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Chapter 11
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2022-09-12 00:24:48Related chapters
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 12
Fann rode in silence behind the row of women on horseback, grateful to Claire for finding the company to keep Eleanor insulated from those who might reveal the truth to her but also cursing her for having the women always around. The morning after Beatrice had made her presence known, all four of Claire’s sisters had descended on them. Along with their throngs of children! Eleanor had been caught up in the happy chaos of it all ever since. He loved to see her smile and hear her laughter. He had a feeling there had been very little of that in the last eight years of her life. Here she woke every morning with a smile and it rarely left her lips. On top of going riding at least three times a day, there had been copious quantities of daisy chains and picnics. Eleanor had even played at swords with the wee lads! The children all adored her. In the evenings there were games of checkers or readings in the Duchess’s private solar where her husband’s guests were not permitted to go. By the t
Last Updated : 2022-09-12Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 13
It turned out the solar really had been on the way to the hidden room. Claire and Eleanor had collected the mead and glasses from a shelf while Honora and Annora lifted a tapestry away from the wall and bid Fann push the wall aside for them. It had opened into a room about half the size of the solar. There were a few older looking furs on the floor, a bench along one wall, and a good supply of candles as well as a privacy screen in one corner which concealed a chamber pot. He’d been careful not to pinch the tapestry as he pushed the stone door back into place. They would be well hidden in the unlikely event that whomever had shot the arrow was part of a group and penetrated the castle.“What is that man doing in here!” The oldest lad had demanded as soon as the door was closed. “He should be out protecting the castle!”“His name is Fann, that is Lord Kilkern to you and he is a guest of your father’s, besides that, he is here as our last defence,” the countess explained. “Why is he no
Last Updated : 2022-09-13Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 14
Eleanor stood back against the bookshelves and watched the chaos in the room. Men came and went, reporting to the Count, who sat in a large chair with Annora on his lap. He was older than Eleanor had expected, his grey hair showing only a touch of the blond tones that his youngest daughter had. Nannies carried the sleeping children off to the nursery, the older children pounced on the trays of tarts and pastries that had been brought up. A healer was in attendance with a calming brew for Honora, who apparently had a habit of fainting when she was confined in a small room for too long. The other women sat on the sofa’s fanning themselves until maids came to see them to their rooms. Fann exchanged words with some of the guards and teased the older lads. He seemed to be far more relaxed than the other men in the room and even laughed a little now and then. Every time he looked in her direction Eleanor blushed and looked at the floor, the memory of the liberties she had taken was too shar
Last Updated : 2022-09-13Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 15
The moment the bedroom door closed behind them Eleanor took several hurried steps forward, then turned to look at Fann. He took the wine and food to the table by the settee and looked over at her. “Aren’t you hungry? You didn’t touch the food in Claire’s solar.”“My hands smell like the safe room. I dare not eat with them.” Fann smiled and inclined his head towards the wash basin. He’d noticed that she washed more often than most. Personal choice or a habit from the abbey he wasn’t sure yet, but she was talking about her hands smelling, so perhaps her nose was sensitive. After only two days her preference for washing regularly had become so obvious that the maids knew this about her as well and a pitcher of water and a washing bowl were always fresh in the room. He joined her by the bowl. “There was quite a stench in there after a while,” Fann said, dipping his hands in by hers. “This ought to be enough water to clean us up well enough until they bring a full bath. The count ordered o
Last Updated : 2022-09-13Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 16
Fann’s lips brushed the skin of her neck as he spoke. His breath cooling the warm wetness of his kisses. She took a deep breath and found the air filled with his intoxicating scent. Swaying slightly she reached up reflexively to grab his arm. Fann seemed to take that as an indication of agreement and gathered her close, lifting his head and closing his lips over hers. Shivers of excitement coursed through her and an ache began between her legs. Fann was breathing heavily when he pulled his mouth away. His eyes devoured her face, then suddenly, he was pulling his shirt over his head. Eleanor could only stare open mouthed at his chest. He took her hand and pressed it to the center of his dark thatch of hair. “Touch me Leannan. Take your fill. I am the first man you have touched this way, am I no?”“Yes.”“Then touch me. Feel me. Taste me. There is nothing too wicked. No touch I will deny you.” Her breath seemed trapped in her chest as she brought her other hand up to join the first. She
Last Updated : 2022-09-14Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 17
