Chapter 98

Ailene heard Isobel cum in the next room, Frang grunting along with her. He really needed to have a sturdier house. Ailene hoped her coupling with Stuart wasn't as obvious as this was. At least someone was having sex, even if it wasn't her.

She got up and washed, donning her fencing clothes. It was going to be tough training from here on out. Frang told her he expected her to be able to successfully beat Stuart with swords in a month. Ailene spent an hour last night squeezing her seed bags, trying to strengthen her hands and wrists. Her palms were still painful from the blisters she'd popped yesterday, but she would not quit now, no matter how much they hurt. She took some gloves to wear during training, then went down to eat.

Isobel and Frang came down, both with wide grins on their face, while Ailene ate her breakfast. She smiled up at them, glad for their happiness.

"You need a sturdier house, Frang," Ailene said. "Sound carries quite well in this one."

Isobel put her hand over her mouth. "You heard us?" She asked. "I'm so sorry. I was trying to be quiet."

"Don't worry. It's not as though we haven't all heard it before," Ailene laughed. "Knowing how thin the walls are now, I'm sure Stuart and I made too much noise the last time we were here."

"Aye," Frang said. "It was quite distracting given I couldn't do anything for it; Isobel laying at my side and untouchable. Even self gratification was out of the question. The next time you both stay the night, we can have a contest to see who makes their wife squeal the most."

"Frang!" Isobel exclaimed, slugging him in the arm. "You disgusting brute! You'd bet on anything, wouldn't you?" She was smiling as she said it. Was it just a couple days ago she wished she was so comfortable in a relationship she could engage in banter such as this?

Ailene was laughing. "Well if it was a contest; I think Thorburn and Teárlag would win, no question. I didn't know you could scream so loud and it not be from pain."

"The woman has no shame," Isobel heartily agreed. "I would die of mortification, should I ever squeal as loud as she did. Though if I could scream without concern of people hearing me, Frang might give Thorburn a run for his money. You saw how badly I damaged my hand to keep from informing the whole Keep I was climaxing."

Isobel sat down next to Ailene and put some cheese on bread. Ailene hugged her.

"It appears all three Cameron boys were raised knowing how to please a woman," Ailene said in a mock whisper, loud enough for Frang to hear. "But don't tell them I said so. They shall all get swelled heads and be impossible to live with."

Frang laughed. "Too late. On the brighter side; every time I make her pant, squeal and moan in pleasure, my head swells a little more. At the rate we're going, I expect my head to burst within the week."

Ailene and Isobel both laughed.

Suddenly, Ailene grew silent and tears began flowing down her cheek.

"What's wrong, sister? Why do you cry?" Isobel asked.

"I thought of Màiri suddenly. How she will never know the joy we've felt, the pleasure of a man, the bittersweet taste of love. Never to laugh again, or cry, her life snuffed out so young. It's not fair and I'm sorry it's so easy for me to laugh after the torture and death she endured. I hate the bastard who took all of it away from her."

"Aye," Isobel said, squeezing her friend, "I see what you mean, but don't you think our joy and laughter is a reaffirmation of life? A negation of her short life. And each time we laugh, and smile, and cry, and take pleasure in one another's company, we're denying death? We're refusing to let it win; let the Blackthorne's of the world win? Every time we laugh, we laugh for the others who can't laugh anymore; and cry for the others who can't cry anymore. By taking joy in our lives, and living the life God gave us, we refuse to let evil and death win."

"So you believe I laugh for Màiri when I laugh, cry for her when I cry, and take pleasure for her when I'm with Stuart?"

"And for all the others whose life ended too soon. It's our duty to live our lives to the fullest for those who could not. It's the only way not to be weighed down by all the misery existing in the world. Never again will I live life trapped in misery. I vow to live each day to it's fullest. Note this Frang. I'll not live a life bogged down in despair any longer. If you don't treat me as I should be treated, I'm gone. No more suffering as I did under McTavish. Life is too brief to waste it in misery."

"I understand, my Lady," Frang replied.

Ailene stared at her friend, considering her words. "Tis a rare woman you've chosen for yourself, Frang," Ailene said.

