There was a ruckus at the door and her mother motioned the maid over. “Help me get her into the bed. Oh goodness, I hope she doesn’t fall asleep before it happens.” Fiona pushed away at them to keep the women from fussing so much over her.
“I’m fine.” When she swayed, the women caught her and helped her onto the bed.
The door burst open and the men carried a half-naked Steaphan who was just as tussled about as she was. Fiona sat up and peered at him. From the crooked grin and reddening of his cheeks, he, too, had drunk too much whiskey. Fiona covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a hiccup.
Looking to her mother, she leaned over and whispered, “How many people will be present?”
Her mother moved around the bed and to the maid. “Get everyone out except the vicar and the McKenzie guardsman.” She looked to her and nodded. “Your father and I will remain as well.”
The McKenzie did not seem at all discomfited by the proceedings. Shirtless and with his britches low on his hips, she could only admire his body. Tall and muscular, much more so than the guard, this man was built for battle and war.
She lay back and looked at the ceiling before remembering what her mother said. It was easier look anywhere else but his face. His gaze moved over her, once again, this time slower. He took her by the hips and pulled her lower down the bed until her feet were on the edge of the mattress. Her shift slid up uncovering her bottom half and she squirmed. He then pushed his britches off and straightened.
It was impossible to keep from peeking to note the size of his cock. It was a mistake. Like the man, it was thick and formidable. Fiona gasped and looked back to his face. His eyes had darkened.
The bed dipped from his weight when he climbed onto the bed and over her. He pushed her legs apart and settled between them before looking to the people in the room.
His breath smelled of whiskey and Fiona swallowed when her stomach revolted at the reminder of what she’d already drank too much of.
So intent she was on not throwing up that when he nudged at her entrance, she didn’t take much notice except to part her legs wider. It would have been bad form at this point to urge him to move faster as he was taking his time. But she almost did. Of course, she reasoned, throwing up on one’s bridegroom was far worse.
She lifted her head and looked down to see that he ran his hand up and down his shaft until it sprung to life. Three mistakes so far. The drinking, the first look and now this. His shaft grew to be even larger.
“I-I don’t think it’s going to fit at all now.” She cleared her throat to hide a burp. Thankfully, it helped somewhat with the nausea. “You shouldna done that.”
There were several throats clearing and her mother gasped. Fiona noticed her parents had turned their backs. The clergyman watched with eyes narrowed while her husband’s guard paid more attention to her breasts than whatever Steaphan did.
“Ah!” Fiona cried out. When his pushed into her, there was a sharp, quick pain. “You didn’t warn me.” She attempted to scoot up to get him out of her, but he held her hips fast.
“Don’t move,” her husband gritted out as if in pain. “Just be still for a moment.”
If anyone should be uncomfortable it was she, not him. Or perhaps it hurt the man, as well. The thickness of him filled her completely and her body struggled to adjust. Fiona took a deep breath and fell back onto the bedding in an attempt to force her body to relax.
“What are you doing?” She had to ask since he remained frozen, joined with her.
“Allowing for your body to accept me.”
“I do not think it does,” she replied.
She thought she heard a man’s chuckle before footsteps sounded and the door closed with a firm thud. Steaphan released a breath and pulled out almost completely. Just as Fiona was about to let out a breath of relief, he moved back in.
“Oh!” She felt her eyes widen as she grasped his shoulders. “You’re going to keep going?”
“Aye. I will wife. I will finish and so will you.”
He leaned over her and caressed her nipples while his hips moved in a perfect rhythm. Whatever he did was not unpleasant in the least. Fiona closed her eyes and wondered if lovemaking would always feel so good. She lifted her hips to take him deeper, needed him to be totally inside her, to take her completely.
“You are so tight and wet. I didn’t expect it,” he spoke into her ear, the huskiness of his voice and heat of his breath adding to the pool of sensations. Fiona could only let out a soothing sound as she allowed him to ride her body until she began to float.
