Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 111362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Not fair, husband,” she said, opening her eyes.
“One more question,” Ruddock said, “then we go to our bedchamber.”
“You answer my questions about Sage first, then I get to ask one more question.”
“You drive a hard bargain, wife,” he said and kissed the tip of her nose.
“And you make it even more difficult, thinking of the pleasure that awaits me. So hurry and let’s be done with this.”
Ruddock was quick to oblige her. “I know no more than you about Sage or her skills, and I don’t know how skilled Wilda is as a healer… since many seem to avoid her. Though that could be because of her abrupt nature. To be cautious, I thought it wise to seek the opinion of someone I trust.”
“What healer do you have such trust in?” As soon as Sorrell asked her eyes turned wide and a huge smile broke out on her face. “You sent for Willow.”
Ruddock didn’t get a chance to confirm it, Sorrell rose up on her toes, threw her arms around his neck and planted kiss after kiss all over his face.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Than—” She stopped suddenly. “Is Snow coming too?”
“I left that up to them to decide, though I invited both. They should arrive tomorrow or the next day.”
“And you weren’t going to tell me?” she asked, feigning a pout.
“It was meant as a surprise.”
“You are the best husband,” Sorrell said and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
Ruddock wanted more than that from his wife and went to nibble along her neck when she stepped away from him.
“Do you think Wilda believes the same as we do? That this whole horrible ordeal was meant as revenge against someone. She did say that you should ask who suffered the most with all that happened.” She held up her hand, closing all fingers but her thumb. “You suffered.” Another finger went up. “Your father has suffered.” Another finger followed. “Hugh suffered.” A fourth finger went up. “Lander suffered.” She spread all five fingers. “The clan suffered.” She shook her head and looked at her husband. “Do you see it?”
Ruddock planned to let his wife have her say, then he intended to sweep her away to their bedchamber and have some time alone with her. That all changed after hearing his wife count off who had suffered from this ordeal. It brought things into perspective.
“Someone wants to destroy the Clan Northwick, piece by piece,” Ruddock said.
“Your father has made enemies through the years. Can you think of any who would want such revenge?” Sorrell asked.
“Not this way. Clans settle things through battle to proclaim their strength and courage. What is being done here has been planned and slowly executed.”
“So the suffering extends over time, producing more suffering.” Sorrell reached out to rest her hand on her husband’s arm. “Not only does someone have to hold a tremendous amount of hatred to want so many to suffer, but also patience to see it done.”
“Patience would be the easy part for him, since he would revel, feel powerful, in seeing what he put in place succeed little by little.”
“Where could this hate have been born?” Sorrell asked, then squeezed her husband’s arm. “You should speak with your da and explain what you believe is going on here. He might not realize he holds some pieces to the puzzle.”
“I will speak with him, though I believe Lander holds the missing piece. He was the messenger between the barbarians and whoever sold me to them.”
A sudden worrying thought had Sorrell’s eyes rounding. “Do you think Lander could have run off, afraid this person who had ordered his tongue cut from his mouth would do him more harm?”
Her question alarmed Ruddock. “If that is so, then it means the culprit resides within the castle and lives amongst us.”
A quick chill shivered Sorrell. “It could be anyone, since the person wouldn’t reveal his true nature. He’d have to have patience to carry out the plan and he’d have to get to know the workings of the castle. That would take time and that would mean he has resided here for many years.”
“It also means no one is safe,” Ruddock said, pulling his wife into his arms. “You will go nowhere without me or a guard and you will not argue with me on this. And you will be alone with no one, not even Blodwen.”
Sorrell went to argue. “Blodwen would never—”
“I thought the same of my father,” Ruddock reminded. “I need you to be mindful and cautious of what we are up against. In a way, it is a ghost who walks amongst us that we search for.”
“Is there no one we can trust?” Sorrell asked.
“Each other.”
“That goes without question.” Sorrell smiled. “Willow. We can trust Willow.” Her smile suddenly faded. “Will she be in harm’s way here?”