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)
“Nay, husband, I cannot answer since I truly do not know you?”
A scowl crossed his face.
She hurried to explain. “Only now, since you returned home from battle, do I feel that I am getting to know you. Before that your words were few to me and we spent little time together.”
She didn’t think it was wise to remind him that his words had been mostly hurtful and demeaning from the start. But then maybe it wasn’t that he failed to realize that. Maybe he didn’t know because it wasn’t Torrance lying beside her in bed. Did she dare continue to think that?
He ran his finger faintly and slowly across her lips. “It is time we change that, wife.”
His hand fell away, replaced by his lips that brushed across hers as faintly as his touch.
His whisper, soft kiss sent a pleasant shiver through her. That her body responded so easily, instinctively both pleased and frightened her, for she still didn’t know if she could truly trust him.
He left her lips tingling as he rolled on his back. “Go to sleep, wife. You need rest. We leave in two days on our journey.”
Esme turned away from him not knowing what to make of him. At times, he was a far different man than the one who left her and at other times she could spy the ruthlessness in him.
Who was he? And what would she do if she discovered it was a stranger in her bed? She knew little of Ryland, had seen him a handful of times, had maybe two brief encounters with him. He seemed mannered and kind enough, but he was still a stranger to her and one who looked far too familiar to Torrance. But her greatest worry… what would her fate be at his hands.
CHAPTER 13
Patches of snow clung stubbornly to the ground, the last remnants of a light snowfall that had dusted the keep two nights ago. Esme drew her cloak tighter across her chest as she walked the narrow path near the animal pens. She was looking for Una and knew that this time of day she would be emptying the scrap bucket in the animal pens. The pungent odor stopped her from going any further as did Una’s bold voice.
“That’s all there is, fellows. We had a hungry lot yesterday.”
Una emerged from behind the last enclosure, the empty scrap bucket swinging from her hand. Her braid hung damp against her cloak, her cheeks flushed from the chill. She paused briefly when she saw Esme.
“Are you looking for me, my lady?”
“I am,” Esme said, falling into step beside her as she continued walking.
“Does this have anything to do with that brute of a warrior called Hakon?” Una asked and chuckled, seeing the surprised look on Esme’s face. “Tongues have been going strong since he made his presence known and many assume it might be a barter Lord Torrance would consider.”
“Torrance did speak with Hakon about you,” Esme confirmed.
“I imagined as much,” Una muttered. She slowed her steps, then stopped entirely. Una turned to face her, her eyes angry. “He offered me to Hakon like I was—what? A prize for good behavior? Payment for a debt?”
“Nay. He said he’d think on it. That’s all.”
Una scoffed. “He has no intentions of thinking on it. His mind is made up. I hold no value to Lord Torrance but if I can benefit him in some way, he will not think twice on it.” She blew out a breath that misted in the air. “I am nothing more than chattel to be bartered between men who think battle-forged bruises and a blade make their word law.” She nodded at Esme. “You’re no different, bartered in marriage to benefit your clan. We’re condemned at birth being born a woman, but I for one will not hold my tongue. I will speak my piece.”
“As you should,” Esme encouraged. “It is not fair.”
Una scoffed again. “Life is not fair, never has been. But I will no longer yield or submit obediently.”
Esme smiled. “I don’t believe you have ever yielded, Una.”
“I made sure I didn’t,” Una said, keeping her anger from flaring any further. “Because if I did yield, I would lose what little of myself I have left.”
“You have no chains to hold you. You walk freely about. Why not simply walk away from here and never return?”
She paused, glanced up at the gray sky, and shrugged. “Where would I go? I have no coins. No clan. No name worth remembering. There is no place for a woman like me beyond this keep. You may not see the chains, but they are there. I feel them every day. Some days more than others.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “Have your chains not grown heavier by the day, Lady Esme?”
Una continued to the kitchen while Esme remained where she was, lost in thought long after Una entered the kitchen. Una was right. The chains could be felt, not seen, and they were heavier some days more than others. And like Una, she had no place to go. The marriage had committed her to Torrance until death. She would never be free.