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)
He was about to reprimand her for sounding as if it was a command, but her next words stopped him.
“I care for you, and I do not like how it makes me feel when we argue. I prefer we discuss things and if your point is valid, then I will admit it and bow to your word, but if my point proves wiser, I expect you to be sensible enough to admit it.”
“You care for me?” Torin asked her words catching at his heart unexpectedly.
“Oddly enough, I find that I do, but then you have been good to me, patient with me, and tolerant of my chatter.” She continued talking as usual. “I also like the strength of your hand wrapped around mine, the feel of your arms around me, the way you tease with a smile, and I do not believe I will ever grow tired of your kisses.”
Her open and honest nature continued to startle him and please him as well. She always spoke directly to him, let her thoughts be known and without a hint of animosity or judgment. And bloody hell if she had not been right about remaining in the keep. He had fled once, and it would be unwise of him to do so again.
He could not help but ask. “How does our arguing make you feel?”
“Dreadful,” she said without giving it a second thought. “Debate or discuss an issue, but argue?” She shook her head and placed her hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I do not want to argue with you, Torin. Besides, arguing is pointless. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere and it creates more problems than it is worth.”
He took hold of her hand, liking the feel of it in his just as much as she liked having it there. “I would promise you that I would never argue with you again, but my foolishness,” —he grinned playfully— “rules sometimes, but I will do my best to keep it at bay.”
“I will remind you of it,” she said eagerly, no longer keeping her voice low.
“I am sure you will.”
“Do I offend you by doing that?” she asked, unsure of his response.
“Nay, not at all. Your wise words are always well-intended,” he assured her with a soft kiss.
“I am glad you realize that and glad you admit I was right about remaining in the keep last night.”
“When did I admit that?” he asked, wondering if she had heard his thoughts before quickly dismissing the absurd notion.
“When you remained in our bedchamber last night,” she said as if it explained it all but naturally, she continued to clarify. “You are a man of principle and if you had thought your decision right nothing would have stopped you from removing me from the keep. You would have had your way, but something warned you against it. Most likely it was the thought that you fled the keep once and would not do so again, a reasonable decision. Another wise decision on both our parts was not to attempt to couple since we were both upset with each other, and it would not have turned out well.”
She was right again. “Harsh words have a way of destroying the moment.”
Flora smiled, appearing pleased. “An easy solution… we will never fight.”
“There is not a married couple alive who do not fight, and even when dead some fight,” Kinnell said, laughing as he approached them.
“They cannot fight if they are dead,” Flora said, confused by his remark.
“Believe me, my lady, the way some of the surviving spouses curse their dead ones, I would not be surprised if they could not hear them,” Kinnell said, approaching the dais.
“A good argument can often help couples,” Iona suggested, following not far behind Kinnell.
“Aye, to kill a marriage,” Kinnell said with a laugh.
“Of course, you would think that,” Iona accused. “Men think women should hold their tongue and do as they say. How would you like it if you were forced to do that day after day?” Her hand shot up, stopping Kinnell from responding. “Do not tell me it is because men are wiser than women.”
Kinnell grinned. “It is good you already know it, now I do not have to explain it to you.”
“You are a pompous idiot,” Iona snapped.
Kinnell laughed again. “But a wise man.”
“You both remind me of a couple my parents were friends with, Lord Simon Granfield and his wife, Lady Adare,” Flora said. “They bickered endlessly before they realized they loved each other and finally wed. Unfortunately, they had wasted so much time bickering they lost years they could have spent together. She died unexpectedly after only five years of marriage, and he was devastated. He retreated from the world, spending his time in studies and talks with my da. You should not waste time. You should love each other while you can.”