Page 68 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
She tipped her head, still confused.
“Have you heard of prostitutes?”
She shook her head.
“There have always been women who will provide intimate services to men for a coin. Even in Biblical times. Men’s needs are usually stronger than women’s, so they will pay for such services if they are not married.” Then he thought a bit more. “And sometimes even if they are married. They decide they want someone different.”
“You would do that?”
“Nay! I was just saying…” Hellfire, how was he to get out of this? “Some do not marry for love. If one does not have feelings for one’s partner, they are not interested in sharing the bed except to bear children.”
She still looked confused, but he said, “Meg, this is a question better directed to your sister.” This conversation was helping him understand why Meg was so persistent about having alone time with Tamsin. Her statement about her ignorance didn’t begin to explain her innocence. It wasn’t just about dolphins, but much, much more. “Your sister was married to someone she did not like. I think she can explain it better than I can.”
Apparently accepting of this, she nodded, but then asked, “And the other woman you loved?”
“The other woman was a beautiful lass from the Highlands who visited once, and I admit that I was attracted to her. Herfather spoke to my father about a betrothal, and I accepted it. It made my mother verra happy until the woman came for a second visit and tried to give my mother orders. That did not set well with her, but we didn’t suit either.”
“But you thought you loved her?”
“I thought I could love her. Since you are my wife, I will be completely honest with you. She warmed my bed quickly, but that was the only way she wished it to happen. Quickly. She was not a virgin. Every visit was considered a bargaining event. How many gowns could she get? She’d love two new pairs of boots or mayhap four. Would I take her to court so she could have her wedding dress tailored from special fabric and the finest thread in the world?”
He paused for a moment, trying to come up with a way to explain what he thought of his betrothed after one moon of visits. “Shallow. She was an extremely shallow woman. I can’t even call her a lass because everything she did was well planned, well executed.” She was exactly the opposite of Meg.
As they mounted the next hill, Lennox sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Meg asked.
“Naught. Once we reach the other side of this hill, our journey is nearly done. I guess I’m missing you by my side already. But keep your eye on the horizon. You’ll see Loch Tuath and MacQuarie Castle. We’ll approach from the front. I wish for you to see the full view. It is a lovely castle.”
Lennox cursed to himself. Their time was nearly over.
What the hell would he say to her to convince her of his love? That they belonged together for eternity?
He had no idea.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Meg
As soon as the castle came into view, her belly did those somersaults she hated so. Flip-flop, flip-flop. Where was her sister? Would she be happy to see Meg?Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four…Her fingers ticked away against her leg.
They traveled down the path toward the water, Lennox pointing toward the fishing vessels. It was such a beautiful sight that it nearly made Meg cry, but she held the tears in because she didn’t want to blur her vision. She couldn’t wait to see Tamsin.
They rounded the bend and approached the gates. Lennox moved in front of her but took her hand to keep her horse close to him. “Lennox MacVey for your chieftain Thane. He’s expecting us.”
The gates opened, and Meg could hear Magni’s shouts of excitement and Lia’s giggles. She feared she would fall off her horse because she was so unsteady, glad that Lennox held her hand.
They crossed the bridge, went under the portcullis, and Meg searched the area for her sister but didn’t see her.
Lennox dismounted and helped Meg down, and she lost her composure. “What if she’s forgotten me, Lennox? Or what if she doesn’t wish to see me? Mayhap she’s so happy she won’t want me around. Mayhap I’ll be a bother to her.”
She gripped his forearms, but he kissed her forehead and said, “You are the most wonderful, giving person I’ve ever met, Meg. Of course, your sister will wish to see you.”
A squeal rent the air, cutting through all the other voices because she knew it so well.
“Tamsin!” Meg turned away from Lennox and caught sight of her sister, running to her. “Tamsin. Is it truly you?”
The next thing she knew, she was hugging her sister, both young women crying and stepping back to look at each other and then crying some more. Tamsin dropped her sister’s hands and took the hand of a lass behind her. “Alana, this is your aunt Meg. You may call her Auntie Meg.”
