Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Fiona and Aliss moved quickly aside, out of the path of rushing women who hurried in with overflowing platters and bowls of food. It did not take long before the tables were crowded with feasting men and women and the celebration began.
Fiona was starving and about to dig into the richly scented lamb on the platter when she realized that her appetite far surpassed her sister’s. If she ate as she usually did there would be no doubt to her identity. The problem was that she doubted Aliss could eat the amount of food that was her custom. She would have no choice but to eat as sparingly as her sister, then fill herself later when they returned to their cottage.
Fiona caught Aliss’s glance. She had realized the situation and waited. Fiona reached for a small piece of lamb and nibbled at it.
Aliss reached for a similar piece and did the same, her relief obvious only to her sister.
Seated on Tarr’s right, Fiona envied the hardy way he ate and silently cursed him. She had to admit, though, he was not disgusting in his manners as most warriors were. And he was cleaner than most. When he had stood next to her he had smelled of fresh earth and pine, and his long hair shined as though it had recently been washed. But then he had thought it to be his wedding day. At least he had been considerate enough to bathe for his bride.
Annoyed that her thoughts centered on Tarr of Hellewyk, she grabbed for another piece of lamb and ripped off a piece she could certainly eat without a problem, though Aliss could never finish such a thick slab.
She smiled, then reluctantly handed it to Tarr.
“Aliss,” Leith accused wagging an accusing and greasy finger at Fiona as he leaned past the real Aliss. “Only Aliss would be so thoughtful. Fiona would never share her food.”
Tarr took the meat from her slowly, his finger lingering on hers before he slipped it out of her hand. “But would Fiona be unselfish and eat less so that her sister would not have to eat more and their ruse could continue?”
Fiona admired Tarr’s intelligence. It was no wonder he was a victorious chieftain, feared and awed by friends and enemies alike. He would be a worthy opponent in this battle of wills.
He tilted his head toward her. “I will have my way.”
“So will I,” she whispered.
Tarr nodded slowly as he turned away from Fiona and turned his attention to Aliss, seated on his left. “I admire you and your sister’s actions.”
“I thought you would. You are after all a warrior and a true warrior respects his opponents.”
“This battle will end in your opponent becoming your husband.”
Aliss laughed beneath her breath and shook her head, sending a bit of hay raining down on her shoulders. “Only if I so choose.”
Tarr plucked a piece from her blouse. “The choice will be mine.”
“We shall see,” she said, and yanked the hay from his fingers.
Fiona had been watching Leith while Tarr conversed with Aliss. He huddled at the end of the table with a group of men. She suspected they planned something, but what? How would he think to uncover their charade?
It did not take long for Leith to hatch his plan. Soon one of the men at the end of the table got up and joined a group of clansmen at another table near the door. It took only minutes for the man to suddenly begin moaning and complaining about his stomach until he soon collapsed to the ground, rolling and yelling in pain.
Fiona hurried to his side and with a far gentler manner than she cared to use, she proceeded to tend the supposedly ailing man. He complained viciously about awful pains in his gut. He was certain he was dying, and Fiona was all too ready and willing to send him to hell where he would know real pain.
She glanced to Aliss who attempted to conceal her concern for the ill man. Fiona’s healing skills were limited, but they were sufficient enough to handle the writhing man at her feet. Her sister would just have to trust her on this one.
Fiona noticed the way Leith had made his way to Tarr’s side and was whispering in his ear. She knew his words, though could not hear them. Leith filled his head with Aliss’s healing skills and how she would certainly know if the man was truly sick; Fiona however, would not and therefore this little farce would uncover the true twin.
The man did an excellent job at suffering and Fiona intended to do an excellent job in seeing that he healed himself.
She told him that she would cure him in no time. She grabbed a tankard of ale off the table, plucked leaves off a platter, tearing them into pieces and added them to the ale. She kneeled beside the man and helped ease him up to sit.