She swung the door open into the grocer and tried to keep her skirts from bumping anything on the lower shelves. She selected a nice variety of foodstuffs such as fresh tea leaves, a small bag of sugar, and a bag each of flour and rice. In the sundries section she picked up two more sewing needles and three new packets of thread so that she could start her new cross stich piece.
The market next door was open-air, and offered quite a selection of fresh items from the nearby farms. Henry’s estate included a sizeable chicken coop so she had no need for eggs, and the vegetable garden was plentiful this time of year so she did not browse those areas. She did select some fresh cheese and butter from one of the dairy farmers and the driver paid as she wandered to the next stall: the butcher.
Fresh meat was an expensive commodity and Henry loved showing off his wealth at his parties, but she had to be careful with that spending as well. Henry was planning a party for the next night, and she had to walk a careful line between frugally spending his hard-earned money and making sure they provided a spread that displayed their wealth and lifestyle.
After she selected a decent sized ham as well as some smoked bacon, she instructed the driver to purchase two bottles of whiskey. It was unseemly for her to purchase them directly, but her evening would be bitter and painful if she forgot that purchase.
Before making the long ride back to the estate, the driver and Elise enjoyed a moment of quiet while they lunched. It was a simple lunch of beef stew and homemade brown bread but it tasted good and would tide them both over until dinner.
Most of the food they purchased that day would be saved for the party the next night, and she had tried to purchase just a little extra so that they would have enough for the entire week.
It was a pleasant outing, and while her driver/escort was not big on conversation, Elise was relatively comfortable with him and did trust that if she spent an extra penny on a piece of candy, he would not report it to Henry.
After lunch, they tucked all the baskets into the carriage and Elise settled down in her seat as the driver closed the door. She leaned back and tried to nap but was not hopeful with the way the carriage bounced around. She must have dozed off because before she knew it, the cook was shaking her knee and trying to get to the baskets that sat under her skirts.
Chapter Two
The next day was a whirlwind of preparation for yet another dining hall event. Henry loved to host such parties and show off how much food and drink he could provide. He usually invited the other estate owners in the area, and they brought their wives or mistresses. It was not uncommon for the men to bring these much younger ladies to the events just to show them off. Elise did say a small prayer of thanks that while she may not always enjoy the feasts, she at least was spared the humiliation of being banished for the mistress. She was almost certain that Henry had at least two but she just ignored that fact and was grateful that it was at least two nights per week that she did not have to entertain him in her bedroom.
The cook bustled around the kitchen like a madwoman as she prepared everything. Henry was off in town to fetch more alcohol for the party, so Elise was free most of the day. She finished the buttered bread and tea that made up her breakfast, and tried to help the cook in the kitchen. She was decently handy with a knife and set about.
“I just don’t know why we have to waste all this good food on people who can afford their own,” she mentioned to Abigail.
Abigail nodded, “I know what you mean, madam.”
Elise smiled back, “Perhaps you should fix two small plates for you and your husband.”
Abigail was married to the older man who had accompanied Elise to town the previous day.
“Oh, that would be wonderful, madam, thank you!”
“Just make sure to fix me one too, for lunch, and hide yours away just in case.”
Abigail nodded and made small sandwiches for her and Thomas. She wrapped them in a plain cloth with a large red apple, and tucked them away in the pockets of her cloak for later. The two of them would not be having dinner any time soon because they had to help serve at the gathering. But having a nice lunch would help get them through.
Elise often tried to pass a little extra food their direction. She knew that Henry did not mistreat his servants per se, but he did not pay them much either. And in the grand scheme of things, as long as Henry did not blatantly see the food walk away, he really would not notice the difference.
“You do take good care of us,” Abigail whispered.
“I try,” Elise smiled, “but don’t tell anyone.”
The two young women giggled together as they chopped the carrots and potatoes and onions that would be cooked with the large slices of ham. With everything in the huge pot to cook, they sat down to a cup of tea just as Thomas was entering the back door of the kitchen. He smiled sweetly to his wife and kissed her on the top of her head. The three of them sat quietly while they all sipped their tea and nibbled their sandwiches.
After the meat and vegetables were finished, it was almost time for people to start arriving. Elise helped Abigail and Thomas lay out the platters on the dining hall table and then went upstairs to get herself ready and presentable.
Her sweet maiden girl brushed out her long blonde curls and twisted them up into a topknot. Elise’s deep blue eyes sparkled against her pale skin and emerald gown. Henry knocked on the door impatiently, and she rose to greet him. They made their way down the winding stone stairs until they entered the noisy dining hall, arm in arm.
