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Chapter 46
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2022-09-21 00:39:18Related chapters
Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 47
Fann paced restlessly in Padrig’s solar. Something wasn’t adding up. Why had Eleanor’s father left her in the abbey and never communicated with his daughter? He had not even told her of her mother’s passing! He had not passed on messages between sisters and not seen to the marriage of his heir in a timely manner. What sort of man did all these things? It was as though he wanted the clan to die out.Was that it? Fann wondered. Was the man so enamored with the English that he wanted the Scottish bloodline to end and his lands to become English? But if he loved the English so, why had he not paid his tax to the crown?He looked up as the door opened and Padraig came in.“There is more you should ken,” his face solemn as he went to the bookshelves and opened a false front to retrieve some hidden papers. “The day before Eleanor was sent to the abbey, my father approached Donald MacDonald for her hand.” Fann stopped pacing and took the papers, shuffling through them. “She was two and ten.”
Last Updated : 2022-09-21Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 48
The afternoon was growing warm, but Eleanor wasn’t willing to retreat to the cool, dimness of the great hall. MacInnis keep was very comfortable, and she had enjoyed the past few days with her sister, but it was time to be moving on with her life. There was some plot going on that none of the men seemed able to piece together and it was making them all edgy. Fann had delayed their departure, saying he wanted to know the lay of the land before he took her to MacDonald keep, but she just wanted to go and get it over with.When Eliana filled her in on what had been happening there after she left, Eleanor had been furious with her father. As the plots twisted and turned she wasn’t any more sure than the men about what was happening, but she knew the only way to end it was to confront her father. The shade of a tall tree called to her and Eleanor walked over to sit under it. She didn’t notice Mairead sitting on the other side until she arrived. “Oh! I’m sorry.”“Perfectly alright,” Mairead
Last Updated : 2022-09-21Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 49
Fann stopped just inside the stable door and stared at his wife. How had she managed to get to the stables when he thought she was heading into the keep? Her hand smoothed down the side of her horse, Beck, while she talked softly to the mare. She was so calm and gentle with the horses. So unlike the way Fann was used to seeing people handle their mounts. The horses were all drawn to her though, even those that were not hers seemed to crave her attention.An orange cat stretched on the hay in the corner and got up to twine itself under her skirts and she talked to it as well, bending for a moment to stoke between its ears before returning her attention to Beck. Storm popped his grey head over the rails from the next stall and nudged her shoulder, huffing gently and making her honey colour waves flutter. His lips teased some strands into his mouth before her hand came up to ease them away and stroke the stallion's nose. She seemed so at peace, lost in her own thoughts, that he was abou
Last Updated : 2022-09-21Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 50
The sun started to set as they wound their way back towards the keep. Long shadows from the trees fell across the trail and the sounds of owls and other night animals had started up in the bush. Fann’s stomach growled and he hoped there would still be a decent amount of meat left from dinner. A cool breeze blew and Eleanor shivered in his arms. Only her hair was still wet, but it had made her dress damp too which wasn’t helping. He should have insisted they leave right after the lesson... but he had enjoyed the last couple of hours too much to really wish that. Perhaps Eleanor carried his child already. She was riding astride in front of him and Fann wondered briefly if that was wise for a woman with child. Should she be sitting side saddle?They had crested the hill, the tree line opening wider and MacInnis keep just coming into view ahead of them when Fann felt Eleanor shiver and tense on his lap.“Is something wrong, mo Leannan?”“We are being watched.” He looked around but saw not
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“No,” Eleanor gasped, pushing the cup away, “no! No potion!”“The sleep will help,” insisted the healer. Eleanor shook her head and pursed her lips, turning her face away. “Hold her head for me,” the healer said to someone. Eleanor tried to cover her face, but a strong hand circled her wrists and pulled them down. Another large hand cupped her chin and a thumb began to push her lip between her teeth just as Fann had done to her before. She struggled to turn away, crying out through her gritted teeth as the movement sent a sharp pain down her side. The thumb went between her teeth, but without her lip under it. She bit down as hard she could, letting go only when she tasted blood and felt the hand pulling away.“NO!” she yelled as loudly as she could. “NO POTIONS!” The hands grabbed her face again.“SHE SAID NO AND YOU’LL NO BE FORC’N ER OR I’LL SEE YE BOTH GUTTED AFORE YOU KEN I’M A COMIN FER YE!” Everyone instantly stopped touching her. Eleanor looked towards the door and saw Isobel
Last Updated : 2022-09-22Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 52
The next time Eleanor opened her eyes the room was bright and Fann was seated beside her bed. He had a bandage running around his chest, but other than that he looked well. She smiled in relief, but then their eyes met and she tensed involuntarily. She gasped at the pain it caused then cried out from the added pain that the quick breath caused her. Fann reached for her in concern and she swung her hands at his, batting him away and crying out again at the pain caused by moving so much so quickly. He grabbed both her wrists in one of his hands and pressed his other hand to her shoulder.“No! Don’t make me! Please, Fann! No! No!” She went limp and started sobbing, unable to struggle against him anymore.“Don’t worry, Leannan. I promise I will no force you, or trick you, to take any potion you do not want.” He wrapped her hands in his and kissed her knuckles before putting them back down on the bed at her sides.“Truly?” The one half of his mouth lifted, “I have learned that lesson, mo
Last Updated : 2022-09-22Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 53
Fann heard cursing and laughter as he approached the room he and Eleanor shared. Two things that he did not associate with his wife in her current condition. He opened the door slowly, not sure what he would see on the other side. Eleanor was in bed, but not flat as he had expected. She was propped up on a pile of pillows with a glass of wine in one hand and the other stroking a sleeping kitten. Isobel was standing in the middle of the room telling a tale, cursing like an old highland warrior and looking about as steady on her feet as a cow in a dory. Eliana was on the floor beside a chair, laughing and holding her sides. “Oh! Stop Izzy! Do stop! If you continue making me laugh we will have to remove my corset. I can’t catch my breath!” Eleanor saw him first and smiled. “Did you know, husband, that aquae vitae is not nearly so hard to swallow if you warm it a wee bit and dissolve lots of honey in it?”He looked around the room and saw small glasses on every table. “You’ve been expe
Last Updated : 2022-09-22Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 54
“I have never thought about this before.”“Shall we save it for another day then?”“No. I think I would like to try it.”“Truly? You are certain?”“Well no. How can I be certain of something I have never done?” His mouth tipped up on one side and he carefully gathered her close. “You can stop me with just a word, I swear it.” He slid a hand behind her, holding her spine as he lifted her off the pillows with one hand and slid them out from under her with the other. She went to help with the tie of her chemise and he stopped her. “Let me do everything. Your clothes, my clothes...I’ll do it all. You do nothing but feel.” He held her eyes as he lowered her to the flat bed, then kissed her lips. “Are you more comfortable with your hands tied by your sides or over your head?” She raised an eyebrow and he laughed. His eyes held hers as he smoothed his hands down her arms and laced his fingers with hers. First, he pushed down, pinning them to the bed beside her, then he moved them slowly up
Last Updated : 2022-09-22
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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
