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“Ask yerself this: do ye want to be right, and take a grand risk at losin’ him forever because ye be just as stubborn as he is? Or do ye swallow a wee bit of pride and keep him, and get to love him for the rest of yer days?”
― Laiden's Daughter
― Laiden's Daughter
“waitin”
― Caelen's Wife: A Murmur of Providence
― Caelen's Wife: A Murmur of Providence
“She supposed for a moment that men were God’s attempt at humor.”
― Laiden's Daughter
― Laiden's Daughter
“Reaching into his sporran, he pulled out a small bundle wrapped in fine linen. “I want to give ye somethin’, somethin’I want ye to wear this day.”Carefully, he unfolded the linen and held his hand out to her.
Josephine’s eyes widened with curiosity and joy. “’Tis beautiful, Graeme!”
“It be a brooch that each MacAulay lad receives when he turns six and ten. I want ye to have it.”
Josephine carefully took it and studied it closely. Made of pewter, in the center of the brooch were two hands, one decidedly masculine, the other feminine. The masculine hand held the feminine hand in his palm. In the center of her palm was a tiny ruby. To one side, the circle had been engraved to look like stars twinkling near a crescent moon. On the other were the words aeterna devotione. Eternal devotion.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked into his. “Ye want me to have this?”
“Aye, I do, Joie,”he said as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Me great-great-great grandfather presented a brooch just like this to his wife, me great-great-great grandmum. But no’until the first anniversary of their weddin’day. ’Twas a symbol of the great love they had found with one another. ’Tis tradition for the MacAulay men to only give their brooch to a woman who has stolen their heart, a woman they love and trust above all else.”
Tears trailed down her cheeks, her heart beating so rapidly she was certain it would burst through her breastbone at any moment.
“I do no’quite understand how it happened, or how it happened so quickly, Joie, but it has. Amorem in corde meo ut arctius coccino colloeandus arctius ideo astra,”Graeme said first in Latin and then again in Gaelic, “Toisc go bhfuil do ghrá eitseáilte isteach i mo chroí i corcairdhearg, mar sin tá sé eitseáilte amonst na réaltaí.”He placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “As yer love be etched into me heart in crimson, so it be etched amongst the stars,”he told her. “As me grandda said those words to me grandmum all those many years ago, I say them to ye.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Josephine’s eyes widened with curiosity and joy. “’Tis beautiful, Graeme!”
“It be a brooch that each MacAulay lad receives when he turns six and ten. I want ye to have it.”
Josephine carefully took it and studied it closely. Made of pewter, in the center of the brooch were two hands, one decidedly masculine, the other feminine. The masculine hand held the feminine hand in his palm. In the center of her palm was a tiny ruby. To one side, the circle had been engraved to look like stars twinkling near a crescent moon. On the other were the words aeterna devotione. Eternal devotion.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked into his. “Ye want me to have this?”
“Aye, I do, Joie,”he said as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Me great-great-great grandfather presented a brooch just like this to his wife, me great-great-great grandmum. But no’until the first anniversary of their weddin’day. ’Twas a symbol of the great love they had found with one another. ’Tis tradition for the MacAulay men to only give their brooch to a woman who has stolen their heart, a woman they love and trust above all else.”
Tears trailed down her cheeks, her heart beating so rapidly she was certain it would burst through her breastbone at any moment.
“I do no’quite understand how it happened, or how it happened so quickly, Joie, but it has. Amorem in corde meo ut arctius coccino colloeandus arctius ideo astra,”Graeme said first in Latin and then again in Gaelic, “Toisc go bhfuil do ghrá eitseáilte isteach i mo chroí i corcairdhearg, mar sin tá sé eitseáilte amonst na réaltaí.”He placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “As yer love be etched into me heart in crimson, so it be etched amongst the stars,”he told her. “As me grandda said those words to me grandmum all those many years ago, I say them to ye.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Three years later he had another opportunity to see the little girl.
Helmert had been tearing through the keep, bellowing like a mad bull as he searched for his sister. “Josephine , I swear I’ll rip yer head off when I find ye!”
