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)
Time stood still as they surrendered to the intoxication of their love, losing themselves in a realm where only they existed. Pleasure surged through their veins, building and crashing like waves against the shore. They moved as one, their bodies entangled, their desires merging into a singular force that defied the constraints of the mortal world.
“Now, Elsie, now!” Cavell commanded and she screamed, joining him in an explosion of pleasure that gripped them and would not let go.
Elsie hugged her husband with what little strength she had when he dropped down on her, the last waves of passion finally subsiding, and she still enjoying each one. She did not want to let him go when he went to roll off her, but her strength had yet to return to her. She was pleased when he took her with him, and their bodies instinctively entwined like vines.
Cavell found pleasure in the symphony of her contented sighs and their shared labored breaths. He held her tightly as she did him and he thought he heard their hearts beating in unison and that somehow their souls had forever been linked by the intense love that neither had expected yet both were grateful to have discovered.
Passion having exhausted them both, they fell asleep to wake later and make love quickly but no less intensely and they slept once again. Morning found them spent but smiling.
“I love you, Elsie,” he said, tenderly pushing a strand of her soft hair off her cheek.
“I love that morning greeting,” she said, his words warming her heart.
“Then I shall greet you that way every morning since I do not believe there will be enough time in this life to tell you how much I love you.” He almost pulled away when she rested her hand on his cheek, his scar, but he stopped himself. Her touch was one of love and he relished the feel of it.
“Then we both will remind each other often and not only in words,” she said, her smile growing.
“Aye, wife, often,” he said softly and was about to kiss her lips when her stomach rumbled loudly. His brow narrowed. “When did you last eat?”
She went to turn on her back, but he quickly hooked her waist and stopped her.
“When?” he demanded.
“Yesterday with you.”
“We go eat now.” Knowing she would protest, he added, “I will tell you about the attack on the croft.”
Elsie got out of bed in a flash and hurried into her garments. “Are they all well? Was anyone harmed?”
“I will tell you while we eat, since I am just as hungry.”
Cavell grabbed his wife’s arm when she went to rush down the stairs after leaving their bedchamber. “You will follow behind me since you seem to have a propensity for falling down the stairs.”
“That was one time,” she argued but followed behind him.
“That is not what your da told me when I talked with him alone.”
“That was when I was young and always in a hurry,” she said and poked him in the back. “Did you ask my da about me or did he volunteer the information?”
“I asked and he was more than willing to share. He is very proud of you, Elsie, and of your sisters. He says you have all grown to be fine women.”
Elsie felt tears well in her eyes, but she kept them locked away since they were steps away from the Great Hall and she would have no one see her teary-eyed. She stopped when she saw the room was crowded, clansmen and women lingering about.
Alda approached and bobbed her head when she stopped in front of them. “They have come to pay their respects, sir, and to thank you for saving Pell and his family. They know now that you will fight for them without hesitation.”
Elsie thought her husband might protest, having engaged with the clan to learn about it but not having come to truly know the people. She understood that he had become used to avoiding people because of his scars. The clan did not see his scars as others did. To them, his scars were a sign of courage and honor to be respected and he had proved it by saving several of their own.
She watched as her husband graciously accepted the appreciation and praise the people offered him. But Blaine, Jeremy’s five-year-old sister, stole everyone’s attention when she ran to Cavell and grabbed his leg in a hug as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “I love you.”
The whole room quieted to see what their chieftain would do as did Elsie, curious as to his response.
Cavell scooped up the little lass and said for all to hear, “I will rescue you, Blaine, whenever needed, as well as all in the clan.”
Cheers rang out for their chieftain’s loyalty to the clan and Elsie felt her heart swell with pride for her husband.