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Post by anjelrocker on Feb 7, 2012 22:10:21 GMT -5
Tara was frowning as she looked to her older sister. "Don't tell her that... she is going to tell either Tomas and Tavis and you remember the last time we got scolded for flirting with the village boys." She said to Tori before looking to one of her sister in laws. She supposed that she could give them both a chance and she preferred the blonde one to the robust dark haired one. Sighing, Tara looked to the game that she was obviously losing it but she did not want to be a sore loser. "I donae see why ladies cannae show that they are more intelligent then men... unladylike or not. Seems rather silly to lie to someone if they are an idiot. I say that ignorance is not so blissful." She shrugged her shoulders as she lifted herself from the chair. "Tori, I donae wanna to play anymore... tis a bit boring..." She said in an almost whiny voice as she looked to Lady Alice and smiled.
"If it was not raining then I would ask if you would take us for a walk since we are not suppose to go alone. And Gran is getting a wee bit too old to be going for long walks." Not that her Grandmother was feeble but for long distances, it was a pain for the older woman.
"I think that Lady Joanne is suppose to be teaching us later today..." Tara said as she went to the window to see that it had stopped raining and that the sun was peaking out of the dark grey clouds. "Look, Tori... the weather is fine again... no?" She said as she was grinning. "Come... I want to go to the river..."
---
Joanne was helping in the great hall as she was directing some of the servants with putting up some more tapersies as she thought of her new husband. It had seemed like he had gotten his way around the village as well as most of Scotland. Atleast, it had seemed like as she had been told by one of the woman of the village that her son and daughter were both her husband's bastard children and that there was a good chance that there were a few other bastards.
Something did not sit well with her being that this situation was not what she expected. He had told her what to expect... that he had had other lovers and she had expected that since it was some unspoken rule that the men could be whores and the women were suppose to be virgins when coming into a marriage.
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In his study, Tomas was going over the ledges about the land taxes knowing that they could not possibly raise them and yet, there was something amis. Tapping his fingers on the pages, he wondered what they were going to do. "Christ..." He wondered if someone was taking money out of the funds... he was sure that it might be happening but the question was... who.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Feb 13, 2012 20:34:42 GMT -5
"I would love to go with both of you," Alice said with a smile. "It'll be a chance for us three to get to know one another. Especially since my duties for the house don't have much contact with you two," she said standing. Even though Tara was the younger, it was obvious she was the one in charge. Both of them were beautiful but Tori seemed the more quiet and withdrawn of the two sisters. Knowing her husband was busy, she decided escorting the two girls would be a nice exercise and a chance to get to know the two of them better. She walked with both of them downstairs, donning a cloak then going with her two sister in laws.
"How old are ye Alice?" she asked curiously as they walked and Alice moved with them, only knowing where they were headed because of her tour along the isle that first day of her arrival.
"Eighteen...Nineteen come Yule...my mother used to say that my birthing was her greatest yuletide present she ever recieved..." Alice mused and she glanced at Tori who smirked.
"I have a natal day two months from now. Tara's is next month. There is only eleven months between me and Tara," she said smiling then pulled her cloak close to her. "I'll be fifteen. And nearly an old maid.." she mused then sighed.
Alice smirked. "I don't think so. There's plenty of time to marry. Believe me...Marriage is a big part of your life. If you are lucky, you live more of your life with a husband than you do with your family. You want a good husband and rushing into it by choice won't be good. Are your brother's giving you a choice?" she asked curiously as they walked.
Tori took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. "They say we get to choose a husband. I think it's because...weel...our parents marriage wasn't exactly a good one. Our brother Terrence...he is only our half brother...but no one would dare call him a bastard. He takes after Tavis. So much it's amazing that we don't have a little niece or nephew by now by him. Ye've met him," she said and Alice smirked.
"Aye He likes to think himself charming," she mused as they headed toward the river and then she found herself with the two of them at the river's edge with all of it's craggy climbing rocks and small waterfall. it was more of a spring than a river though the river did flow into it. "Your brother warned me you two were hellions," she admitted smirking.
