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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 8, 2012 16:42:36 GMT -5
Tomas was watching his younger sister with a frown. "I ken that ya are sorry but you can continue saying that, I thought that ya were atleast a bit more intelligent then Tara. Both Tavis and I have told you and I believe the last time, I ordered you not to go there." He said with a firm look in his good eye. "If I catch either of you there without a proper escort then the both of you will be sent to Edinburgh and you can live under the care of Aunt Susan." He threathened knowing that both his sisters would hate that because their Aunt Susan was a widow with no children but she was a bore beyond bores. "My wife isnae a proper escort either despite being older than the two of ya... she is English for god's sake." He stated. "And, she will learn the ways of the Scots and become one but... she doesnae know yet."
Sighing, he pointed to the door as if to dismiss Tori. He was worried about Tara's health since there was a healer to see her. "When Tara is healthy enough, she will be getting a talking to as well... as for now, you will not leave the grounds of the keep. No going into the villages or riding your horses... "Also, the two of you will have yer bums slapped... act like children and you will be treated as such." He would have that punishment dealt with when Tara was better.
It was at that moment that he saw that his wife was there and he said to Tori. "Go, I believe you have a lesson with your Gran." He said as he pointed to the door and stood to welcome his wife. He was not so much upset with her because she did not know better, and knowing his kid sisters, they had lied to her. "Ye look like yer about to faint or cry..." He said to Alice as he raised an eyebrow as if to ask what was bothering her.
"Don't worry about those two... they will be punished and then, they will learn their lesson." Tomas said as he kissed Alice's cheek, touching a blonde curl.
---
Ainsley was sitting down and eating a sugar cookie as there were a few for her younger brother when she would take them home. As for Joanne, she had explained the little argument to her grandmother in law in terms that the little girl would not go about repeating as she, herself was eating a cookie and enjoying the taste.
"I am not upset about his past... but the idea of when we were wed." She shook her head. "That is what upsets me." She said quietly.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 9, 2012 14:22:15 GMT -5
Alice winced at the idea of the fourteen year old getting a few slaps to the bum. It was surely more a tool for embarrassment rather than causing physical pain. Tomas did not seem the type to whip or beat for sadistic pleasure. "Do I look as such...I don't mean to...but...this was on the bed...my stepfather...he is...coming on the Queen's command to see if you and your brother are treating myself and Lady Joanne with decency and also to see how Lady Joanne and I are getting along. At least I assume so..." she trailed off and handed him the note, feeling a little weak still. This lethargy had to lift soon. It was getting quite uncomfortable feeling so ill for the past three days.
She took a deep breath. Thinking of her stepfather. The night he had come to her chambers and stole her innocence. My angel...do you bleed? Let us find out my pretty one... he had whispered before proceeding to rape her. And now she was supposed to treat him as a guest. He held powerful influence with the Queen. One wrong word and she would probably see her husband or Tavis charged with treason. The Scots Monarch after all, was little more than Elizabeth's puppet. If she wanted a couple of Scots dead it could definitely be arranged.
Alice sighed and slid down on a nearby chair. "If you displease him or...offend him, there is a higher risk then just angering him. Queen Elizabeth considers him a favorite...at her court." she shuddered just thinking about him. Tomas had been taking away her dreadful memories but knowing her stepfather was coming put her in a lot of fear of him. Of seeing him. To know she had to be civil and bite her tongue...it made her stomach roll and lurch.
"Promise me that when he comes you do not try to kill him. If only for your sake Tomas...I don't care if he breathes another day but you...I might not...love you or at least I think not. I am not certain but you are my husband and I am fond of you and if you are executed or killed, I do not think I could bear it. Please Tomas," she said to him, looking up, her eyes pleading.
