Scold's Conquest by Marie Hall

Author:Marie Hall [Hall, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781682599006
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2016-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Xavier pulled back the flap and peeked in. Io sat pouting among the furs trying to entertain herself playing with the wooden camel. She looked up when the wagon filled with the brighter light from outside.

"Io, we are going to stop in a few hours for midday." She looked confused at his announcement so he went on that she might understand. "The snow and wind has stopped and I thought perhaps you might like to put on your cloak and walk a li—"

"Oh yes," she shouted and leaped forward to grab her boots. "Yes, I would."

"Your cloak," he reminded her when she scrambled towards the exit. She grabbed it and dragged it to her while heading to where he waited to lift her down. He was a little surprised at the thrill she caused when she showed no hesitation to allow him to extract her from the moving wagon. She simply reached out and held on as he stopped walking and let the vehicle pull forward. Io dropped out the back and into his arms with a smile and a giggle.

He set her on her feet and gave her a moment to get her bearing before giving her a look which reminded her to actually wear the cloak. She tossed it haphazardly over her shoulders then turned to start on her way. He grabbed her back and managed not to laugh through her dramatic sighs as he adjusted the garment around her and tied the stays so she was properly bundled up.

"Done?" she grumbled, then smiled as he took her hand and started them walking on the road.

"You need a hat. I should have found a cloak with a hood," Xavier said and tugged her closer.

"Are we walking together?" she asked, trying to change the subject before he might change his mind about letting her out of the warmth provided by the wagon.

"Unless you would rather not." He hoped his smile hid the hurt caused by not knowing what her answer would be.

"No, I would," she said it easily enough and didn't look unsure about the answer.

"Good, then I think…" He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "I think the weather would be wise to not interrupt us."

"Oh I think the arrogance is returning," she teased.

"Perhaps," he said but left it at that as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and walked with his wife down the road.

***

Io waited in the center of the road as Xavier pulled his oilskin from the pack on his horse. So far the weather held but the dark clouds looming over the tops of the mountain peaks said the good fortune wasn't to last.

She heaved a sigh and forced a smile as Xavier rejoined her walking towards that place he called home. Walking without saying anything was normal enough, but today it was not a comfortable silence and Io knew Xavier could tell the difference. He let the silence stand only another hour.

"Do you want

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