The Inheritance by Irina Shapiro Page A

cake, still warm from the oven.  Lorna’s kids were playing outside in the yard as she stood by the hearth, watching him with narrowed eyes.  Rory could have sworn that her bodice had been higher before he went up on the roof, and he took discreet peeks at her ample, creamy breasts over his cup of milk.
    “Have y e ever been with a lass?” she asked with a naughty grin, obviously not fooled by his downcast eyes.
    “ Nay,” Rory mumbled, ashamed of his inexperience. 
    “Would y e like to be?” She walked over and pulled him to his feet to face her.  She kissed him lightly, running her tongue over his bottom lip.  She tasted of fresh cake and honey, and he felt an embarrassing hardness beneath his kilt.  Lorna slipped her hand under his kilt, cupping his bollocks, and enjoying his shock.   Rory sucked in his breath, not knowing what to do.  She giggled as she wrapped her hand around him and began to stroke slowly, her eyes never leaving his face.  She suddenly removed her hand and moved back.
    “ Dinnae stop,” he breathed, as she turned away and walked into the other room.
    “Come here then, my eager wee cockerel,” she called.  Rory followed Lorna into the bedroom and nearly disgraced himself as he saw  Lorna lying on the bed with her skirt pulled up to her waist, her legs open in invitation.  He’d never seen a naked woman before, but the basic geography had been described to him in loving detail by his friends, so he dropped his kilt and went to his task, determined to do it right or die trying. 
    Later, as he lay with his head on her soft breast, she stroked his hair and promised him further delights if he came back the next day.   Rory had continued to visit Lorna discreetly for the next two years , sneaking away from the castle after dark, and often returning only as the pearly light of morning began to filter though the small window of Lorna’s bedroom.   His body hungered for her day and night, and Lorna taught him how to give and receive pleasure.  She’d been the first woman, since his mother died when he was seven, to show him any affection, and he fancied himself in love with her.  When he looked back on it, he was amazed that Lorna never got with child, but then having been married to an apothecary, she probably knew how to prevent an unwelcome pregnancy.  She eventually remarried, explaining to the heartbroken boy that she needed a man around the house, and her sons needed a father.  They parted warmly, and he still missed her mischievous smile and warm embrace.
    He hadn’t given his heart to anyone since then knowing that the next woman he loved would have to be forever.  He wasn’t like some of the other young men he knew who were always falling in and out of love , and never missing an opportunity for a roll in the hay.  When Rory loved, he loved with his whole heart, and he hoped that someday he would meet a lass who would love him that way in return.

Chapter 14
     
    Isobel was still smiling as she walked into the room she shared with John.  She pulled out the necklace Rory gave her and looked at it again.  It was very delicate, and the amethyst crystal felt warm in her hand after being worn next to her heart. 
    “Who is it from?” 
    Isobel nearly jumped out of her skin as John came out from behind the painted screen and advanced on her.  He looked menacing, and Isobel instinctively took a step back. 
    “I asked y e a question,” he snarled.
    “It’s mine,” Isobel stammered.  “I had it afore.”
    “I ’m not going to ask ye again, woman.  Who gave ye that?”  His face was now inches away from hers, and the back of her legs touched the bed in her retreat. 
    Isobel looked up into John’s enraged face.  He ’d been with Joan only that morning, and now he was acting like the injured party?  She wasn’t going to tell him a thing.  She didn’t care what he did to her, but she wouldn’t confess.  She was entitled to her secrets too. 
    John’s