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)
She loved when he turned playful, and she chuckled and feeling playful herself said, “I suppose that is true since you are the perfect husband.”
He laughed, then raised her hand that he held and kissed it. “Perfection, wife. I am pure perfection.”
She chuckled again. “And so very humble.”
Elsie let out a small gasp when her husband suddenly stopped and turned, keeping her shielded with his body.
“Forgive me, sir, I do not mean to intrude I but wanted a word with you,” Wadely said, a slight tremble to his voice.
“Have your say, but never approach me without calling out,” Cavell admonished.
“Aye, sir, aye,” Wadely said, bobbing his head. “With the news about the dead man and with the rogue mercenaries roaming the woods, I fear traveling the roads now. I would like your permission to remain here until worries can be put to rest. I have seen you wear a leather breast covering at times. I am skilled with leather work and can make whatever you need for yourself or the clan to do my share while here.”
“A fair offer, Wadely. You are welcome to remain here and take your leave when you choose,” Cavell said.
“Much appreciated, sir, and when you are ready let me know what leather work you need, and I will get started on it right away.”
“I will speak with you soon about that,” Cavell said, and with several more bobs of his head, Wadely took his leave.
“Mistress Elsie! A moment, please?”
Cavell turned with his wife, recognizing Edith’s—Ann—he had to remember Edith was now Ann, voice.
Elsie understood Ann’s steps were slow not so much from age but from her time spent in the small cell, since her own bones ached at times. So, she hurried her own steps to the woman, her husband following behind her.
“Is something wrong with my da, Ann?” Elsie asked anxiously.
“Nay,” Ann was quick to confirm. “His naps grow shorter, which is what he is doing now, napping. A good sign that tells us he does not require as much rest as he once did. May and I agree that it is time for him to get out of bed, a short time daily, so he can regain strength in his legs.”
“That is wonderful news, Ann,” Elsie said, relieved her da was finally improving. “He has benefitted greatly from your help.”
“I am grateful to be part of the clan and do my part like any member, mistress, but that is not all I wanted to tell you,” Ann said. “Your da spoke in his sleep, something about a promise he made to Terena.”
Elsie smiled softly. “Terena is my mom, and he made a promise to her to keep me and my sisters safe.”
“Hmmm,” Ann said, shaking her head slightly. “That wasn’t the promise he spoke of. He said, ‘I keep the promise, Terena. I keep the promise. Our daughters will never know.’”
Elsie was at a loss of what to think or say.
“Secrets,” Ann said, shaking her head again. “All families have them, small and large ones and some are easily discovered while others are buried forever. Your da heals and will one day be able to tell you the secret. I must be off, mistress, I have expectant mums to visit.”
“Elsie,” Cavell said, his wife remaining silent after Ann disappeared from sight. His wife turned her head to look at him, but he could see from her blank expression that she was at a loss to speak.
“We will solve this mystery,” Cavell said with a firmness that left no doubt he would not have it any other way.
The strong tenor and determination in his voice pulled Elsie from her foggy thoughts. “What possible secret could my mum and da have shared about their daughters? And is it that secret that causes us harm?”
“You heard Ann. Your da grows stronger. Soon he will be able to answer all our questions. Until then we will see what we can find out ourselves.”
“From whom?” She hastily responded to her own question. “The elders in the clan. There may be something one of them says that would begin to unravel the mystery.”
Melvin came running toward them. “A young lad begging for help. His family’s croft is being attacked.”
“How many?” Cavell demanded.
“Five, from what the lad saw. I can go—”
“Nay, I am chieftain, and I must go. You will remain here since it could be a trap to draw us away so the clan can be more easily attacked. I will take three good-fighting men with me. You make sure the men here have their weapons ready to fight if necessary.”
“They will be ready. I will make sure of it,” Melvin assured him. “You best hurry. There isn’t a moment to spare.”
“Go,” Elsie urged when her husband turned to her. “It must be Jeremy, eight years now—”
“Aye, that’s the lad’s name,” Melvin confirmed.