“Situations can prove otherwise,” he said, turning her to face him. “By now you would have the dagger plunged in your chest or your throat sliced, that is if he didn’t decide to force himself on you first.”
“Then tell me what I did wrong, so if I find myself in a similar situation, I know what to do.”
Torin moved her to stand behind the door, though closer to the front edge of the door. “You stay still, not a sound or a movement, and wait for the culprit to pass the door, his back to you. Then you do not hesitate, you jam the dagger into his back with as much force as you can, then run. Do not hesitate. Run as fast as you can since the wound may not disable him. The situation will depend on whether you find help or hide. Whatever you do, you stay alive until I can reach you. Be brave but do not be foolish.”
Flora had listened to his every word intently as her eyes remained fixed on his face. She loved his fine features, but tonight there was a harshness to them and a strength she had seen once before, and the memory startled her.
She grabbed his arm. “You were attacked?”
“How did you know?”
“Your face holds a harshness I have seen only one other time—when we were attacked on the way here and you raised your sword in battle.” She began to pat his arms and chest fearful he had suffered a wound. “You were not harmed, were you? Others as well? Kinnell? He is unharmed?”
“All is well, wife,” he assured her, taking her into his arms. “It was a ruse that met with failure. The troop was meant to be delayed so two men could sneak onto the isle and enter unnoticed.”
“They were caught?” she asked excited. “They can provide much information.”
“Unfortunately, they drowned in the loch. The guards heard cries for help but could not reach them on time. Besides, the water is far too cold this time of year for anyone to take such a foolish chance.”
Flora wrapped her arms around her husband and planted herself tight against him in a hug. “I am glad you are safe.”
Torin closed his arms around her tight as well, relishing the feel of her tucked safe against him. His relief had been great when he discovered what had happened to the two men. But to be cautious, he had ordered more sentinels and a search of the isle at dawn to make certain no other men had been successful in reaching the isle, though certain they would have met the same end as the two dead men. Then he had hurried here, eager to see his wife and know she was safe.
Flora raised her head and Torin wasted no time in kissing her. It was strange that he had yet to be intimate with his wife and yet he felt as if he knew her intimately. But it was time, time for them to finally seal their vows and truly become husband and wife.
Flora stared at him when their kiss ended, looking a bit puzzled.
“Something wrong?” Torin asked, wondering over her confused look.
“I believe I have fallen in love with you,” she said even more puzzled. “My mum talked with me about it, though warned that love was not easily explained or understood. To her, it was one of life’s great mysteries and feeling what I do now and not understanding it, I finally understand what she meant. Though it truly is difficult to make sense of it, and yet it is the most wonderful feeling—”
Torin silenced her with a kiss, a powerful one that was quick to ignite his already sparked passion. Robbed of breath when done, he struggled a bit to say, “I love you as well, wife.” He waited a moment for his breath to calm before he continued. “Though, how that came about when you talk so much, I will never know, nor will I ever know how I came to love your chatter and missed it while I was gone these last few hours.”
Flora’s heart filled with joy, and she chuckled. “And you are learning to chatter just as much as I do.”
Torin’s eyes turned wide. “Good Lord, you’re right.”
She snuggled against his chest, relishing this special moment, wanting to keep it in her heart and memory forever.
Torin scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the bed. “We have waited long enough and have been delayed long enough. It is time that we officially become husband and wife.”
CHAPTER19
“Iknow nothing of coupling,” Flora said, though she had already made it known to him, she felt the need to remind him after he placed her on her feet by the bed.
“No need to worry, wife, we do not couple… we make love,” he said and kissed her lips gently.
His words sent a catch to her heart and a tantalizing sensation racing through her, flaring her already ignited passion.
“I do not want to disappoint you, Torin,” she said.
With a bare shake of his head, he said, “You will never disappoint me, Flora, no matter the circumstances.” He winked playfully. “Besides, I look forward to tutoring you in all aspects of making love.”
She smiled. “I look forward to every lesson.”
They kissed again and afterwards Torin was quick to slip off the only garment his wife wore, then discarded his own garments as fast as he could.
“I should familiarize myself with your body,” Flora said, reaching out to run her hands over his chest. It was somewhat of an excuse since she was eager to touch him, run her hands over all of him and get to know him intimately.