The Wedding.

Claire can hear the men's voices as she sits before the fire in the chamber. She drinks deeply, partly out of nervousness, but also out of guilt. She looks into Jamie's bright eyes in the light of the fire as he smiles at her and tries not to think of Frank and another night such as this. She will not think of that. She clinks her glass against his and toasts their marriage.

"To us," she says lightly, taking another sip of the sweet, strong liquor.

"To us."

They have been talking for hours and although it has been nice getting to know Jamie, she is only putting off the inevitable. He appears relaxed and patient, but she knows that soon enough he will want to lie with her on the bed. She cannot delay forever.

"So," she says a little tipsily, "why did you agree to marry me?"

"I didn't have much choice in the matter and I am not betrothed to any other lass."

"No? I thought you were with Laoghaire."

"No," Jamie says, chuckling softly. "Although I think she would like me to be."

Claire studies him, thinking of how she had seen him kissing Laoghaire in the corridor outside her room. Was he as innocent as he said?

"And there have been no other women?" she asks, emboldened by the alcohol.

Jamie looks embarrassed and Claire is almost sorry that she asked.

"If you mean am I experienced in such matters, then as I told you I am not. Although it is all bravado and swagger among the men, I personally wanted to wait until my wedding night to lie with a woman."

Claire nods, thinking about what lay ahead. How it would be to lie with man who is a virgin?

"I have been tempted, I won't deny it," he says quietly.

His is an attractive man. His hair looks soft and she wonders what it would feel like to run her fingers thought it. His shoulders are broad beneath the white shirt, open at the neck. Suddenly she feels hot and trembles slightly, the glass shaking as she lifts it to her lips. If he notices he doesn't comment.

"It's getting late," she says standing and smoothing down her dress.

She feels his eyes on her, full of desire. She feels powerful and experienced compared to him. She moves her hands up to the laces on her bodice, wondering how long it will take to remove all the corsets.

"Let me help you," he says standing also and holding out his hand.

She takes it, lowering her eyes almost bashfully. She feels that she is playing a game, pretending to be something she is not. The chaste bride on her wedding night. She longs to feel his mouth on hers, his arms around her. She cannot tell him that she desires him as much as he desires her.

She turns, and he starts to unlace her dress, then helps her take off her underskirt. He removes the lace collar from around her neck and lightly touches her skin. His hands are warm and gentle. She tries not to breath, but in doing so finds herself breathing more deeply, unable to hide her growing excitement. She feels his hands on her shoulders, caressing her skin, turning her around to face him. She is amazed at his self-control, almost like she is a beautiful, fragile creature, too delicate to be touched by a man. He loosens the laces on the front of her dress and she is aware of her chest rising and falling quickly, the sound of her own breathing as he quickly pulls the cloth away from her body. He looks at her as she stands before him in the flimsy gown and now at last she can hear his breath, as he traces her collar bone with his thumb. He moves his hand downwards to the opening in the material and moves it inside. He frowns slightly as he touches her, his lips parted now as he moves closer. She feels his hand upon her as he strokes her, a look of concentration on his face. He gazes into her eyes.

"My turn," she says.

He waits for a moment as she moves back. He looks surprised as she unbuckles his belt. It hits the floor with a clatter. He gasps and pulls her against him, kissing her passionately, holding her body against his. Now at last, she thinks, he cannot wait any longer. He turns her away from him, almost roughly, pulling up her gown, so that she feels the cool air on her nakedness. He kisses her neck and she leans back against him as he fumbles with the buttons on his trousers. She turns around to face him, realising what he intends to do.

"No not like that," she says, almost laughing.

He pauses for a moment, a look of confusion on his face. Then before she has time to protest, he pushes her down on the bed, breathing heavily, pressing down, his full weight upon her.

"Jamie?" she says, trying to get his attention, "you're crushing me."

He adjusts his position slightly, but he cannot stop. She closes her eyes, feeling the sweet well of ecstasy begin to build, wrapping her legs around his body as he moves. Then suddenly, he groans and it is all over.

He rolls away from her and she lies quietly looking up at the ceiling, feeling frustrated as he breaths deeply beside her. She looks over at him as he laughs to himself and tells her that he thought that it was done a different way, like a stallion with a mare.

"Is that why you turned me around?" she asks, laughing softly.

"Aye," he laughs, and she likes the sound of his deep chuckle as he turns towards her.

When he stops, he asks seriously,

"Did you like it? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, you didn't hurt me."

"The others, last night, they told me that women don't like it. They were full of advice about what I should do. I'm glad I didn't listen to any of it!"

"What did they say?"

"That I should woo you, make you feel relaxed, then quick before you changed your mind, hold you down and force myself upon you."

"Did they really say that?"

"Aye and they were serious about it."

"I feel sorry for their wives, no wonder that they think women don't like it, I'm not surprised when they have to put up with that."

"And you? Did you like it?"

She regards him silently, wishing that she can lie and say that she didn't, if only to make herself feel better.

"Yes, I did, Jamie. I liked it a lot."

He looks relieved.

"But it will get better with time," she says, in case he thinks that he has mastered it already.

"We can try again in a minute if you like," he says enthusiastically.

She laughs again, thinking how like a boy he is, not a man at all, but she turns and kisses him softly.

"That would be nice," she says.

"I want to please you."

"You do."

"But first," he says, sitting up and looking towards the door, "I need something to eat to build up my strength."

"I'll go," she says.

"No," he holds her shoulders to prevent her from getting up. "I don't want the men to see you."

"I'll be ok."

"No, you'll do as I say."

Claire isn't used to a man speaking to her like this but is sends a thrill through her body. He is master here. He kisses her lightly and smiles.

She watches as he pulls on his trousers and turns to leave. She doesn't want him to go.

"Jamie?"

He turns back to look at her.

"Hurry back."

"I will lass."