Chapter 10

Ness and Jacob ate together that night and each proceeding. It was a time when they could be alone, away from the clans which were so entwined with their fates. After the first night, Renesmee suggested that they continued their chess matches. She hoped that it would give them insights into the workings of his mind. He readily agreed.

The first week flew by. Messengers rushed between the clans bringing news and making arrangements for the ceremony of Jacob's election by tanist. Much of Jacob's days were taken by the lairds as they all discussed and bargained in the peace treaty. Ness was sorry for the hours they spent apart, she wanted to have more time to get to know Jacob before she plighted her troth. Still, each evening they dined privately and followed the meal with either a carving lesson or a game of chess.

The lessons were both amusing and sensual. Jacob made excuses to wrap his arms around her and touch her hands. She was coming to anticipate the feel of his breath on her cheek, but he had been careful not to let the kisses they shared become too passionate. One evening when he was holding her from behind she decided to tempt him. She turned her face and kissed his cheek. He smiled, but continued to guide her hands.

She decided to try again. Jacob had a habit of seeming so in control, so above it all, and Ness found that she wanted to see him without that mask. She had once, after the first carving lesson. That kiss had warmth, urgency, and she was almost certain, desire. She had enjoyed it better than any of the kisses they had shared since. Ness had stopped listening to what Jacob was saying, and was instead paying attention to the muscles in his arms as they flexed around her. She enjoyed the feel, and wanted to feel more.

"The trick is to turn the bore carefully. If you turn without precision the blade can easily slip." With that Jacob released her and stepped away to watch her do it herself.

Ness felt a chill as his body heat left her and she felt it pique her temper. With a heavy sigh she gouged the wood far harder than Jacob had shown her and as he said, the blade skittered up and pierced the ball of her thumb. Ness squeaked and dropped the blade, cradling her hand close to her body.

"Oh God!" Jacob cried rushing to her side to assist. He took the wrist of the injured hand and attempted to draw it away from her body so he could judge the severity of the damage. "Come now, Lass, you must let me see."

Ness glared at him, but allowed him to view the hand. Ness saw a clear gash across the hand and felt the stinging pain. It was bleeding a fair amount and the blood pooled in her hand.

"Bollox! Why dinna you listen? I warned you that the borer required a gentle touch!" Jacob was harsh with the lass. Far harsher than he was on any previous student. He couldna imagine why, but as he tore off a piece of his white shirt and wrapped it around the wound seeing it stain almost immediately with blood he realized that he felt more protective of Ness than he had of the lads he had previously taught. "I need to tie this fair tight, Lass. Do us both a favor and remain still."

Ness heard the irritation in his tone and felt a greater annoyance. It was she who was hurt, why was he so upset. "Leave it," she said attempting to pull her hand back. "I'll go to my da. He has healing hands and will stitch it in a thrice. I could do it faster even than he, but it is more difficult one handed."

Jacob gave no ground. He would not release her. "I said stay still! What is it about you, lass, that you canna follow simple instructions?!"

That snapped the thin thread that Ness was holding onto for civility. "Mayhap it is your boorish manner and officious style! I doona bow to any man, let alone a Black!" At that point she stood and tried to yank her wrist free. How had this gone so wrong? Not ten minutes ago she had been contemplating kissing him.

Jake growled in frustration giving a sharp tug to her wrist pulling her off balance and landing her directly in the circle of his arms. He felt the air rush from her lungs and worried for a moment that he had hurt her. He looked into her dark eyes and saw the fire glowing within. He locked his arm about her waist, meaning to give her a good tongue lashing, but when she looked up at him with a fierce defiance and licked her lips it was he who lost his breath. Her pink tongue darted out and moistened her coral lips. He felt his manhood stir and before he could think he had swept her up in a kiss.

