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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 22, 2012 14:21:42 GMT -5
He had sobered up some since talking to his older brother and had decided to walk it off as well as to see how the men were doing as his wife ran smack into him and he caught her by the arms. As if to steady her, he looked down and said. "And where are ye runnin off to?" Tomas asked as he pulled her into his arms thinking that it would be nice to get a bit of afternoon delight. However, it was the tone in her voice that made him stop that train of thought.
"Did the lasses go to the bleeding river again?" He asked knowing that his sisters were notorious for disobeying him despite being under house arrest for that episode. Then, Tara was still not feeling well from her fever and chills. "No... that isnae it, yer stepfather didnae?" He asked seriously leading her back to his study so that they would be able to talk privately.
Once inside, he had her sit down and asked if she wanted a drink of wine or something strong. He personally could use something strong for the pain on his left side of his face as well as he had a feeling that this was going to be something that would be considered unpleasant as he sat down in the chair across from her.
"Now, what is it ye want to talk to me about, love?" He asked her her seriously watching her with his good eye carefully.
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She had been in the back of the small house that she had gotten from her cousin, Alice since she was caring for Henry as well as her own son, Matthew. She was not much older than her cousin but she had been old enough to care for the other little boy since her husband had passed away when he had gone away to sea. She had loved her husband but he had been a poor naval officer and she had been the daughter of a poor disgraced Baron. Cora had had to learn how to make it on her own without the luxuries of her childhood. And so, she was cooking dinner as well as drying out some salted meat for food in the winter. Her garden was also doing quite well with some food to sell to others. Pushing her honey blonde hair from her brow, Cora went to where Henry was calling as she saw that it was the Blacksmith and his daughter, Colleen as she smiled.
She knew that she was terrible with the Scottish accent unlike her son and nephew who had picked it up but she needed to not look supicious. "Ah, ello..." She said with a smile as she went on. "And how is little Miss Colleen?" She said going down on her hunches so she was on eye level with the pretty little redhead who worked so hard for one who was only five years old. "Henry, where's Matt?" She asked as it was at that moment that her son came in and covered in feather as he said. "I got some eggs for breakfast tomorrow!?"
There were marks all over him and she knew that the chickens were mean ones as she frowned. "Matthew, what did I tell you about the chickens...?"
"That they are mean sons of bitches?" Matthew said as Cora blushed since she had not said that as she looked to Alexander and smiled awkwardly. "I suppose that Colleen came to play with Henry and Matthew?" She said thinking that she was going to have to punish Matthew later for going to the chicken coop when she was the only one to go... and the chickens were a bunch of mean sons of bitches.
Taking the eggs from Matthew, she was going to have to store them for breakfast tomorrow morning. Holding the eggs, she looked out the door and pulled her kerchief from her head to put the eggs in. All three of the children going to play as she glanced at the handsome blacksmith. "Ah, did ye want anything to drink... I have some ale but not much more than that." She had had a cup or two already today, sometimes... she had wine but only at Christmas and when Alice brought a some for her.
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Joanne looked up to see her husband wondering if he was going to try and talk her into letting him return to their bed with pretty words. It was almost laughable what the man was trying and yet, all he had to do was apologize. Then, she did not even know if she could forgive him. She was hurt that he had taken two maids when she had been stuck in an inn by herself... sure, she had not liked when he had taken her virginity because of the pain but the other parts had been wonderful. There was also the case that she had been told that he had been with a number of the women in both the Scottish courts and in Tulloch.
Nodding to Ainsley and Ethan who looked up at their father with true smiles, Joanne was atleast happy that he would make a good father... if he was good for nothing else. Hugging both the children, she said. "We'll finish the story later, go see what your Auntie Tori and Tara are up to." She whispered as both the children went out of the room and she looked up at her husband.