-----
Aislinn looked at Joanne. "Yes well...my grandson is much like my own husband was. We were married eight years before I finally conceived. The first seven years of my marriage...well...eleven was how old I was when I married Will. He was twenty one at the time...five years I went, not seeing hide nor hair of him after our vows then he came to the keep I was supposed to share with him and drunkenly, did away with my...well...needless to say it was not a pleasant start to my carnal relations. I was also no great beauty like ye are now. I was thin, and my face was plain. And then when I was eighteen, me da forced me to go to court. Imagine my surprise when I found more than half the ladies of court had taken part in let's say, pleasure games with me husband. I was a sorry lot. Full of self pity. But his mother told me that the best way to get a mon to love ye, was to be patient with him. They are great oafs after all and stubborn as the ass that drives the wagon. She was English too. So I think ye can take her advice as weel. Patience is key to reeling a mon in. But I will be most certain to box his ears for him. He should of known better...but tis the way of some lads. He might be the older twin but he is the foolhardy one. What I heard ye did was fitting and if he kens what is good for him he will turn monkish till he gets yer forgiveness." She took a sip of her lemonade then looked at Ainsley.
"Does yer mum ken yer here poppet. I dinnae want ye gettin' fussed at on our account. Near time for dinner as far as I reckon so dinnae be spoiling yer appetite with to many of those cookies," she smiled before looking at Joanne and giving her hand a squeeze.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 10, 2012 14:31:41 GMT -5
Reading the letter, he wanted to swear but kept it down to saying. "Bastard." He was furious that her step father, the man who had raped her when she was only a young girl was allowed in his keep and he was suppose to treat him as a guest. "I dinnae care what is done to me... I wonae allow that son of a bitch into this keep so that he can try to terrorize ya." Tomas said seriously but knowing that England ruled Scotland in a way and if King James was to get the English throne then they would be united. "I cannae promise ya anything..." He said seriously as he was watching the look that his wife was giving him as he did not know what he was going to do.
He did not want to be a prisoner for the fact that her step-father was a favourite to the old bitch of a Queen. Putting the letter onto the desk, he went over to his wife so that he could calm his own nerves. It did not help that he had been so upset because of his sisters' behaviour as he sat down across from her. "You look so pale, I assume it is from this news. One word, Alice... if he tries anything... I will make sure that he does not return to England to tell the Queen anything..." He could make it look like an accident, there were ways of doing so.
---
Ainsley shook her head as if to say that her mother did not know that she was there. "Mama does not seem to care where I am... she just tells me and my brother to go out to play." She said in a soft voice as Joanne looked to the little girl remembering what had been said. She wondered if being patient was the right advice. What she knew was that she was going to do and that was to ignore her husband for the moment but continue with her work. "Sweetheart, I'm sure that your mother cares where you are." She said to the little girl who was looking wide eyed at both of them.
Shaking her head, she shrugged her shoulders. Joanne stood up and said. "Well, I will bring you home and we can bring these cookies for you and your little brother." She said with a smile as she said to her grandmother in law. "Thank you... Perhaps I need to be patient... and you don't have to box his ears on my behalf." She smiled as she took the hand of the little girl who was finishing up her cookie.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 12, 2012 17:59:12 GMT -5
"Ellie MacLeod," Tavis was saying as he entered the small house where the damnable bitch raised his daughter. "I have a need to talk to you about. What is this I hear about you saying that ye told me wife ye and I were havin' this sordid affair huh?" he asked angrily, catching her as she donning a dress. One of her many lovers leaving the bed and jogging out the room to get dressed. Ellie frowned at him.
"I dinnae ken what yer talking about Laird," she said in a high strung manner that only made Tavis all the more angry. Whatever he had had with this woman had died long before their daughter was born and it was a damned shame that he had to put up with her and her husband and not be able to raise his child himself.
"Ye dinnae ken? Ye dinnae remember telling my wife that I was sharing yer bed. I haven shared it in over four years...near on five....ye will tell my wife the truth,," he ordered with a growl just as her son Ethan came in covered in muck, followed by her husband Mavis. He frowned as she smiled and adjusted her dress and then primped up her hair.
"That English bitch doesnae deserve the truth. Just some English whore.." she shrugged. He glared.
"Tis my wife and the only whore here is ye. Leave my wife alone...what weel it take to get ye to leave her alone hmm?" he asked. Mavis, a brute of a man and a few inches taller and a couple of stone heavier than Tavis growled.
"Get out of me house Laird..." he said and Tavis looked at him then at Ethan. The boy had his thumb stuck in his mouth looking like a skinny bag of bones and misery. Tavis thought for a moment.
"I ken ye dinnae want the children ye have. Why not let me take them off yer hands. Ainsley and Ethan both. Two hundred gold a piece hmm?" he asked. Ellie looked smug.
