Chapter 101

While speaking, she removed the lid from the tub of salve and showing Meghan the small amount she placed on her fingers, she gently daubed it onto the reddest areas before smoothing the cream into the skin. It brought almost instant relief from the worst of the pain and Isobel noticed Meghan relaxing her ass cheeks as the salve took affect. She put a little on all the areas still reddened by the paddle and Meghan quit flinching as she finished putting it on.

Isobel handed her the small tub. "Put more on if the pain returns."

"It really does feel much better," Meghan said as Isobel lowered the dress over her bottom again.

"I wouldn't try sitting on it until morning at least," Isobel instructed. "If you can sleep on your stomach, you'll be more comfortable. What was McTeague telling you when I walked in?" Isobel asked.

"He told me I was lucky I didn't have the skin removed from my back for spying on you. He said you were the most honorable people he'd ever met and the kindest. He reminded me of all you'd done for the people here though it wasn't their responsibility and if I were to have any problems, I should seek your advice and guidance, or at the least, his, before taking any actions which might get me into trouble. I really am sorry, Lady Isobel. I didn't want to spy on you, honest."

"I believe you, Lass. Cyrus gave you good advice. Màiri, the maid Blackthorne tortured to death, was stealing from the Cameron's to help her sick brother. Before dismissing her, Ailene asked her why she didn't ask for help rather than steal. Màiri was fairly new to the Keep and didn't yet realize how much they cared for their people. After she went missing, the Cameron's gave food and money to her family because their daughter could not provide and she was the only one could work. They didn't have to do it, having no more duty towards them. Màiri had been legitimately discharged for stealing. That is the kind of Lord and Lady Frang and I wish to be. Never be afraid to ask for help. Between all of us, there may be some solution to be found you alone might never have considered. Just as Frang wanted to find a way to protect your little sister when deciding what to do. Allowing her to suffer in your stead is not something he nor I could abide. We understand your desire to protect her and realize how dangerous this war with Blackthorne is to all the people we care about. We need to work together."

"Thank you, Lady Isobel. I will keep all you spoke of to mind. I shall do my best not to disappoint or betray you again."

"Good night, Meghan. I appreciate that. I expect you to be at work in the morning."

"Aye, Lady Isobel. It will be as you say."

Isobel went up to her room, accompanied by her guard. She thanked him for looking out for her before closing the door. He would have to stand guard outside the room until relieved. Frang was asleep but there was still a tub for her and hot water on the hearth. So much for another night with her husband. It was unfortunate. She found she was quite enjoying his attentions. Who knew something she'd hated for so long would be so wonderful with the right person. She found herself too tired for a full bath, but she dipped a cloth into the hot water and washed herself.

Climbing into the bed, she was pleased when Frang put his arms around her, kissed her neck and whispered, "Are you too tired to play tonight, my love?"

"I thought you were sleeping. I could hear your snoring before I even reached the room."

"Merely taking a nap until you could join me."

"I am very tired. It's been a long and difficult day. I hated to be the one to punish Meghan. Then there was the training and loss of privacy, catching another spy. It's been a very busy day."

"As you wish, dear heart."

Isobel turned to face him and kissing him, said, "But not too tired for that."

Frang chuckled and nuzzled a breast; soft pliant flesh with nipples already peaking with the surge of excitement she felt in his arms.

"We must endeavor to be quieter," Isobel said, panting. "It's bad enough my sister-in-law has heard me cum. I don't want to give the young man in the hallway a reason to look at me in that way."

"What way?" Frang asked, pausing what he was doing.

"Like I'm a wanton woman who enjoys sex." She placed his mouth back on her stiff nipple. "Men look at you differently after, like they're considering what you're like between the sheets."

Frang laughed, stopping again as he lifted up to consider her. "I've got news for you, Lady Isobel. Most men have already gotten that look within five minutes of meeting a lass. If they haven't wondered what you have between your legs, they're a pouf."

"A what?"

"A pouf. A man who fancies other men."

"You mean every man here has already imagined themselves in bed with me?"