She closed her eyes and then opened them again remembering what her mother said. “More!” She dug her fingernails into his buttocks and urged him to move faster, the brink of her coming within reach. Steaphan pulled out and moved down her body.
“What are you doing?” she grumbled at the sudden emptiness and coolness that came at being separated from him.
“I want to feel you more. Be with you in different ways.” Steaphan lifted her hips up and reached between her legs. “Open yourself to me, beauty.” She started to grumble, but then cried out when his mouth took her. He licked between her folds and then moved his fingers into her sex.
Immediately, she climaxed. Losing all control, she dug the back of her head into the bed coverings and screamed.
When he rolled her onto her stomach and lifted her behind to enter her again, she could barely function. Any more sensations and she was sure to die. Instead, she began floating back down to him as every inch of his shaft moved into her and slid back out.
“Come again with me,” he told her, reaching around to fondle her already swollen nub.
Once again she climbed.
* * *
“Milady, wake up.” The maid stood over her with a perplexed expression. “Ye has slept much too long.”
Fiona jerked upright, sitting up in the bed and looking from side to side. Where was her husband? “The McKenzie?”
“He is downstairs, milady. Preparing to leave.”
“Today?”
“Aye, milady. He’s returning to Gladdaugh with haste it seems.”
She went to the window and could see the guardsmen were preparing their mounts. “But I am not packed.”
“Fiona. You’re awake.” Her mother appeared at the door and came to stand next to her. “I see you know they leave.”
“They?” Fiona looked from her mother to her maid. “What is happening? Why am I not accompanying my husband?”
“He feels it will be safer for you to remain here.”
“I must speak to him immediately. I do not wish to remain behind. Why did he not speak to me of it?” She rushed about the room and grabbed a robe, which she wrapped around her body as she ran down the hallway.
“Fiona, stop!” her mother called, but Fiona ignored her.
Steaphan was about to leave the great room when she appeared. “Steaphan,” she called and rushed to him. Her father stared at her agape while the other people looked on with curiosity. “I must speak to you at once.”
“Fiona, this is not the time,” her father started, but she cut him off.
“I wish to speak to my husband, now.” She emphasized the word husband between clenched teeth.
“This way.” Steaphan took her elbow and walked with her to a side alcove. He looked down at her with expressionless eyes. “What do you wish to speak of?”
“Wha…” Her mouth fell open and she tried to say something besides telling him to go to hell. “I wished to know why you made a decision not to take me with you.”
The man was not warm at all. He lifted a brow at her comment. “My clan is at war. You will be a target for them. Being a McLeod who married a McKenzie only keeps your clan safe, not mine.”
“But it’s only right that I remain by your side,” she offered weakly. The last thing she wanted was to remain behind, left to live out her days alone with her family and no husband. Not to mention, facing the guard who professed his love one day an
d tupped a maid in her home the next.
“I will come for you as soon as possible. Now, be an obedient wife and go back to your room. I will send for you in a fortnight or less.”
“In the future, I would prefer if we discuss any matters that affect me prior to you speaking to anyone else. The maid knew more about your decision than I did. Travel well, husband. I hope your horse doesn’t step in a hole and toss you over its head.” She turned on her heel and headed to the hallway. If she never saw the brute again, it would be too soon.
Chapter Eleven
Valent entered the dim interior of the McLeod great room.
Everything remained the same, yet utterly different. The same furnishings, wall tapestries and hounds traipsing about, but the entire feel of it changed now. The air smelled of death and despair. Two guardsmen sat at a long table eating without speaking. At another, four men drank ale, their plates ignored.
A serving wench moved about listlessly, barely paying any mind to the fact some food slid off the tray. The dogs rushed over and ate it before he could bring her attention to it. Valent supposed her husband, brother or father must have been killed. Everyone, it seemed, had lost someone close.
