by Alisa Adams
Both had been virgins, and although her mother had told her what to expect, she was still terrified and tense as a bowstring. They had fumbled about for a few moments, not even knowing how to kiss each other properly, then, before she was ready, he thrust his manhood into her. It was extremely painful, and the whole business was over in less than a minute. After that, she submitted without complaint, but as she grew to love him, their intimacy improved, until one night she experienced an ecstasy that she could never have imagined before. She could find no words to describe the pleasure. It was exquisite.
Ruaridh had laughed softly, delighted that he had given her so much pleasure. Because they were young, and because they were now so much in love, they were able to be intimate again five minutes later with the same result. After that, Una was insatiable and Ruaridh was delighted.
Now, she was a woman with much more experience of loving, and she knew that her second wedding night would be a great deal more pleasurable than the first one if their former encounters were any example. Mungo, looking at her mingling among her guests and the staff, felt a tingling of desire in his loins. He was so ready to make her his wife in flesh as well as in word, and he wished they could just disappear at that moment and be in their own home so that this time they could be together in Una's bed.
They had moved much of her furniture from the castle into their new home, but she would never use her first wedding bed to consummate her marriage to Mungo. It would seem disloyal to Ruaridh to do so, and even now that she had a wonderful new man in her life, she would continue to love Ruaridh forever.
43
More News
At last, Mungo and Una were allowed to walk the short distance to their new home, followed by an enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers. Mungo picked Una up and carried her over the threshold since it was bad luck for the bride to trip at the entrance to the new home. Pieces of a bannock were sprinkled over Una's head then divided among the guests. Finally, Mungo sat her on the bed, which had been sprinkled with holy water and a few drops of mother's milk to encourage fertility. Una knew there would be no more children, but it was traditional and it made her guests feel good, so she allowed it.
There were a few more wedding traditions which they could have observed, but they both agreed that the important ones had been covered, and now it was time for them to be alone. Una signaled Athol to start moving everyone back to the castle.
When Athol had shepherded the last member of staff away from the door, Mungo shut it and leaned on it thankfully. "How d'ye feel, Mistress McLean?" He smiled.
"Wonderful Mr. McLean," she said and giggled. "But may I remind you that I am not yet your wife?"
"Damn! I nearly forgot!" He laughed. "How could I hae missed a wee thing like that?"
"I don't know, but you had better fulfil your marital duties now before I find another husband," Una replied, beginning to unlace the front of her bodice.
Mungo looked on in wonder as the dress dropped from her shoulders. Although he had seen her naked many times before, he never ceased to be amazed at how flawless she was. She had borne two children and suffered several miscarriages but there was no sign of any of that on the creamy skin of her belly or her high, youthful breasts. He could tell she was a mature woman, but there were no lines on her face. She lay down on the bed and watched him as he undressed for her. He did it slowly because he knew she loved to watch him. That alone aroused him even more.
Una could not wait. As soon as he lay down beside her she grabbed him and wrapped her legs around him. When they became one it was only a few seconds before they both reached climax and lay face to face, spent, breathless, laughing with happiness.
"Noo, Mistress McLean, did ye get whit ye wanted?"
"Oh, yes." She looked into his bright blue eyes and smiled.
"Now I am really Mistress McLean."
Mungo kissed her tenderly then caressed her breast with one rough hand. "Did ye notice how big these ladies are noo?" He laughed kissing her nipple.
"I think you are imagining things, husband." Una laughed. "But would you not rather have more than less?"
"Aye," he said with great relish, "withoot a doot."
The day after the wedding, Una woke up feeling very out of sorts. She was queasy, her back ached, and her breasts were tender. She put it down to her monthly courses, then forgot all about it as the day went on. She and Mungo were going to Inverness the next day for a few days to visit Una's friends Shona and Lachlan McGregor. Mungo was looking forward to meeting Shona since she was exactly what he was: a common peasant who had married a noble. She was reputed to be a great beauty and a witch, although he was inclined to take the story of her rescuing her husband from the jaws of the Loch Ness Monster with a large pinch of salt.
By the afternoon, Una was pale and sickly, and Mungo and Davina were beside themselves with worry. Una had vomited several times, although she had no fever. Davina remembered the dark days of the poisonings and she was terrified. Una smiled, reassuring her.
"Davina, darling, it was all the rich food I was eating yesterday. Maura is dead and there is no reason for anyone else to want to harm me." Then suddenly she remembered something. "Would you get Elisaid to come and give me some physick anyway? Just to put your mind at rest."
"I will." Davina scurried away, her face betraying her anxiety. Una's symptoms looked remarkably like the ones she had endured when she was suffering the effects of the arsenic. She got to Greanoch as quickly as she could to fetch Elisaid. She hefted the old lady into the saddle by herself and galloped all the way back to the castle, then they ran to the McLean house with Davina almost dragging Elisaid behind her.
When they went inside Una looked a little better. She was sitting up in bed drinking milk and eating a dry bannock.
Elisaid greeted her and surveyed Una with a practiced eye. "Whit kind o' things have been happenin' tae ye?" she asked.
