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)
He leaned in close, afraid to speak and chase her away.
She stared at him, licking her own lips, preparing for a kiss? He hoped so.
He wanted to kiss her. No, he needed to kiss her. When had a kiss become a need? At least a kiss from Aliss.
He moved his hand from beneath her skirt, running it up her leg over her breast and to her neck. He would help her along, let her initiate the kiss, feel comfortable with it.
He stroked her neck. “So soft, such beautiful skin.”
Aliss jumped back as if she had been burned. “That is it.”
“What?” he demanded, annoyed that he had been suddenly robbed of a kiss.
“I know what caused Anna’s rash,” she said, excited. “Motherwort. She mentioned that she picked the herb often for the women in the village. Some healers break out in rashes when handling it. That explains the continuity of her skin malady.”
“This is important?”
“Of course,” she said, jumping out of bed and pacing the floor in front of him.
“The rash persisted since Anna continued to gather motherwort.”
“If she had not it would have gone away,” Rogan said with a nod then shook his head. “I still do not understand your excitement.”
“I have discovered the reason for her rash, which allows for a permanent cure.”
“And?”
“It has given me insight into the reason for the illness that has plagued your village.”
That got his attention. “You think you may have discovered the enemy?”
“There is a good chance that your people are digesting something that continues to make them ill. It would explain why some grow healthy only to grow ill all over again”
“You do not know what it is?”
“That will take time, patience, and many questions to determine.”
“I can help,” he offered, and held his hand out to her.
She took it eagerly. “The more help, the more quickly we find the solution.”
He tugged her toward him, but she panicked and backed away.
“Do not be afraid. Come to me, Aliss.”
She jolted, yanked her hand free and ran from the room.
Chapter 11
Aliss knew work was the only cure for her troubled mind. She could not understand how she had gotten into the woods. Why had she lain unconscious on the ground and why had Rogan’s touch thrilled and frightened her at the same time?
It certainly was not sensible to entertain the idea that Rogan could have feelings for her or she for him. Her time here was limited anyway so why make it more difficult for herself than it had to be.
He did, though, have qualities she would favor in a husband.
Husband?
Tarr had decreed that she must marry, leaving the choice of a husband to her. So like it or not she would wed. Did she not want to choose a suitable husband, one she could at least tolerate?
Rogan treated her kindly and respected her work. He made few demands on her and offered his help when necessary.
Aliss slowed her hurried pace and her racing thoughts. She had left the cottage in haste to go where? To run? But from whom, Rogan or herself?
She smiled and waved her appreciation to those who acknowledged their relief over her safe return before delving back into her musings.
Rogan was also a fine clan leader. He treated his people well and he was respected in return. He had many fine traits that would suit a woman contemplating marriage.
Kiss him.
The voice was so clear and loud in her head that she came to an abrupt halt and almost tripped. She could have sworn she had heard her sister’s impatient tone. It was, after all, advice Fiona would give her.
Aliss had to admit she had been tempted more than once to see how it would feel to kiss Rogan, but she had always panicked and run. What did she fear?
“A kiss would prove what?” she mumbled, but heard no answer. Where was her sister when she needed her?
Guilt made Aliss shiver. She should be thinking about her sister and returning home, not how it would feel to kiss Rogan. Fiona would be rounding with child by now and worried that Aliss would not return in time to deliver the babe. What was the matter with her? She had no time for such nonsense as a kiss, and besides, Tarr would never approve of a union between Rogan and her.
She hastened her steps.
She would find the reason behind this illness and finally return home.
To what?
Wedding a stranger? Someone she had no feelings for? Someone who would interfere in her healing work? Or someone who would care not at all one way or the other?
Rogan had plucked her out of a hopeless situation, one with no solution, at least not a suitable solution. The time spent here had reminded her how much she enjoyed her freedom and independence. But even though Rogan had abducted her, he had not treated her like a prisoner. She was allowed freedom in the village and she had cherished that.