Mysty McPartland (9 page)

W
hen he came to the staircase, he grasped hold of the railing to help him up the steps. Step by slow step, he made his way up the stairs, until he was swaying unsteadily on the landing he had little choice, but to lean against the wall or fall over.

Slowly, he made his way along the hallway, having the cold stones help him keep on his feet. At last he came to his door and grinned. Throwing it open, he stepped inside and with an out stretched hand swung it closed with a bang. He squinted, searching the chamber for his wife and frowned when he couldn’t find her.
Damn woman! Where in the hell was she now? She should be here to help me with my bath.

Staggering over to his empty bed
, he cursed again as he sat down. He would go and find her in a moment, he thought, as soon as the blasted room stopped spinning. They were his last thoughts as he fell back across the covers and was asleep as soon as his body hit the mattress.

****

Trista came awake early because of the light pouring in through the windows; she stretched and smiled as her gaze traveled around the room. It was such a beautiful chamber, but as she lay in bed she thought that it could do with a few touches to soften it up even more. She rolled over on to her side and stared out at the dawn sky.

S
he wondered at the Black Warlock’s lack in trying to find her last eve and came to realize that he held little regard for her. So, she should not have been surprised that he did not even try searching for her. When he found that she wasn’t there in his bedchamber waiting for him, he was probably relieved.

Irritated and though she didn’t want to admit she was feeling disappointed: she forced herself from the bed, she quickly pulled her dress over her chemise and tugged on her slippers. Determined to put thoughts of her odious husband out of her mind she left the chamber.

Excited
, she was in a hurry to have her things moved into her new room and did not want to disturb anyone. She snuck down the stairs and along the hallway until she came to the closed door of Rieph’s bedchamber. As quietly as she could, she opened it and what she saw, she quickly put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

T
here was the mighty Black Warlock sprawled across the bed fully dressed, his loud snores reverberated throughout the room. Even from this distance she could smell the fumes of alcohol and snorted in distain. She wondered what he would think if he knew that she witnessed him in such a weakened state. Well, the pig deserved it, she thought and ignoring him, with her shoulders set in determination, she entered the room and found her belongings.

After gathering
up an arm load, she took them up to her new chamber, repeatedly she returned to collect her possessions, until she retrieved all her things that she bought with her. The whole time her sotted husband hadn’t moved a muscle, he just lay there snoring loudly and she shook her head in disgust.

Chapter Eight

Rieph groaned loudly and quickly placed a hand on his brow; he opened his eyes and quickly closed them again. His mouth felt fuzzy and filthy, damn why did he have to be such an idiot and let himself get drunk. He tried to sit up but fell back down and groaned again.

W
here was his blasted wife, why wasn’t she here to help him? He forced his eyes open once more and squinted, even though his head throbbed and his stomach curled, he forced himself to sit up. He spied the cold bath water and that made him smell his own stink, he turned his head, groaned when he noticed the empty bed had not been slept in and frowned.

Damn it to hell, what in tarnation was his wife playing at now
and just where in the hell did she sleep last night? If she thought she could get away with this defiance she can think again. He growled deeply, but winced when it made his temple pound.

F
irst things first, he needed a bath and even though the water was cold, he stood up and quickly stripped the clothes from his body and stepped into the tub of freezing water. He gritted his teeth, gasped at the icy water when his body sank into the chilling depths. Holy hell, this was his punishment for over indulging.

O
nce his body was over the first shock, he took a great breath and slid down further until his head went beneath the water. When his lungs screamed for air, he sat up and shook his head sending sprays of water from his long blonde hair flying everywhere around the room. After scrubbing and rinsing, he left his bath and dressed, all the time pondering how he was going to chastise his wife for this latest escapade of disobedience.

I
t was still early and he thought that she would most likely be abed. So leaving his chamber, he went along the passage opening one door at a time, finding all of the rooms empty. Frowning more and more until he came to the last one and he shook his head.

N
o way would he find her up there in the tower room. He turned away without opening the door and headed down to the great hall to see if his wife was there and to break his fast. Snarling, he strode with purpose across the practically empty hall.

Surprised and ashamed at
himself when realizing he’d slept so late, he sat at the high table alone and ordered one of the servants to bring him something to eat. It didn’t take him long to finish eating, with a purpose he headed outside in search of his wife. He strolled through the bailey not seeing her anywhere.

Every minute that passed without him finding her made his temper simmer
until it was nearly boiling over. It was when he came close to the village, he noticed a crowd of women and children gathered in a field. Curious, he decided to investigate. He stood in awe as he observed his wife on her moving horse standing up straight, her arms stretched out.

H
e was about to take off in a run when he watched her fly off the moving animal, he blew out a heavy breath when she landed safely on her feet. He heard the cheers and the claps of the crowd and he saw his wife's dog come running up and jump up on her.

T
he loud gasps echoed on the wind along with his wife’s husky laughter and the mirth of the women and children swiftly filled the air. He could only shake his head while he watched them all race down the hill and join his wife. Never had he seen such enjoyment among the females and youngsters of his clan and as he stood staring down he could only watch in wonder. Hell, he knew his wife would cause trouble and that was just what she was doing all right.

He was reluctant to leave because he’d never seen his wife so carefree and happy since he met her but he knew that if she saw that he was spying, she would probably be angry. He could also see that she was making friends and he wanted more than anything for her to feel as though she belonged here with him and his clan.