“The McLeods of Skye have not responded,” Murray, one of the guardsmen at his table and his closest friend said. “Perhaps they are not coming.”
“What of the McLeods of Mudduch?” Valent asked.
“They sent notice stating they were kin by marriage to the McKenzies and would not join.” Murray shook his head. “I was not aware of there being a union between them.
“’Tis new, I bet,” another guard chimed in. “Naill McLeod has always been friendly with the McKenzie.”
“What happens then?” Murray asked no one in particular. “We are weak and easy prey if the McKenzies return.”
“They will not.” Valent wasn’t sure of it, of course. “They could have taken over while here and didn’t. I think it was just retaliation they wanted.”
“What of Beathan? Should we do something?” the other guard asked, his bread held up to his mouth. “He is our laird’s brother.”
“He is the cause of all this, if he isn’t dead yet, he will be soon. We cannot do much to save him.” Valent scanned the room. Ariana had yet to make an appearance. Two days at the keep, they’d buried the dead and the maids had wiped the blood from the floors and walls. Yet he understood that she probably still could see it all. Upon first arriving she looked about to faint at the sight of so much of it. But she’d remained strong.
“Valent, milady would like to speak with ye,” Lily spoke to him, her eyes lowered. Like her mistress, Lily had also not quite recovered from the blow of all the changes. As a matter of fact, Lily seemed to assume the role more of Ariana’s friend than a maid.
Murray met his gaze. “Upon the arrival of McLeods, your familiarity with Lady Ariana will not be looked upon kindly.”
“You do not have to remind me. I know.” He stalked off angry at the truth of Murray’s words.
He hesitated in the doorway and looked toward the front entrance. If ever there was a time to get away, this was it. Things were about to change, once again, and the last thing he wanted was to serve another McLeod. He owed them nothing and would not give his life in defense of a clan who’d never accepted him fully. Now that he knew where he came from, there was no need to further investigate his heritage.
If anything, no one would question his decision. If he remained just until the McLeods arrived, he would, at least, ensure Ariana was safe. He’d go south, to the lowlands, and offer to work in exchange for food and shelter. He had little need for anything.
“Once the new McLeods arrive, everything will be different will it not?” Lily came up behind him. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. “I wonder how much longer I will remain here. If Lady Ariana marries, I will go with her wherever it is she is to live.”
“Perhaps her husband will want to remain here.”
“Or Ceardac will return and we will remain almost as before.” There was hope in Lily’s gaze when she looked to him. “That could happen, can it not?”
“Aye. Anything could. Tell Lady Ariana I will see her later tonight. I must go to see about my cottage before it gets too late.” He walked to the courtyard, suddenly needing air. His dog, Arrow, came to him when he whistled and Valent continued on toward the woods.
The cottage he’d lived in since a lad was exactly as he’d left it. He found his bundle of clothing that he’d thrown into the bushes when his plans to leave had been thwarted by the arrival of the McKenzies.
Inside the cottage, he moved about touching the familiar, simple furnishings. The dwelling where he’d lived most of his life already looked abandoned, the air stale as if it prepared for a long slumber. He’d never return. Somehow, Valent knew this was his last time to be there.
The horse made a noise and he looked to see if something was amiss. Everything seemed well. It was probably the wind rustling the leaves that made the animal uneasy. He let the door close behind him and went to the horse. Just then, a man appeared from the forest. From the looks of him, he was a scout prepared for battle. Valent tensed, but didn’t reach for his sword. “Who are you?”
“I’m a scout for the McLeod. Are you of that clan?”
“The McKenzies have left. They retreated two days ago. You can go back and assure your laird only the laird’s sister, Lady Ariana, and twenty guards remain.”
The scout looked past him. “Aye, fine, but I will see with my own eyes before I go back.”
Valent shrugged. “Keep is this way.” He mounted and urged his horse towards the keep. “I’m headed there now.”
Upon arriving, the guards met the scout and invited him in. “Where is the lady?” he asked, not seeming to be at ease.
