Stefan leaned back against the wall to think and wait. Each time he thought she had finished, she interrupted to add some further detail. He would hear it all before he spoke again.
“I want Betty and Mort as our witnesses.”
He gave a small nod.
“I want white roses, like those I’ve heard grow in the cathedral garden, to carry when I walk toward the altar.”
Another nod.
“I want to live in a house. I’ll not raise my children above a noisy tavern.”
She wanted his children, and she wanted what was best for them.
He could keep silent no longer. “I agree, our children should not live above a tavern. But I do not own a house.”
“Then build one for me.”
“That will be costly.”
“Do you tell me that you spend all the tavern brings in? I’ll not wed a thriftless man.”
“I am not thriftless. I have money.”
“Enough to build a house?”
“Given enough time, yes.”
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“I want the house before we have been wed a full year.”
Stefan did some quick sums in his head. “I think that can be possible.”
“I want the word obey removed from the vows we speak to each other?”
“’Tis fair.”
“You must promise to be faithful to me. I’ll not suffer humiliation before the town while you swive any wench you wish.”
“I only swive those who are willing. Are you willing?” Of course she is, she wants children does she not.
She was silent a long while. “As long as you cleave only to me, I am willing.”
“Then I so promise.”
She cocked her head. “Truly?”
“Truly.”
“I’ll not slave all day at the Pig & Pipe then cook and clean at home.”
“You will work at the tavern only when you wish.”
“I want to be your partner in the tavern.”
“A full partner?”
“Yes, with an equal say in how the tavern is run.”
“And if I agree to that, how will we resolve any disagreements?”
“We will write to the Bishop in Carlisle and ask his decision.”
“A full partner would pay handsomely for the privilege.”
“But I’ll be your wife.”
“Aye, and as agreed, my wife need never set foot in the Pig & Pipe. But if you wish to have a voice in how the tavern is run you must risk your own coin to do so.”
“How much?”
“How much do you have?”
“I have enough to pay for Betty’s wedding feast with the entire village attending.”
Stefan rubbed his chin and thought. “That is a good deal of money. If you invest your coin in the tavern, then I will provide the wedding feast for Betty when she weds.”
Betty
Now she nodded. “Betty will live with us until she marries? I’ll not leave her to my father’s mercies.”
“We will find room for her. Although until the house can be built our home will be crowded, as the rooms above the tavern are small.”
“With luck, Betty will wed soon after us.”
“With luck.” He took her hand and drew her to him and cuddled her against his shoulder.. “Now mo luaidh is that all of your conditions?”
“I think so.”
He shifted to meet her gaze. “You only think so? You don’t know?”
She shook her head. “Even with the week you gave me, my head spun with questions and possibilities. It was difficult to think of everything I could want.”
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