by Lucy Lixx
Scott smiled at me mischievously. I didn’t know how he could find me attractive like this. I certainly didn’t look like a lady crouched over the fire helping to cook two bloody rabbits, but every time he looked at me I felt as if I was lighting up from the inside. At least, before the dread of what I was telling him soon enough came back, making me groan inwardly. It wasn’t until after everyone had separated and I was alone with Scott that I was able to get up the courage to talk to him.
“Scott...” I said as I was curled to his chest once more. He was gazing at the sky, clearly still in thought about where we were going. It hit me that he had yet to tell me why we were going. Only that it was meant to be a friendly diplomatic trip, and he looked at me.
“Lass if we weren’t going to sleep, I have better things we could do.” He managed to say playfully. I put my questions aside, realizing that it was now or never. I wouldn’t have the courage otherwise.
“I need to tell you something, but I am so scared to tell you.” I said. I didn’t bother to hide my trembling, and with that Scott shot up. I tried to hide my face in my hands, knowing I had gone too far to back out now, but he grabbed my tender wrists looking at me with concern in his eyes that nearly broke me right then and there. I knew that his care was genuine, and I was about to hurt the only man I had ever loved.
“What is it, Amelia?” He said. “Has someone hurt you?” He said in an urgent, strained whisper. I shook my head.
“No, but I need to tell you something about Lady Briana.” His face seemed to grow cold, and he looked at me with concern in his eyes.
“Has she hurt you?” He whispered with an odd strain in his voice. It was obvious then to me that he would choose me, and it was only that thought that allowed me to blurt out what I needed to. He looked at me urgently.
“I will not allow her to hurt you, Amelia.” He said with such intensity that I felt as if I could say anything at that moment and he would still take me in his arms.
“She’s sleeping with your brother.” I said, and my voice cracked. His hands fell from my wrists, and he looked at me with wide eyes. It was as if I had just struck him, and I couldn’t help but to have my heart break again.
“No.” He said.
“Osgar.” Was all I said in response, and I felt as if I was going to be sick.
“They shall hang.” He said, spitting on the ground. With that, the tears came fresh and real, rolling down my cheeks as I looked at him. I threw my arms around Scott, holding onto his torso, and his hand was on my back soothingly.
“I will not allow them to hurt you.” He whispered. “Nor am I mad at you, Amelia.” He said with such tenderness that I only cried harder. He was tense under me from both my crying and the betrayal that he was felt. That I was certain of.
“No, that’s not it, Scott.” I said, and he looked at me strangely. “I cannot bear the thought of them hanging because of what I’ve said.” I told him, and it was true. The startling realization that I had just about condemned them was so much.
“It is because of their actions.” He said sternly, and it made me recoil. I didn’t get far with his arm still around me.
“We are no better!” I nearly shouted, surprising even myself. He took me by my shoulders, shaking me sternly but gently.
“Do not say that.” Scott bit out, and yet I knew I felt the truth of the words deep in my heart.
“I am your mistress.” I told him. “That is no better than she taking a lover.” I told him, and his anger was starting to boil over. I was afraid that he would strike me, and yet my own stubbornness forced me forward with my words.
“I am not your wife. I am your bed warmer. Just as my father had been concerned.” I said as more tears made tracks down my face. I was shaking as hiccups started to form from the crying.
“Then I will make you my wife. Once Briana and Osgar are taken care of, what is to stop me?” He nearly shouted. I was sure by now we had woken the others, but I did not care. They knew well enough to stay quiet with their Laird in such a foul mood.
“Do you expect me to want a marriage paved on the blood of their deaths?” I whispered in despair, and that seemed to startle him. He frowned but the anger had not left Scott as he fixed me with a hard glower.
“What would you have me do then, Amelia?” He asked.
“I do not care. Pardon them, exile them, but do not expect me to be happy with a union built upon blood.” I told him, and he pulled me close to him.
