Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 114917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“Why do you scowl, husband?” Bliss asked, stroking the spot between his eyes that had crinkled badly.
“I have not seen you all day,” he complained.
“We are together now,” she offered as a way to ease his annoyance.
He leaned his head down until their brows almost touched. “It is not enough.”
Bliss smiled and her whispered words faintly brushed his lips. “We have the whole, uninterrupted night in front of us, and I, for one, look forward to it.”
His scowl lightened some. “We will keep supper brief.”
“As you say, my lord,” she said with a wicked grin.
It was less than thirty minutes later that Rannick was ready to take their leave when the door burst open, and Lawler rushed in.
“Prisoners escaped, all but Roland. He was left wounded and not by our warriors.”
Rannick placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder when she went to stand after he did. “You will stay here where you are safe.” He turned to his father, but Lord Lochlann spoke before his son could.
“I will see her kept safe,” his father assured him.
Rannick had no doubt he would since she carried the future heir of Clan MacClaren and not that his father was aware of it but also possibly a MacWilliam descendent as well.
Bliss grabbed her husband’s arm as he went to rush off. “Roland may need my help.”
“One of the warriors can see to his wound,” Rannick said, having no intention of placing his wife in danger.
Bliss looked to Lawler. “How bad is his wound, Lawler?” The man’s hesitation was enough for Bliss. “I will not sit here when someone needs my help.” She interrupted her husband when he went to deny her. “Bring him here if you must, or I will find a way to go to him myself.”
The stubborn set of her chin warned Rannick she would do just that. Reluctantly, he turned his head to Lawler. “Bring Roland here.” Lawler hurried off, Rannick paying him no heed, his hand reaching out to grab his wife’s chin. “You will wait in this room until I return, or if my father deems it unsafe. Defy me on this wife and—”
Bliss yanked her chin from his grip. “I told you, Rannick, I am a healer, and I will go where I am needed. Do not restrict me or make me defy you.”
“Obey your—”
“Hush, Lochlann!” Lady Helice ordered her husband before he could finish. “This does not concern you.” She tugged her grumbling husband away from the dais, giving her son and his wife privacy.
Bliss laid a tender hand on her husband’s arm. “I am not a foolish woman. I will take no unnecessary chances. Besides, you have warriors follow me wherever I go. Now go and do what you must, and I shall do the same.” She kissed him and whispered, “Stay safe and well,” —her eyes twinkled mischievously— “though I am here if you should need to be patched up.”
He could not stop from grinning. “I believe my body will need tending in certain particular areas when I return.”
“I will make certain each area is properly tended,” she said with a wicked grin.
Rannick snagged her around the waist and yanked her against him to plant a demanding kiss on her lips. With a quick whispered, “I love you,” he left her side and headed to the door, giving a shout just before reaching it. “Pay heed, Da, my wife can be a handful.”
“Worry not, son, I will see she obeys me,” his da called out and Rannick’s hardy laughter lingered in the Great Hall after he was gone.
“I need to fetch supplies from my healing cottage,” Bliss said, running past Lord Lochlann.
“Wait, I will have what you need fetched for you,” Lord Lochlann commanded.
“It will be quicker if I get them,” she said and summoned two warriors with a flick of her hand. “Come with me.”
Lord Lochlann sputtered as he tried to resume command and scowled hearing his wife laugh beside him. He shook his head and hurried after Bliss.
Roland was just coming to when Bliss finished tending his wound. It had not taken her long to determine that a bump to his head had knocked him unconscious, which helped him suffer less while she had tended the wound to his side.
“I am dying,” Roland mumbled, cringing as the pain set in.
Bliss recalled what Rannick had told him about Roland and smiled. “Your wife says it is not your time. You have a long life to live.”
Roland’s eyes opened wide. “She told me that over and over in my dream.” Tears glistened in his eyes. “Eliza promised me she would always look after me.”
“And she has kept her promise. You will live,” Bliss said with confidence. “Do not try to turn or move much. You are on a table in the Great Hall, and I do not want you falling off it. I will have you moved to the healing cottage as soon as it is deemed safe.”