“He never has so why should it be any different now? I still say he is upset about something and if we find out what it is, he may settle down once more and you can once again occupy the keep as well as having gatherings there. The clan misses the gatherings, especially the winter ones when we are stuck in our own homes and long for the company of others.”
“The cleric may help us. He can bless the keep and pray for the ghost to be laid to rest,” Torin said, sounding hopeful.
Kinnell’s voice turned even lower. “He looks as if he cannot even help himself.”
“He was the only one willing to journey here.”
Kinnell snorted. “We will see how long he lasts.”
Flora heard them stand and walk off talking. She opened her eyes but not fully until she saw they were a distance away, their backs to her. Others were starting to wake as well, which is what must have brought their talk to an end.
A ghost, most definitely, would be a challenge and a challenge always brought with it a gain in knowledge. This marriage might prove interesting after all.
The morning departure was rushed, no food offered, everyone eagerly mounting their horses, ready to leave. It was obvious they all wanted to get home.
Flora waited by her horse for her husband.
He arrived with a smile that meant to charm and, of course, it did to Flora’s dismay. She had to take more care in letting his smile appeal to her. It did little to help her see what her husband hid behind his smile.
* * *
It wasnear mid-day when Torin rode his horse up beside his wife’s mare. “It won’t be long before we reach home.
Flora nodded, waiting to see what he would discuss with her, and the topic caught her off guard.
“You never got to answer me yesterday… about your curiosity,” Torin said, turning a wicked smile on her. “Does it extend to the marriage bed?”
Caught off guard or not, she was quick to reply. “What new wife isn’t curious?”
“Then you will not shy away from it?”
“Isn’t that up to you?” she asked with feigned innocence and continued since he appeared perplexed. “The cleric says I should submit to you for you are wise. If that is so, then would it not be how wise you are in bed that has me enjoying it rather than shying away from it?”
“You spoke to the cleric?” he asked, giving himself time to think on his wife’s surprising response.
Flora, on the other hand, needed no time to respond. “I sought counsel. Were his words not wise?”
“Nay. He is right. It is a wife’s duty to submit to her husband,” Torin said, but questioned it himself. Did he want a wife who submitted to his touch out of duty or one that did so out of desire? But he did have a skilled hand when it came to women. “I will make it most enjoyable for you.”
“Please, tell me what to expect so I am not ignorant of what we will share,” she urged, wanting him to think she was anxious. Her mother, bless her soul, had talked with her about intimacy between a man and a woman. She told her she would not have her go ignorant to her marriage bed as she had done, but she had been ever so grateful that her husband had been knowledgeable and had made it pleasurable for her.
“There will be time for such a talk when we arrive home,” Torin said.
“Aye, my lord. I look forward to it… and to settling into the keep as well.” She saw it. It was slight but she saw his smile falter at the corners of his mouth, though he caught it fast enough.
Since learning from the cleric about the ghost, she knew she would have to learn for herself what was going on.
A warrior was suddenly upon them. “My lord, you are needed up ahead.”
Torin nodded. “I will be right there.”
He gripped his reins ready to ride off but stopped. “We will talk later, wife, though I think it would be much better if I showed you instead of tell you how to submit in the marriage bed.”
Flora was not surprised by the fluttery sensation his remark had caused within her. Her mum had cautioned her about it, explained how natural it was and how it would evolve into even more pleasure if the moment was right and the man skilled enough to see it flourish in her. She had to admit she was curious about it since when her mum had explained the act itself, she thought it quite unappealing. How would him driving his shaft into her be at all pleasant? Her mum had assured her otherwise. She still was not quite sure about it, but she was curious. And what better way to satisfy her curiosity than to find out for herself.
The only thing that troubled her was that her mum had explained those sensations came about when attracted to a man, preferably one’s husband, and especially his touch. She did not mind his touch at all. It was pleasant enough and he was not rough with her as she had heard some husbands could be. Could she be more attracted to him than she realized? But would that not be a good thing if she was meant to bear him bairns and spend the rest of her life with him?
Bear him bairns.