A Good Man, page 2
“Do you think he knows?” Angela said to William as she watched him leave.
“He has no clue,” William said grinning.
“Should I tell him before the wedding?” she asked him.
“Nay,” William said. “I’m telling you, My Lady; there aren’t too many men better than Ross McCabe. In fact, I believe your Da and Ross’ Da know each other. I know the McCabe name was brought up for possible husbands for you.”
“Really?” Angela asked.
“Really, Lady Angela,” William said and smiled at her. “Iain may be a bit shocked at first, but he’ll understand why this had to happen. Would you like me to escort you to your chamber to change before the wedding?”
“Aye, William,” she said. “I’d like that.”
An hour later Angela and William showed up at the kirk right on time. Ross was already in attendance with the priest who was being paid to perform the ceremony. Although it was a rushed affair, Angela was surprised when the priest performed a full mass to celebrate the nuptials.
“You may kiss your bride,” the priest said at last. Ross was beginning to think they would never get to that part. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Angela’s, something he had wanted to do since he’d helped her to her feet and back to the castle hours earlier. He was pleasantly surprised when his new wife seemed to respond, and he was able to deepen the kiss. He slowly put his arms around her, pulling her closer, until he heard the priest clear his throat.
“Sorry, Father,” he mumbled pulling away from his new bride, but not being able to erase the smile on his face.
“God bless you both,” the priest said. “Go with God.” Ross put his hand on his new wife’s back and steered her out of the kirk and into the yard out front.
“Are your things packed?” Ross asked her as they stepped outside the kirk.
“Aren’t we staying here tonight?” Angela asked him.
“I was hoping to leave soon. The King is in Edinburgh and won’t be back for another night, even if Lachlan tries to force a marriage when he returns, we’ll be long gone from here.”
“Are you planning on going to Tioram?” William asked. “I have a large guard to accompany you.”
“I need to go to Tarmon first,” Ross said. “I’d like to have Angela accompany me there, and then I’ll make sure she gets to Tioram. My home is at Gleann though, that’s where we’ll end up living.”
“You’ll have to see Tioram first,” William said, wondering if Angela would tell him anything different.
“I’m looking forward to seeing your childhood home,” Ross said to his new wife, “but I promised my sister I’d stop and meet my new nieces, and if I don’t show, there will be hell to pay.”
“Why is that?” Angela asked.
“Jacqueline is the baby of the family,” he said chuckling. “The youngest of nine and the only girl in the bunch. She can both shoot a bow and ride a horse better than I can, I don’t anger her if I don’t have to.”
“Is she mean?” Angela asked.
“Nay,” he insisted, “she’s the sweetest thing ever, unless she’s angry.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” Angela said, although she wasn’t sure that was quite true.
William, who had been listening spoke up, “I’ll be accompanying you both the Tarmon with half of the men. The other half I’ll send back to Tioram to let Laird McCarthy know what has happened, and the result. Hopefully, he won’t be too upset with any of us.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Ross told him. “I’d like to leave soon. I just have a bad feeling we haven’t seen the last of Lachlan Stewart. I probably should have killed him while I had the chance.”
“I’m feeling the same,” William said. Then he turned to Angela asking, “is your trunk packed? Should I send one of the men up to gather it?”
“It is,” she told him.
It didn’t take long, and the large group headed out together. Ross, Angela, and William were joined by forty of Tioram’s soldiers. The large group traveled on horseback but were slowed down by the cart that held Angela’s trunk.
“It’s going to take us three full days at this pace,” Ross complained to William.
“I was afraid the cart would slow us down, but we couldn’t leave it behind,” William said.
“I need my clothes and things,” Angela added.
“Tomorrow when we separate, I’d like you just to pull out a few things that you’ll need. We’ll send the cart and your trunk to your home with the men traveling there,” Ross told her. “That should help us travel a bit quicker.”
“Nay,” Angela said firmly. “The trunk stays with me.”
“Nay, wife,” Ross corrected, “the cart goes home with the rest of the guard.”
“Then I go with the guard,” she said back to him, her voice rising as she became annoyed.
Ross leaned over and grabbed the reins of her horse bringing both animals to a stop. He then leaned in close to her saying, “I don’t know how things are done in your family, but in mine, a wife listens to her husband and does not argue with him in public, or in front of other men.”
“Let go of my horse,” Angela said and smacked his hand with her riding crop.” William who had been watching the exchange winced when he saw the look that flashed across his long-time friends face.
Ross dismounted his horse and quickly pulled Angela down from hers. He then turned back to William saying, “my wife and I need to have a private conversation about proper behavior. Tell the men to take a break.” He then leaned down and picked his new wife up and slung her like a sack of grain over his shoulder, stomping off into the woods not far away.
William couldn’t help but grin. He had always been fond of all of Laird McCarthy’s daughters, but he had a feeling about what was going to happen in the woods. He had to agree that Lady Angela had earned it with the way she’d acted.
“What are you doing?” Angela demanded as she pounded her fists on her husband’s back. “Put me down right now.”