Frang put his hand on her shoulder and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "Aye. I know it and thank our Maker every day for bringing her into my life. She's unhappy I'm a gambler, but if I were not, I would never have met her, nor been able to take her from McTavish."

Isobel considered what Frang said. It was true. His gambling was the thing she found most detestable about Frang, but without his propensity to wager, she'd still be with McTavish. The Lord truly did work in mysterious ways. She laid her head to his waist as he stood munching on some crusty rye bread and cheese.

"I'd not considered it, my Lord. Gambling has given me both the most pain and the most pleasure I've received in my life."

Frang sat beside her and ate breakfast, hurrying because they'd taken so much time this morning. When they went outside, Frang's students were waiting and Bjarkë's were hard at training. Frang worked with all the fencers the first couple hours, his other trainees quickly seeing Ailene was the most advanced student amongst them. After three hours, Frang sent the others to their normal tasks, while continuing to work with Isobel and Ailene. When they broke for lunch, Ailene suggested Isobel stop for the day so as not to tire too much. Isobel agreed she might need to go slower due to her pregnancy. She was tired.

After lunch, Frang and Ailene returned to training, Frang working her unmercifully until she was ready to collapse. Back and forth, over and over, he attacked her, expecting her to fend him off, then reversing, to see if she could get past his guard and get a touch.

Rather than return to training after her meal, Isobel met with Mrs. McGillivrey to discuss all their concerns regarding Blackthorne and the need to be watch for possible spies. She informed her of Jamison's poisoning and asked she keep close watch on the household and report any suspicious activity to her or Frang. If they weren't there, she could inform Bjarkë or Cyrus McTeague, but no one else. Isobel wanted a substantial portion of her day devoted to looking about for anything out of place or uncharacteristic activity by any of the servants. She even mentioned Màiri's death as Isobel wanted her aware of how dangerous Blackthorne might be, particularly towards women.

"Aye, my Lady. I'll keep a close eye out for certain. There's a maid I've thought was lolly gagging, but mayhap it's more sinister than mere laziness."

"Thank you, Mrs. McGillivrey. I appreciate your diligence."

Isobel proceeded doing all the other things required in running a large household. She knew they were going to Market Day on Saturday, so she gathered a list of supplies needed purchasing as well as talking to Mr. Craig about what they might sell at market. William Craig believed they had more to sell than expected. People were beginning to believe the Cameron's would provide if difficulties ensued, so they hoarded less than their custom under McTavish.

When Ailene finished her training late in the afternoon, she dragged her way to her room. She was completely and utterly whipped, in a state of total exhaustion. She was extremely grateful to find a tub and hot water Isobel arranged for her. Ailene stripped off her sweat soaked clothes and slowly sank into the steamy water, letting it soak away the aches, pains and weariness. If it weren't for the fact Ailene was so hungry, she could easily fall asleep in the hot water. Ailene soaked for a half hour before getting up to eat supper. Isobel and Frang were already eating when she arrived.

"Thank you for providing the bath, Isobel. I was so tired, I could barely move. The bath helped immensely. I'm sure I shall still sleep like the dead tonight, but at least I won't fall asleep in my soup."

"You're welcome. Frang still manages to have a bath waiting for me when I retire. I do enjoy it so."

"My, my, dear. You have him very well trained given how little time you've been wed," Ailene teased.

"I didn't have to train him. He did it on his own," Isobel replied.

"Speaking of training, you'll get used to it, the more you do it," Frang said. "In a couple weeks, you'll have energy to spare when you're finished."

"If I survive the next couple weeks," moaned Ailene. "You're a slave driver."

"I'd like to have another meeting after we eat," Frang said. "Bjarkë and Cyrus will join us. I think it's important we establish some rules to abide by until the Blackthorne issue is resolved. Obvious ones like not going anywhere alone, but others as well. Thorburn is right. We need to set you both up with guards, someone who stays with you constantly."

"What, you mean to follow me around all the time?" Isobel asked.

"Yes. My father was murdered in his own house by a trusted servant. Granted, it was poison, but it didn't have to be. It could easily have been a knife in the ribs. I don't want to have the discussion now, though." Frang glanced around the kitchen. At least six other people were currently within earshot. His meaning was clear.