by Fiona Faris
Siusan smiled again and made herself to sit up properly. She was excited by this prospect for their future and all that Uilleam had decided on for them.
“You are an excellent storyteller. And a polite one at that. Perhaps this pig’s ear really has become silk?” she suggested. Of course, she would still have the duty of turning the silk into a purse, but it seemed that half her work was done already.
“Don’t speak too quickly. I haven’t gotten to the part where I tell you how I might put the next child in you,” Uilleam teased before proceeding to tell Siusan how much he had come to desire her even more in these days when her bosom had swelled from the pregnancy.
Siusan laughed. “Yes, well, perhaps you might be able to quench your desires until I am no longer suffering from continuous vomit?”
Uilleam pretended to be very sad at that and falsely pouted until Siusan agreed that she would try to clean herself up a bit better and then make love to him in any way he chose. He knew that she enjoyed it when he unleashed all of his desires on her.
Although she had been incredibly ill during this first pregnancy, Siusan had not lost her willingness to be with her husband as often as they both wanted. Uilleam had admired her stamina and was grateful. Even in those moments when she seemed to be a mess of a woman, with hair a matted nest and ill-suited clothing, he found her to be beautiful.
Siusan had grown somewhat embarrassed by her lack of ability to maintain her usual level of beauty, but Uilleam always made her feel stunning even on the worst of days.
Siusan moved to kiss Uilleam, and he responded enthusiastically. He could taste that she had cleansed her mouth with mint and rosewater after she had been sick and it made him appreciate her all the more for her thoughtfulness.
Uilleam pulled Siusan close, and she responded by grinding her hips into his. It seemed moments before they were undressed and enjoying one another as they had in all their time together. Siusan moaned when Uilleam moved against her, and he released heavy breaths in reply.
When their union had reached its climax, Uilleam collapsed in a heap of relief beside Siusan. She rolled over and leaned into his arms so they could rest for a while.
But they were interrupted by a knock on the door of their chambers and Uilleam looked at the door with disappointment,
“Just a moment,” he called, as he and Siusan sat up and made themselves presentable. When they were decent, he opened the door.
“Uilleam Mor, I came to alert you that we’ve had newcomers,” said the guard. Uilleam sat up and stood from the bed.
“That is grand news. I will be down soon,” he replied, immediately moving to change his clothes.
“Newcomers?” Siusan asked. “Well, that is excellent news indeed. It seems that more and more are showing up by the day.”
“Ay, it does. The scattered remnant of the MacGregors are finding us. It will continue to be gradual, but so long as word is spreading among my kin, we will soon be made whole again as a clan. We are rebuilding. We will have a new clan soon enough,” Uilleam said triumphantly.
Siusan gave him a look of pride.
No matter how they continued to bicker and tease one another, there still existed between them a joy and pride for the fact of their being together.
“I’ll return soon,” Uilleam promised, kissing Siusan lightly on the lips.
He rushed down the stairs and made his way to where the new guests awaited them.
A mother and her four children sat in the dining hall, eating soup from earlier in the day. Uilleam looked on them with pity in his eyes, but soon the mother looked up and noticed him there.
“Uilleam Mor, I am honored to be at yer table,” she said, leaving her seat and bowing at her knees before him.
“Stand. Please, there is no need to bow for me,” he instructed, seemingly embarrassed. While his position as chieftain had come with certain expectations, Uilleam was not fond of the way in which others bowed to his every whim. He no longer wanted to be that sort of leader. He wanted to be the sort of leader that brought his people a sense of peace and justice and in many ways that required him to appear as an equal among them.
The woman stood, and he gestured for her to return to her seat. Soon they were all eating again, and Uilleam waited until they had finished before he began speaking to them about what would happen next.
“You are safe?” he asked. When the woman nodded, he prodded for her to tell him their story.
“Ay. We are safe now. We were in the forest three days before we managed to find shelter near Loch Gordon. When word came to us that ye were rebuilding the clan, that ye found a place for us, we rushed here quick as. But we’ve not had shelter again for near a week. I was frightened of being found by enemy clans or bandits, and my bairns had to hide with me in the trees. It’s no life at all for the little ones,” she sobbed.
“No, no it’s not. But you needn’t live that life now,” Uilleam said with a sigh. “You are correct that you safe now, and so are your children. More and more families are arriving, and soon we will be thriving again.”
“That is my wish, Uilleam Mor. My husband was taken in the attack on Meggernie, and without him, I didna think I’d ever feel safe again. But now we’ve arrived here. Now I ken there’s hope,” the woman said through the final sniffs of her cries.
