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)
“I’m no fool, Nug. I went back when time allowed,” Ryland said. “The forest animals left enough trace of him for me to be sure.”
Before Ryland could respond, hoofbeats sounded nearby. Esme’s head snapped toward the sound, unease stirring in her again.
Two riders emerged from the dense forest, one barely big enough to ride the horse, and the other large and formidable.
“Dru,” Ryland said under his breath, and sure enough, the petite, young woman flung herself off her horse the moment it halted. Her red, wind-tossed hair was as fiery as her nature.
“I knew it!” Dru marched straight up to Ryland and jabbed a finger at his chest. “You lied to me. I knew something wasn’t right about Torrance. He would have never allowed Knox to wed me, not unless he meant to have Knox beheaded the next day!”
Knox dismounted with far more restraint, his gaze sweeping the area, then settling on Esme. He gave a polite nod as he came to a stop near his wife.
“You’re welcome,” Ryland said.
Dru softened. “I do owe you for recognizing and declaring Knox and my marriage valid. But tell me… was there any truth in what you said about my father telling Torrance that he was to find me a good husband, a safe one? Or was it an excuse you used to confirm my marriage?” She shook her finger at him. “And I will have the truth.”
“Are you sure of that, Dru?” Ryland asked with a quick glance at Knox.
“Aye, I’m sure,” Dru said, and Knox stepped close behind her.
“Your father cared only that your marriage benefitted the clan, and Torrance said the same to me.”
Dru tried not to show her disappointment, but Knox felt it and slipped his arm around her waist, and she leaned back against him.
“That’s not true,” Esme said to everyone’s surprise. “I heard Torrance’s father make his son promise to find a good man to be your husband. A man who would treat you well. He didn’t want to fail you the way he failed your mother. Impending death has a way of making people realize their mistakes and giving them a chance to make amends. Your father wanted to see you kept safe. Torrance did not care about you or the promise he made to his father.”
Dur smiled and squeezed her husband’s arm coiled around her waist. “I am grateful to you for telling me that.”
“My condolences you got stuck with her, Knox,” Nug said with a laugh.
Dru chuckled. “Funny, Nug, but at least I have someone who loves me.” She stretched her neck to gaze about. “Where’s the woman who loves you?” She chuckled. “I forgot… she only exists in your dreams.”
The men around them laughed.
One called out, “She’s right about that.”
“There are plenty women who favor me,” Nug argued.
“So, you dream often then,” another called out.
Esme watched the humorous exchange, uncertain what to make of it all. These were people Ryland clearly trusted. People who spoke to him with ease, without fear. It was jarring, after endlessly being watched, judged, and commanded since marrying Torrance. They laughed and teased, as if no danger lingered nearby, no past haunted them.
Yet she couldn't shake the ache in her stomach. These people were strangers to her. Loyal to Ryland… but what did that mean for her?
Ryland stepped back beside her, sensing her unease. His hand gently brushed her arm. “Trust me. You are safe with me, with them.”
Trust. Safe. There had been moments she had felt safe with him, and she wanted to believe that she could continue to do so. But trust was another matter. She hadn’t trusted her husband, and she truly didn’t know if she could trust Ryland. And the reason for that? Why had he coupled with her when he wasn’t her husband?
“You’re Torrance’s wife?” Dru called out to her.
“Widow,” Esme corrected.
“I am happy for you. You’ve suffered worse than most. Torrance was a cruel bastard. Good riddance to him.”
Esme was caught off guard by her blunt compassion, but managed to say, “Thank you. It is a relief.”
Nug grew impatient. “It’s time we—"
“Talk,” Ryland finished, “And for you all to return home before you’re spotted and my identity revealed. But we need a safer place where we can be sure no eyes can see us or ears can hear us. And we have little time. I have no doubt at least one of Torrance’s warriors will make it to Clan Glencairn. Brack will waste no time in coming to find me.”
“Unlike others,” Dru said with a grin at Nug. “I figured we might need a safe place to meet, and for Ryland to stay if necessary, so I found one.”
“No clan around here can be completely trusted,” Nug said. “Nor abbey as well, since Torrance pays a good yearly stipend to many.”
“And you think I don’t know that, Nug?” Dru asked, wrinkling her nose at him.