Tori smirked. "We're just outspoken...and we speak our mind. Gran says tis the best way to live as a woman and if a mon doesn't like it, then he doesn't have to put up with it," she smirked.
"Sounds like a very idealistic sort. I think your gran is a plethora of wisdom..." she smiled.
Tori smirked.
-----
Tavis entered with a sigh. He had just been to visit Ellie. A woman whom he had had as a leman for a wee while in his earlier years and who had married and moved on, only to return with a child in her arms that looked much like him. There was no doubt it was his babe and he had taken to spending at least an hour of every afternoon with his bastard daughter. It was not as though he had done it on purpose. She had tried pawning her son off on him to support as well. And he did, but only because it was his child's sibling. Little Ainsley was a pretty thing, six now and utterly sweet and innocent. One of the few things in his life that he did not regret. Her son, was a year younger. But in no way Tavis' blood. Even so, he sent money to their mother to both of them and regailed them both with sweetness and tried to instill some fatherly sort of instinct in the youngsters. His wife of course, had found out about Ainsley through the spiteful bitch who birthed er and that had been an argument. It was not as though he were sleeping around.
Since bedding his wife, he had spent the past two weeks in her bed and hers alone. She satisfied him and no matter how much he slept with her, he craved more. There was definitely something wrong with that picture. He had talked to Gran about it but she had only laughed and said that it was a good thing his wife crazed him. Whatever that meant. Seeing her in the great, he walked up beside her, seeing the older tapestries being hung up. "Looking wonderful m'dear. But I admit, ye've got that wee look of mischief in yer eyes that tells me yer angry. What have I done now? Not till fretting o'er my past indiscretions are ye?" he asked with a raised brow.
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Post by anjelrocker on Feb 24, 2012 19:45:53 GMT -5
The truth behind going to the river was that some of the village men went there and sometimes, they happened to be in the nude. It was the only education that she got about the male body. Well, sometimes their Gran talked about that sort of thing but it was odd and embarassing. "It is beautiful here, no?" She said as she went to climb up to one of the cliff so that she could see the river from her favourite spot. Tara looked over her shoulder as her older sister as well as her new sister in law, the nice one since the other one seemed a little high strung. "Our brothers only think that we are hellions because we are not too good at taking their advice." She giggled as she did not care if her gown got dirty since this spot was perfect for watching the river... it was peaceful but then, Tara was not one for looking at the serenity of the river and waterfalls.
"They are always telling us what we can and cannae do... I am almost fifteen years old and I am not even married yet." Not that she wanted to be... her freedom would be cut off completely if she had a husband who was bossing her around. That idea did not appeal to the young girl with a sense of wanderlust and adventure. As well as a lust for the handsome men of the village...
"Join me... it is quite lovely up here." She said as a scream suddenly came out of her because she fell backwards and into the river. Her hazel eyes were wide open as she plunged into the cold river and stared up at the surface as she was trying to get there for air. Tara had swallowed a large amount of the water, and the problem was that she was a terrible swimmer.
---
"That woman said that you are still having relations with her." Joanne said simply as she was trying to get away from her husband. The idea of him touching another woman when he was in her bed every night. Well, it disgusted her. Turning, she stared up at him before crossing her arms over her bosom. "How dare you come to my bed when you are tramping about the countryside and shagging every maiden that gives you a wicked smile..." She looked hurt having believed that horrible woman... after all, it was so obvious that her daughter was Tavis' which she knew that was before her and she could forgive that but the idea of him continuing that sort of life while wedded to her.
Well, she did not know if that could be forgiven. "I know that you have children and... I can forgive that but, I will not allow you to continue unless I am allowed to have affairs as well." She lifted her chin as if to stand up to him and knowing that he would not like that idea at all.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Feb 28, 2012 21:45:16 GMT -5
Tori's eyes widened when she saw her sister fall in the water but she couldn't swim and glanced at Alice who was already beginning to undress. "I can swim. Go fetch your brother!" she exclaimed. Tori didn't need a second telling. She turned and was off at a run as Alice tugged off her boots and stockings then jumped into the water in only her chemise and top stays. She swam under and looked through the murky water for Tara's form, finding her quickly and then wrapping her arms around her. Alice might be slight and frail, but she could swim easily. Having known the skill since five years old. She came up to the surface and then swam to the bank and then noted that Tara's lips were blue. She started to pump her stomach and then sat her up to expel the water from her lungs. After a few minutes, it worked and she laid Tara on her side, continuing to pat her back, paying no mind to her state of undress.
