Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
After assuring Anwen she was unharmed when she entered the Great Hall, Flora ordered food and drink brought to Torin’s solar and the servants returned to their duties in the keep.
Torin took his wife in his arms once they were alone in his solar. “Is there anything you wish to tell only me before the others join us?”
Flora was grateful her husband had considered she might not want to share all Henry had told her. There was one thing she wanted him to know before the others.
“I am wealthy,” she said.
Torin looked confused, his brow narrowing. “Wealthy?”
“Aye,” she said. “Lord Simon died and left me his wealth, that is the reason Henry lied about he and I being wed. He wanted my wealth. Simon left it to me so I would have the freedom denied to women… to live as I choose.”
Torin stepped away from her, a strange look on his face, then ran his hand through his hair, and shook his head. “Then choose.”
Flora appeared as confused as her husband. “Choose what?”
“Choose whether you wish to stay wed to me or to leave and live your life as you prefer. I will not hold you to a marriage that was chosen for you. Choose. Now.”
“You give me a choice?” she asked.
“Aye, I do,” he said. “You had no other option but to wed me when I offered marriage. You have a choice now. I want you to make it freely. I want to know you stay wed to me because you want to be wed to me. That it is your choice to be my wife. So, leave or stay. It is up to you.”
Flora stared at him a moment, then smiled. “That is noble of you, husband, giving me a choice and I do appreciate it. But I fear you are stuck with me since I love you far too much to ever walk away from you. Besides,” she said, her hand going to her stomach. “There is a chance I am with child.”
Torin’s eyes shot wide, and he once again gathered his wife in his arms. “But you told me you were taking something to prevent that.”
“I stopped not long after we first made love. I was that sure I wanted to stay with you, bear you many bairns, and continue to love you beyond life itself.”
He kissed her quick. “I am beyond thrilled at such news and I am relieved that you chose to stay with me since I truly do not know if I could have let you go.”
“And I, husband, never intend to let you go,” she said and hugged him tight to prove it.
A rap at the door had Anwen entering with the food and drink and it was not long after that Walsh and Kinnell entered.
“Sit,” Flora said, pointing to the chairs while she stood before the hearth. “There is much to tell you.”
The mystery of the tower room kept people talking three weeks later, the clan speculating who the woman was and what happened to the bairn that she may have had. And why no one ever knew about her. Her bones had been collected, wrapped, and stored for burial in the spring when the ground was soft enough to dig a grave.
Torin did not like to think that it would be necessary for his wife to travel to Edinburgh to claim her inheritance and Walsh suggested that with his connection to top officials, and the king himself, he might be able to see it done for her. Though, he had a stipulation. When he returned, he wished to remain with Clan Norham. Henry saw to it that his spying days were done, and he was tired of his mercenary days as well. He wished to settle down and take a wife.
Flora knew Walsh spoke of Anwen, but that was between the two of them to work out.
Kinnell and Iona were doing well. She had fully recovered from the poison, and they had plans to wed.
No wind had roared through the keep since the room had been opened and all believed that they would hear it no more since the unknown woman was finally freed. Though some believed it was the giant’s strong breath that helped her.
Flora smiled thinking how the tale of the giant would forever live strong on the Isle of Outerson and in the Clan Norham.
Snow was falling lightly when she knocked on Philp’s door and he greeted her with a smile, having expected her.
“There has been so much excitement of late, I feared you would not have time to visit,” Philip said as Flora poured them both a brew and spread the folded cloth to reveal slices of honey bread.
Flora took a bite of one, knowing Philip would not touch the bread until she did.
They talked about various things, shared in laughter, and relaxed in silence.