“Aye, my lady. You are safe now. After you finish your food, a bath will be drawn for each of you, and you will be taken to a house. We’ve been trying to build them for the women who’ve lost their husbands. It is the least we can do for the sacrifice you have made on behalf of the clan. The houses are simple. As you can see, even the castle is simple in relative terms. But it is my hope that in due time you will be able to flourish in your new home and bring it up to standards you are accustomed to,” Uilleam said, giving her the same information he had given to dozens of families over the previous weeks.
“I think ye dinna ken the sort of conditions we’ve been living in these past months. Any roof is more than enough to keep me happy,” she smiled. The children looked up at Uilleam and nodded with the oldest, being a boy of about thirteen, making a sound of agreement.
“Well then, I wish you well. We are all working together here to rebuild the clan. I am glad that you will now be a part of that,” he said, taking his leave.
Uilleam made his way back up the stairs and into his room. He found Siusan asleep on the bed and covered her with the warm, thick blankets.
“You are the bonniest lass I have ever laid eyes upon,” he whispered through a grin.
Turning to the window, he was surprised by a response.
“And you have quite impressive arms. I should like to have them around me just now, if you don’t mind too much,” Siusan said, although her eyes were still shut as if in sleep.
Uilleam returned to the bed and brought Siusan close again. He allowed her to sleep on his chest.
There was much still to be done. There were still clansmen and women of his out in the wilderness. Angus was still tied to the Campbells. The threat of war and power was still present. But with Siusan in his arms and a child to come, Angus found that he could not be unhappy with the life he had been given.
With all of his strength, with or without manners, he would continue to fight for it. He would continue to be the man Siusan had fallen in love with. And he would strive each and every day to grow more into the sort of man his wife could count on through any challenge.
Extended Epilogue
Eager to learn what the future holds for Uileam and Siusan?
Then you may enjoy this extended epilogue.
Simply tap here and you can read it for FREE, or use this link:
https://www.fionafaris.com/nkzm
Afterword
Thank you for reading my novel, Taming the Highlander. I really hope you enjoyed it! If you did, could you please be so kind to write a review HERE?
It is very important for me to read your thoughts about my book, in order to get better at writing.
/> Please use the link below:
https://www.fionafaris.com/noti
Do you want more Historical Scottish Romance?
Turn on the next page to read the first chapters of my latest best-selling novel: Her Highland Secret
It’s the story about two sworn enemies that have to learn to trust and protect each other, if they are to survive…
Her Highland Secret
Chapter One
Early August, 1689, Carlisle Castle, Cumberland, England
Ella Pearson silently cursed her father as she felt her way along the corridors of Carlisle castle. Her candle wasn’t giving off nearly enough light. Her shadow, normally a bold reflection of her slim frame, looked weak against the cold stone walls. Her long blond hair was starting to loosen from its braids and she thought the shadow of her loose tendrils looked like faint snakes against the aging rock. She was looking for the room where her father had retired with the soldiers after the evening meal. Something warm and furry scurried across her slipper. Ella dropped her candle and moved her hand to her mouth trying to stifle a scream. Her father should have known better than to bring her and her sister to this place.
To hell with father, the military, and the Scots! To hell with the lot of them, she thought.
She may have been on a fool’s errand, but she was too curious and angry to turn back. Her father had said it was love for his children that compelled him to travel with the girls. Ella was beginning to doubt that love. They had not left the castle in almost a fortnight. No parties, no social gatherings, and there were at least three social calls that she knew of that he had passed on in favor of the company of the military garrison that stayed within the castle walls.
Every night for the past month she watched him leave with the soldiers. Her curiosity had finally gotten the better of her. Until now Ella wouldn’t dare question her father on how he spent his time. She’d felt it wasn’t her place to inquire as to her father’s business dealings or nightly pursuits. But lately his disinterest in his daughters and their well-being had reached a fevered pitch. Each morning when they would break their fast, he would reek from the previous night's whiskey, looking forlorn and apologetic. He didn’t ask about their day or how they spend their time. She was at a loss. There must be something going on, she thought. There seemed to be no good reason for him to ignore her and her sister. Daughter or not, the time had come for her to demand answers from her father, but she needed more information before confronting him.
At first, when she had asked her ladies maid, Gwen, if she had heard anything about father from the other servants, the woman didn’t want to talk; refusing to speak ill of her lord and master. But Ella persisted, finally wearing the woman down. Through tears, Gwen told her everything she knew. Her father had garnered quite the reputation as a foolish man who was more than happy to spend their family’s slight income on lavish clothing, brothels, and gambling. Lord Pearson's loose purse and losing streak at the tables seemed to be common knowledge to everyone but her; humiliation consumed her. At twenty-two, Ella was already an old-maid, but if her father kept on with his current patterns, they would all end up in debtor’s prison and there would be nothing left to secure her sister’s future.
Proceeding through the corridor, relief flooded through her as she heard the sounds of men talking and cheering. She was on the right path. A shaft of light flickered into the corridor from an open door at the end of the hall. That must be where they are, she thought. As she approached, she was able to make out her father’s voice above the other men.