As was customary, there was additional food and beer and wine on the table as gifts to Henry. The entire group took their seats after Henry had been seated with Elise to his right.
The platters began swirling around the table as people loaded down their plates with boiled eggs, fresh ham, cooked carrots and potatoes, hot brown bread with fresh butter, several kinds of cheese, chutneys and pickled onions, crisp slices of apples, and salty cured fish. The mugs fairly overflowed with the wine and beer and honeyed water.
Elise politely took enough to almost fill her plate, making sure to take more of the gifts than of her own food. She had been raised to be a proper estate wife and hostess, and she was well-versed in the etiquette of such gatherings.
Eventually Abigail and Thomas noticed that the food consumption was dwindling and the alcohol consumption was growing so they started to clear the plates. No one stopped them from removing plates full of leftovers and Elise gave Abigail a small nod of approval if she was interested in helping herself. She knew that her cook would take enough for probably two meals for herself and Thomas, but would not abuse the generosity. Elise and Henry would plan to eat the remaining food over the next few days and Abigail would be able to steal a bite here and there.
The evening dragged on with the men bragging loudly about their exploits with their swords as they waved their beer mugs in the air, and the women nodded politely as they sipped small glasses of wine. Eventually everyone staggered back to their own homes, and Elise made a hasty retreat to her own bedroom before Henry could get any ideas of twilight entertainment.
Chapter Three
Elise woke early the next morning, and since she knew Henry would be sleeping off his party from the night before, she slipped into a casual cotton dress and snuck downstairs to the kitchen.
After a pleasant cup of tea with Abigail, she packed a ham sandwich into small knapsack and decided to take a walk through the countryside. She had confirmed with Abigail that some of the extra food had made its way to their small home within the estate grounds, and folded a shawl into her bag before heading out for her walk.
The sun was just beginning to creep into the sky, and it painted away the stars with strokes of pink and orange and yellow. It was already starting to warm up, and it seemed that the day would be a hot one. She berated herself for not bringing any clean water, but hoped to find a stream or pond during her walk.
While the estate grounds themselves were rimmed with a large stone wall, it was
harder to tell property lines once you exited the wall gate. She knew that Henry owned more than their immediate property but she paid no attention to the exact boundaries.
She walked leisurely along the line of trees, letting the grass tickle the tops of her feet as it bowed in the wind, and listening to the birds as they flitted around in the branches. It was a most pleasant summer morning, despite the impending heat of the day.
As the sun slowly climbed to the peak of the sky, Elise found herself walking further and further into the trees. They provided much appreciated shade for her pale skin, and kept the worst of the heat at bay. She found a small pond in the middle of the grove, and spread out her shawl on the grass for lunch. She smiled as she pulled out her simple ham sandwich and found the generous chunk of cheese that Abigail had hidden away for her. She slipped her shoes off and wiggled her toes in the cool water as she ate. It was turning out to be a nearly perfect day.
As she finished her meal, she slipped her shoes back on. She stood slowly, stretching and twisting as she shook out the shawl she had used as a blanket. She folded it back into her travel bag and slung the strap over her shoulder.
She could hear the soft thunder of distant hoof beats on the hard-packed road but paid them no attention even as they grew closer. She could not tell which road they were on since the large grove of trees was flanked on both sides by roads into the village.
She made her way through the trees, staying in the shade as long as possible. The horses’ hooves continued to grow louder, but the trees both muffled the sound and obstructed her view. Just as she decided it was time to step out into the sun, the hoof beats stopped and she found herself almost walking into the flank of the huge black beast.
“Oh!” she cried, startled at the sudden appearance of the horse and rider.
The horse stood so tall that all she could see was a shiny black flank and a dark brown knee-high riding boot.
“Madam?”
“Yes?” she asked, squinting up into the sun in an effort to see the source of the deep voice.
“I’m afraid you have startled my horse.” The voice seemed to hide a chuckle, but her heart was still pounding so fast, it was hard to be certain.
“He did me no favors either, sir,” her breathy gasps were hard to understand.
This time the deep voice rang out with laughter, “Now that I will grant you, my young friend.”
Elise wished she had wrapped her shawl around her shoulders instead of folding it away. She was certain that this unknown rider had a particularly personal view straight down the front of her house dress.
She continued to stare straight ahead at the scuffed boot in front of her face since the man gave no indication he was going to dismount and talk to her face to face.
“Well, I’m afraid I have some bad news young lady.”
“Wh-What’s that?”
“You are trespassing.”
“I am? I had no idea, sir. I am happy to return to my husband’s property. I’m afraid my walk took me further than I expected.”