Her features had changed dramatically as she did not look impressed with his presence, despite how much of a charmer he was. "What do you want to speak to me about, husband?" She asked in a cold tone, completely different from how she was with the two children. She was learning to show affection, and to not mask her emotions. She would start with the children and thought to move onto Alice but her husband... she had showed him some until the bitch of a mother to Ainsley and Ethan had opened her mouth to her.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 22, 2012 17:52:13 GMT -5
Alice took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. "I...I've lied to you...well...not really lied but...omitted things...Mostly because of shame, but also because I was protecting something precious to me....and I should probably tell you everything...before you hear it from someone else." She looked at him then looked away. "My stepfather...you already know about...but...he...he wasn't the only one that was in my bed. Over time...I...was given as a gift...of sorts...to various men in english court...and to my stepfather's friends, as he saw fit to give them." She swallowed then sank down, looking at her lap and playing with the fabric of her gown. "I let them...but not...not because I wanted it...he would of never done that to me, I don't think, if I hadn't taken his son away from him..." She closed her eyes. "His son and mine...I was two months away from turning fifteen... and I birthed him....and the day after I birthed him, Richard, took him from me...For six months, I plotted and planned and now...my son is safe, away from him...and away from me. I didn't want to tell you...because...well...I'm afraid that you will be angry and turn from me. But I know that my stepfather would tell you...and I wanted you to hear it from me...I can understand if you are angry at me for keeping this from you. But it...its difficult for me to trust anyone...everyone I loved or cared about, turned from me or hurt me..."
She stood and walked to the window, not really looking out but rather at her fingers. "His name is Henry, he is just turned four...and I have him in Tulloch...living with my cousin...every day I was going to the village, it was mostly to see him and check on him...He barely knows me...and I am his mother...It kills me to not have him...but I...have no choice...its better he is away from me and safe from Richard. If a man can rape a stepdaughter, and whore her out to his friends, then he can hurt his child in the same way. Boy or girl, I was not going to have my child be raised by him..." She closed her eyes and just bowed her head.
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Alexander chuckled. "No need to worry about me ma'am...I am not thirsty...And aye, Coleen was begging and I feel safer just walking her over...and yer son...he was right about the chickens. Nasty little sonsabitches," he smirked, his eyes observing her beautiful figure. "Ah...I brought some things for the boys. took the scraps of some armor and melted them down into little brass horses. I thought they might enjoy them. And...Coleen decided she wanted me to give you this..." He pulled a brass and iron twisted bracelet inlaid with simple gems. "She has one...thinks herself a wee princess. Wanted ye to feel like one to. her mum used to say how all women are princesses one way or another and she thinks ye deserve to feel like one. O' course...I am of the same opinion..." He smirked then took a deep breath, looking at the pot over the fire. "Do ye need some help with that pot?" he asked. "I have some roots and vegetables back at my place that would probably stew well...Coleen, quite the little gardener. I have the brown thumb..." he grinned, looking out the window to see the group of them together and perhaps conspiring. Then his eyes went back to the young widow who was in her early twenties he was certain.
"We can have a dinner together...give a chance for the wee ones to play a bit longer since the majority of their chores are done. Lord knows everyone deserves the break...ye, yer son, and yer nephew, and of course me daughter..." He smiled.
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Tavis frowned. "Weel...ye dinnae have to take that tone with me..." he said simply then sighed. "I came here...to apologize for being a weel....being an arse and taking women to bed after our marriage...verra sorry...and I want ye to know that I willnae take any other to me bed. I only want ye...and I...just want this marriage to work. it didnae work for my parents, but I want us to. I want to mend my ways, and perhaps we can start fresh and I can court ye...get to ken ye...a chance I dinnae get when we took our vows..."
