Finally, for all those who may have been hoping for more erotica in a Literotica submission, several parties get their bells wrung. This submission contains oral sex as well as regular intercourse. If you are offended by such things, don't read any further, but hopefully, that's why you're on this website and not some other. Things are starting to heat up.
Chapter 16
At 5:00, the ladies disappeared to put on their new dresses, the men already dressed in their best kilts. The three of them came down the stairs together, to the stunned looks of their men. Teárlag was in a pale yellow, semi-translucent shift which more than hinted at the treasures beneath it. A lemon yellow bodice was cinched tight at her small waist putting her assets on prominent display. Thorburn wanted to pull the shift down and nibble on the bumps exposed by the fabric.
Ailene wore a green brocade that would have been daringly low but for the lace filling the center of the dress. While the lace did a good job of hiding the valley between her breasts, it hinted at the mounds on either side. Stuart let out a low whistle.
"A rather daring dress, wife. I wonder what the priest will say when he sees it," Stuart whispered in her ear when she reached him.
"Nothing I hope. The pattern had no lace at all in the center. I can't imagine what French women are thinking by exposing themselves so. I wonder if they're not all trollops. I added the lace myself so my breasts wouldn't be falling out of the dress. I know it's still scandalous, but I wanted it to be special for you."
Isobel's dress was the most modest of the three. Red brocade, laced up tight, squishing her breasts so they squeezed flat, but the mounds created pushed up to create a hint of the soft flesh beneath. Frang took her hand and kissed her fingers.
"Do you feel prepared for the Festival?"
"I'm so nervous. I've never attended anything this grand before. I hope I don't look like a fool in this beautiful dress."
"You look enchanting, Isobel. Your dark red hair is set off by the fabric. If you're not the most beautiful woman here, you're definitely a close second. Don't worry, you'll be fine."
By 5:30, the guests were seated at their various tables with platters of meat piled high on each one. Bread laden bowls were placed readily at hand. Beets, turnips and carrots steamed in their serving dishes. Wine, whiskey or beer had been poured in each glass. Pitchers of cold well water stood at each table. Dried apples and pears were available to all. The three Cameron brothers were at the head table with Isobel, Teárlag and Ailene seated beside them. The Lord Mayor of Dervaig was there with his wife as well as the village priest to bless the food and guests. Thorburn stood to get everyone's attention and asked to priest to say grace. Everyone stood.
"Bless us, oh Lord, with Thy bounteous blessings. We thank Thee for the food You've given us, and the comfort of a warm hearth. Bless the friends and guests You've gathered here to enjoy thy bounty, secure in the love and fellowship of our hosts and neighbors. We ask Thee to bless the ground and crops we've sown to ensure a bountiful harvest. Grant us peace and prosperity, all powerful Father, in the name of Saint John the Baptist and all the saints, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen."
A thunderous "Amen" rose from the gathered guests.
Thorburn shouted, "Please attend," to attract their gaze before they all sat down again.
"As most of you are already aware, my brother, Frang, has asked for the hand of Lady Isobel McTavish, which she has granted. Since we are all gathered together for the Midsummer Festival, we have decided to hold the ceremony tomorrow at 3:00 PM. You are all invited to stay, or return if you must leave, to attend the wedding. Another feast will follow the nuptials. I'd ask all of you to raise your glass to toast the impending wedding. To Frang Cameron, and his intended, the lovely Isobel McTavish, here is my wish for you.
Wishing you always walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
And the love and laughter of those you hold dear."
He raised his glass to cries of "Slà inte!"
Frang and Isobel thanked him.
Thorburn continued, "To all my guests who join us on this joyous occasion, I wish to propose a toast to lying, stealing, cheating and drinking."
The priest looked at him askance. This was certainly nothing he'd preached at Sunday services.
"If you're going to lie, lie for a friend.
If you're going to steal, steal a heart.
If you're going to cheat, cheat death.
And if you're going to drink, drink with me."
Thorburn drained his glass and sat down. The priest, relieved, said a quick 'Amen' drowned out by the sounds of raucous laughter and more calls of 'Slà inte'.
Cups, goblets and glasses were drained and servants hurried to refill each of them.
