Isobel waited there with a wicked grin.
Lowering her hand, Seona took in a few deep breaths and tried to calm her rapid heartbeat. “You scared the life out of me,Isobel.”
She snickered and sent a quick glance through the bushes. “You are being a very naughty lass.”
Seona placed her hands on her burning cheeks. “Aye. ’Tis true. I pray you won’t tell Aunt Patience.”
“Don’t be silly. I would tell her naught. Did you see anything over there you liked?”
Seona left the bushes, heading toward a sheep enclosure out to the side of the cottages. “Don’t tease me, I beg of you.”
Isobel kept pace beside her. “I cannot help myself. ’Tis too much fun.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Dirk thinks so, too.” Once they stopped at the sheep pen, Isobel whispered, “I have been wondering all day whether Keegan kissed you today after he rescued you. When you two returned, you seemed very cozy.”
Seona’s face felt like an inferno. Thank the heavens for the low light of gloaming.
“I won’t tell anyone,” Isobel whispered.
“Do you promise?” Seona asked.
“Aye, of course, I promise.” She placed a hand over her heart.
Seona nodded. “Aye,” she admitted, though she could not bring herself to sayKeegan kissed me.“Unfortunately, Laird Rebbinglen happened upon us. I pray he tells no one.”
Isobel snorted softly. “He may tease Keegan about it, but he won’t tell your aunt. That is a fact.”
Seona relaxed a bit, hoping she was right.
“And how was it?” Isobel inquired.
Seona considered for a moment, trying to think of the right word. But there was none to describe how she’d felt when Keegan kissed her. “Wonderful.”
“Well, ’tis only natural that you’d want to know what he looks like naked, then.”
“Shh.” Seona spun to see if anyone else was listening. They were alone, thank the heavens. “I heard a noise. I didn’t know the men were bathing. What a shock.”
Isobel giggled. “Last November, I was in a similar situation, wishing to know what Dirk looked like completely bare of clothes. I was fortunate one night when he needed help with his bath. I volunteered for the task.” Isobel bit her lip to hold back a naughtygrin.
Seona shook her head, unable to believe how daring Isobel had been. Seona wished to be just as confident. If she was, could she have everything she wanted just as Isobel did?
“That night turned out to be quite amazing.” Isobel smiled wistfully.
Seona wanted to ask what she meant, but couldn’t bring herself to pry about such a private matter. But maybe she could ask a general question to satisfy some of her curiosity. “My aunt would never tell me anything about… you know… the marriage bed. And my mother passed when I was too young to know about such things.”
“I’m sorry to hear this.” Isobel appeared pensive for a moment. “My maid tried to educate me about what goes on between men and women, but she did a poor job. She told me sexual relations with a man was the worst thing imaginable. Like torture.”
“Was she wrong?” Seona asked, unsure what Isobel meant.
“If a woman is forced against her will, it would be like torture, aye. But with the right man—a man you are in love with—there is naught in the world like a proper bedding.”
What did she mean byproperbedding? Surely ’twas one of the least proper things imaginable. “Why?” Seona asked.
“How did you feel when Keegan kissed you?”
Seona’s whole body flushed and burned. “Heavens. I know not how to describe it. ’Twas like standing next to a bonfire, but at the same time, my mind floated away on the clouds.” She would not mention how certain parts of her body awakened with a quickening excitement.
