Thalia raised one brow, and in a tone worthy of a duchess said, “You must simply not promise things you do not intend to give.”
“They learn quickly as well.” Guy filled his glass again.
Kendal had been counting on that. For more than one reason.
CHAPTER 8
THALIA HAD SEEN and heard enough to know that tomorrow’s bedding would have to be quick. When she and her sisters returned from the tunnels, she had searched for Meg and found her in her parlor playing with Giffard.
“I need to know—”
“Wait a moment. Nurse, please take Giffard for a short walk.”
The older woman picked him up. “Let’s go exploring and find some biscuits.”
When the door closed, Meg said, “What is it that you need to know?”
“What goes on between”—Thalia took a breath. This was much harder than she had thought it would be—“a man and a woman. I have asked my sisters, but even Euphrosyne turns red and sputters.”
“I’ll have to speak to them about that,” Meg mused. “It is clear that Kendal loves you and you love him. Most of what you need to know your husband will show you. Marital congress is meant to be very pleasurable. The part for which you need to be prepared is when he enters you.”
Thalia already knew about some of the pleasurable parts, thanks to that evening under the tree, but entering her? “I do not understand.”
“A man has an appendage. We shall call it a member. It becomes hard when he is aroused. You might have felt it when you were kissing Kendal.”
She had felt a hard ridge pressing against her when they were under the tree. “Is it like a thick stick?”
“Exactly.” Meg smiled. “That is his member. It is that part of him that goes in the place from which you bleed when you have your courses.”
“That is the reason it is painful.”
“If the man is skilled and not selfish, it will hurt only the first time. Your sheath is meant to be able to stretch.” Meg looked at Thalia as if to make sure she comprehended what would occur. “It will take time for him to make you ready.”
“I think I understand. You are saying the first time should not be hurried.”
“Yes. The first time you have marital congress, he should go slowly.”
That would not be the case if they were hurrying to meet the Scottish marriage requirements for consummation. “Thank you. I know what I must do.”
Studying her Meg frowned slightly, and Thalia hoped her sister-in-law had not guessed what she planned. “If you have any other questions, please come to me.”
She summoned a smile. “You have been very helpful, and I shall. Thank you.”
Now, holding Giles’s hand as they made their way back through the passage, she knew that if she wanted her first time to be pleasant, she must take the bull by his horns, as the saying went.
Her brother and Guy went their own ways when they gained the corridor. At the door to her bedchamber, she held Giles close and whispered, “Come to me when you have readied yourself for bed.”
Giles searched her eyes, and she hoped he found her conviction in them. “Are you certain? We will not be married until morning.”
“Yes. I am perfectly sure this is the right course of action.”
He hugged her tightly. “Give me thirty minutes.”
That would be just long enough for her to ready herself and dismiss her maid. “I shall see you soon.”
Thalia walked into her bedchamber, but her maid was not there as she usually was. Something that sounded like a sob came from the dressing room, and she opened the door. Mannering was crying as if someone had died. “What is it? What is wrong?”
“Oh, my lady!” She lifted her head, and Thalia saw a red handprint on her maid’s cheek. “Your father’s man, Sittle, said that if I didn’t spy on you, I’d be dismissed without a reference. I told him I didn’t care, that I owed my loyalty to you, just like your mother said when she hired me. Then he hit me and said I’d be sorry if I didn’t do what he told me to.”
Thalia’s hands clenched into fists as rage flooded her. How dare anyone abuse her servant? “I will not allow him to harm you. However, you must make your choice. Come with me when I marry, or stay in my father’s house.”
Her maid’s eyes were red, but the tears had stopped. “My lady, I want to come with you.”
“Let me ensure you have a safe place to sleep tonight.” She tugged the bell pull twice, and the under-butler soon appeared.
He bowed. “My lady, how may I help you?”
“Miss Mannering has been threatened by one of my father’s servants, by the name of Sittle. The man is a lecher and is violent.” Thalia pointed to her maid’s cheek. “I must ensure she has a safe place to sleep this evening and can come to me freely tomorrow morning.”
The man’s eyes flashed with anger. “Give me a little while, and I will have a solution.”
He almost stomped out, and the door clicked behind him. “Come help me change and get ready for bed. I shall want my robe as well.”
Giles arrived at the same time as the under-butler returned. “What’s going on?”
She took Giles by the hand and pulled him into her room. “My maid was attacked by one of my father’s servants.”
He looked at the under-butler. “Do you have a solution?”
