The morning was better, although frankly anything would have been an improvement over the night before. Will had bought scones with butter and honey from a bakery he knew, finding me already dressed and ready for the day. A simple shirtwaist and skirt, with a jacket because I was quickly finding that Scotland's weather was temperamental even on the best of days. We wound up sharing our breakfast with Reggie and Louise, despite her protestations. "Ma'am, I shouldn't be doing this." She cut her eyes over to Reggie. "And neither should you."
Will rolled his eyes. "It's breakfast Louise, and we're not in New York or Paris or London. It's perfectly fine for you to share a meal with us." His accent seemed to have fallen away, as if he could simply drop it and pick it up as needed.
"In fact," I slathered a bit more honey on my scone. "I order you to have breakfast with us every day when we're here."
"It's not as if we have that much to do." Reggie reasoned, shrugging. "Unless you have found something you'd like us to tend to?"
"Not particularly." Will furrowed his brow. "Although, if you find yourself bored, you could always take a trip to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Perhaps so some shopping for us."
"If you need it, sir, then I shall." Reggie nodded, "Simply prepare a list and I shall see what I can do." I couldn't help but wonder what Will meant for him to get, but that was quickly forgotten as Will whisked us off to the train station, looking around carefully before heading in.
He came back with a couple of tickets. "I know Agnes and Sam are supposed to be leaving today, but I'd rather get out of here until I'm sure they're gone. The train should be here soon, and then we'll be in Kirkcudbright."
"And how many people will know you there?" I chuckled, sitting next to him on a bench. "Since it appears that you could run for mayor here and win handily."
"Some, more around the docks though." He settled against the back of the bench. "But I'll find us a boat to rent for the day, maybe get a couple of fishing poles with it." He reached over, patting my knee through my skirt. "I just want you to have a good day after what happened." He had been sweet last night, although he held onto me a bit too tightly at times. There was a benefit to that though, especially with what little night clothes we had been wearing. I swear, I would never tire of being in my husband's arms, nor the things he would do to me.
"I'm quite sure you're capable of showing me a good time." I gave his hand a squeeze, grateful when the train showed up and we boarded without running into his siblings. the train to Kirkcudbright was actually busy, and Will had to negotiate a seat for me on a bench while he stood. I tried to keep my eyes out the window, for when I looked to Will I was suddenly struck by exactly how close I was to a certain area of his trousers. And given how he caught my eye when I looked up at him, his tongue flicking out to briefly wet his lips, he had the same thought as I.
He had an arm around my waist when we came off the train in Kirkcudbright, a much larger town than Dalbeattie, situated next to a river and bustling with industry. It wasn't until we were in a hackney and headed to the docks that Will spoke. "You shouldn't look at me like that, not when people are around."
"Like what?" I kept my voice down, even with the driver outside it was still a risk to be heard.
Will's eyes were alight. "Like you wanted to, well, take me." His voice dropped to a whisper. "In your mouth."
"Perhaps I did."
"And what if someone saw?"
"Well, I may not be as experienced as you but I at least have the sense to not do such things openly." I rolled my eyes, letting my hand fall to his thigh. "But if we were in our rail car, would you have granted me that liberty?"
He rubbed a hand over his face. "Christ, Ana, don't give me ideas." I settled for leaning closer to him, running my hand over his thigh until he picked it up and removed it, no doubt for fear that I'd arouse him. I laughed at his expression, half lust and half embarrassment. "Ana, my God. It appears I've awoken a monster."
"Yes, your greedy little monster of a wife." I chuckled, although I did cease teasing him. It wouldn't do to have him rutting me against a wall as soon as we got out so that he could rent a sailboat without an embarrassing problem. Our cab couldn't get us too close to the docks, jammed as they were with business. Fishing boats, small cargo ships to Ireland, pleasure craft and barges from the river, all were fighting for space and custom. I smiled as we stepped out into the madness. "Ah, now this is truly where I belong."
"Not a ballroom?" Will joked as we began to negotiate our way through the crowd.