"Perhaps four a piece and I would give it a bit o' thought," she said candidly. Mavis, a simple minded fool chuckled.
Tavis nodded. "Fine then eight hundred gold and three barrels of wine."
Ellie looked shocked at his agreement and then laughed. "Verra weel then take the brats...but give us the money and the wine come the morning or I will see yer balls chopped off," she said with a huff.
Tavis glared, shoving Mavis aside and then seeing his wife and Ainsley he walked over to Ainsley and smiled. "Go get yer brothers things and yer own lass. Ye will be staying with me and Lady Joanne now," he said simply. "Try and get yer brother cleaned up a wee bit too....". He said then winked before turning to look at Ellie and Mavis, reaching in his pocket for the money he had on him. "There is seventy five gold pieces there. Ye will have the rest soon enough," he promised with a growl to his tone. He glanced at Joanne and then went to wait outside, massaging his jaw. At least the sorry bitch was done toying with him. He would have his daughter safe and sound at his and his brother's keep.
-----
Alice looked at him and nodded. "I will tell you if he does anything or tries anything," she swore and then sighed and kissed him deeply before drawing away slowly. "And I am pale only because I have not been feeling so well the past couple of days and swimming took a lot out of me..." she trailed off and curled against him. "I am fine...just tired..." she swore. "I should get to my chores..." she sat up and gave him a gentle kiss before standing and smoothing out her kirtle. "I will be fine Tomas. After all...I have you to look after me," she smiled then took a deep breath, walking out the door, silently praying all would be well and her stepfather would not try anything.
-----
Two Days Later...
"Ye arena looking to well lass," Aislinn said as she looked at Alice. The young woman was coming to sit down, wiping her mouth before sitting down to lunch at the crowded table. Tomas, Tavis, Joanne, Ainsley, Ethan, the girls as well as eighteen year old Tristan. The young man was home from the keep that was normally occupied by the second born son of the laird's family or at least the heir. Tristan was the bastard son of her own son William but no one ever treated him as such. He was as much apart of the family as the four legitimate children born of the former laird and lady MacLeod.
Alice gave a soft smile. "I am fine. Just have a bit of a stomach ailment I am thinking..." she took a seat by her husband, glancing at Joanne for a moment then looking down at her plate.
"Nothing else?" Aislinn asked and Alice looked up, shaking her head.
"Nothing I can think of," she smiled then took a bite of her dried meat and followed it with a sip of wine, as she began to eat, she heard a heralding and looked up as a few men entered and a woman. The woman was her mother. And one of the men was her stepfather. She instantly paled and stood up as the man came over and bowed, giving an amiable smile. Her stomach rolled.
Alice took a deep breath. "Everyone, this is Earl Eversleigh...Richard Montegomery...my stepfather and one of the many advisors Queen Elizabeth has in her employ. He has come for a fortnight or so to see how things are fairing regarding Tavis' marriage to Lady Joanne and Tomas' marriage to myself..." she winced as he took her hand and kissed it and she quickly retracted her hand. Aislinn, seeing Alice's reaction stood.
"Milord...yer rooms are prepared as are rooms for yer men. Jenny," she said to a passing maid. "Show them to their rooms," she said. The older plump maid nodded and led them out of the room.
Once they were gone, Alice sank down and closed her eyes. "Excuse me," she whispered then got up again, rushing from the room and toward the chambers she shared with Tomas. Aislinn frowned.
"Mayhap Joanne...you can to speak with her?" she suggested calmly, knowing that if anyone understood the violence of men it was Joanne. Thebyoung woman had confided in aslinn of her abuse back in her father's house. Aislinn was not stupid enough to believe that something about Alice's stepfather was not right. If it were, she would not of fled the room so quickly. It would also be a chance for Joanne and Alice to talk. Both of them had to get past their differences.
Tori bit her bottom lip. "Do ye suppose alice is alright?" she asked her gran and brother Tomas, glancing between the two of them.
-----
Alice wiped her eyes free of tears. Damn it. She was not going to cry or be afraid, but she seemed to be both afraid and tearful. He had touched her and it was as though all of the bad things had flooded her system, leaving her shuddering and trying to take away the disgusting thoughts in her head.