"Vomiting, nausea, that sort of thing," Una replied. "Do you know what it is?"
Elisaid nodded. "Ane mair minute," she bent over Una and gently palpated one of her breasts. Una screamed, and Mungo jumped to his feet, putting out a hand to stop her.
"Wait!" Una cried, catching his hand in hers. She had a strange feeling she knew what was coming as Elisaid pressed down on her stomach.
"Have ye missed yer monthly courses, milady?" Elisaid asked shrewdly.
"Twice," Una admitted. "But I thought it was the change of life." She swallowed nervously.
"Well, there's nothin' here that time an' patience willnae cure," Elisaid declared, smiling. "Milady, ye are wi' child."
"But I am over forty years old!" Una was shocked. "You must be mistaken, Elisaid."
"There's nae mistake." Elisaid shook her head. "Ye're pregnant withoot a doot."
Mungo could not speak for a moment. When he did, his voice was husky. "Elisaid, is she no' ower old fer this?"
"Her body doesnae lie, Mungo." She shrugged, then smiled. "Son, I've seen hundreds o' women wi' child an' birthed hundreds an' a'. Yer wife is healthy. A' she needs tae dae noo is get good food an' fresh air."
Mungo was ecstatic. He embraced Una tenderly, then Davina kissed them and left them alone. She and Elisaid walked to the castle and Davina mounted her on Daisy again. Davina was so shocked she could hardly think. Nothing made sense. She's too old, she thought. Maura was young and look what happened to her.
"Elisaid," she asked, "do ladies my mother's age have a bad time giving birth? Are they in any more danger than young ones?"
"No' really, mistress," Elisaid answered. "She is a strong healthy woman who eats well an' looks efter hersel'. An' she has a good man by her side."
"Yes, she does." Davina smiled. "I have not known him long but he loves her very much, and I like him."
"Aye, lass. Me an' a'." She smiled at Davina as she dismounted from Daisy. "Mistress, it will be yer ain turn soon. I can feel it."
"From your lips to God's ears, Elisaid." Davina laughed, dropped some coins into Elisai
d's hands, and turned Daisy's head for home.
"Mungo, I'm afraid," Una whispered. "I have had one dead baby already, three miscarriages and if this one dies it will break my heart."
Mungo, who had never been so happy, kissed her softly. "Whitever happens, lass, we will face it together." He would not let any unhappiness, present or future, cloud this day. He was going to be a father again. It hardly seemed real! There was no swelling in Una's stomach and until he saw her beginning to look like a pregnant woman he would find it hard to believe.
"We can pray," he suggested, "often, an' I will wrap ye in lambs' wool and hold ye in my arms every chance I get. When the bairn is born - we will be so proud. I cannae wait!"
Una was exhausted but had a very hard time sleeping that night. Long after Mungo's breathing had settled into its soft night time rhythm, she lay awake going over the heartbreak she had felt when her son had been born dead. She could still see in her mind's eye that perfect little face. But the eyes would never open and the mouth would never smile. If it happened again she would kill herself, for she knew that now she would never be able to handle the pain.
44
Gifts
Life went on as usual for a few months. Davina, looking at her mother, agreed with the old saying that pregnant women glowed. Una, pink-cheeked and lively, looked in the peak of health and happiness. She had conquered her early fears and misgivings about the pregnancy and was taking life one day at a time. The sickness stopped, and Mungo made sure that she hired the best cook in Greanoch to satisfy her appetite and give her the best nourishment at all times. And if it could be said that men glowed, then Mungo certainly did. He was bursting with pride, and rarely to be seen without a big foolish grin on his face.
The one unhappy person among them was Grant. Since Maura's death, his life had been utterly without purpose or love. Davina and Athol adored each other. So, did Mungo and Una, Lyle and Mary. He missed Maura. He knew what kind of woman she had been but when he looked back all he could see in his mind's eye were good memories. He remembered the way she talked, laughed and teased him. But most of all he remembered the way she surrendered to him and her soft moans of pleasure when they loved.
It hurt him to see a pregnant, healthy woman like Una walking around, perfectly content, with no other aim in life but to give birth to her baby and look after it and her husband for the rest of her life. He began to drink again and Davina started to worry about him.
"He feels useless," she said to Athol. Grant was standing looking over the battlements toward the sea with a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Is there nothing we can give him to do?"
Athol thought for a moment. It was a pleasant enough evening in early October and the days were shortening fast. Soon it would be winter, then Yule and New Year. He wondered how Grant would cope with the freezing days of winter. It often happened that as the temperature dropped, so did a person's spirits. And worst of all, he had been looking forward to becoming a father, the sole purpose of most men's lives, and now that had gone, he felt he had nothing to live for. He must be feeling absolutely wretched, Athol thought, looking at Grant's slumped shoulders.
"He is selling the property in Fort Augustus anyway," Athol told her. "He says it's useless to him now."
"He needs to find another wife," Davina observed. "Looking at all these newlyweds and pregnant ladies cannot be good for a man who has just lost his love."
Just then, Una and Mungo came upstairs. Mungo had his arm around her waist and he was smiling, as he always seemed to be these days.
