Ann Carr by Loyal Warrior Read Free Book Online Page A

words were needed, she felt such pride for him, and wished with all her heart that she could spare him any future pain. Reaching up, she regretfully took the gentle hand he offered down to her, pulling herself up onto the saddle behind him. Tapping his horses flanks Richard set him walking back to camp. Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder in the direction Ewan and Dancer had fled knowing in her heart that she had done the right thing and hoping they were well out of harm’s way by now. She felt a pang of sadness knowing she would never see them again. Just more names to add to the long list that she already had. From tomorrow she would be entering into a whole new life, she just hoped she wouldn’t lose herself in the process.

Chapter Six
     
    The early morning mists swirled eerily around the group of men standing in the clearing. The first rays of the morning sunlight highlighting the shadowy figures. Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat at her first glimpse of the man she would marry. She had tried to prepare herself for this moment, but as the reality of what was about to take place hit home she began to quake inside. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably and it was only with an extraordinary amount of will that she managed not to drop the reigns she held in her trembling grip.
    In contrast to her inner turmoil the morning was oddly quiet, nature’s creatures still peacefully sleeping; unaware of what a momentous day this was for two of the people gathered here today. There was no wind, as though Mother Nature herself was holding her breath in anticipation of the coming ceremony, respectfully allowing them this outer calm, which was so at odds to the inner emotions running through them all.
    Henry gave the order to dismount and Elizabeth did so moving as though in a dream, her eyes never leaving the mysterious shadowy figures before her. With each slow step she took, the mists peeled back layer by layer, subtly revealing more of the men, though never enough to satisfy her curiosity.
    The sounds of snapping twigs and rustling leaves beneath their feet were deafening, wholly at odds with the silence surrounding them, and only seemed to add to the tension of the moment.
    One man stepped forward from the group, and in a tense, rather pompous tone, addressed all as one. “Hello. I’m father Archer, and I’ll be performing the wedding ceremony this morning. I expect you to leave all your weapons at the gate before entering this house of God. Bloodshed is not accepted on sacred ground.” Father Archer expelled his breath loudly, pleased at having gotten through his painfully rehearsed speech.
    “Whatever you say little man! None of us are here today to spill blood!” Henry sneered.
    Not for the first time in his life did father Archer have the intense feeling of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. He was now the only neutral party standing between two sets of powerful and undoubtedly merciless killing machines. Knowing the ruthless reputation of all the men gathered around him made him quake. He furiously sent up some prayers for his own protection.
    He was a man who greatly feared conflict, which was his primary motivation for taking refuge in priesthood, his relationship with God at first having almost no bearing on his decision. Since discovering God, however, he had spent every day in fear that God would find some way to punish him for his impure reasons for becoming a priest. He fervently hoped that today would not be that day. The sooner he got this marriage out of the way the sooner all these men would once again leave him to enjoy his solitude. 
    Breathing deeply Father Archer noticed for the first time the regal countenance of the lady standing shrouded in a cloak before him and decided that it wouldn’t hurt to send up a prayer for her too.
    Father Archer took, what for him was an incredibly brave step forwards, reaching out a sweat drenched palm, he took an unexpectedly tight hold of the