The memories, the hellish nightmare that had been her reality. She had not told her husband the whole of it. Only the part about her stepfather. But there had been others in her bed, unwillingly as they were. Even at court. She knew if she told Tomas he would go into a rage so it was better he thought that only her stepfather had victimized her.
She hated that she was the victim but her attempts at fighting back had failed her so after years of the abuse, she had given up trying. And now, here she was a mess of tears and a mass of trembles when she should have her backbone of steel. The facade she put on regularly. The one everyone saw. The fake smile and pretty face. Not the real her. The real her who was terrified of losing everything. And if Tomas ever found out she had a child...she didn't know what he would do. But she was sure her stepfather would have no qualms laying her past out as a means to agitate Tomas.
At least her son was tucked away safely. Her stepfather's bastard heir. But little Henry was completely unaware of his father. Since her marriage to Tomas, she had seen him regularly as he lived with a cousin of hers in the village. He was such a handsome little boy. Already four years old. She had stolen money from her stepfather and even a few items from Queen Elizabeth in order to fund her cousin. The woman was a godsend.
When she had married Tomas, she had secured them enough money for safe passage to Tulloch and now they were who she visited every day. If Tomas found out, she was afraid of what he would do. Forbid her to see him? There was no telling and she did not mean to find out. Even her stepfather had no idea where he was. And she planned to keep it that way. No one could possibly understand the pain wrenching feeling she felt for not being able to care for her own child. After his birth, he had been ripped from her arms only a day old and Richard had sent him away. She had recovered and found him and through deviousness managed to get him in her cousin's care. She had suffered being whored out to her stepfather's friends for moving her son out of Richard's clutches but she had managed to save him and did not regret the decision.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 13, 2012 6:24:51 GMT -5
Glancing at her new grandmother in law and the obvious matron of the family, Joanne personally did not want to see what was wrong with her sister in law but she supposed that it was the best. There had been rumours about Lady Alice and so, apart of her wondered if it was the truth since her own father had pointed it out. Excusing herself, she went up the stone stairs where Alice had gone running thinking that perhaps she needed some understanding and compassion in this situation. After all, the rumours of Lady Alice being a whore could be false... but they could be true but not of her wishes. How many times had Joanne been hit and whipped to the point that her body was black and blue. No one would speak up for her, not the servants and most certainly never her older brother who would always take her father's side. Perhaps it was his own way of protection and yet, it had been cruel and unfair treatment.
Coming to the door, she knocked gentle trying to put on an expression that was perhaps kinder. It was hard to do, she would mask herself from the world for fear of showing any female emotions. She hated to cry and the idea of anyone seeing her weep... aside from the little girl, Ainsley with whom Joanne was trying to be motherly with. There was also wee Ethan, she hoped that she was taking care of them as a true mother would but then, she had only had her own mother for a short period in her life.
"Alice?" She said as she went into the room and closed the door so that no one else would enter the room as she stood there by the door, unsure if she was welcomed or not for a moment as she swallowed. "Lady Aislinn wanted me to come check on you..." She started but apart of her wondered if she would have checked if this was another situation. "You ran away so fast, if it your stomach ailment that you spoke of earlier?" She asked curiously as she went to sit down on the bed.
She wondered if she was friendly with her family since, it did not seem so glad that her mother or her step-father were here on a visit.
---
Tomas was neither too keen on his father in law nor his mother in law being there. He tried to be as kind as one could be but he showed distaste ever with her mother for the reason that the woman should have protected her from the bastard of a step-father using her as his little toy. Once his in-laws were gone, Tomas felt that he needed to see his wife but since her sudden departure that perhaps she needed time as he went to get himself a drink in his study.
For him, this was going to be a tough two weeks of his life but he knew that he did have to protect his wife from her step-father and his wicked, disgusting ways... and he would, advisor to the Queen or not...
