She heard footsteps drawing near and turned to see Orla running up and panting and catching her breath as if she had run miles. “Amelia what are ye doing here? You must come away now, tis not good to be here.”
“Why what do you mean, it’s a beautiful room?”
“No, mistress it’s not that, tis the Chieftain's late wife’s room.”
“I know Deidre told me to get a start she was coming to help soon.”
Orla was panicking already and grabbing Amelia by the arm.
“What is the matter Orla?” Amelia felt slightly uneasy now.
“Deidre has deceived you, her and that Elora bitch, they mean you harm by having you here!”
“What do you mean?” Amelia was following Orla.
“Those evil witches had me sent off on a fools’ errand or I would have stopped you sooner.”
Orla looked around and saw all the changes. She crossed herself. “Oh, lud you have made too many changes he will not be happy.”
Then realization hit Amelia, “Oh bollocks, Beiste doesn’t let anyone up here does he?”
“No,” Orla shook her head. “It has been locked up and forbidden for any of the women to come here or make any changes.”
“This is a shrine to his late wife.”
Orla just nodded.
“He must have loved her a great deal. What have I done?” Amelia looked around the room and all the changes she had made.
Orla paused, “Mayhap we can go downstairs and explain it to him before he kens.”
Before they could make good on their decision, the door was flung wide and Beiste stood looking around him. “What the devil do you think you’re doing here?”
It filled Beiste with rage. The one place he did not want tainting his new bride and there she was in all her vibrancy mired in the darkness that represented his failings and loss.
“I am sorry husband, Deidre said I could use this room.”
“No one is to use this part of the house, do you hear me? No one! Not even you. Leave now!”
Beiste was clenching his fists and breathing heavily. Already the memories of all that he’d lost were flooding back. His eyes were glazed as if he was somewhere else.
Amelia nodded and whispered, “All right, husband.”
She grabbed Orla, and they made their way passed the door. As she passed Beiste his body still rigid, she paused stood on tiptoe and kissed his scarred cheek.
Then she whispered, “I’m very sorry husband, I did not mean to disrespect the memory of your late wife. Forgive me.” With that she hugged him around his middle then made to walk away but not before Beiste dragged her back, kissed her forehead and let her go. She squeezed his arm, then left the room.
Beiste instantly calmed. Trust his wife to placate him with such tenderness. The darkness receded with her soft touch and she soothed his soul. Beiste remained standing in a room he promised he would never enter again. For the first time he saw it in a unique light. He looked around and was greeted with colour and vibrancy and life. He saw a tapestry hanging on the wall, woollen throws over sparse furnishings. The rooms dusted and cleaned and the fireplace cleared of ash. It now had neatly laid firewood in the grate and fragrant flowers in containers distributed about the room. The scent of lavender and forest replaced what was once dark, dank mould. His wee wife had wrought such obvious changes
He walked into the adjoining room that was to be a nursery. There was a chest he knew was still full of the clothes Caitrin had been sewing for their bairn. The chest was still open, Amelia must have been looking through it. He saw the white baby garments and tiny blanket. The room was fresh fragrant flowers adorned the window. There was a large rug on the floor which made it seem warm and welcoming. He remembered happier times in this room when he placed his hand on Caitrin’s tummy and the babe had moved.
Beiste looked out the window, “I’m sorry Caitrin I was not there for you and our bairn, I did not protect you as I should, I hope you have both found peace.” He felt a soft breeze pass by and the scent of lilies waft through. It was her favorite flower. Something unlocked and released deep inside him and he knew some darkness surrounding her death had receded. He placed the garments back inside and closed the chest. He walked back out the way he came except this time the darkness did not consume him as much as it had in the past.
***
After a thorough bath to wash off the dirt of the day, Amelia made her way to the Great Hall. She would not cower in her room but face her problems head on. Deidre had done this deliberately, hoping to drive a wedge between her and Beiste. She would show that nothing had affected her in the least. She just hoped her husband was not too angry with her.
Amelia looked around, trying to find a sign of Deidre and Elora, and they were noticeably absent. Then Sorcha appeared and made her way to the table and sat beside her. Brodie constantly scowled at Ranalf and Orla and had stopped flirting with one of the serving girls and Jonet was still eating some weird gruel.
Beiste had still not appeared after half an hour had passed, but she saw Deidre and Elora enter the hall. The two women were smirking, and they gave her a smug look, she just stared them both down until they looked away. The Hall went quiet, and she knew Beiste must have entered. The Keep would have heard about what she had done with Caitrin’s rooms, but she would brace and deal. Beiste strolled into the Hall with nonchalance.
Amelia was so relieved to see him all she could do was bid him welcome “Welcome husband tis glad I am to see you.”
Beiste stood in front of her and said nothing. The Hall collectively held its breath. Amelia braced herself for whatever he would unleash when he leaned down and kissed her soundly on the lips in front of the whole Keep. He then sat beside her, pulled her chair with her still on it, closer to his and started serving his food. Whatever had darkened his mood earlier was gone.
