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 turned slowly and looked upon him with soft blue eyes, not cringing or turning away in disgust but keeping her eyes fixed on him.
He did the same, his eyes locked on her face. She wasn’t a beauty and barely pretty, more plain-featured like many women, though she did have the softest blue eyes he had ever seen. She appeared thinner than he thought, her underdress and tunic hanging loosely on her, and she did not have much height to her, something he had not even given thought to last night.
She said not a word to him, just stood there staring.
Something tugged at him, and he scrunched his brow in thought. There was something familiar about her. There should have been after the intimate night they had spent together, but it wasn’t that. It was seeing her now in the light that made him think she was familiar. What was it?
She is skinny and plain-featured.
His heart slammed against his chest recalling Brother Emanual’s words. It couldn’t be. He could not be that much of a fool. Anger stirred in him, and he tossed the blanket off himself and got out of bed and, ignoring his nakedness, went to her.
Her head barely reached his shoulder when he stopped in front of her.
“You left me no choice but to deceive you, husband.”
Cavell was ready to strangle her, though it was himself who he should strangle for allowing a desperate need for a woman to have him make such a foolish mistake.
“Our marriage has been consummated and cannot be annulled,” she said.
He bent his head toward her, thinking she would recoil from his scarred face, but she did not budge. “We will see about that, wife.”
Her chin went up in defiance. “You would rid yourself of a wife who could possibly be carrying your bairn?”
Her words were like a punch to his gut. “Bloody hell, woman, what have you done?”
“What was necessary,” she shot back.
“You are insane,” he accused.
“Lies! I am no more insane than you are.”
His hand shot out and grabbed her chin, squeezing it. “Insanity is a requirement for a Gallowglass warrior.”
He released her and, shaking his head, went to retrieve his garments and get dressed. He spotted the red mark on the bedding when he bent to snatch up his shirt. He took a closer look at it and turned to her.
“You were a virgin?”
“Aye, I would come to my husband no other way,” she said proudly.
Could this get any worse? He quickly and silently cursed for even thinking it since no doubt it was about to get much worse.
He dressed quickly. “We leave here before any of this becomes known.”
The door opened and as soon as Curdie stepped inside her eyes went wide. “I thought you both would be gone by now.”
“Come in here and shut the door,” Cavell ordered sharply.
Curdie hurried in, going to Elsie’s side, and giving her a questioning look.
“I am grateful for your help,” Elsie said to her, then looked to Cavell. “I promised her that I would share the coins you gave me but give them all to her.”
Seeing the way anger distorted the scars on Cavell’s face reminded Curdie that he was a Gallowglass warrior, and she was quick to say, “I need no coins. You have been generous with me.”
“You will take the coins,” Cavell said, taking several from his purse. “A payment for holding your tongue for what went on here.” He snagged Curdie by the arm and yanked her over by the bed.
Curdie’s eyes widened once again, seeing the blood on the bedding.
“No one is ever to know, for if I find out you let your tongue loose, I will find you and cut it out of your mouth,” Cavell threatened. “Start with Meldon, the man you spent the night with, and no doubt told that you arranged this liaison. Make certain you tell him it never happened.”
“I will see it done and keep my lips forever sealed, sir. Never will I say a word. Never. You have my word on it,” Curdie promised.
He shoved coins in her hand, slipped his cloak on, then went to his wife. “We cannot be seen leaving together. You will meet me just inside the woods next to the pen where those staying the night after market day sheltered their horses. I warn you. Do not try and run from me.”
“I won’t. I need your help,” Elsie said.
“Curdie,” Cavell said, turning to her. “See that she gets there without a problem.”
“Aye, sir, I will.”
Cavell stepped out of the cottage after peering out to make certain no one was about and made haste to fetch his horse. People avoided him, turning away or hurrying off or blessing themselves when they caught sight of him. He had not bothered to hide his face with his hood, and with wearing his anger for all to see, he probably resembled more demon than man.