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 14, 2012 14:39:27 GMT -5
Alice was surprised to see Joanne come through the door and hastily wiped her eyes. "Nay not a stomach ailment," she said, wiping her eyes again. "Just my stepfather's presence..." she swallowed and then glanced at her. "I heard the rumors about you at court you know...of your father's treatment of you. And I had seen you with bruises often enough. It's why I tried to ignore you when you were mean to me. I would of thought you would of been a kindred spirit of mine. In a way, we are kindreds. You wear the same mask I wear, every single day. The one that protects you. And I know you heard the rumors about me. And I thank you for not telling Tomas to spite me...if he knew the truth he would turn from me I am sure and he is the closest thing to happiness that I have these days...Well him and my son...but he does not know about Henry...I honestly do not know why I am telling you this...maybe you understand better than anyone else how cruel a father figure can be..." she sniffed and looked away.
She shook her head and covered her face with her hands, trying to stop the ever flowing tears.
-----
Richard sighed as he flexed his fingers. It had taken a few weeks but he had finally convinced Her Majesty to allow him to Scotland and see to his stepdaughter's welfare. Not that he truly gave a damn. The whole point of him coming here was to find out where she had hidden his son. He glanced at hs wife. He had been married to her for two years before he had started his affair with Alice. No child had come from her. The stupid woman had promised him a son and none had come. Her pretty daughter however, had gotten pregnant quickly after he started to use her body. At first it had been about getting a son off of her but then he had reveled in overpowering the little bitch.
Unfortunately, she had bested him and hidden his son for three an a half years. He knew that she had him close at hand and he meant to find his son before he left Scotland. Finishing with his unpacking, he left the room and went to his men to tell them to scope the village and take note of any blonde boys of about four or so and of any adult with an English tone. That should narrow the search easily.
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Tavis entered his brother's study. "Ye have to help me Tomas. She still willnae speak to me...I have tried flattery and wooing and all of that romance women crave; none of it worked. Damn it, honesty is s'posed to be the best policy. I was honest and now I have to sleep in The barracks because she kicked me out of our chambers....I dinnae ken what to do..." he grumbled, sinking down in the chair across from the desk. "I should no be all upset o'er a woman but I am. She has gotten under me skin..."
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 14, 2012 17:37:48 GMT -5
"You know as well as I do that we were friends growing up until your mother married your stepfather." She said in a quiet voice as she looked down at her hands remembering that they use to play together as children but what changed was when her father had murdered her mother by pummelling her to death in his drunken rage... it was soon after that Alice's mother had married her step father, a bitter enemy to her father. It had been one of the worst times in her life as she had been fed tales by her father that they were wicked people. And all she had to do was believe her father for she had no one else in her life.
It had seemed liked everyone had abandoned her, her mother had in death and what Joanne knew was not willingly and then, her mother's best friend had wed her father's bitter enemy... making it so she could never see her dearest friend again.
Closing her eyes, Joanne refused herself to cry as she spoke. "So, it was the truth... that you were used and bore your step father a child. The rumours were something like that but more along the lines that you had enjoyed it..." She said quietly remembering those rumours that some of the crueler of the ladies spread. Joanne was cruel in her own way but she had some standards on the measurements. "I did not tell your husband because it was not mine to tell..." She stated as she lifted her hand and in an awkward gesture, rubbed her sister in law's back as she was weeping because she did not know what else to do. "There, there... are you afraid that Tomas will find out about your son?" She asked wondering how his reaction to that news would be...
She had been appalled about Tavis' daughter but... she had come to terms with it because the little girl was a doll as was her younger brother was adorable as well. There was also the fact that their mother was a cow who was apparently having an affair with her husband. Her husband was an entire different situation at this point because she had been ignoring him.
All the man had to do was apologize but he was too proud to do even that.
---
Passing the bottle of scotch to his older twin, Tomas was drinking from a dram. "Perhaps ye shouldnae had went skirt chasing..." He said seriously knowing his brother and having talked to his Grandmother. Not that he was going to give too much advice to the fool. "I ken that ye are use to doin' as ye wish but wives donae like it when you are after any pretty maid that walks pass." He shrugged his shoulders as he drank heartily before pouring another.
