Caleb stopped at once, to look at her, his eyes dancing and gleaming wickedly.

  “Oh, I hope that he does. I cannot wait to tell him you have been in my room quite frequently since being in Heathwin,” Caleb replied, in a voice full of mockery.

  Laurel eyes widened in surprise at his remark, her mouth slightly gaped.

  “You cannot be serious. Caleb you cannot tell him that,” Laurel spoke in a shocked whisper.

  “I am quite serious. Why can I not tell him? I cannot wait to see the look on his face” Caleb asked her, with the same grin.

  “No, you cannot. Caleb promise me you will not tell him,” Laurel said sounding anxious.

  Caleb looked at her with a mordant grin, enjoying her reaction to his statement.

  “I feel you are asking too much of me mo ghra. You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this. We are to be married tomorrow, what could he possibly say that would matter?” Caleb asked, again teasing her and enjoying her reaction.

  “Because it will only fuel his suspicious nature. I am sure he already assumes I did not keep my vow, and blames you completely for it. That is why I did not stay with you last night,” Laurel continued sounding serious.

  “I do not care if he blames me. If that were indeed the case, it would be true,” Caleb replied smiling mockingly.

  “Well I care! Please Caleb, do not say anything to Father,” Laurel spoke in an entreating voice, her eyes beginning to become emotional.

  Caleb smiled at her warmly as he saw how serious she was, he kissed her forehead as he moved her hair from her eyes.

  “Very well, dearest. I shall not say anything,” he said in an exaggerated tone, rolling his eyes.

  “Thank you,” Laurel said with a happy sigh as she reached over and kissed him. “Now I must get up,” she said brightly as she attempted to sit up, only to have Caleb pull her back down. “Oh! Caleb, let me up please,” Laurel spoke, with slight annoyance.

  “Let us see what has just transpired, shall we? I gave in to you, and now you expect me to continue to give you, your way? Is this a sign of what is to come?” Caleb asked with a sly grin, as he looked down at her smiling face.

  “Yes it is. I expect you to comply with any and all wishes. I am a princess after all,” Laurel spoke with mock haughtiness, and then bit her bottom lip as she tried not to laugh at Caleb’s expression.

  “Well I hope you are ready for bitter disappointment, your Highness. I have no intension of allowing you to wrap me around your finger any more than you already do,” Caleb replied with a grin, as he began to nibble her ear and neck once again.

  “Caleb stop it! You are tickling me,” Laurel spoke in a shrill giggle, as she squirmed in his embrace.

  “Oh really? You mean like this? Is this how it feels?” Caleb said in a low deep voice, as he moved his hand down and began to tickle her ribs.

  “Stop! Caleb! Stop it,” putting her head back against the pillows and talking and laughing at the same time.

  Suddenly there was knock on the door, with muffled voices being heard behind it.

  “Go away,” Caleb said brusquely, as Laurel continued to laugh shrilly from Caleb’s teasing attentions.

  “I cannot. I am honor bound to come to the aid of a lady in distress,” Aiden could be heard saying in an exaggerated manner, followed by the sound of laughter.

  “She is not in distress. She is fine, no aid is needed at this time,” Caleb continued with a smirk, as he tickled Laurel, even worse than before.

  “No! I am in distress! Save me,” Laurel yelled out shrilly, as she continued to laugh uncontrollably.

  “You leave me no choice but to send in the reinforcements,” Aiden spoke again, from behind the door.

  “Reinforcements? What is he talking about?” Caleb asked out loud, to no one in particular.

  Just then the door swung open, and Oriel and Jamison came bursting in the room, still in their night clothes, running and laughing towards the bed.

  “No! No, no. Oriel do not get on the bed! Oriel, stop jumping on the bed! Jamison! Jamison do not get up here. Both of you, stop jumping on the bed now,” Caleb insisted to no avail, putting his hands up to keep the youngsters from jumping on him and Laurel.

  Aiden, Marina and Tulla, along with Owain and Imagin, then walked in laughing, at the antics of the children and the expression on Caleb’s face.

  “Alright now, that is quite enough. Aiden get your reinforcements off my bed,” Caleb said sternly, as Laurel just laughed at his annoyed demeanor.