Una looked at Grant and frowned. "Grant," she said slowly, "I have been thinking about your future."
Grant nodded his head slowly. "I can leave forthwith if you want me to," he said glumly. "I have some money and farming experience."
"That is exactly what Laird Shaw needs now," Una smiled, "he has been elevated, his estate manager has retired, and he needs a new one. I recommended you."
Grant shook his head, unable to believe what Una had just said. "Why would you do that for me?" he asked, incredulous.
"Blame my husband," Una sighed. "He is a most forgiving man, and he made me realize that yes, you were weak, and perhaps you should have told us about Maura's true nature, but I think you would have told us if you had known what she was planning. So, I could either spend my life hating you, which would make us both feel bad, or forgive you so that we can feel better. I choose to forgive. So, go and see Laird Shaw!"
"Thank you, Auntie!" He gasped, smiling from ear to ear. He could scarcely believe it. Laird Shaw was rumored to be one of the best lairds to work for, and his staff loved him. And best of all, he had been forgiven.
"Another problem solved!" Una said happily. Suddenly she thought of Ruaridh. She was sure he was smiling.
Davina had been standing beside Athol, who had his arm around her waist. All of a sudden, her knees felt weak and she clutched him to stop herself from falling. "Athol…" she moaned, then the world spun around her as she collapsed in a dead faint.
Athol caught her just before she hit the ground, then he cradled her in his arms, patting her cheeks to wake her up. "Davina, sweetheart!" His voice was panicky and as he looked up at Una, he experienced a feeling of utter helplessness. He could do nothing to help his beloved wife if anything was badly wrong with her.
"Mother, shall we send for Elisaid?" he asked urgently.
"Wait," she answered. "I have seen this before."
Then, just as Elisaid had done, she pressed her hand onto Davina's stomach and kept it there for a few seconds. Then she took Athol's hand and placed it where her own had been. He felt under his palms a little series of faint tap-taps and frowned in puzzlement.
"What is that?" he asked. His heart was hammering so hard he thought it might burst out of his chest.
"It's called 'the quickening,' darling," Una smiled. "It's the first time a mother feels her baby kick, and sometimes it affects them this way. Congratulations Athol. You're going to be a father."
Davina moaned a little and her eyelids fluttered open. "What happened?" she asked dazedly, "I don't feel well."
Athol helped her to sit up, then held her close. Davina relaxed into the warmth of his arms, then gasped as she felt the movements inside her.
"It's real," she breathed and the smile she bestowed on Athol was rapturous.
"Why did you not tell me?" he asked, kissing her forehead.
"When I missed my flux the first time I thought it might be all the stress of Maura's death," she explained. "Then the second time I did not want to give you false hope. You have wanted me to give you a child so much. After Maura, I did not want you to worry." She looked down at her stomach again, where the first faint bulge had already appeared.
"This has been a wonderful day!" Grant stooped down to kiss Davina then helped Athol to lift her up.
Una and Mungo had gone downstairs, and Grant did so too, leaving Athol and Davina alone. "Thank you," Athol murmured. His heart was overflowing with love and joy.
Davina looked up at him, smiled, then put her head on his shoulder. "Don't thank me, sweetheart," she said and laughed. "I couldn't have done it without you!
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Alexa
Alexa Montgomery had been madly in love with Graham Hamilton since she was six years old and he was ten. She first saw him when he had been fighting with a wooden sword against one of the stable boys who had a long wooden stick. Of course, the stable boy lost the duel and fell down dead, mortally wounded by a stab through
the heart. The young groom got up and gave Graham a friendly pat on the back.
"Aye, wee laird," he said, laughing. "Ye'll make a fine swordsman one o' these days!"
Alexa, standing on one of the walls looking over the courtyard of her uncle's castle, felt her heartbeat quicken and her cheeks flush. What a beautiful, big strong boy Graham was! He had long golden-brown hair, but she could not see the color of his eyes, only that they were light in color too. He was sturdily built with strong calves and shoulders that were already broadening into manhood.
Why can't I be grown up? she thought with fury.
Just then he looked up and gave her a beaming smile and a low bow. She gasped, suddenly overcome with shyness, and ran along the parapet, downstairs, and all the way to her bedroom where she dived onto her bed and grabbed her doll, Aggie, to whom she told all her secrets.
"Oh, Aggie!" she said rapturously. "One day I am going to be a lady. Then I will get married to that beautiful boy down there. Look how big and strong he is! I will make him fall in love with me, and we will have ten children."
At six years old, Alexa had no idea of the sheer size of a family of ten children, but it sounded wonderful. She had but one sister, fifteen years older than Alexa and married to the most boring man in the world, or so it seemed to a child of six who wanted nothing more than to run around the courtyards and corridors, play with the village children, and ride horses.
Nanny Joan said she was a tomboy.
"What does that mean, Nanny?" Alexa asked one day.
"That means ye're a lassie that wants tae be a boy!" Nanny laughed.
"But boys have short hair and wear kilts or hose," she replied, puzzled. "They have a lot more fun than I do!"
Then she thought for a moment.