Punching bread dough proved a very good way of working through the details of the previous two days and relating them to a sympathetic Sarah. At the end of Eleanor’s story, the older woman shook her head. “Well, all I can say is I’m glad it was our Cadan who walked through your door at …
The next morning, Eleanor woke slowly. She was in a comfortable bed and toasty warm. The warmth at her back shifted and became Cadan. “Morning Nora.” She checked down her body. She’d slept in her dress, again, although her stockings and boots had disappeared somewhere. She mumbled a greeting and wondered what to do. Was …
Sarah looked between the two of them, mouth agape. “Your wife? When? How long have you been courting? Why didn’t you say anything?” She paused for breath, then laughed. “Well, and you probably didn’t say anything because you knew I’d put you through every question known, and then some.” Cadan’s returning smile was shy and …
Home to him, maybe. She knew nothing about it. “What’s your house like?” “I’m a single man in apprenticeship, or was until yesterday, no call to set up my own place. Matthew and Sarah have a good-sized home with a second bedroom. That’s where I’ve been living, and we’ll live together this winter.” Eleanor took …
The hard bread she’d just swallowed turned to stone in her stomach. “He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. He was bluffing. Who’s going to take on the business so he can retire to the Scattered Isles? Sebastian isn’t capable.” Cadan stared at the straight, tree lined road ahead and said nothing. Eleanor tried to breathe. “You don’t …
She gaped at him. “I will deal with my hair inside, by the fire, while my boots dry. And this isn’t my cloak.” He continued to only take note of one part of what she’d said. “It’s going to rain, and neither of your pretty capes are waterproof.” She eyed him suspiciously, then shuffled to …
She dragged leaden feet across the floor and dropped onto the rustling heap. Both her cloaks were wet, and her boots were all but dripping where she sat. She shrugged off the cloaks, throwing them off to one side, then shucked her boots. Both pairs of hose were soggy, so they were added to the …
The cart clattered through the east gate and onto the Tradeway. Her companion had been right, there were people coming and going on the road even at this time, many with lanterns. It was more than bright enough to see, and busy enough to keep any but the most mischief-bound kelpies away. She pulled at …
She stood back. “Very well. Am I allowed to change? It would be a little inconsiderate to hand a man a wife and have her perish of the cold in the same night.” Her mother choked on a sob behind her. “Nora, darling.” She held her father’s gaze. He jerked a nod. “Be quick. I’m …
When they reached home, Master Gent and Sebastian followed them inside instead of going on to their inn. Or had they been invited to stay here? Eleanor resisted the urge to stamp a foot and pout. She wanted some proper food, her book, her bed. She allowed her father to herd her into the front …
The DNA of Stories 