"I've been in ballrooms and docks since I was a child, and I can certainly tell you which one I have more fun in." I grinned at a lace seller from Ireland calling out her prices to the crowd pushing through. Oystermen walked their barrows through the crowd, wives were buying fish for dinner and boats were throwing off lines and setting off with great belches of black smoke. I looked over to Will. "We should get the poles before the boat."
"You say pole one more time and I don't know what I'll do to you later." Will groused, but he smiled as we managed to negotiate our way to the area where pleasure craft were rented out. It was quick work for him to have a couple of fishing poles in hand, a tin bucket of bait, and a lovely little sailboat all to ourselves. While he settled that business, I walked through some of the stalls, emerging with a basket of food, an old newspaper to eat off of, and a blanket for what was no doubt going to be a cold day on the water. He rolled his eyes at that, but Will set us off through the harbor, skillfully negotiating our way past the fishing boats and barges until we reached the open ocean. He pointed out to sea, "We'll hug the coast, maybe find a place to tie her up."
"And have a picnic!" I laughed, especially when he waved me back to him at the stern. "Or perhaps roast some fish?"
"Either would be acceptable." Will reached over, placing my hand on the tiller. "Here, steer her for a bit." He kept me company, a strong breeze filling the sail as we tacked our way against it. Kirkcudbright fell away, the bay rather calm although some spray did manage its way over. Will gestured to an island, "See that? Little Ross Island, it's got a lighthouse. We'll head east from here, there's beaches where we can get out."
"Beaches?" I asked as I turned us under his guidance. "All I see are cliffs." And that's all there was, cliffs that waves foamed and writhed around before falling back to the sea. Great gray fingers stretching up, with the barest hint of green meadows and forests at the top of them. We stayed away from them, sticking to the open water as we made our way along. Eventually, Will brought his hand up from the tiller, leaving us under my control. I looked to him, "You're sure?"
"Of course," He smiled, reaching for the fishing poles. "Take us farther out and I'll toss the anchor over, we should fish for a bit before heading in." I slowly brought us about, until Will stood and nimbly made his way to the bow and tossed the small anchor over. He slackened the sail, then held out a pole to me. "Here, I've already baited it."
I considered the worm impaled on the hook. "So I just toss it out?"
"Far as you can." Will stood, throwing his own line out a good distance from the boat. I copied him, although I made sure my hook ended up far from his. Will settled back, "Now, we just wait and see if something bites."
"How can you tell?"
"The cork will go under." He pointed out to the old wine corks bobbing above where our hooks lay. "But don't start pulling until it goes down fully, otherwise you'll lose whatever you've caught." Will settled back onto the bench, looking out at where our corks bobbed peacefully among the waves. "I've spent days out here, sometimes. I used to take Sam." He looked down, "Before I took my exams."
I placed a hand on his. "Would you sleep in the boat?"
"Hah," He shook his head. "No, we'd haul the boat up onto a beach, overturn it, and sleep under it. Then drag her back out and do it all again." His pole twitched in his hands. "How that sweet brother of mine ended up like he is now, I don't know."
"Perhaps it's just the sudden change." I mused, tracing my fingers over his hand. "Your rapid advancement and all that."
"Aye," He sighed, leaning against the mast. "But what he said, about Ada, how long has he been holding that in?"
I moved my hand up to his arm. "What did he say?"
"That I simply picked the woman I desired like a new suit at a store." Will let out a bitter chuckle, "Couldn't even remember she was from New Zealand. He called her Australian, like she was just somebody that got transported down there back when that was half the business making that trip." At my puzzled look he sighed, "They used to send prisoners to the colonies down there, quite a few companies made their initial business transporting them."
"Ah." I gave his arm a squeeze. "You know, if anything I was the one who picked you."
His laugh this time was genuine. "That you did, and what an eye you have." I kept my hand brushing over his arm as I leaned against him, glad for my straw hat for the sun was out and in full force. Not that it did much against the wind that was blowing, making me glad for the solid warmth of my husband. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, pushing my hat off, as he put his arm around me. "Cold?"
"A bit." I looked out across the water, seeing the corks still bobbing placidly. "But you're nice and warm."
