Chapter Twenty-Nine

“It was a rather interesting day,” Darius said as he held Arianna in their bed.

“From start to finish,” she agreed.

“We should be relieved someone didn’t die.”

“The day isn’t over,” she replied.

Through the wall, she heard Elizabeth stomping about.

“She doesn’t seem the same girl I found outside of Wyndham Village.”

“Sadly, she’s not.” Arianna sighed.

“Do you want to talk about it, my wee witch?”

“She’s been intimate with several men and fully intends to continue doing so.”

“Truly?” he asked, clearly astounded.

“She’d gladly be with you without thought of me or a guilty conscience.”

“That would never happen,” Darius said.

“You’re an honorable man, but many aren’t. She’s lovely, youthful and seductive.”

“Aye, not a good combination.”

“We can’t keep her locked up indefinitely. I suppose we must tell Patrick and Bessie, but their son is one of her lovers.”

“Wee Patrick?”

Arianna nodded.

“That does complicate matters,” he said.

“Aye.”

“Thank Christ Alcott is gone or this day would’ve been far worse,” Darius stated.

“I’m relieved they’re staying with Ethan and Charlotte. Why do you think he left so easily?”

“You gave him a pain remedy and I did what I could to make the peg leg better. Perhaps he didn’t want to cause trouble with so many here.”

“Maybe,” Arianna said.

“I’m grateful Sammy’s arm is healed. Your magic saved him, Arianna. Thank you.”

“I couldn’t see him in pain. Burns are excruciating and fester easily.”

“Aye,” he said as he grazed the scar on her throat. “You were happy to see your friend Jean-Claude.”

“It was certainly unexpected. I didn’t think I’d see Jean-Claude again.”

“He was happy to see you, too.”

“We were good friends for some time.”

“Oui, mon Sullie.” Darius spoke in an exaggerated French accent and Arianna giggled.

“But now, I don’t just want to talk, my wee witch,” he said kissing her throat and fondling her breasts.

“Darius, we can’t…not tonight.”

“Why not? You’re unclothed, not attired in that cumbersome night shirt you don during your monthlies.”

She smiled remembering the first time he came to bed when she wore that garment.

“Have I done somethin’ to displease you?” He stared at her.

“Wouldn’t you know if you had?”

“I’m a man, Arianna. Men often don’t know when or how they’ve displeased their women.”

She grinned at the uncertain look on his face.

“Unless you’re responsible for a woman’s monthly bleeding, this has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, aye, now I understand,” he said. His ruddy cheeks surprised her.

“You’ve never discussed this before?” Arianna asked.

“I wouldn’t have discussed anything personal with Liza, like pregnancy and childbirth—it’s not something men know much about.”

“I suppose not,” she said, “but I’d like to be able to discuss everything with you, Darius.”

“Arianna?” Darius said, his voice bringing her back to the present.

“No, my monthlies have nothing to do with why we can’t be together tonight. But if we can hear Elizabeth grumbling, she could hear us.”

“That would deter you?”

“Aye.”

“We’re married; there’s no reason we shouldn’t be together. I’m not bothered who might hear.”

“If you knew how desperate Elizabeth is, you’d know why I hesitate.”

“Desperate? She’s just a girl.”

“An amorous, apparently already experienced young woman. I tell you plain, Darius, if you desired it, she’d be with you. Surely you’ve seen how she looks at you? Besides young Patrick, she’s apparently been intimate with two of Bessie’s nephews, Henry McKee, both Kevin and Kaleb Murphy and an unnamed married man.”

“I’ll have the Murphy boys’ bollocks! Bessie will be fit to be tied!”

“Can you fault them? If an attractive young woman is offering intimacy, how many young men refuse? How many men in general refuse?”

“That’s likely true, but I don’t see how us not bein’ together will help.”

“When you’re lusting, wouldn’t hearing others in the act only make you want it more?”

“Maybe you could be a wee bit quieter,” he suggested.

“Do you intend to hold a pillow over my face?”

He grinned and shook his head.

“You and I can wait,” she said.

“Sarah and Elizabeth will be stayin’ downstairs as soon as the other guests leave,” Darius stated.

