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Taken by a Highland Raider

Page 16

by Susan Bella Ikin


  “Perhaps you could send a message to Eleanor’s family telling them she is safe, and asking if they can explain what has happened. In the meantime, I think Eleanor should come with me to get cleaned up and have something to eat”. Before anyone could object, I stood up, and reaching down, grasped Eleanor’s arm and pulled her to her feet, leading her out of the room.

  I arranged for some hot water and a tub to be brought to the chamber that I used to occupy and asked one of the serving girls to find some clean clothing. I took Eleanor to the room and while the tub was being filled, I poured a small quantity of lavender oil into the hot water.

  “What is that for?” asked Eleanor, drawing closer.

  “It’s lavender oil, it helps keep any bruising to a minimum. You hit the ground hard when Donald tackled you, so it might help a little”.

  “How do ye live among these brutal people?” asked Eleanor in a harsh tone. I turned to her.

  “They aren’t brutal at all. Remember that you were threatening me with a knife. I am married to Donald’s brother. What would you have had him do? Think on your own behaviour, you are the one who broke into our keep, tried to steal one of our horses, then threatened one of us with a knife. I don’t think you are in a position to be calling other people names, are you?”

  The girl cast her eyes down, suitably chastened, and I felt instantly guilty. She was probably scared, and was trying to project confidence and bravery, and I had scolded her. I cleared my throat, causing her to look at me, making me feel worse as I saw the unshed glimmer of tears in her eyes.

  “Look, we have probably both said things we should not have. Maybe after a bath and a hot meal, we can start afresh. You need to tell us how to get you home, I’m sure your family will be worried about you”.

  Eleanor looked confused.

  “What do ye mean, get me home? Am I not yer captive now? Isn’t that how ye came to be here, we have heard about how ye were stolen from yer family and brought here for one of the sons of the house. I don’t think my family will want me back now”.

  “Are you serious? Is that how people around here think? Let me tell you the truth, then you can tell your family, whether they believe it or not is no matter to me. It is true that I was captured and brought here against my will, but it was only for a ransom. My family refused to pay the ransom, but I didn’t want to go home anyway. These people have shown me nothing but kindness, and I wasn’t forced into a marriage with anyone. I chose to marry Liam because I love him, and he loves me. These are good people, and they won’t keep you here against your will, they will make sure you get home safely. Now, I am going to leave you alone to bathe, when you are finished, come downstairs into the hall and meet the rest of the family. Loretta here will help you with your hair when you are ready”.

  With that I left, closing the door behind me and headed towards the stairs. I smiled to myself as I thought of how wrong people could be. Then I remembered why Eleanor’s name had seemed so familiar. She was a McDonnell, and it was her family lands that Liam had taken me across on the day I arrived, when I was beset by those awful cramps, and had been so embarrassed to tell him why I was so unwell. At the thought I stilled, and started counting weeks on my fingers. It had been three weeks since the night Liam came home, and how long before that had I last bled? Two weeks? With wonder I ran my hand over my still flat stomach. Could it be? Was I carrying Liam’s child, and when should I tell him? I knew he would not welcome the news, so perhaps I would not tell him until I was sure. Things had been strained between us since that night, and if I was with child, this would not ease Liam’s mind. I exhaled, both happy and worried. If we were to have a babe, I would be a happy woman, but I knew that Liam would be afraid until the babe was born and I was safe. With a small smile on my face, I walked down to the hall.

  Liam.

  I don’t know how I knew that Mary had entered the hall, but I did. I turned to see her just as she passed through the doorway and headed towards me, a small smile on her face. She moved to my side and reached up to kiss me, pulling my head down to hers. Although we were in public, I was happy to oblige and wrapped my free arm around Mary and pulled her close, unable to use both arms as I was holding a cup of wine in the other. I felt someone tug the cup from my hand, so with a smile into Mary’s mouth I wrapped that arm around her as well, pulling her close for a long, deep kiss. We were both breathless when we parted, and I would have kissed Mary again were it not for a sharp finger jabbing into my ribs.

