Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“I am here, Giant, I intend to find you so we can talk,” she called out and jumped when what sounded like a moan swept into the room on a chilly wind. “So, you heard me. Talk with me.”
Her words were met with complete silence, and she gave it thought. Her da did not believe in ghosts while her mum was not sure. Her da insisted there was an explanation for everything if one looked hard enough and did not give in to fanciful thoughts. She would weigh both her parents’ opinions on this and see where they brought her.
“Talk with me or not, Giant,” she said and slipped off her cloak and draped it over the chair. “I am here to stay, and I do not frighten easily.” She thought a moment. “Except in battle, battle does frighten me. Now to get to work.” She began by pulling the bedding off the bed.
Torin’s return to his wife took longer than he would have liked. People stopped him to wish him well on his marriage and to bless him with many heirs. Some also had issues they brought to him, his fault since he had been gone too long from home. He listened patiently, though was impatient to return to his wife. He should have told her the truth about why they would be staying in the cottage. While he had no intentions of discussing certain clan matters with her, he should have been honest about the keep. He hoped that no one had said a word to her about the ghost and he had time to explain it all.
“Worry not, Philip,” Torin said, to the older man whose strength was not what it once was and gave a nod to Kinnell. “Kinnell will see that your roof is repaired tomorrow.”
“Thank you, my lord. I knew you would take care of it right away. You are a good man. Your grandfather, Lord Hamish, would be proud of you,” Philip said.
“I am glad to hear that. My grandda meant much to me,” Torin said.
“And you to him, my lord,” Philip said.
Torin walked off with Kinnell, thinking about his grandda and wondering how such a good man produced a son that could be cruel at times.
“You are nothing like your da, Lord Evander,” Kinnell said. “You are like your grandfather right down to the good features and handsome smile that steals all the lasses’ hearts.”
Torin laughed. “You know me too well.” And he did. Kinnell and he had been friends since they were young and he also was familiar with what type of man Torin’s da had been, scolding often with his mouth and quick with his hand.
“Aye, which is why I can be truthful with you.”
“And glad I am for it,” Torin said, grateful for his friendship, though it was more a brotherhood they shared. “Now it is time I get back to my wife.”
Torin stopped in front of the keep staring up at it.
“It looks sad,” Kinnell said.
“And neglected,” Torin said, annoyed at himself for allowing the problem to get out of hand.
“My lord,” Verena said, hurrying over to him.
Torin did not like the worry in the woman’s eyes, and he gave a quick glance to the cottage. “Is something wrong with my wife, Verena?”
“I hope not, my lord?” Verena said, twisting her hands in front of her.
“Tell me,” Torin ordered, his stomach gripping tight with worry.
“I warned her not to go. I told her you forbid anyone to enter without your permission, but she went anyway.” Verena looked to the keep.
“My wife is in the keep?” he asked stunned.
“Aye, for a while now and she still hasn’t come out.”
Torin rushed to the steps, Kinnell at his side when the door to the keep swung open and his wife stepped out. The sleeves to her underdress were rolled up, her braid in disarray, the dark strands covered with dust as was most of her, but she wore the biggest smile that lit her face and made her appear even more beautiful.
Flora stood at the top step, happy to see her husband and called out, “The repairs must have been finished in your absence. I have started cleaning our bedchamber. We can sleep in the keep tonight.”
CHAPTER 4
Torin was ready to make known his anger that she dared to go against his order when he saw that curiosity had people drifting closer to listen.
“Be careful what you say,” Kinnell warned in a whisper. “You do not want your new wife to appear braver than you.”
Torin let a pleasant smile hide his annoyance as he called out, “After a thorough cleaning.”
Flora brushed at her garments, after glancing over herself and a plume of dust rose off them. “I suppose you a right. It will take more than a few hours to clean the keep of its neglect.”