“I believe they might stay till the cabins and church are built.”

“That could be some time. I tell you plain, I don’t intend to go long without lovin’ you, Arianna.”

“We’ll find time to be together, Husband,” she said reaching beneath the bedcovers.

“What exactly are you doin’, my wee witch?”

“Appeasing your needs for now,” she whispered. “You’re not typically as vocal.”

He moved her hand.

“You’re turning down such an offer?” she said staring into his eyes by the firelight.

“If you must wait, I’ll wait, too. The church and cabins will assuredly be built in record time.”

She laid her head on his chest and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

With the men all working, the new buildings were well on their way. The women heartily fed the men and continued the harvest of the rye, corn and vegetables. The entire settlement was buzzing with activity. Even the younger children helped and Grandmother MacDonald occasionally lent a hand. Arianna was always amused at everyone’s reaction to the eccentric woman.

“She hasn’t been about since Darius’s mother passed,” Bessie said rolling out pastry.

“She’s not so fractious once you get to know her,” Arianna replied holding wee Daniel and looking at his angelic face.

“The church is comin’ along well,” Kathleen said.

“Aye, and your da says we’ll be movin’ into our home by week’s end,” Bessie said.

“I’ve appreciated your help, Ma, and you, Arianna. You’ve had a houseful, been doin’ so much cookin’ and still helped with the harvest and the children.”

“I like being busy and I adore your children,” Arianna said, smiling at the baby.

“Darius has given that handsome, sweet-talkin’ Frenchman a bed when he looks at you like he’d gladly bed you,” Bessie said.

“Ma, keep your thoughts to yourself.”

“Darius and Jean-Claude have become fast friends,” Arianna said. “They stayed up the last two nights playing chess.”

Arianna followed Bessie’s gaze to Elizabeth staring at the men. The temperatures remained unseasonably warm. Arianna believed it was her blissful contentedness reflected in the weather. Many men had removed their shirts. Arianna saw several women giving a long, appreciative gaze at Darius with his praiseworthy, muscular golden chest, arms and back. Arianna certainly liked viewing his grandness and Elizabeth looked as though she might salivate.

“What are you and Da goin’ to do about her?”

“I’ve talked to her till I’m blue in the face, but as you know, she and I often clash. She’s more likely to listen to your da, but she’s becoming increasingly willful. We’ve forbidden her to go near men unless in our company,” Bessie stated.

“She’s full of zest for couplin’,” Kathleen said.

“You were just as zestful, Kathleen.”

“I still am, but only with Samuel. Elizabeth wouldn’t care if she coupled with the vicar.”

“If she were a man she’d probably be commended on her many partners,” Arianna dared to say, though she did worry for Elizabeth.

“I don’t think she’d be judged quite as harshly if she wasn’t lookin’ so eagerly at other women’s husbands like she’d gladly spread her thighs for any one of them,” Bessie said.

“If she became with child, she wouldn’t even know who to name as the father,” Kathleen added. “She’d be ridiculed far more for that.”

“There are men believed to become depraved when they can’t get enough sexual relations. I suppose there might be women like that, too,” Bessie said.

“Most men can’t get enough; that’s simply the way of it,” Kathleen said. “Are you still denyin’, Darius?”

Arianna blushed.

“Why would you be denyin’ your husband, especially when the man looks like that?” Bessie asked, staring appraisingly at Darius.

“I’m not really…denying him,” Arianna said.

“You’re just not permittin’ him to bed you.” Kathleen chuckled. “Samuel said Darius has been a wee bit irritable. He asked him if the honeymoon was over and the two of you were no longer playin’ at it like rabbits.”

“Our cabin’s full of people; I prefer privacy.”

“She’s a screamer!” Bessie said.

Arianna’s mouth fell open.

“We’re not daft, lass. If you wouldn’t ever let him have you, sure you’d be as frigid as poor Liza was, but if it’s only because others are near…”

“Ma, if I wasn’t recoverin’ from the birthing, you’d hear more than you’d like,” Kathleen said.

“If your bairns weren’t sleepin’ near your da and me, you might, too,” Bessie said.

“I’m still tryin’ to forget seein’ you and Da together in the kitchen.”

