Elizabeth felt Edward stiffen when she mentioned her father. She raised a brow, and he shook his head before sighing.
“Beth, I don’t want you assuming I hid this from you or that I tried to trick you. I honestly didn’t consider your father until you mentioned him.” Edward watched as the look of uncertainty transformed into suspicion. “He refused me. He would not even entertain the idea of us making a match.”
Elizabeth pulled away and stalked over to the fire. She threw sticks into it, and Edward was not sure if he should approach or give her space. He took a few tentative steps toward her, and when she did not ward him away, he pulled her back against his chest.
“I don’t care what he says. I’m past the age of majority. If he didn’t want me to marry you, then he should have married me to someone else sooner. I’m tired of being ignored until I’m considered useful, then put back on the shelf when I’m not.”
“You don’t want to end the handfast?”
“The only way this handfast is ending is when a priest says amen.”
Edward wrapped his arms around her middle and squeezed.
“I’m sorry, but I really didn’t remember him until now.”
“I believe you. I wasn’t thinking about him either. I wish I hadn’t. He is not as ambitious as Deirdre’s father and mother were, but he’s just as manipulative and neglectful. This is his comeuppance for failing me as my father and protector.”
“Beth, if you change your mind between now and when we return, you need only tell me, and I will release you.”
“Don’t expect me to be so gracious.”
Edward kissed her neck and along her throat as she tilted her head to give him access.
“Are you refusing to let me go?”
“That’s right. And you had better not be willing to let me go. In the most practical of terms, I might already be carrying your babe. I don’t picture either of us would want a child born with the stigma of bastardry.”
“I would not accept that.”
Elizabeth turned in his arms and pulled her gloves off. She grazed the pads of her fingers over the bristly hair on his jaw. She tucked his russet hair behind his ears and rubbed his lobes when she realized they were nearly frozen.
“You said you aren’t going back to Ireland. Were you planning to stay at court?”
“No. I told Robert I wanted to go back to the Highlands. That’s what called me home.”
“And now? Are you still going back to the Highlands?”
“‘You?’ Why aren’t you saying ‘we’?”
Elizabeth shrugged one shoulder but continued to gaze at him.
“I’m not leaving you at court. My home is where you are. If you want to remain at court, then that is where we will stay.”
“How soon can we leave? I mean once we return and the king sanctions our marriage. How soon after that can we go?”
“I would say the same day, but you see the weather. It wouldn’t be safe to attempt to travel that far north until after the spring thaw.”
Elizabeth swallowed the sob that wanted to escape. She looked at the fire, but Edward cupped her cheek, and she leaned into it.
“Do you dread going back that much?” She nodded. “Then we will retire to Culcreuch Castle. No one is occupying it but servants and some tenant farmers. If you don’t mind a quiet place without much pomp and frills, then it might be a nice distance from court. We return when summoned but otherwise keep to ourselves. Are you sure you wouldn’t get bored or tired of me?”
“Hardly. Your novelty hasn’t worn off yet, and if what you taught me last night is any marker, you will hold my interest in this life and the next.”
“Cheeky minx.”
“Only for you,” Elizabeth winked before growing serious. “I don’t want to stay there any longer than I have to. I have no reason to remain. The queen has been kind and generous, but she is not an easy woman to serve. I don’t hold any ties to my parents. The only people I would miss are Thomas and the girls.”
“Then we invite them to come with us.”
“You make it sound simple.”
“It can be. Your mother will be glad to have them away from Stirling. Your father won’t stop us from moving them. The only objection will be our marriage and you leaving with me.”
“Eddie, do you wonder if the crash was really an accident?”
Edward’s heart seized at her hushed words. He had been dreading that question. She kept it to herself for as long as she could.
“I have no way to be sure, my love.”
“Don’t try to protect me from this. The axle was broken cleanly. It could have broken then the carriage tumbled or the other way around, but either way I remember a loud crack before the coach began to fall.”
The bile rose in Edward’s throat as he considered the possibility that Elizabeth might have been purposely endangered.
“Eddie?”
“Now I don’t want to return you to court until I ascertain who would harm you.”
Elizabeth pulled away and walked to the door. She struggled but pulled it open. The snow accumulation was above her knees when she turned to look back at Edward.
“We may not have a choice. We aren’t going anywhere soon.”
Elizabeth and Edward spent three days trapped within the cottage. Edward collected fresh snow that Elizabeth melted for them and the animals, and foraged leaves and grass for their mounts. The innkeeper filled Edward’s satchels, so they had more than the bannocks and dried beef Edward took from the castle’s kitchen, but it was not much and ran down quickly since it was only meant to last them a day. They spent their time talking about their childhoods and experiences at court. Edward was six years her senior, so she was too young for him to have noticed before he left for Ireland, and his tastes had not run toward the virginal during his brief visits. It was too cold for them to take off any clothes, and they were both fatigued from the lack of food. They spent most of their time cocooned together as they talked. Edward realized his intuition or God’s wisdom granted him a rare treasure when Elizabeth came into his life. In turn, Elizabeth never felt more cherished or appreciated than she did when she was with Edward. It might not have been a romantic setting, but the time spent together was savored. By the morning of the fourth day, Edward sensed Elizabeth’s restlessness and nervous energy.