  “Surely ye two can wait until after the meal? Ye are making spectacles of yerselves!”

  My mother’s words belied the twinkle in her eye. Although she liked to keep up the appearances of propriety, I knew she heartily approved of Mary and the love we had found with each other. Things had been a bit strained between myself and Mary of late, and I had intercepted some worried looks from my mother, so this sudden display of affection pleased her much more than her words would suggest. I noticed that it was Donald who held two cups of wine, so held out my hand for my own cup, which he gave back to me with a smile. His smile faded a little as he caught Mary’s attention.

  “How is the lassie, Mary? I would not have been so rough had I not thought she was a boy, but from the back and in boy’s clothes, I did not look close enough, I was just worried that ye might get hurt if I waited too long”.

  Mary turned and put one of her soft hands on Donald’s arm to reassure him. I tightened my arm around her waist. Foolish or not, I longed to have her hands on me, only me, although I knew she meant nothing by the gesture except to reassure Donald.

  “She will probably be a little sore tomorrow, but otherwise she is fine. She is very scared though, we must reassure her tonight that she is in no danger in this house”.

  I turned Mary to me.

  “What are ye talking about Mary? What is the lass scared about, has someone threatened her?”

  “No, Liam, it’s not that. It seems her family has the wrong idea about what goes on here. It was probably not helped by that Robert, I did not like him, he was too interested in the story of how I came to be here. They think you stole me from my family for yourself, and that she is in some danger now. I tried to tell her the truth, and I think I planted some doubts in her mind that the stories she has been told might not be true, but when she comes down for dinner you must make sure to reassure her of her safety. Your parents must also make arrangements for her safe return to her family. This time”, and she patted me on the arm and stared me in the eye as she spoke, “when you escort her home, you must provide some women as companions to her. Otherwise her family might not believe that she has not been compromised, if she arrives after having spent time in the company of men only, considering what they already think of us”.

  I frowned as I considered what Mary was saying. I did not like the idea that our neighbours thought so ill of us. I was still angry that they had been stealing our cattle and that Ian had been injured during what should have been a negotiation, not a battle, but that they thought we had to resort to stealing women, well that really rankled. I was thinking through some ideas of how many men I should take with me, and which of the maids would be the least trouble around the warriors, when I saw the young woman herself hesitate at the threshold of the door. Her hair was still slightly damp, and appeared red, like mine, but I could tell that when it dried it would be much fairer. She was probably around Mary’s age, and was taller. As I watched, she squared her shoulders, and marched into the room. Donald noticed the direction of my gaze and turned his head to watch the young woman walk across the room towards us. Mary turned from my arm to face the woman, and moved to her side.

  “Eleanor, are you feeling a little better now?”

  “It’s Mary, isn’t it? Yes, I am, and I thank ye for yer help. I am at a bit of a loss what to do next though”.

  “Well, I am sure that Patrice will expect you to sit at the table with us. Let us find her and make sure you are sitting next to me so I can point out who is who to
you”.

  Mary linked her arm with Eleanor’s, and with a parting squeeze to my arm, left to find my mother. I looked at Donald to find him gazing after the women. I snorted as a sudden thought came to me.

  “Ye have to be joking, Donald, that one has caught yer eye?”

  Donald turned to look at me, narrowing his eyes and glaring at me as he tossed back his cup of wine.

  “Yer daft, Liam. I was just concerned that I did not injure her before, but she seems to be moving alright”.

  I clapped him on the back as my mother appeared and started organising places at the table.

  “Just keep telling yerself that Donald. She’s trouble anyway, ye would do well to remember that”.

  At dinner I found myself seated in between Mary and Donald. Eleanor was seated between Mary and mother, and I noticed Donald straining to try to hear what was being said, while trying not to look as if he was interested. At one stage Donald tried to casually lean back to sneak a peek behind me at Eleanor’s backside, and I nudged him heavily, whispering to him to behave. Again, Donald tried to convince me that he was not interested in Eleanor, but went quiet as it became obvious I did not believe him.

