“Then make our coupling fast, for I will not be denied you again,” Fiona said, and hoisted her skirt.
“I love your boldness.” Tarr smiled and lifted her up to brace her against the wall, his hands firmly grasping her naked backside. With a bit of fumbling, laughter, nibbles, and kisses the pair joined swiftly.
“Shhh,” Tarr warned in a whisper when her moans grew loud.
“Your fault,” she mumbled, and buried her face in his shoulder.
Her moans vibrated against his flesh and excited him all the more, so did her fingers digging into his back urging him deeper and deeper inside her until . . .
He groaned in deep silence as he climaxed minutes after her, and when he went to release her, she hugged him tightly.
“Not yet, I love the feel of you inside me.”
Her words shivered his soul. How had he gotten so lucky to fall in love with such a unique woman? He had no answer but he intended to cherish his special gift every day, and love her with all his heart.
Voices and footfalls drawing near broke them apart and had them hurrying to straighten their garments. They opened the door, not wanting to surprise anyone who should enter and saw that the women whose voices they had heard had already passed by.
They smiled, grasped hands, and strolled toward the keep. Nothing at the moment could disturb the joy they shared. They were deeply in love and nothing could take that from them.
Fiona was eager for the evening meal, not that she was hungry, though her rumbling stomach reminded otherwise. She was eager to see Tarr. The day had grown busy once it was discovered Tarr and she would wed in three days. The cook pestered her with questions of what she wished served for the wedding feast, several clanswomen offered help in stitching her wedding dress, which she had not even considered, and then there was talk of decorating the hall.
She had finally managed to escape to visit with Aliss and Anya, and was relieved when after complaining about the problem that her mother volunteered, with excitement, to handle it all.
“I just want to wed,” she had told Anya.
Anya had insisted the wedding was not only for her and Tarr, but also for the clans. It was an important event that needed proper attention.
And Fiona gladly handed full responsibility to her mother.
Anya had also surprised her with a newly stitched dress. It was dark green and made of the softest wool Fiona had ever felt. Pale yellow embroidery done in the finest stitching trimmed the low neckline and the edge of the sleeves.
She had hugged her mother and hurried off to wash up and put the dress on for supper. She had wanted Aliss to join her in the great hall, but she declined admitting she was not feeling up to the task.
After making certain her sister was all right, only tired and continuing to recover nicely from her wound, she had rushed to her bedchamber to ready herself.
She felt like a princess descending the stairs, the green dress fitting her body perfectly, curving in at her waist, falling nicely over her hips down to her feet. And the wool was so soft and warm against her skin.
Her hair had to match in elegance, so she had returned to Aliss to see what could be done. Her mother had taken charge and had swept her hair up on her head, secured with two combs. She pulled several strands loose to fall around her face and neck and claimed it a work of art when she was done.
Aliss had agreed, telling her sister she had never seen her looking so beautiful. She then teased her about the faint blush that tinged her cheeks and the brilliant sparkle in her green eyes, and what of her lips so ripe with the color of a blossoming pink rose. She was more than beautiful Aliss had insisted; she was gorgeous.
She felt gorgeous and could not wait to see Tarr’s reaction.
She entered the great hall, which was filling with men and women who came to share the evening meal. Blackshaw and Hellewyk clan alike mingled and appeared comfortable with each other.
Tarr stood near the dais talking with Raynor. He had yet to spot her and that was all right for she enjoyed the sight of him. Tall, broad, and strong like the claymore he wielded with such ease and might. His stance was one of pride and he wore his plaid in the same manner. His auburn hair hung down his back and he wore a braid down the side that had been plaited with a strip of his plaid.
He was a fine man with extra fine features, and he belonged to her.
Raynor saw her before Tarr and his surprised expression had Tarr turning.
She kept walking toward him, smiling. His blank look remained and she wondered if he was blind or if her appearance did not appeal to him. Then he shook his head as if clearing it, and she realized for that brief moment he had not known her.
His admiring smile grew slow and steady until it spread across his face, and his dark eyes? They looked as if they wanted to devour her.
She giggled beneath her breath and hurried to him turning round to show off her dress. “You like my new dress? A gift from mother.”
He grabbed her around the waist with his arm. “You look stunning.” His other remark was a whisper meant for her ears alone. “You tempt my soul, woman.”
She kissed his cheek, empowered by what a simple dress could do, and made a mental note to speak to her mother about stitching other dresses.
“I second his opinion,” Raynor said. “I always knew my sisters would grow to be beautiful, but I never imagined such depth of beauty.”
Fiona went to her brother and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“It is the truth,” he insisted.
Fiona joined the two men in talk and drink, enjoying a goblet of wine. She felt safe, secure, and happy here with her family. She only wished Aliss could join them, but she was not alone, mother had refused to leave her daughter’s side, and keeping good company with Aliss: they were busy and content planning her wedding.
Odo entered the hall suddenly, his expression worrisome. He walked directly to Tarr, paying no one else attention.
“What is this I hear you wed my niece in three days’ time? You should wait upon my return.”