Ness was angry and tried for half a moment to resist, but the moment their lips touched she felt a surge of need flood her. Jacob's hard planes were welded to her soft curves and as the kiss progressed his lips ravaged hers. Their tongues met and danced an ancient dance of seduction. Nessie drew in his scent and sighed. He released her wrist and began to allow his hands to wander over her form. One hand buried itself in the molten copper of her hair and massaged her scalp. The other slid to her waist and pulled her ever closer.

Jacob was swept up by the raging river of desire that flooded him. He wanted her. Nay, he needed her. She was like air for his lungs, like meat to his ever increasing appetite. He slid his lips and tongue across her jaw and down the column of her throat. He heard her gasping breaths as she leaned her neck to accommodate his exploration.

"More," her voice cried softly. She had no idea what more she wanted, all she knew was that she could feel there was more, and she wanted it all. She slid her form across his and felt her nipples pebble beneath her blouse. His lips and tongue were igniting flames across her skin and she felt herself come alive beneath his touch.

"Oh God!" Jacob used her words as permission to further explore this tasty dish. His hand slid up her ribcage and around to cup her breast. He weighed it in his hand and felt the steely nipple in the palm of his hand. His lips were on her throat now, if he tilted slightly he could slide them down to the rock hard peak of her need.

Ness began mirroring Jacob's lips across his skin. Her tongue darted out and tasted, tentatively at first and then with more determination. It was heaven and hell all at once. He knew he had to have a taste of her real passion, but he also knew he needed to maintain control. Alas, Ness reached the shell of his ear and after tickling it with the tip of her talented tongue she sighed again "More."

Jacob lowered his lips to the peak of her breast and began to suckle her through her blouse and shift. The material was too thick and irritated him in no time. She was already leaning into his moist urging and he knew what she wanted. Without thought he slid both the blouse and shift aside and exposed her perfect breast to the evening light of the garden. The cool air caused her nipple to tighten even more and Ness shivered in his arms. "Shh, Lass, I'll fix it." With that he attached his lips to the point of her need and drew it in. Her taste was sweet and the sounds she made as she strained against him were fueling his desire.

Ness clung to his shoulder with her good hand and raised herself against him. She could feel him at her breast, but with each draw of his lips she felt a stronger deeper pull in her belly, and below. She could not breathe deeply enough, nor get close enough. She let her head fall back and allowed him freer access. At that moment he nipped the peak of her slightly and she clung to him with both hands. It sent a sharp pain through her hand and she cried out in pain.

Jacob raised his head in alarm and horror. He had hurt her. How would he make up for losing control? He stepped back and searched her face. "Did I hurt you, Lass?"

Ness cradled her injured hand against her chest again and shook her head. "Nay, twas me hand. I forgot," at that she laughed slightly.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because I believe your pain medicine is far more effective than any potion or poultice me da has ever concocted." Ness tried to return them to their previous activity, but Jacob looked at her hand and saw the cloth was soaked with crimson.

"We need to…" Jacob looked at Ness, well kissed and flushed with want. He also saw her half-dressed and realized that he needed to set her to rights before he could take her for mending. "Tis a sin to cover so perfect a form, but I canna have your da thinking we have been…"

"Have been what?"

"Getting better acquainted," Jacob said with a smile. He assisted her in covering herself and then made to walk her to her father.

Ness led Jacob to his father's chamber. She had him knock. The hour was not so late that her parents would be sleeping, and she knew that both would not sleep easy til they had tended to their daughter.

Esme opened the door and upon seeing the pair opened it wider. "Is everything alright?"

"I jabbed my hand with one of the blades. I was distracted and dinna listen to my tutor's instructions," Ness confessed holding out her hand.

"Oh my," Esme said. "Carlisle, your daughter has wounded herself."

"It is my fault really, I should have provided more assistance," Jacob offered.

Ness glared at him again. "Tis not the first time I have come here with a self-inflicted wound, Jacob. No need to shield my parents from my clumsiness. They are well acquainted with it."

Jacob acquiesced. "Verra well, then, Nessie has no carving skill what-so-ever, and I think she needs to choose a different boon when we next play chess."

