Reluctantly, he rose and proceeded down the long hall with its velvet drapes and large empty rooms, which appeared to have no purpose. He would have to have a wife that cared for such matters of socializing and having children to fill the castle.
It did not appear that Mary Francis was interested in anything except fine clothing and parties. “Colum my dear heart,” Mary Francis recoiled after seeing Colum’s face still showing the remnants of the blows from the soldiers. “What has happened Colum?” She reached for his hands and pulled him to the fire, and he sat in a chair across from her. “My dear Colum, what have you been up to?”
“I have been wronged by the sheriff.”
“You cannot come against the sheriff; he represents the King of England.” She sat back in her chair and gave Colum a worried stare. Don’t you know that he controls our lives? He could confiscate all your land and even your castle. Where would that leave me?”
After a long silence, “We could go abroad and live,” Colum said measuring Mary Francis’s words. He knew what she would say.
“I cannot leave my family and country to become an outcast. I hoped to marry a rich Earl and that is what I intend to do. Edward had asked me and I turned him down because I was in love with you. Now let’s not talk about you becoming penniless.”
“What would you do if I was indeed forced off my land?”
“Then I would have to marry Edward.”
“He is to be married tomorrow.”
“Who is he planning to marry? There isn’t an eligible woman in this country. He would have to go to London to find someone suitable.”
Mary Francis’s eyes widen and her cheeks turned crimson.
“I am never going to receive such a person when we are married. Frankly, I thought that he was not serious because of the drinking and all.”
“It doesn’t matter Mary Francis because the sheriff fined me, and half my wealth has been confiscated for the realm. I would have to borrow money from your father if I am to marry you and keep my lands and castle.”
“I expected more than just a title. My father is almost penniless.” Mary Francis confessed. “He was hoping that you could support us after we were married.”
Colum’s face lightened. His eyes narrowed and a large laugh filled the empty library. He continued laughing. The sound of laughter rose and set and rose again. “Well we are a pair. You, marrying me for money, and I marrying you because of tradition with scarcely a bit of love between us, aren’t we a pair?”
“This is a serious matter and you are making light of it.” Mary Francis called for the groomsman to bring about her carriage. “I am going to try to forget everything that has happened between us.” She repeated as Colum escorted her to the front entrance. She scowled at Colum as the footman opened the door to her elaborate carriage.
Mary Francis did not bother to gaze at Colum again; she kept her head straight as if she had blinders on.
He cast a glance at the carriage as it moved loudly down the cobble stone road and disappeared behind a column of stately trees. Colum stood with steeple hands wondering about the future. He knew that Mary Francis would not be back and he was relieved that he did not have to see her when his thoughts stirred to Elizabeth. He did not want to see anyone while he nursed his pain and tried to figure out how he would keep his castle going and employ the town-folk with dwindling coffers.
Finally realizing that he was free to marry the girl he loved, he understood had to be done. He would send a letter to Elizabeth. Colum sat down and penned a letter. Calling a servant, “Take my fastest steed and present this letter to my…” He did not finish. “I want you to hand the letter to Miss Elizabeth.”
He had renewed energy. He had a purpose in life and the empty feeling left his body like dew at midday.
The servant was off to Edward’s castle. He did not stop until he reached Edward’s door. “I have a letter for Miss Elizabeth.” Edward was passing when he heard Elizabeth’s name. He strolled behind his man servant and when Colum’s man repeated his wishes, Edward stepped forward and said, “I’ll take it.”
“But Lord O’Neal stated that it should only reach Miss Elizabeth’s hands.”
“She is still my maid and all correspondence will go through me first.” Edward yanked the letter from the servant’s hand with a sneer.
The servant bowed and left ambling in front of the black steed. He had ridden Colum’s horse hard and the handsome black stallion was sweating, hungry, and thirsty. The groom
allowed the steed to rest. His instincts told him that his lordship would not be happy once he brought the news.
After a brief rest, the servant climbed atop the large horse and rode back to Colum’s castle. It was late and Colum had been pacing all day waiting for an answer. Hearing the hoof beats of his favorite horse, he rushed to his servant, “What did she say? Did she send an answer?”
The servant bowed, “My lord…” He paused. “I didn’t speak with her. Lord McHugh took possession of the letter and stated that she was in his employment as a maid.”
Colum’s hands fell to his side and his head lowered. He headed for the stables.
* * *
“Who is it Edward? I heard my name.” Edward turned to face Elizabeth. He lowered his head and reached for her hand. He kissed her hand and met her eyes.
“My darling it is only a letter that states that you are welcome into my family’s household in London. You have a governess waiting your arrival.” Elizabeth jumped up and down like the teenager she was. She grabbed Edward’s neck and her hands encircled it.
“You will leave as early as tomorrow. Everything you need will be provided for you. The clothing will be provided. You cannot use any of the things you have.”
“I want to keep the dresses and coats my mother made for me and my jewelry.”
“You can keep them in a trunk in your room.”