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 22, 2012 19:44:30 GMT -5
He had wished that she had told him sooner as he was watching her for a moment knowing that it must have been hard for her to say this to him. It was not that he was upset with her but he had a renewed hate for her stepfather, the man had whored out his own step-daughter in the english court and to him... that was lower than shit. Standing up, he looked at his wife and said. "I will fookin kill him and don't ye even try to stop me... Queen Bitch be damned to hell!" He said as his fists clenched and he went towards the door of his study. First, he was going to kill the man and have him in the ground outside of the church lot for his sins. Then, he was going to take her son and bring him to the keep... Henry would become his own son. He could feel her arm stop him as if to plead with him not to. Something that he did not understand as he looked down at her, "Alice, I have to... Ye ken I do..." He whispered to her still looking into her blue eyes.
"Yer son is going to be my son and we will have him come live with us... I just wish ye would have told me sooner... ye ken that yer step-father cannae claim him unless he is to inherit." He said as he pushed her hand off of his arm, he was in a murderous rage against his supposed house guest and he was going to make sure that he did not leave Scotland alive.
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"Oh, I know how nasty the wee buggers are..." She said with a sigh as she looked down at the gifts for both Matthew and Henry as well as the bracelet. Her husband before he had died had gotten her only a simple gold ring and she had a few things that her father had not gambled away and yet, she was looking at this bracelet, crafted by him as she did not know what to say. "Oh... T-thank you." She said in a soft voice as she looked at the blacksmith with a soft smile. "I know that the boys will love the toys." She said honestly as she looked to the window for a moment. "And, both you and Coleen are more than welcome to stay for dinner. It's a rabbit stew." She said with a smile, lucky that they had a few traps and the boys had taken to catching the small creatures but hoping to get deer for venison. Of course, Alice had brought some food for them from the keep a few times when she had visited but she would not be able to since that bastard of a step-father was visiting.
Cora was to stay out of sight and not to go near the keep. "You don't have to take anything from your garden. We have plenty to share, I do have some bread baking as well. You sure that you don't want a drink?" She offered as she slowly put the bracelet on her wrist, she doubted that she would take the gift off again as she admired it. "Thank you, it is beautiful." She looked a little shy as she said this to him.
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The man was sincere as she took a moment to look over him before saying. "And you promise that you want only me... and that if you dare touch another woman... I have the permission to kill you." Joanne said silently as if this was the norm but she meant it as she was looking at him. It would take some time for her to trust him but, she suppose that God forgive sinners and so, she could forgive her husband. She smiled softly as she stood up and said to him. "I would like to start fresh as well, Tavis... please, be patient with me." She asked him looking up into his eyes.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 23, 2012 15:48:46 GMT -5
Alice took a deep breath. "Tomas...I don't want anything to happen to you," she said walking after him quickly. "Honestly I don't care about him but you...Tomas if you do anything to him then you will pay for it with your life. No offense my good husband, but you are no good to me dead. Her Majesty would see you killed and that would leave me a widow. I don't think a widow's life would suit me...and what of this child I carry in me now...do you want it to be fatherless?" she asked.
She nearly hit herself. Alice had meant to tell him more gracefully of her pregnancy but it was all out and out now. "Please...Tomas..." She got in front of him, stroking his cheeks. "Please my husband....do not do this...Please...his life is not worth yours...by any means," she whispered then reached up and kissed him. "Please," she begged. "He will be gone in a fortnight and I will stay close to you..." she told him, taking his hands. "Please Tomas..."
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He smiled. "Alright then. I won't pressure ye," he teased. Clearing his throat, he walked to the stew pot, seeing how worn it was. The bottom was nearly rusted out from age and overuse. Another thing he could make for her. Lord knew Alexander had plenty of metal around his shop and he was not much of a sleeper so he could fire a cauldron for her. One of better quality than this rust. "Is there anything I can do for ye ma'am? I feel like I am impossing and being a little idlehanded." He smiled then scratched the back of his head and glancing out the window again that the wee ones to see them all playing tag. He was glad Coleen was having her fun. She deserved it.