"Although, this is the first time that you have had a woman get under yer skin... well, not since we were lads." He grinned remembering when they had both went after the same lass but she had chose Tomas over Tavis, one of the only victories that he had had over his older twin. Apparently, she had liked his poetry that he had sang to her. "You ken why she is upset with ye?" He questioned curiously.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 21, 2012 11:46:18 GMT -5
Alice looked at her. "I am not afraid that he will find out. I am more afraid that when he does find out, he will look at me like all the other men and women did. Like my mother did when I got with child. I hate him....I truly do hate him. My stepfather....that is...I never wanted anything he did to me. I was only fourteen. I dreamed of a handsome husband and the wedding and bearing the man I loved sons and daughters. I didn't want him. He was almost...like a father to me...until he came to me, the day after I turned fourteen....I was so stupid. I didn't know. He came to my room. He sometimes came to my room at night to give me a kiss to the cheek goodnight or to give me a book. I was an avid reader." She shuddered and shook her head. "I was naive and by the time I realized what was going on, he had covered my mouth with his. God it was so disgusting...." She shrugged. "But that was it...the end of my childhood....he is as cruel as your father is...perhaps worse. I don't know...but he meant to use Henry against me to get what he wanted and I wasn't having it. I might be a whore but my purpose was nothing more than to protect my son. And I have..." She took a deep breath, looking at her sister-in-law. "Maybe Joanne...we can be friends again...because I have enough enemies as it is...can we...start from scratch?" she asked, wiping her eyes.
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Tavis sighed. "Because I told her I was with two maids on the way here from England. I've done everything I can Tomas...but still she won't let me back in her bed. I would go to another woman's bed, believe me I would, but...every time I look at another woman, I dinnae feel that same feeling I do with my wife. There is no pull, no draw to them. With Joanne, I look at her and I want her...just her. And now the bloody woman is keeping me from her bed...because of something that happened....before we even started sharing a bed...any ideas how to get her out of this damned mood she is in?" he asked with a frown. Tavis had done it all. Poetry, trinkets, flowers, attempts at flattery. He saw no need to apologize. What for? They had not known each other when he had slept with those two maids.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 21, 2012 17:43:54 GMT -5
She naturally continued to awkwardly pat her sister in law's back due to her lack of affection as she grew up. Joanne said quietly, "No... your step-father is worse than my own father." Her voice was only a whisper and yet, there was sympathy for the woman with who's back she was patting to comfort the best that she could for the moment. "Although, that does not make my father a better man..." She hated her father for what he had done... "My father killed my mother." And she had finally said it, something that she had never told anyone but everyone knew. She had been the witness to her mother's death when her father had gone into a drunken rage after her pet puppy had peed on the floor. She had only been seven years old and yet, her father raged and started to hit her, kicking the puppy as well until her mother had come to stop him.
And with that, he had threw her mother and she cracked her head on the fireplace... all Joanne could remember was the blood as she had a fear of it to this very day. She had not even been able to see the sheet that she had her virgin blood spread over when she and her husband consumated the marriage. "I want to be friends again, Alice..." She said as she looked at her sister in law. "I've wanted to for a long time but... my father said that if I went to see you that..." She looked away, she remembered when she had tried to play with Alice after she had been forbidden to go.
She still had the burn marks. "I missed you..." Joanne finally said as she was honestly trying not to cry.
---
Tomas raised an eyebrow, even when drunk... he could tell why his sister in law was most likely upset. "And why did ye not just take her the night that ye wed? Ye wanted to spare her the pain and yet, you were in the bed of two comely maids?" He had to laugh at his older yet idiot of a brother. "I ken why she's upset... the woman is a jealous sort. She doesnae want to know that you tupped anyone but her since wedding..." He explained to Tavis. "Perhaps she cares about marriage vows... ye did promise to be true to her... and how long did ye wait a day or two?"
He was being a bit blunt as he got up and said. "Best if ye apologize... unless ye wish an angry woman for the rest of ye life... ye ken Mum and Dad did not speak for almost a year." During the time that Tristian had been born to his mother, and she had never said who the father was. "Do ye want her in another man's arms?"
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 21, 2012 20:13:03 GMT -5
Alice took a deep breath. "I missed you too. You don't have to worry about him. Whatever your spat is with Tavis, I think that man will definitely protect you. Just as Tomas will protect me..." she said softly then hugged her before drawing back. "Thank you Joanne," she whispered then looked away and wiped her eyes. "And as for your father, what he did was wrong. And I would of protected you if I could...even if I am younger..." She gave a soft laugh then looked down at her lap
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Tavis sighed. "No...I'd kill him...fine...I'll apologize...and if that doesn't work, I'll figure out something else," he sighed.