“I am here. On whose behalf are you here?” In spite of everything that had recently transpired, Ariana held her head high, her shoulders square as she descended the stairs. Her eyes went to Valent first, lingering on his face before moving to the scout. “Is my brother, Ceardac, and my mother with you?”
The scout moved closer to Ariana, stopping only when two guards blocked his way. Regardless of who the man said he was, they would not take his word for it. He understood and didn’t attempt to move closer. “Your brother returns with the laird of Skye. They await my return a day’s ride from here. Your mother remained at Skye.”
* * *
Ariana could barely hear the scout’s words past the relief that Ceardac and her mother lived. It was also a relief she’d not be forced to marry a stranger in order to keep her home. Just a few more days and her brother could come and take over the reins of lairdship. She waited for Valent to look to her and she motioned to the upstairs. His nod was barely perceptible. “Would you stay the night and leave in the morning?” she asked the scout, hoping to delay the man as much as possible. Hopefully, Valent would agree to her plan and they, too, would leave right after the scout.
The scout agreed only to stay for a meal, but not overnight.
The evening meal was a quiet event. Other than an occasional mumble from the men, everyone ate in silence. Ariana let out a breath and looked to Lily. “We may as well have remained in my chamber to eat tonight. The great room feels oppressive.”
“Aye, I agree. ’Tis so much on everyone’s minds. But we have good news.” Lily’s soft smile made her feel better.
“I look forward to Ceardac’s arrival, but dread giving him the news about Donall. I know he expects as much, but hearing it will be hard for him.”
Lily nodded, her expression pensive. “And there is the matter of the upcoming battle. If the McLeods of Skye come, then they must be planning for it.”
Ariana let out a long breath and looked around the room. “Why does it have to be so? The McKenzies retaliated, albeit very harshly, for a wrong my brother committed, but more war does not help matters.”
“I don’t understand it, either,” Lily admitted. “Perhaps you can speak to Cea
rdac. Convince him not to do it.”
“Have no doubt about it, dear friend. I certainly will talk to him and try to get him to offer a truce to the McKenzie and to discuss terms for Beathan’s release.”
Lily’s gaze slid to Valent. “Eerie isn’t it how he is the mirror image of his brother?”
It was unavoidable that everyone would question Valent’s loyalty after such a revelation. “I wonder what Ceardac’s reaction will be. If he doesn’t know it now, he will upon arriving. Everyone is talking about it.”
“Then you must tell your brother of Valent’s refusal to go with the McKenzie.”
“I am sure he will learn that, as well, upon arrival. The remaining guardsmen will advise him before I could ever get a moment with my brother alone.”
The messenger approached and gave her a slight bow. “Milady, I depart now. Your brother and the McLeod of Skye should arrive two days hence.” The slight young man waited for her reply.
“If you are sure you cannot wait, then safe travels. I await their return eagerly.” She watched him walk away, her brow furrowed in thought. The sooner she spoke to Valent and convinced him to go away with her, the better.
She looked to Lily and felt a pang of guilt. What of her friend? Would Ceardac allow her to remain at the keep? It didn’t seem fair to bring her along on a trek with no destination in mind and not knowing what kind of life she and Valent would be forced to live.
“Lily, do you still wish to marry and have a family? I have not heard you speak about any of the guardsmen lately.”
A slow smile stretched across her friend’s face. “I do wish for both a husband and children. However, I am not sure if it’s possible anytime soon. Especially with all this.” She motioned around the room. “Thankfully, none of the guardsmen have taken my notice at the moment.”
* * *
Hours later, once in her bedroom, Ariana paced. The irrational need to be with Valent overriding anything else. Lily entered the room and took in her bags. “Where do you plan to go?”
The time to tell the first person came. “I am leaving. Once Valent comes to me tonight, I will tell him of my plan to escape. Run away from all of this…” the words eluded her.
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