by Fiona Faris
The ceremony was fast, much quicker than Ella thought a Catholic priest would deliver, but she was pleased. Sitting in the main hall, the subsequent feast was moving fast, a blur to Ella. Lucas was being the perfect gentleman, and picture of a well-loved laird. Stopping to accept felicitations from every person who wished to give them. Ella had smiled and thanked so much her cheeks were throbbing, but she was enjoying herself.
He complimented on her many times on her appearance and the dress. She was so pleased that Milly had found the lavender and flowers for her hair, she would look back on this day and know no matter what occurred she was true to herself and her feelings for Lucas. He still hadn’t spoken of love, and while it stung, she knew many successful marriages survived on less than what she and Lucas already had together and for that they were lucky. They were an agreeable pair, and she knew Lucas genuinely liked her and wanted to keep her safe. That would have to be enough. She was resigned that her feelings for him would have to be enough to carry them through a successful union.
When she’d first arrived at the chapel door and saw him standing at the pulpit waiting for her, his face didn’t betray any emotion. The whole clan appeared to have turned out to see the laird wed and English girl, and it took every ounce of bravery left in her soul not to flee. Were it not for Lucas’s steady reassuring gaze she was sure she wouldn’t have been able to stand up in front of so many people and agree to be he wife.
Now that it was over and she was seated next to him in the great hall, she was still in a bit of shock. He spoke with each and every person who sought his attention, but not once did he let go of her hand. Even while they enjoyed the abundant feast Mrs. Thomas and her maids prepared, Lucas kept one hand on Ella, as if he were afraid to let go. She understood, he was her anchor, as well.
“Lass, does it feel different?” he leaned in and asked her toward the end of the long meal.
“Being married?”
“Aye, being married.”
“I’m not sure,” she replied, and she meant it. Everything happened so quickly she had scarce time to breath, let alone take stock of anything that felt differently. “Do you feel different?”
“I’m not sure. I feel like ye are more safe now, and that brings me peace. I love that my clan accepts ye as one of their own, so readily. Maybe, to really feel different we should head tae bed?” he asked, winking, mischief lighting the green of his eyes with mirth. She closed her eyes wanting to commit the look of happiness on his face to memory.
Ella thought he sounded nervous, but she laughed at his bawdy humor. He shouldn’t be nervous. She had already given him her maidenhead, freely, and he had already taken her body to heights of pleasure she had never known possible. Unless there was something about the marital bed, she didn’t know, she couldn’t for the life of her think as to why Lucas would be nervous. He knew she desired him above all others. At least she suspected he knew. Hoped he knew. If anything, it was she who should be nervous.
She opened her eyes to find Lucas still staring at her, the mirth in his eyes had been replaced with something else, something darker. Lust. She felt a pleasing coil tense in her stomach, and moisture developed where her legs met. The sweet smell of whisky on his breath made her slightly dizzy. She suddenly wanted very badly for Lucas to take her to bed, as her husband. She was now a Laird’s wife. An English woman, married to a Highland leader. She had so much to learn, and she wanted to start her education right away.
“Maybe you should… take me to bed, I mean…” Ella bit her lower lip, she had never been so brazen. But he was hers now and she felt an overwhelming need to let him know it. Likely the ale is going to my head, she thought. Still holding onto his hand she ran her thumb in a circle inside his palm. Delighting in the way his breathing changed with her touch. The callouses of his hands making a road map for her to follow of the battles he had fought in and the hours he spent preparing for more.
He was staring at her with clear intent now. Ella concentrated on her own breathing as Lucas rose from the table bringing her with him. He picked her up, cradling her like a newborn babe.
He was making a scene in front of his family and men, but the bawdy laughter of everyone in the room told her it was ok. She tucked her head against his shoulder, inhaling his scent and taking the heat from the nearness of his body as her own. They were in a room full of people but at that moment Ella could only see Lucas. She found she couldn’t tear her gaze from his. The sounds of laughter and the clan’s celebration faded, as he walked her out of the main hall.
As they made their way down the hall, Ella became confused.
“Lucas, you’ve passed my bedchamber.”
“Aye,” he said. Offering up no other explanation. She clutched him tighter as he opened the door to a large room beyond her own. She noted that it was very similar to her own bedchamber in decoration, except where Ella’s room had only one hearth and a small square window, this one had two stone hearths. Both with fires roaring high, giving the room a warm orange glow that she found extremely pleasing. There was a treated hide on the floor in front of one flanked with two oversized cushioned chairs. The other fire place was close to the largest bed Ella had ever seen and it was covered in tiny soft white rose petals. Where the devil would Lucas have gotten rose petals in October? Maybe Milly was right, there was magic and mystery about.
Lucas set her down on the bed, kissing her deeply. She moaned, or did it come from Lucas? She didn’t know. Nor did she care. She kissed him back fervently. Whiskey, cedar and his own natural scent filled her senses. He broke the kiss, and she whimpered in dissent. Ella actually whimpered, what was happening to her?