“Where do you go?” Tarr asked.
“To seek Giann as we agreed.”
“We agreed to discuss the matter further before any action was taken.”
“I cannot sit around and wait when my nieces’ lives are in danger. Giann will speak with me.”
“But will she tell you the truth?” Tarr asked. “It seems that Giann knows much but says little, and I wonder over her chosen silence.”
Odo fisted his hand at his side. “I will find out once and for all, I promise you.”
“I believe it is I who needs to speak with Giann.”
“The Wolf clan will not let you cross their borders.”
“They will let you?” Tarr asked doubtfully.
“Blackshaw is no friend to the Wolf clan,” Raynor said.
“I have my ways,” Odo insisted. “This wedding must not take place yet. You must wait.”
“We have waited long enough. Fiona and I will wed in three days time.”
“What of your father?” Odo asked of Fiona. “Do you not want him present at your wedding?”
“He will be. He arrives late tomorrow or early the next day in time for the ceremony and celebration, and he brings the cleric who will wed us.”
Tarr slapped Odo on the back and shoved a tankard of ale at him. “We celebrate the joining of powerful clans. We will deal with the other matter the day after the celebration.”
Odo accepted the ale, but his taut expression belied his words. “To my niece and her future husband Tarr of Hellewyk, may you know only happiness.”
They all drank to the toast and when done, Odo was quick to excuse himself, explaining that he had to inform his men they would not be leaving just yet.
“He is not pleased with the news,” Fiona said after she, Tarr, and Raynor took their seats at the table on the dais.
“He is a man of action,” Raynor said. “It disturbs him to sit by and do nothing when
trouble brews. He was the one who organized the search parties after your abduction. Father was distraught and mother”—he shook his head—“she insisted on going with Odo to search. He promised mother that he would be relentless in his pursuit and find you girls.”
“He must have been upset returning empty-handed,” Tarr said.
“Upset? He was furious. He had no choice but to rest the horses and the men; they were exhausted and could not continue. He kept a vicious pace for months until finally father ordered him to cease. Odo argued but father made him see reason. It was not that he wanted the search to end completely, but it would be wiser to plan a steady, continuous search alternating men.”
“How long did that go on?” Fiona asked.
“It never stopped. Different areas were searched.”
“I do not understand how the twins were not found,” Tarr said. “The area where they resided was only a week or two journey from your home. Odo must have covered that area.”
“He did but no twin babes were seen.”
“Did he consult with Giann on locating us?” Fiona asked.
“I am sure he did. He trusted her word.”
“I was thinking earlier,” Fiona said, “that no one would benefit from our disappearance, and that it cannot be determined it was a vengeful act. What if our abduction was planned to protect us until we could return prepared?”
Raynor shook his head. “But for what reason? Prepared for what?”
“We, Aliss and I would be the reason and prepared for what I am not sure.”
“Are you suggesting that this was planned before your birth?” Tarr asked.
“Yes, and it is because of you I thought of this.”
“How?” He shook his head, realization dawning. “Your father. He taught you to defend and survive.”
“And mother taught Aliss to heal should either of us need it.”
“You mean that you and Aliss were purposely placed with the couple who raised you?” Raynor asked.
“It makes sense when you add all the pieces together,” Fiona explained. “You tell us that Shona the slave who abducted us loved and cared for us. She would not want to see us harmed and she would want us to survive.”
“Or know the reason you both needed to survive,” Tarr said.
Raynor shook his head. “You are confusing me yet I see where this makes sense, and how it all points to Giann.”
“She would be the one who would have known the twins’ fate,” Tarr said.
“And the reason why it was necessary for us to survive and one day return.”
“Then you think she enlisted the aid of Shona?” Raynor asked.
“She would need someone she could trust with the twins,” Tarr said. “Someone who would protect them even at a risk to her own life.”
“Shona would have done that,” Raynor confirmed. “Then they would need someone to teach the twins.”
“Enter Peter and Eleanor, the couple who took us,” Fiona said. “Who I am sure must have known Giann.”
“Why this elaborate plan?” Raynor asked. “Why not just tell my parents and”—His abrupt silence had him looking from Fiona to Tarr. “She did not trust my parents.”
“Not necessarily,” Fiona said. “She may not have thought them capable of protecting us.”
“Mother and father would have died protecting you both.”
Fiona shook her head slowly. “I do not think that was to be their fate. Perhaps Giann protected more than Aliss and me.”
“Giann knows we will come for her, that is why she resides with the Wolf clan,” Raynor said.
“My thought as well,” Tarr admitted. “That is why you and I shall go alone to the Wolf clan to speak with Giann.”
“We tell no one of our plans.”
“Kirk knows,” Tarr admitted.
“He will say nothing; he is a friend,” Raynor said. “Which I hope now we are since you wed my sister.”
Tarr acknowledged by offering Raynor his hand. “Our clans join, though there is the matter of the Isle of Non to settle.”
“I am sure we can agree on something,” Raynor said, and shook his hand.