“What is it?” he asked softly as she shifted positions once more.
“It’s almost Christmas.”
“I know, sweetheart. That’s been plaguing my mind too.”
“Will we be able to leave before then?”
“I’m hoping we will be able to leave before midmorning. The snow is melting, and the temperature has been climbing the past two days.”
“I wish to celebrate our first Christmas together with something a bit more festive than dried beef and stale bannocks.”
“I will find you the largest roast duck the kitchens can prepare, and I will carry mistletoe in my pocket. I will kiss you under it every chance I have. I haven’t anything to give you, but I will make our Christmas special whether we are in the wilds or at court.”
Elizabeth snickered.
“Aren’t they one and the same? Though I may have been dismissed from the queen’s employ. If I haven’t been, but I don’t attend Christmas Eve Mass, I will be. She will not forgive me for missing the service.”
“Even if nature decided otherwise?”
“If she doesn’t have faith it was God’s will, then it may as well have never happened.”
“That does sound like my gracious sister-in-law.”
“I don’t want to return. The idea of Culcreuch Castle sounds better each day, but I accept that we must. We must have the king’s blessing, or my father may try to overturn our marriage. He might have the archbishop or Pope annul it.”
“We shall cross those bridges when we come to them.”
Elizabeth nodded but said no more. They left before midday and made steady progress throughout the afternoon and
early evening. The sun was setting when they rode into the bailey at Stirling Castle.
Chapter 10
Edward and Elizabeth entered the castle with the intention of Elizabeth going to her chamber to remove her five layers of clothing and to make herself more presentable while Edward sought his brother, the king. They were not given that opportunity. Two guards stepped before them and issued a command that they appear before the king. They looked at one another but followed the guards. They entered the king’s privy council chamber to see most of the council assembled. Seated near the king was Laird Fraser.
“Lizzie,” the courtier caught himself. “Elizabeth, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be halfway to Castle Varrich by now.”
Edward tucked Elizabeth behind him and threw his shoulders back. When he stood to his full height and showed the expanse of his broad chest, he was far larger than most realized.
“About that. You risked your daughter’s life to keep her away from me. What sort of man sends his daughter to the northernmost Highlands in the middle of December? What sort of man sends his daughter with a clearly inexperienced team that can’t drive in snow?”
Edward’s accusation drew gasps, and the king stood. He looked between his adopted brother and the man in question. He raised one eyebrow at Fraser.
“I did arrange for her to leave here, but my driver is experienced and has driven my family since he was a young man. He’s known Elizabeth since she was in swaddling clothes.”
Elizabeth peeked around Edward.
“Father, Duncan wasn’t my driver. I didn’t recognize him or the coachman.”
“What’s this? Elizabeth, are you sure? I spoke with Duncan the morning you departed.”
“It wasn’t him.”
“Who the hell was driving your carriage?” The king roared.
“I’d like to understand that too.” Edward interjected. “My wife nearly died when it overturned.”
He stood with his hands on his hips awaiting the inevitable fallout from his declaration.
“Wife? Wife?” Fraser spluttered. “Not in this lifetime.”
Elizabeth stepped beside Edward, and when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned against him.
“There’s little you can do. The deed is done. I’m past the age of majority, so I can make my own decisions, and I did since you refused to. There is naught that can be done to undo what has transpired. Many times.”
Elizabeth’s glare challenged her father, and the man stood shaken by his mild-tempered daughter’s transformation.
“Your Grace, your brother has manipulated and defiled my daughter. I demand this union be annulled and recompense paid.”
“Fraser, silence. I gave Edward my blessing before he set off chasing your daughter. I sanction this union. And if I were you, and I learned my daughter was nearly killed, I would be more concerned about finding my missing driver.”
“Your Grace?” Elizabeth spoke up.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Your Grace, may I be excused? I am not at my best.”
Edward pulled her close and spoke before Robert did.
“We’re going to our chamber. Beth hasn’t eaten properly in days, and she needs to get warm and sleep in a proper bed.”
“Where have you been keeping my daughter?”
“Father, stop bellowing. You haven’t thanked Edward for saving my life. He found me and protected me. He made sure we found an inn the first night because the weather was so foul. He found a cottage when the weather kept us from traveling. He did what was needed to find us food while we were stranded for days. He made sure we made it back here alive. He did all of this in a tunic and cloak. I have seven layers on, and I’m sure I may never be warm again. Father, he might have died trying to care for me.”
“If you were at an inn and then a cottage, you were never at a kirk. You aren’t legally wed. I don’t have to acknowledge whatever agreement you pretend you’ve made.”
“We handfasted. I’m a Highlander. We’re married.” Edward’s words were an edict.
