Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Rogan laughed. “Do you now?”
She shook her head. He was her husband now and she did not feel the need to hide the truth from him. She could share anything with him and not worry that he would judge her.
“I admit I do think of you.”
“Good, then I admit that I wish I could carry you off to my bed and make love to you for the rest of the day and throughout the night.”
His declaration tingled her flesh and she shivered in his arms.
He laughed softly as he hugged her tightly. “You will do more than shiver in my arms tonight.”
She raised her head and whispered, “I have known no man.”
“And will know no other but me,” he murmured and kissed her.
“Hey, hey, none of that until later,” Derek yelled as he approached them. “We have more celebrating to do before you two get to be alone.”
“I will do the same for you on your wedding day,” Rogan said.
Derek laughed loudly. “I worry not, since I have no plans to wed.”
“Careful,” Aliss warned with a shake of her finger. “I said the same myself and look at me now.”
The three laughed as they drifted back to join in the festivities. Every now and again Aliss slipped away to see how Daniel was doing and she was grateful to find he was crying and complaining. If he were unresponsive to his discomfort, it would worry Aliss more.
With the lad left in Anna’s capable hands and Anna herself convincing Aliss she was not needed for the rest of the night, Aliss left the cottage to find her husband waiting outside for her.
Dusk was fading to darkness, the celebration had ended and the final remnants of the festivities were being cleared away, and parents carried exhausted and overfed children to their beds.
Bed.
That is where Rogan intended to take her.
She liked the way he approached her with an outstretched hand, requesting her to join with him. She didn’t hesitate, she took his warm strong hand in hers, and when his fingers wrapped around hers she felt safe, as if she had finally come home.
They strolled in compatible silence to the cottage. No one disturbed them. This was their time to seal their vows and begin life as husband and wife.
Aliss entered his bedroom in his arms, he having scooped her up moments before. He carried her to the bed and gentle lowered her to the mattress.
The scent of lavender drifted off the bedding and she smiled at the thoughtfulness of the women who had freshened the linens for them. The only light in the room was a single flickering candle beside the bed; the hearth was not needed with summer’s warmth.
The lone window over the bed provided a night breeze along with a symphony of harmonious night sounds.
Her heart grew joyful and she cupped her husband’s face in her hands. “My body trembles with bliss.”
He turned his face to kiss the palm of her hand. “Never fear me. I would never intentionally hurt you.”
Aliss smiled. “At least you admit you would not intentionally hurt me. Mother says that men swear they will not hurt the woman they love but that it is inevitable for they are men after all.”
“A wise woman, your mother, and remember her words, Aliss. If a day comes that you feel I have wronged you, remember that it was not intentional. I am just a man who knows no better.”
“You will not get away with such nonsense so easily,” she scolded lightly. “I have witnessed how wise a man you are so therefore you are unlike other men. I expect more from you and I know you would never do me wrong.”
“I am a man—”
“Like no other,” she finished. “I will hear no more. It is more likely that I in my selfish ways will hurt you and know now that I am sorry for my selfish ignorance.”
Rogan rolled over on his back to lie beside her. “You need never apologize to me.”
“I fear I may do it often and if I fail to, at least you have this apology to recount and use if necessary.”
“Then I claim the same,” he said. “I apologize for hurting you and ask your forgiveness. Please use this when necessary or—” He turned quickly, his body nudging her on to her back. “I will use it when necessary.”
She laughed. “I will honor it, though I doubt it will be necessary.”
“But honor it you will?” he asked, nibbling at her neck.
She giggled a confirming, “Yes.”
“Good, with that finally settled, dear wife—”
“Aliss! Aliss!”
Rogan moved off her, her hand having pushed at his chest at the sound of Anna frantically crying out her name.
“Back here,” Aliss shouted and ran to the door and almost collided with the young woman.
“Daniel has a fever.”
The words chilled her to the bone. “We must hurry,” she said and pushed at Anna to follow her out.