Eric scooped her up into his arms and stood with the ease of a man carrying a light bundle, though he held her with a precariousness and concern that brought many a tear to the women in the hall.
Colin came to his side after having posted three men to guard the messenger.
“Find out what words he spoke to her,” Eric instructed sternly and Colin simply nodded, understanding he was not to fail. Eric motioned for Borg to join Colin, though the large man was already on his way with a look of determination that Eric was certain would cause the messenger to answer every question that was asked of him.
Bridget hurried in front of Eric, scurrying up the steps, Rook speeding past her, to reach the room before her. She had the blanket pulled back from the bed and the pillows plumped. Eric deposited his wife down gently, leaving enough room for him to sit beside her. Rook sat on the opposite side, his head resting on the bed and his big eyes fixed on his master.
“What happened?” Faith asked, finally coming fully awake.
“You fainted, m’lady,” Bridget said.
“I never faint,” Faith said and looked to her husband, who did not wait to ask the question that was heavy on his mind.
“Are you with child?”
She thought a moment and while there was a distinct possibility she was, she could not yet be sure. She answered honestly. “‘Tis too soon for me to know.”
He stared at her with troubled eyes and she turned to Bridget. “Please brew some chamomile leaves for me.”
The young woman understood that the lord and lady wished to be alone. “I will also fix you a light fare.”
“Thank you, Bridget,” Faith said with an appreciative smile.
When the door clicked shut Eric spoke. “You frightened me.
She pressed her fingers to his lips. “The devil frightened?”
He kissed her warm fingers and took them in his hand. “A husband frightened.”
“There are two of you, then?” she teased.
“Aye, there is and it is the husband who is concerned about you and the devil who keeps you from harm.”
“I think the devil visits me at other times as well,” she said with a laugh.
Eric found himself smiling and feeling completely relieved that she was her usual bold and beautiful self. “He sneaks in on occasion, but right now your husband worries.”
“I am fine,” she assured him.
“Then why did you faint?” he asked.
Faith’s first recall was that of her husband taking flight over the dais. “You flew,” she said, startled by her image of him in the air.
He nodded. “That I did. Rook was whimpering loudly and I realized he was sending a warning, smart dog,” he said and patted the animal’s head. “I realized you were about to swoon and took the most direct path to you.”
“Over the dais?”
“In one leap and I caught you,” he answered proudly.
“I knew you would never fail to protect me.”
“I will always protect you,” he confirmed.
She suddenly needed his arms around her. “Hold me,” she pleaded softly.
He lay down beside her and drew her into his embrace. She snuggled contentedly against him. Rook, understanding her safe, walked over by the hearth and plopped down to take a much-needed nap.
Neither spoke, though both thought on the incident. Faith recalled the messenger’s words to her while Eric wondered what those words were and both wondered what had caused her to faint. Was it the messenger’s words or was she with child? Or was there more to her sudden swoon than she would admit to her husband?
o0o
Eric left his slumbering wife in the care of Bridget with a command to Rook to guard his master well. The sleeping dog had immediately come to attention and when Eric finished giving him instructions he had walked over to the bed and sat directly beside it, where Faith lay.
“Make sure Rook gets a big bone tonight,” he said to Bridget before he left the room and headed to his solar.
Colin and Borg were waiting, both men feasting on a well stacked platter of food and several flasks of wine. The delicious aroma assaulted Eric as soon as he walked through the door, and caused his stomach to growl.
“Do we toast?” Colin asked with his goblet raised high.
Eric understood what he asked. Bridget had informed him that the keep was buzzing with the news that Lady Faith was with child. He himself was disappointed in her answer, though he would not admit it to Faith or anyone else. Though he did smile, telling himself he would have to try harder.
“She is not sure,” he said quickly when the two men were about to cheer, assuming his smile was a positive response.
“Spend more time with her,” Borg urged.
“He is right,” Colin agreed. “The winter fast draws near. Warm yourself with her.”
Eric reached for the wine flask and filled a goblet. “I have done little else.”
The three men laughed.
“What did the messenger tell you?” Eric asked, grabbing a hunk of cheese and a piece of bread off the platter before taking his seat by the hearth.
Colin refilled his goblet, Borg reached for a thick slice of stewed meat and slapped it on a piece of dark bread and then both men took seats opposite Eric.
“As soon as he took one look at Borg he talked incessantly,” Colin said.
“Repeating the same words over and over,” Borg added before biting into his food.
“Which was?” Eric asked Colin since Borg’s mouth was full.
Colin rubbed at his neck. “He spoke of Lady Terra and her insistence that he deliver a personal message to Lady Faith. And that the message was for her ears alone.”
“What is it she said?” Eric asked, curious. He did not like the fact that a message was sent to his wife without him being first told of it. He was the lord of this keep and no message was delivered without him hearing it first. Lady Terra well knew that. And besides, he wanted nothing said to his wife that would hurt or disturb her.