"If I had a jacket, I'd give it to you." He murmured, rolling his pole in hand. "And yet here I am in only a waistcoat."
"And yet here you are, far too used to this weather." I rolled my eyes, my hand drifting up to his cheek. "My silly Scotsman, and you walk around without any undergarments in this weather?"
"Ana-"
"Oh I know, you don't do it anymore, but your forefathers did. How did they not freeze to death?"
"Ana, your hook." Will jostled me from his arm. "Start pulling it in!" I hastily grabbed up my pole, fumbling with the reel until I got my fingers around it and started spinning it. Will laughed, his arms coming around to guide my movements. "Easy lass, don't go to fast. Nice and slow, let him get tired." He guided me to pull the rod backwards, in one direction and then the other. "Now, stop reeling and let him run back out."
"What do you think it is, Will? A salmon?" I couldn't help the excitement in my voice.
His face, so close to mine, crinkled in a grin. "Perhaps, or maybe something else. A cod maybe, it feels like it's a big one." He guided me through another round of letting the fish run out and hauling it back in, until finally the fish was exhausted and hauled up beside the boat. He leaned over, grabbing it around the gills and hauling it up. "Ah, a fine pollack. It's a good catch, Ana."
"Will we eat it?" I considered the silver fish dangling from his hands and he worked the hook from its mouth.
"Oh yes, they're fine eating. We'll bring it back, and anything else we get. I'm sure Peg would be glad for it." The fish was struggling less and less, until it finally grew still. I couldn't help the revulsion I felt while watching it slowly die, and I was glad when Will wrapped it up in some newspaper and stored it underneath the bench. There was something about those silent, staring eyes that made me feel odd, like it was watching me. Will grabbed up his pole, "Now, let's see what I can manage." It seemed to take hours for Will's catch to make itself known, and even longer to catch. He was covered with sweat by the end of it, his arms straining as he hauled the fish in. It was a large one, with a hooked jaw, still struggling strongly as he lifted it up. His grin stretched from ear to ear. "Now, that is a salmon, lass. Oh, I hope Peg still remembers how Ma would make them."
"It looks wonderful." I said, hoping he would quickly wrap it up in the newspaper and stow it away with mine. I moved back to the tiller, "Shall we head for a beach?" Will nodded, the fish stowed and the sail quickly raised. Under his guidance I steered us farther down the coast, until tucked away between the cliffs, we found a perfect little cove. It was surrounded by the cliffs, accessible only from the water. Will jumped out, his trousers still getting wet even despite the fact that he had rolled them up, and took a line to drag the boat until it grounded on the sand. I looked down at the water. "How will I get down?"
"Jump." Will laughed, the water around his knees. "Hand me the basket first."
I did so, considering the breaking waves before jumping into them. "So you'll carry the basket but not your wife?"
He was already on the shore, his voice a bit hard to hear over the crashing of the surf. "Your skirt will be fine, just come on." I bit my lip, hiking my skirt and petticoat up as much as I could, and jumped over the side. The water was cold, but not enough to make me shriek and I struggled through the waves until reaching the little area of sand Will had already covered with the blanket. He was smiling as he considered me. "Ana, I'm afraid that just won't do."
"I know," I grumbled, considering my skirt. Despite my best effort, at least a quarter of it had gotten soaked. "Now what can I do about it?"
"Take it off." Will was all smiles as he sat down on the blanket, unpacking the picnic. "No one's around to see, lay it out and it'll be nice and dry when we leave."
I paused as my fingers reached the buttons. "You planned this."
"Me, planning to get my wife out of her clothes?" He put a hand to his chest as if offended. "Ana, how could you accuse me of that?"
The skirt fell from my waist, the petticoat following it as I picked them up and spread them over a rock. A few other rocks secured them against the wind, and I faced my husband in my shirtwaist and chemise. "Are you quite pleased with yourself?"
"I'd be more pleased if you were wearing your stockings." Will chuckled as he took in the sensible wool socks that I had worn, "But I'm quite satisfied, now, come over and eat." He was relentless, even tugging at my chemise as I stepped over by him. I couldn't help laughing as I settled down next to him, looking at the feast we'd been provided with, cheap ham sandwiches and bottled lemonade. Will handed me one of each, "You'll be much happier when we're eating our catch, I can assure you of that."