She ran her fingers through her wet hair then looked up, hoping Tori and Tomas would be here soon.
-----
Tavis looked at her. "Ye think that I'm having an affair? Are ye daft lass? I admit, I am a bit of a scoundrel but I haven't strayed from our bed since I started sharing it with ye. Whatever that woman is tellin' ya is a downright lie. Since we arrived and we started a carnal relationship I havena had another woman in my bed or in my thoughts. So for ya to go on accusing me of infidelity is downright shameful. "I admit I had a dalliance or two with the chambermaids on the way over here. A mon has his needs after all but in the past month since ye've been here have I fooked another woman. So get it through yer thick skull. I want nothing to do with that dreaded woman and if nay for the lass she bore me I wouldnae have anything to do with her...believe me," he said then shook his head.
"I was coming to see if ye were done with yer chores enough to take a walk with me but I see now that yer to wrapped up in this unfounded jealousy," he said, feeling offended. Did she honestly think he was that terrible of a man to be sleeping with other women when she more than compensated for any woman he had had before.
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Tori ran up to the solar from the back entrance, bursting in and panting for breath. "Tomas...Tara fell in the river and ye ken she cannae swim. Alice said to come fetch ye. I think she jumped in the river too," she said as best she could as she panted and gasped for air. Her hem muddy and torn as she had ran hard and tripped a few times.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 1, 2012 22:17:34 GMT -5
Her entire body was shaking as she was chilled to the bone but her sister in law had saved her as she was curled up into a tight ball. Tara coughed and spurted before breaking out into sobs. The fourteen year old hated to cry but in her mind, she had almost drowned as she sniffled and tried to speak. "I climbed up there a hundred times but... I am so..." She paused as her teeth were chattering and she continued. "Stupid..." She said to her sister in law, Alice in a low voice wondering where her older sister was. Most likely gone to get either Tomas or Tavis... or worse, both of them. They would ban her from the river and of course, she would get a stern talking to by both. Tomas was the worse when he got into a rant and then, her grandmother. She did not even want to think of the disappointed look on the older woman's face.
That would kill her, she was sure. "Please... don't tell my brothers." She begged wanting her sister in law to promise but she knew that she was too late because Tori was bound to tell them.
---
Tomas was up from his seat when he heard of this. "If I told ya both once... I told ya twice... tis not safe." He said knowing there was nothing to be done as he left the room as fast as he could. He would take a horse or run to the river, thinking it best to take the horse since he would get there faster. Could his wife ever swim? Hell if he bloody well knew as his biggest fear was that both his sister and his wife were floating in the river. Until he saw both of them, his heart was standing still... he was sure of it.
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"It is not unfounded jealousy. The woman said it so herself to my very face." She said with a frown on her features. "Do not look at me as if I am mad. The fact that you have a few bastards running along the countryside would make a few new bride rage with jealousy. However, I can not think that you were a perfect angel, because I know that you were not. However, dallying with the chambermaids and having romps in the meadow..." She shook her head. "On the way over here?" She paused. "You mean... when we were travelling back from England and we were wed... you..." She looked hurt as she did not want to talk to him or see him.
"I have to be alone, Tavis." She said seriously as she put up a hand to him. This marriage had been a terrible idea... And one that she had not chosen for herself.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 4, 2012 14:02:00 GMT -5
Alice looked at her and bit her bottom lip. "I sent your sister to fetch one of your brothers when you fell in..." she said simply then ran her fingers through her hair, grabbing her dress off the ground and using it to wrap up the youngest of the two sisters she now had by marriage. She knew she was in no way decent but her attire would have to come second to Tara's health. And I am not a very good liar Tara. If your brother asks how you fell in I will have to tell him the truth..." she said then curled her closer, trying to use her body heat to keep the girl warm. She heard the sound of horses and turned seeing men and a few younger warriors as well wearing the plaid of a different clan. At least in the highlands it was easy to differentiate the different families. She knew of the MacLean's plaid and this was most certainly not it.
