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Chapter 17
Last Updated:
2022-09-14 01:46:41Related chapters
Wed 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 : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 20
Tired from reading in the Count’s magnificent library, Eleanor had retired to her room and stood looking out the window and the lush fields. Was it green like this in Scotia? She could not remember. How long ago had she lost the images of MacDonald lands? Would she even recognize the keep? What did her sister look like now? Was she wed? Had her mother’s hair turned to grey? Would she hear the same birds singing in the north? Some of the books she’d read today had drawings of such colourful and fantastic-looking animals. Some of them were hard to believe, but one of the Count’s guests insisted he had seen the animal with his own eyes. “The giraffe is a gentle giant,” the man had insisted. “Its long neck allows it to eat from the treetops and its long legs help it run fast since it does not have any means to defend itself.” He had called that evolution. There was so much she wanted to learn about. But the time to leave would be drawing near. The Count had arrived home nearly a week ago,
Last Updated : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 21
Fann came in from training with the Count’s men all afternoon in a very bad mood, the kings missive crumpled in his hand. At least this time the man had remembered to send it in English. Fann stormed through the castle demanding a bath and food brought to his room, as well as the whereabouts of his wife. That morning he had been happy to hear that Eleanor had declined an invitation to go shopping with Claire and her sisters, insisting that the clothing she had now was already nearly too much to ask her horse to carry all they way north. He was glad her time of austerity in the abbey had not left her craving an abundance. He also like that she would be in the castle and not venturing into the city without him. He had not, however, been thrilled to learn that she had spent the entire day pouring over research with the scientists in residence. As hard as it was, he had kept his displeasure to himself. She wanted to decide how to spend her time. Fine. Good even. Having a simpering wife a
Last Updated : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 22
Eleanor’s mouth dropped open and she looked at him in utter shock. That was not the reaction he’d been hoping for.“But you are betrothed!” Ah. Of course. He should have realized that would bother her.“A wife has been promised me, but no vows have been exchanged or consummated.”“You would give up land and title to marry me?”“You are the heir of MacDonald land and the man you wed will be the laird. I will lose nothing, and gain much.”“You are passing over another because I am more beautiful than she.”“I want to be wed to a woman who knows me and has chosen to be my wife.”“What of the woman you were to wed? What will become of her.” Fann licked his lips. This was getting really tricky.“Her father no longer has control of her lands, they were already given to me. I will see that the woman has her choice of husband, and that man will get the land. I am fairly certain she has someone in mind that her father has never even met. She will not be disappointed.” “Are you saying that if
Last Updated : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 23
“Time to rise and shine, sleepy head!” Eleanor’s eyes blinked open to see Claire standing over her. Was it morning? She and Fann had only just gone to sleep. And he was gone already? Did the man ever sleep?That man was her husband.Eleanor felt the heat rush over her face. She gasped and sat up, clutching the linen to her chest.“There you are! I’ve got some food over here for you to break your fast, then Annora has given us this pile of gowns to look through. Something in there should be close to fitting, she’s only a bit taller than you, and before the twins her waist was tiny too.”“More dresses?” Eleanor was a bit groggy, but she was fairly certain the Duchess and Countess should both have realized she didn’t want to have more things to pack.“I know you didn’t want to shop with us, but you need a wedding gown for today and a ball gown for when you go to the party at the palace.”“Fann told you we...?”“Well of course. How else would you get a wedding feast?”“You are not angry w
Last Updated : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 24
Fann walked Eleanor to the bed and sat her on the edge. The package was on her pillow, right were he’d left it.“Here,” he said as he picked it up and passed it to her, “I had a wedding gift made for us.”“Oh! I didn’t realize we were supposed to exchange gifts! Not that it matters I suppose, as I have nothing.”“This is for us both, to use together.”Eleanor studied her husband as she took the silk package from his hands and tugged on the silk ribbon. Was he nervous? She had never seen him look quite this way before. She followed his gaze down to to see what he had gotten out. It was smooth metal about the size and shape of his shaft with some rings along the length of it and a larger one at the end that was turned the other way and looked like a handle.“It looks like your shaft with big ridges and a handle. It is another one of your wicked play things, isn’t it?”“This, mo Leanan, is called a dildo.” She tipped her head to the side contemplating that. He sounded quite proud of the
Last Updated : 2022-09-15Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 25
The grey mist turned into a steady drizzle shortly after they started their journey but it would be a full day’s ride to Hever, where they were to spend the night. As soon as the drizzle was enough to make her hair frizz, Claire dismounted and climbed into the carriage with her children to avoid becoming damp, but Eleanor decided to continue riding. The scowl Fann had given her told her exactly how much he would have preferred for her to be dry and in the carriage. He had refused to say a word to her since, which totally defeated her purpose for staying out. Not only would six people in the carriage be a tight squeeze, but she knew this would likely be the only time she’d get alone with her husband for a few days. By the time they reached the inn, they would need to eat, sleep, and be ready to do it all over again the next morning. Eleanor chose to ignore his tantrum at first. Even with the dreary grey sky and the mist that coated the distance like a thick fog, the countryside was be
Last Updated : 2022-09-16
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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
