Page 20 of The Lyon and the Lass

Kerrigan continued to study her as she followed the woman up the stairs. She felt a tad faint but made it to their lodgings. It was a small room, but considering the location of the inn, not a bad space.

She began to struggle out of her dress and Jess helped her out of it. “’Tis yer woman’s time, aye?” she asked.

Christine nodded. “How did you know?”

The dress landed on the floor, and the corset followed, leaving her in her chemise. “Ye have that look about ye. I’m no longer bothered with it, but I remember it well. Why does yer husband think ye are sick? Dinna ye tell him what yer trouble was?”

Christine felt the blood rush to her face. “No. We’re newly married and I didn’t know how to tell him without embarrassing myself.”

“Lass, I’m sure yer husband kens all about a woman’s flow. He doesna look to me as a mon who isn’t familiar with all things about lass’s bodies.” She winked at her which only made her face grow warmer. “And ye say ye’re newly married. What will ye tell him when he reaches for ye tonight?”

Christine drew in a breath. “Oh, I never thought about that.” She felt like a fool. Of course, Kerrigan would expect to share intimacies with her tonight. It had been that way since the first time they made love.

A knock on the door drew their attention. Jess opened the door, leaving only a narrow space since Christine was undressed. “Leave the satchel there by the door and go to the kitchen and fill a jug with warm water. Bring that back with a cloth.”

Jess waited until Christine heard footsteps on the stairs and then she opened the door all the way and retrieved the satchel.

It didn’t take long for Jess to get Christine washed, changed into her nightrail, and her hair brushed and plated. It felt lovely to have someone care for her body.

“I will send up a tonic for ye to take that will ease yer pain and help ye sleep,” she said as she gathered the clothing from the floor and folded it.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Jess was only gone from the room for about fifteen minutes when the door to the bedchamber opened and Kerrigan stepped in. He carried a mug with him. She could see the steam coming from the container. “The innkeeper’s wife sent this for ye. They are bringing up our supper in a few minutes.”

Christine held her arm out and he placed the mug in her hand. “Thank you. This will surely help.”

Kerrigan said nothing but appeared to be holding back a grin. He turned at the sound of a quick tap at the door and opened it to allow in a young maid with a tray of food in her hands.

“Thank ye, lass,” Kerrigan said as he took the tray from her. She gave a quick curtsy and left.

Christine sipped on the warm drink as her new husband set the various dishes out on a small table near the door. Now that she was dry, clean, and with the tonic warming her insides, she began to feel hungry.

“Are ye feeling better, lass?” he said as he handed her a plate of food. He still had that silly look on his face.

“Yes. The tonic the innkeeper’s wife gave me is helping.”

He nodded and filled a plate for himself and sat on the edge of the bed. Their conversation was on the condition of the carriage, the rest of the trip, and if they would be able to continue the next day.

Christine leaned back and placed her hand over her stomach. She had finished the tonic and now she was ready to sleep. Kerrigan removed the dishes, placed them on the tray and set it all in the corridor in front of the door.

He then proceeded to wash his face and hands, and removed his clothes, in preparation for bed. After admiring his muscular body, tight buttocks and broad shoulders, she closed her eyes feigning sleep so Kerrigan would leave her be for the night and she would not have to explain herself.

He climbed in alongside her and took her hand in his. “Lass, why dinna ye tell me what was troubling ye so I dinna have to worry all day?”

She knew by the look on his face that Jess must have told him. Mortified, she slid down and covered her head with the blanket. “I’m going to sleep now.”

“Ach, lass, ye’r no’ getting away with this.” He tugged the cover off her.

She placed her hands on her face. “Go to sleep.”

Now fully laughing, he pulled her hands down. “I am yer husband. I am fully aware of how a woman’s body works. Ye should ne’er be embarrassed to tell me anything.”

She turned over and placed her pillow over her head. “I’m going to sleep now.”

Kerrigan kissed the back of her neck. “Aye then,” he said gently with a smile in his voice. “Good night, wife. Sleep well.”

“I will now,” she muttered.