Soon enough I was under him, and his lips were on mine. They were fevered and angry, kissing me until I was sure that my lips were bruised and swollen. Yet, I kissed him back with the same ferocity. He said nothing, but I was sure that I had won. At least, I hoped so. He worked my dress up, and it was not long before I had moved his plaid and his kilt. Soon enough, Scott was inside of me with my hands moving down his back, clawing at the skin there through his shirt. He groaned with one hand over my mouth to muffle my screams of pleasure at his mixture of rough tenderness that left me breathless with my toes curling.
I could feel rocks and tree roots digging into my back, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was the way that he moved inside of me. A blush settled over my cheeks as I glanced to the side, sure that the men had to be watching. They were only a stone’s throw away. I had never thought that I’d be taken in this manner, but the moment I saw that they still had their backs turned to us, I lost it. I came hard with him rutting into, bringing me closer to climax again just as I came down. His eyes held that same rough intensity as the night he first rescued me and I had looked at him as a woman looked at a man for the first time.
I knew then as I knew now, that I could belong to no other, and as his thrusting grew more urgent, Scott claimed me once more as I felt him throb and spill his seed deep inside of me. At the same time his teeth found my neck, biting harshly into me. If it were not for his hand, I was sure the village nearly a half day’s ride away would have heard my scream of pleasure as I tightened around him, falling over the edge one last time.
“You ask so much, Amelia.” He whispered as we fell asleep, but I knew that we would get through and I had just spared two lives while making my own dreams come true. Despite that sadness in his voice, I would be able to guide him out of it. As his wife. The thought warmed me just as much as the heat radiating from his body, keeping me warm throughout the night.
Chapter Seven
Scott had not spoken to me since we got up, but I could tell that it was due to him being lost in his thoughts and not his anger towards me. If it had not been urgent that we ride through to give me time to spend to my parents, I was sure that he would have taken me this morning. Instead, I felt his hardness briefly as we rode off. Now I just felt the hardness of his chest, and my breathing hitched as I saw my home village. Scott held me protectively as we reached it, as if I would jump off the horse and run for home.
I leaned against him reassuringly. I had no intention of staying, but the thought of being able to tell my family that soon I’d be Lady McKenzie was more than I could bare. He had me direct him to our home, and sure enough my father was working the fields, but I could smell fresh bread being made. Knocking on the door of the home that I had grown up in seemed to be silly, but my mother had her apron covered in flour by the time that she came to the door. Fear lit up in her eyes the moment she noticed Scott and his men.
“My Laird…” She said, curtseying. “What do I owe this visit?” She said with her voice strained with worry. I stepped out from the side, hoping that she would see me, and when she did I saw tears spring to her eyes.
“Amelia.” She said, wrapping me up in a hug. “I thought I should never see you again.” She cried, and Scott smiled at the tearful reunion, but it was tense. I knew that it would be a short visit, and he was busy.
“Your daughter wished to visit.” He said, and I nodded. Mother ushered us in with a smile on her face, but it was clear that she was confused. I did not care. I was overwhelmed with joy to see her safe
and well. Without the threat of taxes, father and mother seemed to be recovering, and I was sure as Lady McKenzie I could help my family in a way I would not have been otherwise, but I pushed those thoughts aside for later.
“I shall call for your father.” She said, telling us to make ourselves at home. My father looked at me with the same unshed tears as my mother, seeming both thankful to see me and scared of the cause. I had not expected to frighten them.
“How may we assist you, my Laird?” He asked, and mother had already disappeared into the kitchen. I looked at Scott.
“May I join her?” I said before he answered my father, and he nodded allowing me out of his sight. The men seemed uncomfortable, excusing themselves to tend their horses.
“We had heard you were assigned to the Lady Briana.” Mother said, and I was sure that she had heard everything. The memory of the lessons, especially the last one, ran through my mind and shame and arousal ran through me. I hoped that my mother could not tell, but luckily she continued to speak.
