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)
“I will not,” Fia said, brushing the crumbs off her hands from the piece of bread she had finished eating, then rested one hand gently on her husband’s arm. “It would be unwise of me to hide from gossiping tongues. People will think that I hide out of guilt or perhaps worry that I will inflict more evil deeds. Nay, I will go to my healing cottage and tend to anyone who seeks my care and if no one does, I have much that will keep me busy there. Then when I return, I will look through Brother Luke’s belongings left in your solar and see what I can find.”
“Why do I even bother to issue any orders to you?” he asked, annoyed that once again she made sense. It was the wiser thing for her to do… show no guilt or fear.
“You never know, dear husband, I just might obey one of your orders someday,” she said with a smile that bordered on a laugh.
Varrick was not amused. “I will remain with you.”
The resolve in his voice warned he would have it no other way, but that did not stop Fia from trying to make him see reason.
“I cannot have you inside the cottage when I tend someone, and you have far too much to see to. Leave one of your warriors outside the door. None would dare harm me when they believe you will see to the task yourself.”
Her words hurt though he knew she had not meant them to. It was his own betrayal that caused the pain, and that pain was growing heavier on him for continuing to allow all to believe the lie that he would set the witch to burn. He would much rather speak the truth and make sure all understood that he loved Fia, and she would remain his wife.
“You made a wise decision, and all will understand that soon enough,” Fia whispered.
“Do you say that to appease me, or does it come from your knowing?”
Trouble on the way.
Fia did not like hearing that, but it was meant to warn and, therefore, helpful. She passed the message on. “Trouble is on the way.”
“Trouble is already here.”
Fia shook her head. “Nay, this trouble is different, and it has yet to arrive.”
Varrick did not take the warning lightly, but he accepted it without question. “I will keep the healing cottage in view as long as you are there.”
“If no one needs my help, I will return to the keep by midday,” she said, hoping it would ease his worry.
“I will make sure you heed your own word, wife.”
She kissed his cheek. “I have no doubt you will, husband. Now if you are done with your meal, we should take our leave and see if anyone waits in need of healing.”
Fia kept close to her husband shortly after entering the village. Accusing eyes followed her, and several people clutched at the talisman they wore on their garments. Word had spread fast, along with doubt and fear. Whoever was behind this campaign to tarnish Lord Varrick’s respected name was succeeding and would claim victory if not stopped.
It was not long after that that people began turning away or scurried off and one glance at her husband told her why. He wore the most frightening scowl she had ever seen, and it was what cleared the path to the healing cottage where not a soul waited for her.
“If anyone was waiting here, you chased them off with that frightening glare,” she said once they reached the door.
“I have had enough. I will not see you treated like this. I will speak the truth,” Varrick said, opening the door to the cottage and tugging her inside as if hurrying her to safety.
“You certainly will not!” Fia commanded and received a stern look from her husband, which did not disturb her at all. “I will admit that it does hurt to see those who thought well of me now doubt me.”
“That does it, I end this now,” he said and turned to walk out the door.
“Nay, Varrick,” she said, reaching out and grabbing his arm. “I understand now when I sensed trouble on the way. The clan believes you lay a trap for me, the witch, but what you truly do is lay a trap for the person behind this sinister plot. He will think the clan is ripe to betray you and make his move while the clan waits for you to make your move. Then, when no one expects it, you can spring the trap on him.”
Varrick tilted his head, a questioning scrunch to his brow, as he gave her words thought. “That could work.”
“I am sure it will. The clan will avoid me, show their impatience, yet you will do nothing, and the person will assume that your clan trusts you no more.”