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Tavis took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine them. I promise I willnae dare touch another woman and if I do, ye have full permission to draw and quarter me if ye so deire," he chuckled then stood up and stroked her cheek. "I never wanted to make an effort for a woman before. What can I say milady wife...Ye've gotten under me skin..." He took a deep breath and kissed her cheek before drawing back. "My first order of courting, will be to take you out. A horse ride perhaps? If ye dinnae ride, then I can arrange for me to take ye out to a certain alcove in the wood perfect for a lunch out of the keep...then...I am do to go to court in a few short weeks. Ye can go there with me. It's Scots court but...I think ye'd enjoy it. I always go to Edinburgh just before the harvest and snows...Check in with the King, pay taxes...yer welcome to come..."
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 24, 2012 16:15:00 GMT -5
It was wonderful news and yet, he was staring at her as if it was an overload of information that reached his mind. Not only did she have a son... his son now and he was going to make damn well sure of it. But, now... his wife was also pregnant with his child. "Fine, I wonae do anything..." Yet. "But I would like to see him take your son if I claim him as my own." He said rubbing his chin as he waited for a moment. "Aye, ye said that yer son is here in Tulloch with ye cousin, no?" He asked as he watched her with a frown before signing not sure what he could do for the moment. His wife was with child and he was so happy and yet, he was upset about the fact that her bastard of a step-father had done such things to her.
"Alice, I am serious... I want to know the boy, your son will be my own son and he willnae be able to take him if I have a claim on him." He said, his good eye on her as the other white eye was watching her as well. "I want to make sure that he is raised properly and learns ta ride a horse or to go fishin'?" He said as he thought of his own childhood with his brother. "Yer cousin can live in the keep as well, I doubt she is living in nay more than a small hut?" He asked as he thought to do right by his wife.
"As fer yer bastard step-father, I still want to kill him." Tomas said seriously.
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She glanced over to him as she was making two pints of the ale as she handed him one. "Oh? No... no... you do so much for the town with your work... Sit, sit..." She said with a smiled as she started to think of how it would be like to have a man like him as a lover. Busying herself, she felt as thought she was betraying her husband by thinking about another man. Even tho, her husband had been death since Matthew was only a babe. "I do not get much company... you would think I was a witch or something like that."
She shook her head. "I'm not... I do not do much healing... I know a bit about herbs but not like some wise women." She said with a shrug. "It's nice that your daughter has taken with the lads..." Some of the village children had teased them about the English accent when they could not hide it all the time and yet, Coleen was kind to them.
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Joanne paused for a moment as she looked up at him with an odd look, it was almost as if she thought that she did not deserve to be treated so well and yet, this was what she had wanted. "Will Alice and your brother be coming to court as well?" She asked curiously as she thought that a horse ride would be nice, she was no expert but she was a good enough rider. "And, I do like to ride horses... sometimes." She said softly feeling almost shy as she was blushing with pleasure. It was strange to show her emotions but she was honestly working at it.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Mar 25, 2012 9:48:38 GMT -5
Anna took a deep breath and nodded. "I know Tomas...but God will have his revenge on him in the end..." she said. "And...if you claim him even before that bastard he can say nothing because he has never openly claimed Henry or tried to legitimize him...And you can...it will make Richard angry of course but he can do nothing about it..." She paused and then kissed him. "You are so good to me Tomas. I think God was giving me my personal savior on earth when you chose to marry me out of myself and Joanne." She ran her fingers over his scar. "I can let you meet him tomorrow morning. As well as my cousin....the woman caring for him. And aye a hut. It's all I could afford to rent for her...she has her own child and I try and give as much as I can..." She flushed. "I stole a few things from Queen Elizabeth to sell and use the money...and I...took money from your coffers. Not much...just enough to ensure my son could have a roof over his head..."
She sighed. "I'll pay it all back..." she promised then took his hand, just as Tori and Tara came down the hall.