Colin spoke. “He was told to tell Lady Faith that she was to seek penance and communion from the priest and she was not to disobey this order from her stepmother or she would be sorry.”
Eric sprang forward in his chair and both men drew back.
“She dared to threaten my wife in her own home?”
Both men simply nodded their heads.
“Does she think me a fool?”
Borg answered that one. “I think she foolishly thinks that your wife will not confide in the devil.”
Eric remained silent. Faith had not told him of the threat, but then she had fallen asleep before they could talk further. But would she tell him? The idea that she might not tell him disturbed him. He wanted her full and complete trust. He did not want her fearing to ask or tell him anything. It was imperative to him that she trusts him. Trust was the very issue that almost caused him to lose her and he would not have the issue come between them again.
“She has not spoken to you of this threat?” Borg asked.
“Nay, she has not, but then I was concerned for her health and gave no thought of a threat. Not here in my keep. Never in my keep,” he said angrily.
“What will you do?” Colin asked.
The dreaded cold, soulless eyes Eric wore into battle were aimed at his two friends and they shivered. “I will welcome Lord and Lady Donnegan into my home and I will teach them never to threaten my wife again.”
“Does Faith know you never requested her return to her father?” Borg asked, shaking the chill off his large body.
“Nay, she knows only that I sent a message.”
“Then she must have assumed you intended to return her,” Borg said.
“Possibly.”
Borg continued. “Then she still may think you have intentions of returning her and perhaps fears confiding in you.”
“Nonsense,” Eric said, standing to refill his wine goblet.
Colin nodded. “I agree with Borg. Perhaps she do
es not feel as secure here as you think.”
“You two need to talk,” Borg urged.
Eric returned to his seat with a full goblet. “Like you and Bridget.”
Borg laughed. “Bridget talks. I listen.”
“How do you get her to stop?” Eric asked.
Borg grinned. “I take her to bed.”
“Which reminds me,” Colin said, standing. “I have an appointment with a young woman.”
“I am working on that, wife,” Eric warned with a raise of his goblet.
“A waste of time, my friend. There are too many women waiting for me to pleasure them.”
Borg laughed. “Then it will be your luck to be stuck with a woman who does not favor your favors.”
Eric laughed, along with Borg.
“Funny,” Colin said, “but there isn’t a woman around that I cannot charm. And with that said, I go to charm a woman.”
When the brothers were alone Borg offered wise advice. “Talk with her, Eric. Discover what it is she hides. We want no surprises when Lord and Lady Donnegan arrive, and Faith has every right to feel safe in her own home.”
Eric reached out and gave his brother a firm pat on the shoulder. “I can always count on you to speak the truth to me.”
“I can speak nothing less.”
“Then you understand why I want you to tell Colin to post extra guards around the castle and the keep itself.”
Borg nodded. “Colin already has.”
Eric grinned. “Another one I can always count on.”
“Now that you realize this, go talk with your wife.”
“And what of you and Bridget?” he asked, standing and placing his empty goblet on the table.
“What of us?”
“You wish to tell me you plan to marry her.”
Borg’s expression grew serious. “She is no servant to me and I will not ask your permission.”
Eric shook his head and smiled. “Did you really think I expected it of you?”
Borg grew contrite and rubbed his chin. “Nay, and I am sorry. It is just that I am—”
“Protective of her, as I am of Faith,” Eric finished. “And I wish you much happiness, a long life and many children with her. I will find another to see to Faith’s care. You inform Bridget that she is no longer a servant and is free to pursue her own choices.”
This time Borg shook his head and smiled. “She will have a fit if I tell her she will no longer care for Faith. Besides, Faith does not treat her like a servant. She treats her like a friend.”
“Then you remain here with us?” Eric asked hopefully.
“For now,” Borg assured him. “I may take her north to meet our family.”
“But you will return?”
“I do not think Bridget could leave Ireland permanently. The land and its people are forever joined and she would not be happy anywhere but on Irish soil.”
Eric agreed with a nod. “It is a strange feeling, hard to explain to others who do not possess Irish blood. It is as if the land is an intricate part of you and when you leave you ache to return as it aches for you to return. I suppose it is like a mother who yearns in desperation for her children, not content until all are safely home.”
“Are all safely home, Eric?”
Eric thought a moment. “I am not sure, but I will find out soon enough.”
Chapter Twenty-six
Eric took a quick stroll around the castle grounds before returning to his chambers. He wanted to ascertain for himself that his orders were being carried out as directed and that the castle was now more heavily guarded and stood at full alert.
While the keep’s safety was always uppermost in his mind, the safety of his wife was his main concern. He would never allow any harm to come to her and he would never allow her to be threatened in her own home. He wanted her always to feel safe at Shanekill keep no matter where she walked or who she spoke with. He intended that she feel confident that no harm would befall her.