  That night as Mary and I prepared for bed, I took the brush from her hand to help her brush and rebraid her hair. As much as I enjoyed seeing it loose with her abandon, I knew that Mary had a terrible time later getting the knots and tangles from it, so I often took the opportunity as offered to me tonight. Mary had taught me how to braid hair, and while my efforts were not very attractive, it was sufficient for our chamber. In return for my efforts, I was able to enjoy running the silken strands through my fingers, and as I braided the length of hair down her back, I would allow my fingers to brush against Mary’s spine, enjoying her little shiver as she reacted to my touch. Mary also enjoyed this little ritual, and often, as tonight, she stood naked by the fire while I concentrated on my task, more than a little distracted by my wife’s neat little behind. Once her hair was neatly fastened, I moved up behind her, rubbing my stiffening shaft against her. As my hands moved down over her shoulders to cup her beautiful breasts, I bent my head to kiss her at the crook of her neck. I looked down in pleasure at the sight that beheld me, and watched as my hands kneaded Mary’s pale flesh, and I listened to her little moans of pleasure as she leaned back against my chest.

  “Liam, you know just what I like, don’t you?” she moaned so softly I almost missed it.

  “Well, I should, after all this time. Ye are always quick to tell me what ye like anyway, I would have to be a fool not to remember”. My breath caught in my throat as Mary leaned her pert little arse back and rubbed it against my groin. I quickly shed my remaining clothing and rubbed my skin against Mary’s. I would never tire of this. My hands returned to their worship of Mary’s body, one sliding down to her sex and pulling her hard against me as I rubbed her arse with my groin, and that sensitive little nub with my thumb. Mary bucked against me and I was almost undone.

  “Ah, Mary, ye can’t be doing that when I am so hard already, I won’t last if ye keep that up”. In response, Mary rubbed her arse against me again, moaning and giggling at the same time.

  Growling I grasped Mary’s hips with both hands and bent her forwards slightly, making her gasp. I had long wanted to try this position with Mary, but she had been reluctant, telling me she liked to see my face. I reasoned that we could make love again tonight, and Mary could see my face all she liked then, but for now, I was beyond rational thought, driven that way by Mary’s smooth rounded arse. I slowly rubbed Mary’s arse, and she tensed, feeling my shaft rubbing against her smooth behind. I felt her starting to try to pull away from me, and moved to gentle her. I moved my hand so that with my fingers I could find her tight little opening, and I rubbed the lips gently, smiling as Mary began to tremble and soften, and I guided myself inside, sliding slowly, feeling her walls gripping me as I did.

  “Liam, I can barely move like this”, gasped Mary, from her position where she was bent forward, bracing her hands on her thighs.

  “Then leave it to me, just give yourself over to how it feels”, I moaned as I began thrusting into her. I threw my head back as I enjoyed the feel of the head of my cock scraping against Mary’s walls each time I thrust. Before long, I felt Mary’s walls squeezing me as she began her climax, and all too soon I knew I was close, but I was enjoying the new position so much that I only managed to withdraw in time, placing my shaft on Mary’s arse and watching my seed shoot along her back. I knew she was frustrated with me when I did this, and as I cleaned her up, I remembered how different it had been when I hadn’t, and I stilled as I realised how long ago that had been.

  I picked Mary up in my arms and laid her on the bed, pulling her into my arms again as I kissed her on top of the head.

  “Mary, how long has it been since yer last course?” I asked softly. I felt her tense in my arms.

  “About five weeks, Liam”, she said softly.

  I moved to her side and turned my head so that I could look at her profile, trying to breathe evenly to quell the panic as I asked my next question.

  “Are ye with child?”

  Mary turned her head to look at me before answering.

  “I don’t know Liam. It’s very soon. I could be, we will have to wait and see, won’t we?”