’Twas eerily similar to Graeme’s first visit.
Remembering his first encounter with the tree sprite, Graeme went in search of Josephine. The first place he looked was the auld oak tree, but she was not there. After a careful search out of doors, he went inside. She was not in the larder or the kitchen. It took more than half an hour before he finally located her in her father’s study, hiding under the large desk.
Graeme crouched low so he could see her better. It didn’t appear she had grown much in three years, though she had lost the cherubic face. This time she wore a dark green dress and matching slippers.
The last time he’d seen her, she’d been quite terrified of her brother. Now, she looked quite angry.
“I’ll nae tell, Josephine,” he whispered, offering her a kind smile.
A scrunched brow said she didn’t believe him.
“Pray tell, what did ye hide this time?” he asked, hoping his amused tone would help lighten the mood.
Reluctantly, she finally confessed. “His strop.”
Graeme raised a confused brow. “Why would ye hide his strop?”
The little girl looked at him as though he were quite daft. “So he will not beat me with it.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Helmert had been tearing through the keep, bellowing like a mad bull as he searched for his sister. “Josephine , I swear I’ll rip yer head off when I find ye!”
’Twas eerily similar to Graeme’s first visit.
Remembering his first encounter with the tree sprite, Graeme went in search of Josephine. The first place he looked was the auld oak tree, but she was not there. After a careful search out of doors, he went inside. She was not in the larder or the kitchen. It took more than half an hour before he finally located her in her father’s study, hiding under the large desk.
Graeme crouched low so he could see her better. It didn’t appear she had grown much in three years, though she had lost the cherubic face. This time she wore a dark green dress and matching slippers.
The last time he’d seen her, she’d been quite terrified of her brother. Now, she looked quite angry.
“I’ll nae tell, Josephine,” he whispered, offering her a kind smile.
A scrunched brow said she didn’t believe him.
“Pray tell, what did ye hide this time?” he asked, hoping his amused tone would help lighten the mood.
Reluctantly, she finally confessed. “His strop.”
Graeme raised a confused brow. “Why would ye hide his strop?”
The little girl looked at him as though he were quite daft. “So he will not beat me with it.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Lachlan was growing more and more frustrated. “Ye still do nae trust her, do ye?” “I do not.” Shaking his head, Lachlan scooted away from the table, the legs of his chair scraping against the stone floor. “And that makes ye nae only an arse but a bloody fool as well.”
― Black Richard's Heart
― Black Richard's Heart
“groats in his open palm. “How did ye”
― Wee William's Woman
― Wee William's Woman
“Traigh came to help her dismount, a broad smile making creases around his eyes. “I fear ye missed our summer, Joie.”
Her brow drew in with confusion. “But it is summer, Traigh,” she told him.
“Aye, it might well be summer elsewhere in the world, but here, it only last three days. We had our summer last week.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Her brow drew in with confusion. “But it is summer, Traigh,” she told him.
“Aye, it might well be summer elsewhere in the world, but here, it only last three days. We had our summer last week.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“I was far too young when my mother passed away. I was unable to have a conversation with her on the matter of consummation. Your mother however, has been very helpful in that regard. She assures me that if you do everything correctly, then I shall quite enjoy that aspect of our marriage. She has also told me that if you have any questions on the matter, seek out her counsel, for it was she who taught your father the proper way to please a woman.
Within the hour she had Graeme’s short response on the matter.
Joie,
I find myself asking another boon of you. In the future, I ask that you never mention my mother or my father when we discuss the topic of consummation. I fear now that my sleep this night will be plagued with nightmares.
The hour is now late and I must bid you adieu. Sleep well, sweet Josephine.
Graeme”
― Isle of the Blessed
Within the hour she had Graeme’s short response on the matter.
Joie,
I find myself asking another boon of you. In the future, I ask that you never mention my mother or my father when we discuss the topic of consummation. I fear now that my sleep this night will be plagued with nightmares.
The hour is now late and I must bid you adieu. Sleep well, sweet Josephine.
Graeme”
― Isle of the Blessed
“What was your first kiss like?”he had asked.