“This is my bedchamber, and now as my wife, I want ye tae ken it’s yours as well. I want ye tae feel free to make it yer own anyway ye see fit.”
“Really?”
“Aye.” She pulled him down to her, kissing him again. Who knew something as simple as sharing a sleeping space with Lucas would fill her with such happiness. “Lass, if ye don’t slow down, I willnae be able to stop,” he said breaking the kiss again.
“I don’t want you to stop,” she replied tugging at his shirt and kilt. He let out a low chuckle.
“Are ye glad we wed, then lass?”
“Mmhmm…” Sensation hit her at every turn. She could barely breath as he trailed kisses down her neck, while his hands deftly undid the buttons of her dress.
“This is what I dreamed of when we were layin’ in th’ crook of that tree by the farm.”
He dreamed of her? Like this? She knew he had desired her, now that she recognized the signs, it was hard not to know when he wanted her like this. But the night in the tree, she had thought it was an impulsive moment based more on need than actual desire. He continued to kiss her, reaching the sensitive spot where her collar bone met her throat.
“I should’ve never taken yer maidenhead like that. Ye deserved better. Ye deserved a bed of the softest plaids, made of the finest wool.”
“And rose petals,” she added, breathless.
“Aye, and rose petals…” He continued to deepen his kiss, and Ella allowed herself to get lost in her husband’s touch.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lucas leaned back in his chair and thought about his wife. He was hard at work in his father’s study, his study now that he was laird, and decided to take a small break from Cadney affairs to daydream about his bride. Ella had kissed him lightly in the morning and headed to the kitchens straight away to familiarize herself with Mrs. Thomas. In the short week, since they had wed, he was ever impressed by the ease with which she took to being married to the Laird of a large and boisterous clan of Highlanders. He thought she was settling into her role as Lady of Keep quite well. His people had already liked her for saving his life, but now seeing her doing her best to learn the ways of the clan, they were beginning to love her. He loved her as well, but he didn’t want to reveal that part of his heart to her just yet, he wanted to ensure she was completely safe and complete
ly free when he confessed his true love for his wife. He wanted no doubt or obligation to cloud her thinking when she told him she loved him back. He was still unsure of her feelings, but it didn’t matter, he knew she liked him, liked his company, she would grow to love him. She was his.
Magnus came in from his morning rounds with the men. They had spent every morning going over the ledgers and doing what needed to be done to secure the keep before winter. Being the Laird came with stress and responsibility. Even though Lucas had been preparing for it his whole life, he still found the work exhausting.
“How goes the men?”
“Och, a bunch of lazy shites. But I’ve managed tae get them back in some kind of fightin’ condition. They don’t see th’ need. I try tae tell them there is always need,” Magnus said, scratching his thick red hair. He looked like an angry bear and Lucas knew the men got no end of joy by poking him.
“And Edina? Have we found a place for her yet?”
“Aye. We sent her tae the MacKenzie keep just this mornin’. They had need of kitchen help, and Edina will fit in nicely. Although I bade Peter and Thomas to go with her tae keep an eye on the lass, ye ken. The boys were happy tae go. Those MacKenzie lasses are a sight tae see if I remember right. Peter and Thomas both are young, they’ll get their fill.” Lucas laughed with Magnus, but he knew he would never need to look at another MacKenzie lass again. He had everything he needed in a woman in Ella. His pants tightened just thinking about his bride and the things she did to him in the dark of their bedchamber.
“As long as they don’t lose sight of the twit in the process. I’m still not sure she won’t come back an’ try another trap for Ella.”
“Aye, I agree. No harm will come to the lass, by Edina or any other hand. Which reminds me we hae another problem, Laird,” Magnus said, turning serious.
“Aye?”
“A letter came for ye, it’s from Evans.”
A thick lump of bile formed in Lucas’s throat. “Give it tae me.”
Mangus handed over the letter, it was unopened and Lucas appreciated Magnus’s discretion. He read over the letter and seethed. Bastard. “It’s a warning.” He handed the letter to Magnus who read it over slowly.
“Aye, ‘tis at that. It seems he dissnae ken who ye are, who the new Laird is, and Ella is now the lady of the keep.”
“What dae ye make of it?”
“The letter was written a week back, from Dunkeld. I think he means tae take back what he thinks is his.”
“All of the formal, ‘sirs and ‘kindly’ that he fills the page with is cooshite,” Lucas said, he began to pace the room. He knew this day would come. How did Evans even trace Ella back to MacGille land? Was one of his men a traitor to the clan, or to Scotland? He couldn’t believe that was it. There had to be another way. Perhaps the soldier that escaped him at the pond had recognized him as a MacGille? He thought of Fergus and Sarah, hoping they were safe.
“I agree, th’ letter is forced in its polite language. It was dated a week back. That means if he means tae march his men tae Cadney we can expect him in maybe a fortnight? We hae a fight comin’ and we need tae get ready,” Magnus replied.
“There is no mention in the letter that he’s marching,” Lucas said.
