Chapter 31

Ailene asked Frang to help her with something at the sideboard and when she had him alone, she whispered, "Be careful, Frang. Remember what you told me about the local ladies just this afternoon. She's married and she's been brutalized. She doesn't need another disappointment."

"I've never been a disappointment to a lady," Frang whispered back. "I'm sure you'll back me on that."

"Not a disappointment in bed, you dolt. A disappointment in life. She's fragile and could easily be broken."

"I'll be gentle, I assure you."

"You insist upon being dense. Not physically fragile, emotionally fragile. Don't play with her emotions."

"You're just afraid that it will take time away from you," he teased.

"Of course. I'm worried that two Cameron men just won't be enough for me," she teased back. "Don't hurt her. That's all I'm saying."

"Aye, I'll be careful. You needn't worry your pretty little head about it. I promise."

"Thank you."

That night, Stuart and Ailene were lying in bed, after a perfectly lovely bout of sex. Ailene entwined herself around him and one hand fiddled with the hairs on his chest.

"I'm glad you're going to bring food to the McTavish place and make sure he's not starving the servants," Ailene said. "Isobel was quite worried that he wouldn't feed anyone that wasn't leaving with him."

"Aye, we'll make sure they have enough food to last, and Thorburn said that he'd hunt the bastard down and stick his sword through his gullet if McTavish took any of the food with him."

"Make sure McTavish knows that."

"He'll know. I'll make sure of that because if Thorburn didn't, I would," Stuart assured her.

"Didn't Isobel look nice tonight?" Ailene asked.

"She did. Frang seemed very interested in the poor lady."

"I warned him to be careful around her. She's got no confidence now. She's been bullied and browbeaten and it wouldn't take much to completely destroy her."

"Frang knows that. It's why he saved her in the first place."

"You know his reputation though, how he's chased everything in skirts? I'm worried that she won't be able to resist and end up worse than she is now. She's been abandoned and sold by her family, abused and mistreated by her husband. If he used her and left her, she'll be damaged beyond repair."

"That's his reputation," Stuart said, "but he's not been that way since he's returned from France. I haven't seen him going after any of the local maids; he's left the servants alone, even the forward ones who wouldn't mind spending time in a Lord's bed. He's still gambling, but he's more tame than I've seen him in awhile."

"Do you think he's looking to settle down?" Ailene inquired.

"Could be. By rights, he'll own the McTavish place, although I know he intends to combine the property with ours. He could take over the house and settle down should the right lass come along. Don't know if it will be Isobel, though. She seems a bit timid for Frang. He likes them with more fire, I think. I'd be surprise if the passion hasn't been beaten out of her."

"She may surprise us, husband. I think the fire's been banked, but I don't believe it's fully snuffed out."

Stuart grabbed her bare ass, massaging and caressing the naked flesh, saying, "As much fire as you, dear one?"

"That would be a lot of fire, Stuart."

"Aye, enough to burn the house down, I'm thinking," kissing her. "It looks like the little laddie has decided to make another appearance," he said, placing her hand on his cock.

"It's a good thing I know what to do with the rapscallion when he makes an appearance, my lord."

"What would that be, my lady?"

"Why, eat it of course," Ailene said, lowering her mouth over his cock.

"Now why didn't I think of that," he moaned. "Oh, Lord, you do that so well. That's it. A little faster now. Aaah, it's exquisite. Don't stop."

Ailene continued until he filled her throat with his cum. When he was finished, she scooted higher in the bed, kissing his neck and shoulder.

"I love you, Stuart."

"Life has no meaning to me without you, my love," he replied, pulling her closer.

Stuart was up at dawn the next morning, dressing for the road.

"You can sleep a little later, Ailene."

"No. I want to see you off. I promised to start working with Isobel on some things for her rapier training, footwork and the like, since Frang won't be here to start her lessons. Plus, I can give you some herbs and things to bring with you. If they're malnourished, you may need some."

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

They went down to the kitchen, ate a quick breakfast and packed a lunch for everyone for the journey. In addition to the three brothers, they were taking six other men-at-arms, two spare horses tied to the wagon and Ailene prepared a bundle of herbs. Tormentil, for any diarrhea or other stomach issues; blacberry, for any signs of scurvy; wild garlic, to be added to the food when cooked; wild marjoram for cooking or a soothing tea; and some meadowsweet for minor headaches. Ailene asked them to check if anyone with medical skills were available and to ask if there were any other things they might need. Stuart agreed to ask.

"If anyone has serious medical needs, you may need to bring them back for care," Ailene said.

"We'll make sure all is well. Truly we will," Stuart said. "Don't worry so much."

Isobel said, "Thank you so much for checking on them. There are many good folk among them and they deserve better from their Laird."

"Don't worry, lass. Things will get better, you'll see," Frang said.

They set out on the road, one wagon, nine men and eleven horses; one pulling the wagon, eight mounts and two spares. The wagon was loaded with bags of oats and wheat, smoked meats, potatoes, turnips, cabbages and onions. They planned to leave a horse with someone responsible so that they could ride over to request any additional aid or report any theft of the food by McTavish or the retainers he was keeping. There was extra oats and hay for that horse although they were hoping it could primarily feed on the spring grass.

"I always hate to see him go," Ailene said to Isobel and Muiríol. "The roads seem so dangerous anymore, and with all the problems with Blackthorne, I worry."

"It's a small group, but doughty, Lady Cameron," Muiríol replied. "They train hard and they're all good fighting men. I think it would take a whole regiment of English to beat them."

"Speaking of training, Isobel. Why don't you put on that pair of pants we mended and altered, a light shirt and some flat shoes. You may not be able to start training under Frang today, but I can show you some things easily. Frang gave me some balls filled with seeds to squeeze to strengthen the hands and arms. We'll get you some of those as well."

"Right away, Lady Cameron."

"Ailene, remember. Let's not undo the gains of yesterday. We're going to be friends if we aren't already and I want you calling me Ailene. I'll meet you on the training grounds."

"I'll remember. I'll be there shortly."

She left and Ailene turned to Muiríol and said, "Let's go over todays menu, and let me know what supplies need to be purchased our next market day."

"Aye, Lady Cameron. I was thinking that since none of the Lords will be here for lunch, that we just keep it simple and go with bread, meat and cheese like they carried for their lunch. We could start a nice stew for supper as we don't know for sure what time they'll return, but we can keep it hot so they'll have something filling when they return. I'll make a list of food items we're getting low on."

"Thank you. That seems an excellent idea. Something with beef in it, or lamb. I'm sure they'll be hungry when they return."

"Aye, Lady Cameron. I'll get to it then."