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)
Ryland draped Esme’s cloak over her shoulders, then slipped his on once they were ready to leave and they stepped outside surprised by a flash of sun and rise in temperature. Snow was beginning to melt and children hurried to make snowballs while they could and toss them at each other laughing.
Ryland opened the door to the meeting hall for Esme to enter and raised voices greeted them.
“What goes on here?” Ryland demanded in Torrance’s commanding voice, seeing Breann trembling as she stood before Brack.
“Patrick has vanished,” Brack said, standing.
Ryland hurried Esme to the table where Brack stood, and food waited.
“Patrick is a warrior,” Ryland said, assisting his wife to sit. “He would not confess his intentions to a healer.” He turned to Brack. “Who discovered Patrick had fled?”
“I did, my lord,” Breann said, continuing to tremble. “I went to his cottage to see how he was, and he wasn’t there.”
“And she did not report her findings to me,” Brack said. “It was only when I went looking for him that I discovered he was gone and that she had known it and said nothing.”
“I didn’t know he had fled,” Breann argued. “An empty cottage was no indication to me that he fled. He simply was not there.”
“Or you lie and helped him flee,” Brack accused.
Ryland took command of their exchange. “Need I remind you again that Patrick is a seasoned warrior and would need no help fleeing. If he has fled, then he has done so on his own. You may leave, Breann.”
“Wait,” Esme said and looked to Ryland. “May I speak with her privately, my lord, a small healing matter.”
“A moment,” Ryland said sternly and waved at Brack to follow him.
When the two men stopped by the door, Esme whispered, “Who has been here at Purdom the longest.”
If Breann thought the question odd, she didn’t show it. “That would be Ida. She has seen many chieftains come and go. She knows the history of Clan Purdom well. So does Patrick, the last of his family. And I truly do not know where he is, my lady.”
Esme smiled softly. “I never thought you did, Breann.”
“Is that all you wanted to ask me, my lady?”
“Nay, if asked, please say I wanted to know how long before I know for sure I am with child.”
Breann smiled. “Did you miss your monthly bled?”
“It isn’t due for a few days, but I suppose I am anxious,” she said, realizing that now, finally, there truly was a possibility that she was with child.
“That is the first indication, tender, fuller breasts are another, and stomach upsets in the morning or throughout the day.”
“Thank you again, Breann.”
“I pray a child grows safely within you, my lady, and you can find Ida two cottages away from mine. It is the one with a fresh winter wreath on it. Ida’s fingers may be gnarled with age, but she still makes the loveliest wreaths.” Breann bobbed her head and headed for the door.
As Esme suspected, Ryland, though the stern look he wore spoke more of Torrance, stopped her. As Breann spoke, Ryland’s eyes darted to her and Brack grinned like a fool.
Brack continued to wear the grin as he approached the table with Ryland.
“Some possible good news among such unpleasant matters is most welcome,” Brack said.
“The news also leaves her more vulnerable,” Ryland said annoyed. “Since there is no news to spread just yet, I want no word of this getting around.”
“Aye, my lord, a wise decision,” Brack agreed.
“Now take some men and see if you can find Patrick,” Ryland ordered. “And we will not linger here. Prepare the men to leave tomorrow and send the tracker ahead to make sure no surprises await us.”
Brack nodded, then hurried off.
Ryland swung his legs over the bench to sit next to Esme. “Did you ask those questions because you believe you may be with child or to mislead?”
She smiled gently and took hold of his hand. “To mislead, though after I asked, I realized there is a chance now I could be. But I won’t know for a while yet.”
“I would be pleased to hear that you carry our child. It was something I thought about when I planned to wed you. That we would have many bairns together, sons and daughters,” —he grinned— “since I knew I’d never be able to keep my hands off you, and also that our keep would be full of laughter and love.”
“I would love that,” Esme said, her heart swelling with the possibility of such a good life with him.
“As would I. Now tell me what you truly asked Breann.”
“I asked about the eldest person at Clan Purdom and Breann told me it was a woman called Ida and that she has seen many chieftains come and go.”
“Which means she would know about my mother,” Ryland said, nodding.