“Och, ye ken the English. He wouldnae tell us in advance, would he?” Lucas knew Magnus was right. There was no way Evans would peacefully accept Ella was married to the Laird of the clan. If he wasn’t marching already, he would be soon. It was exactly as Lucas feared, Evans would not give up until he had Ella, and now the clan will come under fire.
“I will write back tae him, advise him the lass is under my protection. See if he backs down.”
“What will ye tell Lady MacGille, Ella?”
“Nothing yet. Let’s not worry the lass. I’ll not ask ye tae lie tae yer wife, but if ye could keep the letter under wraps for a bit until we hear back from the bastard. Meanwhile we get the men ready, I would appreciate it.” Magnus nodded in agreement, as Lucas continued. “If all goes well, by the time the devil reaches the gates, we’ll be ready for him. Maybe when he learns of the marriage, he will stand down.” As the words came out of his mouth Lucas knew it was a lie. Evans would never stand down. He didn’t want him too. He wanted an excuse to kill the wretch.
“And if he stands down and accepts the marriage, will ye let him live?”
“Nay, the moment he sets foot on MacGille land, he is a dead man.” He thought back to Ella’s plea at the pond. She didn’t want bloodshed, she would not want him to put his life or the life of his men in jeopardy. As sure as he knew Evans would not stand down and leave Ella to live a safe and happy life, he knew that he would kill Evans. Not only to protect his bride, but to avenge his father. He only hoped Ella would be able to forgive him.
Being lady of the keep was turning out to be more fun than Ella could’ve imagined. She was learning about the daily life of the women who kept things running. More than learning, she was becoming accepted. Mrs. Thomas eagerly put her to work in the kitchens, and Ella found the older buxom woman to be a demanding mistress, that she did not want to let down.
It took an immense amount of work to keep the clan fed, there was picking and pulling of vegetables and herbs. Dressing and preparing of game meat, gathering of eggs, and baking of breads but in addition to the daily work there was also a need to preserve and prepare food to keep the clan healthy through the winter. Ella was amazed. In polite English society a lady would never be involved as intimately in the day-to-day running of a household. Sure, she would make overarching choices about trivial things like what to serve at a dinner, or what fabrics and silks would look best in which room, but to actually have a hand in the physical running of her home was unheard of. She found a new appreciation for maids like Gwen, who worked to the bone.
She also made sure to keep time for afternoon visits with Milly and Kelly. Even though she often saw them working in the kitchens or making visits outside the keep’s walls to the homes of those who were sick or elderly, taking an hour in the afternoon to just sit and learn about life in the clan, and the history of the MacGille families was the highlight of her day.
At least until she saw Lucas. She was returning to her chamber every night exhausted, but she made sure to save time for Lucas. He treated her as a treasure. Each night brought something more pleasurable than the last.
It was a particularly clear morning, and Ella wanted to take the opportunity of good weather to gather some of the late season herbs from the kitchen gardens.
“Go then, be off with ye, lass,” Mrs. Thomas grunted with her arms elbow deep cleaning a stubborn game bird.
“May I go with the lady too, Mrs. Thomas?” Violet asked. Ella was indeed becoming fond of the young maid. She showed an interest in learning how to be a healer, and with the clan’s current healer old and infirm, Mrs. Thomas, Kelly, and Ella all agreed that training Violet was a good plan for the future.
“Och, be off with both of ye then.”
Violet’s beaming smile gave Ella’s heart a tug. She took the girl by the arm and they headed out to the gardens.
“I wonder how many lovely days like this we will have before winter settles in?” Ella asked as she filled her basket with sprigs of late rosemary.
“Winter is verra harsh here miss, I hope ye’ll not be disheartened. There will be days ye won’t leave the castle at all for th’ blindin’ snow and wind.”
“Oh I love winter, ‘tis always been a favorite season of mine. Curling up by a roaring fire, reading.”
“Ye ken how tae read?”
“Aye, do you not know how?” Ella was constantly realizing that even in within the clan there was still small education disparities, but she firmly believed everyone should know how to read.
“Nay, when I was a girl I wanted tae learn me letters, but there was always work tae be done, and I was not given th’ time.” Violet turned her eyes downcast and shielded her face with her long auburn hair.
“Then when
winter settles in, and we have time away from the kitchens I shall teach you!” Ella didn’t want to embarrass the girl any further, but teaching her to read would be an easy and important task she could do for her. “In fact, if you know of any other girls in the clan who would wish to learn we could have a class!” What an exciting and fun way to spend the cold winter months. She would engage Milly and Kelly to help.
“Do ye mean it my lady?” Violet asked hopefully.
“Of course! It would be my pleasure.”
“My lady, can I ask ye a question?”
“Of course, Violet. I hope you would consider us friends.”
“Aye, I was wonderin’ how did ye ken that the Laird was th’ one ye wanted tae marry? Ye see there is a lad, Thomas Graham, and he has asked me tae marry him, but I dinnae ken if he is the right one. Ye and th’ Laird seem so well matched, I thought ye might ken how I could be sure.”