164

Thorburn helped Teárlag draft the written report for Blackthorne. She recapped all the information she'd provided for the past week in the event her maid had taken credit, as she needed to be the one receiving recognition as the author of the accurate news. After she did so, she went into the new information which was critical for Blackthorne to receive.

She wrote, 'I learned in the meeting this evening that Frang and Isobel are coming here with a majority of his fighting men. Apparently, he's telling it about he intends to see the progress of his new house, but it's a deception and he intends to come here. They want Isobel safe from an attack by you after Lady Luck has surrendered most of it's men to Thorburn's leadership. Frang is resistant, but Thorburn reminded him you killed his father, poisoned according to Màiri before she died, so he's reluctantly agreed to assist. Thorburn said they should come early so the men from the two estates could work together for a month or so before they plan their attack, seeing where they are weakest and strongest before hand.'

'Ailene complained she's running out of medicines, particularly if Thorburn intends to pick a fight with you. She said many of the plants need to be dried for weeks before they can be used, so if he plans to wage war, she needs to gather the plants now if he intends to attack you in a months time. There is a glade nearby with a pond where she usually finds the plants she needs. She's been there before, apparently without guard. They made reference to a punishment she suffered after she was attacked by bandits. I assume she'll be defended when she goes this time, though it might present an opportunity for you to take her and end this conflict so we can be married. I don't know where it is, but perhaps your men are familiar with it, or I shall have the opportunity to see it myself before she goes. I understand it's fairly close to the Keep.'

"Speaking of Ailene; I'm surprised, but Thorburn seems to have turned over much of the training to her. I thought he was supposed to be the great warrior of the family, but he's quite pleased with the progress his men have made under her guidance. I know nothing about fighting and warfare, but it does appear the men are comfortable with her training. They seem to have accepted her as a warrior and are willing to welcome her guidance. I understand she's beaten a great many of them in combat, proving herself to them. It seems odd a woman could defeat so many men, but if you have the chance to capture her, perhaps you should use a lot of soldiers to do so you're not forced to kill her. I will send word the usual way if I learn when she intends to collect her plants.'

'They seem to have accepted me into their councils. I am included in all their family meetings. I don't always know when they intend to initiate their plans, as they often don't know themselves until right before they go. On the whole, they make up their minds the moment before. They still believe they are spied upon and wish to provide as little advance notice to you as possible. I know they often choose their routes only as they set out. Thorburn uses me several times per week, and thus far, I've been able to resist his advances on me. He's told me he wishes to know for sure I'm fertile and can provide him with an heir, but I've told him to set a date for our marriage before I risk becoming pregnant. If we conclude our business soon, I shall look forward to providing you the heir and becoming Lady of Blackthorne Manor, a far more magnificent structure than this ugly fortress.'

'My Lord, perhaps when I've helped you to accomplish all your hopes and dreams, you'll have less reason to punish me and more to use me as a woman. I crave your touch, my Lord. It's all I can think of when I allow Thorburn to use me. It's what gets me through my travails.'

She signed it, 'Your loving fiancé, Lady Teárlag Mackintosh'

"Tis well written, Teárlag. You've done nicely. I wish to tell you how much I appreciate your assistance. I know it's been hard on you."

Teárlag sighed and folded the letter. "I shall send it with Bonnie in the morning."

"When this is over, I would send you somewhere and help set you up."

"It's not necessary, Thorburn. I still have the money Blackthorne provided to manage my house in Dervaig. It's in my name. I shall sell it and have even more. When this nightmare is over, it will be adequate thanks. The fact I have but one more time in which I have to see the man is reward enough."

Teárlag removed her robe. "I'm sorry," she said. "I know how much you detest it, but we must pretend to couple again this evening. I suggested to the maid you'd want to sample me again before your journey tomorrow. She'll expect it."

"Aye. Let's be at it then."

She pulled off her night shift and lay down in bed facing away from Thorburn, staring at the wall. She heard Thorburn behind her, felt the bed move, as he started stroking his cock. She quietly engaged a finger to her clit, knowing the brief pleasure she allowed herself to experience would help with the deception of her voice. She moaned, allowing herself to get increasingly louder.

"My beloved Thorburn, put your manly cock in my ass," she screamed. "Let me feel you inside me. Oh, fuck me, Thorburn, fuck me hard. My Lord, you're so big, gently, go gently, love. Augghhh, that's it. Slowly put it in there. You split me apart, Thorburn."

She heard him grunting as he stroked himself. Would that he really was penetrating her.

"Aye, you're so far up my ass, Lord. It feels wonderful to feel you so deep. You can go faster now, faster. Oh, God, you're going to make me cum!"

Teárlag knew Thorburn's hand would be a blur now as he reached for his crest. She recognized the halted breathing, his strangled groans.

"Cum in my ass, Thorburn. Fill me with your seed, Laird. I can hardly wait for the time when you can fuck my cunt." She heard him gasp as he released. "Now, Thorburn, now. I feel it. You're cumming in my ass now. Oh, love. Once again, you make me your woman." She gave a few more strokes to her clit and joined him in release. "I'm cumming, too. You made me orgasm on your cock, my Lord. Thank you for the pleasure you grant me, Thorburn. I burn for you."