"Come in you two," Carlisle said leading them to a small table before the hearth. He unwrapped her hand and tossed the cloth into the flames. "When will you learn to temper your force, Lass? This is near as deep as the gash you got when charging Emmett with yer dirk."

"How did you get a gash if twas you that charged him?" Jacob asked.

"He tripped me," Ness said peevishly.

Jacob tried with all his might to suppress his smile, but Ness saw it none-the-less.

Carlisle uncorked a bottle of whiskey. "Suren' it is a shame to waste such a fine brew on such as this, but it must be done." He poured the alcohol over Ness' hand and she winced at the sting. Jacob winced sympathetically.

Esme brought over a threaded needle and handed it to her husband. Carlisle moved a candle closer so he could see and then began to sew the torn flesh. Ness bore it well, biting her lip until it turned white, but never voicing a complaint.

Jacob was impressed with her fortitude and decided that she deserved a reward for her strength. "Laird Cullen, I thought, with your permission, I would ask Renesmee to accompany me to the farms before the harvest."

"I have no objections," Carlisle said tying the last stitch.

"Would you mind, Ness?"

"I would be delighted. I'll have Mrs. Cope make us up a basket and we can eat on the way, make a day of it."

Come the morn Ness dressed carefully and braided her hair. All night she had had the most delicious dreams of Jacob Black. She relived the kisses in the garden and the wicked feelings they had stirred. Ness grabbed her heavy plaid to keep her warm and cozy in the cooling fall air.

She was looking forward to the ride and the chance to show Jacob her design for the irrigation ditches. She was proud of her accomplishment and wanted him to admire it. When she reached the main hall, she found Alice with a large basket filled with food and two bottles of wine tied together so they would hand from her saddle.

Jacob met her in the courtyard with his huge roan stallion. Next to him was a groom with her own dappled gelding.

They rode out near six and a half hours and she showed him the rolling fields full of golden wheat and oats. She showed him the deep trenches they had dug and how she had them build levered draw doors which could both release water and divert it. She explained how this system was likely to yield crops near double the year before, and how if it was successful they planned to expand it even further into the farming land.

Jacob looked out over the fields and shook his head amazed at the amount of potential food. "Amazing."

"Thank you. I am pleased with the budding increase in crops."

"I wonder if something like this would work on our lands. Where I am from we have little good farm land. If we could devise a way to water the farms more efficiently it would ease the workload laid upon our farmers, and assist in lessening the need for buying veg and grain," Jacob explained.

"If you doona farm, how do ya feed the clan?"

"As I said we bargain and trade for much of our food. We also have large herds of cows and sheep. They provide the meat, and the wool for cloth, and milk for cooking and drinking. We also have wood cutters who cull the forest for fine woods for which the carvers can use to make the items for trade."

Ness could not imagine not having farms. There was so much flat land here that the farms dotted the land and looked like a patchwork from the tower room. They had small animal farms, chickens and pigs. However, like Clan Black, Clan Cullen bartered and bought supplies they could not provide for themselves. It seemed a silly arrangement, now that they were becoming allies.

"Have you not discussed this with our fathers?"

"They are well aware of the needs of their clans," Jacob said pompously, as if this was obvious.

"Aye, I am sure they are," Ness explained as politely as she could, "but are they aware of the needs of their ally's clan, and more importantly, how the other's needs and their own could mean that combining their assets could reduce both the cost and trouble of finding their needs met elsewhere?"

Jacob thought about that for a moment. "You mean… Oh I see. Until this moment, I doubt anyone ever thought of it. We have so long been at odds that I think we ar'na looking for ways to co-operate that should be clear." Jacob smiled and looked at his clever soon-to-be wife. "With your permission I shall inform them of your idea on the morrow."

