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had to do.
    This was her wedding night and she was wise enough to know she couldn’t consummate her marriage in a separate bed.
    She’d also wager he had fresh sheets.
    Anne turned to her reflection in the mirror. “It’s a war of wills,” she reminded herself. “One that I’m going to win, just to prove to him I can.” Money no longer mattered. She was going to make this marriage work, or be damned trying.
    So, he didn’t want to be married to her. Well, he wouldn’t have been her first choice either, although he was somewhat handsome. “When his face isn’t blue,” she reminded herself.
    After picking up her sack of clothing, she relit the candle off the torch, and left the room. No one lingered in the hallway and his door was unlocked.
    Anne turned the handle and pushed the door open, almost afraid of what she’d find.
    To her delight, her husband’s room was beautiful. It had arched windows, smaller versions of the ones in the great hall and with the same view of the powerful moonlit sea. A fire burned brightly in the hearth, warding off the chill of early spring.
    Extra light came from two wall torches on either side of the largest bed Anne had ever seen. It was massive, with a carved mahogany headboard that almost reached the high ceiling.
    The sheets hadn’t been turned down, but one didn’t notice immediately because of the layer after luxurious layer of beautiful furs spread out across the bed. She recognized some, like the fox pelts and the sable, but there were many she’d never seen before.
    A medieval diary was open and turned upside as if Aidan had been reading it in bed and wanted to save his place. She picked it up and carefully closed it. Such treatment was bad for the book’s spine. There were also books on the floor beside the bed, books under the bed, and books by the tub in front of the fire.
    She approached the tub. It was huge, but then, it had to be for a man Aidan’s size. She tested the water. It was still hot. Lazy Norval probably boiled it so that it would still be warm whenever Aidan decided to use it.
    Attached to the edge of the tub was a small tray holding a bar of soap. She sniffed it experimentally. The scent was pleasing. Sandalwood and oil of orange. Two of her favorite fragrances.
    Anne began undressing.

Chapter 5
     
    Aidan marched downstairs, followed by Deacon, straight for the ale keg. His blood still churned from the alarm her scream had sparked.
    Women! They were ridiculous creatures. Imagine anyone being afraid of Roy.
    But as he filled his mug, he glanced around the room and had to admit she was right. It was a pig sty. His stables were cleaner than his great hall.
    He was surprised. He spent his days rebuilding the estate and coming in at night so tired he could barely stand. The maintenance of his household had been Norval and Roy’s responsibility, but obviously they hadn’t been doing a good job.
    “When did it get this bad?” he asked the room in general.
    One of the dogs sat up to scratch viciously at his ear. Fleas. Aidan scratched his collar bone in sympathy.
    “When did what get this bad?” Deacon asked. He was cleaning his nails with a table knife.
    “The hall.” Aidan walked to the center of the room. His rushes idea was completely accurate to the time period…but the ancients changed their rushes several times a year. He couldn’t remember when he and Norval had laid a fresh layer down.
    Hugh came downstairs. “I think I’ll go to my mother’s for the night.” He cast a guilty glance at Aidan. “We have gotten a bit out of hand, haven’t we?” He left.
    But Aidan called him back. “Take the dogs with you. Put them in the stables.” He’d seen another one scratch ferociously.
    Hugh raised a surprised eyebrow but did as he asked. Not all of the dogs went willingly. York, the smallest, tried to hide, but Hugh picked him up and carried him out.
    Deacon surveyed the room as the dogs crowded out. “So, things need to be picked up