Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“So the Northmen wed for a fair exchange of duties,” Raven said and was surprised he wasn’t annoyed or affronted by her questions.
“There are different reasons we wed just as you Highlanders do. Marriages are arranged to gain wealth and land. Others are made to settle disputes. Most marriages are made to benefit both parties.”
Her question slipped from her lips without thought. “Do any Northmen wed for love?”
“They do. Trevor and my sister Demelza wed for love. My father was angry when he found out. He had had other plans for my sister. It took some doing to convince him otherwise.”
Curiosity had her asking, “What plans did he have for you that went astray?”
He held her glance as he responded, “I was to wed a maiden from a nearby tribe to strengthen our ties with them, then bring my bride here to expand our holdings in these parts.”
“Was she even familiar to you?” she asked, wondering if it had been more than an arranged marriage.
“Eria and I have known each other since we were young.”
“Do you love her?” Raven almost bit her tongue for asking. It didn’t matter to her. Or did it? How much had they each sacrificed to end what the attack had started?
“I care for her,” he said after a brief hesitation.
Had he hesitated not wanting to tell Raven the truth? Or did he have to think of how he truly felt about her?
“Love has no place in our situation. We are bound by an agreement and we shall honor it,” he said as if he dared her to say otherwise.
“I will honor the bargain struck,” Raven said.
“You will be a good wife?” he asked doubtfully.
“Define good,” she challenged with a smile and she was surprised when he returned the smile, and annoyed that she felt a flutter in her stomach, his features turning far too intoxicating. That was something she would not tolerate. She would not allow herself to find her husband attractive.
“I have a feeling that it won’t matter how I define good.” His smile faded. “Will you see to the duties I explained to you?”
“You told me you would tell me of the duties and also what you expect from me. What do you expect from me, husband?”
He didn’t hesitate to respond. “I expect you to share my bed and couple without complaint and give me many bairns. You’re never to draw a weapon on me again and you are to hold your tongue when told and I’m sure that’s just the start of my list of things I expect from you.”
Raven didn’t hesitate to have her say. “I slept well enough with you last night, so I don’t think sharing a bed with you will be a chore. It depends on how good of a poke you give me as to whether I’ll complain or not, and it’s up to you to plant your seed good and strong in me so it will be no fault of mine if it doesn’t take root there. Don’t give me cause to draw a weapon on you and I won’t. And to hold my tongue when told will never happen. I lack experience in any wifely chores and I would advise you to seek servants who can see to them. As far as what a husband provides a wife, I can hunt my own food and I can keep myself safe. I can even provide foreign trade.”
“So what you’re saying is that you don’t need anyone to survive,” Wolf said.
“I have all the skills I need to survive, but a bargain is a bargain and I will honor it.” Raven stood and walked over to snap up her cloak off the bench.
“Raven,” Wolf called out as she went to leave.
She turned to see him standing, the familiar tic at the corner of his eye catching her attention.
“You didn’t tell me what you expect from me, your husband.”
“I expect only one thing,” she said and saw her response caught him by surprise.
“What is this one thing you expect from me?” he asked.
She called out her response after turning and heading to the door. “That you let me be who I am.”
Chapter 6
Wolf stood by the stream that ran through the woods staring at the rapidly running water. He’d discovered the secluded spot after several visits to Learmonth. Actually, he couldn’t claim the discovery as his. He had followed Burnell here one day and found him talking to the leper, Brother Noble. That was when he had first met the leper and oddly enough they had become friends after that, meeting here occasionally over the last couple of years.
He’d found the leper easy to talk with and he had challenged him with his opinions and his vast knowledge. He always got Wolf thinking more deeply and viewing things from a different perspective.