She felt Thorburn cleaning up the remnants of his release in the sheets, evidence of their love. She continued to face the wall, unwilling to show him the silent tears flowing down her cheeks. She allowed the last of her tears to fall, then wiped them quickly on the sheet and turned onto her back. She stared morosely at the ceiling in the dark. Thorburn too, lay upon his back, his arm behind his head, wrapped in thought.

"Teárlag, does your maid ever comment on the noise you make during sex?"

"Aye, she's commented on it."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her it's been my experience men like their women vocal; to tell them how manly and wonderful they are as lovers. For the older men, it helped get them hard, and would speed them up if they were taking too long and I was getting sore from their thrusting. I told her she should try it with Blackthorne if he fucked her. It might end it sooner."

"So, every time you were with me, you were play acting as you do now?"

"I wish it were so, Thorburn. My life would be so much easier if it were true. I realize you have no reason to believe anything I ever told you before was the truth, and have limited reason to believe me now, but I enjoyed every second of every minute in bed with you. Aye, I was vocal because I trained myself to be so for my elderly husbands, but you gave me more pleasure than I've ever known. You were thoughtful and gentle and tried hard to give me pleasure instead of taking it for yourself. My moans and squeals and screams were real. You need have no doubt about your skill with a woman."

"It's only you sound so real now. It's hard to know it isn't all acting."

Teárlag sighed. "I shall tell you my dirty little secret, Thorburn. It's only partially acting. I rub myself as you have to do. I pleasure myself with my fingers and pretend it's you; that it's your fingers wriggling up my cunt, your tongue licking my button, your hand caressing my breast. I pretend and remember the joy you gave me as we coupled, how happy I was, how fulfilled I was as a woman making love to a wonderful and tender lover. By remembering the joy we shared, I can pretend now. It's the only way I can, else I should be too sad to ever smile again."

Thorburn fell silent. For many minutes neither of them said anything.

"May I ask a favor, Thorburn, for my assistance to you and your family."

"What is it?"

"I know you will never love me again. I accept it. My betrayal went too deep. But it's unlikely we will ever share your bed again. You will be busy the next few nights and win or lose, our relationship ends in Blackthorne's dungeon in three days time. Blackthorne will be arrested or dead, or we will be. For tonight only, will you sleep with your arms around me as you did before? It is all I'll ask of you. One last night where I can pretend you love me and our time is not ended?"

"Aye, I can do that for you."

"Thank you, Thorburn."

Thorburn drew her close and Teárlag curled into his arms, sighing contentedly.

"Good night, Thorburn."

"Good night, Teárlag."

Thorburn was up before dawn, dressing for the day in Dervaig. He would buy some supplies to encourage the belief he was stockpiling for a battle, but most of what he'd purchase would not be food particularly, but durables. He planned on buying swords, steel, arrows, and additional week or more's worth of food, but primarily; he needed to see the magistrate. Teárlag, still naked, stood at a window watching him prepare to leave. She might not spend more that a few moments with him between now and Monday. She wanted to watch him as much as possible; memorize his face, his body, the way he moved, before they were parted forever. Good to his word, Thorburn had held her all night long. It was the first restful sleep she'd had since moving into the Keep, safe in his arms.

There was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Teárlag asked.

"Bonnie, Lady."

"Come in," she called, staying at the window. When the maid entered, Teárlag signaled her to lock the door behind her. Bonnie did.

"You'll need to change the sheets. Thorburn was quite vigorous last night, as expected."

"Aye, Mistress. I heard."

"Did you? Just remember what I told you, Bonnie. Men love to hear you call their names out in passion as they fuck. If Blackthorne fucks you today, convince him how wonderful he is and he'll probably pay you more than usual."

"You don't care if I fuck your future husband?"

"I should care if you wish to spread your legs and remove some of the burden from me? I think not. I'm rather tired of men poking their pricks in me. If I never had to accept another cock, I should be quite happy. The more he does it with you, the less he needs to bother me. As long as he does it often enough to produce an heir, you can have as much as you want. If I have a bairn and he's male, I never need do it again."

Teárlag went to her new wardrobe and pulled out the letter so carefully constructed with Thorburn last night. She walked back to the maid.

"Give this to Lord Blackthorne right away, before you part your legs for him. There's a chance he might be able to capture Lady Ailene, end this business with the Cameron's, and we can get back to our normal lives. I find the Keep so dreary compared to Blackthorne Manor, or even the house in Dervaig. Bring back any instructions he has for me before I meet with him next week."

"Aye, Mistress."

"What are you waiting for? Take the linens and go. Tell one of the maids to put new sheets on. You're wasting time."

Bonnie curtsied and left. Teárlag returned her gaze to the courtyard. Thorburn was mounting one of the carts. "Good bye, my love," she whispered. She waited until Bonnie entered her carriage and left, then turned from the window.