"You're a bonnie lass, so it wouldn't surprise me. Well, maybe not Cyrus McTeague. He's older and has a lot of respect for you, but if he's still able to roger his wife, he may have pictured you while he did it."

"And all men are like that?"

"Almost certainly. If a lass has got any looks about her at all, a lad will have pictured her naked. Maybe even if she's not entirely bonnie. It's human nature."

"It most certainly is not human nature. I certainly don't look at a man and wonder what kind of equipment he's carrying between his legs!"

"Perhaps it's just man nature, then, but I ask you to consider this..."

"What?" Isobel asked when he didn't continue with his explanation immediately.

"You weren't enjoying sex before. Now you are, you might notice a handsome gent and wonder if he's got what it takes to make you squeal like this?" His erect cock suddenly thrust into her sex, already moist in anticipation of their coupling and she gave a loud moan of pleasure.

"That's not to say you'll be overwhelmingly tempted to satisfy your curiosity," Frang said, driving himself into her repeatedly with her panting exhalations music to his ears. "In fact, I'd be most disappointed and upset if you did. But I wouldn't fault you for wondering."

Isobel wrapped her legs around him, feeling her peak fast approaching, knowing it wouldn't be long. It felt so good to feel his thickness within her, his cock splitting her slit over and over, driving her mad with desire. She suddenly crested and gave a muted scream which she tried to smother by biting his shoulder. Frang grunted in pain but didn't slow down his incessant assault of her flooded tunnel. Almost as soon as the first climax was over, she sensed another one riding in on it's coat tails.

"So if you think," Frang panted, continuing to drive into her, "they look at you a little strangely tomorrow," pant, pant." Rest assured, it's not the first time" pant, "they've looked and wondered." He paused, gasping for more air. "You just haven't noticed it before."

Three more hard strokes and he erupted into her, setting off her second orgasm, even more powerful than the first, and her squeal was even louder as he'd removed his shoulder from the danger zone and she had nothing to bite down on. He let it ring out a moment before he smothered her mouth with his own and absorbed the balance of her pleasured wail.

Frang waited until his breathing was close to normal and his cock shrunk and squeezed out of her sheathe by the last few pulsations of her last climax before tumbling to the side.

"Well," he said, "I did my part to keep our sex quiet. I think you were less successful on your part. I suspect you need more practice."

"Ooh, you!" She attempted to strike his chest, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her in for another kiss, which she happily melted into.

When it ended, she lay contentedly in his arms, listening to the beating of his heart. He stroked her hair.

"If you should get that look from any of the lads tomorrow, just smile at them like you know why they're looking, and go about your business. It won't hurt them or you they know you've been properly pleasured and as long as I'm the only one you share your body with, they can imagine all they want. I don't mind."

"So you look at other women?" Isobel asked.

"Aye, less than I did before," Frang answered honestly, "but a bonnie lass can still catch my eye."

"And you won't try to satisfy your curiosity with them?"

"Nay, I found what I was looking for and I take my vows of fidelity to only you quite seriously."

"So, you've imagined Ailene naked?" Isobel asked.

"She's bonnie, so the answer is yes."

"And Teárlag?"

"What do you think?" Frang asked, smiling.

"She doesn't make you imagine much."

"Not too much, nay."

"And you wouldn't be upset if I looked at your brothers in that way?"

"They're stout fellows with rugged good looks. I'm not surprised any woman finds them handsome."

"I don't understand men at all," Isobel lamented.

Frang pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. "Men are easy to understand. You're just not used to thinking like we do. You're embarrassed I made you scream, I'm proud it was me. You'll figure us out in no time. Don't trouble yourself about it. Go to sleep now, Isobel. We've got many more hard days ahead of us and you've a little one to think of."

She gave him a quick kiss and closed her eyes.

Sure as heather grew in the meadows in spring, Isobel caught a few glances cast her way the following morning. Taking Frang's advice, she gave a shy smile and received big grins in response, at which point she couldn't help but look down and blush. Frang noticed a few of her reactions and inwardly enjoyed her discomfiture. He was happy to see the guards assigned to protect them remained alert and watchful.