Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“We live as husband and wife for all to see, while we search for the witch, or any trace of her and a way to break this wish or curse, whatever it is. You keep to your garden, and I see to my duties. We pretend that our marriage is real and all is well.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “You think pretending will be enough to keep women away? Or do you think they will try to gain your attention regardless that you are wed.”
He shook his head. “Good, Lord, I hope it is enough.”
She let out a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but not so far from it either.
The cart hit a rut, jostling them. Her shoulder bumped lightly against his arm. He didn’t pull away and neither did she.
“Convenience,” he said again, more gently now.
Aura nodded. “Aye, convenience.”
But even she felt a slight difference, like a thread pulling tight, binding two people not just by necessity… but by something beginning to root.
The cart rattled through the village just past midday, greeted by the curious eyes of villagers peeking from doorways and partially open windows. Declan remained stone-faced as he guided Aura past the murmurs and lingering stares. She kept her chin up, hands folded in her lap, giving no one the satisfaction of seeing anything other than a content woman.
They didn’t stop at the main doors of the keep as she expected. Instead, the cart turned down a narrow, curling path.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“I wanted to show you something before you’re overrun with curious stares and ceremonial questions,” Declan said, nodding ahead.
The cart came to a stop before a modest stone cottage tucked against the woods. The shutters were worn but intact, the roof moss-dappled but sound. Beside it stretched a large garden bed, overgrown with weeds and remnants of plants left unattended.
Declan jumped down off the cart and then went to Aura and reached up to take her by the waist and sweep her off the cart and onto her feet.
Aura felt another flutter in her stomach, like before, and she caught a quick look of surprise in Declan’s eyes. Had he felt something too?
She stepped away from him, needing a bit of space and let her glance sweep over everything.
“It’s close to the keep but not too close,” Declan said. “Far enough for quiet, near enough for safety. The garden hasn’t been used in years, but I can have the ground cleared for planting. It’s yours, if you want it.”
She turned in a slow circle, taking it in, the familiar scent of pine and soil, the hush of wind through the trees, the faded gate creaking softly on its hinge.
“It’s perfect,” she said softly.
Relief showed on his face. “Good. You can continue your work here without disruption.” He extended his hand to her. “Come and have a closer look at the garden and see if there is more you want done with it.”
She took his hand for the second time that day as if it were the most natural thing to do. And as it closed around her hand, warm and strong, she felt a sense of contentment. Odd to say the least.
He led her around the side where a large stretch of land lay tangled with weeds and curling vines. But Aura saw beyond that. She stepped forward, knelt, and scooped up a handful of soil, letting it sift through her fingers.
She smiled, truly smiled. “It’s rich. Black and soft. This will make an excellent garden.”
“I’ll have the men start clearing it tomorrow,” Declan said, feeling surprisingly pleased that she was so happy with it. “You can instruct the men as to what you want done.”
She turned her head slightly, still crouched. “You’ve given me more than I expected.”
“You deserve more than you’ve been given, for the help you will give me.” He extended his hand once again to help her up after she brushed the soil off her hands.
And again, she took his hand without thinking as if it was habit, or had it become habit that fast?
“Let me show you the cottage,” he said.
Before they turned, shrill voices pierced the quiet.
“There she is!”
“She bewitched him! I’d make him a better wife!”
Aura stared bewildered at two women, dressed in their finest and faces flushed with determination as they came charging across the far end of the garden. With skirts bunched in fists and hair flying, they made directly for her with wild intent in their eyes.
“Declan loves beautiful women!” the one shouted.
“And I’m the most beautiful woman around!” the other yelled.
Declan’s mouth twisted as he saw the chaos unfold. “Bloody hell…”
He lunged forward, placing himself between Aura and the oncoming storm. The moment the women came within a few feet of him—whump!
Both collapsed like felled trees, landing face-first in the soil at his feet.