Chapter 9

A bath and a gentle brew from the healer had Eleanor feeling much more herself. She trailed contentedly behind the maid who was leading her to the main hall for dinner. Loud male laughter drifted down the hall towards them. She could hear Fann's laughter among them.

“The king gifted you a lass who has been sequestered since the cusp of womanhood?” More laughter. The maid’s steps faltered and she glanced back at Eleanor before hurrying forward as if attempting to get them to the hall before the men could say too much more. They were laughing and talking over each other but Eleanor could still make out much of what was said.

“Did she faint dead away when she learned what a poking by her new husband entailed?”

“She looked just a wisp of a thing, how did she survive your wedding night!”

“Surly he could have found someone better prepared to your penchant for afflictive rutting!” Eleanor swallowed, her hands clasped to her stomach.

“How did he think an innocent thing like that could ever s