Fann carried Eleanor to the tub, stepping in and sitting down with her between his legs facing away from him. He grabbed the soap and started to wet it. “Lean forward, mo Leannan. Let me wash your back.”“That name you call me, what does it mean?”“Mo Leannan? It means my sweetheart.” He smoothed the soap over her back, then smoothed his hand over the same spot to wipe it away. When her back was done, from shoulder to hip, he let his soapy hand slip around to her breast. He smoothed soap over it while he pulled her back against his chest. It surprised him how relaxed she was against him. With how modest most noble women are he’d expected a virgin from the abbey to need even more coaxing. Especially given how shy she had been up until now. Her head rested on his shoulder and her eyes were closed while he lathered her chest and stomach, then rinsed the soap away. He left the soap on the edge of the tub to let both of his hands linger on her breasts, lifting them out of the water and blo
Last Updated : 2022-09-14Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 18
Eleanor was disappointed to wake alone the next morning. The sun was streaming in the window. The bath had been emptied and the breakfast tray was waiting. She was dressed and sitting down to eat before she realized what was missing. There was no sound of children playing.Curious, she took her toast and honey to the window. It looked like a beautiful day. There was a long line of carriages being readied and her heart sank. Her new friends would be leaving today. Her appetite gone, Eleanor was about to turn away from the window when she caught sight of Beck and Deanhman being saddled.Were she and Fann leaving today too? She didn’t know how she felt about that. Certainly, she wasn’t thrilled that he had made the decision without consulting her.“Oh good, you’re up.” Fann strode over to her and pulled her into an embrace. “The Duke was found dead this morning. Floating in the moat with an arrow in his back. It was not the same type of arrow that was in Annora’s horse so the Count deci
Last Updated : 2022-09-14Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 19
Two days later, Eleanor was sitting by a window reading aloud from a storybook about fairies. Five small girls were gathered on the floor by her feet and the smallest was on her lap, snuggled up to her chest and nearly asleep. The nanny had ushered the boys out to the gardens, so the girl’s mothers were sitting in chairs nearby, seeming to enjoy being able to stitch without their daughter’s clamouring for attention. The heat from the sun on her back and the child on her lap was beginning to grow uncomfortable, but the story was nearly over and she hoped Mirabel would be asleep by then. Maybe Sophie as well, since her thumb was now firmly in her mouth while she leaned against her older cousin. She wouldn’t ask for a whole tub of water again already, but she could wipe herself down later. Or perhaps Fann would do it for her. Suddenly the door to the solar banged open and the Count strode in with John, Fann, and several other men on their heels. Two maids rushed in behind them to gather
Last Updated : 2022-09-15
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Wed to a Wicked Warrior Epilogue
“You were going to be gone without saying goodbye.” Fann froze, dropping his head. “I thought it would be easier.”“You thought wrong. Anything can happen, husband. Anytime. Especially given what you are going to do.”“I’m sure it is not as grave as that.”“Never leave me without letting me tell you one last time how much I love you.” Guilt prickled at him. He knew how much she wished she had been given a chance to say goodbye to her mother and sister when she went to the abbey. And to some of the nuns when she’d left there. He should not have considered leaving her this way.“I’m sorry. Clearly, I wasn’t thinking.”“Since I am a good, kind wife, and I love you, I will forgive you. I think you’re going to want to punish me though.” Fann wrinkled his brow. What on earth was she talking about?“Punish you?”“Well, it isn’t very safe for me to go riding at night. Alone. On Storm. Is it?” His head snapped up to look at her for the first time. She was standing by the gate of an empty stall
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 86
The doors to the great hall closed with a loud bang and Eleanor spun around to see an older woman in an elegant gown standing in the doorway, surrounded by guards dressed in the same uniform that the King’s men wore. “Those are complicated questions to answer young one,” the woman said, “but also very simple if you know the story of how you came to be.”“Sister Grace!”Oblivious to the gasps of the others in the room, Eleanor ran and launched herself into the open arms of the woman. It was only when she let go that she noticed everyone else was silent and bowing low. Stepping out of the woman’s arms she looked around nervously, then back at the woman who had cared for her for the past eight years. “Sister Grace? Why are you dressed like that?”“This is who I am.”“Who?”“The name you know me by was a fabrication. The word sister was used to make me seem more like a nun, and Grace was from the title ‘your grace’ as a noble would sometimes be addressed in an abbey. This is why you know
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 85
The cold, dreary weather had put an unfortunate damper on the mood in the Great Hall. Fann had brought Eleanor down for dinner, hoping the company of some of the children and women folk would cheer her, but nobody was in a very cheery mood. Even little Siofra couldn’t seem to come up with a happy ending to any of her fairy tales. The dinner had been good and the company was welcome, but all were quieter than normal and seemed to just be waiting for Eleanor to retire so they could go home to bed.Eleanor swirled the steaming tankard under her nose, then put it on the table and pushed it away. It didn’t smell bad, it just didn’t smell quite right. She waved her hand over it and the serving boy jumped up to grab it. She’d have to go back to brewing the tea herself. Yarrow flowers seemed to be particularly difficult for the kitchen staff.“You are still an overly picky my wee little harlot. Drink your brew, daughter, and quit giving my staff extra work.” Fann leaped to his feet and knock
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 84
