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)
While Elsie did not sit that close to her husband, she could see and almost feel his body grow taut with anger. She wanted so badly to toss her hood back and reveal herself so she could speak up, but it would only serve to make her husband angrier.
“I would watch your tongue with me, woman,” Cavell warned.
“I meant no disrespect, sir, but scars like yours often hide more scars and healing a few helps heal the others until they are all finally healed or very few remain. I am here to help you when you are ready,” May said calmly, not at all perturbed or fearful of his anger.
Cavell stood. “I go to see how Rory fared with Quinn. When I return, I expect to be taken to Chieftain Norris.” He jabbed a finger toward Elsie. “You, cleric, stay here until I return.” He looked at the healer. “And you will take your leave so as not to disturb him while he eats and prays.”
“Aye, sir,” May said, sliding off the bench.
Cavell turned away and angry strides took him to the door. He turned when he reached it to see May disappear through a doorway, then he turned and left.
Elsie sighed, relieved to have been left alone, though debating whether or not to sneak to her da’s bedchamber and speak with him alone. She was eager to see him and worried when May said he had not improved, though relieved he had not grown worse. She recalled her da telling her something about his father having suffered the same as he did and how he had died from it. So, she worried he would meet the same fate. Her only hope was that May could save her da from the same fate as his father.
She heard someone enter the room and made sure to keep her head down. She had given her husband her word this morning before they left the dwelling that she would not reveal herself to anyone until he said otherwise.
The footfalls stopped at the table, and she prepared herself to speak with a deeper tone if necessary. She was shocked when the person spoke.
“Why do you hide under a monk’s robe, Elsie?”
CHAPTER 7
Elsie raised her head and smiled at May, trusting she never would have approached her and spoken if anyone else was about. “I should have known I could not fool you.”
“Your determined walk and the way you move your hands with distinct purpose make it obvious to me. How anyone doesn’t realize it is you beneath that robe puzzles me,” May said, shaking her head as she joined Elsie at the table.
“People always paid little mind to me. It was Leora who got their attention.”
“Because she demanded it,” May said.
“Her fine looks also helped,” Elsie said with no animosity or envy. “She can get a man to do anything when she smiles.”
“Maybe so, but the one who is the most beautiful of the three of you is Sky. She could command any man if she had not been unfortunate to be born as she was. I keep hoping she will find a man who values her for who she truly is, a gentle, unselfish woman. But tell me why you hide and who you hide from? And where are Leora and Sky? When the three of you left here to go meet your husband, all was well. What happened?”
“I wish I could confide in you, but at the moment I can’t,” Elsie said. “There are things I must find out before I speak of what happened.”
“I hope you know you can always trust me.”
Elsie nodded. “I do, but for now I must hold my tongue.”
May lowered her voice though no one was around to hear her. “Your husband, can you trust him? He is Gallowglass,” May said as if that distinction somehow made him untrustworthy.
“It is precisely why the clan needs him. He will see us kept safe, align us with clans that will serve us well, especially now with my da so ill. A clan less than honorable could attack and lay claim to our clan and our land. My marriage to Cavell prevents that.”
“Then it is good he is receptive to the marriage,” May said.
Elsie was not about to let anyone know that her husband was anything other than accepting of their marriage. That was a matter between Cavell and her.
“I would love to talk more with you, but you should go before my husband returns,” Elsie urged. “I promised I would not reveal myself to anyone until he says otherwise.”
“I gave you no choice,” May said, “but I understand and look forward to when we can talk openly without worry.” She stood. “I will go fix the new brew for your da and will return when notified that your husband is once again in the keep.”