“But we had not received news since.” She told me, and my heart was both relieved and broken.
I didn’t relish the idea of telling my mother that I had become the mistress. I could tell that she was having a hard time preparing the stew, and so I took over peeling the potatoes. Best she does not have a knife in her hands when she hears the news. I thought as I persevered, telling my mother what all had transpired since I had been sold to the McKenzie clan to pay our taxes. Her reaction was a mix of pride and horror. I knew that I was in for a long night ahead.
“Your father will be furious.” She said. “You’re a Mistress?” She asked, and the soup was done. It was as if my mother still could not believe her ears. My own face was beet red with embarrassment.
“Yes, but not for long, mother.” I said. I had left out Briana’s infidelity, and so I did not know how to tell my mother that soon I would be Lady McKenzie.
“Your father…” She said, shaking her head.
As I feared, it was as if my mother could not look at me. How I had handled myself had filled her with pride, but it was as if I had dashed that pride quickly. Soon enough everyone was in our humble living space, and Scott had me sit right beside him, which made my father’s brow knit together with worry and concern. He looked at my mother as if to answer a question, and his face went pale. As the dinner progressed, the laughter and friendliness that Scott and my father had shared seemed to disappear.
“My Laird, may I be as bold as to ask a question?” He asked in a tense tone that made me sit up straight, eyes on him with worry.
“Please call me Scott.” He told my father, which only seemed to worry him further. I wanted to blurt out everything right then and there, but I feared, like my mother, that my father’s temper would get the best of him. My anxiety must have shown because my father continued onward with his questioning in an even more worried tone than before.
“Why does my daughter sit with you like that?” He asked, and I felt as if I had stopped breathing.
“She is my Mistress…” Scott said, and all of the men that had traveled with us had the decency to look away. They knew how a farmer’s family would take the news. I wanted to bury my face as to not see the look of hurt and anger flit across my father’s face, but I was sure that the image was burnt into my memory now. My eyes were fixed on him as he stood up abruptly.
“You cannot!” He screamed, and if my fear could double it did just then. Scott was not used to being ordered around, and by a farmer no less. He tensed, and I feared for the worse, but instead Scott seemed to harden as he put his arm around me.
“I have.” He said, and my father’s anger was bubbling over. Just as I was sure that the situation would escalate, Scott continued talking saying just about the only thing that would diffuse such a situation.
“She will soon be my wife.” He said, stopping my father in his tracks as everyone around the table let out a soft gasp. My mother’s eyes were confused and wide and all I could do was lean closer to Scott, hoping that nothing further would anger him or my father. His voice was cold, but the words rang true.
“Wife?” My father asked tensely as he resumed his seat. I knew as his anger abated even he knew how foolish his actions had been. You do not order around your Laird and not pay a price, and yet Scott had not harmed him.
“Yes, Lady Briana has been unfaithful, and I plan to take Amelia as my wife. It is why I wished to bring her home for the news.” He said, lying easily.
“Ye have my blessing.” My father said after a moment of silence. My mother just looked awed, and much to my surprise, Scott bellowed a large laugh.
“I do not think I was asking it, old man.” He said, but his tone was light and teasing.
The rest of the meal was more comfortable, but before the sun had risen, Scott whisked us away, promising that we’d have more time to visit when we returned in a week or so. My father and mother had hugged me before I mounted the horse with Scott, but this time the goodbye was filled with tears of joy instead of sorrow and fear.
Chapter Eight
As we were on our horse, riding through the day with very little breaks, I had time to think and process what had happened to me. I had made it from Mistress to wife, and I was sure that I had spared Osgar and Briana. At least I hoped so, but still the questions that I had the night before nagged at me. Where are we going? Why is he riding so hard if this is friendly? I thought to myself, wondering if I should voice the thoughts aloud.