Thoughtfully
, he strolled away and scowled in irritation when he realized he was no longer angry with her. How easily he had forgotten about punishing her for not sleeping in his bed, her disrespect and defiance. Muttering under his breath, he strode away determined the next time he saw the wee lass, he was going to chastise her.

****

Trista enjoyed her day so much, she was happy that she was starting to make friends among the women and children. However, it was now growing dark and unhappily, she stood and watched them return to their homes and sighed sadly.

N
ow she was alone and knew she would have no choice but to do the same. Slowly, she made her way back to the keep and when she opened the door, she was not surprised to find the hall full and Rieph sitting alone at the high table, scowling.

Determinedly she squared her shoulders
, she made her way across the room, greeting some and nodding to others. All the while forcing herself not to ignore her husband. But still she could feel his eyes boring into her and she fought the temptation to turn and glance his way.

She was never so pleased to see Mary and
smiled warmly at her. “Mary, would it be too much to ask if you could bring me a tray of food and if possible some sweet white wine and, please bring it to the tower room, I have claimed it as my own and will be using it from now on.” Holding her breath and with a slight blush warming her cheeks, she wondered what the maid would think of the new sleeping arrangements.

Mary saw her mistress’s distress, reached out, and took her hand. “Dinnae fret, lass, we all understand. Now ye just run along and I will see to everything.”

Relieved and smiling weakly at her she moved away and continued across the hall to the staircase, never glancing once at the high table or her despicable husband.

Rieph sat at the table from observing his wife’s every move and everyone she talked to through narrowed eyes. When she spent time with Mary, his frown deepened when noted his wife leaving the hall without once acknowledging him. He turned and watched the maid, moments later when he saw her appear with a tray laden with food, he decided to follow her.

At the top of the stairs
, he was surprised when she went straight to the tower room.
So that is where his wife had taken herself off to? Damn.
He turned around and went back down to the hall to think.

He sat at the table and
, deep in thought, wondered how he could possibly approach his wife. He knew how stubborn she could be; he leaned on an elbow and closed his eyes trying to come up with a solution. Perhaps the best thing to do would be just leave her alone for now. But damn it, the ache in his crotch was becoming too painful. Grumbling to himself he snorted, knowing he’d suffered worse.

E
ven though he wanted her beneath him and be buried deep inside her, she needed to learn that he was laird and she could not verbally assault him or defy him, no matter what the provocation. His decision made, he knew he was going to be suffering but was nevertheless determined not to give in.

****

Trista lay back and enjoyed her bath, she was happy that Mary stayed. As she sipped from the glass of wine, she decided to put her questions to the maid. “I have to ask you, do you know whose chamber this is?”

“Och, was the laird’s parents.”

Her gaze widening, she let it slip around the bathing room. “They must have loved each other very much.”

“Aye they did. T’was such a sorrowing time when the sickness took them both five years ago.”

Tears burned her eyes and she blinked them away. “Mary, do you have a healer here? I did notice today that there were a few villagers that need a healer’s aide.”

Mary gazed at her with hope in her eyes. “Nay, Mistress, there isnae one. ‘Tis more the shame. ‘Tis a sad fact that a clan has nay healer, why do ye ask?”

Excited, she sat up in her bath and placed her glass of wine on the table. “At home everyone came to me for their hurts and illness. I just wondered if I could offer my services here but mind you I have things I want to change and my first one is to make the great ugly hall more homely so that everyone feels welcome. What say you to that?” She held her breath and when she saw Mary’s wide smile, grinned back.

“
Aye, me Lady, ye are just what we need. To be able to help the clan with their illnesses is a prized gift we have been given. However, to make that great cold hall a welcome haven, well, lass that will be a tremendous chore.” Mary replied with undisguised humor.

Both women gave way to laughter and once finished, started making plans to see to the changes and when Mary asked if she could mention her healing to others, she swiftly agreed that if anyone needed her services or even wanted them, she would be willing to help them.

****

Several frustrating and lonely days later, Rieph was close to having enough of his wife’s behavior and with narrowed eyes he watched the wee lass climb the stairs to her tower room. He knew that the whole clan was holding their breaths. They were no doubt wondering when he would finely lose his temper. Och, and he knew it would not be much longer.

Even though
his wife sat at the table with him for supper, she neither glanced at him once, nor answered when he spoke to her. Now she’d disappeared from view, he sat tightly clasping his mug in his hand.

H
e was having a hard time in not following her upstairs to her chamber and laying down the law to her once and for all. His thoughts were scattered when the great door to the hall opened and saw his brother come in laughing merrily.

He
could not help his own grin at seeing his younger brother safely home. Watching patiently as Payne was greeted by most of the men and more than a few lasses. He shook his head and waited for him. “’Tis good to have ye home again, Payne.” He stood up, clasped his brother hand and slapped his back.

“
Aye ‘tis glad I am to return. Now let me get a drink and something to eat and ye can tell me what has been going on since I’ve been away because I can tell there is something worrying ye.” Payne grinned cheekily at his older brother.

Not in the least surprised that his brother noticed his stormy blue eyes and once Payne’s food and drink were placed in front of him, sighed. “The great King of England has forced me to wed one of his English lassies while ye were gone.”