“I’m taking you for a private chat, wife,” he said. “You may not want anyone else to see what’s about to happen.”
Angela complained the entire short walk until Ross came across a log lying next to the path where he was walking. He sat down and pulled his new wife off his shoulder and promptly turned her over his knee. At first she froze, not understanding what was happening until she felt Ross pulling up her skirts.
Smack, smack “Ouch,” she screamed as Ross brought his hand down once on each side of her arse. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Getting your attention,” he replied. “Let me know when I get it, and you decide to listen and quit screeching. Just remember, the guards aren’t that far away and will hear you if you yell too loudly.” He then proceeded to make his point without addressing her again. Smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack.
“Alright,” she finally cried out, tears filling her eyes. “I’ll listen.”
Ross quickly turned her upright letting her skirts fall back around her ankles and pulled her down to sit on his lap. He put his arms around her, pulling her close before speaking, “first,” he calmly began, “I will not ever argue with you in front of others. Second, if you would have asked me politely I would have gladly explained my reasoning.”
“Well,” she snapped at him. “Explain then.”
Ross flipped her back over his knee and pulled her skirts back up and began again. Smack, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack. “I’ll explain nothing as long as you have that attitude.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. She couldn’t believe how much he was hurting her, “I won’t do it again.”
For the second time, he flipped her up onto his lap, pulling her close. “Now, ask me your questions in a respectful tone.”
“Why can’t I take my trunk with me?” she asked. Although she was still angry, she wasn’t going to risk him hitting her again.
“I believe that Lachlan Stewart is going to be a problem. Your trunk is slowing us down. The quicker we get to Tarmon, and behind the walls there, the safer you will be.”
“Why do you believe Lachlan is a problem?” she asked. “We’re married now. He can’t make me marry him anymore.”
“What if you became a widow?” he said to her. “What if he abducted you before we have a chance to consummate this marriage? That’s something I didn’t want to rush you into; I was hoping to give you a few days to get to know and like me.” He stopped talking and smiled at her.
“I’m not so sure I like you now that you’ve beaten me,” she said to him.
“Beat you?” he asked. “This was not a beating; it was a spanking.”
“Same thing,” she said.
“Not at all,” he told her. “Did I use my fists on you?”
“Nay,” she replied.
“Did I leave any bruises on you?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I can’t see where you hit me.”
“I can guarantee your arse is barely pink,” he said chuckling.
“I don’t think it’s funny,” she snapped at him.
“There lies the problem, Angela,” he said to her. “Have I talked to you in any way but with respect?”
“Nay, Ross you haven’t,” she sighed, answering him honestly.
“But you’ve snapped at me and questioned my actions many times already,” he explained to her. “I don’t expect you to agree with me all the time, but I do expect you to disagree with me respectfully, or, if you really feel the need to argue, to wait and do so in private.”
Angela nodded and then added, “I’m not sure I want to be married to a man that hits me.”
“A man that hits a woman out of anger is not a man,” Ross told her. “A husband will lovingly correct his wife on her arse and thighs.”
“Did your Da correct your mother?” she asked him.
“I don’t really remember my mother that well,” he explained. “I was only seven when she died.”
“That’s so sad,” Angela told him sincerely, “I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago,” he added. “How about your mother?” he asked. “Is she still alive?”
“Aye,” Angela replied. “My Da and her have been married for over twenty years now.”
“And your Da has never spanked her?” he asked.
“I’ve never seen him spank her,” Angela said, and then after thinking added. “Sometimes though, my Da will tell her to meet him up in their chambers. Whenever he’s done that, I know he’s not happy with her. I’ve always thought they just talked things out in private.”
“They probably talked it out with your mother over his knee,” Ross told her.
“Possibly,” Angela said, then giggled. “I have noticed she usually finds something to do when they return so she doesn’t have to sit down. I just never thought of it before.”
Ross couldn’t help it and began to laugh. “How old are you, Angela McCabe?”
Angela was shocked at first, it was the first time she had been addressed by her new name, “I’m twenty,” she replied. “How old are you?”
“I am six and twenty,” he answered. “Are you ready to return?”
“Wait,” she said, “can I ask another question?”
“Of course you can,” he told her.
“Are you really worried that Lachlan might try to kill you or take me?”
“Aye,” he said. “I’m not sure why, but I get the feeling he won’t give up on making you his wife. He was willing to take you by force to ensure you had to marry him. That’s a man who will do anything to get what he wants.”
“Alright,” she said. “Then I agree with you about sending my trunk to my home. I’ll need to pick out some things to take with me though.”
“Fair enough,” he told her. “My sister Jacqueline is close to your size so I’m sure she’ll have things she can share with you if needed.” Then he laughed and added, “well she used to be about your size, but she recently had twins. I’m not sure what size she is now.”
“Do twins appear in your family often?” she asked him.
“Very often. I’m a twin with my brother Ham. You’ll probably meet him at Tarmon. My sister Jacqueline is a twin with my youngest brother James. And then there are Craig and Rory,” he explained to her, enjoying holding her on his lap and wanting to prolong the conversation just a few minutes longer.