She answered, “I do not know as I have yet to experience such. Mayhap I should find a willing young man to help teach me how to kiss before I marry. With you being such a worldly and experienced man, mayhap you would want a wife who is just as experienced and worldly?”
His response left her laughing almost uncontrollably.
“It would bring me much relief to know you have not one grain of experience with kissing. I would hate to think you were comparing my kisses with anyone else’s. Equally important is the fact that I might be drawn and quartered before our wedding day, for gutting any man who dare even think about kissing you. You would, in truth, be saving countless lives by remaining ignorant on the matter.”
― Isle of the Blessed
She answered, “I do not know as I have yet to experience such. Mayhap I should find a willing young man to help teach me how to kiss before I marry. With you being such a worldly and experienced man, mayhap you would want a wife who is just as experienced and worldly?”
His response left her laughing almost uncontrollably.
“It would bring me much relief to know you have not one grain of experience with kissing. I would hate to think you were comparing my kisses with anyone else’s. Equally important is the fact that I might be drawn and quartered before our wedding day, for gutting any man who dare even think about kissing you. You would, in truth, be saving countless lives by remaining ignorant on the matter.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Fiona resisted”
― Caelen's Wife: The Complete Collection
― Caelen's Wife: The Complete Collection
“While she spent her time in correspondence, Laurin spent her free time with Albert.
Neither Laurin nor Albert, or anyone else inside the keep for that matter , could quite understand the appeal that Josephine and Graeme found in writing.
“Do ye plan on marryin ’ the man through letters?” Laurin asked when she had returned from the evening meal. “Mayhap ye want to marry him by proxy.”
Josephine simply shook her head and smiled as she went back to writing yet another letter to Graeme.
“How will ye consummate yer marriage?” Laurin asked. “Will ye do that by proxy as well?”
Josephine’s face burned a brilliant shade of red as she looked away. She was at that moment responding to a question Graeme had posed on that very topic.
Laurin shook her head and threw up her hands in defeat . “I am goin’ to bed.”
Josephine returned to her letter.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Neither Laurin nor Albert, or anyone else inside the keep for that matter , could quite understand the appeal that Josephine and Graeme found in writing.
“Do ye plan on marryin ’ the man through letters?” Laurin asked when she had returned from the evening meal. “Mayhap ye want to marry him by proxy.”
Josephine simply shook her head and smiled as she went back to writing yet another letter to Graeme.
“How will ye consummate yer marriage?” Laurin asked. “Will ye do that by proxy as well?”
Josephine’s face burned a brilliant shade of red as she looked away. She was at that moment responding to a question Graeme had posed on that very topic.
Laurin shook her head and threw up her hands in defeat . “I am goin’ to bed.”
Josephine returned to her letter.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Caelen’s Wife A Murmur of Providence Suzan Tisdale”
― Caelen's Wife: A Murmur of Providence
― Caelen's Wife: A Murmur of Providence
“Albert slid quietly from his horse and walked across a small clearing, and before Graeme knew what was happening, picked him up and threw him arse over toes into the cool water.
As the very stunned — and soon Albert would realize, quite angry — Graeme got his bearings and stood up, coughing and sputtering, Albert turned back to his horse.
At that point, a swarthy looking man, wearing a ridiculous looking tunic and an even more ridiculous pair of trews, jumped from behind two large boulders with his weapon drawn. “Prepare to die, peasant,” he shouted in French.
Albert raised a curious brow as he unsheathed his broadsword. The falchion the Frenchman had pointed at him was no match for his broadsword. “Who the bloody hell are ye?”
“I am Remi Francois Claremont LeFavre,” Remi answered with a slight bow and flourish. “Brother to the man you just threw into the lake and whose honor you have besmirched by your actions. Again, peasant, I tell you to prepare to die.”
Albert rolled his eyes and re-sheathed his sword. “Is this fool with ye?” Albert asked Graeme.”
― Isle of the Blessed
As the very stunned — and soon Albert would realize, quite angry — Graeme got his bearings and stood up, coughing and sputtering, Albert turned back to his horse.