They began to ride back to the keep at around the hour of six. They would miss the evening meal, but they most often did. They had plenty of food, Alice had seen to that. Nessie had not given that much thought, but as they rode toward home she looked to the sky and saw the blanket of gray that was a wall of clouds ahead of them. The sun began to be dimmed and the air grew fractious and biting.

"There is a storm a'brewin'," Jacob said from behind her. "We should look for shelter."

"There's a hut about a mile from here, just over the hill," Ness called back to him raising her voice to be heard over the sound of the increasing wind.

"Then let's go!"

They steered the horses in that direction trying to beat the rain, but in an instant the sky opened up and spit fire into the path. Nessie's horse reared and she let out a scream. The rain pelted down like tiny sharp seeds that cut against the skin and soaked the pair to the skin.

Jacob came to Nessie's side and took the reins of her horse. She was white as a ghost. She shuddered with each crack of lightning as if she were being struck. The lighting was fast and closer than Jacob would like, but he maintained his calm and led Ness to the cabin that made itself clear, even through the downpour.

It became clear rather quickly that this was no ordinary storm. Trees were struck along their way and a few began to burn. The rain was thick as a blanket, and no light, save the lightning bursts, sliced the darkness. As they pulled up to the hut Jacob jumped down and tied the horses to the stone post. He turned to lift Ness down only to find her shivering and ashen. He had never seen her frightened, other than during the meeting in which Riley had accused her. He approached her slowly and spoke softly.

"Come now, lass, we need to get ye inside and in front of a fire, a 'fore ye catch yer death. May I help ya down?"

She nodded, but not a sound came from her tightly pursed lips. He slid her to the ground and was prepared to walk her in, when another bolt of lightning flashed and a clap of earth shattering thunder shook the ground. Ness screamed and fell into Jacob's arms. He scooped her up and walked to the door. He lifted the latch and it opened to him. Once inside he looked about and tried to get the lay of the place. There was a good sized hearth with a fair pile of wood stacked there. A warm fur rug sat before it. There was a chair and a table and off to one side of the room a good sized bed with warm woolen blankets and furs. Given a moment or two Jacob could set the place to rights and see to Nessie's warmth and care. He put her down on the hearth rug and went about lighting the fire. In no time the blaze roared to life.

Jacob turned to Ness, ready to tend her needs and was stunned by what he saw. Her eyes were large as saucers and darting about the room. She was shivering and her teeth were chattering. He reached for her and she skittered away.

"Hey, now. It's only a storm and yer safe. I am here, and in a tic I'll have you warm and dry."

Ness took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I hate tempest such as this. Always have. I blame Emmett."

Jacob began to unwind Ness' wrap as he spoke to her. He wanted to ease her fear and knew that she needed to get out of her wet things before she was severely chilled. "What did Emmett do to make you fear them?"

"He said it was the Giants walking the earth once more. He spun tales of them needing to stretch their legs after centuries of slumber, and that if I werna careful they would crush me beneath their feet." Her face still looked fearful, but she dinna fight Jacob's ministrations. She did, however, seem more and more chilled. Her lips were blue and her whole body had begun to shake.

"Ness, we need to get these wet clothes of ya. Then we'll wrap you some blankets and set you by the fire. Will you trust me?"

"Aye, but I doona think I can be much assistance." As she spoke her teeth banged together like a novice's knees. Her lips were still blue and she looked so small and helpless.

"Stay a moment, I'll get the supplies from the horses. You need some food and drink." Jacob returned with the basket and the bottles. He laid them before the fire and then dragged the blankets from the bed.

All the while the storm raged on out of doors. Ness had managed to stand and was shedding her wet clothes and laying them aside. Jacob froze as she stood there in naught but her thin, gauzelike shift. The firelight illuminated the material making it all but invisible. Renesmee's form was there for him to behold; her long legs, her womanly hips, her slender, nipped-in waist, and her perfect breasts. He reminded himself that she was an innocent, and must remain so for another nine days.

"Here, lass," he said moving toward her and holding out a blanket to wrap her in.

