Chapter Ten
M isery. That was the only word to describe her life. They were still traveling, and while the two-day break had been pleasant and soul-refreshing, they were once again on the road all day. This day was the worst so far.
Before they left the lovely village they had visited, Kerrigan had insisted on them speaking marriage vows before the local blacksmith, who like most men of the trade in Scotland married couples “over the anvil”. Although most hurried marriages took place closer to the border, there were those couples who didn’t want to take a chance stopping at the popular Gretna Green where their families would most likely be searching for them.
The man had marriage certificates and provided them with one after they again spoke their vows. Kerrigan explained that the procedure they went through was considered a legal marriage in Scotland and he wanted to make sure her uncle didn’t have any question about the legality of their marriage either in England or Scotland.
She had started her monthly flow that morning and, too embarrassed to tell Kerrigan why she was in such pain, she made up a story about a bad headache that traveled to her stomach which only caused him to ask her every ten minutes if they should stop and see about finding a doctor or a healer.
Her woman’s time had never been pleasant, but this one was particularly bad. Plus, there was no maid to see to her comfort. No one to bring her a hot brick wrapped in soft cloth to place on her aching stomach. No maid to bring her hot chocolate with a touch of laudanum to ease her pain.
No. She was stuck in a carriage in the pouring rain. Her husband was outside helping the driver push the wheels out of the muck. She was cold, in pain, and miserable. Perhaps marriage to Lord Newton might not have been so bad. She sighed and was immediately thrown to the floor as the carriage experienced a large jolt. She screamed, feeling as though the vehicle was about to turn over.
“Are ye all right, lass?” Kerrigan called from outside of the carriage.
“Yes. Just fine,” she said as she climbed to her feet and settled back onto the seat. Two tears slid down her cheeks.
The door to the carriage opened and Kerrigan stuck his head in. He looked as though he’d been pushed into a pond. Not only was he soaking wet, but he was also covered in mud. “I think I will ride Fergus to the next village so I doona get ye all wet and muddy.”
“Is the carriage out of the mud, then?”
“Aye, but one of the wheels doesna look sturdy enough to continue the rest of the journey, so we will have to secure another carriage.”
Another delay.
She moaned and turned her head to the wall.
“I think I will ask about a doctor or healer when we reach the next village. Ye have me concerned, lass.”
Why, oh why, did she get her monthly flow now? Were they at his castle, she was sure there was someone who could take care of her. Rather than argue with him, she merely nodded and within minutes there was another jerk that almost tossed her to the floor before the carriage moved on.
With the ground being slippery, Kerrigan tried his best to keep her from getting dirty as he helped her out of the carriage, his arm wrapped snugly around her waist. She was bent over like an old woman, barely able to walk.
The inn they stopped at looked like it had been built during the Crusades. And with no renovations since then. Of course, the continuing deluge didn’t help the inn’s appearance. Kerrigan opened the door, and they were immediately welcomed with odors of ale, meat grease, and smoke.
Christine moaned again and hoped the contents of her last meal remained where it was supposed to stay. Kerrigan continued to study her, frowning. If only she had the nerve to tell him what she had was perfectly normal, and he should stop looking at her as if he expected her to pass from this life any minute.
The innkeeper greeted them with a smile, a contrast to the surroundings. Although the place left much to be desired, the man was cheerful and seemed delighted to have paying guests. “It appears ye have been caught in the rain,” he said. “I will get my wife to help ye into a room.”
Chistine was so cold she began to shake which only increased the look of worry on her husband’s face.
After patting her hand, he switched his attention to the innkeeper. “Do ye ken of someone who can rent us a carriage for the rest of our trip? We are headed to East Lothian.”
The innkeeper didn’t even pause. “Nay, I’m afraid no’. This is a small village. What is wrong with the carriage ye have now?”
“It got stuck in mud, and when the driver and I managed to pull it out, it damaged one of the wheels.”
“Wheesh,” the innkeeper said as he wiped down a dirty table with an even dirtier cloth. “We have a mon who comes here all the time who can fix the wheel for ye.”
“That would be welcomed,” Kerrigan said. “My driver is outside with the carriage now. Do ye have someone to send a message to the mon ye speak of? My wife is quite anxious to finish our trip.”
“Aye. I will send my lad to fetch him. Give me a minute to find my wife and have her direct ye to a room.”
Kerrigan turned to Christine as the innkeeper headed up the stairs. “I’m going to ask for a healer also to look at ye.”
She tried to smile but didn’t quite make it. “No. It is nothing, I assure you.”
The innkeeper’s wife arrived, wiping her hands on a soiled apron. “Welcome to The Fish and the Turtle. My name is Jess. Let me show ye to yer room, lass. It looks like ye’re in need of clean, dry clothes.”
“That would be wonderful. May I request a bath, also?”
