Chapter 82

Soon after Isobel and Ailene left to fix Isobel's hand, Stuart asked Frang how his marital night went.

"We made a good start," Frang said. "Better than I might have expected."

"Ailene said you would allow Isobel to proceed at her own pace due to her previous life."

"Aye. I've promised her I'd never force her to do something she's not ready for."

"Was she able to do anything?"

"We kissed last night. It was all I asked of her. We slept lying together last night. I held her from behind. This morning she stroked me to climax and to show her that many things were possible to man and wife, I licked her to orgasm. Tis the reason she needed Ailene to look at her hand this morning. She bit it to keep from screaming like Teárlag the last two mornings."

"She bit her hand to keep from screaming?" Teárlag asked, entering the kitchen with Thorburn.

"Aye. Apparently her own hand is worth not having the entire Keep know she's receiving pleasure," laughed Frang and Teárlag had the grace to blush.

"I'll have you know I hold your brother entirely responsible," Teárlag said. "Before meeting him, I didn't know a woman could feel so much ecstasy she would need to howl."

"You hear that, Thorburn. You're responsible for waking up the entire household before dawn breaks," Stuart said. "Quit doing whatever it is you're doing."

"Nay, Thorburn," Teárlag laughed. "Do not stop. Never stop. Instead, I must learn to bite my linens as Ailene does."

"Or your hand as Isobel does," Frang said.

"It was our last night together," Thorburn said. "I thought something special was called for."

"It must have been very special indeed," Stuart said. "I've never heard a woman scream so long nor so loud unless she was being tortured."

"That's exactly what he was doing, Stuart, torturing me. Never have I been so tortured. Six times he brought me to the brink of my climax without allowing my release. When he finally did on the seventh, not only was it unexpected, my body was so overwrought I think I swooned."

"I've never heard of this technique, Thorburn; perhaps I shall have to try it on Ailene tonight," Stuart said.

"Try what on me?" Ailene asked, reentering the kitchen.

"I was just explaining to Stuart how Thorburn tormented me this morning, causing me to howl so," Teárlag said.

"Since it in no wise sounded like a scream of pain, I might be willing to be tormented so," Ailene replied.

"Aye," Teárlag replied. "At first you will hate him for torturing you, but in the end, you will find yourself howling as I did unless you gag yourself with your bedclothes."

"That may be worth it," Ailene said, glancing at Stuart. "Have you learned enough of this torture or must you consult further with your brother?"

"I think I know enough to carry it off," Stuart said laughing, "but if Teárlag is leaving today, perhaps Thorburn could demonstrate the technique personally."

"Only if you don't think you're man enough to carry it off yourself," Ailene responded archly. "I expect my husband to know all there is to know about giving his wife pleasure. Any lack on his part, might give me cause to consider if I've married the right person."

"Wait a minute," Teárlag protested, "this one is mine." She patted Thorburn on the shoulder. "Any inability on the part of the husband to please his wife is because the wife failed to properly train him."

They all broke into laughter, even Frang and Isobel who hadn't been part of the conversation. All were aware how much Ailene doted on Stuart and would not trade him for another man, no matter the cause. Isobel shared a glance with Frang. She wondered if they might someday be sharing a similar jest. She hoped Ailene's suggestion would allow her to get past her fear of another man and lead to the love and good natured taunting they were all enjoying. She put her hand on Frang's shoulder and he reached up and squeezed her hand, seeming to know what she was thinking. Maybe he did. She was sure he would be happy to join in their ribaldry if he could.

Frang stood up, saying, "We need to get ready to leave. It's time to see what's gone on in my absence. I'm still learning to be a Laird. Can you be ready to go in two hours, Isobel?"

"Yes, husband. Ailene, could you please let Jinny know you're allowing her to come with Frang and I and ask her to get ready? If it would take her more than two hours, I suppose we could arrange for her to make the change on the next market day. Would that be next Saturday?"

The men looked at one another, then nodded as one, Thorburn saying, "Aye. That would work."

"I'll let her know," Ailene said.

