Chapter 12
Elspeth asked Abigail to stay with them for dinner, and she was more than happy to oblige.
They shared the table with their husbands, and the castle was once again alive with friendly chatter and good laughter.
Elspeth spoke of how Abigail had told her about Finlay’s heroics, and she wanted to get the story from Finlay himself.
Finlay cleared his throat and looked away.
He seemed oddly reluctant to boast of his prowess, but Ian shared no such concern.
“Well, if ye are nae gaeing tae tell the tale, then I shall,” Ian began, taking a long gulp of wine.
“Now the whole thing was my fault, ye must understand. I haed hoped tae catch them unaware, but I fell right intae their hands, and it’s only lucky that some of my patrol managed tae make it back alive.
I felt like such a fool as I was being hauled back tae their camp.
They were brutes as well, talking about how they were gaeing tae take our women and burn our homes.
I told them that the laird was nae gaeing tae be happy, but they mocked him and said he was naething but a shadow.
At that point, I hoped I would stay alive long enough tae see them at Finlay’s mercy.
Anyway, we’re traveling slowly because they hae tae make sure that we dinnae run away.
We’re almost at their camp and I’m getting worried that I’m never gaeing tae see my sweet Abigail again.
I’m already regretting nae asking her tae marry me, and I’m vowing tae myself that as soon as I see her again, I’ll ask for her hand. ”
“And he did, as soon as he got back,” Abigail said, beaming. She and Ian shared a smile, and Elspeth enjoyed seeing the mutual affection between the two. It reminded her of the best times between her parents; she hoped that in time something like that would grow between her and Finlay.
“Just before we reach their camp,” Ian continued, “I hear movement behind. Only a slight one now, but then within moments there’s a roar, and Finlay is leaping out along with the other guards like some demons from hell!
The enemy dinnae know what’s hitting them.
Finlay’s out there, whirling his sword around, dealing death wherever he strikes.
The enemy scatters out of fear. He cut down their strongest warriors without a second thought.
Aye, it was a fine sight to behold. I knew then that I was in the presence of greatness.
” Ian reached over and clasped Finlay’s arm, nodding at him.
Finlay lifted his mug and nodded in appreciation.
“There’s nae finer warrior in all the land,” Ian said. “And I’m glad tae be serving him.”
“I just want tae keep this place safe,” Finlay said.
The conversation turned to other matters as Ian had a few more stories he wanted to share.
Abigail rolled her eyes playfully as she had heard them all before, but Elspeth listened intently.
She hung on to every word. Occasionally, Finlay interjected to correct something that Ian said or offer a different perspective, but mostly it was Ian who held the attention.
Elspeth was rapt as she heard all these different stories of her husband, and it only endeared him to her.
He wasn’t the type to boast about his accomplishments, but it was clear from the stories that he was a kind soul who wanted the best for his clan.
Elspeth wished she had seen this side of him as soon as they were married, but she was glad to be a witness to it now.
The evening was long as they enjoyed each other’s company, but it soon came time for bed.
Elspeth was eager to share the bedchamber again as she wanted to show Finlay how much she adored him.
She was beginning to get used to the sensations that careened through her body whenever he was around, and she was excited to explore more.
But as she went to leave, Finlay looked up and asked Ian to stay for a few more drinks. Elspeth was disappointed.
“Men,” Abigail said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.
It seemed as though this was just another aspect of married life that she was going to have to get used to.
Abigail seemed content to make her own way home, so Elspeth returned to her chamber and decided to make herself pretty for when Finlay came to bed.
She brushed her hair until it was as smooth as silk and slipped on a nightgown.
The straps hung loosely on her shoulders, and the fabric looked as though it had been draped over her soft skin.
She pulled all of her hair over one shoulder and waited in bed, looking expectantly at the door.
She rested her hand on the soft part of her thigh and felt the anticipation building inside her, waiting for Finlay to burst through the door and see his beautiful wife waiting for him.
Since they had shared their feelings, there was an added edge to their intimacy.
Elspeth waited and waited. The candle beside the bed burned.
Wax dripped down, and the wick drooped. Every breath became deeper, and her eyes grew heavy.
She slid under the covers and sank into the comfort of the bed, letting it take her away to slumber.
She had no idea what time it was when Finlay finally came to bed, but she was so tired she barely stirred, and he seemed to have no desire to make use of her body that night as he fell asleep almost immediately.
At first, Elspeth was willing to concede that it was just one of those nights.
Finlay had probably drunk too much and lost track of time as he was spending it reminiscing with his friend, and she certainly wasn’t going to begrudge him the chance for that.
But when it happened the following night as well, Elspeth began to worry.
Was it possible that he had lost interest in her already?
She couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t what Finlay really wanted.
