They set off into the early morning light, and Eleanor got her first look at the place she was now expected to call home. Sarah and Matthew’s cottage, much like her father’s place in town, sat on the edge of an open space, with other cottages nearby. It was much smaller than the market square, …
She sighed and stretched. Her shoulders grumbled, but didn’t scream, so she stretched them again as she sat, then clambered out of their snug little nest of blankets. Cadan’s grin made her blush, worse when she realised he was barely even half dressed. She scurried to where she’d left her clothes the previous evening, in …
Matthew closed the door as he, Sarah and Tilly stared, shocked, at Cadan. He shifted uncomfortably. “He needed to know, that’s all.” Tilly’s giggle burst free. “That was better than the midsummer puppet show at the castle. I need to go warn Ma.” Matthew opened the door again with a rueful smile and watched Tilly …
Someone knocked at the door. Matthew raised his brows but went to open it. Eleanor couldn’t see the person past the forester’s broad frame, but she sounded young and enthusiastic. “Ma said I was to drop by and say hello here, after I visited the others, to make sure Cadan’s wife had another familiar face …
Sarah handed her a little pot. “Have Cadan help you put this on before bed. It’s an easing salve for sore muscles. It'll leave your smock a little green, but we've got the big wash due for our household tomorrow. All the sheets and cloths, so it won't be a big addition and you're going …
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 …