At that point, a swarthy looking man, wearing a ridiculous looking tunic and an even more ridiculous pair of trews, jumped from behind two large boulders with his weapon drawn. “Prepare to die, peasant,” he shouted in French.
Albert raised a curious brow as he unsheathed his broadsword. The falchion the Frenchman had pointed at him was no match for his broadsword. “Who the bloody hell are ye?”
“I am Remi Francois Claremont LeFavre,” Remi answered with a slight bow and flourish. “Brother to the man you just threw into the lake and whose honor you have besmirched by your actions. Again, peasant, I tell you to prepare to die.”
Albert rolled his eyes and re-sheathed his sword. “Is this fool with ye?” Albert asked Graeme.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Irline crossed her arms over her chest and stared up at him, her curiosity quite evident. “A boon?”
“Aye, just one boon.”
“Tell me what boon it be that ye seek. I’ll no’ say aye or nay until I hear it.”
He was quite thankful that she was at least willing to listen. “Let me have just a few moments with Joie, alone, without all the women around.”
“Are ye daft?” she asked with a most serious tone.
“Aye, I fear so,” he said as he offered her a warm smile. “All I ask is fer a few moments alone with her. I’ll even keep the door open and ye can watch to make certain I do no’ do anythin’ either one of us would be ashamed of.”
Irline studied him closely for several long moments, sizing him up, looking for any hint of insincerity or deceit. Finally, she gave a curt nod of her head. “Verra well,” she said.
Graeme was so overcome with relief that he scooped her up and hugged her. “Put me down, now, Graeme MacAulay!” she said as she smacked the back of his head.
He was still smiling when he carefully set her back on her feet. “Thank ye, Irline, from the bottom of me heart.”
“Do no’ thank me yet, Graeme. If yer mum finds out, I’ll lie and tell her ye held us all at sword point.”
“’ Tis a risk I be willin’ to take,” he said.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Aye, just one boon.”
“Tell me what boon it be that ye seek. I’ll no’ say aye or nay until I hear it.”
He was quite thankful that she was at least willing to listen. “Let me have just a few moments with Joie, alone, without all the women around.”
“Are ye daft?” she asked with a most serious tone.
“Aye, I fear so,” he said as he offered her a warm smile. “All I ask is fer a few moments alone with her. I’ll even keep the door open and ye can watch to make certain I do no’ do anythin’ either one of us would be ashamed of.”
Irline studied him closely for several long moments, sizing him up, looking for any hint of insincerity or deceit. Finally, she gave a curt nod of her head. “Verra well,” she said.
Graeme was so overcome with relief that he scooped her up and hugged her. “Put me down, now, Graeme MacAulay!” she said as she smacked the back of his head.
He was still smiling when he carefully set her back on her feet. “Thank ye, Irline, from the bottom of me heart.”
“Do no’ thank me yet, Graeme. If yer mum finds out, I’ll lie and tell her ye held us all at sword point.”
“’ Tis a risk I be willin’ to take,” he said.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“When it was just the two of them, Josephine — or Joie as her mother liked to call her — did not have to hide her feelings, did not have to pretend she was something she wasn’t.”
― Isle of the Blessed
― Isle of the Blessed
“How do I make her see that she need no’ fear me?” Albert asked his father.
They were sitting opposite one another at Marcum’s desk in his private room. Though the hour was quite late , the sun still shone through the open window enough to negate the need for many candles.
“Ye can no’ make her do anythin’, ” Marcum replied. “All ye can do is show her. Let her see ye mean her no harm, that ye want only her happiness. The rest be up to her.”
― Isle of the Blessed
They were sitting opposite one another at Marcum’s desk in his private room. Though the hour was quite late , the sun still shone through the open window enough to negate the need for many candles.
“Ye can no’ make her do anythin’, ” Marcum replied. “All ye can do is show her. Let her see ye mean her no harm, that ye want only her happiness. The rest be up to her.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Had he read that first letter, he imagined he would have come for her sooner. After reading the next, he would have been waiting outside the gates of her keep like a besotted fool and carried her off at the first hour possible. By the time he read her sixth letter, he was certain of it.”