“Apple pie isn’t the only dessert he likes on the table,” Bessie jested.

Kathleen made a face and covered her ears.

“I’ll see to supper,” Arianna said passing the sleeping babe to his mother. “I’ve heard enough especially since I haven’t had dessert for a while.”

Arianna saw the men taking a break drinking ale, but Darius walked toward the pond. Occasionally he liked to cool off after working. The venison was on the spit with the two youngest Murphy boys turning it. Vegetables were in the pots ready to cook. Arianna had baked several loaves of bread earlier.

She could afford some time. She’d get soap and towels and join Darius. Surrounded by trees, the pond was secluded. She’d missed being with him and didn’t know it would be so difficult to share a bed and not make love. She’d even begun wearing a nightgown every night.

When she got to the pond, Arianna stayed back watching him. He washed his face and chest, shook his shoulder-length hair. He was an astonishingly grand man, muscular and appealing. She admired his broad shoulders, well-formed chest, rippling stomach and the muscular ridges just below his waist. The water covered the rest, but knowing what remained fully aroused her.

When she heard a twig snap, she was furious to see Charlotte watching, too. Arianna stayed behind the tree to see what the vexatious woman would do. When Charlotte drew nearer, Darius lowered himself.

“Do you need someone to warm you?” Charlotte asked.

“If the water was cold I wouldn’t be here,” Darius dismissively said.

“Why don’t you bathe at home?”

“The pond’s convenient.”

Charlotte seductively smiled, unfastened the pin holding her dark hair, then her hands went to her laces. “Should I join you?”

“You should leave so I can come out and dry off.”

“Come out, then,” Charlotte urged. “I like seeing…all of you.”

Infuriated, Arianna wanted to storm over, push the woman in and perhaps hold her head under the water. Arianna noticed movement nearby and saw Elizabeth watching as well. By the look on her face, she was enjoying what she saw as much as Charlotte. Arianna would put an end to this straightaway.

“You should perhaps charge a viewing fee, Darius,” Arianna said as she moved from behind the tree and walked to the pond.

He smiled when he saw her. “I don’t think I’d make worthy coin.”

“I’m not so certain,” she said glancing from Charlotte to Elizabeth.

He looked at Arianna curiously. Glowering at both women, Arianna decided to make them fully aware she was his wife. She untied her own long hair and took off her boots and stockings. Although typically modest, she removed her gown and shift and waded into the water.

Charlotte glared at Arianna and, looking back at her, Arianna waved her hand and the woman landed on her backside in the mud. She stared at Arianna accusingly as she made several attempts to stand, but continued to fall straight back down. Her fine gown was soon soiled and her hands covered in mud. She pushed away her now messy hair, streaking her face with dirt. Arianna fully delighted in her humiliation. Charlotte sneered and Elizabeth watched on as Arianna swam to Darius.

“Hello, my wee witch,” Darius whispered as he pulled her to him and kissed her. “I’ve missed seein’ you like this.”

“I’ve missed more than just seeing you,” she whispered as she put her arms around his neck and kissed his shoulder.

“Now that you’ve stunned the two of them, what do you intend to do?” Darius asked.

“Stun them further.” She moved her hand beneath the water to find him impressively aroused. “You once told me cold water is a determent to male arousal.”

“Aye, but no match for wanting you. That’s why I was here in the first place, but seein’ you like this, there’s no hope of staving my need.”

She smiled and kissed him—a long, slow kiss—and his arms tightened around her.

“I’m in this state because you didn’t want anyone to hear us together. Now you want me to have you while two women watch?”

“They’ll leave soon enough,” she said. “Charlotte will once she pulls herself from the muck.” She giggled at that. “Elizabeth is standin’ far enough away she wouldn’t know if we were truly doin’ anything or just pretending.”

“There’ll be no pretendin’, my wee witch; you can be sure of that,” he huskily said, but they waited till both women finally left, then moved to the middle of the pond, mostly concealed by bulrushes.

“You do know the water here is over my head?” she said as he lifted her to him and she gasped as he entered her.

“I promise you, I’ll not let you be drowned, my wee witch.”