The Highlander Series(50)

Bertha nodded vehemently. “Aye, ’tis the truth. If you keep your man satisfied in the bed chamber, he won’t have any cause to stray.”

Stray? Mairin looked at them in horror. “Are you suggesting that the laird wouldn’t be faithful?”

“Nay, of course we wouldn’t disparage the laird. But ’tis a fact, ’tis better to be safe than sorry. You want your laird to be well satisfied. Men are far more amenable when they’re sated from loving.”

Maddie slapped Bertha on the shoulder and laughed. “Aye, now that’s the truth. The best time to ask a boon is just after a rousing bout of loving.”

Amenable was good. Mairin liked the idea of that. And now that the disturbing thought of Ewan’s fidelity had entered her head, she couldn’t shake it. Surely he wouldn’t?

“What things should I know?” Mairin asked.

“Well, you said he used his mouth. You know, down there,” Bertha said with a twinkle in her eyes. “You can do the same to him, lass. ’Tis guaranteed to drive him wild.”

Mairin was sure her absolute ignorance was reflected in her expression. And her horror. She started to say something, but the image of what Bertha was describing hit her square between the eyes and she couldn’t shake it.

“How …?” She couldn’t even finish the question. What was she supposed to ask?

“You’ve shocked the lass,” Maddie said reproachfully.

Bertha shrugged. “No point in dillydallying around the point. The lass has to learn from someone. Her Mother Serenity certainly didn’t do her any favors.”

Maddie put her hand back over Mairin’s. “What Bertha means is that a man likes being kissed … down there. On his cock.”

Bertha snorted. “Tell her right, Maddie. A man likes to be suckled.”

Mairin was sure the blood leeched right out of her cheeks. Kissed? Suckled?

“You liked it well enough, didn’t you, lass?” Bertha asked. “A man is no different. He likes to be touched and caressed with a lass’s hands, mouth, and tongue.”

It was true enough that Mairin did enjoy Ewan’s touches. And his kisses. He was skilled with his tongue. Aye, she liked his tongue, even if he did indecent things with it.

“Putting my … my … mouth on his …” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word. “ ’Tisn’t decent, surely!”

Bertha rolled her eyes and Maddie laughed.

“There’s little decency to good loving,” Maddie said sagely. “If ’tis decent, it isn’t much fun.”

Bertha nodded, her lips compressed as her head bobbed up and down. “Nothing wrong with a nice, dirty romp.”

Mairin could scarcely believe what she was hearing. She was going to have to think on this matter. Before she could thank Maddie and Bertha and be on her way, a pounding on the door startled the women.

Maddie rose and went to the door, Mairin and Bertha right behind her. Mairin had a very good idea who was at the door, but when Maddie opened it, it was worse than Mairin had feared.

It wasn’t Cormac waiting to lecture her. Ewan stood with Caelen, arms crossed over his chest, a scowl darkening his features. Christina stood to the side, her eyes apologetic.

“Care to explain yourself?” Ewan demanded.





CHAPTER 17





Instead of answering her husband, Mairin turned to Maddie and Bertha and offered a polite curtsy. “Thank you both for your counsel.”

When she turned around again, Ewan was still glaring holes in her while Caelen looked annoyed that he’d been summoned on the errand to locate Mairin. She tried to walk past Ewan as she exited Maddie’s cottage, but he didn’t budge. She shoved but he was an immovable object.

Finally she stepped back. “You wished to speak with me, Laird?”

Ewan emitted a loud sigh and then took her arm in his not-so-gentle grasp. Mairin offered a wave to the women as Ewan hauled her along beside him. She stumbled and had to run to keep up, else she’d find herself dragged across the ground by her fuming husband.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Caelen following close behind. She shot him a disgruntled look in the hopes he’d disappear, but he didn’t look impressed with her silent demand for privacy.

Finally Ewan halted some distance from the cottages. He loomed over her like some avenging warrior out for blood. Though she tried to face him bravely, some part of her shrunk to a ridiculous size. He was angry. Nay, angry didn’t aptly describe his mood. He was furious.

It took him a few moments and repeated attempts before he was able to get his reprimand out. His mouth opened and snapped shut several times and he looked away as if collecting his temper.