“That’s a lot of twins,” she said amazed. “Then there are other brothers?”
“Eadan is the oldest at eight and twenty. He married a lovely girl named Nessa last year. Then myself and Ham, next is Alastair who is five and twenty, then Craig and Rory who are three and twenty, then Owen who is one and twenty, and last come James and Jacqueline who are now nine and ten years. I’ll tell you more about them as we travel if you like,” he finished, lifting her off his lap and putting her back on her feet.
“Ross?” she said, and he looked at her. “You don’t plan on spanking me all the time do you?”
“Only when you need it, wife,” he said smiling back. “There is something you should be aware of though. Today I went easy on you and left your shift down, that won’t happen again. Wives get spanked on the bare. That will be the way it will happen next time.”
Angela gasped and said, “maybe there won’t be a next time.”
“I wouldn’t count on it, wife,” he said and laughed at the expression on her face as he steered her back out of the woods to rejoin their group.
They all traveled together for the rest of the day and camped together that evening. Angela was surprised as they settled down for the night when Ross laid his bedroll next to hers, and pulled her close to him to sleep, not trying anything more. She slept well, warm and secure in her new husband’s arms.
The next morning, Ross, Angela, William, and a dozen others continued to travel East towards Tarmon, while two dozen others branched off towards the northeast with the cart still slowing their progress.
Ross was happy to be able to travel at a much quicker pace, and by nightfall, the walls of Tarmon come into view. His new wife would now be safe and secure in his sister's home.
Chapter 3 Preparations
“Ross,” yelled Jacqueline as she ran down the steps to greet him, “you’re here. I was beginning to worry.”
Ross grabbed his sister up and swung her around in a circle happy to see her. “We had a few problems on the way, but finally made it safe and sound.”
“Problems?” Connor Fraser, Jacqueline’s husband, asked as he came down the steps behind his wife and shook Ross’ hand. “What kind of problems?”
Before Ross had a chance to answer Jacqueline noticed Angela sitting atop her horse. “Hello,” she said walking over to her, “welcome to Tarmon. I’m Jacqueline Fraser, Ross’ sister.”
“Hello,” Angela answered. “I’m Angela McCarthy...I mean Angela McCabe, Ross’ wife.”
“Wife?” Jacqueline said to her and then turned towards her brother. She smiled at him and said, “this is going to be a good story isn’t it?”
“I’m curious to hear it myself, daughter,” said Hamish McCabe as he descended the steps with Connors Da, Caiden Fraser. “I think we should let my new daughter get off her horse and get these men settled first though.” He then pulled his son in for a quick hug. “Glad to see you, son.”
“Da,” Ross said, surprised to see the man. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m visiting my daughter and granddaughters,” he said. “Ham is somewhere around here also.”
“Fiona is showing him how well she shoots with her bow now,” Jacqueline said. “I wanted to go with them, but my husband was being unreasonable this evening.”
“Watch it, wife,” Connor leaned over and said softly to her. “It’s been a long while since you’ve been over my knee.” Angela, who was close enough to hear him, gasped.
“Just ignore the overbearing beast,” Jacqueline said to her as she rolled her eyes. Turning to her husband, she said, “welcome my new sister, Connor.”
“I’m sorry, Angela,” Connor said to her, “excuse my manners, my wife is correct, I should have welcomed you here first, then threatened to put her over my knee.”
“Stop it,” Jacqueline said laughing, slapping him playfully on the arm.
“You’ll pay for that later, wife,” Connor said giving her a quick kiss, showing her and their guests he was also playing around.
Ross walked over and helped his wife down from her horse. “I’d also like to introduce you to William. He’s in charge of Angela’s escort. You may remember him, he grew up at Brahan, and we used to meet up at some of the festivals Da would take us too. Is there a place for him and his men to bed down for the night?”
“William,” Jacqueline said, “welcome to Tarmon. I’ll have one of the maids make up a room for you. Connor, get Angus and have him show the rest of these men where they can clean up and bed down for the evening. Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” Ross told her. “We didn’t stop for an evening meal. I’ll explain why we wanted to get here quickly when we get everyone settled.”
“I’ll have a meal served up for you and the men,” Jacqueline said to him. Ross was impressed; his sister had turned into the perfect Lady of the Keep and hostess.
“Thank you, little sister,” he said to her, giving her another quick hug which she gladly returned, when they finished, the group headed into the hall.
While they sat and ate, Ross filled the McCabe and Fraser families in on the circumstances of his marriage. Angela sat quietly while he talked, feeling a bit shy and not sure where she fit in.
“So are you worried about this Lachlan Stewart trying something?” Ham, who had returned to the keep with Fiona asked.
“Aye,” Ross replied. “The man seemed a bit crazy. When he struck Angela in the face, I wanted to kill him.”
“No man strikes a lady like that,” Caiden Fraser said. “There is a better place to get a woman’s attention.”
