All Chapters of Wed to a Wicked Warrior: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The sun had barely crested the horizon when Fan tethered the lead line to his stead. How on earth had he gotten talked into this? His wife was on Beck, her jennet, and ready to go. Deahman, his drestier, was tied to what was for all intents and purposes a wild drestier horse being used as a pack mule. That the beast had allowed Eleanor to tie all their satchels to his back still astounded Fann. Kent had been so shocked at how docile Storm became with Eleanor by his side that the man had gifted her the creature. He’d told Fann that it was far better to be owed a favour by a Lord than anger his own woman by having the beast’s flesh in the larder. Storm sidestepped nervously when he realized his lead went to Fann and not to Eleanor, but she spoke calmly to him and the animal settled immediately. Shaking his head, Fann tapped Deanhman on the side and they got on their way. They’d make the inn near Aylesbury before the evening meal.After an hour of riding in silence Fann thought he would

To Eleanor, the days seemed to all be running into one another. There were days of sunny riding, days of rain soaked clothing, or the nicest days with a grey sky and a cool breeze. Today the sun was hot, with no breeze nor even a cloud for a brief reprieve from the sun. Even the horses were beginning to tire of it. She and Fann had stopped talking long ago. They were all anxious to get to the end of this day. Hopefully tonight they could bathe. Perhaps even wash their clothing and have it dry for morning.The nights were a blur of inns or homes of men who knew Fann. The further they got from London, the more Eleanor liked the wives. Better still, none of them knew her husband as the wicked warrior. They saw him as strong and fierce of course, but undeniably hers. Not a coveted play thing that they hoped to take a turn with. Little did they know, Fann had not touched her since their wedding night. Wouldn’t the courtesans find that funny? All this time with their wicked warrior, and she

There was a soft pink glow in the west as the safe house tower came into view. If the sky was any indication, tomorrow’s weather would be good for riding. It would be a shorter ride than they had become accustomed too, but he’d decided it would be best to stay near the keep and arrive at daybreak. Eleanor was right about one thing, they didn’t have a clue what awaited them. He hoped to collect a few good warriors from the safe house to accompany them. He’d need some men he could trust until he discovered the way of things in his new clan.Storm nickered again and sidestepped nervously. The other two chuffed back and bobbed their heads. The horses weren’t the only ones who had noticed that they were being followed today. Whoever it was didn’t want to be seen. They were keeping to the trees, far enough in the bush to stay hidden in the shadows. Fan checked the placement of his sword and daggers. He masked the movement by offering Eleanor the flask. He didn’t want to worry her, given her

The wooden chair creaked beneath him as he leaned it back against the walls and put his feet up on the table trying to make it look as though he were at ease. His former comrades were all enjoying a good meal and a relaxing evening, but Fann didn’t feel nearly as content here as he once had. It bothered him to feel the outsider in a place that he had helped to build. On top of that, he was angry with his new wife and didn’t know what to do about it.Eleanor refused to leave their room. She would not even come out with him at her side for protection! He had expected her to have stories and songs to share in the evenings, just as she had at previous stops, but she would not even try to be friendly here. Naturally with her injury she couldn’t be the one telling the stories, but she could have come to sit with him and listen. If he didn’t take food to her she went without and didn’t even complain about it. The first day he had humoured her, thinking perhaps her head or throat were too sor

“How old are you Breagha?”“I have six and ten summers. I ken I look young any willowy. I was late coming into my womanhood or f-father would have seen me m-married sooner.”“He would have married you as soon as you got your courses?”“Aye. He did my sister, she had only two and ten summers.” Eleanor swallowed. Married at the same age she was sent to the abbey? Could one so small couple with a grown man not be injured? It seemed unlikely. No wonder her mother had been so adamant that her father agree before marriage that any daughters would not be wed until they were at least eight and ten.“How long had you known Ian?”“Eight months to the day that he died. He handfasted with me even before I had my courses! He said he would love to have bairns, but if I could no that was f-fine too. He loved me for me.” Eleanor thought on that for a moment. The Duke had preferred men. Were there also men who preferred very young girls? Perhaps this Ian had liked that Breagha resembled a young girl m