Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Her need to pursue her mapping skills, her soft smile and her gentle request melted his heart and tormented his senses, and damned if he possessed a shield strong enough to defend himself.
He moved his mouth close to hers and she tensed: for a brief moment she thought he meant to kiss her. Instead he whispered, “I, and I alone, will help you forage for feathers.”
Chapter 11
Reena hurried to gather Horace, and with a few quick words to Brigid and Thomas, she went on her way. Magnus had gone on ahead of her and disappeared inside the keep. The moment between them when his lips had been so close to hers affected her much more than she wished to admit. She was actually disappointed that he had not kissed her, and the emptiness of that missed kiss startled and upset her.
“I am a fool,” she said quietly to the small puppy that bounced along beside her. “He has no interest in me; I am his mapmaker, and therefore he is concerned for my safety.”
Horace barked as if in response, though whether in agreement or not it was hard to say.
She approached Justin’s cottage, her mind active with the incident in the woods. It unsettled her and in so doing it refused to leave her thoughts. The idea that she thought he would kiss her haunted her, and that he had not kissed her troubled her more so. Had she not been the one to consider the Legend a perfect match for her friend Brigid? Her thoughts were near to traitorous, and she would not have it so. She would not allow herself to think of Magnus in any intimate way; it was unfair to her friend and also unfair to her. She knew that many women would favor a tryst with the lord they were in service to, but not her. Intimacy was something she did not take lightly. She intended a loving marriage to a trusting man before she allowed someone in her bed. The Legend and Brigid made a good match, and she would keep that well in her mind and chase all other foolish thoughts away.
Justin hurried over to her, filled with anticipation.
“Ready to meet Maura?” she asked.
“I . . . I . . . I” Justin stumbled to speak.
She hooked her arm in his and attempted to calm him. “I think Maura and you would work well together.”
“Truly?”
They walked toward the kitchen, Reena filling him with courage, Horace yapping loudly once he realized their direction.
Magnus stood on the steps of the keep watching them, Thomas coming up behind him.
“A storm brews.” Thomas studied the cloud-ridden sky. “Snow may fly before this night ends.”
Magnus turned to his friend.
Thomas raised a brow. “A storm brews elsewhere. You look ready to battle.”
“I grow annoyed that she speaks with a mere lad and looks happy in doing so.” He sounded as agitated as he felt, and that annoyed him all the more. “Listen to me, I sound like a jealous lover, and over what? A woman I have only just met, and who thinks of me as her lord and nothing more.”
Thomas laughed, though it barely could be heard, a mere chuckle of sorts beneath his breath.
“I heard that,” Magnus accused with frustration.
“Reena has her own way about her, and she is determined to see you and Brigid together.”
“That is not going to happen, and Reena is too stubborn to understand that.”
Thomas did not hide the next chuckle. “Is Reena too much of a challenge?”
Magnus scowled, his eyes on the kitchen area where a young lass had joined Reena and Justin. The three stood talking in what appeared to be an enjoyable conversation.
“Justin is but a friend to Reena.”
“He is a man,” Magnus said as if the few words explained it all.
Another chuckle from Thomas received another scowl from Magnus. “I am glad you find this situation so humorous.”
“I have never known you to be at a loss when faced with a challenge.”
“I am not at a loss,” Magnus said adamantly. “You know well enough that when I want something I go after it.”
“Do you want Reena?”
Magnus nodded, then shook his head. “I want to know what it is that attracts me to the skinny lass, for I find myself drawn to her like no other woman I have ever known.”
Laughter rang out from the trio several feet away from them.
Magnus grew more annoyed. “Reena ignores her work.”
“What work?”
“She should be tending to her feathers she collected for quill making, and I have mapping I wish from her before the first snow falls.”
“Then you best hurry her along, for I think this eve we will see a snowflake or two. What is it you wish her to map?”
It was Magnus’s turn to chuckle. “Me.”
Reena watched Maura and Justin as they all talked. At first Maura appeared shy, her gentle green eyes avoiding direct contact with Justin’s dark ones. After a hesitant start Justin grew more confident, and the conversation began to flow smoothly. Soon Maura was smiling and laughing. Justin even caused her to blush when he mentioned what a wonderful cook she was.