“Did you inform my parents that I am going away?”
“Of course Elizabeth and they wished us well. I will take care that they do not have to want for anything.”
Edward took the letter to his bedroom. He sat at his desk and penned a letter to the bishop, which stated that he should come to his estate and perform a marriage ceremony.
* * *
Morning came all too soon for Elizabeth. She woke to three maids standing over her bed. “You need to hurry my lady; you are to be married soon. You need to eat first and bath and look at the beautiful dress lord Edward has given you.”
Elizabeth wiped her eyes and raised her hands over her head, stretching and yawning. She reached for bread and butter and a glass of milk. Hurrying through the breakfast, she and rushed to bath. She preferred bath alone although the maids had argued that she should get use to someone giving attention to her every need.
Finally she was ready to wear the ivory silk and velvet hand stitched gown. The maids tried to place her under garments on her but she dismissed them. But the dress with its long sleeves had to be buttoned and the bodice was buttoned as well.
She was ready to face Edward and become his wife. It had been hurried and she had not wished this kind of marriage. She wanted it to be for love but that was not to be. She would learn to love Edward because he had been kind and generous to her. He defended her to Colum and did not care that she would not be a virgin when she married him. He had enough money to protect her from all bad things that could happen in the uncertain world.
It was a slow reluctant walk that Elizabeth took down the stairs. One of the servants was singing a lovely ballad that Elizabeth had heard her mother sing to her. The song caused tears to swell in her eyes.
She could not fathom that she would marry a nobleman. It was a dream of many young poor women and for Elizabeth it came true. As Elizabeth neared the end of the stairs, she saw Edward and his servants surrounding him with the bishop looking on with his nose in the air and a furrowed brow showing his disdain for the marriage.
Marching up to a smiling Edward, she stood
beside him. And before she could blink her eyes, she was married. She would not have a honeymoon. “Can we at least get to know each other,” Elizabeth said as she looked up at Edward. He dismissed the group to go enjoy a meal and advised them to leave afterwards.
“We can go to the west-wing of the castle. I have prepared for our time together, and then the carriage will take you to the docks to board a ship to London.” Edward and Elizabeth climbed the stairs to the west of the enormous castle. As Elizabeth walked into the room prepared for their wedding day, she marveled at the beauty of the west end. There she could look out into the ocean and down at the gardens.
“Can we open this area? It is so beautiful.” She pulled Edward to the window. He had seen it many times and it did not hold him the way it held Elizabeth. He had been born in the cold stone castle with its enormous rooms.
“Anything for you Elizabeth.” Elizabeth felt comfortable with Edward. She knew that she would be nervous with him. He was so handsome and kind. It would be easy to love him, but she couldn’t. How could she after the moment she spent with Colum. Her thoughts went to that day and she could not forget how his body mingled with hers and nothing and nobody was important.
She closed the door and lumbered into the other room where her maids were waiting to change her clothing and she could make her self beautiful for her night with her husband.
It would be a different experience than the one she had with Colum. Although it was the happiest time of her life, sadly it meant nothing to Colum, she thought.
Elizabeth shivered and then relaxed. Her eyes met her maid’s eyes, Beth. “You will make him a beautiful wife and let him love you. He can teach you how to make him happy.” Beth smiled and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. Elizabeth turned and staggered through the door to the adjoining room.
Edward glared from the bed at Elizabeth standing with a long, silk, ivory blue gown with a bare body underneath. He peered at her breast and her nipples protruding as if holding up the gown. Slowly she approached the bed with eyes lowered. She had not felt shame with Colum, but now she understood that she would feel this way with any man who was not Colum.
Edward had his hands outstretched and he helped her into the bed. She lay down beside Edward and he kissed her on the mouth and then her neck. She looked at him and said, “I want to please you Edward. Tell me how.”
“Your pleasure is my pleasure,” he stated with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. And Edward kissed her breast, running his fingers over her sheer gown he felt her nipples. It made him excited beyond his belief.
Then he pulled the gown over her head and removed it. He moved down her body, kissing her stomach and hips. He kissed her hard and long as he gazed at her warm beautiful face. He gently placed his hands along her rigid legs and opened them. Her body trembled because she saw a blank stare and his touch was not the soft touch and care Colum had given her.
Elizabeth expected him to lie atop her but he did not. He continued kissing her over every inch her body. His face went to her lower body and he used his tongue to lick her and his mouth to suck her. When Colum had done this it did not appear to be something strange, however, Edward was oblivious to Elizabeth as if she wasn’t there and anyone could replace her. Never once did he attempt to love her in a way where he could meet her face to face as Colum had.
“What is wrong?” she asked concerned because he never attempted to disrobe.
“There is nothing wrong with you Elizabeth.” He sat up in the bed and placed his head against the velvet head board. “I have something to tell you Elizabeth.” Edward’s face was tight and he took a long breath. “Elizabeth I hope you will forgive me but I have deceived you as well.”
