Arsenic and Old Armor by May McGoldrick Read Free Book Online

the
company of your husband to keep you entertained,” he said with
finality. He turned to the prioress. “Fall is already here. The
rivers are running higher, and the bad weather is nearly upon us.
It will be impossible for me to arrange an escort to send your nuns
back before winter. This suggestion is a good one. It will give
Lady Marion and myself the opportunity to know each other better
before we get back to Blackthorn Hall.”
    “ I’ll not do it.” Marion
glared up at him. “I’ll not marry you without…without my family
around me.”
    “ You claim we have been
like a family to you for these past twelve years,” the prioress
responded, turning to Marion. “Is that not so?”
    The old woman’s voice had become harsh
again. She was ready to get rid of her.
    “ It is so,” Marion croaked,
fighting the sudden tears that were burning her eyes.
    “ Then we shall stand
witness to this ceremony.” She motioned to Sister Beatrice, not
allowing Marion to say anything more. “Please alert the sisters and
gather everyone in the chapel. I should like the ceremony to take
place prior to noon prayers.” She next turned to Brother Luke. “I
expect you would like to assist our chaplain in the blessing of
this union?”
    “ I would be honored,” the
cleric replied, beaming cheerfully.
    “ And you, daughter, need to
change into something more suited to this joyous occasion than what
you are wearing now.”
    Marion looked at her, trying to understand
what was happening.
    “ She has no fine dresses,”
Sister Beatrice interjected.
    “ Well, find her something
more suitable. Were there not some gowns left here when Lady
Fiona…?”
    Marion sat down and buried
her face in her hands. Everyone had lost their minds. This did not
make any sense. She had been a child when she was sent away from
Fleet Tower. She didn’t know Iain Armstrong then. She knew him less
now. She didn’t care for him. In fact, she despised him for
separating her from her aunts. And his feelings were no different
toward her. And what did she know about being a wife? Nothing .
    That’s it, she decided, standing up. She
simply could not marry him.

CHAPTER 5
     
    She married him.
    Just as Iain wanted, they were on the road
by noon. No escort of shriveled and overly protective nuns, either,
only the affable Brother Luke and a troop of grinning Armstrong and
McCall warriors. The men were obviously entertained by the entire
turn of events, never mind happy to be heading home.
    Everything was finally going according to
plan…with the little exception of three large trunks Marion had
insisted on taking back to Fleet Tower. Twelve years of collected
memories, she’d called them.
    The wedding was behind them, but Iain had to
admit that it hadn’t been the most joyous of ceremonies. Throughout
the proceedings, Marion had not once stopped grousing about her
distaste for the arrangements. And not even a minute after Brother
Luke and the wee mouse of a chaplain had said the final prayers,
pronouncing them husband and wife, she had run out of the chapel
alone. Iain had simply accepted the congratulations of the prioress
and his own men for both of them.
    Outside, the horses were saddled and ready.
Her trunks were stacked and lashed on a cart. Marion, naturally,
was nowhere to be found. Her absence, however, was not prolonged,
and more than a few jaws dropped when she entered the courtyard.
She had changed into a black gown with a black hood and veil. She
appeared to be in mourning.
    Iain looked over his shoulder at his wife,
riding one of the spare horses he’d brought with him on the journey
north. She had positioned herself toward the rear of the group. Her
eyes met his and then she quickly looked away. He turned his face
forward to hide his smile.
    Several hours later, night was slowly
descending on them. Since leaving the priory, she had spoken very
few words, and none to him. He was certain that Marion’s mood was
every bit as sour as when they had