"Please, eat your fill," Thorburn added. "We have plenty to share. We'll have good music and dancing to follow and we'll light the bonfire at midnight. God's blessings on all of you."
People filled up their plates and dug into the plentiful food. There was a pleasant buzz of noise, dishes clattering, hearty laughter, whispers and low conversation.
Stuart leaned over and whispered, "I thought the priest was going to have apoplexy when you proposed a toast to lying, cheating and such. His face was almost purple before you said the actual toast."
"It was a lovely toast, Thorburn," Teárlag said. "Quite humorous while remaining heartfelt and true. I did not know you were so talented with words. One of your many talents, I might add." She whispered while squeezing his leg near his cock, "I'm looking forward to some of your other gifts later."
"You can't travel as much as I have without picking up a few useful things," he replied.
She left her hand there, much to Thorburn's consternation, for the balance of the meal.
When all guests had eaten their fill, the tables were cleared, the planks and benches were taken away, and the musicians began to warm up. Bagpipes, drum, fiddle and whistle and when they started with a Highland Fling, near everyone got on the floor to dance away the meal. The music was fast and lively and anyone not dancing was tapping their toes or slapping their legs, clapping their hands, or otherwise keeping time to the music.
Isobel got up to dance and Frang asked, "Dancing will not hurt the bairn, will it?"
She laughed and said, "Nay, Laird Cameron of Lady Luck Farm. A wee bit of exercise at this point will not harm the child. Later on, perhaps, if the pregnancy is difficult, it could be bad, but it'll be fine for now. Let's see if all that time in France has spoilt your ability to dance a reel."
"Lead on, then Lady Isobel, mistress of Lady Luck Farm. I'll see what you've got on the dance floor."
The dancing went on until midnight, with the three brothers dancing with each of their women and many other ladies besides. During one particularly vigorous dance, Thorburn swung Teárlag around like she was no more than thistle down in his brawny arms and you could hear her laughter as he swung her around the room in exaggerated movements lifting her feet from the floor more than a few times. The priest felt it prudent to retire before he could throw a damper on the celebration, and the drinking, dancing and music was legendary.
******
Outside the Keep, Blackthorne's captain, Ian, observed the Keep from the surrounding woods. He took note of the number of guards still standing watch on the walls, the weapons stacked closely to hand.
"Does the man never let down his guard?" He complained to his lieutenant. "The man is throwing a bloody party and his walls have more guards than usual."
"Aye, the man is a canny commander. He knows when he might be vulnerable and moves to counteract any weaknesses."
"I don't even see signs the guard is drinking. It's a waste of time to be sitting here. The Keep is way too strong to attack when they're prepared for an attack. Let's get out of here. I could use a whiskey myself."
******
The dance broke up shortly before midnight. The guests refilled their glasses with their preferred beverages and drifted out to the courtyard for the lighting of the bonfire. Thorburn offered the torch to the Lord Mayor to light the bonfire. He touched the torch to the wood and it slowly caught. He passed the torch to Stuart who touched it to the wood in front of him. Stuart passed the torch to Frang who handed it to Isobel, who lit the section in front of her and soon the entire pile of wood was ablaze. She tossed the torch onto the pyre. The guests sang a couple of their favorite folk songs about love and life and Scotland, many of them holding hands as they did so. Soon, the older guests drifted off to bed wherever that may be. Some of the younger folk snuck away from the watchful eye of their elders and found time to grope each other in the dark. Thorburn left with Teárlag and Stuart with Ailene, leaving Frang and Isobel to watch the embers floating up in the sky with the others who remained.
"You're not seeking your bed, Isobel. Are you nervous about tomorrow?"
She leaned her head against Frang's shoulder, holding his arm.
"Less so than the first time I was married. I know more of what I'm getting this time, and expecting fewer problems. My sole regret is my inability to come to you as a wife should. You've been kind and considerate of me in all ways, yet I cannot rid myself of the fear McTavish gave me for the marital bed. I would be paralyzed with fear had you not promised to give me time to find my love and accept yours. It's a splendid thing you do; marrying me while I carry another man's child. I wish I could give you all that you want, for your nobleness of character, if not for the love you express for me."
"It would be harder for me if I didn't understand the reason for your fear and apprehension. You have promised to do your best to love me and that is sufficient for now."