Read Online Honor Reclaimed (All About Honor) by Kathleen Reagan - Free Book Online Page A

  John’s voice quivered.   He was still unable to speak of his loss
without emotion.   He wondered if he
ever would.
    Hearing the strain in John’s voice
Thomas continued, “I do not mean to censure, but I am a bit surprised to see
you with a paramour this soon after your loss.   Who is the juicy little morsel under the blanket?   She is certainly a pretty little
wench.   Please tell me you are not
philandering with a servant girl, as Father always told us it is never wise to
dip your stick too close to home.”   Thomas was surprised to find that John had already found female
companionship.   It was obvious to
everyone that knew them that Johane and John had been
deeply in love with each other.   A
man had his needs, but this seemed a little early in his bereavement to be in
good form.
    “Do you not recognize Eirian,
Johane’s baby sister?”   John asked
watching for the reality to sink in on his cousin’s face.
    “By all that’s holy man what are you
thinking?   I cannot believe you
would compromise the child.   I will
admit she does not look much like a child anymore, but where are the morals
that I know my father taught you?   She is family no less.   I am
glad my father is not here to witness this.   I truly am shocked John!   You of course know that you must marry her right away.   It is the only way to salvage both of
your reputations.”   Thomas’
righteous indignation was amusing to John for some reason.  
    The sound of voices awakened Eirian,
“John, what is it?   Is someone
here?” she asked in a voice still thick with sleep.   She sat up belatedly thinking to pull the blanket up to
cover her state of undress, which left her breast, exposed to Thomas’ perusal.
    “Put your eyes back in your head,
bastard.”   John growled at his
cousin “Eirian, this is my cousin Thomas.   You remember Thomas don’t you?”   John asked as though he were reintroducing them in the parlor of their
manor house.  
    Thomas bent over and swept up
Eirian’s gown tossing it over to her.   “Mistress, get your self clothed.   You are going to come with us back to the Vann until my father decides
what is to be done.   John is a
grown man and should have had more sense, but it is you, my dear, who will be
ruined if this little tryst becomes public knowledge.   What could the two of you have been thinking?”
    “Well cousin, let me tell you what
we were thinking.   We were thinking
that we had spent a really nice afternoon of connubial bliss.”
    A look of enlightenment and then
astonishment passed across Thomas’ face.   “Let me make sure that I understand this correctly.   Are you telling me that the two of you
are married?   When did this
happen?”
    “I know it seems sudden and
surprisingly soon, but it seemed the best solution at the time.   The children needed a mother and there
was no one who could love them more than their own aunt.   I did not really desire a wife, but I
find that we are very well suited after all.   I would like to think that we have your blessings.”   It was obvious that John had put aside
his joking and was sincerely asking for his cousin’s support in his choice of a
new bride.
    “Well John, you may have a
point.   Welcome to the family my
dear and we wish you great happiness, although how that is going to happen with
this mongrel here I do not know.”   Thomas enfolded her in a brotherly bear hug causing her to lose her hold
on the blanket once again exposing her charms for his perusal.  
    “That is it.   Kindly remove yourself from my wife’s
presence until she makes herself presentable.   I am not in the habit of sharing her charms, of which there
are many, with any one else, cousin or not.”   John took his cousin’s arm and led him into the surrounding
thicket of trees.
    Thomas still could not help wonder
at the speed of John’s remarriage.   It sounded practical on the surface, but it was totally unacceptable
socially.  
    He was