  “Listen to me you two!” Aiden addressed the children in a stern voice, which caused them to stop jumping and look at him in surprise. “If you are going to jump on the bed, you need to do it properly, like this,” Aiden remarked, as he got on Caleb’s bed and began jumping up and down quite vigorously.

  “You are not getting enough space between you and the bed Aiden. Here I shall show you,” Owain spoke up, as he suddenly joined Aiden and the children and began to jump with great enthusiasm on Caleb’s bed.

  The children laughed in delight as Marina, Tulla and Laurel began to laugh again, in high pitched shrills of surprise and amusement. Caleb on the other hand, was clearly not amused, as he looked at Aiden and Owain, first in shock and then frustration.

  “Have you completely lost your minds? What do you two think you are doing?” Caleb asked, in an angry loud voice.

  “We are simply showing the children how it is done. Marina take my hand!” Aiden replied, as he reached out, Marina put her hand up, he pulled her on the bed as well.

  Laurel and Imagin then began jumping on the bed as well, imploring Tulla to join them. Tulla only shook her head no, and continued to laugh at all the happy pandemonium. Caleb sat up shaking his head and scowling. A moment later he roughly shoved Owain off the bed and landed with a loud thud and a groan. Caleb immediately after, swept Aiden’s leg, causing Aiden to fall on the bed then bounce on the floor where he landed with a loud crash. Caleb began to laugh heartily, which caused Aiden to grab Caleb’s arm and throw him on the floor as well. The sound of loud and raucous scuffling ensued, until the children jumped from the bed onto Caleb, Aiden, and Owain, causing the three of them to yell out in surprise and pain. Laurel stopped jumping on the bed, as she lay down holding her sides from laughing so hard.

  “You think it is funny do you?” Caleb asked in a breathless voice, as he suddenly sat up, and grabbed Laurel’s leg, and began to drag her towards the edge of the bed.

  Laurel grabbed at the massive headboard, shrieking in protest, as Marina grabbed her other arm.

  “By the Maker! Caleb! What is going on?” the Queen shouted in surprise, by the open door.

  All at once there was silence, as the confusion stopped, all eyes looked at the Queen, who was standing in the doorway in her nightgown and robe. King Fergus was smiling broadly, as Lady Ellos and King Garron simply looked on in surprise. Phineas stood smirking and shaking his head.

  “Are you forgetting we have guests Caleb?” the Queen asked, in a scolding tone.

  “It is quite impossible to forget Mother, when I have people in here I normally would not have,” Caleb said as he stood up, and smirked over at Laurel who began laughing again.

  “Laurel? What are you doing?” King Garron asked her, with a bemused expression.

  Laurel looked over at her father slightly embarrassed, but still trying not to laugh.

  “I…um…I was jumping on the bed,” Laurel said, very matter of factly.

  “I see. So how often has my daughter jumped on your bed Caleb?” King Garron asked, in a sarcastic tone.

  Causing Aiden to laugh and Caleb to grin at him, all the while Laurel’s eyes went wide and was blushing furiously.

  “More often than you think,” Caleb answered, with a smug smile.

  “Well seeing as everyone is awake, let us all get dressed and ready for breakfast, shall we?” Queen Alana said trying to change the subject, as she walked out of the room, but not before giving Caleb a glaring look of disapproval which he just mordantly grinned at.

  Within the hour everyone was dressed and in the dining room having breakfast. The conversations were light and laughter filled as all were enjoying the brilliant sunny day, as well as the very hearty breakfast that was being served. There was eggs cooked several different ways, smoked beef sausages, thick slab bacon, fried toast that was drizzled with honey, a wild berry compote, and crisp fried potatoes cooked in bacon fat. As well as various fresh baked breads and sweet rolls. And of course a baked pumpkin filled with nuts and honey.

  “Oh my dear Alana. If I visit my daughter too often I shall become as fat and round as a gork. Your table is a delight as always,” King Garron said, putting his hand on his stomach.

  “Why thank you Garron. We have a wonderful kitchen staff that makes excellent use of all the lovely goods we receive from Gwenlais,” Queen Alana replied graciously.

