Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Hakon let out a bark of laughter. “I want a woman with fire in her belly, not one who simpers and trembles. Don’t insult me with that weak talk.”
“Ignorant savage.”
“Who said that?” Hakon demanded, turning his head to cast a glance at everyone there. His eyes settled on Una and her eyes narrowed. Her wild red hair had fallen loose from its braid, and the tilt of her chin spoke volumes. “You,” he accused with a nod at her.
All eyes turned to look at Una.
“I won’t deny the truth,” Una said boldly.
“Hold your tongue, Una,” Torrance commanded.
“Who is she?” Hakon asked with interest.
“No one of concern,” Torrance said, not looking her way.
“She’s got the look of a hellcat,” Hakon muttered, stepping closer. “You said you had no suitable match, and yet this one prowls your hall?”
Una crossed her arms. “If you’re looking for someone to chain to your bedpost, try the stables.”
Murmurs rippled around the room. Brack froze in shock, Torrance shook his head, and Esme cringed waiting for either her husband or Hakon to explode in fury.
Hakon stared at Una, his expression unreadable, then slowly, he grinned. “I’ve broken warriors with gentler tongues.”
“I’ve made warriors cry with my sharp tongue,” she shot back.
He laughed, a low sound that rumbled in his chest. “You’ve spirit. I like that.”
“I don’t care what you like, savage. I’m no concern to you.”
“Take your leave now, Una,” Torrance ordered sharply.
“Nay,” Hakon said, still watching her. “Let her speak. I’m beginning to enjoy her company.”
Una rolled her eyes and strode past them all toward the kitchen again. “You’re all mad,” she muttered. “Best you not drag me into it.”
As the door closed behind her, Hakon turned back to Torrance. “She’ll do. I’ll take her with me.”
Torrance didn’t answer at once. He watched the door for a moment longer.
Esme worried what he might be thinking and silently prayed for Una, her heartbeat catching at his response.
“I’ll consider it.” Torrance turned to his wife. “Go rest. I have matters to see to.”
“Aye, my lord,” Esme said and left the room reluctantly, her worry for Una growing.
Food and drink were brought out for Hakon’s warriors to enjoy but Torrance’s warriors remained standing guard. Torrance and Hakon retreated to the table on the dais while Brack remained nearby.
Hakon took the tankard filled with ale from the servant with a grunt, his eyes fixed on the door Una had disappeared through. “She’d bite before she’d bow.”
“Then you’ll need a strong hand to hold the leash,” Torrance said, not partaking of the ale.
Hakon’s lips curled. “I don’t leash women. I challenge them, but most don’t have the stamina or courage to deal with me.”
Torrance studied him. “Una is no docile woman. She’ll claw your eyes out if you corner her.”
“She can try.” Hakon looked over. “You’ve been slow in keeping your word, Torrance, whereas I am ready to keep mine and fight for you when necessary.”
“An unexpected and dire situation has come up,” Torrance said, realizing Hakon’s unexpected visit just might prove beneficial.
“Tell me,” Hakon said eagerly.
“There have been attempts made on my life.”
Hakon laughed. “That happens to me often. All men of power have that problem. Kill a few people, innocent or not, and it will stop.”
“Nay, I believe the two men left and fled north. They posed as monks.”
“I could find out about them.”
“What will that cost me?” Torrance asked but already knew.
“A wedding when I return.”
“Una was taken prisoner after a battle. She does not beg for freedom. She watches, listens, and she learns. I have no doubt she plans to attempt to escape one day.”
“Perfect,” Hakon said with a grin. “I want a wife who’ll keep me sharp. Just make sure she doesn’t escape before I return.”
“We’ll see what information you bring me.”
Hakon narrowed his eyes. “Careful, Torrance. I know how much you like games, but I didn’t ride all this way to play games.”
“And I won’t fail to keep my word,” Torrance warned.
“I want Una, no other. Don’t disappoint me, or you won’t like the consequences.”
Torrance leaned closer to Hakon and kept his voice low but powerful. “Don’t threaten me or you and your men will never make it home.”
The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting shifting shadows across the stone walls of Torrance’s bedchamber. Esme sat on the bench beside the hearth, a shawl wrapped around her, staring into the flames. She had no chance all day to speak with her husband to find out what he spoke with Hakon about. She feared her husband may have agreed to give Una to Hakon and it disturbed her to think that it could be Una’s fate.
The door suddenly swung open, causing Esme to hurry off the bench and turn to see her husband enter. He had a commanding presence that always managed to fill a room when he entered it. His broad shoulders were always drawn back, his chin held at a slight angle, and his distinct green eyes seemed to devour everything around him as if nothing could be hidden from him. She tucked her shawl tighter around her as if somehow it could shield her.