Surrender by Sophia Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

look."
    Graemme made a threatening gesture with the
bucket. He talked fast so as to get it all out in one breath,
"Brian, find Lady Joneta. Ask for a potion. She will know what the
little devil used." After he heard the man's footsteps pounding
away, he sighed with relief.
    Never had he spent a more miserable morning.
Lady Joneta quickly supplied him with a potion which gradually
eased his symptoms. Finally, he was able to control his bodily
functions. Before leaving, he gave coins to the stable boys waiting
at the huge double doors of the stable. Brian and Colyne helped him
return to his bedchamber.
    He no sooner closed the door than servants
arrived with a bathing tub and buckets of hot water. They said the
Lady Joneta had ordered them to watch for his return. Their eyes
were wide and admiring, for never had they known anyone to have
challenged a curse. Though he felt as drained and weak as a
starving kitten, his rising wrath gave him much needed energy for
the rest of the day.

    "It was not a good thing to take your anger
out on Sir Graemme, Elyne." Lady Joneta gave her niece a
disapproving look.
    "Do ye think I could yell and scream at
Father and not find myself abandoned in the convent afore
dawn?"
    Sickening nausea crept chilly fingers through
Elyne's stomach. Could someone feel the effects of another's
distress? Mayhap she
had
acted in haste. Too late, now.
Sir Graemme would not have to even think on who had made him so
dreadfully sick.
    "When he came out of his room, his eyes were
spitting hot rage every bit as much as Ranald's do when in a fury,"
lady Joneta said.
    Mayhap she had misjudged the size of the dose
she'd given to Ada? She hadn't meant to cause the warrior the
misery the stable boys reported. Why, with only having licked
Graemme's spoon, Squat had soon needed to stop every several paces,
leaving foul smelling shite. The servants were not happy. Seeing
her father's scowl, she had swept the dog up and carried him out to
the pasture.
    When someone rapped on the door, it had such
a sound of urgency Elyne near jumped out of her shoes.
    "Lady Elyne, Sir Graemme requests your
presence at the chapel for the betrothal vows. 'Tis near high
noon."
    From the little she had seen of this
Highlander, his blue eyes had always held laughter. Not so now.
They looked hard as steel.
    "Aye, Sir Brian. I think it fitting I
change..."
    Brian interrupted her. "Nay, Lady. You are to
come at once."
    She had to stop herself from stomping her
foot when she eased the door shut. She waited to hear his footsteps
leave. They did not. So. Sir Graemme didna take any chance she
would not appear. No doubt, Sir Brian would enter and drag her all
the way up to the chapel if she didna appear speedily.
    "He does not even give me time to change
clothing!"
    "No doubt he expected you to be ready. Come.
You need only a silver circlet for your hair and a matching silver
girdle about your hips to make your blue gown festive."
    Elyne was ready far sooner than she wished.
She steeled herself to look calm as she opened the door. Sir Brian
lounged against the far wall of the landing, his arms across his
chest. He straightened and offered his arm. He raised his
brows.
    "The chapel?"
    "Up the far stairwell." She nodded toward the
corner. "'Tis in the east tower close to Father's lodgings."
    "You are in a hurry, Sir Brian?" Aunt
Joneta's voice was quiet but admonishing.
    Sir Brian near skidded to halt his long
strides. "I beg your forgiveness, ladies."
    Too soon, they were going through the chapel
doorway.
    o0o
    "I hear ye had a bout of sickness in the
stable?" Chief Broccin looked Graemme over from head to toe then
grinned at him.
    "Aye. Mayhap I ate too quickly this morn."
Graemme shifted from one foot to the other. Even thinking about not
having a handy bucket made his stomach clench.
    "Ye are white as a lass during her moon's
time." Broccin's gaze moved down to settle on Graemme's crotch.
"Did yer cock shrink to a nub? It isna about to fall off,