  “Well, I wish to give the credit to my dear girl, sitting very quietly at the end of the table. She was quite instrumental in how the harvest was distributed this season. Caleb you may wish to consult with your Bride on the next season’s Harvest list. Laurel seemed to know exactly how things needed to be done,” King Garron spoke up, in an uncharacteristic display, of openly praising his daughter.

  Laurel just smiled in surprise at her father and blushed lightly, as Caleb smiled at her warmly as he finished eating. After breakfast was finished the family went to the sitting room, and talked about what the day would entail for everyone. The entire family would be arriving for the midday meal, of light fare and refreshments. Imagin would stay over to entertain the children, during the time the ladies would have dinner with Laurel, then the private talk with just the married ladies. The men would go to the east wing for the Bachelor dinner, this would include the Chieftains, with the exception of McCullan, who politely declined, Cahir, Owain, Quinlan, and Rian, as well as Deaglan. As the morning ended in happy conversation, Caleb stood up taking Laurel’s hand, and led her quietly out of the room, and into the Library. Upon entering he shut and then locked the doors.

  “What are you doing Caleb?” Laurel asked giggling shyly.

  “I was watching you, as Mother began to direct how the evening was going to progress, and I saw you making that face you make when you are becoming overwhelmed. So I decided it was time for us to take a short break away from everyone. We will just sit in here and have some quiet time alone together, while everyone does whatever it is they wish to do,” Caleb spoke in a soft deep voice, as he put his hands to her waist and drew her to him, gently kissing her forehead.

  He then kissed her face and finally her lips very tenderly, moving his hands up to hold her face.

  “Tomorrow at this time mo stor we will be standing in front of the Elder Scribe, reciting our vows to each other,” Caleb whispered, as he smiled lovingly at her.

  “I know. I have been practicing every day for the past week. I only hope in my nervousness I do not make a mistake and forget how to say the words,” Laurel whispered back laughing nervously.

  “Do not worry. I will help you with the words. I have no doubt you will do beautifully. Everyone will be too distracted by how lovely you will look, then to notice if you say a word the wrong way,” Caleb said reassuringly.

  He took her hand and led her over to the far end of the Library, where there was a plush couch, against the wall slightly facing one of the enormous floor length windows. Caleb stretched out on it and then had Laurel lay down next to him, as they turned on their sides, facing each other.

  “There now. How is this mo chailin milis?” Caleb asked her, in a deep soft whisper, as he began to kiss her face lightly, caressing her back and side.

  “It is very nice Caleb. I admit I was becoming a bit overwhelmed by everything. I do look forward to seeing Ione and Eavan and the rest of the girls, but I am nervous with having the time with the other ladies and the Chieftains wives. Mistress Gavenia will also be coming to see me before I go to bed tonight,” Laurel informed him, her lips trembling with her nervousness.

  “Shh. It is alright dearest. I am sure you will have a wonderful evening. Just keep in mind this will be the last night we have to spend apart. Well, until I go on Patrol of course, but that is more than a month away. Remember I will be thinking of you the whole time, picturing you in my arms, your hair falling across the pillows, mumbling and making little snorting noises in your sleep,” Caleb smiled at her wryly, with those last words.

  “I do not make snorting noises in my sleep,” Laurel said in an injured tone, lightly hitting his shoulder.

  “Yes you do. Especially when you are very tired. You mumble as if you are arguing with someone, and it always ends with you making a little snorting sound,” Caleb laughed lightly, at her expression as he told her this.

  “So you are saying I snort like a swine in my sleep?” Laurel asked indignantly, with a pout.

  “No, I did not say you sound like a swine. It is actually quite adorable, it always makes me smile whenever I hear it,” Caleb said laughing again.

  “Well you do not make any sound. You even breathe quietly. Do you know that one night, I could not hear you breathing so I put my hand under your nose to be sure?” Laurel asked him, with an impish grin.

  “That was you? I thought it was some insect flying about the room and buzzing around our faces,” Caleb smiled, at her in amusement.

  “Yes I thought that was what happened, you slapped my hand away,” Laurel giggled, as she remembered.

