“Are you not curious as to why the door was permanently sealed with stones?”
“I was but after a while I came to accept it and to follow what those had done before me… not access the room.”
Flora went to respond when a moan swept over them with a gust of wind so overpowering and cold that it had Flora turning to seek shelter against her husband. He was already reaching out to her, wrapping her tight against him, fighting against the wind that seemed to grow stronger until it blew with such force it sent them both tumbling… right down the stairs.
CHAPTER16
Flora was silent the next morning as she ate breakfast with her husband and not because something disturbed her. It was the deep scowl on her husband’s face that kept her from speaking. He was still upset with her over last night.
They had argued. Torin wanted to leave the keep and sleep in the cottage until the matter of the ghost could be settled. Flora had refused, insisting that if they left it would be unlikely that she could get any of the servants to return to the keep and pointed out other numerous problems that their departure from the keep would cause.
Finally, she had gotten into bed and refused to move, and she also claimed she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep. She had not been sure if she would sleep, but she had been sure that whatever pleasure she had looked forward to with her husband had vanished with their exchange of harsh words. Furthermore, she found herself upset over their altercation and how it had left her feeling. Her heart had pained her in an unusual way, something she had never felt before that moment and she did not want to feel again.
He had climbed into bed but kept his distance from her and surprisingly she had drifted off to sleep not long after. She had not been surprised when she woke to find herself in bed alone or to find her husband still annoyed with her when she had joined him for breakfast.
Arguments were not something Flora had experience with, debates being more to her liking. They made more sense and gave each party a chance to present their opinion along with facts. It made for a much easier solution. Her da and mum had never fought, they debated, and Flora had not been surprised that her mum often won. Her mum had always presented a far more logical opinion than her da, or at least that had been Flora’s conclusion.
This silence from her husband would not do and she finally turned to him. “I am sorry you did not see reason last night but remaining here was the wisest thing to do.”
Torin dropped back in his chair and glared at her. “That is not the apology I expected, wife.”
“It is not an apology. I have nothing to apologize for. I simply speak the truth since you are having a difficult time seeing it for yourself.”
He shook his head and tapped his chest repeatedly. “I am your husband. You are to obey me.”
Flora leaned closer to him, keeping her voice low to avoid any nearby servants from hearing them. “What kind of wife would I be if I did not point out your foolishness?”
He leaned closer to her as well. “Foolish or not, I am your husband and my word rules.”
She stared at his lips, recalling his kisses and felt a tiny tingle rush over her. Curiosity had her running her finger over his lips. “I do so enjoy your kisses.”
His shaft sprung to full alert, and he silently cursed it. “We are discussing foolishness, not kisses.”
“We are all foolish one time or another. I would expect you to tell me when I am foolish so that I may correct my mistake, learn from it, and hopefully not make it again. And another thing, Torin, I will not tolerate arguing with you.”
He was about to reprimand her for sounding as if it was a command, but her next words stopped him.
“I care for you, and I do not like how it makes me feel when we argue. I prefer we discuss things and if your point is valid, then I will admit it and bow to your word, but if my point proves wiser, I expect you to be sensible enough to admit it.”
“You care for me?” Torin asked her words catching at his heart unexpectedly.
“Oddly enough, I find that I do, but then you have been good to me, patient with me, and tolerant of my chatter.” She continued talking as usual. “I also like the strength of your hand wrapped around mine, the feel of your arms around me, the way you tease with a smile, and I do not believe I will ever grow tired of your kisses.”
Her open and honest nature continued to startle him and please him as well. She always spoke directly to him, let her thoughts be known and without a hint of animosity or judgment. And bloody hell if she had not been right about remaining in the keep. He had fled once, and it would be unwise of him to do so again.
He could not help but ask. “How does our arguing make you feel?”
“Dreadful,” she said without giving it a second thought. “Debate or discuss an issue, but argue?” She shook her head and placed her hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I do not want to argue with you, Torin. Besides, arguing is pointless. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere and it creates more problems than it is worth.”
He took hold of her hand, liking the feel of it in his just as much as she liked having it there. “I would promise you that I would never argue with you again, but my foolishness,” —he grinned playfully— “rules sometimes, but I will do my best to keep it at bay.”
“I will remind you of it,” she said eagerly, no longer keeping her voice low.
“I am sure you will.”
“Do I offend you by doing that?” she asked, unsure of his response.
“Nay, not at all. Your wise words are always well-intended,” he assured her with a soft kiss.