Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
All Annis could do was nod.
Once again anger stirred in Brogan, seeing Annis suffer needlessly.
“If Annis should need me, sir, I will be right outside,” Una said and headed out the door.
Annis’s head hung down, her fiery red hair concealing the sides of her face. He walked around to squat down in front of her. He reached out and took her clutched hand in his and she latched onto him, squeezing tight.
“My mother will never touch you again, Annis,” he said.
She raised her head with a slight wince. “You are right about that, since I have no intentions of ever setting foot in your keep or village again. Did she take a stick to you when you were young?”
“She would not dare. I am heir to the clan, and she would suffer my father’s wrath if she did. Not that I never felt his hand, though the times were few.”
“I do not care for your parents.”
“I do not blame you. There are times I do not care for them either,” he admitted. He wanted desperately to wrap her in his arms, comfort her, ease her pain, but that would only cause her more pain. He was relieved that he offered some comfort by the way she clutched his hand. “I would take your pain if I could.”
“I would give it to you if I could,” she said with a soft chuckle. “You are ruining my reputation by being in here with me half-naked. If either of my sisters hear about this, they will worry. And they each have enough to worry about and contend with, without disparaging news about me. That reminds me, did you learn anything about either of my sisters from whoever it was you met?”
“It was neither Odran nor Rannick.” He saw the disappointment in her eyes. “Lord Lochlann sent one of his warriors to find out why I was searching for the witch again.”
She sat straight up, throwing her shoulders back and grimaced, closing her eyes against the pain that seared her back and quickly said, “I would ask if you told him of our encounters so far, but I trust your word and know you held your tongue as promised.”
She trusted him without question, but how would she feel when she learned what he kept from her. He should tell her and be done with it, but he did not want her forced to accept their marriage. He wanted the choice to be hers.
“I kept my word to you. I will always keep my word to you. Never doubt that. As far as your reputation, we could easily rectify any damage with an exchange of vows.”
She cringed and squeezed his hand.
“The cloth needs refreshing,” Brogan said, reluctant to release her hand since it locked so tightly with his, hoping he assumed right, and her grimace was not in response to his suggestion.
Annis stopped herself from telling him to get Una. She preferred he stay with her, his presence alone a comfort to her as well as the touch of his hand. Also, she had found herself almost agreeing with him about marriage to save her reputation. Or was it that she was not as resistant to the idea?
“You should lie on the bed. You would be more comfortable, and you could use the rest as well as sleep.”
“The bench is fine,” she said, fearing he would leave Una to tend her once she took to the bed and she was not ready for him to leave her just yet.
He tapped her nose gently. “It was not a suggestion.”
“It sounded like one.”
He smiled. “I was being nice.”
“And make it seem like it was my choice?”
“Exactly, now let’s get you on the bed. It will make it easier to tend your wounds and do not bother to argue when you know what I say makes sense,” he said, his hands going to her waist to help her stand.
“You are not always right.”
“Then it is a good thing I have you around to let me know when I’m wrong.” He eased her up off the bench.
“I will tell you eve—” Dizziness struck her hard and fast and she shut her eyes against it. Instinct had both her hands reaching out and grabbing hold of his arms to steady herself. His taut muscles brought relief and comfort. He would not let her fall.
He should rot in hell for the slight arousal he felt at seeing her naked, the shift having fallen to her feet. Here she was suffering in pain and his shaft stirs. Never had a woman aroused him as quickly as Annis did on far too many occasions. He fought it though it was not easy, her nipples having turned hard and his urge to taste them overwhelming, not to mention the thatch of red hair between her legs that matched her fiery curls that guarded the entrance to endless pleasure. Enough. He had to cover her.