  I fell back against the bed and threw an arm over my eyes as I tried to come to terms with what I had done. I felt Mary move so that she was leaning over me, and felt her move my arm so that she could look at me.

  “Liam, there’s no point in worrying right now. If I am going to have a babe, Bridget will look after me. She did a very good job with Kathryn, and Kathryn had a very long labour. If I did get with child that night, we have a long time to go, and you can’t be worrying all that time”.

  Mary started to settle in against my side, but I couldn’t stay in the bed right then, I felt too much shame at what I had done. I had been so careful, and had only been careless on that one night, and now Mary might have to pay the price. I slid out of bed and hastily pulled on some clothes, ignoring Mary’s crestfallen face as I left the room.

  Not knowing what to do with myself, just not wanting to be near the woman I might have endangered, I found myself in the hall, and found a flagon of wine left from dinner. I poured myself a cup, and hearing a noise behind me, realised that I was not alone. I turned around, to see Donald sitting at a table, with a cup by his hand.

  “What are ye doing here, Donald?” I asked as I approached him.

  “I could ask ye the same thing. Ye have a beautiful wife in yer chamber, yet ye are here, and with something on yer mind by the look of ye. What’s the problem?”

  I sat and gulped a big swig of the wine before I answered. I toyed with the idea of not saying anything, but everyone would know soon enough.

  “Mary thinks she might be with child”.

  “Liam, that’s wonderful! Have ye told Ma yet?” Donald, who at first seemed really happy, sat back as he watched my face.

  “Liam, why are ye not happy? Is Mary not happy to be with child? Is she sick? I have heard that some women get very sick in the early stages, is that what is wrong?”

  I shook my head, unable to speak, and then Donald seemed to understand.

  “It’s Rose, isn’t it? Ye are afraid that Mary will – well, that what happened to Rose will happen to Mary? Och, Liam, ye can’t be thinking that. All women are different, and Mary is stronger than Rose, and not afraid to ask for help”.

  I stared at him, he was the second person to say something like that.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Surely you knew? Bridget was always worried about Rose, but Rose wouldn’t let Bridget anywhere near her, she was afraid that Bridget was a witch and would call demons down on her if she let Bridget touch her. I heard the women talking after Rose died, and Bridget could have saved both Rose and the bairn if Rose hadn’t banished her from her child-bed”.

  I drew in a deep breath. There was so much
I hadn’t known about Rose, and I had been married to her. I was about to rise, to return to Mary and try to be a better husband to her than I had been to Rose, when I remembered to ask Donald why he was sitting here alone, so long after the hall had emptied.

  “It is that woman. Ye were right Liam. I cannot stop thinking about her. She must despise me though, after I threw her to the ground the way I did, did ye not notice that she would not look at me all through dinner? I want to go up to her chamber to speak to her, and to apologise properly, but I know that would not be wise, so I was hoping to sit here until I get drunk and pass out”.

  “We are a fine pair, aren’t we Donald? Who would have thought such a short time ago that two women would have us so turned around that we can’t even sleep? I am luckier than ye though, as I can go and talk to my woman, and hope that she forgives me for my selfish behaviour, I don’t know what ye are going to do to resolve yer problem. Ye are right to stay away from her chamber however, if we do not return her to her family in the same condition she arrived here, there will be more trouble. I think ye should stay down here”. As I stood, I put the flagon I had found in front of Donald and smiled at him. I hoped he would be able to put Eleanor out of his thoughts once she was back with her family, but I needed to get back to Mary. I should not have left her the way I did.

  When I went back into our chamber, and slid into the bed, it was as I feared. Mary had been crying. She tried to keep her face turned from me, but I would have none of it.

  “Mary, I am so sorry. I have been so busy thinking of myself, that I have not thought of ye at all. If ye can be patient with me while we work through my fears, I will try not to behave like the big idiot I am”. I laid my hand on her flat stomach and stroked her gently. “After all, if there is a babe in there, ye need to save all yer strength for growing a healthy babe, and staying well yerself”. I pulled Mary close and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

 

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