Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
She smiled recalling how she would think what it would be like to kiss him and when she finally did, it was better than she had imagined. Soon they would be husband and wife and share more intimate touches and while a bit apprehensive, she trusted Royden. He would never hurt her or speak rudely to her. He was a good, honorable man.
Her heart grew a bit heavy at the thought of leaving her da. He had only her, her parents having no other children and her mum having died when Oria was eight years. He told her not to worry about him, but she did anyway. She wished he would meet a woman and fall in love again, but her da insisted any love would pale compared to the love he had for his wife.
It was easy to understand what he meant after falling in love with Royden. She could never love another as she loved him.
Oria entered the kitchen of the keep, her smile growing and her stomach gurgling at the delicious scents that greeted her. Venison was cooking on a spit in the large stone fireplace and servants were busy kneading dough that would soon be ready to bake.
Parlan MacKinnon fed his clan well. She had seen the huntsmen earlier, returning with rabbits, birds, and deer.
“Mistress Oria,” a jovial voice called out.
Oria spotted Bethany, the MacKinnon cook. It amazed her at how slim the woman stayed when there was so much food to tempt her. She had a sprinkle of gray in her dark hair that was always piled haphazardly on the top of her head, strands constantly falling loose to tease along her face and neck.
“Got your honey bread,” Bethany said with a wave of her hand.
Her mouth watered for the sweet bread, and she hurried over to Bethany.
“Are you going to share it this time?” Bethany asked with a laugh, handing two thick slices to her.
“Maybe a little,” Oria said, sounding reluctant to share.
“He’s always shares with you,” Bethany said.
“Royden is very giving that way.”
“You both are. That’s why everyone is so happy that you two will wed. One look at you both and you know that you and Royden were made for each other. Now go off with you and enjoy your treat.”
Oria gave the woman a quick hug as she had done since she’d been young and Royden would sneak her into the kitchen for a treat.
“It will be a pleasure to have you as lady of the house,” Bethany said a glisten of tears in her eyes. “Now off with you. I have work to get done.”
Oria left the kitchen going outside to find herself a spot to sit and enjoy her treat. She maneuvered around the large kitchen garden overflowing with blossoming plants and servants who tended it. She was as familiar with MacKinnon land as she was with her own, having spent so much time here. There were two spots she favored. One gave a view of the village that stretched out a few feet in front of the keep and the other was under an enormous, old oak tree that stood near the edge of the woods.
Oria was about to sit down when she thought she heard someone talking. She strained to listen and the soft voice came again. She followed the gentle sound.
“It’s all right. It doesn’t matter if no one cares for us. We have each other.”
Oria recognized the voice. It was Purity of the Clan Macara. Her heart went out to the young woman. She was always alone, except for whatever animal was with her.
She had witnessed a scene between Purity and Bayne, her brother, that almost had her speaking her mind, but it hadn’t been her place to interfere. Raven had thought differently.
She recalled the exchange between the two.
“Arran MacKinnon does not want you as a wife. Don’t ever let me hear that you begged him to marry you, especially after he’d just turned down Da’s generous proposal,” Bayne cautioned.
“I thought I was helping,” Purity said softly, clinging to the kitten in her arms.
“You’re not helping. You never do. You spend more time with these useless animals than you should,” he scolded and swatted the kitten out of her arms.
Tears rushed to Purity’s eyes as the kitten ran off.
“Animals are a far sight better to spend time with than you are,” Raven said.
Bayne whipped around to glare at Raven. “This isn’t your concern, Raven.”
“My home. My concern.”
“My family. My concern,” Bayne threw back. “You’re nothing but a child. Stay out of it.”
Raven walked right up to Bayne, leaving barely a space between them and forcing her to tilt her head back to look up at him. “I can’t. Arseholes irritate me.”
“Raven!” Royden called out.
She didn’t budge.
“Your sister needs to learn manners, Royden,” Bayne said, though didn’t take his eyes off Raven.