Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
She felt gorgeous and could not wait to see Tarr’s reaction.
She entered the great hall, which was filling with men and women who came to share the evening meal. Blackshaw and Hellewyk clan alike mingled and appeared comfortable with each other.
Tarr stood near the dais talking with Raynor. He had yet to spot her and that was all right for she enjoyed the sight of him. Tall, broad, and strong like the claymore he wielded with such ease and might. His stance was one of pride and he wore his plaid in the same manner. His auburn hair hung down his back and he wore a braid down the side that had been plaited with a strip of his plaid.
He was a fine man with extra fine features, and he belonged to her.
Raynor saw her before Tarr and his surprised expression had Tarr turning.
She kept walking toward him, smiling. His blank look remained and she wondered if he was blind or if her appearance did not appeal to him. Then he shook his head as if clearing it, and she realized for that brief moment he had not known her.
His admiring smile grew slow and steady until it spread across his face, and his dark eyes? They looked as if they wanted to devour her.
She giggled beneath her breath and hurried to him turning round to show off her dress. “You like my new dress? A gift from mother.”
He grabbed her around the waist with his arm. “You look stunning.” His other remark was a whisper meant for her ears alone. “You tempt my soul, woman.”
She kissed his cheek, empowered by what a simple dress could do, and made a mental note to speak to her mother about stitching other dresses.
“I second his opinion,” Raynor said. “I always knew my sisters would grow to be beautiful, but I never imagined such depth of beauty.”
Fiona went to her brother and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“It is the truth,” he insisted.
Fiona joined the two men in talk and drink, enjoying a goblet of wine. She felt safe, secure, and happy here with her family. She only wished Aliss could join them, but she was not alone, mother had refused to leave her daughter’s side, and keeping good company with Aliss: they were busy and content planning her wedding.
Odo entered the hall suddenly, his expression worrisome. He walked directly to Tarr, paying no one else attention.
“What is this I hear you wed my niece in three days’ time? You should wait upon my return.”
“Where do you go?” Tarr asked.
“To seek Giann as we agreed.”
“We agreed to discuss the matter further before any action was taken.”
“I cannot sit around and wait when my nieces’ lives are in danger. Giann will speak with me.”
“But will she tell you the truth?” Tarr asked. “It seems that Giann knows much but says little, and I wonder over her chosen silence.”
Odo fisted his hand at his side. “I will find out once and for all, I promise you.”
“I believe it is I who needs to speak with Giann.”
“The Wolf clan will not let you cross their borders.”
“They will let you?” Tarr asked doubtfully.
“Blackshaw is no friend to the Wolf clan,” Raynor said.
“I have my ways,” Odo insisted. “This wedding must not take place yet. You must wait.”
“We have waited long enough. Fiona and I will wed in three days time.”
“What of your father?” Odo asked of Fiona. “Do you not want him present at your wedding?”
“He will be. He arrives late tomorrow or early the next day in time for the ceremony and celebration, and he brings the cleric who will wed us.”
Tarr slapped Odo on the back and shoved a tankard of ale at him. “We celebrate the joining of powerful clans. We will deal with the other matter the day after the celebration.”
Odo accepted the ale, but his taut expression belied his words. “To my niece and her future husband Tarr of Hellewyk, may you know only happiness.”
They all drank to the toast and when done, Odo was quick to excuse himself, explaining that he had to inform his men they would not be leaving just yet.
“He is not pleased with the news,” Fiona said after she, Tarr, and Raynor took their seats at the table on the dais.
“He is a man of action,” Raynor said. “It disturbs him to sit by and do nothing when trouble brews. He was the one who organized the search parties after your abduction. Father was distraught and mother”—he shook his head—“she insisted on going with Odo to search. He promised mother that he would be relentless in his pursuit and find you girls.”
“He must have been upset returning empty-handed,” Tarr said.
“Upset? He was furious. He had no choice but to rest the horses and the men; they were exhausted and could not continue. He kept a vicious pace for months until finally father ordered him to cease. Odo argued but father made him see reason. It was not that he wanted the search to end completely, but it would be wiser to plan a steady, continuous search alternating men.”