Amelia immediately started fussing over him, filling his trencher and making sure her man got fed and he appeared to lavish attention. The Hall took a selective sigh of relief and boisterous discussion resumed. The only two people who were not happy were Deidre and Elora.
It was later in the evening Amelia lay naked on top of Beiste’s chest after a strenuous round of lovemaking. Her head was tucked under his chin, his arm caressing her back, and they spoke in hushed tones. She apologized for invading Caitrin’s rooms and explained how Deidre made her believe it was to be used.
“Love it’s all right, you should use the rooms you are now my wife, I think it would be good to have life breathed back in there again.”
“Thank you, I know you loved her very much and I would never presume to take her place.” He placed his finger on her lips to stop her speaking.
Beiste took a deep breath and felt it time to share, “Caitrin and I were not a love match but when she discovered she was with child, it was a joyous time for both of us.”
“What happened?”
“A few months later I went to stop a skirmish with neighbouring clans, she begged me not to go, she was terrified something would happen, but I assured her she would be safe.”
He paused and stared at the ceiling.
“Tell me husband.” She whispered.
“I had been gone only three days but upon my return I was told she had miscarried and died during the night.” Amelia took in a sharp breath. “Turns out she bled to death trying to abort the babe, they found penny royal by her bedside.”
Amelia hugged her husband tighter, “Oh, Beiste tis so tragic I am sorry for your loss.”
“My uncle Ludan was with us during that time and he said sometimes women who are carrying just do unexpected things. But I vowed never to use those rooms again.”
“What was she like husband?”
“Scared. She was always scared if I was to go away, she would fret until I returned.”
“Do you ken what it was she feared?”
“No, she had guards, all the time to keep her safe, and I was usually close by but when she became pregnant her
fear increased. I should have kept a closer vigil over her, and for that I failed.”
“Husband, you cannot blame yourself for things not always in our control.”
Beiste kissed the top of her head. “Aye.”
“Thank you for sharing with me.”
Beiste kissed the top of her head and pulled the covers up over the two of them, “Tis time to sleep, love.” Amelia had to agree she drifted off to sleep feeling safe in Beiste’s arms.
***
Trouble
It was several days later around midday and Beiste had returned to their bedchambers to change into fresh leine. When he entered the room, he found Elora lying naked in the bed beckoning to him.
He scowled and yelled, “Get out!”
“Surely you don’t mean that?”
“I do now get out. How dare you sully our bed?”
With desperation and knowing she was losing the battle, Elora stood up and walked seductively towards him naked. “I offer you the use of my body to do what you want and I expect nothing in return. Surely you cannot be satisfied with just one woman?”
Beiste was not even tempted. There was a time the mere sight of a naked woman in his bed was enough to make him hard he would drive into her with abandon. Not anymore.
Beiste seethed, “You will leave my chambers now and never come back.” With that he picked up her robe, wrapped it around her and pushed her out the door despite her pouting and protests. He then slammed it shut and went back to getting his leine.
Amelia came to a sudden stop in the hallway as she gawked at a half-naked Elora getting pushed out of their bedchambers. Elora turned and stared her straight in the face. She then smiled and sashayed past Amelia, straightening her robes. As she passed her, she said, “You may go to him, he has at least relieved some of his stress inside me, he will be much gentler with you now.” With that, she strutted down the stairs with a smirk.
Standing on the top landing, looking down as Elora descended the stairs, Amelia was fuming. A million emotions racing through her system, but the prominent one was anger. She picked up a nearby container of flowers which was sitting on the ledge, took them out and tipped the dirty water over Elora’s head then threw the dead flowers at her. Elora shrieked and started running down the stairs. Amelia then stormed down the hall to her own chambers and slammed the door, locking it behind her. She began packing her belongings and setting plans in motion. When was she going to bloody learn that men were unreliable idiots?
A moment later Beiste walked out of their shared chambers freshly changed and headed back to the Hall where he was looking forward to joining his wife for the noon meal.
Meanwhile, Amelia continued to stomp about her room and curse about stupid unfaithful husbands and their harems. Fine, if Elora was the woman Beiste desired than he could have her, she thought. She was not about to slink off and lick her wounds in some backwater shire. She belonged here now. She was the MacGregor’s wife. He had promised her a home, and this was it but there was no way she would remain anywhere near his blasted chambers and witness women coming and going all hours. No, she was going to permanently move to the healer's cottage where she could live out her days as an independent woman.
Beiste had waited for his wife in the Hall and she did not show for the noon meal. He was becoming impatient, wondering if he should just go in search of her when the woman in question appeared, her head held high, defiance and anger shining in her eyes. He watched as she started dragging an enormous trunk of clothes down the stairs. He stood and walked across the Hall to help her, but she smacked his hands away. “Don’t touch my things.” she seethed.
“What in bloody hell are you doing? You cannot carry that it is too heavy. Where are you taking it?”
“Where I move my things tis none of your concern any longer, husband.”
Amelia spotted Kieran passing the stairway and called out, “Kieran would you be so kind as to help me carry this chest?” She gave him a winning smile.