― Isle of the Blessed
― Isle of the Blessed
“Aye, without a doubt, he adored her. He would protect her and love her until he took his last breath on God’s beautiful earth. What more could a woman ask for in a man? Strength, honor, good looks were a welcome change to the men she’d known before the”
― Ian's Rose
― Ian's Rose
“The smells emanating from inside were”
― Mists, Moors and Medieval Romance
― Mists, Moors and Medieval Romance
“Traigh began the taunting first. “Pray, tell me brother, be there any truth to these rumors floatin’ about the keep?”
Graeme shot him a look of warning. It didn’t do a bit of good.
“What rumors be those, brother Traigh?” Albert asked, feigning ignorance on the matter.
Traigh crossed his arms over his chest. “Why, the rumors that our brother Graeme has fallen in love with our Joie. So much so that they will be married this verra day.”
Graeme had two choices. He could tell his brothers to shut their mouths and leave him be or he could stand like a man and admit the truth, at least as much of it as he could without looking like a fool.
“Aye,” he said as he stepped toward them. “The rumors be true. I have fallen hopelessly in love with my Joie, and aye, we will be married this verra day. Before the evenin’ meal, in fact.”
Traigh and Albert were momentarily stunned at Graeme’s open admission. But ’twas short-lived. Broad smiles broke out on their faces and soon, they were congratulating him with hugs and heavy slaps on the back.
When the celebrating was over, Traigh asked, “Do ye ken what ye’re to do this night? After the weddin’?”
Graeme’s smile evaporated almost instantly. “If ye utter one unkind, disrespectful word as it pertains to consummation and me wife, I swear, I will beat ye within an inch of yer life.”
Traigh quickly wiped away the smile and attempted to appear serious and fully chastised. “Aye, Albert, he be in love, let there be no doubt.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Graeme shot him a look of warning. It didn’t do a bit of good.
“What rumors be those, brother Traigh?” Albert asked, feigning ignorance on the matter.
Traigh crossed his arms over his chest. “Why, the rumors that our brother Graeme has fallen in love with our Joie. So much so that they will be married this verra day.”
Graeme had two choices. He could tell his brothers to shut their mouths and leave him be or he could stand like a man and admit the truth, at least as much of it as he could without looking like a fool.
“Aye,” he said as he stepped toward them. “The rumors be true. I have fallen hopelessly in love with my Joie, and aye, we will be married this verra day. Before the evenin’ meal, in fact.”
Traigh and Albert were momentarily stunned at Graeme’s open admission. But ’twas short-lived. Broad smiles broke out on their faces and soon, they were congratulating him with hugs and heavy slaps on the back.
When the celebrating was over, Traigh asked, “Do ye ken what ye’re to do this night? After the weddin’?”
Graeme’s smile evaporated almost instantly. “If ye utter one unkind, disrespectful word as it pertains to consummation and me wife, I swear, I will beat ye within an inch of yer life.”
Traigh quickly wiped away the smile and attempted to appear serious and fully chastised. “Aye, Albert, he be in love, let there be no doubt.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Albert,”she said before taking a drink of cider. “Do ye think we could ride this day? I would verra much like to see more of this land I shall be callin’home.”
’Twas all he could do to keep his heart inside his chest as hope soared. Doing his best to keep his excitement contained, he said, “Aye, we can. I shall see if Bruce or Traigh would like to join us,”he said as he stood.
Before he could walk away to search for someone, anyone who would be willing to ride with them, Laurin stopped him. “Albert, if ye can no’find anyone, I’ll still ride with ye.”
Before he could do something foolish, such as offer for her hand that very moment, he gave her a nod and left quickly.
’Tis just a ride, he admonished his excited heart. ’Tis just a ride.”
― Isle of the Blessed
’Twas all he could do to keep his heart inside his chest as hope soared. Doing his best to keep his excitement contained, he said, “Aye, we can. I shall see if Bruce or Traigh would like to join us,”he said as he stood.
