Noble said without remorse and wished his death had not been a swift one, seeing the exhaustion and pain in his wife’s eyes and in the creases around them as she tried to hide her pain from him. “You are hurting.”
“I think it best that Mother Abbess look at my arm.”
That alarmed Noble and he saw that the cloth wrapped around her arm was stained with blood. He recalled her other wound and turned her head gently to look at it. He grew even angrier seeing the blood crusted there.
“It may leave a scar. The wound on my arm will definitely leave a scar,” she said, seeing the fiery anger in his eyes.
“I don’t care. All that matters is that you’re safe and in my arms again.” He couldn’t wait, he had to kiss her. He took hold of her chin as he kissed her, and she returned it with the same overwhelming need.
Cheers rang out around them and shouts of praise for the chieftain and his wife.
“Light the fires and roast the meat. We celebrate our victory tonight!” Noble called out after reluctantly ending the kiss. Cheers echoed through the village, smiles lit faces, and all got busy preparing for the celebration.
Everyone waited at the keep’s steps for Noble to arrive and take the lead. He kept a tight hold of his wife’s hand as they climbed the stairs, making certain no one would whisk her away from him again.
Chief rushed at Leora when she entered the Great Hall, yapping and wagging his tale until she thought he would collapse from exhaustion.
Noble scooped him up so the pup could lavish kisses on Leora’s face but wouldn’t let her hold him. “Not until Mother Abbess tends to your arm.”
Chief seemed to understand and remained close to her side when Noble placed him on the floor.
“You need to tend to my wife’s wounds,” Noble said as they reached the table where Mother Abbess sat.
“That can wait,” Leora said, stepping in front of her husband. “Are you well, Mother Abbess? No one harmed you, did they?”
“I am good. Ross’ men rescued me before anyone could do me harm,” Mother Abbess assured her.
“Do you know if Leora is my granddaughter?” Lady Elizabeth called out as she hurried to the table.
Silence fell over the Great Hall, all present waiting anxiously to hear.
Mother Abbess smiled softly. “Aye, I do know, and Leora is not your granddaughter.”
Lady Elizabeth’s shoulders sagged, but her chin remained lifted as stubbornly as ever. “Were you told this? How can you be sure of another person’s word?”