Page 31 of The Beast

“I will speak to Ewan, he and ye can go. Catriona is well enough to be left alone now. Ella or Mother can go see about her while Ewan is gone,” Darach said to Stuart.

Stuart walked out, but Darach motioned for Duncan to stay. “I want ye to be happy; however, at the same time, I will insist ye consummate the marriage. Do not cross me on this. If ye do as we say, she will not see ye.”

“Women wish to touch while making love. I cannot control that.”

Darach nodded. “Ye were so young when ye left. I cannot imagine what lovemaking was like for ye then. When making love to a woman, ye must kiss and caress her until she is ready for ye.”

While Darach explained the mechanics of making love and instructing him on how to keep Beatrice from touching his back, Duncan listened intently. He wanted to know everything, to ensure Beatrice enjoyed her first time.

“There is something else,” Darach said. “It will be like yer first time as well. Do not expect it to be perfect. Over time ye will both learn what the other enjoys most and where to touch and kiss to bring more pleasure.”

“Thank ye,” Duncan said and leaned back.

“If ye ever have any questions, come to me,” Darach said and leaned forward to place a hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “I will always be here for ye.”

When he walked outside it was dark, and he looked up at the star-filled sky. When he was aboard one ship after another, usually tied up or laying on the deck too injured to move, he would often look up at the stars. It was the only constant in his life, the lighted night sky, the time when he would sleep and dream of home and the green fields of his homeland.

If ever there were days when he’d not been mistreated, he would climb up to the mast and imagined reaching up to grab a star.

“Duncan?”

He turned to find Isobel, his brother’s wife. “How do ye feel?”

It was an interesting question. He would have thought she’d be with Beatrice doing much what Darach had. Explaining to her what to expect in the marriage bed.

“I am well.” He met her gaze. “How is Beatrice?”

Isobel smiled. “She is fast asleep. We talked, but it has been a long day. I believe she is looking forward to tomorrow.”

“My apologies for the way things happened.”

“Do not apologize for the situation my sister put ye in. It is I who should apologize for my sister’s actions. Now ye are to be forced into marriage and after yer life, I would hope that ye would have a say in something so important.”

“I am not against marrying yer sister. To have her as a wife is a priceless gift. She deserves more than me.”

Isobel’s lips curved into a warm smile. “She has chosen ye. Beatrice is not the delicate creature some think. I believe she made a choice and did what she could to claim ye.”

“Then I am a fortunate man,” Duncan replied.

When left alone, once again he looked up to the skies. He’d had sexual relations after ten and four. However, he had not been a willing participant and it was something he never ever thought about.

In the shadows, a figure skulked away, slipping further into the darkness, a soft chuckle swallowed by the sounds of the wind.

Chapter Nine

At the first sign of sunlight, Beatrice got out of bed and hurried to the window. She hoped for a sunny day as she wished to pick flowers for her hair and a bouquet. Awake since before dawn, she’d been planning mentally what to wear and how to do her hair.

Despite that the marriage was to be rushed, she was excited at the prospect of marrying Duncan. Not only was he the most handsome man she’d ever met, but the one man who drove her mindless with passion.

His kisses alone were better than she could have imagined. And the feel of his strong body against hers was like a fairy tale.

The only worry was that he would be angry or disappointed in having to marry her. Beatrice turned from the window and considered seeking him out. She had to know how he felt. If he was against the marriage, she would convince him to take her directly to a bìrlinn and send her home. They would have to be sneaky about it, but it could be done.

After wrapping herself in a robe, she slipped on soft slippers and went out the door. Thankfully the corridor was empty. It was still too early for anyone to be up. She imagined Greer and the kitchen maids were preparing for their day, but everyone else would be asleep.

The only problem was that she had no idea where Duncan’s bedchamber was. She went to a door and opened it just enough to peek in. Gideon was splayed across his bed, fully dressed.

Then she walked past Ella’s bedchamber and the one she knew was Stuarts and came to the last door at the end of the hall.