166

Stuart and Ailene lay naked in bed together. Stuart was lightly tracing his fingers over all the lovely curves of Ailene's body; her breasts, hips, buttocks, shoulders, neck. His hand drew nigh her curl covered sex and Ailene spread her legs to grant him access to her soft folds.

"Fencing has done well for you, my Lady. There is a firmness under the softness that wasn't there before. And if my memory serves, you might be tighter now than on our marriage night when I took your virginity. It seems the exercise is good for more than your arms and legs."

Ailene purred. "You think so, Stuart?"

"Aye, when you climax on my fingers, I'm afraid they'll be crushed during the contractions, and the feel of you on my cock cannot be described, lass, except for the word 'heavenly'."

Ailene giggled. "What about when I cum on your tongue, Lord."

Stuart grinned. "Well, if I'm foolish enough to leave my tongue inside you when you cum, it feels if you're trying to suck my entire face up your sweet cunt."

"Ooh. I think we should try right now, Stuart, to see if you're telling the truth, or trying to flatter your wife into another bout of fucking."

"Can't it be both," Stuart replied, starting to slide down her body. "Flattery and the truth. For while it's true I'm ready to plunge my cock into your sweet sheath again, I'm not lying about the blessed tightness." His hands parted the dark hair and his tongue dipped into her liquid core.

"Mmm, Stuart. I love when you do that. It's my second favorite thing you do to me in the whole world."

Stuart paused. "What's the first?"

"Don't stop," Ailene ordered, "and I'll tell you."

Stuart resumed his oral attentions on his lady's moist cleft.

"My most favorite is the first moment your cock enters me; when it spreads me, pushes my heated flesh aside and the head glides deep into me. As you said, it's heavenly."

Stuart stopped again. "You're in luck, my love. I fully intend doing both of those things to you again."

"I look forward to it, but not before you finish doing what you're doing down there," she said, pushing his face back into her sex.

She heard and felt Stuart's muffled laughter as he continued plunging her depths with his tongue. She moaned in pleasure and her legs parted more and drew up, granting him full admittance to her dripping sex. She felt two of his fingers penetrate her as his mouth moved to the magic button at the top of her cleft and her back bowed as he wrung another groan from her pleasure wracked body.

"You're making me cum, love," she whispered, a fresh spate of her fluid drenching his fingers. Ailene whimpered again, her body spasming at his touch.

Stuart waited until her tremors died, then climbed over her body, his cock rock hard.

"Are you ready for your favorite thing, Ailene?"

"More than ready," she whispered. "Fuck me, Stuart."

"Put me into you, dear heart."

Ailene reached between them and found his prick, the tip slick with pre-cum. She lodged it at the entrance to her womb and wrapping her legs around Stuart, drew him into herself, sighing as he plunged in, burrowing into her fevered flesh.

"My husband," she cried. "Love me."

Stuart stroked back and forth, in and out, from the purple tip of his crown until his sack slapped against her taut bottom. He found a rhythm they both enjoyed and pumped, enjoying the heat, the wetness, the softness. She moaned and her sheath tightened, clasping him in trembling spasms as she climaxed. Stuart groaned. Ailene was so tight, so exquisite against him he could scarce breathe as she clamped around him. Her trembling ceased and he continued to plunder her treasure, entranced by the sight, the sound, the smell of her. He reached between them and grasped her breast, full and sublime, the puckered nipple taut and engorged, just as his cock was. Moaning, he felt his balls draw up as they prepared to pump his hot seed into his wife. He slammed deep and the top of his cock exploded from the pressure and jet after jet flooded into her, leaking out between her legs despite the tight seal as she cried out again and clamped around his organ, hoping to retain every drop of his essence. Stuart continued to pulse, his back arched as his sack emptied.

When it ended, he dropped to her side, holding her tight as her own tremors eased.

"Was it as good for you as it was for me?" Ailene asked, her voice low and soft in his ear.

"It was as wonderful as could be hoped for, my love." He kissed her, soft and gentle. Stuart got up to dress.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. Stuart opened it and Thorburn stuck in his head.

"Are you ready to go, Stuart?" He asked, nodding hello to Ailene in the bed. "Bjarkë should be outside waiting and we made another sweep of our land a half hour ago to clear out the spies."

"Aye, I'm ready."

Stuart kissed Ailene again and she sat up to watch him go, clutching the bedding to her chest. As soon as the door closed, she sprang from bed and threw on her robe, opening the door, expecting Stuart and Thorburn to be at the stairs, though all she saw was Teárlag, watching for anyone who might be spying from below. She heard a noise at the window behind her and turned to see Stuart climbing out the window, Thorburn watching to see he made it to the ground safely. She watched to see Thorburn follow him out, waving to her before he disappeared down the rope. Once they were gone, Teárlag left the stairs, going to the window, untying the rope, pulling it up and closing the window.

