Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
How was it just moments ago they were professing how they felt about each other and now she was saying she would no longer reach out and take his hand? If anything, her reaction made it easier for him to convince himself that he had been wise not to rush and couple with her.
“Have it your way, wife. For now,” he said and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Elsie, on the verge of tears, walked slowly over to the bed and sat. She did not know where she had found the strength to speak to her husband as she did, she only knew that in this she would not be ignored or dismissed. After sharing a night of coupling with him and the way he had made her feel, truly feel, even though he had believed she was nothing more than a paid woman for the night, she wanted to know how it would feel to couple with him if he truly cared for her and for no other reason.
He did say she was winning, but she would not continue to win if she simply surrendered to him and waited to see how he felt. He would either truly miss her touch or it would not matter to him and that would make all the difference. That would let her know how her marriage might go or how it would end.
“I do not recall what we spoke of yesterday when you visited with me,” her da said, sitting up in bed, a bit of color to his cheeks.
It had been two days since she had last spoken to her da and informed him about the deaths of Slayer’s father and brother and two days since the argument with her husband that had had him leaving their bedchamber and not returning there since.
Elsie pushed thoughts of her husband aside so she could give her da all her attention, but it was difficult. She feared she had made a foolish mistake and had ruined any chance of remaining married to him.
“Elsie, are you all right?” her da asked.
Seeing the familiar concern in his aged face when he worried that something troubled her brought a smile to her face. She could always count on her da’s love and advice. Only this was a subject she could not discuss with her da, and she didn’t want him to worry about her. She would have to figure this out on her own.
“I was just trying to recall myself, Da,” she said, and he smiled, relieved. “I believe I was telling you how well Cavell is doing as the new chieftain.”
“I never had a doubt he would,” her da said. “That is why when his father, Lord Philip, asked for an arranged marriage between Cavell and Leora I refused.”
The shock of his remark turned Elsie silent. Her da had never mentioned that to her.
“I knew what Lord Philip was up to. He figured his son would not refuse the marriage if wed to a beautiful woman, but Cavell and Leora would have never gotten along. They would have been at odds constantly.” He shook his head. “Nay, I knew you were perfect for him. You would not demand, rather you would reason and sacrifice to make things work. Of course, if you had told me the scars on his face were too much for you to bear, I would not have agreed to the marriage. But I knew you wouldn’t do that. You are the dutiful daughter I can count on.”
A dutiful daughter forever doing what she must, no matter the cost to her.
“Cavell should be grateful he has such a good wife.”
“I am.”
Elsie turned, almost falling off the bench, to see her husband entering the room.
“You were wise, Norris, in refusing to match Leora with me,” Cavell said, coming to stand behind his wife and placing his hands on her shoulders to give them a squeeze. “Elsie is a perfect fit for me… dutiful and reasonable.”
“That’s my Elsie, unlike Leora who is headstrong and too wise sometimes for her own good. How do I ever find a husband for such a daughter?” He sighed. “Then there is my Sky, a beautiful soul from the day she was born but with an unjust curse to bear. I asked myself what man would want either of them, but miracles do happen.”
“What miracles, Da?” Elsie asked, thinking her da sounded as if a miracle had been found and he had plans to see Leora and Sky wed.
Her da ignored her question, his glance going to Cavell. “I should tell you that your marriage to Elsie includes a pledge of fealty to your Clan McCabe, if I haven’t already mentioned it, though I am sure it will not be long before your da makes you aware of that.”