Before he could walk away to search for someone, anyone who would be willing to ride with them, Laurin stopped him. “Albert, if ye can no’find anyone, I’ll still ride with ye.”
Before he could do something foolish, such as offer for her hand that very moment, he gave her a nod and left quickly.
’Tis just a ride, he admonished his excited heart. ’Tis just a ride.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“spoken a word to her during the”
― Rowan's Lady
― Rowan's Lady
“Before she could utter another word, Albert’s voice boomed from the hallway. “I will kill him. If he has so much as hurt one hair on her head, I will kill him.”Albert stood with his hands on his hips, in full battle gear. Chain mail, helm, sword and dirks. The half helm did not cover his face entirely. And it could do nothing to mask his fury. Purple with rage, his eyes afire with barely controlled rage, he stood with his shoulders back and a fierce glare that warned he meant every word he spoke.
“Albert, I be so sorry,”she told him. “I do no’ken how he came to know about the sword or why he wants it.”
“Joie,”Albert said as he took one step forward. “I do no’give one bloody wit about the Gladius. Ye are me sister now and I would never do a thing to bring you any pain. But Laurin? I love her with all me heart.”
He needn’t say more. The pain, the anguish, blended with fury, were clearly evident.
“I will not ask you to show any of them any mercy,”she told him.“Laurin is the sister of my heart. Please,”she choked on her words. “Bring her home.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Albert, I be so sorry,”she told him. “I do no’ken how he came to know about the sword or why he wants it.”
“Joie,”Albert said as he took one step forward. “I do no’give one bloody wit about the Gladius. Ye are me sister now and I would never do a thing to bring you any pain. But Laurin? I love her with all me heart.”
He needn’t say more. The pain, the anguish, blended with fury, were clearly evident.
“I will not ask you to show any of them any mercy,”she told him.“Laurin is the sister of my heart. Please,”she choked on her words. “Bring her home.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Perfectly content to live out the remainder of his days simply being her friend, he would be forever grateful if some day she might love him in return.”
― Isle of the Blessed
― Isle of the Blessed
“Love letters? He supposed that was an apt description, though they certainly hadn’t started out that way. In the beginning, he looked at the letters as more of a fact-finding endeavor. By the seventh letter, he knew he was well on his way to being smitten. By the last, he knew he had fallen hopelessly in love with her.”
― Isle of the Blessed
― Isle of the Blessed
“Albert,” she asked as she choked back tears. “Are ye sayin’ that ye love me?”
When he smiled, little wrinkles formed around his eyes. Eyes that twinkled and grew damp. “Aye lass, ye have the way of it. I do love ye.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Do no’ worry if ye do no’ feel the same about me,” he told her.
“Because I be worth the wait?”
“Aye lass, ye be worth the wait.”
“Even if it takes a good long while?” she asked softly.
With a nod, he replied, “Aye. Even if it takes a good long while.”
― Isle of the Blessed
When he smiled, little wrinkles formed around his eyes. Eyes that twinkled and grew damp. “Aye lass, ye have the way of it. I do love ye.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Do no’ worry if ye do no’ feel the same about me,” he told her.
“Because I be worth the wait?”
“Aye lass, ye be worth the wait.”
“Even if it takes a good long while?” she asked softly.
With a nod, he replied, “Aye. Even if it takes a good long while.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“She speaks French,” Graeme muttered.
Traigh turned quite serious and nodded his head. “Aye, she be speakin’ French. Mayhap she learned it from listenin’ to ye and yer French friend speakin’ it these past days.” Though his tone sounded serious, there was a decidedly sarcastic undertone to it.
“Ye knew,” Graeme said as he glared angrily at his brother.
Traigh feigned innocence. “Moi?”
Graeme’s glare intensified. “Why did ye no’ tell me? Why did she no’ tell me?”
Traigh smiled thoughtfully and placed a hand on Graeme’s shoulder . “Ye did no’ ask.”
― Isle of the Blessed
Traigh turned quite serious and nodded his head. “Aye, she be speakin’ French. Mayhap she learned it from listenin’ to ye and yer French friend speakin’ it these past days.” Though his tone sounded serious, there was a decidedly sarcastic undertone to it.