"I'll tell all the men going with us to get ready," Frang said. "Would it be possible for me to keep Bjarkë for a few more weeks, brother, until we've got ours trained up a bit more?"

"Aye. He's expecting to go back."

"I must get ready to go as well," Teárlag said. "I'm to visit my remaining family in Tobermory. It's a lengthy journey and I really should be going soon."

"I'll make sure your servants are informed and your horse and carriage made ready," Thorburn said. "I'll come visit you on Saturday next."

"Thank you, Thorburn. I look forward to your visit with great pleasure."

"Will you wake up the whole town of Dervaig as you did the Keep this morning, Lady Mackintosh?" Stuart asked.

"You will have to come to Dervaig to find out, Stuart. You shall have to tell me if you were successful in making Ailene howl as I did," Teárlag replied, laughing. "Or if you needed Thorburn's help."

Isobel laughed with them all and said, "It is evident you can withstand good natured teasing and dish it back as well as you can take it."

"Well I figure with this family, if you've got a thin skin, you won't last long," she replied. "It seems they'll give you the shirt off their backs, but make fun of you as they do."

"So true," Ailene said. "They are nothing more than fun loving louts, but lovable and honorable nonetheless." She laid a kiss on Stuart's cheek.

They broke up, Ailene to speak to Jinny, Frang to the men, Isobel to begin packing, Stuart to the training grounds, Teárlag to Thorburn's room to await her servants, and Thorburn to inform her servants to attend to her and get her carriage ready to go.

Ailene found Jinny in the sewing room, busily working on some guardsmen clothes.

"Jinny, Isobel has spoken to me about you taking service with Frang and her at Lady Luck along with your husband. Is this something you wish to do?"

"Aye, mistress. It would be a huge step for me and I'd like the opportunity to prove myself as head housekeeper. I am deeply indebted to you, Stuart and Thorburn, ma'am, but I would like to do this if you don't mind."

"I don't mind, Jinny. Your a valued member of my staff and I shall miss you greatly, but I understand how much this would mean to you and your husband. Frang has said you should be ready in two hours, or if you cannot make that, we can arrange for you to join them next market day on Saturday."

"My goodness, I thought they might be here another day. I don't think I can be ready in two hours. Has anyone spoken to my husband yet?"

"Stuart should be telling to him as we speak. It's no problem if you're not ready now. They will be riding on horseback today. On Saturday, you could ride a cart or wagon which may be more comfortable for you."

"My thanks to you, Lady Cameron for letting me go. Tis the only bad part of leaving, the friends and loved ones we leave behind. I consider you one of those."

"As I reminded Isobel, they are not far away. I consider it my responsibility to check in on her during the course of her pregnancy. We shall see each other fairly often, I'm sure."

"Please convey my thanks to Lady Isobel and let her know we will be joining them on Saturday. By your leave, Lady, I must speak to my husband."

"Of course. I'll see you later then."

Ailene went to Frang's room and saw Isobel engaged in packing for their return. They would be carrying more than they arrived with. Isobel was holding up a white garment of stunning beauty, folding it to pack away.

"What's that, Isobel?"

Isobel turned and saw Ailene at the door looking at the garment in her hands.

"It's a night gown made of silk," Isobel said. "Teárlag gave it to me yesterday as a wedding gift. She said it helps fire up the husbands to do their duty. I could not wear it last night. I wasn't prepared for Frang to consummate our marriage."

"May I see it?"

"Of course," Teárlag said, handing it over.

Ailene shook it out and held it up to the light.

"It's so light and thin. I can see why she believes husbands would like it."

"You should have seen it on me. It revealed more than it hid. I felt more naked in it."

"Made of silk, you say?"

"Aye. Teárlag said it's very expensive material," Isobel said. "I've heard of the material, but never seen nor touched it."

"I saw some in Edinburgh once. It was not so sheer as this. It's lovely. Are you planning on using it?"

"When I've determined to go ahead with your plan. I'm not sure when."

"Would you like me to help you pack?"

"Please."