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)
Noble leaned down to steal a quick kiss. “I miss you when you are gone too long from my side.”
Chief barked as he wound his way between their legs.
Noble glanced down at the pup. “I missed you too.”
She smiled, loving her husband for loving the pup as much as she did. “You read my mind, husband, for I miss you just as much.”
Her beautiful smile never failed to lighten his heart and others as well, seeing those around them staring at her. “You steal everyone’s heart when you smile.”
“There is only one heart that matters to me,” she whispered.
“And you already stole that one,” he said and began to walk toward the keep with her.
“I didn’t steal it, you surrendered it.”
“I never surrender, wife.”
“There is always a first time.”
“How did I know you were going to say that?” he said with a hint of laughter.
“Because you know I am right more times than I am wrong, just as I am right that you are headed to the keep to sneak me to our bedchamber and make love to me.”
“Spoken with such confidence.”
“Spoken with impatient passion,” Leora said. “So, we should hurry… to get there but not hurry once we are in our bedchamber.”
“So, it is a slow love making you desire.”
“Very much,” she said, urging him along with a tug.
“Then I will see you pleasured more than once.”
Leora grinned. “I do love how you indulge me, husband.”
“Believe me, wife, it is not a chore,” he said with a grin of his own.
They both laughed and hurried to the keep, Chief keeping pace with them… until a shout brought them to an abrupt stop.
They turned to see Finley rushing toward them.
“The troop of Lowlanders we were warned was headed this way will arrive soon,” Finley said. “They arrived far sooner than expected. A mercenary troop is escorting them here.”
“All is ready for battle if necessary?” Noble asked.
“Aye, all are prepared, ready to fight if needed,” Finley confirmed. “And a troop waits, ready to meet them when they reach a certain point and escort them here the rest of the way. Penn leads them.”
“Good, then there should be no problem. I will hear what they have to say and send them on their way,” Noble said.
Finley nodded. “I will wait on the outskirts of the village with more men, so they see our strength and it deters any foolish notions.”
After Finley departed, Leora’s smile faded, leaving concern in its wake. “You should alert Lord Slayer. If I am not the one the Lowlanders search for, they will continue to Clan Ravinsher.”
“I do not think they will go there,” Noble said. “We have spoken about how when the hunt for a woman who had been given away at birth began, all that was known was that she was one of the three baby girls given to your da and mum. Then it was discovered that it was a woman with reddish blonde hair they searched for, excluding Elsie from the search, and now we have learned that someone searches for a woman with an affliction. It is either one woman who is hunted or two different people hunt for two different women. We will learn which one it is when the Lowlanders arrive. And Slayer probably already knows of the Lowlander’s arrival and will await word from me.”
Leora nodded. “That seems most likely, though if it is two different people who search for two different women, I fear this dilemma will take forever to end.”
“It will end here with the Lowlanders, for I will make it known that neither you nor your sister will be going anywhere,” Noble said with a fierceness that left no doubt he would have it his way.
Leora stepped closer to her husband. “I have no doubt you have the strength and ability to see it done, but I worry about the consequences it could inflict on the clan.”
Noble took his wife in his arms. “The clan is family, wife, and family fights for family no matter the cost, just as you do for Sky.” He kissed her quickly. “Though, it turned out far better for you since you got me as a husband.”
She laughed. “I cannot argue with the truth. Now I should go and see that food and drink is made ready for our guests since the Lowlanders look upon the Highlanders as savages and I will see them proven wrong.”
His deep blue eyes swirled with anger. “If they attempt to take you away from me, they will feel firsthand just how savage a Highlander can be.”
Leora stood by her husband’s side, Chief alert by her leg, as a small troop of Lowlanders and, surprisingly, an elderly woman brought their horses to a stop in front of the keep. Noble had only permitted a handful of Lowlanders to enter the village. The others, along with the small group of mercenaries with them, were made to wait on the outskirts of the village.