The king had already informed Eric that he intended for all Donnegan holdings and properties to be added to Eric’s holdings and that he himself would arrange marriages for the Donnegan daughters. He also intended to banish Lord William and Lady Terra from Irish soil.
Faith held firmly to Eric’s warm hand as she watched their departure. Rook placed the large bone he held in his mouth down on the ground and released one loud bark, as if announcing his pleasure at their leaving.
“I agree with you,” Eric said to the dog and gave him a generous rub behind the ear.
She smiled at the scene, recalling how not so long ago Eric found Rook big and ugly and now he spoke of the animal as if he were the most intelligent, brave and handsome of creatures.
Colin approached with a fat stick. “We never finished our game, boy.”
Rook barked and jumped, ready for play.
Colin looked to Faith and with a respectable bow said, “Forgive me, my lady, I should have been more diligent in my duties to protect you.”
Faith shook her head. “Nonsense, Colin, I had no doubt I would be rescued.”
“Your husband was of the same mind,” Borg said, joining the trio with Bridget in hand.
“Aye,” Bridget agreed. “Lord Eric was a sight to behold, pounding the door with his mighty fists, commanding the wood to crack and then delivering several forceful kicks to the stubborn door.”
“You kicked the door down?” Faith asked with surprise.
Bridget answered. “The three of them did.”
Faith looked to each man with wide, grateful eyes. “I am ever so pleased to have two such caring and loving friends and a generous and loving husband.”
Colin gave her his usual charming smile, Borg blushed and Eric simply squeezed her hand firmly, though his blazing blue eyes hinted at a more intimate emotion,
“So ‘tis there a wedding celebration to prepare for?” Eric asked of Borg.
Faith smiled with joy. “We must have a grand wedding for you both.”
Bridget was about to protest when Borg kissed her silent and then answered, “A big wedding celebration that will long be remembered.”
“So it shall be,” Eric declared. “And you, Colin—”
“Need a wife,” Faith and Bridget echoed in unison.
Borg laughed. “Now he is done for, with two women seeing to him wed.”
Colin attempted to debate the issue. “I need no—”
“So it shall be,” Eric declared once again, and all present knew Colin would be exchanging marriage vows soon enough.
Colin grumbled and Borg clapped him on the back. “Come and we will share an ale or two and you can settle all the wagers you owe me.”
“Owe you?” Colin said with a laugh and a shake of his head. “It is you who owe me.”
“Nay, you are foolishly mistaken,” Borg protested as they walked off, his arm on Colin’s shoulder and his hand locked with Bridget’s.
Faith stared after her friends with a mixture of tearfulness and joy. She had never thought she would know such endearing friendships and she felt overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Are you all right?” Eric asked, catching her attention and taking hold of her other hand.
She looked one last time at the departing wagon about to exit the castle grounds and cast another look at her friends, then she turned to her husband and with a nod, answered, “I am fine and I am glad it is finally all at an end.”
“Nay, wife, it just begins.” He scooped her up in his arms and with a loud laugh that attracted all eyes to them he marched into the keep. They passed by more curious eyes and whispers soon spread and followed them up the staircase to their bedchamber.
“You feed the wagging tongues once again,” she said with a laugh when he dropped her on their bed.
He returned to the open door and ordered Rook, who sat looking curiously at them with the fat bone in his mouth, to the kitchen for another treat. The dog obeyed without question and he shut and locked the latch.
He walked back to the bed, stripping his clothes off in the process and went to work on hers after falling gently down over her.
She giggled as his fingers fumbled with her garments. “It is but midmorning, husband.”
“Aye,” he agreed, “a fitting time to plant a seed that will root deeply in fertile soil and forever remain a part of Ireland.”
Faith cupped his face in her hands. “Your seed has already taken root and is but the beginning of many strong sons and fine daughters yet to come.”
His smile was filled with joy and his blue eyes ablaze with love. “I am most pleased with you, wife.” Then he kissed her like a man long deprived, like a man who finally had found his way home, home to a loving wife and home to Ireland.
-o0o-
Titles by Donna Fletcher
Single Titles
San Francisco Surrender
Untamed Fire
Rebellious Bride
The Buccaneer
Tame My Wild Touch
Playing Cupid
Whispers on the Wind
Series Books
The Wedding Spell (Wyrrd witch series)
Magical Moments
Magical Memories
Remember the Magic
The Irish Devil
Irish Hope
Isle of Lies
Love Me Forever
Dark Warrior
Legendary Warrior
The Daring Twin
The Bewitching Twin
Taken By Storm
Highlander’s Bride
Return of the Rogue (Sinclare brothers’ series)
Under the Highlander’s Spell
The Angel & The Highlander
Highlander’s Forbidden Bride
Bound To A Warrior (Warrior King series)
Loved By A Warrior
Short Stories
based on characters in Donna’s books
One Night of Love & the Hobgoblin – The Irish Devil
Halloween Magic – The Wedding Spell
Christmas Love – Return of the Rogue
o0o
About the Author
Donna Fletcher is a USA Today bestselling romance author. Her books are sold worldwide. She started her career selling short stories and winning reader contests. She soon expanded her writing to her love of romance novels and sold her first book SAN FRANCISCO SURRENDER the year she became president of New Jersey Romance Writers.
Drop by Donna’s website www.donnafletcher.comwhere you can learn more about her, read her blog and enter contests.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Titles by Donna Fletcher
About the Author
ds
The Irish Devil Page 36