One of the older men there slipped down off his horse and smirked. "Looks like a couple of MacLeod lasses," he grinned leeringly.
Alice frowned. "Aye. On MacLeod land," she stated getting a derisive chuckle in exchange.
"The river is free territory for all three clans around here. You must be one of the English bitches that Tavis or Tomas married. I recognize that little tease there as the younger little princess. More than once she and the ugly one have been down here staring at my kinsman."
Alice, beginning to feel a little ill, quickly helped Tara to her feet and urged her toward the tree line but a hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her small frame, jerking it away from Tara. She slapped his hand away and drew back. Before he could get any closer, she heard another horse and turned to see her husband. He did not look happy.
"Ah. Laird Tomas....must be yer wife running about in wet clothes along the countryside. A pretty thing...tiny too....ye'd best learn to keep her locked away," he said simply. Alice glared at him, shrugging off his grip and returning to Tara's side.
-----
Tavis frowned. "We had not even kissed yet....and I didn't want you sore. You remember how bad you were hurting the night after we consummated and a few days lingering after that? Hmmm? If you knew how much I had craved yer sweet body when we first we'd, you would of coupled that pain with the carriage ride here. I had yer comfort in mind. Not to mention I wanted to ken ye a wee bit better. After all...ye werenae some common whore. Ye are a high born lady...and it was only two women the whole three week journey. Ye act like I have hurt ye...ye kenned that I was a scoundrel when I told ye the night we wed yet now ye hold it against me. I only want ye lass, not any other woman," he said simply then sighed and shook his head before turning and walking from the hall. To annoyed to give a shite at the moment.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 5, 2012 13:36:10 GMT -5
She was quite sure that her husband was a complete and utter moron as he had just said that he had had two women during their marriage 'for her consideration.' It was at that moment that she needed to say something to him about that as she went after him and pulled him to face at as she said. "I would have during those three weeks if it meant that you would stay out of another women's bed!" She exclaimed remembering how she had been alone for most of the time so who knew what other things he had been doing, her sister in law was able to sleep in the arms of her husband and yet, she was alone. "My comfort in mind and yet, you cannot keep your cock in your britches for three weeks..." Joanne was glaring at him. "Well, Tavis MacLeod... you can have all the whores that you like in your bed from now on... because you are not invited in mine."
Turning herself around, she did not even give him time to catch her because she was out the side door and stalking off to god knew where. She was hurt and angry as hot tears burned in her eyes, but then... what was she expecting from him? A loving marriage? She was beating herself up as she went down to the valley where the village was. No, she did not want to go there... Coming to a spot on the hill, she slumped herself down as she did not know what to do.
If anything, she had just ruined her marriage but she had to be proud since she did not have much else. Even her sisters in laws disliked her because she was mean. Not because she wanted to be but because she had to protect herself, she had been so disappointed in her life that she could not trust anyone. Her father had been a bitter old man and she had been the bastard daughter of his the wife who had had an affair. Yes, she knew who she was really since her mother had said something about loving her father... and she knew that she hated her husband.
Her mother had been the only rock in her life, protecting her from her father. It was then that she looked over to see a little girl beside her; she was watching her with a curious look. "M'lady... why are ya cryin'?" She said with a cute little Scottish accent as she smiled and Joanne wiped her eyes as she said. "Oh, it is stupid... positively silly really." She could not explain to a little girl why she was crying.
"I cry sometimes... Mama says that I am being stupid when I do." The little girl said as she looked down at the grass and played with a flower that was said to be a weed. "Da hates it when I cry... calls me a snivelling lil' bastard and then hits me." The little girl said quietly as if to confess a deep dark secret. The girl could not be more than five years old as Joanne said. "That is very unkind of him... who is your father?" She asked wondering if she could do something about that.
"Gregory MacLeod." She said and knew that the man was a distance cousin to her husband but he had been the husband of Ellie MacLeod. This was Ainsley... her husband's daughter. She could see that she looked a little like her Aunts as Joanne nodded her head. She was not upset with the little girl but rather her husband's notions of marriage. "Oh and your mother is Ellie then?" the little girl nodded with a sad look in her eyes. "Aye, that is my mum." She said but despite the sad look, she was trying to smile and that warmed her heart.