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Alexander finished fitting a horseshoe on the merchant's horse he was servicing. He made the finest horseshoes this side of Scotland. Finishing with the horse, he sat up and then patted the horse's hind quarters. "There ye go..." he said then looked to the merchant holding the reins who paid him the shillings for the shoes. Once that was done, he saw the man off then came into his house, right next the shop to wash up. He saw his five year old daughter Coleen busy scrubbing a pot in a wooden tub and chuckled. "Busy are ye lass?" he teased her. She looked at him and beamed, her red curls tied back with a bit of ribbon. "Can we go ta Mistress Cora's? I want to play with Henry and Matthew...and ya won't let me walk there by meself...please da....please?" she begged, looking at him with her big brown eyes. He looked at her and dunked his hands in her dish water and began to rub off the grease and soot.
"I s'pose we can...wash up..." he ordered with a wink. She grinned and jumped up, going to wash her face while he grabbed the dishes. even for five she was a helpful little thing.
He put up the dishes then emptied the tub, just as Coleen came from her room. He smirked and led her out the door, hiding the shillings before they left and leading her down a few lanes in the village toward the outskirts of town where the widow he had come to adore lived. He himself was twenty-five, marrying his sweetheart at seventeen to her fifteen. She had died a year after their daughter's birth in childbirth. It had been their second child stillborn and he was sure she had died of a broken heart. But he had persevered and went four years caring for Coleen. And she was a sweet lass.
They made it to Cora's and he gave a knock and he heard the patter of feet and smirked at wee Henry as he opened the door. "Hello," he said grinning. He was of a much fairer coloring than his aunt and brother. White-blonde curls and bright blue eyes. Face of an angel he was sure. But then all children were angels in their own way.
"Hello lad. Yer aunt home?" he asked winking. Cora had mentioned the mother being in dire straights an unable to care for her son herself and how she had taken him in, but little else had been said about her sister.
Henry nodded and walked from the door. "Auntie!" he called.
----
Alice was feeling much better a couple of hours later and had decided to help with the laundry while Joanne went to do her own duties. She saw Richard not far off as she hung clothes up on a line and watched him approach. She took a deep breath and looked away, feeling him as he went to stand beside her. "Hello Alice..." he said. She glanced at him.
"Lord Richard..." she said then looked away to hang up some more clothes.
"You look like you are glowing...how is your new husband treating you?" he asked, as though he cared. She nearly snorted.
"Fine..." she said simply. "Laird Tomas treats me well...and I am content..."
"Content but not satisfied," he said, going to touch her but she shied away.
"Don't..." she warned then went around him with the basket to a new line to start hanging up more clothes.
"I just want to know where he is. Tell me and I'll be gone..."
"I won't," she swore. Not for him to hurt him. Alice wasn't stupid. She lifted another article of clothing, hanging it over the line.
"You will tell me...or else I'll let that husband of yours know the whole sordid tale of your past..." he warned.
She glanced at him. "You would do well to stay away from me...he knows all about what you did to me," she spat then walked away from him, rushing toward the house, feeling close to having a panic attack. Richard was right behind her. He turned her and pushed her to the wall.
"Does he know about Henry?" he asked. Alice looked at him then looked away, feeling sick as he ran his fingers over her hair, tucking it behind her ear. "No...I thought not...where is my son...?" he asked.
"Safe," she said then shoved him away and rushed from the room, running mostly, toward the great hall and colliding with her husband. "OH!" she exclaimed then took a deep breath. "Tomas...I'm so sorry..." She took a deep breath. "I...I have to speak with you...in private..."
-----
Tavis took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair, watching in the doorway as Joanne read to his daughter and well, his son, for all intents and purposes. Both of them looking wide eyed and interested as she told them the story. He took a deep breath and came in the room slowly, shutting the door. Immediately the spell was gone as both children looked up with wide eyes. He grinned at them giving both Ainsley and Ethan a kiss and hug.
"Dinnae mind if I speak to yer new mum alone do ye?" he asked them both, stroking their noses and giving a charming grin. That was his great persona. The charmer. And he played it well. "I promise if ye do I'll give ye both the surprise I've been hiding from ye since ye got here. I'm sure ye'll both love it a lot..." he smirked.
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