Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“We need to get help. Go find Noble, Chief. Go find Noble,” she urged the pup. “Go, Chief, Go find Noble,” she urged again, not willing to leave the young lass alone, and the pup took off.
CHAPTER 17
Noble had thought of waking his wife before he left their bed this morning, but she had been sleeping so soundly that he had not wanted to disturb her, especially after having woken her in the night to couple with her again.
He could not get their first time together out of his head. It was the most pleasurable coupling he had ever had, and he looked forward to many more. She had shocked him when she stood naked in front of him and that had pleased him more than she would ever know. It had also soared his desire for her tenfold.
If he didn’t stop dwelling on last night, his manhood was soon going to salute him since it was already stirring. He forced his thoughts on Finley as he walked through the village, which had him smiling. He felt for his friend. The first thing he had said to him, in a conspiratorial whisper, was to beg Noble to free him of the commanding novice, a sweet looking lass who was anything but sweet. Noble didn’t believe the novice could be that bad, but when she ordered him to leave not long after he arrived, insisting Finley needed to rest, he thought to do as Finley asked. Novice Angelica had turned a stern eye on him and wasted no time in telling him all the things that could go wrong with Finley’s wound if he did not rest and heal, death topping the list.
Noble had bowed to the novice’s wisdom and Finley’s pleading eyes followed him out the door. He had to admit that Finley looked better than he expected and if in battle he would probably be back on the battlefield by now, though if Novice Angelica was there that might prove differently. He wondered if the novice could turn the tide of battle with just one of her stern looks.
Noble turned his head, thinking he heard Chief barking. The pup was young and had yet to grow into his bark. He continued to listen and sure enough he heard the pup’s yap. He hurried toward the yapping sound.
When he rounded a cottage, he spotted Chief racing wildly around people, though he skidded to a stop, tumbled over, and righted himself. When he was on his feet, he stayed where he was and barked at Noble.
“Is something wrong with Leora, Chief?” he asked, rushing toward the pup.
The pup barked, turned, and took off.
Noble followed, calling out as he did for some of his warriors to follow him.
The pup kept barking and disappeared into one of the barns. His gut twisted in fear that something had happened to his wife. He was relieved when she suddenly appeared, and he almost came to an abrupt halt seeing her hands soaked with blood, but he didn’t. He ran faster toward her.
“Are you hurt?” he called out as he drew near.
“Nay. Nay,” she said, shaking her head. “Adele is hurt badly. Send for Mother Abbess.”
Noble called out for Mother Abbess to be brought to him and for two warriors to follow him into the barn. He hoped his wife would agree to wait outside since she appeared dazed and his worry for her soared, even more so when she continued shaking her head and as if it cleared away her daze, she hurried toward him before he reached her.
Leora spread her arms wide, not wanting to get any blood on her husband, but desperate to feel his arms around her. He didn’t fail her. His arm hitched her around the waist and yanked her against him.
“There is so much blood. At first, I thought she was dead.” Leora shuddered. “But there is breath left in her.” She rested her face against his chest, the smell of blood heavy in her nostrils, and worry that the young woman would not survive weighing heavily upon her.
Noble felt her body slump a bit in his arms and he ordered gently, “Take a few deep breaths, Leora.”
She did as he said, regaining the strength that only moments ago seemed to be slipping away.
“Mistress Leora, what happened to you?” Mother Abbess asked anxiously.
Noble turned and Leora turned with him since he kept her tucked against him, relieved to see Mother Abbess. “A young woman in the barn needs help.”
“There is so much blood that I could not tell if she was bleeding from her chest or stomach,” Leora said. “Hurry, I will show you.”
“Nay, you will remain here with me and let Mother Abbess tend to Adele,” Noble ordered.
“Your hands need cleaning if you wish to help me. See to that first, then join me if your husband allows,” Mother Abbess said with a slight nod to Noble.