Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“I have one of those willful ones myself, my daughter Lizbeth,” Cree said with a smile, thinking of his daughter who was forever determined to have her way.
Talk continued of family, Lord Tiernan making certain to include Dawn in the conversation as they ate.
“I would advise you to remain in the keep until this fog lifts at least enough for you to see where you walk,” Lord Tiernan cautioned as the meal was coming to an end.
“I will not leave my horse untended, nor leave his care to another, especially in a place unfamiliar to him,” Cree said.
That her husband left no room to be denied spoke of his commanding nature and strength and she saw that Lord Tiernan had no intention of arguing with him.
“I will have someone take you to the stable after we finish here, so you do not get lost in the fog again.”
“I appreciate that,” Cree said.
Talk continued for a short while until Lord Tiernan offered, “I can have you escorted to the stable now, if you’d like.”
“Now would be good,” Cree said. “My wife can wait here for me.”
Dawn knew that was an order and she acknowledged her husband with a smile.
“You might be more comfortable by the fire, Lady Dawn,” Lord Tiernan offered. “There is a chill in the air today that warns winter might not wait for autumn to finish.”
Dawn smiled and nodded in agreement with him and took her husband’s arm after he assisted her to stand and escorted her to a table close to the hearth.
“I won’t be long,” Cree said, depositing a kiss on his wife’s cheek, then followed alongside Lord Tiernan out of the room.
“Is there anything else I can get you, my lady?” Olwen asked.
Dawn smiled pleasantly as she shook her head.
“Our healer should return soon.”
Dawn brightened her smile and nodded, wishing to gesture yet knowing her gestures might not be understood.
“If there is anything you need, please let me know,” Olwen said and with that she left the room.
“Olwen will provide you with anything you need during your stay here.”
Dawn was startled by Lord Tiernan’s sudden presence. She had not heard him return. She nodded her thanks and expected him to take his leave.
“Do you mind if I join you?”
She maintained her smile as she pointed to the bench opposite her.
Lord Tiernan sat. “I believe you would find the wolves in the area interesting.”
Dawn raised her brow and shrugged, hoping he understood that she asked why.
Lord Tiernan smiled. “For that very reason… your gestures and expressions. Wolves mostly communicate through their howls, but they also communicate through gestures and expressions. Baring their teeth, ears straight up, and a wrinkled forehead warns, nuzzling shows affection, a head held high shows dominance, and the position of their tails tells much. A tail not held high or tucked between the legs but somewhere in between is a threatening expression.”
Dawn creased her brow, then tapped it, and pointed to Lord Tiernan.
“You wonder how I know this,” he said.
Dawn nodded, realizing he was more observant than most.
“As I said before, knowledge of wolves is essential to surviving with them. When you live as closely with wolves as my clan does, we had no choice but to learn all we could about them. I have also come to respect the wolves. They protect their packs as we protect our clans. They mourn the loss of pack members as we mourn the loss of clan members. They rear their young to survive just as we do. We are similar in many ways even when it comes to mates. The female is well-loved and protected and she in turn gives the same to the male. They work in unison much like you and Lord Cree… from what I have heard about you and your husband. He is a lucky man to have such a wise and courageous wife.”
Dawn smiled and patted her chest just above her left breast.
Lord Tiernan smiled graciously. “Your gesture tells me that you love your husband very much.”
She nodded firmly, and the strong movement sent a shot of pain through her head, though she did not cringe. She would not show weakness in front of this man. Instead, she patted her chest again and pointed to him.
“You ask me if I love someone?”
Dawn nodded, this time slowly.
“I have not been as fortunate as Lord Cree to find such a powerful love, though I am sure I will one day.”
Dawn smiled softly and nodded just as softly. Lord Tiernan seemed nice enough, a mannerly man, though his intense eyes unsettled her. She felt as though he was trying to see inside her, gain a closeness that was for her husband alone and it caused her to shiver.
“You are chilled,” Lord Tiernan said and went and grabbed a cloak hanging on one of the many pegs by the door and stepped behind her to drape it over her shoulders.