As the days passed Fann grew tired of sitting in the library watching his wife. Sometimes, with Uilleam at the door, he would leave her in the room by herself, but she got lonely that way. He didn’t want her to grow sad again, so much of the day he was the one locked in her library with her. He hoped the murder of crows would arrive soon for there was nothing in this room full of books and gadgets that held his attention for any length of time. The first few days they had spent arranging the room. A little bit of time every day was spent helping him improve his reading, but mostly he just watched her work and listened to her talk about it. He had considered asking her to do her work naked so at least he’d have something he enjoyed looking at, but if she did that he probably wouldn’t be able to let her get much work done. He interrupted her for his pleasure often enough as it was. They had just enjoyed a bit of coupling and he had fallen asleep. He thought she had too, but when he op
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 83
The bells rang out from the top of the keep, pulling Eleanor from her slumber. She reached over to find Fann gone, his side of the bed already cold. She sat up scowling. The fur over the window kept out the chill autumn air, but also the daylight. Had she overslept? It was so easy to do when the room stayed dark. Fann, on the other hand, always seemed to wake and have nearly a day’s full of work done before she could break her fast. She padded over to the window and pulled back the fur so she could see up the hill. The rider certainly wasn’t in any hurry, and being alone it was likely he was a threat. There were a few satchels on his horse, perhaps he was looking for a home. Movement at the stables caught her eye and she saw Fann and Uilleam looking up the hill. No doubt discussing if they let the man come or head out to meet him. When no horses were called for Eleanor turned back into the room. If she dressed quickly, she could make it outside to see who it was.Fann stood in front o
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 82
With fur wrapped around her, Eleanor sat near the fire brushing her hair dry. She had eaten, bathed, and the tub had been emptied but still, Fann had not joined her. He had said that he wouldn’t be long, but it must have been at least an hour since he’d left her.The clan had been busy in the past fortnight. The new furniture Fann had commissioned was already in their rooms. A new bed with a pair of chests at the foot of it, and the woodwork matched that of the new settee, chairs, and table. There was a small bookshelf beside the fire, empty still, but she could unpack some books in the morning. Another chair with very odd legs that would rock when you sat in it was only a short distance from the fire. The washstand was new too, detailed with both wood and iron to match a rather odd table. Those two pieces they had picked up on MacInnis lands just that morning. Leaving her brush on the mantle Eleanor walked over to take a better look at the table. It was very sturdy! A combination of
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 81
Fann looked to the sky, glad the rain had held off so far. He had sent the carts of seed and furniture on ahead down the road with half the men. The other half had come with him to distribute the livestock to the crofters. Eleanor had insisted on coming so she could be sure to meet everyone. It was probably better that she kept busy anyways, even if the wind was a bit cool and the air came.The gratitude of all the crofters astounded him! At first, their reactions had him feeling proud to be able to improve their lot so much with such small additions. Then it had him furious that Donald had made them go without for so long that the younger children did not even know what goats were! The king had given them many cows, goats, and sheep as part of his deal with Fann. Most had been bred by Paddy’s animals and would have young in the spring. Fann had used his own funds to add to the tally of livestock, buying several young pigs that had been cheap because they were born too late in the ye
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 80
“You will ride Beck, Eleanor. Storm is staying here.” She glanced around to be sure they were alone before she said, “but Fann-”“No. It is not up for debate. We will be travelling in a large group so there is little chance of attack and no need for his speed. I don’t know how he will react with all those other animals around, not to mention the men and dogs corralling them. I don’t want to put anyone at greater risk in what could very well already be a bit chaotic. Not you, not our clansmen, not even this blasted beast. Beck is sure-footed, calm and used to a wide assortment of creatures. Storm is going to stay here and we will return for him on another trip or Paddy can bring him when he and Lia come to visit.” She sighed and dug a few more carrots from her satchel to feed to him. “Do not try to disobey me on this.”“I won’t,” she said as she stroked the horse and stepped out of his stall, “you are right. He will not be happy with all the men shouting and cracking whips. He will be
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 79
The bonfire glowed brightly, casting light and heat over everyone in the yard. Lively music was being played and everyone, young and old, was dancing around. She grinned as Fann spun her around, her feet lifting off the ground. They were both laughing by the time her feet hit the ground again. Eleanor couldn’t remember ever having so much fun! Did MacDonald clan never have these parties? There were certainly plenty of children about, so if they had partied like this when she was small surely she would remember it. If it wasn’t something they did, she and Fann would have to start the tradition. It was too good a celebration not to! Their new clan would need to have fairs like the Stuart clan, but the girls could compete just the same as the boys, though perhaps not against them. Different events for lads and lasses as well as for women and men! And then a feast and a party with a big fire, music, dancing... Perhaps they could even do this often! The solstice, maybe another for Christm