The woman looked at her as if she asked for an audience with Prinny.
“Ach, ’tis sorry I am, lass, but we doona have a tub or anyone to lug up water. When we need to, we bathe in the loch a bit up the road. I will bring up a jug of warm water for ye.”
No bath.
“That would be fine, mistress.”
She had to get away from all these people who looked at her as if she was from another country. Then remembering she was indeed from another country, she burst out laughing which only appeared to increase the confusion of Kerrigan, the innkeeper and his wife.
“My wife is no’ feeling well. Is there a doctor or healer about?” Kerrigan said, studying Christine.
“Aye. I am able to do some minor healing. Did ye hurt yerself when the carriage had its accident?” Jess asked.
“No. My husband worries overmuch, but if I could just be shown to a room, I would be most grateful.”
Kerrigan continued to study her as she followed the woman up the stairs. She felt a tad faint but made it to their lodgings. It was a small room, but considering the location of the inn, not a bad space.
She began to struggle out of her dress and Jess helped her out of it. “’Tis yer woman’s time, aye?” she asked.
Christine nodded. “How did you know?”
The dress landed on the floor, and the corset followed, leaving her in her chemise. “Ye have that look about ye. I’m no longer bothered with it, but I remember it well. Why does yer husband think ye are sick? Dinna ye tell him what yer trouble was?”
Christine felt the blood rush to her face. “No. We’re newly married and I didn’t know how to tell him without embarrassing myself.”
“Lass, I’m sure yer husband kens all about a woman’s flow. He doesna look to me as a mon who isn’t familiar with all things about lass’s bodies.” She winked at her which only made her face grow warmer. “And ye say ye’re newly married. What will ye tell him when he reaches for ye tonight?”
Christine drew in a breath. “Oh, I never thought about that.” She felt like a fool. Of course, Kerrigan would expect to share intimacies with her tonight. It had been that way since the first time they made love.
A knock on the door drew their attention. Jess opened the door, leaving only a narrow space since Christine was undressed. “Leave the satchel there by the door and go to the kitchen and fill a jug with warm water. Bring that back with a cloth.”
Jess waited until Christine heard footsteps on the stairs and then she opened the door all the way and retrieved the satchel.
It didn’t take long for Jess to get Christine washed, changed into her nightrail, and her hair brushed and plated. It felt lovely to have someone care for her body.
“I will send up a tonic for ye to take that will ease yer pain and help ye sleep,” she said as she gathered the clothing from the floor and folded it.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Jess was only gone from the room for about fifteen minutes when the door to the bedchamber opened and Kerrigan stepped in. He carried a mug with him. She could see the steam coming from the container. “The innkeeper’s wife sent this for ye. They are bringing up our supper in a few minutes.”
Christine held her arm out and he placed the mug in her hand. “Thank you. This will surely help.”
Kerrigan said nothing but appeared to be holding back a grin. He turned at the sound of a quick tap at the door and opened it to allow in a young maid with a tray of food in her hands.
“Thank ye, lass,” Kerrigan said as he took the tray from her. She gave a quick curtsy and left.
Christine sipped on the warm drink as her new husband set the various dishes out on a small table near the door. Now that she was dry, clean, and with the tonic warming her insides, she began to feel hungry.
“Are ye feeling better, lass?” he said as he handed her a plate of food. He still had that silly look on his face.
“Yes. The tonic the innkeeper’s wife gave me is helping.”
He nodded and filled a plate for himself and sat on the edge of the bed. Their conversation was on the condition of the carriage, the rest of the trip, and if they would be able to continue the next day.
Christine leaned back and placed her hand over her stomach. She had finished the tonic and now she was ready to sleep. Kerrigan removed the dishes, placed them on the tray and set it all in the corridor in front of the door.
He then proceeded to wash his face and hands, and removed his clothes, in preparation for bed. After admiring his muscular body, tight buttocks and broad shoulders, she closed her eyes feigning sleep so Kerrigan would leave her be for the night and she would not have to explain herself.
He climbed in alongside her and took her hand in his. “Lass, why dinna ye tell me what was troubling ye so I dinna have to worry all day?”
She knew by the look on his face that Jess must have told him. Mortified, she slid down and covered her head with the blanket. “I’m going to sleep now.”
“Ach, lass, ye’r no’ getting away with this.” He tugged the cover off her.
She placed her hands on her face. “Go to sleep.”
Now fully laughing, he pulled her hands down. “I am yer husband. I am fully aware of how a woman’s body works. Ye should ne’er be embarrassed to tell me anything.”
She turned over and placed her pillow over her head. “I’m going to sleep now.”
Kerrigan kissed the back of her neck. “Aye then,” he said gently with a smile in his voice. “Good night, wife. Sleep well.”
“I will now,” she muttered.