“I am glad you two have laid the past to rest,” Fiona said. “But there is one thing that has not been mentioned.”
The two men waited for her to explain.
“If Giann thought Aliss and me in harm’s way, enough to remove us from our home—”
Raynor finished for her. “Then the threat comes from within the clan Blackshaw.”
Chapter 33
Aliss was enjoying hot mulled cider with Kirk’s wife Erin when the cottage door burst open and Fiona marched in.
“What are you doing here?” Fiona went on questioning before Aliss could answer. “Are you not supposed to be resting? Have you miraculously recovered? Why is your wound no longer bandaged? And where is mother? I go to your room and you were not there, and mother was not there—”
“Fiona,” Aliss interrupted abruptly, though calmly, “join us, the cider is fresh and hot.”
Fiona slipped the green cloak off her shoulders, dropped it over the back of the chair she sat in, and quietly said, “I was worried when I could not find you.”
“My fault,” Erin said.
Aliss was quick to amend. “No one’s fault, the babe was not feeling well and Erin requested my help. I thought I would return before the keep stirred.”
“What of mother? And who brought you the message? It could have been a ruse. It could have been—”
“It was not. Kirk came for me and escorted me to his cottage. And as for mother, I sent her to her own bedchamber to sleep. She is exhausted from tending me and needs rest herself. I am well enough now and need no pampering or fussing, and my wound needs fresh air. And what brings you after me so early?”
“I could not sleep another wink,” Fiona admitted. “The sun hit my face and that was that, so I went to your room—”
“Found me gone and panicked.”
“What did you expect me to think, the sun barely risen and you are not in your bed?”
“What made you come here?” Erin asked.
“After panicking, I thought I better find out if perhaps Aliss had been summoned to help someone. The village was stirring and the few who bid me good morning had not seen you. Then I caught sight of Kirk, and he pointed to his cottage.” Fiona shook her head. “I almost fell to my knees in prayer.”
Aliss patted her sister’s hand. “I am not foolish. You need not worry so much.”
“Someone tried to kill you. I need to worry.”
“I do not blame your sister for worrying,” Erin said, and looked down at the babe sleeping in the cradle beside her. “I do not know what I would do if my son went missing.”
“I am sorry. I was so concerned with Aliss I forgot to inquiry about your son. How is he?” Fiona asked.
“No more than a tummy ache,” Erin said with relief. “I feel terrible about disturbing your sister when she still recovers from her wound.”
“I am fine and I am glad to be out of that room. I could not bear another day’s confinement. Tarr promised me a cottage, and today I intend to find one that will suit me.”
“You cannot leave the keep yet,” Fiona ordered.
Aliss understood her concern for she worried for Fiona as well. They both still were at risk, but soon, two days to be exact, Fiona would wed and begin a new life, and Aliss wished to begin her own.
“I know, Fiona, but I would like to prepare so that when this culprit is found and dealt with, I can move to my cottage.”
“Are there any empty cottages close to the keep?” Fiona asked Erin.
“I think there is one, though it is small. There is a good-size cottage that borders the woods and has plenty of land for a garden.”
“It sounds like it is a distance from other cottages,” Fiona said.
“It does sit off on its own, but it is not completely removed from the village.”
“We will look at the o
ne closer to the keep, and if it is too small I will have Tarr build you a bigger one,” Fiona said.
Aliss realized her sister wanted her close, and she did want to be close. But she was also eager to have a cottage all to herself so that she could work with her herbs and tend the ill.
“I would like to see if the one nearer the woods suits me.”
Fiona shrugged. “If you want to we will look at it.”
Aliss smiled at her sister’s reluctant surrender, though she had far from capitulated. Fiona would find reasons why the cottage would not suit Aliss, when it was Fiona who it did not suit. She would be patient with her sister as usual, and if the abode were to her liking she would have Fiona agreeing in no time.
Fiona smiled and perked up when she said, “You know there is much to do for the wedding celebration, perhaps the cottage should wait until afterward.”
“I heard your mother has everything well in hand,” Erin said, to Fiona’s dismay.
Aliss kept her smile steady, though she wished to chuckle at her sister’s obvious attempt to delay her move. It would have been an excellent excuse to keep her busy at the keep. But Erin was right. Anya did have everything well in hand, which was why she was so exhausted and needed rest, though it would not surprise her to find Anya right now in the kitchen seeing to the food preparation or with the women who volunteered to stitch the wedding dress or with the women who gathered the garlands and berries for the decorations.
“Mother is tenacious like you,” Aliss said teasingly.
“And you are not, wanting to find a cottage now when there are other important matters to consider?”
“I but take a look, Fiona,” Aliss said and stood. “Let us go now.”
Fiona hurried out of her seat and wrapped herself in the cloak. “Good then we can be done with it.”
“It sits at the end of the village, on the side that borders the woods,” Erin explained. “It has been empty some time and needs repairs.”
That bit of news seemed to make Fiona happy. “It may be beyond repair.”
“We shall see,” Aliss said, and out the door they went, Fiona bumping into Tarr as they turned the corner.
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