After all, he had admitted to her that he had been forced into this marriage because of his uncle’s wishes, and just because he had asked her to stay, it didn’t mean that he would have chosen her for his bride in the first place.
She worried that she would never be able to entice him, but she wanted to know how.
She mourned the loss of her mother because at least she might have been able to tell her some of the secrets that eluded her.
The other matter was that Elspeth had already given her virtue to Finlay, so if the worst happened and he decided that he no longer wanted to be married to her, there would be no hope of her having the good life her father wanted.
She would be treated with scorn, as she did not have the noble heritage to rise above a failed marriage.
More than that, though, she wanted this marriage to work.
She wanted it more than anything. She wanted to give herself to Finlay fully and for him to give himself to her in return.
She longed to share the intimate glances that held so much meaning and to speak multitudes within one look.
Unable to stop herself worrying about the matter, she turned to her only friend, Abigail. After explaining the problem, Abigail gave her a gentle smile and told her not to worry.
“I highly doubt he haes lost interest already. Ye are only just married! More likely, he just needs tae get used tae haeving someone else around. He haes been alone for a long time. I cannae remember the last time he ever haed tae answer tae someone. He’s used tae daeing what he wants, when he wants, and it might take him a wee while tae get used tae something different.
But if ye want tae entice him, then ye could try wearing a new dress, something he haes never seen before.
I hae full faith that the maids arranged for ye tae hae a good set of outfits, but I dinnae think they are the best judges of what a husband might like.
It’s best tae take it intae yer own hands.
Make sure ye lay down the law. If ye give a husband an inch, he’ll take a mile, and then ye’ll be left waiting forever.
They’re like hounds alright; ye hae tae set yer boundaries. ”
“I hope ye are right,” Elspeth said anxiously. “All I want is for us tae be a happy couple like ye and Ian. I saw the way the two of ye looked at each other. Ye can say sae much without saying anything!”
Abigail chuckled softly. “Ye cannae expect that tae happen overnight. It takes a long time tae get tae that stage, and nae everything is perfect. Ian and I hae haed our fights over the years, and there hae been some times when I wish he haed been kept by the other clan!”
Elspeth laughed. Abigail told her a little more about the realities of married life, and Elspeth began to relax, trying to tell herself that it wasn’t anything she needed to get upset about.
She was eager to create a dress for herself as she thought it was a good way to show Finlay a new side of herself, and it might go some way to keep him in her bed.
Elspeth went back to the seamstress, who was happy to see her again.
Elspeth had decided not to take any guards with her as she didn’t want to live in fear of her own clan or for them to have any insight into her and Finlay’s private life.
She took the seamstress aside and spoke in a low voice, talking about the kind of dress that she wanted.
It was a provocative one, and the seamstress seemed taken aback.
Her daughter laughed and took over. She was just as skilled as her mother but more open to new ideas.
Elspeth’s mind ran wild. She knew exactly what she wanted, and the seamstress’s daughter actually said that she had a few dresses she had made, ones that her mother didn’t display because she thought them too wild.
The daughter seemed glad to show off her wares, and Elspeth got the impression that she didn’t get to do this too often.
The dresses were exquisite, and Elspeth was quite tempted to get them all.
There was one in particular that caught her eye.
It was a backless dress, which would allow her hair to cascade along her back, something she knew Finlay liked.
The top was cut low in the chest as well, coming down in a deep V shape, and she was certain that it would grab Finlay’s attention.
Elspeth thanked the seamstress and told her to send the bill to the castle.
The seamstress took Elspeth’s measurements and said that the adjustments would not take too long, and she would send the dress to the castle as soon as it was ready.
Elspeth’s eyes lit up with excitement as she thought about the future and all the other dresses she might wear.
She wondered if Finlay yet knew of all the delights a marriage could offer.
For some reason, she had assumed that he knew more about married life than she did, but while she had spent most of her life taking care of a home, Finlay had allowed his to fall into disrepair.
He was a strong protector, but there was still much about building a home and a life that he didn’t know.
It was time for her to take more of a stand and take the lead in their marriage.
She had looked to him to take control, but in this respect, it might well have been up to her to guide him.
She left the seamstress with a coy smile on her face, enjoying that she had a new plan to prove to her husband that she knew how to be a wife.
She was so lost in thought on her way back to the castle that she didn’t notice people creeping up on her.
She only heard the footsteps when it was too late, and then there was a heavy arm coming around her.
She opened her mouth to scream, but a coarse hand clamped around her mouth, suffocating her.
Her eyes widened as she looked up at the clear blue sky before it all went dark.
A hood was placed over her head, and she was dragged away.
She kicked out, but her legs hit nothing but air, and her arms were held tight to her side.
There was nothing she could do but let herself be taken away and hope that Finlay would come to rescue her as he had rescued Ian.