“Ye knew,” Graeme said as he glared angrily at his brother.
Traigh feigned innocence. “Moi?”
Graeme’s glare intensified. “Why did ye no’ tell me? Why did she no’ tell me?”
Traigh smiled thoughtfully and placed a hand on Graeme’s shoulder . “Ye did no’ ask.”
― Isle of the Blessed
“Arline had turned five and ten but a month before she and Carlich were married. He was auld enough to be her great-grandsire. Now, three years later, he was more than eighty, and there would be no more bairns for him. And none for her. “I’ll be resting soon enough,”
― McKenna's Honor
― McKenna's Honor
“She stood before him in a pale green dress, her hair unbound and tumbling down her back, her smile –the one he should have seen days ago –was enough to light up the darkest night.
His mouth had suddenly become dry and paralyzed, as if he’d been born without the ability to speak. Or swallow. Or think any coherent thought. Graeme felt all at once foolish, immature and unworthy.
He was about to turn and run away like a boy, when Josephine all but flung herself into his embrace, twining her slender arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest.
“Graeme,”she said, a note of glee in her voice. “I’ve waited a very long time for you.”
The sensation of feeling foolish, immature and unworthy fell away as he wrapped his own arms around her. Why did I resist this for all these years?
She pushed away slightly to look up at him. He studied every inch of her lovely face. Josephine was quite beautiful, with her creamy skin and oval shaped face. Her green eyes reminded him at once of the summer grass that lined a French countryside. Dark lashes surrounded those eyes –eyes that were sparkling with joy and excitement as they looked into his. A pert, little nose and deliciously looking full, pink lips, which he was quite certain would feel as soft as a whisper against his own.
He wondered then if anyone would object if he married her now. This very day. This very moment.
“Ye’re beautiful,”he said.
Those cream colored cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink when he gave her the compliment.
“Jose—”he stopped himself. “Joie, I ken I am wholly unworthy of ye, but would ye do me the distinct honor of marryin’me?”
Josephine had already agreed to such, more than four years ago. She had learned, however, through his letters, that it had been quite important to Graeme that he be able to marry a woman of his own choosing.
Her heart felt close to bursting from her chest.
He was choosing her of his own free will.
A joy-filled smile curved on her face and she flung her arms around his neck. “Aye, Graeme MacAulay, I will marry you.”
― Isle of the Blessed
His mouth had suddenly become dry and paralyzed, as if he’d been born without the ability to speak. Or swallow. Or think any coherent thought. Graeme felt all at once foolish, immature and unworthy.
He was about to turn and run away like a boy, when Josephine all but flung herself into his embrace, twining her slender arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest.
“Graeme,”she said, a note of glee in her voice. “I’ve waited a very long time for you.”
The sensation of feeling foolish, immature and unworthy fell away as he wrapped his own arms around her. Why did I resist this for all these years?
She pushed away slightly to look up at him. He studied every inch of her lovely face. Josephine was quite beautiful, with her creamy skin and oval shaped face. Her green eyes reminded him at once of the summer grass that lined a French countryside. Dark lashes surrounded those eyes –eyes that were sparkling with joy and excitement as they looked into his. A pert, little nose and deliciously looking full, pink lips, which he was quite certain would feel as soft as a whisper against his own.
He wondered then if anyone would object if he married her now. This very day. This very moment.
“Ye’re beautiful,”he said.
Those cream colored cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink when he gave her the compliment.
“Jose—”he stopped himself. “Joie, I ken I am wholly unworthy of ye, but would ye do me the distinct honor of marryin’me?”
Josephine had already agreed to such, more than four years ago. She had learned, however, through his letters, that it had been quite important to Graeme that he be able to marry a woman of his own choosing.
Her heart felt close to bursting from her chest.
He was choosing her of his own free will.
A joy-filled smile curved on her face and she flung her arms around his neck. “Aye, Graeme MacAulay, I will marry you.”
― Isle of the Blessed
