“Good, good,” Dugald Kerr said, nodding. Then he turned to Maggie.
“The far cottages are supplied for the winter. Clennon saw to it a few days ago. We brought Mary Kerr back with us, as her daughter was ready to deliver her first bairn.
“Bessy and Sorcha assured us they could manage the winter without her. Mary’s lass had just gone into labor, and we reached the cottage at the same time Midwife Agnes did. After the storm passes, I’ll send to see all went well, and if it did, we’ll bring a gift.”
“Well,” the laird said, “ye’ve both had a busy day. The meal is ready, and ye’ll want an early bed after yer cold ride.”
Maggie laughed again. “Grandsire, ye must never go to court, for subtlety is not yer gift, I fear.” But she felt her cheek warming as her eye caught Fin’s, and he winked wickedly at her.
The wooden trenchers were set upon the high board and the trestles to be filled with hot venison stew. Father David, who usually ate with them, said a blessing. There was bread, butter, and cheese. They ate heartily, washing their food down with a dark red wine. Maggie wanted something sweet after the meal. Grizel fetched her a small dish of stewed apples and pears. The laird’s piper came into the hall and played for them. Dugald Kerr, and his younger brother, David, left the high board to play a game of chess.
Maggie arose from her place. “Give me time to bathe lightly,” she said, and was gone from the hall.
He watched her go, thinking that although they had but formally consummated their marriage only yesterday, it felt as if he had been with her and at Brae Aisir forever. He looked forward to going upstairs and spending the evening in her bed. He had never seen himself as a married man, but he realized in a burst of clarity that he very much liked the way his life seemed to be progressing. The hall was warm, his belly was full, his bonnie and braw wife was waiting for him. Could a man really ask for more? Standing up, he stretched himself, stepped down from the high board, and left the hall.
“What think ye?” the priest asked his older brother, watching as Fin departed.
“Oddly, they seem well suited,” Dugald Kerr said, and he smiled. “He told me he likes her. That’s to the good, Davy.”
“Does she like him?” the priest said.
“Maggie has said naught to me but that she respects him. She’s not a lass who flirted or teased the lads. She’s never been in love even a wee bit. But if she respects him, she will be a good wife to him, and she will do her duty by us all,” the laird concluded. He moved his knight piece into an attack position.
“I’ll pray for them both,” David Kerr said as he studied the chessboard, deciding how he would counter his elder sibling’s move.
Fingal Stewart had gone up the stairs into the narrow hallway to his own bedchamber. He found Archie waiting for him. His serving man had put out a cloth, a rag, and a basin of hot water with a little cake of soap for his master. He took Lord Stewart’s garments and boots as they were removed.
“Will ye want yer night garment, my lord?” he asked in a bland voice.
“Nay,” Fin answered briefly as he quickly washed himself.
“Is there anything more I might do for ye then, my lord?” Archie said.
“Nay, thank ye,” came his answer. “Go and see if ye can steal a kiss from Grizel.”
Archie chuckled. “She’s not an easy woman, my lord,” he said. “Good night.”
The serving man shut the door behind him and was gone.
Fin smiled at the reply as he pressed the carved rose that opened the door connecting their two chambers. He stepped through into Maggie’s bedroom. She was seated cross-legged and naked upon the bed, brushing her long chestnut-colored hair.
Looking up at his entrance, she smiled mischievously at him. “I see we are of one mind,” she said, her eyes boldly sweeping over him.
“Aye, I thought it practical,” he agreed, climbing into bed with her and taking the brush from her hand as he seated himself behind her. He began to stroke it through her long locks. “I like yer hair,” he said. “It smells of flowers.” Bending, he kissed her shoulder and nuzzled the curve of her neck. He set the brush aside.
“Ye have hair as black as a raven’s wing,” Maggie replied. “I never knew anyone with such dark hair.” She had not ever considered a man would brush her tresses, but she had to admit to herself that she very much liked it. The kiss and nuzzle he gave her set her pulse racing, as did the knowledge that they sat together naked in her bed.
His hands slipped about her to cup her two breasts in his palms as he kissed the shallow hollow where her shoulder and neck met. Her nipples immediately hardened.
“We are lovers now, Maggie mine, and as such we should enjoy each other,” Fin said.
His rough thumbs rubbed the two nipples. “I don’t want ye fretting over what to do. I want ye to follow yer instincts when we are together like this. There is no wrong or right when lovers are together.”
Maggie leaned back against him. Until yesterday no man had ever handled her, but strangely she was not shocked by his actions. Her breasts being cradled in the warmth of his palms felt good.Very good. She felt the pressure of his belly against her back.
“Ye will instruct me?” she asked him.
“I will teach ye what pleases me, and ye will tell me honestly what pleases ye, or displeases ye. If we are to pleasure each other, it must be that way. Too many men simply take from their women. I would give as well as take, and have ye do the same.”