"Alice!"Tori said gleefully. "I'm glad to see you feeling better. Tara and I were concerned. Are you going to be well enough for dinner. Gran says we should give a feast, but only because the mon is a guest...but she gets an off feeling from that mon...So do me and Tara..."
Alice looked at them. "Well its good that you do. Please you two...stay away from him for me alright?" she asked them. Tori nodded and cleared her throat.
"We're going on up to get ready for dinner..." she said then tugged Tara up the stairs to the family rooms. Alice looked at him.
"We should probably get ready too..."
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"Coleen is much like her mother," Alexander sighed, sitting down and then taking a sip of the ale. He looked at her. "A lot of people here are high strung. They dinnae really remember that thirty years ago, an English woman was Lady of Tulloch...Many have their ideas about sassenachs...outlanders....as it is..." He cleared his throat. "I ken ye are English and Coleen kens it too...but we arenae going to hold it against you...Not like most would." He took another sip of his ale.
"I tried to instill in Coleen, the same thing her mother would have. That a person is a person. No matter where they came from. And everyone deserves a chance..." He took a deep breath. "You are from England aye? I guess...Henry's mother is here too..." he said, knowing only the skim details. He had been over often and little by little things had been revealled in their talks. But he was curious about this mysterious widow, who took care of her child and that of her sisters. or so he guessed it was her sister. But that detail was unclear.
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"Um...Tomas normally stays behind when I go to court. It's only paying taxes and checking in with the King. And Tomas is not the courtly type..." he said simply giving a grin. "And if you like the horse riding, we can do a bit of both. A picnic and a horse ride..." He sighed. "We should perhaps get the children ready for dinner. My gran decided to throw a feast for our guests and the rugrats should probably be in a bit of nicer clothes," he grinned. "Care to help me?" he asked. Glad he was on her good side. At least for the moment.
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Post by anjelrocker on Mar 25, 2012 16:32:51 GMT -5
Tara who was still looking a bit pale from her fall in the river nodded. "I didnae like him anyways... he creeps me out, no?" She said quietly before giggling as her sister was sticking by her side since she was feeling ill.
"Best stick to yer gut feeling... ye both listen to Alice, aye?" He said seriously watching the pair of them go as he sighed. "Those two willnae be the death of me..." He said to his wife before kissing her. "I am glad about the new babe as well as your son. I just wish that ye would of told me sooner, I ken I look like a monster but I am not one." He teased knowing that he was going to have to visit the boy soon but not tonight since there was the feast.
"Tomorrow, take me to see yer cousin and yer son? And ye don't have to bloody well pay us back. I ken ye were tryin' to keep him safe." He mentioned to her.
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Reverting back to her English accent, Cora nodded. "I suppose we did a terrible time keeping it a secret... I was trying to fit in since the Scots do not like the English." She said with a shrug as she did not want to reveal too much since her cousin had said that her step-father would be coming. And knowing the bastard, he would be looking for his son. "Your wife sounds like she was a good woman... my husband was a sailor for the English navy... but his ship went down. Matthew looks so much like his father." She smiled as she took a drink of the ale before getting up to stir the pot before looking out the window to check on the children as the sun was lighting the little hut. It was cozy, not too fancy but not too dirty, Cora liked keeping a tidy place.
"I have some bread and butter as well." She mentioned knowing that Alice kept them in good order and she thought it would be nice to share. They had a goat as well as the chickens but Marigold was a mean old thing and she was the only one that could milk her. Taking out the bread and butter before he could say no, Cora came over and handed him some. "I don't have jam, but I will be making some when the berries grow..." She said before sitting down once again.
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Joanne nodded and said. "You also promised the two of them something so they will be expecting it." She said to her husband not forgiving him entirely but she was going to give him another chance but if he messed up or had another woman enter his bed. Taking a moment, she moved away from him so that she could find Ainsley and Ethan who for all proposes was her children now.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 1, 2012 9:30:58 GMT -5
Alice nodded then kissed him slowly, her arms wrapping around him. She drew away after a moment then sighed. "I will take you to Henry...tomorrow I promise," she whispered. Taking his hand, she smiled. "You are to good to me husband," she smiled then led him upstairs to their room so they could get ready for the evening meal.
