Sassenach Bride by Barker Ashe

Author:Barker, Ashe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2020-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

June 1513

Her heart was in her mouth.

Eleanor stood, once more, at the top of the steps at Mortain’s entrance and scanned the countryside beyond the bailey. The McGregors from Skye were expected imminently, Jamie and Robert’s parents, the Laird of Skye and his lady. Jamie’s older sister was to join them also, along with her young son of just two summers.

Joan McGregor was a widow, Jamie had explained. Her brief marriage to one of the Douglas clan had ended after less than a year when her husband contracted a fever and died within two days of taking to his bed. That had been three years previously, and their son had been born a few months after his father’s untimely demise. Joan had returned to Duncleit to take up residence with her parents and showed no sign of leaving.

Eleanor was given to understand that the Lady Joan was a renowned beauty and much in demand. She could have remarried three times over but flatly refused to consider any offers. Her parents had abandoned their efforts on her behalf. After all, they had other daughters to worry about. Young Roselyn was almost eighteen and more than ready to take up the reins in a keep of her own. At barely fifteen, the baby of the family, Fiona, had already declared her intention never to wed but to become a warrior like her father and brothers. Her mother had done her best to steer the girl toward more feminine ambitions but her father, the laird, had never set much store by convention. He had given Fiona a wooden sword exactly like the ones her brothers had practiced with, and he had taught her to ride astride.

Eleanor had grown up an only child so had little experience of large families, even less unconventional ones. She was eager to meet the McGregors but dreaded it also. What if they did not like her? What if they found her dull? Or stupid?

She was not beautiful like Joan, nor was she fiery as she imagined Fiona to be. They would consider her plain, uninteresting. Worse, they would pity Jamie that he had become saddled with such a poor excuse for a bride.

Beside her, Jamie showed no such doubts. He held her hand in his and smiled down at her. “I know what ye’re thinking, my sweet, an’ ye can stop it right now.”

“But I—”

“Must I take ye back tae our chamber an’ lift your skirts for another switching? I would be happy tae do my best tae instil some sense in ye, though t’would be a pity not to be here tae greet my kin when they arrive.”

“I am just nervous, that is all.”

“I ken that. There is nae need tae be. They will love ye, as I do.”

Eleanor paled.

Love. Did he actually say... love?

Was it possible that her miserable sham of a life could become even more complicated?

She had no time to contemplate that possibility as the shout from the north-facing tower rang out to announce that the visitors had been sighted.

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