Ness slipped the shift over her head and turned to face Jacob and walk forward into the blanket and his arms. She watched his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallowed and knew she had achieved her desired effect. "Now its yer turn."

"My…. My turn? I doona think… I mean…"

"I canna have my soon-to-be husband catchin' his death all because he thought if my innocence, now can I? I could be accused of yer murder." Ness teased. Jacob stood his ground not moving a muscle, but it was not out of stubbornness as much as shock. "Come now. Do I have to undress you myself?"

Jacob took a step back his eyes wide with consternation. "Nay! I'll do it." Jacob peeled off his shirt and tossed it aside. Ness' eyes flew over the peaks and planes of his shoulders, arms, and chest. She saw his bronze skin shining in the firelight. His dark nipples there upon his defined muscles. Now it was her turn to swallow hard.

"Let me fetch another blanket," Jacob said.

He returned with said blanket and turned his back to her. He unwound his soaked kilt and exposed his bum to Ness. She had seen bare backsides for years, it was a hazard of training with the men. Still, she had ne'er seen one like this. It was perfectly shaped and had two perfect dimples on either side of his lower back. Then, as her eyes slide down she saw him flex to pick up the blanket. She audibly sighed a shuddering breath.

Jacob turned around once he donned the blanket and saw the clear desire in Renesmee's eyes. He let out a deeply held breath. "What are ye thinking, lass?"

"I have a proposition for ye," she said taking a seat near the fire. She reached out from the blanket and patted the space next to her on the hearth rug.

Jacob sat carefully feeling their nakedness and her nearness a dangerous mix. He was at a loss to imagine what the lass could possibly want, so he waited patiently.

"I want you to tupp me."

"You… Wait… What?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking and I have decided that since this all started I have been lost in this rushing river. I have been carried along, with no hope of rescue or relief. In less than a week's time you will be my lord and master. I will go from my father's house to yours." Ness rushed through. "How and when I give myself to you should be my decision, no one else's."

Jacob saw the seriousness in her eyes, the longing to not have her entire existence taken out of her hands. He understood. They had been pawns in this game. Even he had had more opportunity to shape the outcome than had this woman. She was right. This was her's to choose, and he would grant her that boon.

He swallowed. He had sworn that he had not touched her except with the utmost respect. Now he would break his word to their father's to honor his future wife.

"I will do as you wish, on three conditions. First, you and I will exchange vows and make promises to one another, here and now, before God. I will grant you the time and place we wed. This is yours for the choosing."

Nessie nodded slowly not truly believing that Jacob would grant her wish.

"Secondly," Jacob grimaced at his thoughts, "as I have more experience in these matters than yourself, you must trust me. I want this to be pleasurable for you, and that may require a slow hand at times to ensure your preparedness. Do you agree?"

Ness' heart was beating wildly in her chest. Again she nodded.

"And lastly, you and I will not tupp."

"What?! But you just said…"

"I said I will give your choices, and I will. But my father taught me that there is a difference between tupping some light skirt and making love to yer wife. With us, from this night forward we will share not only our bodies, but our hearts, our minds. No other woman will share my bed, and I will have your word that no other man will share yours."

"Of course not," Ness protested.

"Then swear that you will tell me yer desires, yer wants, yer needs. Swear you will speak what pleases you and what does not. I want to learn yer body as if it were my own. I will know how and where to touch you to quicken your hunger for me, and know that a mere look in that direction will tempt you. I want to share more with you than I have ever, or will ever share with another. Swear to that and we can begin." Jacob held his breath. In the last six days he had come to like her, to care about her happiness. He wanted this. He wanted her, but he would settle for no less than everything they both deserved.

Time stood still. Jacob watched the play of emotions on Renesmee's lovely face. The rain continued to beat down and the thunder shook the floor. Then she lifted her eyes to his and slid the blanket from her form. "I swear," she whispered and Jacob moaned a little praying he could make this everything she deserved.