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"Ah well this is far better then my attempts at cooking. I do try but tis a difficult thing...most times the innkeeper's wife Madge will give us some soup or stew just so I dinnae starve us to death." He smirked then sighed. "Coleen was just a wee thing when her mum passed. Lord kens I have had a rough time of it but she is getting older and weel, I decided she needs a mother. I always loved the idea if a large family. I have a good trade that keeps me fed with aplenty left over and weel she needs a mum...the problem is, most unwed lasses dinnae want to marry a mon who has a child of five. And there arenae to many widows here in Tulloch that I think would be good wives. Mostly because they sleep with every mon that can warm there bed." he shrugged and then he chuckled. "Of course...a few are to old..." he sighed. "Have ye...thought about remarrying Cora? Or did ye love yer husband so much ye dinnae think that ye could e're marry again?" it was a purely curious question. She was a quiet beauty, not vain or selfish and not to proud. He could tell from her speech that she was well educated and clever. She had several qualities that he admired. And she was a good mother. It made him wonder if they could make it as a couple.
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Finding the children, they made quick work of changing them into finer clothes and making sure they looked presentable. Tavis enjoyed the task of changing them or even just spending time with them. Once done, he walked them downstairs. His gran was a miracle worker and plenty of food had been laid out for the feast. Tavis lifted Ethan up in his arms, leading little Ainsley to the dais and sitting them at the lower side, offering both of them bits of chocolate. He could see that English peacock Earl Richard coming in and he decided it was best to bite his tongue. He glanced at Joanne, seeing her glare. "Did he offend ye?" he asked, wondering about the bastard who gave him a bad gut feeling.
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Tori sighed as she finished with fixing her sister's hair. Tara, having a friend at court, had been told all about the great hairstyles and Tori had taken to learning them, just to please her sister. She loved Tara and they were closer then most sisters but sometimes, she was a little envious of how beautiful her sister was. How she could grab a man's attention with just a smile and Tori could barely get someone to look at her. Finishing, she smoked. "There...all done..." she smiled before moving away to finish braiding her hair and get into one of her nicer gowns.
"I hope you arenea going tom plead of case of going to court with Tavis again. "Ye ken he always says no," she laughed. Giving a smile and then searched through their jewelry to find some matching necklaces for their gowns.
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Post by anjelrocker on Apr 1, 2012 11:10:38 GMT -5
"I suppose that I guilt myself sometimes." She said in a soft voice. "I have thought of remarrying but apart of me thinks there is hope that he is still alive but I know that I am being foolish because it has been years." Cora said as she was stirring the rabbit stew before glancing at the handsome blacksmith. He looked as if he was lonely and from what he had said, well... he was obviously searching for a wife, he was not being subtle about the subject as she went on. "I was young when I married my husband, my father was a poor Baron who was disgraced because he had been one of the Queen's favourites before he ended up wedding my mother." She had never grew up with luxeries like some of the ladies of her class and so, she had been apart of the lower classes since she felt more comfortable working instead of having to wed for money like her father had desired her to do so.
Shrugging her shoulders, she said. "I married for love but, I do not think I was prepared to be the wife of a navel officer." Cora glanced out the window to see the children playing ring around the rosie. "Soon after we wed, he went to sea and I was pregnant with Matthew... and James never returned." Cora had the bread cut and was buttering it as she handed a slice to him to eat.
"Better eat up because lord know if I put honey on the bread, the children will come running." She said with a smile. "As for remarrying, I think perhaps I will one day... I do want to give Matthew and Henry a father since they have never really had that in their lives. Atleast someone to look up to."