"I'm looking forward to it." I managed to say around my sandwich. "I don't suppose you'd want to go fishing when we go back to New York? I know some of the clubs go fishing, out in the country."
Will almost choked on his lemonade. "Ana, they go up there to drink and-" He cut himself off, "Other things."
"Such as?" I teased, setting my sandwich down.
"Well, I mean," He flushed a bit. "I'm only guessing at these things, you know, I haven't been there."
"Considering you're not a member of any of those clubs, I would hope so."
"Well, I mean, if Evan Perry is a member of one of those clubs, well, you could only think that he might supply some entertainment." He rubbed a hand across his face. "I'm simply following a line, there."
I finished the last of my sandwich, shifting to kneel on the blanket. "You think they say they're going fishing and just go drinking and whoring instead?" I leaned closer to him, brushing my hand over his cheek. "Surely it can't be all they do, do you think?"
Will was looking at me, curiosity written plain on his features. "I think they might fish, at least a little."
"And you don't think," I let my hands wander from his face down across his waistcoat. "That they teach the whores how to fish?"
"I can't imagine they'd find much joy in it." His breathing was growing as my hand met his trousers, fingers slipping under the waistband. "The men that is, maybe harlots enjoy fishing, I don't know."
"Well, I certainly enjoyed it." I chuckled, fondling him beneath his trousers while one hand began to unbutton his fly. "Are you enjoying this?"
His breath came out in a rush as I freed him and slowly began to stroke his length. "Quite, ah, Ana."
"So maybe they just go fishing, and teach those poor harlots how to fish." I smiled, admiring the effect of my hand on him. He was growing firmer under my ministrations, his breath almost strained as I drew him on. It almost ceased when I pressed my lips to his tip, trailing them down his shaft and back up.
"Criosd, a bhean!" He almost cried out as I took him into my mouth, barely managing to keep his voice at a soft volume as I was swirling my tongue around his tip. I felt his hands come up to my hair, twining his fingers through the strands as I began to take as much of him as I could. My hand still stroked what I could not reach, and I smiled around him as I heard him curse under his breath. His hips surged up when I sucked on him, although I knew to expect it now and moved with him. "Ana, sweet Lord above, what have you done to me?"
Unwilling to relinquish my torture, I only grinned around him and redoubled my efforts. He writhed underneath me, the blanket rucking up as he did, and I reached out a hand to try and still him, for his movements were making pleasuring him quite difficult. Instead, he caught my hand, his fingers twitching around it. I glanced up to him, his blue eyes wide as they caught mine. The other hand in my hair gently tugged me from my work, and I knew my lips were swollen as I spoke. "Will?"
"I want to be in you." His hands moved down my waist, guiding me up and to straddle him. They worked my chemise up, his fingers kneading my rear as I slowly slid down onto him, relishing in that stretch and the sudden rush of fullness that came with him inside me. I worked my hips, rolling and grinding as he thrust up against me.
I stilled after one such thrust. "Oh God, Will."
"What?" He stilled, his eyes open and searching.
"Do that again." I resumed the movement, seeking that place that he had struck before. He thrust home, making me cry out again and I fell against his chest. Will seemed to find the noises I made delightful as he continued in that rhythm, even as I panted into his shoulder and begged for release. The pleasure was rising in me, my legs quivering as I continued to ride him. It was exquisite, enough to make me forget the taste in my mouth as I almost sobbed into Will's neck as my pleasure took me, my muscles seizing and making me still even as Will continued to thrust. He came with a groan, guiding my hips off of him and letting me roll to his side.
Will nuzzled against my cheek, "Devil." I chuckled, unable to think of a response as I tried to summon the strength to move. Will must have noticed me shiver, the wind had picked up and I was only half clothes after all, for he drew me into his arms and peppered my face with kisses. He gently pressed my head back. "Lass, you're a treasure."
