Chapter 59

Ailene lowered the top half of the stocks to securely fasten Isobel within the holes and raised her dress, pinning them up so her bare buttocks were exposed to them both. She picked up the paddle. Never having used it before she gave a couple swings through the air to get a feel for the weight and heft. She tapped it against her leg, lightly at first, then harder. Satisfied, she swung the paddle and it smacked firmly against the lovely ass and Isobel gave a flinch and a stifled gasp. Each succeeding stroke was accompanied by another flinch of her delectable derriere but not another sound. Isobel determined to withstand her punishment as well as Thorburn had.

When she was done, Ailene left the dress pinned up, saying, "I have some cream that will relieve the pain somewhat, if you'll let me apply it?"

"Thorburn didn't use the cream, I won't either," Isobel replied.

"Oh, I'm sure he did," Ailene replied. "It's given to all after their punishment. He just went to his room to apply it in private. Not having a woman to put it on for him, he didn't want his brother rubbing his ass."

"I would have put it on for him," Teárlag volunteered, finally speaking up from the corner.

"He may let you apply some later," Ailene laughed, "but I'm sure that would have led to other things. Things not appropriate for mixed company in the Strapping Room."

"In that case," Isobel said, "please do. My bum is on fire."

Ailene got some from the cabinet in the corner and gently smoothed it over the flaming red marks left by the paddle. Isobel sighed in relief as the cream worked it's magic.

"I can't believe he took ten strokes from Stuart without even flinching," Isobel said. "That paddle burned so badly."

Teárlag thought of the many instruments used on her buttocks by Blackthorne. The only reason she didn't have bruises and marks now was her warning to Blackthorne any bruises might be apparent to Thorburn. Some of them worse than a paddle and no soothing cream afterward; usually nothing more than a brutal fucking tormenting her already bruised flesh.

"Will it leave bruises?" Isobel asked.

"I received a hundred swats the first time the paddle was used on me and I had no bruising the following morning although it stung for hours."

"One hundred swats!" Teárlag exclaimed. "Did you kill someone?"

"Nay, although some could have died. I left the Keep without escort. I was attacked and nearly raped. Bad enough, but Thorburn had to send out small search parties for me which could have been attacked by Blackthorne's men. Even Stuart and Frang searched for me alone. I don't need to tell you how badly it might have ended if I'd been taken by him, or Stuart and Frang killed by some of his men. I likely deserved the hundred though I didn't feel so at the time." She had to be careful what she said now. "Each blow was easier on me than what Stuart or I did today, but I felt each one, believe me. Stuart helped. He encouraged me to let the pain wash over me; to go to a good place in my head and keep it in the forefront of my mind so I could take the strapping easier. I pictured my wedding night and the pleasures I received and I'm shamed to say that before it was over, I was aroused."

Much as I am now, thought Isobel, feeling Ailene's soft hands caress her inflamed flesh with the soothing cream.

Ailene finished spreading the cream and released Isobel's dress, helping her adjust it again.

"I have to ask, Isobel," Ailene asked, "what made you strike Jinny. You're usually so calm and patient. You above all people, who knows the horror of an unjust beating without reason; why did you do it?"

"I have no explanation for it. For the last few days I've been sick every morning, nauseous and unable to eat and feeling out of sorts. I attributed it to being back in McTavish's house and the tension I feel in that place, but when it happened again this morning, I acted without thinking when she tore my dress."

"You've been sick every morning? For how long?" Ailene asked.

"Since the first morning I woke up in McTavish's," Isobel answered.

"Have you thrown up?"

"One morning when I tried to force myself to eat breakfast, but it's mostly nausea which disappears around lunch. I usually skipped breakfast and fought through it."

"How long as it been since you've had your courses?"

"About seven weeks, but you can't tell me I'm pregnant. I haven't had sex with anyone since Frang won me in the card game. My courses were always irregular."

"You were thin as a rail. A woman's courses are often irregular or cease altogether if she's underfed, which you were. When's the last time McTavish had sex with you?"

Isobel stared at Ailene, suddenly scared beyond measure. "The night before the card game. He had me, then passed me on to one of the cronies he owed money to."

"Isobel, I think you're with child."

Isobel collapsed in a dead faint, saved from striking the ground by Ailene and Teárlag, both standing right beside her.

"Teárlag, get Frang and Stuart immediately. They can carry Isobel up to her room."

Teárlag hurriedly left, nearly running, her skirt held up nearly to her knees so she wouldn't trip.