“Of course, mistress I’d be glad to help.”
Kieran bent to lift it and Beiste slammed his foot down on it, “Leave it.” He growled.
Kieran backed away.
“Kieran, please ignore my husband.” She turned to Beiste, “Move your damn foot!”
“No.”
She physically tried to wrestle his foot, but it would not budge. “Oh, you big footed monster. Move your foot!” she shouted.
“Not until you tell me what’s going on?” Beiste growled.
Amelia turned back to Kieran all politeness, “Kieran would you kindly help me move the Chieftains foot off my trunk.”
Beiste snarled, “Kieran if you take a step towards my foot, I will geld you?”
Kieran looked between the two of them, “I think mayhap I should come back later when you two have discussed your foot.” He started walking backwards away from them.
“Coward!” Amelia shouted.
“I’m sorry mistress but I treasure my balls too much to get in the middle of this.” Kieran replied.
“Next time you get stabbed with a knife I’ll leave you to bleed to death on the roadside and poison your food and smother you with honey and let the ants eat you alive and let Morag see to you instead.” Amelia ranted at his retreating figure.
Kieran chuckled but kept walking away, “I’ll keep that in mind, Mistress.”
Beiste was trying hard not to smirk at Amelia’s tirade once she got going, she wouldn’t stop.
“Now wife, what is all this about? What has you so riled?”
“I am moving to the healer’s cottage permanently.”
“Why?”
“You have been carrying on with Elora behind my back…”
“What? When?”
“Don’t lie to me husband or I swear I will punch you in the mouth and give you a matching scar on the other side.”
“What the bloody hell do you mean you absurd woman?”
“I saw Elora come out of our chambers half naked.” She whispered to keep her voice down. Noticing by now everyone in the Hall was straining to hear the conversation. Even Beth the cook had stopped midway to the kitchens leaning her ear towards them.
“Mind your own work, Beth.” Amelia yelled.
Beth just huffed and kept walking, muttering, “I wasn’t even listening.”
“Nothing happened love. I told you I will never break my vows I gave you my word love.”
“But husband that’s hard to believe when she is attractive.” Amelia looked downcast.
“And you are not?” He looked at her incredulously “Amie sweeting she was lying in my bed naked when I got to the chambers and I set her outside the door.”
“But she said that you two had rutted together.”
“She said what? She lied. I will not stand for it.”
With that he took his foot off her trunk and stormed out the Hall entrance.
Amelia realized then he was serious, and she chased after him, “All right husband I believe you, I believe you, I’m sorry… maybe you need to calm down.” She knew what he was like when he got this way.
“I will not calm down when someone spreads lies about me.” Beiste huffed.
They made their way to Elora’s home only to hear moans coming from within Beiste didn’t care he banged on the door once and said “I’m coming in!” When he kicked the door open, it was just in time to see a buck naked Lachlan standing with his head thrown back, both hands holding the head of a very naked Elora who was kneeling on the floor in front of him, her mouth wide open with Lachlan’s length pumping in and out of it.
Both of them screeched and separated immediately trying to cover themselves, Amelia despite her curiosity blushed and covered her eyes having seen far more than she wanted to see.
Without missing a blink Beiste boomed, “Do not lie to my wife ever again Elora and if I ever find you naked in my bad uninvited I will throw you in the dungeons you hear me?”
Elora was hiding behind Lachlan and nodded.
Amelia felt sorry for the woman, “Beiste maybe this isn’t the best time.”
He turned and glared at her. She shut her mouth.
“You waited in the Chieftains bed naked? Knowing he’s already married?” Lachlan yelled at Elora.
“Lachie, my darling…” Elora tried to sooth him.
“You tried to seduce the Chieftain and then called me?” He looked genuinely hurt. “I just asked you to marry me Elora?”
“Honey, please I was all pent up and needed release you know how it is, sweetheart.” Elora pleaded.
Amelia felt increasingly uncomfortable being party to a conversation that should be private.
Beiste interrupted, “Lachlan word of advice, keep your trews on around that woman.”
With that, Beiste grabbed Amelia’s hand and dragged her out the door. He was furious and walking so fast she was struggling to keep pace.
“Husband.”
“Quiet!”
She opened her mouth to speak and Beiste stopped her, “I said quiet.”
“You are walking too fast I can’t keep up.”
Beiste stopped and swung her up into his arms, then kept walking. She held on.
“I am sorry Beiste I should have trusted you. But you should know what it looked like. How would you like it if you saw me with a half-naked man?”
He stopped and glared at her, “I would kill him and throw his body in the fire, then revive him and kill him again.”
“Right… um, good to know, honey.”
He kept walking trying to shake the thought from his mind then he stopped again “Never leave me do you hear me? If you are angry or upset you come and yell at me, you do not just start moving out of our chambers.”
She nodded. “Aye. I am sorry, love.”
That seemed to pacify him, and he nodded and kept walking.
“Husband.”
“What?”
“Do all men have large… uh, man parts?”
He stopped. “What are you talking about?”
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