“Come now, Commander Evans—surely you aren’t afraid to lose another hand. I have the most to lose in this round. I have put my daughter on the pile,” he said. Ella could scarcely believe what she was hearing. She must be mistaken. He put his daughter on the pile? What pile? Realization hit her like a boulder. He was gambling with her as part of his pot. No, she thought, he wouldn’t.
“Afraid to lose?” Commander Evans said. “Hardly, Pearson. I’m simply not interested in looking upon your face when you realize you’ve lost your daughter’s marriage bed to me in a hand of cards.” The other men laughed and clapped at the pronouncement. Commander Evans’s voice sounded full of slime and vinegar. Of all the men her father could be gambling with, why did it have to be the commander, she thought.
The Commander was a tall man, his pale skin and thinning hair made him look sickly. He had a reputation for being odd and willing to do anything to win. Ella had witnessed his odd behavior first hand. At almost every meal since they had arrived at Carlisle, his beady eyes would seek her out. When he was able to corner her in conversation, he only spoke of himself and his accomplishments. And where she expected to find softness in a man who showed her so much interest, instead she saw an empty blackness that made her skin crawl.
“Ahh, my good friend, that is where you are wrong. I feel the luck of the King himself coursing through my veins. Let us have a go.” Ella crept closer to the door’s entrance, her breath caught in her throat as she waited to hear Evans’s answer. Apparently, the rest of the men felt the same as the room fell silent as death. It felt like an eternity before Evans’s responded, giving Ella a slight hope that he would be decent.
“I’m not your friend Pearson. Know this before the cards are dealt, all debts owed to me will be paid, in full. And I am not kind to those who welch. There will be no attack of conscience on my part come the morning. I’m in want of a wife, and your brat will do to warm my bed as well as any other wench. That is…should you lose.”
“I won’t lose. Deal the cards.”
Ella held her breath, afraid to let any precious air escape her lungs. Even through her fear she wished she could see into the room to truly know what was happening. It had been silent for far too long. Suddenly a groan went up in the room, and the next sound Ella heard was her father’s anguished moan. The door to the parlor crashed open. Evans’s burst through wearing an evil grin. She saw the surprise on his face when confronted by her small, slender form. Before she was able to get one word out, he grabbed her arm. Tears pooled in her ice-blue eyes at his tight grip.
“Well, well, well…it seems my betrothed has paid me a visit,” he snarled, hot stale breath filled her nose. The scent of old cigars and whiskey rolled off him, causing her to gag.
“I’m no such thing, you brute! Let me go,” she spat, turning her head away, disgusted. He laughed and pulled her tightly against him. She squirmed, trying to get away.
“Sneaking around the castle at night, eavesdropping on the men, tisn’t proper for my soon-to-be wife.”
“I’ll never marry you,” she said through angry tears. Her father came into the corridor. His face froze in horror as he realized she had heard what he’d done.
"Father, how could you?" she pleaded, finally wrenching herself free from Evans’s grip and running to her father. He turned away, cold. Shrinking from his rejection, her world turned upside down as she realized her father had abandoned her.
“Ahh, she has spirit, Pearson,” Evans said turning back toward Lord Pearson. “It will be a shame when I break her.”
Ella backed away, horrified. She was on her own. She was to be married to this man, and her father looked as if he didn’t care at all. The commander’s eyes filled with pure evil as he cornered her against the cold stone wall. There was no way to curb her trembling as he raised an arm to either side of her, blocking any hope of escape. She closed her eyes tight as he pulled one golden lock loose from her hair and twirled it around his bony finger.
“Would you like to give your future husband a kiss? A token to hold me over until we meet again?” He sneered. Before she could object, he crushed his mouth against hers. His were lips dry and rough. The more she fought against his assault the harder he pressed himself to her. Ella kept her mouth tight, refusing to give in to the Commander’s aggressive attack. This wretched man is giving me my first kiss, she thought. A tear slid down her cheek as she prayed silently for the moment to be over. Ther
e was nothing in his kiss that made her feel safe or loved. Instead she was filled with disgust and anger. She was ruined. She would never agree to be his wife, but no man would have her after this. He pulled away and laughed. “That’s not quite what I had in mind, but you’ll learn.”
Then as suddenly as he had appeared Commander Evans was gone. Ella watched as the other men all filed out of the parlor and away to their own rooms. Not one of them came to her defense. Her father avoided her eyes as he walked away. She slid down the wall, her body wracked with sobs.
“Father did what?” Amelia’s look of shock and horror mirrored Ella’s feelings exactly, as she replayed the disgusting events of the night before to her sister over their morning meal. She would have given anything not to burden Amelia with her plight, but she had no other friends. She had been up most of the night and could tell without seeing her reflection that her face was puffed and red from crying.