“Normally, I would say that is fine. But it seems that my lord and your husband are in some sort of dispute over this particular area.”
“I did not realize that.”
“It seems that I have just found the perfect bargaining chip. I suspect it will win me great favors with the landowner.”
“Whatever do you mean, sir?”
Elise’s face was starting to feel flush and her heart sped back up inside her chest.
“What do you suppose a man would give up for the safe return of his wife?”
“What? You can’t mean… Oh dear…” Elise sighed heavily.
Henry’s business interests were far more important to him than any wife. If he wanted her back at all, she would regret the return for the rest of her life. But there was nothing much she could do either way.
“I would prefer that you come with me voluntarily, it would be much more pleasant for both of us. But understand me, you will not be returning home tonight.”
Her first thought was Abigail, and how worried her friend would be. Not to mention, if she never returned, Abigail would lose the benefits and generosity that Elise granted her.
Elise sighed again, “Perhaps you can help me to the horse?”
The man’s hand appeared in front of her face, and she grasped it tightly as he swung her up behind him. He prodded the horse to a run, and the three of them disappeared over the rise into a fate unknown.
Chapter Four
The horse jostled Elise worse than any carriage ride she had ever been on. She was certain that her ample bosom was bouncing and bumping into the broad back in front of her, and several times she had to clutch the man’s tunic to keep from bouncing off all together. She could feel him chuckle with every grasp but it was either that or get tossed to the unforgiving ground.
The sun was hot on her neck and shoulders and her small bag slapped against her thigh until she was certain she had a permanent bruise mark.
After what seemed like hours, the rider finally pulled the horse to a stop and Elise unclenched her eyes. They had stopped next to a small stone house that had a vegetable patch to one side, a chicken coop to the other, and a small wooden stable in the back. It was certainly not as large as Henry’s estate, but it looked decent enough.
The man slid off the horse and raised his arms towards her. She slid towards him and his large hands spanned her waist easily to lift her to the ground.
She found herself standing in front of one of the largest men she had ever encountered. His chest seemed as broad as the horse’s and his arms bulged with every motion. She was face to chest with him, and he stood almost a foot taller than her. In the shade of his fruit trees, she finally got a look at his face and it nearly took her breath away. His dark hair was swept back and his green eyes fairly danced as he watched her take him in. His jawline was strong and square, and speckled with dark stubble. As a representation of the male species, Henry paled in comparison.
“Would you like to freshen up? I’m afraid my companion here is not accustomed to carrying delicate cargo such as yourself.”
Her cheeks flushed pink and she nodded mutely.
“I’m Elise,” she offered.
“William,” he smiled.
As she turned towards the house, he dug his nails into his palms to keep himself from tearing that thin cotton dress from the petite curves that had been pressed up against him for the entire ride.
He held the heavy wooden door open and she passed under his arm into the house. It was one story with what appeared to be three separate areas. There was a modest kitchen to her left, a sitting area to her right, and directly ahead of her was a door that presumably led to a bedroom.
William left her standing in the middle of the space and returned quickly with a bucket of water. He poured a little into a basin on the kitchen table and handed her a small cloth for washing. She dunked the cloth into the cool water and carefully patted her face and chest. The sun had been brutal and she was going to be upset if it colored her skin. Her creamy complexion was something she worked hard to maintain, but she did realize it was a privilege to not have to work in the sun.
William’s boots clomped on the wooden floor as he strode from the kitchen to the sitting area. He dropped into one of the chairs and seemed to be regarding her with a smirk.
“Yes?” she asked, half nervous and half indignant.
“Not sure there’s ever been a woman in my house before,” he chuckled.
“Well, that is certainly not my fault,” she snipped back.
He laughed from deep in his chest, “No, I don’t suppose it is. But I’m afraid I could get used to the sight.”
She blinked her big blue eyes at him and wrung the cloth out over the basin.
“I certainly hope you don’t mean me.”
“Well now, that’s not up to you or I, is it? That’s up to my boss and your husband. But I’m certain I can convince my landowner to allow you to sta
y with me, so that if your husband sends a raiding party, you won’t be found at the main estate.”
“Who will deliver the message to Henry?” she asked suddenly.
“Ah, I’m not sure. Probably one of the houseboys. Why?”
“I was wondering if I could send a private message to my cook. I know she will fret and I don’t like to make her worry. You can read the message if you like, I won’t be giving away any secrets. I would just like to let her know I’m okay.”
“You know how to write?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“And read?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well then, I will let you send such a message if I can read it first.”
The Highlander's Mail Order Bride (Scottish Highlander Romance) Page 64