“Fraser, I’ve already told you that I sanctioned this union. It’s time to accept the decision has been made. It was made before Edward left, and quite frankly before you sent Lady Elizabeth away. What is needed now is a ceremony before a priest.”
Once again Elizabeth was convinced she had to be the voice of reason.
“Your Grace, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We can’t be wed until after the Mass. That means Christmas is the soonest any priest would marry us.”
“Then you and your groom have a day to prepare.”
Elizabeth and Edward retreated to her chamber, but Robert decreed they were not to share it until after their wedding. It was the concession he made to Laird Fraser. Edward bit his tongue and agreed, but he was not pleased.
Edward checked her chamber before allowing her to enter. He wanted reassurance the carriage accident was just that, an accident, but until then he would not take any chances. Once Elizabeth was inside, Edward pulled her into his embrace, and they stood together reveling in their moment of quiet after the confrontation with Elizabeth’s father.
“I will come to you tonight,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Beth, I detest the idea of you roaming about the castle. What if something happened to you? You fell or banged your head? If something went amiss, no one would be any the wiser where you are.”
“You worry like an old woman.”
“Because I have something more precious than all the jewels and gold in the world.”
“I love you, too.”
“Tell me how to get from my chamber to here?”
“It’s far too complicated. If anyone is likely to end up lost and never found again, it would be you muddling your way here.”
“What do you propose?”
Elizabeth bit her lip and shrugged.
“I suppose two nights won’t kill us. You kept me waiting before, I suppose I’ll survive.”
Elizabeth laughed and swatted his backside before shimmying away.
“Cheeky. I’ll remind you of that.”
“I shall hold you to it.”
A knock at the door interrupted their banter. A team of servants arrived with a tub and steaming hot water, along with a tray piled with various scrumptious offerings. There was enough food for two, so Edward waited while a maid assisted Elizabeth with her bath behind a screen. They shot each other looks of disgust, but accepted the situation. Once Elizabeth was dressed in a fresh chemise and a warm robe, they sat together before the fire. The meal ended as another knock sounded at the door. Another team of servants cleared away the tub and dishes. A guard stood at the door and stared at Edward until Edward relented, kissing Elizabeth good night.
The next day was Christmas Eve, and the court transformed into a magical and enchanted playground for courtiers. Servants lit candles in all the chandeliers and wall sconces. Boughs of evergreen were hung throughout the passageways and the Great Hall. The ladies replaced the subdued gowns worn during Advent with brightly colored gowns for the Christmas season. The day sped by in preparation for the midnight Mass that would welcome in Christmastide, and Elizabeth spent it in the queen’s salon with the other ladies-in-waiting. They sewed stockings and garments to be distributed to the poor the day after Christmas. Elizabeth was welcomed by the queen with more warmth than she anticipated. She read aloud from the queen’s favorite book of poetry. As the hour grew late, the ladies followed the queen to the chapel. The queen looked over her shoulder and caught Elizabeth’s eye before tilting her head toward Edward. Elizabeth attempted to hide her shock, but she curtsied and took her place beside Edward. He entwined their fingers within the folds of her gown.
The next two hours were spent in prayer and song as the court welcomed the birth of Christ. Elizabeth reflected how her journey to this day began in this chapel when she sensed someone watched her. She peeked at Edward as he kneeled beside her, and she found him looking
at her just as he had four weeks earlier. His eyes crinkled at the corner, and his dimples appeared as he smiled. Their hands were folded in prayer, so he pressed his elbow against hers. She returned his smile before bowing her head again.
The congregation left the nave and moved to the Great Hall to begin the festivities. Elizabeth found a new place set for her on the dais. She looked around the hall and marveled at how it transformed from the somber gathering place that lacked decoration during Advent to a fairyland that twinkled and shone. The celebrations stretched into the early hours of the morning, until most of the revelers barely kept their eyes open. Edward and Elizabeth shared a secret glance as they both considered slipping away together, but the queen and ladies-in-waiting had other plans. Elizabeth was whisked away to her chamber where the two other ladies-in-waiting fell into their beds alongside hers. It was the first time in months that either slept in their beds, but Elizabeth was too tired to consider that the queen had sent them as chaperones. When they rose midmorning, they made their way to the queen’s salon. The ladies sequestered her where they spent the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon leisurely reading and talking. Elizabeth’s eyes drifted closed more than once until the queen gave her permission to sleep on a chaise. She was exhausted from the ordeal of being stranded in a blizzard, so she was grateful to catch a few hours of sleep before she was roused by a giddy group of young ladies who helped her ready for her wedding.
Edward had grumbled as he watched Elizabeth leave with the other ladies-in-waiting swarming about her. He sat on the dais next to Robert and observed the last of the revelers trickle out as some sought their beds and some sought someone else’s bed. He appreciated Robert’s calming presence. Even though he considered himself already married to Elizabeth, a nervous excitement coursed through him at making it official before friends, family, and everyone in between.
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