The fear flushed across Elizabeth’s face. She tried to smile but one would not come. “Edward I will forgive you. You have been kind and if you are not happy with me because I am inexperienced, I can learn to make you happy the way you like.”
Edward took her hand, “It has nothing to do with you. I don’t know how to tell this to you.” Elizabeth waited for Edward to gather his courage. “I can’t make love in the traditional sense and I can never hope to have children.”
A shocked Elizabeth recoiled and then took a breath and looked at Edward with his head bent. Elizabeth had wanted children, but she would be content to live with Edward under those circumstances. There were many children in her family and she could take one or maybe two of her brothers’ children and rear them as her own. It was not as hopeless as she had feared.
“Edward,” Elizabeth said, “children are plentiful in Ireland and I don’t think we shall go wanting for child.”
“But I have not told you the complete truth. I don’t know how to tell you.”
“Please Edward, what is it?”
His eyes met hers. “I can’t make love to you either. I was injured in the war and I was never able to have a relationship with a woman in the traditional sense.”
Elizabeth brought her hands to her face and cried. “Please Elizabeth don’t cry.” Edward’s hand caressed her long curly hair.
“It is unfair to tell me this now.” She said meeting his dark secretive eyes. “I have no choices and you knew this. You have deceived me in the worst way.”
“I will do everything to make you happy Elizabeth, just stay with me for a while. Then you can leave me. But it will be your decision when you want to leave. I will take care of your family and provide for you beyond your imagination.”
Edward had a plan that he could not disclose. A knock came to the mahogany door. “What is it?”
“The Carriage is waiting for Lady Elizabeth.”
“Thank you she will be down shortly.” He gazed at Elizabeth wondering whether she was as desperate as he had been to marry. He took a second look and he saw the contempt wipe away and pity wash across her face.
Walking into the separate room, with her maids waiting, she passed her hand on Edward’s face. Reaching for her hand, he buried his face into her hand and kissed it feverishly.
Edward had planned for Elizabeth to stay in London for six months and then she would return and he would present her to the Irish gentry. Then he would introduce her to the gentry. He knew that Colum would indeed head the inquiry into Edward’s choice.
Elizabeth thought that she would be in London for only a few months, but Edward wanted to keep her away from Colum.
He knew that Colum would do anything for a woman once he fell in love with her. As a callow youth, Colum was taken with a girl, and he would carry his mother’s jewels to her family. Now Colum was a young man in his twenties and his manhood had taken over him. He stumbled around as if possessed since he first laid eyes on Elizabeth. Edward had not seen such devotion to a girl or woman since Colum had become a man, until now.
Colum appeared possessed by Elizabeth’s beauty and innocence, and would take the pain of his loss of Elizabeth and use it against Edward.
* * *
Beth helped Elizabeth pack the dresses Edward had commissioned the dressmaker to sew for Elizabeth. As they packed she wished that she had ask for Beth to accompany her, but Edward stated that it was better that she was alone and able to concentrate better. Edward assured her that Beth would come later. Beth kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and they held hands because they felt that they were true friends.
After being in Edward’s keep since she was a child, Beth had been fond of Edward but she did not care for the type of life he led. He would keep women for a few days and then replace them with one after another. He promised them that he would marry them and then went on to another. Many times the young women from respected homes would run from the castle crying and Beth never knew why.
As Beth became older, she realized he never touched the woman or compromised their virtue. Many young women were sent there by their families precisely for that reason, only to be disappointed. But for some reason he had chosen Elizabeth.
Elizabeth strolled with Edward. He held her hand and helped her into the coach. Beth stood sile
ntly and watched as tears streamed down Elizabeth’s face, not because she was leaving, but because she had entered into an unholy marriage with Edward. There were so many reasons and ways why she could have been happy and yet she wasn’t. She was so young and saw an empty life without children.
She was happy in the arms of Colum for a brief time. She was even happy just to have him look on her and she look on him. Everything had changed with them since he took her to his bed without marriage.
Realizing that she had made a better choice, she smiled through her sadness and looked to the future.
* * *
Hearing that Elizabeth would be leaving on a vessel bound for England brought Colum to unbelievable anguish. He lay around not being able to move. He took to his bed in hopes that he could think. In the quiet of his room he felt Elizabeth’s presence. His mind fell on a vision of her full mouth as red and swollen as the nipples on her breast that he felt and sucked so gently.
He played it over in his head how he had loved her and she returned his affections. He knew in an instance what should be done.
Colum rang for the servants, “Get my black steed ready for a ride.” Colum changed from his crimson silk robe to his riding clothes. He put on washed leathers and a jacket with a fur collar to protect his from the spring chill. Before he reached the bottom of the stairs, “Your horse is ready Your Lordship,” his man servant stated with a concerned look on his face.
“Is everything in place because I will need to ride hard and fast? With that pronouncement, Colum mounted his steed and griping the reigns, he wheeled the horse around and headed west in the direction of the sea, where a ship was sailing for London with the love of his life.
Seduced by an Earl Page 7
