Chapter 147

It was late when Thorburn slipped into the room. Teárlag had gone to bed an hour earlier and he hoped she was asleep already. Every time he saw her, he somehow felt guilty he could no longer love her, as if it was his fault she'd betrayed him. He removed his clothes in the dark and slipped into bed.

"Thorburn," she whispered, "is it safe to speak softly in here?"

Damn, she was awake. "As safe as it is anyplace I imagine," he responded.

"The map I gave you; is it well hidden?"

"Why do you ask?" Thorburn asked.

"My maid found it and attempted to copy it. She showed it to Blackthorne. I asked her during my bath why Blackthorne was caning her when I arrived a few days ago after leaving the Keep. She said it's because she couldn't read and he was angry the copy she gave him was unintelligible. She believed it was my handwriting, and Blackthorne wanted to know what I wrote to you. I'm unsure if he really could not understand it. I have only her word for it and he never reveals all he knows or guesses. He was particularly brutal to me since then and it could be he already knows I've crossed him, or perhaps because he's unsure if I've broken faith with him. I'm worried she might find it again and have someone else read it and then all your plans are fruitless."

"It is hidden behind lock and key," Thorburn said. "What did you tell her it was?"

"I said it was a love letter to you and a request to build me a new wardrobe in your room for all my clothes. I had a picture of how I remembered the cabinet hiding his tunnel looked like and she might have recognized it for the furniture it was, but as far as I know, she's never been in the tunnel and wouldn't recognize it as anything more than a piece of furniture. Blackthorne might have recognized it though if her copy was somewhat accurate. It was all I could think to tell her. I told her you would be building me a new wardrobe and we should endeavor to make it look like the drawing."

"Do you think she accepted your explanation?"

"I think so. I said she should tell me anything she finds out so the information isn't lost to Blackthorne in case she's discovered as Blackthorne's spy, but she might not speak to me, or speak to the others as well. I said you would torture her like Màiri if you discovered her. Hopefully, it will give her pause in her spying, though she will doubtless speak of all she learns regardless. I slapped her when she spoke Blackthorne's name aloud, saying we would both be horribly tortured if it was discovered we spy for him. It's all I could think to do."

"You did well. I will have a wardrobe started in the morning to support your story. I might be able to scare her a little more, perhaps the others, too. We'll keep watch on the Manor to see if Blackthorne believes his tunnel has been revealed."

Teárlag was silent and Thorburn thought she was going to sleep.

"I'm sorry, Lord, but you must spill your seed upon the sheets," Teárlag said.

"What? Why?"

"I told the maid it is my duty to seduce you; to extract your secrets in your bed. The laundress and my maid will be able to tell if we've engaged in sexual congress. It is necessary to leave your seed on the sheets to fool them. It would be suspect if we did not fuck after the announcement of our engagement and my coming openly to your bed. It will be necessary to leave evidence of our love at least two or three times a week."

Balls! It was bad enough he had to share his bed with Teárlag. To think he would have to masturbate while she lay next to him was worse.

"I'm sorry. I can face the wall if it helps."

"Very well."

He felt Teárlag face away from him and he began to stroke himself. This was so wretchedly embarrassing, his cock refused to stand. Doing this with a witness was the most humiliating experience of his life. He continued to tug on his shaft.

After several minutes, Teárlag whispered, "I can help you if you like, Thorburn. It's not as if I haven't touched you before."

"No. I'll do it myself."

He tried to think of the most debauched things he'd ever done; the most lovely women he'd ever fucked. Unfortunately, images of the traitorous bitch beside him kept popping into his head. Her sucking his cock while he ate, licking the juice of an orange off her body, spanking her delectable ass after she'd rubbed his cock during the feast. He finally felt his cock stir under his hand. His breathing sped up.

"Sound like you're having fun, Thorburn, in case anyone is listening," Teárlag whispered.

Shit! Thorburn groaned. Teárlag lay beside him facing the wall. She was quietly touching her clit as Thorburn masturbated behind her, the bed shifting with his motion. She was getting close herself, imagining his cock spearing into her instead of throbbing beside her.

So close. She climaxed. She screamed, "Fuck me, Thorburn, pound me with your cock. God, I'm cumming. You make me cum on your prick, Lord. Fill me with your seed."

She heard him groan loudly behind her as he released. She felt the bed shake as he pulsed, his essence wasted. She slowly turned over on her back, her fingers leaving her sex.

"That sounded good, Thorburn. I'm sure we fooled anyone with their ear to the door," she whispered. "Thank you. Wipe yourself off with the sheets."

She felt the sheets moving as he followed her instructions. He stilled and the room was silent. Quiet tears tracked down her cheeks.

"It sounded almost as if you climaxed yourself, Lady Mackintosh," Thorburn whispered.

"I was married to two men over sixty," she responded. "I learned to make them feel like they were still men."

Thorburn sensed her turning over and her even breathing told him she was going to sleep. He was unaware her pillow became damp with salty tears.