“A virgin, lass. Aye, he was. I wouldna have believed it either, but the poor lad was terrified of me. Doona worry for him, though. I made certain he overcame his fear quickly enough.”
I opened my mouth to ask her about their journey but stopped short when I noticed how she was watching me. Her arms were crossed and she had her head turned oddly to one side as she looked me over with just one eye.
“What is it? Is there something on me?”
She smiled, slow and wide. “Ye look different. Verra different. Is it possible ye and Henry have shared a similar experience as of late?”
Horrified at her implication, I nearly fell backwards out of my chair.
“No! O’course not. Whatever made ye think that?”
“Doona act so shocked, lass. Something happened whilst I was away. I can see by the way ye are bouncing in yer seat that ye wish to discuss it. Come on now. Out with it.”
Consciously, it hadn’t even been the reason why I’d gone to the kitchen, but I knew she was right. Mary was the only woman in my life with whom I could discuss absolutely anything. My mind was so muddled as of late, I feared I would grow mad from the confusion I constantly felt.
“Aye, fine. Can ye tell me why every man kisses so verra differently?”
Amused, Mary’s smile remained as she scooted back in her seat and placed her hands on both my legs, effectively pinning me to my seat.
“Every man? I only know of the one ye’ve kissed. Have ye truly been so busy while I was away?”
“Only two others. Henry kissed me the night of yer wedding,” I paused, realizing the dishonesty in my words, then finished, “and many times since. The other lad was some time ago.”
Moving to cross her arms again, Mary stood and began walking in circles around the room. Mary was so used to spending every waking hour working that she could not sit still for more than a few brief moments.
“Ye canna mean Fulton, can ye? If that lad had the bravery to kiss ye, I shall be shocked. Even Hew is less shy than that poor bloke.”
I’d spoken to no one of my conflicted feelings for Jerry, but it was killing me to keep them to myself.
“No, ’twas not Fulton. ’Twas Jerry.”
“Ah.”
She didn’t look the least bit surprised.
“What do ye mean, ‘ah?’”
“O’course ’twas Jerry. He’s been in love with ye since the day ye found him.”
My heart rallied against her words. I couldn’t bear for them to be true. He wouldn’t have left so easily if they were.
“No. Jerry used me in the hopes I could get him home. He doesna love me. The moment he learned of another who might be able to aid him more quickly, he left. He will never return here.”
“Do ye truly believe that? ’Tis not why he left, lass. He left because his feelings frightened him. Men often run from such things. Ye doona have to believe me, but I’d wager two toes on the fact that he will return to ye. When he does, he will have realized just how foolish he was.”
I couldn’t spend my days hoping for his return. I thought about him enough as it was—even with the distraction Henry so willingly provided.
“Ye dinna answer my question, Mary.”
She chuckled and leaned against the wall behind her.
“With the count ye’ve gathered over these past weeks, I’m not sure I have much more practice kissing men than ye do. Tell me what was so different about each man’s kiss, and mayhap we can work through the whys of it together.”
It amused Mary to see me so flustered over men. She was one of many who worried I would grow old alone.
“I hardly know what to say about Seumas’ kiss.”
Mary interrupted, laughter erupting between every word. “I saw that kiss with my own eyes. No need to say anymore. What of Jerry’s kiss?”
