Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You both play this game well. I admire challenging opponents,” Tarr said, and tugged at Aliss’s hand so that she would stand, and as she did he brought his face close to hers. “Perhaps we shall share another kiss today.”
“I warned you last night that you go too far if you think I will willingly kiss you,” Aliss said.
Tarr released her and frowned at Fiona.
She fought the smile that lurked beneath the surface. It did her heart good to see him unsure of his own choice. “I have an ill prisoner to tend.”
“I think not,” Tarr said. “You shall be the one to accompany me on a walk.”
“Are you certain?” Fiona asked. “You appear indecisive today.”
“You think to befuddle me, but it does not work. I know whom I ask to walk with me,” he said firmly.
“Who is that?” Fiona challenged.
He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. “A twin who will rue the day she has challenged me.”
Fiona was almost out the door when she turned her head and grinned mischievously at her sister.
“Where do we go?” Fiona asked as they left the keep.
“To show you the strength and wealth of my clan, and have you understand why I need to wed a woman of equal strength.”
“I would be honored to view your holdings,” she said sweetly, and his brow knitted. “Perhaps I can offer you advice on how to run your holdings more efficiently.”
“You think yourself capable of leading a clan?”
“I know myself capable of leading a clan,” she smiled, and sauntered on ahead of him.
The day was overcast though warm for autumn. Soon enough the weather would change and daylight would grow shorter. The clansmen and women were busy gathering the last of the harvest and seeing to repairs to their cottages before winter set in.
Fiona waited for Tarr to catch up with her, then she walked beside him in silence. She needed no one to tell her of the strength and pride of the Hellewyk clan. It was there in everything she saw from the well-maintained cottages and fields to the excellent weave of the cloth the clan’s people wore, to the healthy animals grazing in the pens and the delicious smells wafting out of cottage windows. Hellewyk was obviously a prosperous clan.
Tarr needed no advice. He was an exemplary leader and certainly a man any woman would be proud to have as a husband, any woman but her.
She was greeted with smiles, waves, and a shout of welcome now and again. They did not stop to speak with a single soul, this walk was not to introduce her to anyone since how could he; he knew not who she was. This walk was for her to be introduced to a home, a home that could be hers if she so chose.
It had its appeal, she had to admit, as did the man walking beside her. The gleam in his eyes spoke of pride for his people, his confident gait announced him a strong leader, and the width of him left no doubt he could defend his clan with honor.
“I have much to offer a wife.”
He was right. He had much to offer a wife, all that most women would want, but she was not like other women. She wanted to look with love upon the man she wed and feel it deep within her heart. She wanted to ache to touch her husband and feel content when she cuddled in his arms. She wanted her babes conceived from love for she did not know if she could submit to a man out of mere duty.
“Your thoughts are deep.”
He attempted to step closer to her, but she placed a distance between them with the sudden thought that if she foolishly began to feel for this man and he did not return her affection, she would suffer for it.
“My thoughts are private.”
“I will share them with no other.”
“True enough, for I will not speak of them.” She walked on ahead of him and intended not to glance back to see if he followed. Then she realized that he might return to the keep, visit with Aliss and learn of her deception regarding Raynor.
She turned in a hurry and collided with Tarr. His arms wrapped around her to steady them both, and his dark eyes caught her in a grip that sent gooseflesh rushing over her. She tugged to free herself, but he held strong.
“Free me,” she demanded in a harsh whisper.
“You are not my prisoner.”
His face was much too close to hers, his breath whispering like a warm breeze against her cheek. It sent another rush of gooseflesh running over her.
He stepped away from her suddenly and she stumbled back. This time he did not offer her help and she steadied herself.
Kirk approached them on a run, stopping at Tarr’s side. “Raynor’s men lurk in the woods to the north.”