“I have been taking a mixture that works well to prevent conception. With not knowing what kind of husband you would make… I thought it best to wait and see.”
“I understand your reasoning, but an heir is important not only to me but to the clan as well and I do not want to delay it.” He grew concerned when his wife remained silent and worried over why that might be, and he asked, “You do not want to carry my child?”
“Nay! Nay! It is not that. It is just that I know nothing about carrying a child, delivering one, and no knowledge of raising one since I am an only child, and I have had little access to bairns.”
“There are many women here that will help you.”
Flora nodded. “Aye, I have no doubt of that, but I would prefer to get to know the women and their bairns as well before rushing into it. I also would like to make certain that all is settled with the ghost, so it causes no more problems in the keep.”
“I will give you a month, no more,” Torin commanded, leaving no chance for debate.
“Tell me why that decision is yours and not mine?” Flora asked and quickly added, “and do not say it is because you are my husband.”
“But that is the reason,” Torin said. “A husband’s word is to be obeyed.”
“Why?”
Torin appeared puzzled. “It is the way of things.”
“Because men command it so?” Flora shook her head. “This is the very reason I had decided never to wed. I wanted no one making decisions for me that I was capable of making on my own. Though if I had decided to wed, I would have preferred to find a husband who would discuss things with me so that we could make decisions together, not have decisions made for me.”
“That would be a rare husband,” Torin said. “I imagine your da made decisions for your mum.”
Flora went to argue and stopped, recalling a few times she had heard her mum protesting decisions her da had made that had concerned her.
“It is simply the way of things, Flora,” Torin said.
Her husband’s remark was similar to what her mum had said when she had confessed that she had heard their argument. That incident had been the start of her questioning whether she would ever wed.
Seeing his wife’s disappointment and not wanting their night spoiled, Torin said, “I will do my best to discuss things with you before making any decision that concerns you.” Her instant, wide smile made him break out in one of his own.
“That you would even consider doing that for me—for us—pleases me very much.”
“And I am going to please you even more tonight, wife,” he said, his grin turning wicked.
Flora stood. “Let us not waste another moment, for I am eager to do the same to you.”
CHAPTER15
Torin stood so fast he knocked over the bench he was sitting on.
“I think I recall my mum saying something about it being considered more proper to keep a nightdress on when engaged in coupling. But I believe that defeats the purpose. How does a wife or husband learn if they cannot see what works and what doesn’t? Unless, of course, it is not permissible to be completely naked in front of each other, but since you have experience and I do not, I bow to your knowledge.”
“Naked,” Torin said his shaft rising far too rapidly to the occasion.
“Wonderful,” she said delighted he agreed and began to strip off her garments.
Torin froze for a moment, not expecting her to be so accommodating. He thought she might shy away, and he would have to coax her, but she seemed just as eager as he did. He shook himself out of his thoughts and hurried out of his garments.
“I have never stood naked in front of anyone. Even my mum expected a certain modesty from me if I required care from her. So, to strip naked in front of you seems a bit intimidating and yet I do not find it as uncomfortable as I thought I might.” She turned to face him naked, and her eyes widened, seeing him naked as well, and she glanced over him slowly. “You are beautifully proportioned as if sculpted by a master artist, and your shaft is quite impressive in size. At least I believe it is since I have never seen one.”
He heard her but was far too busy assessing her and he feared his shaft might embarrass him and spill his seed before he even touched her. She was far more appealing than he had imagined, and he had spent endless time imagining her naked. Her breasts were plump, her large nipples rosy and her body was perfectly curved, her hips having width to them just as he liked. He could not wait to touch her.
That all came to a crushing halt when she turned slightly, and he caught sight of the large bruise at her waist and upper hip. He hurried to her, turning her gently to get a better look and grimaced when he did.
“Your wound is far worse than I thought,” he said.
“It is a bruise, nothing more and will fade with time,” Flora said, a tingling sensation racing over her when he gently ran his hand over the bruised area.