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12: A ghost on the moore
Kaugnay na kabanata
Promised to the father, married to the son 13: At her grave
*Ben* I don’t know why I bother to run. I know exactly where I will find my father, where I always find him eventually. At my mother’s grave. Until tonight, I had never understood why my father had insisted on burying my mother near a tree on our property instead of in the graveyard beside the church in the village where all our previous ancestors are resting. But after hearing the tale at supper, I am left to wonder if it is that tree in which my father had first met the girl who would eventually become the love of his life. When I see my father nearing the grave, knowing he is going straight there and isn’t planning to wander about the moors, I slow to a walk. The moon is bright enough that I haven’t bothered with a lantern. I fight not to be irritated with the interruption. I had certainly not wanted to abandon my bride, although I suspect curiosity has gotten the better of her and she has glanced out the window to see father and son darting across the moors as though the hounds o
Promised to the father, married to the son 14: Getting a bath ready
*Ben* “Hello, my dear”. My father says. “I wanted to make sure you were all right”. Her gaze darts between me and my father so I am not quite certain upon whom she is checking. She has changed into her nightdress. With her gown gone and only the thin fabric covering her, I can see that she is a bit more slender than I had realized, that she seems a bit more vulnerable. I shake off that thought. There is absolutely nothing vulnerable about the woman who had challenged me this afternoon. “Fine, my dear. Just tired”. My father waves a hand. “Go on, Ben. See to your bride. I’ll wait here for your mother”. Closing my eyes, I sigh as I shake my head. When I open them, I am not pleased to see thepity reflected in Sky’s expression. “Sleep well”. She says before stepping into the hallway. Joining her there, I close the door and twist the key. “Is it safe to lock him in ?” She asks. “Safer than not. the butler will unlock it before the sun comes up”. I am taken aback by the concern in
Promised to the father, married to the son 15: Next morning
*Skye* I can’t remember the last time I slept so deeply, so soundly. Feeling completely rested is almost enough to make me believe I am safe. With a low moan and a languorous stretch I slowly open my eyes to a room bathed in faint light and my husband at the mirror, slowly guiding a straight razor up his neck and over his chin. He is wearing only trousers. My mouth goes dry as I take in the sight of his broad shoulders and muscled back. I had seen and felt the evidence that he doesn’t spend his days lounging about, but still the perfection of his tanned physique is a bit unsettling. Not an ounce of excess fat on him. He is all corded muscle, ropy sinews, and strength. I am quite mesmerized observing the play of his muscles as he shaves. “You’re awake, I see”. His warm voice slices through the quiet. My gaze slams into his, reflected in the oval mirror hanging above the washstand, and I wonder how long he might have been watching me. My cheeks warm up. “You didn’t wake me for my ba
Promised to the father, married to the son 16: Awkward breakfast
*Ben* When she had awoken with that soft moan, it had taken everything within me not to pounce on the bed and take her then and there. It didn't matter that my face was lathered in showing foam or that she had distracted me to such an extent that I very nearly sliced open his jugular. I can think of worse ways to go than with that luscious sound ringing in my ears. How can a woman be so gloriously sensual upon awakening ? Standing at the window in the library, watching as the fog begins to dissipate, I have to admit that I don’t have any paperwork I need to see to. I just wanted to give her time to bathe and perhaps join me for breakfast. I could have also delayed going to the mines, but being within reach of her without touching her would have tested my sanity. While she had offered herself during the day, we made a bargain I intend to keep. The day is hers; the night is mine. One exception would place us on a slippery slope, and she might decide I shouldn’t have all the nights
Promised to the father, married to the son 17: Testing his restraint
*Skye* I have to take such care in answering his questions that it is trying beyond measure. There has never been a husband. I am not a widow. But there had been a love, what I thought was a grand love. What a fool I had been. I am not going to make the mistake of falling in love again. He has no interest in it and neither do I. Which should have made us perfect for each other. Instead it serves to tie my stomach into knots. I could have compelled the old man into caring for me. I do not stand a chance of doing that with his obstinate son. Yet I feel this insane urge to be as honest as I can with him. If he ever discovers the full truth, he will at least see that I had limited my deception as much as I was able to. Of course, if he discovers the full truth, it would all be moot, as he is likely to kill me anyway. Put those strong hands of his about my neck and choke the very life from me. But I can’t worry about the future. I have to concentrate on the present. And presently he is
Promised to the father, married to the son 18: Her special place
*Skye* With my money nestled in my pocket, I spent half an hour in the library looking over the books, striving to find something to read, to occupy my time. But it isn’t the assortment of literature I want to explore. It is the residence itself, even if it is nothing more than a series of Locked doors. Except that the locks have keys. I make my way down to the kitchens and find Mrs. Barney rocking in a chair in her office, sipping a cup of tea. “Mrs. Barney”. I say. The older woman’s eyes widened, and she shoves herself to her feet, her bones creaking along the way. “Mrs Archer”. “Mrs. Barney, I would like to borrow your keys for a spell”. I say. Much as she had the day before the housekeeper slaps her hand against the large ring. “They’re my responsibility”. “Yes, I know. And I will return them before the day is done”. I promise. She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Mrs Archer, but I can’t give them to you”. “Oh, I believe you can”. I say. Seriously living in this house is almo
Promised to the father, married to the son 19: Spiders and boots
*Ben* It is late afternoon by the time I, covered in sweat and grime, stride into the kitchen. I don’t know why I believe that if I work in the mines alongside the miners that fortune is more likely to smile on them and they will discover a tin-rich vein after two years of nothing. It had made the men uncomfortable when I first began digging beside them. I am their boss, the CEO of the company, born into the rich upper class. It had taken them a while to accept my help, my determination. But I enjoy stretching my muscles, pushing myself to the limit of near physical exhaustion. It keeps my mind from traveling the path of despair. Today it has kept me from breaking my promise to my wife that the day belongs to her. I shouldn’t have kissed her before I walked out, because her taste stayed with me far too long, it kept my body tense and in need until I went down into the pits where there is always a danger that I will not come out. So perhaps my father has the right of it. I really
Promised to the father, married to the son 20: Showing his trust
*Skye* As he escorts me from the room, I am a bit surprised … based upon the way his eyes had darkened as he had rubbed my chin … that he hadn’t tossed me on a nearby sofa and pulled up my skirt. Once outside, I lock the door, already dreading the encounter I will have with Mrs. Barney regarding the keys in the morning. I am going to reclaim the room whether Ben likes it or not. When he isn’t around, I will entertain myself by playing the piano. I understand it is his house and his rules, but some rules are in need of breaking. Carrying on down the hallway, I become very aware of my uneven gait, my slipper whispering along the floor, his boot clomping. “How are you managing to keep my boot on ?” He asks. “I stuffed newspaper into the toe and around the sides, filling up the space around my foot. A trick I learned from my mother, who always bought our shoes a bit large so we could grow into them and they would last longer”. I explain. He looks surprised. “Our shoes ? You had sib
Pinakabagong kabanata
- Promised to the father, married to the son Epilogue
- Promised to the father, married to the son Maddie
- Promised to the father, married to the son Together again
- Promised to the father, married to the son Finding her
- Promised to the father, married to the son Has he seen her?
- Promised to the father, married to the son Her parents
- Promised to the father, married to the son Seaking shelter
- Promised to the father, married to the son A missing wife
- Promised to the father, married to the son Her whole story