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"You already know that Alice and myself dislike each other, it is because our fathers are rivals in court." She said softly. "Once her mother, who was a neighbour to us wed him... well, I was not allowed to play with Alice anymore." She said simply knowing that the true reason was not hers to tell for the reason that her husband did not need to know of it. "He is not a kind man... like my father, I suppose that is why they hate each other, they are so much alike." She said with a frown as Ainsley said. "Thank ye for the chocolate, my l-..." She cut herself up and said in a quiet voice. "Da." Before looking up at him before looking at her brother who was nibbling at the chocolate before making a face and shaking his head. Apparently, Ethan did not like the chocolate.
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Patting his wife's arm as he led her into the great hall for the banquet, he knew that he was going to have to play protector to her from the bastard and yet, he had to be polite. The idea almost enraged him and yet, he could not say anything... could not even tell his own brother. No, he was going to kill the bastard. He was not going to leave Scotland alive... that was for damn sure. "I wonae allow him to sit beside ye either." He said before the bastard was close enough, Tomas scowled at the man and did not say a thing as he kept his wife to him.
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"He has to say yes... that aye Tristin... he is always going and to be able to go as well... Surely fourteen is old enough!" She sighed as her hair was looking gorgous and she moved so she could hug her older sister. "Thank ya, Toni... Oh, let me put some rouge from France on you... did you hear the style of England... blackened teeth! And white faces... they must look like clowns." She giggled.
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Post by Raynesleigh on Apr 2, 2012 11:13:24 GMT -5
Alexander chuckled then nodded, eating the bread and then looked at Cora. "I imagine all three of them will be rushing in in a few moments." he grinned. It was obviously good that she was open to the idea, but he would have to be gentle about this. She obviously still cared for her husband and he loved his wife, but he was at the point where he knew that he could find love again. At least for Coleen's sake. But he would not press the issue for the moment. Just as he finished the bread, Coleen, Henry, and Matthew entered the small front room of the house.
"Food ready Auntie?" Henry asked grinning, Coleen looking hopeful, and Matthew ready to eat as well. Standing, Alex reached for the bowls in a cupboard and put then down on the small table and grabbed spoons before easily lifting the pot, sitting it in the center of the table. After pouring all of the children a bit, he sliced them some bread, letting her drizzle it with honey while he made them bowls of the piping hot rabbit stew. It smelt wonderful and he imagined it tasted just as heavenly.
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Tavis looked at her and then nodded, adjusting Ethan so he could sit. At least his gran could help with the two of them during meal time. He kissed her cheek and then pulled her chair out. He looked at Ainsley and winked. "Yer welcome lass...but ye dinnae have to call me da if ye dinnae want to love. When ye get comfortable enough," he promised then leaned down, kissing her head before kissing the top of Ethan's head, taking his own seat as Gran sat by him. He saw Richard with his wife take a seat on the dais at the far side. He would be seated by Tomas and the girls would be by Alice's mother.
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Alice saw Richard seat himself and knew as the guest he would be seated to her husband's left. She looked at him and nodded then walked with him up to the dais, taking her place and then brushing her hair back behind her ear. She glanced at her mother, seeing that the woman was nearly comatose, as usual with her head down and her manner completely subservient and quiet. Slowly, Alice looked away then smiled at Tomas. "You should share the news sometime during this feast," she told him quietly as he sat down then took his hand, giving it a squeeze to keep herself from going into hysterics. To keep her calm.
She felt Richard's eyes on her and quickly took a sip of her wine. "I am sure your grandmother would be quite glad of the news," she beamed then looked at the food as it was placed.
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"They must...oh for goodness sake Tara...I am not going to wear any of that nonsense on my face," Tori said then fixed the sleeves of her dress, letting Tara lace her up at the back and then they started downstairs. She saw no need in using beauty agents because they did not work for her. She was plain and accepted it. They made it down to the hall and she took her seat by the creepy man's silent wife and then took a sip of the weakened ale before making a plate of bread, cheese, and the freshly roasted venison.
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