Page 22 of Deception

“Is not a proper marriage until ye are married on the church steps,” a man shouted, and others joined in.

“We can repeat the vows on the church steps,” Jacob said, “but Lady Linnae and I are man and wife.”

The room went silent, then a man shouted, “Ale!”

A chorus of shouts and cries went up, and several men and women hurried toward the dais.

The women gathered around Linnae. “We must prepare the bride for the wedding night,” one said loud enough to be heard over the din.

Linnae gave Jacob a pleading look, but strong hands clamped down on his shoulders and spun him away from her.

* * *

Linnae understoodwhat passed between a man and a woman. She just wasn’t certain she was ready for it to pass between her and Jacob.

The women had stripped her, washed her, and put her between warm sheets naked. She lay, the covers clutched to her neck, and eventually began to sweat in the warm room. How long before Jacob would come? She knew wedding celebrations could last into the wee hours of the night. Twice, she nodded off and jarred awake at sounds she believed she’d imagined.

A shout caused her to jump. More shouts followed, mingled with laughter. The men approached.

Would they all burst into the room?

Would they insist upon witnessing the consummation of the marriage?

She had heard of such happenings.

Linnae began to tremble. The voices grew closer. When they reached the door, she scooted back and sat up against the headboard, the covers up over her shoulders.

The door burst open and she tensed at sight of a dozen rowdy men pushing through the doorway with Jacob in the lead.

He whirled and shouted, “Back, lads, or I will have you whipped, one and all.”

Raucous laughter followed, along with shouts of, “There she is,” and “She’s ready for you, Jacob,” and, “If he’s too drunk to satisfy ye, lass, I can take his place.”

Jacob shoved the two closest men and they fell back into the crowd. He slammed the door, threw his weight against the wood, and shoved the bolt into place.

The door groaned against the weight of the men and a myriad of shouts and threats ensued. Jacob turned, met her gaze, and grinned. “You must forgive them. They drank too much wine and ale.”

She nodded but could find no words.

His expression gentled. “I imagine the lasses left you in a state desirable to me, but perhaps not so desirable for you.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, a man will always delight in finding a beautiful naked woman in his bed. But the woman may not care to be that naked woman.”

“I am your wife. It is my duty to submit.”

He grimaced. “A woman--particularly a naked woman in a man’s bed--should not be there because she must submit.”

“But it is a wife’s duty,” she said.

“So the priests teach,” he said. “But, Linnae, do ye no’ think that mutual liking will make for better lovemaking?”

Lovemaking?Her stomach did a flip. She hadn’t thought of it in that light. How had she thought of it? As she’d said: duty.

“You’re clearly terrified,” he said.

“Terrified?” she blurted. “I am not terrified.”