Semua Bab Satisfying Her Darkest Fantasies: Bab 761 - Bab 770

Rachael waited until she was certain Alan had risen before she went to Keeley’s chamber. Though all the Woods warriors were notoriously early risers—they somehow functioned on but a few hours’ sleep every night—Alan had devoted most of his time for the last weeks to Keeley’s bedside.After she saw him reenter his chamber with food for Keeley to break her fast, she waited a few moments and then knocked.Alan opened the door and Rachael straightened her shoulders. “I’d like to say my farewell to Keeley if she’s feeling well enough this morn.”“Of course. Come in. She’s breaking her fast and grumbling about being held captive in her bedchamber.”Rachael grinned at Alan’s exasperated tone. She walked inside to see Keeley sitting up in bed, more color in her cheeks than had been there the day before.“I’ve come to bid you farewell.”Keeley’s lips turned down into an unhappy frown. “So soon? I had hoped to spend more time with you.”Rachael perched on the edge of the bed, taking Keeley’s ha

Her cowardice made her choke. The food she’d tried to consume stuck in her throat and she couldn’t force it down no matter how hard she tried.She alternated between wanting Caleb to put in an appearance so she could dress him down for humiliating her in front of her kinsmen and wanting him to stay as far away as possible so she didn’t have to face him. Not until she regained her courage and decided her next course.Disgusted with her sudden timidity, she pushed aside her food and backed from the table. She wasn’t going to sit around arguing with herself about whether she wanted to see her husband. He could rot. She was tired. Beyond exhausted. It was past time she sought her bed.She braced herself for the cold when she swung her door open. Her room lacked a hearth for a fire, but there were no windows so no wind blew through the chamber. She collected two candles and returned to the hall to light them from one of the torches lining the walls.The meager light brightened the tiny cha

“Instructions? What instructions?”Rachael swung her feet over the edge, still clutching the furs to her naked body.Sarah smiled. “The laird wants me and the other women to instruct you on the duties of the lady of the keep. He said ’tis obvious you have no knowledge of such, and now that you are wife to the laird ’tis time for you to take your place.”Rachael sat in the tub, water up to her ears, silently fuming. After a night of pure heaven, a night when she was sure that she and Caleb would start anew, that he would actually act as though he cared something for her, he’d gotten up from their bed and ordered her to start acting like his meek little wife.To make matters worse, Sarah was sitting by the tub, ticking off the list of instructions from Caleb.She was not to dress as a man. She was not to indulge in activities unbecoming a lady, and he went on to specify swordplay, fighting, or any other activity assigned to a warrior. She wasn’t to bind her breasts.That directive had R

She scowled at him and drew her sword. “How seemly would it be for a woman to put you on your arse?”Hugh put up his hand to the others. “The man who puts sword to hers will answer to me.”Hurt squeezed her chest, turning her insides into a knot. “You’ll forbid the men to spar with me?”Hugh looked as though he’d swallowed a mace. “ ’Tis sorry I am, lass. Aside from the fact the laird would have my hide, I’d not have you hurt. Or any bairn you might find yourself pregnant with.”She closed her eyes and turned away. Desolation swept through her, leaving her empty and aching. Tears pricked her eyelids and her shoulders slumped in defeat.“Give me your sword, lass,” Hugh said gently. “I’ll put it away.”She turned to see the rest of the men standing behind Hugh, their faces set in agreement. None would battle her now. Biting back tears, she slowly extended the sword to Hugh. He took it and then handed it back to one of the other men. She didn’t wait to see what they did next. She turned

“He must think you a fool,” Gannon said in disgust.“It matters naught what he thinks. What matters is what he will know when my sword slides through his heart.”“I think you may have to fight your brothers for that honor. He has brought much harm to Mary and Keeley.”“And Rachael,” Caleb said. “He thinks to weaken us through our women.”“ ’Tis not much mark of a man when he wages war against those weaker than himself.”“I want you to send word to Edward and tell him what has happened. Tell him there are new threats against his wife and daughter and that Cameron has escalated his attacks. Then I want you to put men on an around-the-clock watch. I want someone watching all approaches to the keep at all times. I want you working with the men immediately. They’re going to train and train hard. They should have plenty of motivation now if they had none before.”Gannon nodded and started down the hall.“Tell Sarah to bring up water and broth for Rachael,” he called after Gannon.Gannon hel