Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Not with that injury,” Varrick reminded.
“I weave a good cloth,” Cara said, eager to offer her service.
One thing was certain, the couple could not be left on their own in the cold and snow. Fia did not know how her suggestion would be received but she had to try. She turned to her husband. “Perhaps, my lord, you can benefit from another weaver and once Harold heals, he can work the land for you.”
“I will heal?” Harold asked, his voice full of hope.
“If you listen and do as I say, your leg has a good chance of healing well,” Fia said.
“Whatever you say I will do, my lady, and while I may not be the best farmer, I make a fine arrow,” Harold said, “which I can do while healing.”
Did his wife think him so cruel that he would leave a young man, his wife with child, alone in the cold and snow? And what did it matter if she did?
“I would expect you both to do your share in the clan,” Varrick said.
“Aye,” husband and wife both said, nodding their heads vigorously.
“Harold, you, along with your wife, will ride in the cart when my wife finishes tending to your leg.”
“That leaves no room in the cart for Brother Luke,” Fia said.
“I can walk,” Brother Luke volunteered.
“That will slow us down,” Varrick said. “You, wife, will ride with me and Brother Luke will ride your horse.” Varrick ordered firmly, leaving no room for anyone to object.
It was the most sensible solution, though Fia did worry about riding with him. After all, he was still a stranger to her, yet he had not felt like a stranger to her when last she rode with him. It had somehow felt right, as if his arms had felt familiar to her.
She forced her strange thoughts away, needing to concentrate on Harold. “I need a fire set to brew leaves and some thick sticks gathered and cloth that can be torn in strips.”
Varrick gave a shout, “Argus! See that my wife gets whatever she needs.” After a nod from the man, he returned his attention to his wife. “Make haste. I will not waste the day here.”
He walked away, expecting her to do as told and walked, not too far off, intending to watch his wife tend to Harold’s leg.
Argus joined him after doing as Varrick had ordered. “Is it wise of you to have her ride with you? She slept before when she joined you, but now she is alert and can work her evil wiles on you.”
“That is not something that concerns me. I have dealt with evil enough and have not been seduced by it,” Varrick said.
“I warn you… be watchful,” Argus whispered as if worried someone or something would hear and walked away.
Varrick saw how her smile remained soft, her voice reassuring, and her touch gentle, though Harold did let out a yell at one point. She even saw that food was provided for them and the relief on their faces confirmed what Varrick had suspected, they were near to starving. Watching his wife, it was difficult to think of her as anything but kind, but did she portray herself that way so her evil could take hold and one would surrender to her without even realizing it?
It was good she would ride with him, for there was much he wished to learn about her.
“You took too long,” Varrick admonished when they finally resumed their journey, his wife tucked comfortably against him.
“Forgive me, my lord, but tending a wound or the ill cannot be rushed. Harold will do well if I tend to him correctly. If not, there are several things that could happen to him, least of all death. Besides, he spoke with much knowledge about arrows. I believe he will make you an excellent arrow maker.”
Varrick could not keep his gaze from her face. This close he could see that her features were exceptional and far too mesmerizing and before she could capture him in a stupor, he shook his head to keep it clear.
“The couple will do their share just as all in the clan do,” Varrick said.
“They both seem eager to, as I am eager to learn what you expect of me.”
“In time,” he said.
“You tell me nothing. We are strangers. We know nothing of each other and yet you wed me.”
“True enough,” he said, his blue eyes intent on her brown ones, “but I can promise you we will know each other more than well soon enough.”
Shocked, Fia said, “You cannot mean to consummate our marriage?”
Her question was so unexpected that it silenced him for a moment, giving Fia enough time to continue talking, her own question causing her concern.
“I did not think that was part of your plan since it is much easier for a husband to rid himself of a wife if he has never left his seed in her.”