Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Tavia watched them walk away, though after only a few steps, Ingrid hurried to return to her.
She kept her voice low as she said, “Keep my brother satisfied and he won’t be a snarling bear.”
Tavia stared after her, wondering over her advice.
She barely turned when Wilona was upon her, Fen busy sniffing at the falling snow and not concerned with the woman since she was known as a friend to him.
“My lady, please, you must help us,” Wilona pleaded.
“What is it? Tavia asked, worried with how upset the woman appeared.
Wilona gripped her hands, rubbing them nervously. “The clan fears Lord Bhric means us harm.”
She glanced over her shoulder as Ingrid had done and looked in the distance and Tavia saw that she looked at Bhric’s approach. Not that he watched his surroundings, his head bent, and he appeared, even at a distance, as if he grumbled to himself.
“His annoyance is not with the clan, Wilona,” Tavia said, trying to calm her fear.
Wilona’s hand went to her mouth to catch the gasp that rushed from it. “He is angry with you, my lady?”
“It is nothing, Wilona. We are newly wed and still learning about each other,” Tavia said, keeping the explanation simple.
“Do what he says,” Wilona advised with a whisper. “It is always better to do what your husband says so he does not raise his hand to you. It did not take me long, though I suffered enough bruises first, to find out that was the best way to deal with my husband.” She glanced over her shoulder again. “God protect you, my lady,” she said in a rush and hurried off.
Tavia saw the cause of Wilona’s hasty departure. Bhric had gotten closer.
How sad that Wilona had had no choice but to obey her husband out of fear. She could only imagine the horror of being stuck wed to such a cruel man. Bhric might put fright in people, even in her at times, but he was not a cruel man. She had discovered, after spending time and talking with him of late, that she enjoyed his company. He had also occupied her mind a good portion of the day and he snuck into her dreams at night. She was surprised that she found herself caring for him more and more each day, though if she listened to her heart, she might admit that she could actually be falling in love with her husband. Why else would she enjoy his touch and his kisses or find such pleasure with him as she had done in the shed?
A thought rushed in her head. His angry remark had been unexpected, and it had hurt her, and had left him surly enough for people to avoid him. His sister’s advice rang clear in her head.
Keep my brother satisfied and he won’t be a snarling bear.
Tavia gathered her courage and Fen. “Come, Fen, it is time to calm another beast.”
CHAPTER 17
“Bhric.”
Bhric stopped, hearing his wife say his name softly as she had done when in the shed and bloody hell if it did not add torment to his already aching shaft.
“Bhric.”
This time he looked up, her voice sounding closer and was surprised to see his wife standing in front of him. Her cheeks had been bitten red by the cold and her hood was nearly covered with snow, and her lips were as lush and inviting as ever.
She smiled and reached out for his hand, and he instinctively took hold of it. She shivered when his icy cold hand closed around hers and he went to let go.
She grasped it tight, knowing she was not strong enough to keep hold if he chose to yank it away, but at least her firm grip signaled that she did not want to let him go.
“I will warm you,” she said softly.
Her innocent suggestion shot right to his shaft, and he knew he could wait no longer, and he did not want to wait any longer. He wanted to know his wife more intimately.
“Come with me?” she asked a bit hesitantly, hoping he would not deny her.
“Aye, wife,” he said, his hand claiming hers more firmly as he followed along willingly, letting her take the lead, not knowing her intention, but knowing what he intended.
And, of course, Fen followed along with them.
The servants in the Great Hall stared when they watched the mighty Northman being led through the room by his wee wife and tongues began to wag as soon as they left the room.
Tavia entered her bedchamber, ordered Fen to rest, then led her husband to the door that connected their bedchambers. Once inside, the door closed, she released his hand, and she removed her cloak.
“Why do you bring me here, wife?” he asked, tossing his cloak on a nearby chest.
“I spoke in haste and anger in the shed and did not mean what I said. The feel of your manhood against me made me believe just the opposite. You may be overly adequate in size.” She kept her courage strong even though her stomach churned nervously, fearing she might lose the courage to carry out what had been a good thought when it had first entered her head but now a bit unsure. “I thought perhaps there was a way I could please you as you did me.”