Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
The sky hung low and heavy, thick with the promise of rain, and the smell of damp earth clung to the air. She adjusted her cloak and slowed her steps as Dugan’s croft came into view, a squat stone building with a thatched roof, smoke curling from the chimney. A makeshift stable stood off to the side, a few tired-looking horses tethered there, their ears flicking lazily. Several men loitered at tables and benches for travelers to sit and enjoy food and drink.
She didn’t spot Knox, but she figured she’d get here before him, knowing a shortcut through the woods if traveling by foot. He probably wouldn’t be too far behind her.
Dru slowed her pace, her instincts prickling at the scent of ale and damp wool thick in the air. She knew better than to rush into places like this without first taking stock.
One man in particular caught her eye.
He was broad-shouldered and thick through the middle, his dark beard patchy, his expression unreadable. But it was his eyes that set her on edge—cold, assessing, and fixed on her like a wolf watching a stray lamb.
If she were alone, without the added protection of Knox not being far behind her, she would wisely avoid the place until the men gathered there took their leave.
Dru forced herself to keep her stride steady, chin lifted in defiance.
The man’s glare didn’t waver.
He was unfamiliar to her, but she’d met his kind before. The sort that looked at a woman alone and thought she was easy prey. Something he could have fun with then toss aside. He was dangerous and she intended to avoid him as best she could.
The croft’s door stood open, welcoming travelers with food and drink in exchange for coins. Warmth and the scent of roasted meat greeted before she even stepped inside. The space was only big enough for a table to prepare food and a bed tucked in the corner. Once you got your food and drink you took it outside no matter what the weather.
“Dru,” Hannah, Dugan’s wife, greeted with a grin as her chunky fingers broke fresh bread apart to add to the pieces of bread in the wooden bowl on the table. “I haven’t seen you in a while.” She sent a cautionary glance behind Dru and whispered, “I wouldn’t stay long if I were you.”
“Thanks for the warning but a friend is not far behind me.”
“Not too far I hope,” Hannah whispered, shooting another glance behind her.
“Where’s Dugan?” Dru asked.
“He’s butchering the meat he caught from an early morning hunt.” Hannah’s eyes shifted nervously past Dru.
Dru moved to the end of the table to the bowl of bread, only to feel the weight of a stare pressing against her back.
After scooping up a chunk, she turned.
The bearded man had followed her in.
He didn’t move closer. Didn’t speak. Just stood there, watching.
“More drink?” Hannah asked the fellow as she reached for a large jug nearby.
“Nay. I see what I want,” the man said, not taking his eyes off Dru.
She’d dealt with men like him before. And she’d handled men like this before, but there were more of them out there and she had the sense they were traveling together.
Hannah turned to Dru. “I’ll get you that food and drink.”
“I heard her ask where Dugan was,” the man said. “I can take her to him.”
“After she eats,” Hannah said, reaching for a bowl, a nervous tremor to her hand.
Dru didn’t want Hannah to suffer for trying to help her.
Dru turned a deep scowl on the man. “I don’t need you taking me anywhere.”
The man grinned. “Maybe you don’t have a need, but I have an aching need.”
“Why would I let a sloven fool like you touch me?”
He didn’t take offense. Instead, he laughed. “You have no choice. I want you. I’ll have you. Though I do prefer a woman with more meat on her. More to hold onto when I pound her good. But you’ll do in a pinch.”
“Do you always sweet-talk a woman before poking her?” Dru asked, keeping him talking as long as she could to give Knox time to reach her.
He scratched his unkempt beard. “Never found the need. All a woman has to do is get on her hands and knees and let me get done with it. I’m quick at it and that pleases them.”
“I bet it does,” Dru said, realizing the man was more a fool than she thought, and that level of stupidity could be dangerous.
“It does,” he boasted proudly and waved at Dru. “So, come on, let’s get done with it. My ache is growing.”
The bump in his plaid confirmed that and Dru shook her head. “You’re not poking me.”
“Willing or unwilling, it makes no difference to me,” he said and lunged toward Dru.
She grabbed the large jug, Hannah had lifted toward her, and swung just in time, catching the man in the face and cringing when she heard a vicious crack.