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Chapter 52
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2022-09-22 01:55:32Related chapters
Wed 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 : 2022-09-22Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 55
Eleanor fidgeted in her chair, trying to concentrate on the book that was on her lap. Normally books about far off lands fascinated her, but right now she could not remember a single word she had read all afternoon. The men had broken their fast shortly before sunrise and left right after. Hunting meat for dinner they had said. With the amount of wildlife, she’d seen on the way to the river Eleanor knew it should not have taken this long. Either their aim had suddenly become incredibly poor, or her husband had lied to her. At first, her imagination had taken a wild turn, dreaming up all sorts of horrible things that could have happened to them on their hunt, but Uilleam insisted she need not worry yet as he had not expected them back until dark. So now her imagination was trying to figure out what it was he might actually be doing, since obviously, it was not hunting meat for their dinner. Fann told her often that he valued her honesty, so she had assumed she would get the same from
Last Updated : 2022-09-23Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 56
Two days later, just before sunrise, Eleanor stood by the window and watched the line of men disappear over the hill into darkness. At least this time she knew where they were going. She almost wished he had lied. Keeping her fears to herself and not shedding a tear when he kissed her goodbye had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. Harder even than letting him lower her into the deep, narrow crevasse that she had been certain would become her grave. Knowing she wasn’t likely to see him again until she could sit a horse made it ten times worse.“It would be best to keep busy now,” Mairead said, placing her hand on Eleanor’s shoulder. “I know that won’t be easy since you still need to stay as still as possible. Have you ever tried sketching?”Fann and his group of mercenaries stood at the edge of the woods on the MacInnis side of the river. They were looking across the valley to the MacDonald keep on the top of the hill on the other side.“The ride from here is short, but also a l
Last Updated : 2022-09-23Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 57
Crouched in the bushes behind the main keep, Fann fidgeted, his eyes on the sky. Normally before a battle he would be completely focused. His eyes taking in the surroundings, noticing the beauty and the oddities, every detail, but today he could not concentrate. He hadn’t been completely honest with his wife, and it was bothering him. She knew where he was and had a general idea of what he was here to accomplish, but she hadn’t asked the particulars about how he intended to ensure her safety here, and he wasn’t sure she would agree with his decision. She was too kind hearted, too forgiving, and too naive. She had said once that she could only think of one way to ensure her safety after arriving on MacDonald lands. He had never asked her what her way was, but he had only been able to think of two ways, and he doubted either would have occurred to her. The first, and best option, was if Donald were dead. He doubted that was what she would want, but he was fully prepared to kill his fath
Last Updated : 2022-09-23Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 58
“Do you no think that was a little too easy?” Callum’s question drew nods of agreement from the men seated around the table. “Perhaps,” Fann agreed. “Though in truth they have known for many months now that Donald had been removed of his title and I was coming to replace him by order of the king. Perhaps they have simply come to peace with it.”“Possible,” said Callum, “but still...”“We are not accustomed to such easy victories,” one of the men commented. “It leaves an uneasy feeling, does it no?”“Aye,” Fann agreed, “I’ll no sleep easy tonight, if at all.”“With the state of the guard when we arrived I think it will be a long time afore I sleep easy here. How did they no see us coming at all? Do they no look out to the bush? Is anyone watching now, for that matter?”“Probably not,” Fann admitted reluctantly. “When Eliana described what went on here I thought she was just unaware of what was going on. I should have brought more men.” “We’ve enough to man the watch tonight,” Uilleam
Last Updated : 2022-09-23Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 59
As mid day drew near Fann watched from the window of his solar as the people began arriving. Most were quite shocked to see three women in the stocks right outside the keep. This was not what he had hoped to show his people as a first impression of their new Laird, but the women may have been trying to poison him and it was also important the clan know disloyalty and treachery would both be punished. The serving lad was strapped to a chair in the corner of the kitchen with a pitcher in front of him. He either had to tell them what was in the ale, or prove it harmless by drinking it himself. So far he was either unable or unwilling to do either.Will and An Gille were stationed on either side of the women, warning off the few who thought to do them an insult and telling all who would listen the reason they were in the stocks. Hopefully that would temper the reaction of the people. He didn’t want them to fear him too much to stay. There was no point in having a clan if most of the peopl
Last Updated : 2022-09-24Wed to a Wicked Warrior Chapter 60
Eleanor sat in the field looking from her sketchbook to Storm and back again. Her ability had improved a lot in the past month, but she still could not get the horses neck to look right and with Mairead gone she could get no pointers or lessons to fix it. She’d never be as skilled as Mairead, but her drawings were fairly nice now. Especially when she drew plants or flowers, things that didn’t move much. She was not nearly as good if she had to hold an image of a living creature in her mind and draw it with accuracy after it had moved. She was a bit disappointed that Eliana wouldn’t try learning to draw with her. She had hoped to be close with her sister once again, but she and Eliana had little in common. They had similar eyes and faces, like their mother’s, but that was all. Eliana liked to sit and stitch. She didn’t mind being told what to do and honestly was quite dull to talk to. Eleanor found herself more drawn to Isobel’s strong spirit, and her wild, reckless antics or Mairead’s
Last Updated : 2022-09-24
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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