"So, you must be..." Ainsley interjected as she stood up and curtsied. "Ainsley MacLeod, m'Lady... at yer service?" the little girl giggled as she had a few posies in her hand. "I sometimes get visits from Laird Tavis, he brings sweeties for me and my little brother... and sometimes we play tag." She could see that she was very fond of her real father... and it almost made her forget about what he had said to her.
Slowly getting up, Joanne said. "How about we go to the kitchens in the keep... I think the cook is making some cookies... we can bring some to your little brother." She said with a smile to the little girl who grinned at the possible mention of cookies as she offered the child her hand knowing that it would do well to be kind to the pretty little red head as they went up the hill to see the Tori was there. "Where is Tara...? You two are almost attached at the hip..."
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"You will do well not to touch my wife again if you have use of your hand." Tomas said seriously as he got off his horse and went towards his wife and his youngest sister. Tara was going to be grounded to the castle for coming to the river when she knew better. After all, it was where the MacLeod, MacKenna and MacLean territories met... thankfully; he had left Tori back at the keep where she would be safe. Both of them knew better than his wife who had only been on the land for two weeks.
Once he was at his wife's side, he took Tara into his arms... apparently, she had almost drowned in the river and his wife had saved her. Tara was coughing and sputtering as she looked up at her brother with a look of fear since she knew that she would be in for it. Glancing at his wife, Tomas' good eye looked back at the MacKenna bastards. The clans were on terms... they were not good terms but they were terms since a war that had happened years ago.
"Even if this river is on shared grounds, we do not touch your kinsmen nor your women... and you have no right to do the same." Of course, they were oogling his wife as he took off his cloak and wrapped around her so that she would be hidden from their view. "Alice... do not look at them... and come this way." He said seriously knowing that if she were to look them in the years then the man would think she was free for the taking.
He wanted to know everything that happened and if his sister was not almost passed out then, she would be getting a scolding of her lifetime.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 5, 2012 17:16:35 GMT -5
Tori bit her bottom lip. "Oh...well...I am waiting close by for Tomas to home and give me an earful...after all....we...me and Tara took Alice down to the river. She didn't know we weren't allowed to since the claims for the MacKennas and MacLeans ends around the same point. Tara took a tumble and week. He was verra angry," she said, her nose wrinkling. Then she saw Ainsley and grinned at her niece.she was a pretty little girl but the man claiming her was a right bastard. She knew Tavis had tried to gain custody of her and her brother, even if her three year old brother was not Tavis' but Ellie had refused him and threatened to cry rape. An offense where her husband would have a right to go after Tavis' life. Tori knew her brother loved his daughter and even hoped to legitimize her, but his true obstacle was Ellie MacLeod.
"Ainsley...I take it you and Lady MacLeod were headed down to steal some cookies and sweets," she grinned then sighed. "Are ye alright Milady...?" she asked curiously noting her red cheeks and somewhat puffy eyes. She had to wonder if her idiot brother had anything to do with it.
-----
Alice took the cloak and swiftly wrapped herself in it, knowing she probably looked indecent. She closed the flaps and then reached for the reins on his horse tugging it along, deciding it was best to heed her husband. She heard the man behind them.
"Keep a tight reign on yer wife lad. A pretty thing like that needs a whole man..." he called and she swallowed hard.
