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)
“My solar awaits your touch,” Cree whispered in her ear, standing close behind her.
She turned her head up to him, smiled, and nodded, eager to make their new home finally and truly theirs.
Cree placed his hand low to her back and guided her to a chair by the fireplace that burned with a healthy fire. Spring held a chill, especially within the stone walls of the keep.
Dawn sat and the men stood.
Cree looked to Tate. “You failed to tell us that you are William’s brother.”
Dawn and Sloan turned wide eyes on Tate.
Tate’s shoulders slumped and his usual exorbitant nature deflated. “I had no choice, my lord.”
Cree handed Tate the tankard of ale the servant offered him first and he swallowed several generous mouthfuls. “Tell me everything or suffer the foolishness of your deceit.”
Tate appeared ready to collapse and Dawn pointed to the chair near hers, and Tate looked to Cree for permission to sit.
Cree gave it with a nod and Tate dropped down in the chair as if he could bear his burden no longer.
“One day a man stopped me when I was at market in Stirling. I was between projects, William always kind enough to see I did not starve when work was sparse. He is far more talented than me and a generous brother, though Lady Dawn far surpasses either of our talents.” He glanced at Dawn with admiration. “She was born with a talented hand.”
“Enough about my wife,” Cree ordered, annoyed at Tate’s excessively praising his wife and was even more irritated at the way he looked at her. It was obvious he favored her, perhaps even more than favored.
“Forgive me, my lord. Lady Dawn’s talent is the shining spot in this whole horrid affair,” Tate said, his eyes tearing. “The man told me that William’s life would be in severe danger if I did not do as he said. I thought him crazy, someone trying to extort coin from me, of which I did not have, and walked away laughing. A huge mistake.” He shook his head. “He followed me and detailed what my brother was presently doing and how on his return trip home he would be abducted and suffer great harm if I did not do as he said. He cautioned that if I cared at all for my brother I would journey here to Clan Carrick and discover for myself or forever regret not helping William. He warned me, though it was more a threat, not to reveal that William was my brother. He told me what I was to tell you, then he detailed what I was to do to keep my brother safe.”
“Spy on me,” Cree said.
Tate nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “It was not until William was abducted that I believed the man’s threats true and finally realized the seriousness of the situation and feared terribly for my brother’s safety.”
“What was it he wanted of you?” Cree asked.
Surprisingly, his wife responded with a gesture.
Cree saw that Tate did not understand her. “My wife says that you were to do drawings of our new home and surrounding area.”
“I thought William overly praised Lady Dawn’s many talents, but I can see he was accurate in his description of her skills,” Tate said, focusing on Dawn. “And I am sorry for deceiving you.” He bowed his head a moment as if in regret then raised it. “The man told me that if I did not give him what he wanted he would make certain that William did not survive the abduction. I could not lose my brother. William has looked after me more than I have him. I could not desert him when he needed me. As frightened as I was to take on the task, I was more frightened of what might happen to my brother if I did not do as the man said.”
“You should have been truthful with me,” Cree said.
“Forgive me, my lord, but I feared trusting anyone,” Tate confessed. “My concern, and concern alone, is for William.”
Dawn gestured and Cree interpreted. “My wife says as it should be.”
Dawn reached out and gave Tate’s hand a reassuring squeeze, then gestured to her husband.
“Of course, we will see William and Tate kept safe, though Tate would have been wiser to speak truthfully.”
“Something I truly regret, my lord, but in my defense, I am ignorant when it comes to Highlanders and the Highlands.”
“Then you will follow my command without protest or delay,” Cree ordered.
“I will do whatever is necessary to help you bring my brother home safely,” Tate said.
“Your word?” Cree demanded.
“You have my word, my lord,” Tate assured him.
“Tell me about this man who trapped you into this mission,” Cree ordered.
“I know little about him, though he seemed to know a lot not only about William but you as well,” Tate said. “I wondered if it was someone who had been a close friend at one time.”