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)
“You should go before the hour grows late and you return late to the keep,” Flora said with a soft smile.
“Nothing will keep you from me tonight,” Torin said and kissed her lightly. “Absolutely nothing.”
CHAPTER 18
Flora glanced around the room. It was coming along but there was still much to be done. She had placed a narrow table in the middle of the room, plus a bench. Anwen had been much help, having known exactly where to take her in the keep when she inquired about a piece of furniture. It would take time to arrange the room just as she wanted it but little by little, she would see it done.
“My lady, it grows late, and the servants will soon take their leave,” Anwen said, placing two wood bowls on the table.
“Night has fallen?” Flora asked with concern.
“Aye, my lady.”
“Has Lord Torin returned?” Flora asked anxiously, too occupied to have paid attention to time.
“Nay, my lady, Lord Torin has yet to return.
“I wonder what keeps him?” she said, concern poking at her and growing as various possibilities filled her head.
“The tracker could have found something, and they followed it,” Anwen said. “Perhaps you should wait in the cottage for his lordship’s return, my lady.”
Flora shook her head mostly to chase away the endless, disturbing possibilities of what could have befallen her husband. “I will be fine in the keep alone.”
Anwen hesitated, as if she might hold her tongue, but rushed to say, “I can remain with you if you wish, my lady.”
“That is very thoughtful of you, Anwen, especially since I know the thought of spending a night here frightens you. I assure you that I will be fine. Worry not.”
The idea of spending time alone in the keep did not frighten her, but not knowing what was happening to her husband did frighten her. It also troubled her heart. She was growing far too accustomed to being with him and she did not like the thought of being without him.
“Shall I have food sent to your bedchamber before I take my leave?” Anwen asked.
“Aye,” Flora said, nodding. “I am sure my husband will be hungry when he arrives home.”
She returned to working in the room, but not for long, her mind unable to concentrate. She made her way to the Great Hall in time to bid the servants good night. Some flashed worried glances her way, others seemed reluctant to leave her alone but also reluctant to stay.
Flora grabbed her cloak and swung it around her shoulders.
“You have changed your mind,” Anwen said with a smile of relief. “I can have supper brought to the cottage.
Flora hurried to shake her head. “Nay, Anwen, I only wish to step outside a moment before retiring to my bedchamber.”
A mix of disappointment and worry marred Anwen’s face as she followed Lady Flora outside. “Are you sure you want to remain here, my lady?”
“I am sure,” Flora said, seeing that a flurry of snow was falling.
“That is not a wise idea.”
Flora and Anwen turned to see Walsh standing near the bottom of the stairs.
“There is nothing to fear in the keep,” Flora said confidently.
“You do not know that for sure,” Walsh argued.
“My husband will return soon,” Flora said, remaining confident.
Walsh continued his objection. “You do not know that for sure either.”
Flora did not intend to argue or debate with the man. “Either way, I remain in the keep tonight. Good night.” Her dismissal had them both turning and walking away, talking as they did.
Flora stared off in the distance as a light snow fell around her. Worry took hold and she knew she would not rest easily until her husband returned to her. She entered the keep and made her way up to their bedchamber.
Food and drink awaited her. She would wait for her husband to eat, though she had some wine and nibbled on bread and cheese to quell her grumbling stomach.
Her eyes soon grew heavy. She was tired from the long day and her body ached some from the fall. She glanced at the bed, its appeal too much to deny. She stood and slipped off her garments and hurried into a soft wool nightdress.
She smiled once under the warm wool blankets, satisfied she would be where her husband would want her and where she wanted to be. In no time her eyes closed, and she was sound asleep.
Flora did not know what startled her awake. It was no nightmare or dream that woke her, she had simply found herself awake. The fire still burned brightly as did the candles, so she could not have been asleep that long. She was alone in the room, so what had woken her?
She felt a sudden tickle at the back of her neck and hurried a glance around the empty room to see the door, she had not fully closed, begin to open slowly. Fear struck her for a moment, then she quickly got out of bed and grabbed one of the weapons her husband kept in the room… a dagger… which of course she did not know how to use.