"You're a good man, and a good husband." I whispered, "I love you." He hummed at that, holding me tighter. Eventually, my shivering grew enough that he got up to retrieve my skirt and petticoat and helped me back into them. This time, he did carry me back to the boat, handing up the repacked basket and pushing the boat back into the water. It wound up to be more difficult to get us back out, the waves driving us back before Will could raise the sail, and we wound up having to row ourselves past where they could throw us back onto the beach before raising the sail.
It was late afternoon by the time we came across Little Ross Island again, and I could see the lighthouse already lit and beginning its revolutions. Will took over the tiller as we went back into the bay outside Kirkcudbright, slipping us past lumbering cargo ships and low riding fishing boats. A boy was waiting on the dock for us to tie up, and I was thankful for Will's lessons last summer for I was able to throw the line to him easily. Will steadied the boat so I could climb up, and followed me. He took ahold of everything, although he looked over to me. "You know Ana, we could take the poles with us when we go hiking. If you'd like, that is."
"Can you manage them in a kilt?" I teased, "We could buy poles when we get home and go fishing sometime there if you like, but I would much prefer simply wandering with you."
Will snorted. "And it couldn't be you wanting to buy the most expensive fishing poles?"
"Well, I would have to make sure you'd fit in with the boys at the club." I held off for a moment as Will returned the poles and bait, managing to negotiate a bit of ice to keep our catch cool on the train. The blanket was sure to need a wash tomorrow, covered in sand, sweat and soon to be melted ice and fish slime. It was only after he took my hand as we made for the train that I continued. "So you would need the most expensive pole, the best bait, and I'm sure that they could provide they ladies of ill repute."
He laughed at that, hailing a cab as we came to a curb. "Whores are included in club fees? I'm shocked that you would know such things."
I settled on the bench, the basket by my feet as Will joined me. "I'm only taking your advice about guessing, you know. I don't think I could get Mother to approve that expense." He was chuckling as he shook his head, and we settled into a companionable silence as the cab made its way to the station, and we boarded the train. It was much less crowded than this morning, and Will was able to join me on the bench this time. When we got out in Dalbeattie, I looked to him. "Do you want to go see if Peg wants to cook our catch tonight?"
"That would be nice." Will said, and he seemed to know the quickest way to his family's house from anywhere it the town, for we were there in short order. When Will knocked on the door, it took a moment until it was opened. He smiled, the Scots back in his voice. "Hello Peg, ye up fer some cooking?"
"Shhh," Peg glanced behind her, stepping outside. "Ma's asleep, finally."
"What do ye mean?" Will immediately sounded concerned, his brow furrowed.
Peg held up her hands, "She didnae sleep well last night, and Da had to deal with Sam and Agnes this mornin', which meant she asked 'im about it when he came back." She gave a small smile, "He didnae say anythin' about last night, but she was still upset about them leavin'. We're keepin' it quiet now, but she wants ye both to come over fer dinner tomorrow."
Will had calmed as she had spoke, "Ah, well, we managed to find sometin' fer it." Will hoisted up the basket. "A pollack, courtesy of Ana 'ere, and a salmon, from me. Do ye think ye can have 'em all baked like Ma used ta?"
"Of course," Peg smiled, and Will leaned down to get the fish out. She looked to me, "What do ye think would go well with 'em, Ana?"
I pursed my lips. "Perhaps some rice, with onions?"
"Aye, and some lemons fer them too." Peg took both fish, and gave me one last smile. "Care ta come by early and help me cook?"
"Oh," I glanced down, "I'm afraid I'm rather useless in the kitchen outside of frying some eggs and bacon."
She laughed, "Ah, 'tis no problem dear, I'll give ye simple tasks. Tomorrow night?"
"Aye, Peg." Will grinned, kissing her cheek before she stepped through the door. It closed softly behind her, and Will offered his arm. "I am nae trusting ye around that fish, Ana. I'd prefer it not get burned."
I shook my head, smiling. "Will, I do at least know some cooking, I'm not completely hopeless." He snorted, but shifted the basket on his arm so that he could cover my hand with his other, both of us smiling as we headed back for the Burnside.
