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)
Patrick had not waited for Torrance to invite him to join them at the table, he sat opposite them. “I am warning you, my lord, do not bother with us. The curse will destroy you.”
Torrance went to ask about the curse when the door opened and in walked a woman, plain features, brown hair streaked with gray, full shape, and wearing a gentle smile.
“Breann,” Patrick called out. “Come join us. Lord Torrance wishes to speak with you.”
Brenn hesitated before approaching the table, her glance going between Lord Torrance and Esme. “Word traveled, but I thought it was just rumors.”
“Sit, Breann,” Patrick urged, patting the spot next to him on the bench.
Breann ignored him, looking a bit dazed as she continued to stand.
“What rumors?” Torrance asked.
“That a lord and his lady would come looking for the Old Woman,” Breann said. “Now here you are.”
“And what message do you have for us?” Torrance asked.
Breann bit at her bottom lip as if biting back her response.
Torrance pounded his fist on the table. “Tell me now!”
Breann jumped frightened by his demand and hurried to say, “The Old Woman will only meet with the worthy one… the woman.”
CHAPTER 20
“That is never going to happen,” Torrance said, his voice as ridged as iron. “My wife will not meet with her alone.”
Silence swept like a cold wind through the hall, shivering everyone.
Breann stiffened where she stood, her glance dropping to the floor and Patrick wisely held his tongue.
Esme lowered her gaze as well, though she could feel the heat of Torrance’s stare pressing down on her. She didn’t speak. Not yet. Not here in front of others to Torrance, a man she could not openly defy. Alone she could discuss the matter with Ryland, though she didn’t think his response would be much different.
“You will not go alone, and I will hear no more about it,” Torrance said, his voice sharp and commanding.
“The Old Woman summoned her and her alone,” Patrick said cautiously. “That she made clear enough.”
Torrance’s gaze snapped to Patrick. “The Old Woman does not command me,” Torrance said with an angry snarl. “I command!”
Breann dared a glance up, her voice tight with unease. “It’s not the custom. The Old Woman summons who she wishes, no one dares approach her without being summoned.”
“And no one commands my wife but me,” he said with such force that Breann drew back, and Patrick turned his head away as if avoiding being struck.
Esme’s fingers curled into the folds of her garment. She kept her voice calm, respectful. “May I speak with you privately, my lord?”
“Nay,” Torrance snapped. “The matter is settled. We go together or not at all.”
“Then the Old Woman will not meet with you,” Patrick said.
Torrance turned his cold gaze on him. “We’ll see about that.”
The warning settled heavily in the room.
“I meant no disrespect,” Patrick said, trying to make amends for his error. “Only that if your wife does not go meet her, the answers you seek may stay buried.”
Torrance said nothing, only stared at Esme a long moment—long enough for her to feel it deep in her bones. He was worried. She could see it beneath the hardened mask he wore. And she understood now that it was because he loved her. It wasn’t duty all those times he had protected her… it was because he loved her. And it would be so easy to love him, but she worried that Torrance would somehow get in the way as foolish a thought that was.
“I will have my answers one way or another, but my wife will not go meet the Old Woman alone.” Torrance turned a scowl on Esme. “Do I make myself clear, wife?”
“Aye, my lord,” she said softly. “I will abide by your decision.”
He gave her a slight nod, but she could still see the storm brewing in his eyes.
The hall doors burst open.
A lad stumbled inside, panting, his face pale. “My lord! Warriors! They approach the village fast, two dozen from what I could see and armed for battle.”
“Do they wear my colors?” Torrance asked, not moving from where he sat.
The lad thought a moment, then nodded. “Aye, they do wear the colors of your plaid.’
Torrance looked at Patrick. “My men. See them greeted and brought here to me.”
Patrick nodded, stood, and left with the lad.
Breann turned to go.
“Did I give you permission to leave?” Torrance asked with a harshness that turned Breann pale.
Fear froze Breann, but she managed to say, “Nay, my lord.”
“How do I get a message to the Old Woman?” he asked.
“She will get one to you,” Breann said and shivered, fearful that her answer would disappoint him.
“We will talk again. You are dismissed,” he said with a careless wave of his hand and when the door shut behind her, he turned to Esme. “We only have a moment before Brack, and my warriors arrive. We will discuss this matter when it is safe to do so. But know I meant what I said. You will not go meet the Old Woman alone.