  “Well that is what happens you silly girl. You cannot make sudden moves over my face when I am sleeping. I have been doing Patrol missions since I was eighteen seasons. I sleep lightly, and if you do that I am going to think you are a bug or worse,” Caleb grinned at her wryly, as he tucked her hair back again.

  “Is there anything else I should know about you, and what not to do?” Laurel asked, with a coy smile.

  “Hmm. Let me think. Well you will never be able to sneak up behind me, I know you can walk without making a sound, but I will still know you are there. Never touch my sword. It is ridiculously sharp, and very heavy, and you would end up cutting your fingers off before you knew what happened. Other than that, you know quite a bit about me already. The rest we will just discover over time,” Caleb said smiling warmly.

  “I would never even think of touching your sword, you hang it up so high, you are the only one who could reach it. The movements around your face however, are very tempting, so I may not be able to resist that from time to time,” Laurel replied, with a mischievous smile.

  “Then do not complain if I slap your hand away from time to time,” Caleb answered her with a droll grin. “So when will your pet Scribe be showing up? I half expected to see him at breakfast.”

  “He will be at the family’s arrival, and the dinner Mother has planned for me. She wanted Wendell to record that for the family’s personal accounts. He of course will be recording the entire Wedding day,” Laurel explained smiling happily, beginning to relax.

  “I admit I actually look forward to reading his notes on the wedding, especially how he records your feelings and reactions,” Caleb smiled back caressing her cheek.

  “So you do like Wendell. I knew you would,” Laurel said with a laugh.

  “I would not go that far. I am merely curious at this point,” Caleb replied back with a wry grin. “Now enough talk of Scribes and relatives, I have much more entertaining things I wish to discuss at this time,” Caleb said in an ardent low voice, kissing her forehead several times.

  “Oh really? And what would those things be?” Laurel asked, with a demure smile.

  “I shall show you,” Caleb replied, holding her face once more and kissing her deeply.

  Laurel felt the familiar warmth spreading through her, like water over a smooth stone. She yielded to his unspoken request of allowing him to kiss her more passionately, as she felt him exploring her mouth, his tongue gently caressing hers, and touching the roof of her mouth. He moved his hand slowly down to her waist drawing her closer to him, holding on to her tightly. She glided her hands softly through his hair, and then gently grasped the back of his neck as Caleb’s became more intense in his affections. Caleb smiled in between kissing her as he felt Laurel begin to tremble at his attentions. He felt his heart would burst with love at her reaction to his loving affections. He began to slow his pace as he felt her tremble more and hearing her softly moan, with each kiss, until they were smiling and looking into each other’s eyes.

  “That was a most stimulating conversation was it not?” Caleb asked in a low deep voice, smiling roguishly.

  “I do not recall any words actually being spoken,” Laurel smiled, back in a breathless whisper.

  “More was said than you know my love. And tomorrow night we shall say even more,” Caleb replied with the same smile, laughing lightly at her cheeks blushing brightly at his remark. “I am afraid though we should return to the family. I have no doubt they have already begun looking for us. Not to mention if I keep you in here too much longer, I will not be responsible for my actions,” he said, smiling once again.

  “Yes, I am sure I look a mess. My face all flushed, and my skirts all rumpled,” Laurel replied, with a nervous giggle.

  “No, not at all,” Caleb mentioned as he sat up, and lifted Laurel with him. “I have said before, you look adorable all rumpled,” he said grinning at her.

  “Well you are the only one who thinks so,” Laurel said standing up and smoothing her dress, and attempting to make her hair look less disarrayed.

  “So, how do I look?” she asked taking a deep breath, and standing in front of him.

  “Like you have just had a stimulating conversation,” Caleb answered grinning wickedly.

  Laurel pouted at him and rolled her eyes, as he laughed at her expression.

  “You are the perfect blushing Bride. Is that not the expression?” Caleb asked smiling, as he put his hands on her waist.

  “Thank you Sire. I suppose we should be on our way. As it is, everyone is going to be all silly, and smirking at us,” Laurel said, in a slightly embarrassed tone.

 

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