1 Chapter 1

A soft breeze drifted through the open window of the more than modest bedroom. The silk curtains shifted ever so slightly, giving way to the warm autumn air. Elle sat at her light blue vanity, looking at her reflection. Her wet nurse, turned ladies maid, Franny brushed through her long, auburn hair. She twisted and pulled at the long locks until Elle's hair was up in a beautiful bun. A few rebel strands fell in front of her hazel eyes. Those same eyes blinked back tears of sadness. This would be the last time she used this mirror to get ready, the last time she had Franny fix her hair. She would get a new ladies maid, a new bedroom and a new home. Today was her wedding day.

Though she were only sixteen, the young girl was about to become a woman. She would be wife to a sullen-looking man nearly eight years her elder. Though she had only met him once, Eleanor Grey was about to become Lady Callaghan. Aedan Callaghan was firstborn and heir to his father, the current Lord Callaghan. Reece Callaghan was in poor health and wasn't expected to live much longer. He couldn't even make the trip to England for his son's wedding. The current Lady Callaghan and their youngest and only daughter stayed behind in their Ireland home with him. Elle would meet them soon enough, when she made the trip to her new home. As the heir, Aedan had a responsibility to marry and produce an heir of his own. He would marry Elle, daughter of a British Lord, in hopes of keeping a truce between the conflicting countries. A war seemed to be brewing, and though Elle knew little of why, she would do her part and marry for peace. Her mother assured her that the love for her husband would grow eventually.

Bringing her thoughts to the present, she stood and let Franny help her into her lavish wedding gown. Through the many white layers of petticoats and heavy fabric, she could barely move, much less sit. So she stood in the middle of her bedroom. She attempted to block out the memories of her childhood being left behind. A few agonizing moments later, a knock at the door signaled that it was time. Pulling her veil over her solemn face, Elle met her father at the door and allowed him to lead her carefully down the stairs to her waiting wedding. Preceding the bride was a distant cousin, five year old Hannah as the flower girl. She tottered along dumping the contents of her flower basket in large piles. She earned a few chuckles as she ran out of petals and ran back to recollect them before finally getting to the alter. Behind her, Elle's childhood best friend, Margaret Sadler served as her maid of honor. Usually a sister would play this role, but Elle had none and Margo was close enough to be her sister. The two were inseparable, until today that is. Elle would be moving to Ireland with her new family and Margo would be leaving in a month to join the King's court. While Elle had motherhood in her near future, Margo looked forward to frilly dresses and royalty.

Walking slowly down the aisle, Elle snuck a glance at her soon to be husband. The word stuck in her throat with a sickening feeling. She wasn't sure if she were ready for this. His steely gaze stared out at her, not really seeing her. She wasn't exactly scared of him, but something about him put her on edge. His dark hair matched his dark eyes, which seemed to mark her. She was to be his and no one else's. Her job as his wife was clear as crystal. Bear him a son, an heir. Past that, she simply had to obey and keep her place at his side. She planned to do just that, for she feared getting on his bad side.

The wedding proceeded with no hitches. When it came time for their vows, she whispered her "I do" in her lady-like manner, while Aedan gruffly muttered his in his thick Irish brogue. "Oi do." He lifted her veil and planted a quick, scruffy kiss on her lips. With that, she was no longer Eleanor Grey. She was Eleanor Callaghan, the future Lady Callaghan. The reception was loud and massive. Every member of the Grey family had come, along with the entire surrounding village. Every male guest, both British and Irish, wanted a dance with the new bride. Elle swirled and spun to the many songs, growing more heated and tired with every dance. Near the end of the evening, her new husband rose from his seat at the high table. This was a signal that he was ready to take his wife to their bed chamber for the night. Her breath caught in her throat at the thought. She was saved for a moment longer, when a light haired, younger version of her husband stepped in front of her. He had a playful grin on his face as he held out his hand to her and turned to his waiting brother. "Naught yet, dear brahder." He spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear as he turned back to Elle. "Oi still nade a dance wi' me new sister." He nodded slightly and wrapped an arm around her tiny waist. They spun away from her husband, as he sat back into his seat looking annoyed at his brother's antics. Grateful to him, Elle looked up at her brother-in-law with a small smile. "Thank you." She searched her brain for his name, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember. The dance was over far too quickly. Before she knew it, Aedan was at her side, gripping her waist a little too tightly. He looked down at her with a stony look. "Say g'nigh' to Kevan. Tis time for bed." Elle's face flushed at the order from her husband. She obliged with a dip of her head. "Good night, Kevan. It was a lovely dance." She looked over her shoulder at him as she was guided away and could swear that he looked envious.

A guest room had been prepared as their marriage bed, until they would leave for his Irish castle. The large bed was covered in white sheets. Her stomach turned, knowing why. A maid would come in the morning to collect the sheets in proof of Elle's innocence. She stood in the middle of the room staring at the bed. She barely saw the rest of the room, the bed was her main focus. Behind her, she could hear the rustling of fabric as Aedan removed his coat and vest. Without a word, he began unlacing her gown. Her body gave small jerks at his fumbling attempts to undress her. He grunted in frustration at the many ties and buttons that separated him and his wife. With a metallic swish, she felt a small blade slice through her expensive, handmade wedding dress. She had put a lot of time into that dress herself. Her irritation didn't last long, as the gown slid down and fell to the floor in a pile, petticoats and all. She was left standing there in her thin slip. Though her mother and Franny had tried to prepare her for this, Elle was nowhere near ready for what was about to happen. They had said he would be gentle, that he would be loving and that eventually, she would find pleasure in this act. None of those things were true. He pulled the slip down her shoulders roughly and stared at her naked body with an unnerving openness. She attempted to cover herself with her hands, but was stopped by a firm grip to her wrist. "Don't cover yerself from me. Ever." His almost threatening tone scared her to the core. She gave a small gasp as she was pulled to the bed. He pushed her onto her back, none too gently. She turned her head to the side as he removed the rest of his clothing. Her gaze focused on the ornate little table off to the side of the bed. She felt him on top of her and with no warning, he entered her in a swift motion. She cried out in pain, looking up to him with tears in her eyes. His eyes held no sympathy or kindness. He moved in her with painful thrusts. Squeezing her eyes tight, she turned her head away again, until with a final thrust, he finished. He rolled off of her and turned his back, leaving her to her pain. Keeping as quiet as possible, Elle cried herself to sleep on her first night as a woman.