“It is time I tell you why we are riding.” Scott said. His tense tone had me on edge.
“We are to discuss rebels. This is a safe place, so I figured we could take you along, but this will not be a discussion for a lady. You shall stay in your rooms.” He told me, and I couldn’t find the words in me to protest.
“Rebels?” Was all I could manage through my disbelief.
“Yes, there are threats of rebels in the lowland. Sympathetic to the English cause.” He said, spitting on the ground in disgust as he dismounted his horse, helping me down once more.
“Scotts sympathetic to the English rule? Do they not wish for our freedom?” I couldn’t understand how anyone would want our way of life taken away, and yet I knew that Scott would not lie to me. He just nodded grimly. I couldn’t understand what would cause someone to say such things. I just didn’t understand at all. My head was spinning.
“We will be staying with the McDougal’s, as they are our strongest ally, but I fear that they may not be an ally much longer. If we have to leave hastily…” He said, and I could hear the other men grunt as they dismounted as well.
“Why would they not be our ally?” I asked. I felt as if there was something they all were trying to avoid saying.
“Because they were in favor of Lady Briana.” Derek said, eyeing me. Everything started to fall into place. I realized then that they should have left me with my parents at the village. There would be no hiding Scott’s declaration, and I was sure that he was not the type to deceive either. I shook my head.
“You should take me back.” I demanded, and Scott huffed at me.
“I will do no such thing. You are to be my wife and I shall not let you leave my side.” He said, but I stubbornly shook my head.
“I do not wish to incite something.” I told him persistently, but Scott would hear nothing of it.
He went to make a fire, motioning me over so that I could tend it as they once again hunted game. I was left with my thoughts and a soon to be husband that would not budge. I could only hope for the future, and yet my worry would not leave me. Even as he held me that night, pressed tightly to his chest with a full stomach, I could not quell the worry inside of me. It was not a worry for our future, but for our people. Looking at Scott as he drifted off to sleep, I knew that he would not abandon me. I will have to find a way to see him through. I thought, trying to close my eyes and sleep. It was only the thought that I’d not part from him, his words echoing in my ears that allowed me to finally drift
off.
Sneak Peek: Dangerous Times
Peasant Diaries Book 3
When alliances are threatened, it is not the time to demonize a beloved Lady, but that’s exactly what Scott was doing when he left Lady Briana to marry me. I knew now that we would not have the support of the clans if we did not tread carefully. As the new Lady, McKenzie I would be expected to be more than just a pretty figure. I had to help my Laird and my love as much as possible, but looking at the Chief across the table, I was sure that he did not trust me. I was but a peasant, when his son had once had the best.
I did not compare to Lady Briana’s beauty, but the chief’s wife smiled at me with acceptance which made me sure that she had known of Osgar and Briana’s betrayal long before. Sure enough, the harvest was upon us, and a rebel group was causing trouble in the Lowlands. If negotiations did not go well, we’d soon be at war with our own people with the threat of the English still looming over us. My thoughts were interrupted as the Chief spoke.
“You plan to banish your brother in such times?” He nearly hissed, and Scott’s face hardened.
“He has committed adultery.” He said tersely.
I did not think the table was the time nor place to argue about such things, but sure enough the entire manor knew by now, and so no one tried to hide it any longer. Lady Briana and Osgar were surely nowhere to be found, and I was in her seat. Even without a proper announcement, it was clear to many what was happening. When dinner had ended, I had excused myself since Scott was needed with his father to discuss the future of Osgar and Briana.
I felt sick to my stomach, wondering if I had succeeded in sparing them the gallows only to still be driven from each other. When I was on my way back to the room, that’s when a large hand snaked its way around my waist. I thought surely that Scott had snuck away early, tired of arguing with the Chief, but as the hand clamped down on my mouth, I was struck with the realization that this was not my lover. With a sharp pain, everything went black. Rebels. Was the only thought that I could manage before I succumbed to darkness.