Secure with the guarded precautions in place, Eric returned to the keep. He walked with haste, wanting to see how his wife fared. He did not like the idea that she was threatened under his own roof and he intended that her father and stepmother taste the devil’s wrath for their grievous mistake. But for now he wanted nothing more than some time alone with his wife.
His entrance to his chambers was abrupt and caused Bridget to jump from her seat, her stitching spilling from her lap to the floor. A quick survey of the room alerted him to his wife’s absence.
“Where is she?”
“She felt the need to pray, my lord.”
Eric searched the room once again and Bridget answered his silent query. “Rook went with her.”
Eric immediately turned to leave, instructing Bridget that she would no longer be needed tonight. He had hoped Faith trusted him enough to speak with him about her fears regarding the message and spending the evening alone with her would afford him the perfect opportunity to broach the subject.
He entered the tiny chapel in the keep quietly, not wanting to disturb her prayer time, and was taken back by the solitude of the small room. The two chairs draped in fine tapestry and intended for use by the lord and lady of the keep sat empty. She was not there.
For a brief moment he grew alarmed, then recalled Borg telling him of Faith praying on the west baricon. He instantly made his way up the steps to the baricon that presented the most stunning view of the impressive castle grounds below, the winter-ready fields and the abundant meadows that spread out for miles. However, the view would be obscured with dusk almost upon them so why would she go there now to pray?
Her back faced him as he stepped out on the baricon and an alert Rook announced his arrival with a happy bark. Faith simply turned around to greet him, not at all surprised by his appearance.
“Rook heard you coming up the steps and alerted me long before your appearance.”
He walked up to her, but addressed Rook. “Two bones for a job well done.”
Rook seemed to understand his words. His tail wagged gratefully and he cast an anxious eye to the steps.
“I will protect your master now. Go get your reward.”
Rook wasted not a minute; he was gone in a flash, leaving the lord and lady alone.
Eric wrapped strong arms around her shivering body. “You are chilled.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Nay, the brisk night air feels good and your embrace warms me.”
He held her close. “Bridget told me you went to pray.”
“I felt the need,” was her only explanation.
They looked out as dusk covered the land, racing shadows across the fields and meadows. Night brought with it a peaceful calm that Eric favored. It was a time to relax and savor the day, share food and drink with friends and a warm and welcoming bed with a woman. Only now he did not have to search for a willing woman… he had one. He had Faith, who was not only willing, but his wife, and he suddenly felt an overwhelming gratitude that she belonged to him.
He raised her chin and moved his lips downward. “I am glad you are my wife,” he said and kissed her.
The kiss surprised her and her first response was hesitancy. He drew back and cast a cautious glance at her.
“I am sorry,” she said and rubbed her cheek to his. “I have much on my mind.”
“What troubles you?”
She answered without hesitation. “My stepmother.”
“Tell me,” he urged, wanting to hear the words from her.
“I cannot understand why she hates me so. I was so very young when she married my father and I can still remember her first words, actually warning me to ‘behave or else.’ I did the best I could to obey her but somehow it was never enough. She always found fault with me and after a while I simply stopped trying to please her.”
“Do you fear her?” he asked.
“I did when I was young,” she admitted. “Her hand often left its harsh mark upon my face. But after the attack I found a strengt
h I never knew I had and while I made certain not to antagonize her, I did not feel as fearful toward her. It was Rook’s safety I constantly feared for. She always warned it would be him who would suffer if I did not obey her.”
A low growl in his chest alerted her to his annoyance. “She will not hurt Rook… that I promise you.”
She smiled with such relief that it stabbed at his heart. “Your promise fills me with joy.”
“You need not worry while she and your father are here. This is your home and you are safe.” He caught a hint of doubt in her eyes. “You are safe here with me,” he repeated and it sounded like a decree by a powerful lord.
“Safe with the devil,” she whispered. “A strange guardian to watch over me.”
“A fearless guardian,” he corrected.
“You do not ever fear?” she asked.
It was his turn for honesty. “It is a foolish man who does not fear and it is a wise man who confronts his fears.”
“Have you confronted all your fears?”
“I have confronted and conquered many, but I expect there will be more.”
“Facing your fears is difficult,” she said.
“For some impossible.”
“How did you confront and conquer so successfully?”
“Tenacity,” he answered with a smile.
She laughed softly. “You are tenacious.”
He claimed a quick, sharp kiss. “That I am, but then so are you.”
“I am not as brave as you,” she argued.
“No,” he agreed.
She looked disappointed at his response and her eyes widened as he continued, “You are much braver.”
“Me?” she asked, stepping away from him and pointing at herself.
“Aye, you,” he said, pointing back at her.
“Why do you say that?”
“You fought for your life against great odds and you not only won, you thrived and grew in strength and courage. You are a great warrior and I am proud to have you as my wife.”
His sincere words touched her heart and she melted into his arms, her lips reaching out for his. Their kiss immediately turned frantic, as if they had been denied each other too long.
There was urgency about them, their hands hungering to touch and their bodies hungering to join.
The Irish Devil Page 28