"I am sorry," Alice said simply. "It's my fault...I wanted to spend time with the girls. When they suggested the river...I forgot that you said not to go down without escort..." that much was true. She took a deep breath and looked down. "Please Tomas...do not be to angry at them," she said softly then bit her bottom lip and flushed, leading the horse and trying to keep her stride even with her husband but he was much taller than herself and had far more leg than she did. She also was not feeling to good. Weak and tired. She had been a little lethargic the past few days and hoped she was not getting ill. That was the last thing she needed. To many chores and she did not want to put them off on Joanne.her nemesis would likely bitch and moan and antagonize her. Plague her till she got sick of it. When they had been ladies maids to Queen Elizabeth, it had been the same.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 5, 2012 23:19:49 GMT -5
Smiling, Joanne nodded not wanting to upset anyone since her eyes were puffy. "Oh, I was just being a little bit silly...was I not, Ainsley?" She asked the little girl who smiled and nodded her head. "Lady MacLeod was upset so, I wanted to cheer her up." Ainsley said with an air of open honesty that only a child could bring into light as Joanne looked to the young girl wondering how a precious little girl like her could be the daughter of such a foul spiteful woman such as Ellie MacLeod or her idiot husband who probably could not keep his cock under his skirt.
"Do you want to come with us or, are you going to wait for your brother, Alice and Tara?" She asked as she thought of the two girls bringing Alice to the river when they knew that they were not allowed to go there. "I suppose that both you and Tara knew that information about the River though..." She said looking concerned for once about her sisters in law since she had never had sisters nor many close female friends. Truth be told, she was honestly trying to get along with Alice but it was hard for her.
"Well, I hate to scold you because I expect that you will be getting a few from everyone but, that was unfair to Lady Alice if the two of you knew that you were not allowed to go there." Looking down at the child who was looking like she had one thing on her mind, Joanne lifted her up into her arms so that she could start towards the kitchens.
---
"Alice... not now." He commanded as he put an arm around her shoulders in a possessive manner because he was more than upset at this point. Not really with her but his sisters for one because they knew better but also with the MacKenna and the comments that they had made as he walked with his wife and when they were out of sight from the MacKenna's clan that was when he spoke. "I am upset with my sisters as well as the MacKenna... however, when I tell you to be silent and not to look at them, I expect you to listen... I do not command because I feel like it." He said in a serious tone as he was hoping his fourteen year old sister. "You are English and you do not know the lands or the ways of these people... you will in time but, they should know better."
And it was the truth, he was going to make sure that both of his sisters were punished for disobedence as well as for endangering themselves and his wife with their silly little games of curiousity.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 7, 2012 11:26:04 GMT -5
Tori smiled. "I think I will stay with you. If grandmum finds out...we are in for a worse scolding than Tomas could ever give," she smirked then heard her grand other's voice behind her.
"Most certainly lassie...." she stated. Tori grimaced and glanced at her grandmother who gave her a cross look. Head bowed, she walked into the keep. Aislinn sighed then looked at Joanne and Ainsley. "A lot of trouble those two are...no doubt they will be grounded for near on a month to the keep grounds. Which is just as weel..." she said then smiled. "And how are ye my wee one?" she asked little Ainsley keeping the door open for the both of them. She glanced at Joanne. "And I heard ye and me boy Tavis had a bit of an argument. Ye can tell me what the lout did later," she smiled, taking her granddaughter-in-law's arm.
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Alice sighed and nodded. It was a long walk back to the keep and by the time they returned, everyone was in a flurry preparing the room for a now unconscious Tara. Alice quickly went to the rooms she shared with Tomas and changed into a fresh simply made kirtle over a dry cambric shirt then rushed downstairs to get back to her chores that she had kept lax in her adventure with the girls. Seeing a note on the bed as she finished dressing, she picked it up, instantly recognizing her stepfather's fancy script. She paled slightly, gently prying the seal.
" Dearest daughter Alice, prepare yourself and household for my coming. I shall be arriving with your mother in order to see how things have progressed between you and that Scottish husband of yours. It is by order of the Queen so do not refuse my entry. Tell your husband he had best behave or my report will be most decidedly negative. Sincerely,Richard Markham, Earl of Hampshire
Alice closed her eyes then sank down. By the date, he would here within the next few days. Feeling even more ill, she refolded the note and then walked out of the room down to her husband's solar, only to find him speaking with Tori.
"I am sorry..."Tori was saying. "Tara and I, we go down there all the time and hide if we here anyone...I didn't think about the MacKenna seeing her and me and Tara...I won't go down there again..." she promised, slightly pale. Alice felt helpless as to ease her husband's anger. She was older and surely would know better. Instead she had caused both girls to get in trouble. So much for their bonding time. It had ended disastrously.
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