Chapter 57

Ailene stood up, brushing her skirts, saying, "I'm going to bed, Stuart. I would appreciate it if you left me alone tonight. I'm not quite ready to forgive you. Perhaps Frang will share his bed with you." She pushed him out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Stuart stared at the closed door. What have I done, he thought. She's the love of my life and I made her lie down with my brothers. I hope she forgives me at some point. He went down to Frang's room and sought a bed for the night.

"Aye, may as well sleep here, lad," Frang said when asked. "I'll be doing naught tonight."

"I can't believe we thought it okay to pass my wife around," Stuart said.

"We shared everything as striplings and thought all should still be shared. If I'd married first, I'd likely done the same, Stuart. We treated her like any other possession we ever had without imagining all the consequences of doing so. She was right. If all of us were married and passing our wives around, we may as well sleep in one bed. Would it even matter? I'm sorry."

"Was what I did any different than McTavish did to Isobel?" Stuart asked. "Not settling debts of money, granted, but debts of family. With more love, but no better treatment?"

"Aye, I know. I saved Isobel from her degradation while perpetrating my own on your own sweet wife. I feel the fool and a right bastard at the moment."

"I hope she'll forgive me, Frang."

"I'm hoping she'll forgive all of us. Not sure we deserve it, but I'd be wretched should your marriage be ruined due to our stupidity. Your saving grace may be how much she loves you, Stuart. I've never seen a lass so fond of her spouse. Mostly women seem to tolerate us, perhaps with good reason given our behavior, but Ailene would walk through fire for you."

"More than I deserve. I thought myself a good husband, but I was a better brother than a husband and it should have been the other way around."

"Do what you can to atone, Stuart, and with God's favor, she may."

"I pray you're right, brother."

Stuart was up much of the night imagining his life if she didn't.

Teárlag arrived at the Keep just after 9:00 the next morning, Thorburn rushing to meet her in the courtyard.

"I did not think you rose so early in the morning you would arrive here already," Thorburn said.

"Normally, I don't, Thorburn," Teárlag replied, "but I couldn't wait to see you and the famous Cameron Keep. It's not as big as I'd been led to believe. To hear some talk about it, ogres live here."

Thorburn laughed. "Nay, just me and my two brothers, our families and retainers. No ogres."

"Then I don't need to worry about some monster coming and ravishing me in the night?"

"Not unless you consider me to be a monster."

"If you are, that is one ravishment I'm looking forward to." She kissed him.

Ailene, hearing word of their guest, came out to greet her.

"Lady Mackintosh, I'm so glad you could come. Has this brawny fool offered you any refreshments or a chance to rest after your journey?"

"We hadn't reached that point yet, Lady Cameron. We were discussing ogres and a midnight ravishing. The topic hadn't yet turned to the mundane. And please, call me Teárlag."

"Only if you call me Ailene." She took her arm. "We have tea and other items to break your fast. The servants will take your things up to your room. Thorburn led me to believe you would be spending the night with us."

"I would be delighted to stay if it's no trouble. And something to eat sounds delicious." She turned her head towards Thorburn. "You can speak to me later about ogres and the tribulations they visit upon women in the middle of the night."

"What tribulations are those Teárlag?" Ailene asked.

"The depredations of midnight visitors I hope to receive while I'm here."

"We have some very lusty males frequenting the Keep," Ailene laughed. "I'm sure you won't be lacking company as long as you welcome their advances."

They went to the kitchen where Teárlag was offered tea, sweet breads and meat. Teárlag and Ailene were gossiping about the latest bits of news from Dervaig, laughing like loons at the outrageous comments Teárlag made about some of the juiciest bits when Muiríol came into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Lady Cameron, but I've come to inform you that Lady McTavish struck Jinny, one of the seamstresses helping her sew her gown for tonight."

"Are you sure, Muiríol? That doesn't sound like Isobel at all."

"I've witnessed the marks on the Jinny's face and Lady McTavish admitted she did strike the girl."

"My God!" Ailene said. "She knows what's to happen next. I explained it to her when she arrived."

"What's the importance of this?" Teárlag asked. "I strike my servants all the time."

"We don't hold with striking servants in a fit of anger here at Cameron Keep. If anyone does something requiring punishment, the Laird decides upon the punishment and administers it or sees to it's administration."

"Even if it's a Lord or Lady striking a commoner?" Teárlag asked.

"Even then," Ailene responded. "Muiríol, please fetch Lord Cameron and Frang, please."

"Yes, Lady."

"So what happens now?" Teárlag asked.

"What would happen if anyone else were to do it, even the Laird himself. Ten swats with a paddle on their bare bum."

"You would punish a Lady for striking a servant?"

"Aye, even you were you living here. You may treat your servants as you wish, but all of ours are under the same restrictions. You would probably receive a warning and asked to leave the first time you did so if unaware of the rules, but other than that, rules apply equally to all. Tis one of the reasons our retainers are so loyal and fight so fiercely for us. They know they will be treated justly no matter the cause."

"I cannot imagine such a thing," Teárlag said. "Tis exceedingly strange."

Further conversation was interrupted by Thorburn, Frang and Stuart all coming into the kitchen inquiring why Muiríol had asked them to come speak to her.

"Isobel struck one of the servants," Ailene said.

"She was aware of the rules?" Thorburn asked.

"Aye. It was explained shortly after she arrived," Ailene replied.

"Has she offered an explanation?" Frang asked. "Has anyone spoken to her?"

"I haven't spoken to her, but Muiríol said she struck Jinny, a seamstress assisting with her dress."

"Ach, this is terrible," Frang said. "She comes from a brutal relationship. Striking her regardless the grounds only reinforces the notion she's worthless and deserving of punishment, especially if the people who saved her now punish her. Ailene, what can we do?"

"You're right," Ailene said. "This would set her back." She thought for a moment. "I suppose I could be punished too. At least she wouldn't undergo the punishment alone."

Frang said, "It's a kind offer, but insufficient as a remedy. If it's you, it remains a woman beaten by men, women brutalized by men. It can't be you. I'll do it. At least then she realizes the rules apply equally to men and women."

"No," Thorburn said. "Not you, me. Not only will the rules be shown to apply equally to men and women but from the highest to the lowest."

Frang put his hand on Thorburn's shoulder. "Thank you, brother. It would make this easier for her, I think. I appreciate your offer."

"Aye. Ailene, why don't you get Isobel and bring her down to the training grounds and ask for me. I'll arrange something. Let's go brothers. We don't have time to dawdle."