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did it! He arranged a marriage to a lord named Devlin. He all but said I should behave or be beaten. I cannot marry him. My father truly detests me. He’ll come looking for me. What am I to do?”
Mathilda hugged her. “Worry not, my sweet lambkin, ye can hide here. Your father wouldn’t dare intrude on this place. My husband has many allies and a large army. Bentley is wary, especially since Walden is related to the Scots. Why did he beat ye?”
“I refused to marry the lord he chose.”
“My goodness, he’s a vicious man. Let us get ye cleaned and I’ll take care of your wounds.”
After Julianna was bathed, dressed in nightclothes, her wounds tended to, and fed, Aunty tucked her into bed. “Get rest and I’ll return later.”
“I forgot to mention that Bleeth came with me. He’s probably in the stables. Will you get him?”
“Of course, sleep well.”
Julianna had placed many people in jeopardy so she could escape her father and the worries of the king. Was it worth all this trouble? Perhaps she should have stayed and married the monster. She’d made the decision and would have to abide by it. Somehow she had to find an escort to the Highlands. Then her aunt and uncle would be safe if her father sent inquiries. She fell asleep with thoughts of green grass, purple heather fields and the sunshine on her face.
Fitful sleep came, and with it dream upon dream. The warrior lifted her in his arms and kissed her. She felt light and airy as though she floated on a cloud. His strong arms carried her … She didn’t have a care because his warm, wet mouth settled on hers and a low groan came from her lips.
“Aye, kiss me,” she mumbled in her sleep. Awaking with a start, she realized her aunt’s hound was licking her lips. “Uggg, be gone, beast.” She wiped the slobber away and giggled when the hound licked her face again. “Brutus, cease.” Pushing him off, she heard Aunty’s and Bleeth’s laughter from across the chamber.
“I told ye Brutus would awaken her,” Bleeth said.
“Are ye feeling better?” Aunty asked.
“Aye, Aunty. Good morn to ye both.”
Bleeth yanked her covers. “Good noon. You’ve been sleeping for two days.”
“Ye need to rise and move about or you’ll become a stiff old woman like me. Your bruises aren’t as dark and the swelling has receded. Why don’t ye go see Walden?” Aunty shoved Bleeth through the doorway.
Julianna rose and dressed. Aunty had told the most boldfaced lie when she said the swelling receded on her face, but she’d have to face her uncle sooner or later. She left the room and went in search of him.
Uncle Walden, a dear man near to age sixty, often forgot things, and she worried for him. He loved to fish and could usually be found by the water. Many times they’d chased the fish away with their chatter, when she’d attended him. She spotted him as she neared the large lake beyond their home. He slept on his side along the bank. Not wanting to disturb him, she turned and headed back to the keep. She found her aunt in the kitchen, directing the servants.
“Aunty, Uncle is sleeping. I didn’t awaken him.”
“Sit here beside me, dearest. I’ve been thinking about your problem. I have friends in the Highlands that ye can stay with. You would be safe there until you can return.”
“That was my very thought.”
Her aunt smiled and went back to rolling dough. “I’ll arrange it then.”
*****
The following weeks Julianna recuperated and prepared for the long journey. She put off leaving because she wanted to spend time with her family. Once she left, she wouldn’t likely return for a long time. She took afternoon walks behind the keep, staying close to the walls. The evenings spent with Aunty and Uncle, and Bleeth, playing their favorite games, reminded her of her childhood. No one had come from Bentley’s manor yet. Her father knew she’d flee to Aunty’s and she wondered why he hadn’t sent anyone. She couldn’t avoid the
Mathilda hugged her. “Worry not, my sweet lambkin, ye can hide here. Your father wouldn’t dare intrude on this place. My husband has many allies and a large army. Bentley is wary, especially since Walden is related to the Scots. Why did he beat ye?”
“I refused to marry the lord he chose.”
“My goodness, he’s a vicious man. Let us get ye cleaned and I’ll take care of your wounds.”
After Julianna was bathed, dressed in nightclothes, her wounds tended to, and fed, Aunty tucked her into bed. “Get rest and I’ll return later.”
“I forgot to mention that Bleeth came with me. He’s probably in the stables. Will you get him?”
“Of course, sleep well.”
Julianna had placed many people in jeopardy so she could escape her father and the worries of the king. Was it worth all this trouble? Perhaps she should have stayed and married the monster. She’d made the decision and would have to abide by it. Somehow she had to find an escort to the Highlands. Then her aunt and uncle would be safe if her father sent inquiries. She fell asleep with thoughts of green grass, purple heather fields and the sunshine on her face.
Fitful sleep came, and with it dream upon dream. The warrior lifted her in his arms and kissed her. She felt light and airy as though she floated on a cloud. His strong arms carried her … She didn’t have a care because his warm, wet mouth settled on hers and a low groan came from her lips.
“Aye, kiss me,” she mumbled in her sleep. Awaking with a start, she realized her aunt’s hound was licking her lips. “Uggg, be gone, beast.” She wiped the slobber away and giggled when the hound licked her face again. “Brutus, cease.” Pushing him off, she heard Aunty’s and Bleeth’s laughter from across the chamber.
“I told ye Brutus would awaken her,” Bleeth said.
“Are ye feeling better?” Aunty asked.
“Aye, Aunty. Good morn to ye both.”
Bleeth yanked her covers. “Good noon. You’ve been sleeping for two days.”
“Ye need to rise and move about or you’ll become a stiff old woman like me. Your bruises aren’t as dark and the swelling has receded. Why don’t ye go see Walden?” Aunty shoved Bleeth through the doorway.
Julianna rose and dressed. Aunty had told the most boldfaced lie when she said the swelling receded on her face, but she’d have to face her uncle sooner or later. She left the room and went in search of him.
Uncle Walden, a dear man near to age sixty, often forgot things, and she worried for him. He loved to fish and could usually be found by the water. Many times they’d chased the fish away with their chatter, when she’d attended him. She spotted him as she neared the large lake beyond their home. He slept on his side along the bank. Not wanting to disturb him, she turned and headed back to the keep. She found her aunt in the kitchen, directing the servants.
“Aunty, Uncle is sleeping. I didn’t awaken him.”
“Sit here beside me, dearest. I’ve been thinking about your problem. I have friends in the Highlands that ye can stay with. You would be safe there until you can return.”
“That was my very thought.”
Her aunt smiled and went back to rolling dough. “I’ll arrange it then.”
*****
The following weeks Julianna recuperated and prepared for the long journey. She put off leaving because she wanted to spend time with her family. Once she left, she wouldn’t likely return for a long time. She took afternoon walks behind the keep, staying close to the walls. The evenings spent with Aunty and Uncle, and Bleeth, playing their favorite games, reminded her of her childhood. No one had come from Bentley’s manor yet. Her father knew she’d flee to Aunty’s and she wondered why he hadn’t sent anyone. She couldn’t avoid the
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