Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Both filled her days and occupied much of her nights. Why did that thought fill her with a sense of loneliness? Did she suddenly want more? More of what?
Someone to share it with?
Her mother and father had each other. Brigid in a sense had Thomas to protect her and care for her. Justin and Maura spent all their time together, and several of Magnus’s men had fallen in love with women in the village.
Why did she think of this now?
And why did her thoughts now take her to Magnus?
He was her lord and she his servant. She mapped for him; there was much yet to be finished, and here she stood in an empty hall feeling sorry for herself. It would not do.
She hurried off to the cook area, passing through the enclosed passageway that kept the servants safe from the harsh weather when serving meals. She heard Justin’s and Maura’s voices before she entered the room.
Justin greeted her with a smile and a hug. “Join Maura and me for the meal. Everyone remains home.”
Reena saw that the couple was alone, Maura the only cook remaining for the night, the others home with their families. She decided they should have their time alone.
“I would love to, but I have much work to do and thought to fill a tray to take to my chambers.”
Maura hurried off the bench, where she sat at a table with Justin. “I will fix a tray for you.”
Maura piled freshly cooked venison on a plate, along with fresh baked bread, while Justin and Reena talked about the strides the village had made.
Maura finished the tray with several thick slices of soft cheese. “I can carry this to your chambers for you.”
Reena refused her offer with a shake of her head and reached out to take the tray. “That is not necessary. Stay and enjoy your time alone, I assume you both get little of it.”
Justin grinned. “Reena always sees what others did not—that is why her maps and drawings are so detailed and accurate.”
“I will take my leave now before my head swells with compliments. Enjoy the evening.” With that, Reena took her tray and left the couple cuddled together on the bench as they ate their meal.
Reena climbed the wooden stairs to her chambers. She wondered what was occupying Magnus this eve. They had become close in the last few weeks, working together in mapping the keep. She had come to know him as Magnus, separate from the Legend. He had a caring heart, and yet when necessary, he hardened his heart.
Had she done that when she had decided to seek help from the Legend? Had she put her fears aside and done what was good for the whole? Is that what a great leader did? But she was no great leader. She was a simple peasant lass with no great dreams or aspirations.
She simply wished to map and draw.
But did she not wish to love?
Seeing Justin and Maura, thinking of her father and mother, even seeing Thomas and how he looked at Brigid with such love and concern in his eyes, did she not want someone to care for her?
Magnus.
She shook her head. He was her lord, she in his service, but did they not share interests? Did they not enjoy mapping the keep together? Had they not shared interesting conversation? Had he not kissed her? And had she not wanted him to?
She shook her head again.
She was confused and concerned. Her mapping had occupied a good portion of her time and thoughts, and thoughts of loving Magnus continued to invade her mind. They were hard to ignore, try as she might. And the endless question—Could she be falling in love, and was falling in love with Lord Magnus a wise choice?—haunted her.
A few more steps and she would be in her chamber, where she could lock herself away from the world and think—nay, map. Her thoughts then would be heavily occupied and she would think no more on love and men and all such nonsense.
She opened the door to her bedchamber with a sigh of relief and stopped abruptly.
Magnus sat at a table laden with food. “Where have you been? I have waited for you.”
Chapter 18
Reena stood speechless at the open door. Magnus walked over to her, took the tray from her hand, and closed the door behind her.
“Where have you been?” he asked again.
“I thought to visit with Brigid, but she and Thomas are busy baking bread.”
He placed the tray on the table with the other foods. “Thomas bakes bread, does he?”
Reena was quick to defend the large man. “He keeps Brigid occupied so she does not overly worry about Kilkern. He is good to her and I see that he cares for her.”
He held a chair out for her to take a seat. “I think Brigid cares more than she realizes.”