Carrying the rope, Teárlag stopped by Ailene, whispering, "They didn't want anyone seeing them leave the Keep. Apparently, Thorburn's used this way to sneak out before."

"Can you come into my room for a moment Teárlag?"

"Of course."

Ailene drew her in and locked the door. Going to the bed, she sat down and waited for Teárlag to sit beside her.

"I have something to tell you, but you must promise never to tell anyone until this is over. Can you do that for me?"

Teárlag looked at Ailene askance, wondering at her request. "I won't tell anyone unless you wish it," she replied, "but why?"

"I'm pregnant with Stuart's child, and if anyone were to know, they would not let me do what must be done," Ailene whispered. "I do not want to raise a child in a world with Blackthorne walking free in it. This is our only chance to stop him and I want to take this chance. I wanted to get pregnant so I could have a little piece of Stuart if something were to happen to him. I got my wish, but now it's me who faces the greatest risk and he would want this child in the worst way, but I can't wait until it's born. Too much is at stake, so promise me you won't speak of it unless I die."

"My God, Ailene, are you certain? Why do you put this burden on me? I do not want it."

"I missed my last monthly," Ailene said. "I'm fairly certain I got pregnant around the Midsummer Festival and Isobel's and Frang's wedding. I'm not sick yet and healthy, so if I survive this, the child should too. But if I don't, I want you to look after Stuart. I know he's not the one you love, and you're a little older, but he does care for you and he's forgiven you as I have. He may not turn to you, but if you're available, he might. I know he finds you attractive. He's told me so. You could remain close to Thorburn. I know it's a mess, but I ask it of you if you have any affection for me at all."

"Ailene, it's crazy; silly and crazy."

"We've all become friends. I know Thorburn was hurt, but he cares for you still, I know he does. He may not wish you to wife, but he respects all you've done for us. We could be your family, Teárlag. I know you care for us, too. Don't disappear from their lives. Remain here or at Lady Luck Farm. Isobel would befriend you. Frang will have room in the new house."

Teárlag sighed. "You ridiculous girl. I'm as likely to die as you, but if you're going to tell me your secrets, I suppose I should tell you mine. I'm pregnant too. About two months, I think, as close as I can figure. I'm starting to show a little, though Thorburn wouldn't notice, he no longer sees me naked."

"Is it Thorburn's?" Ailene asked.

"Most likely," Teárlag answered, "though it's a slim chance it be Blackthorne's. I made sure I fucked him once when there was a chance I could carry Thorburn's child. I was already determined I wouldn't marry him. When he beat me and gave me to McTavish, I knew I'd rather die first. He said he wouldn't marry me if I carried a child, but if he believed it his own, he might not realize I betrayed him with Thorburn. What a mess I've made of my life. I do know I will love this child with all my heart as I believe it to be Thorburn's."

"Why have you not told Thorburn?"

"I would not have him forced to accept me on behalf of a child. I want him to love me for who I am, ugly faults and mistakes included, not because he fathered a child on me. It's why I'm reluctant to remain here. He may believe it's his and do the honorable thing regardless of how much he detests me. I chose to take his seed. He didn't force it on me."

"All the more reason to remain here or on Lady Luck. Stuart would make a wonderful father, as would Frang. Even if no one wedded you, your child would be cared for and loved."

"I don't think it's wise, Ailene. It would be too hard on me, knowing what I've lost to my own greed. It wouldn't be fair to Stuart, wedding him if I loved Thorburn. It wouldn't be fair to Thorburn if he wedded me because of the child. I've made colossal mistakes and I can't fix them by mucking up things some more. I'm sorry. Stuart will eventually find someone else. He's a good, kind man. Don't foist a fallen woman like me on him because he's heartbroken to lose you." Teárlag patted Ailene's cheek, then hugged her. "Thank you for asking. It makes me feel better I haven't ruined all my friendships."

"Will you remain here with me until Stuart returns? I'm scared for him," Ailene said.

"Of course I will. I'm scared too. Let me get my night clothes," Teárlag responded.

She left and returned ten minutes later wearing a night dress. She climbed into the bed with Ailene and comforted her, knowing all she faced in the days to come. Ailene eventually fell asleep and Teárlag stared up at the ceiling, dim in the banked firelight, praying God look after the three men. "May He look after all of us," she whispered in the dark.