The four of us gathered for breakfast about nine the next morning. There was no awkwardness. We had all spent so much time on the phone before meeting. It seemed as though we were all old friends rather than new acquaintances.
Linda and Bobby fit together like toast and butter. If I were watching from the outside, I would think they were in love. Maybe they were. I couldn't wait to be alone with Linda to find out how their night went. Linda was bubbly. I knew it had gone well.
We finished our meal. Bobby and I were mostly silent, only speaking when prodded. The girls kept up a meaningless chatter. Michelin mainly explained what they had planned for entertainment through the week. Linda asked questions when she felt the need.
After coffee, Bobby said, "I will go to the lobby, check us out and have our luggage loaded." He stood and continued, "I will return to you in a few minutes." He looked at Michelin and said, "Please walk with me." Michelin rose from her chair, kissed my cheek and they walked away, holding hands.
Linda came around the table to sit next to me. She kissed my cheek and said, "I will always love you." She was holding her pendant.
I said, "That was nice of Bobby. Somehow he knew I wanted to be alone with you."
Linda squeezed my hand and whispered, "I told him I needed to be alone with you." We both laughed.
Linda was more than just bubbly. She tried to tell me everything at once. "He was so good to me, Luke. He was just as I remember him. He is sweet and kind and at the same time forcefully dominant. His mustache tickles me. I owe Karl Ziegler some thanks. He made me understand that I am submissive. Bobby and I will fit together perfectly this whole week. Will Michelin hold your attention?"
I answered, "I want to take her home with us."
Linda became quiet and looked at me in surprise. I smiled and she realized I was kidding. She quit holding her breath and her first exhalation was audible.
I said, "Sweetheart if last night was an example, she will hold my attention very well. Understand this though, I'm not going to spend a week in a centuries-old Scottish manor and not sleep with you at least one night."
She kissed me again and said, "I will see to that. It will happen." She giggled.
I said, "Maybe Michelin and I will let you sleep in the middle."
Linda asked, "Do you think she would like to do that?"
I answered, "I asked her if she wanted to have sex with you. She told me she would enjoy that. I'm surprised you two haven't already made a deal, as much time as you spent talking on the phone."
Linda chuckled and said, "We kind of did but we both agreed to follow your lead."
"What about Bobby," I asked. "Do you think he knows that she is Bi?"
Linda answered, "I'll bet he knows everything about her but maybe you should talk to her before we involve Bobby, just to be safe. If it would upset Bobby, I don't want to do it."
Bobby and Michelin returned to the table. Michelin sat in Linda's old seat and the waitress brought fresh coffee, without being asked.
Bobby said, "We are all set. We can start for the estate now or if you like, or we can help you become tourist here in Edinburgh. We could spend most of the day here and still be home before dark. There is much history here."
He laid a hotel pamphlet on the table. There were fourteen points of interest advertised, each with a photograph and a brief description the site.
I said, "Damn Bobby, It would take our whole week to see all of these."
He laughed and replied, "Ah, Ya could no' do it in a week." His accent was thick. I think he probably figured out the effect it has on Linda. He went on, "Maybe you and Linda should pick one attraction. I think we could comfortably do that."
Linda and I stuck our heads together and chose Edinburgh Castle.
Bobby looked me and said, "Ah, a warrior's choice, Luke. Have you been a soldier?"
I answered, "I did a hitch in the Marine Corps when I was very young. Truthfully, I have more interest in the architecture of the castle rather than its function as a fortress.
Bobby shifted his attention to Linda. He said, "And you have made a bonnie choice too, Lass. You will enjoy the displays of style and dress from the time when the castle was built. We believe that was eight hundred years ago, in the twelfth century."
We had finished our tour of the castle. We were leisurely strolling toward the parking lot when there was a thunderous boom. I asked, "What was that?"
Bobby replied, "That was the one O'clock gun. That happens every day except Sunday, at precisely one O'clock and has been so since 1861. It is a timing signal for all the ships in the Firth of Forth. They use it to calibrate their ship's chronometers. The correct time has always been critical for navigation. Modern systems don't have to have it all the time, but the old navigation techniques still back-up the new."
I asked, "What does Firth of Forth mean?"
Bobby said, "The language is Scottish Gaelic. The translation is rough, the estuary of the River Forth. The Firth is one of the UK's best deep-water anchorages". You can find much history and industry here.
We arrived back at the Bentley. Bobby said, "If it pleases everyone, I know of a quaint country inn about half-way to the estate. The food is marvelous. I think we can enjoy a light lunch there and it will serve as a pleasant pause in our journey."
We drove away.
The big car rode well and was very quiet inside. Bobby handled the narrow, winding road with ease and great skill.
Linda teased Michelin and me. She said, "You two have been holding hands every minute since we left the hotel. I think you are enjoying each other's company with ease. Why is that?"
I answered, "Linda we shared some damn good sex last night. We are anticipating a repeat performance tonight. I plan to hog Michelin's time and attention this whole week. Holding her hand keeps her in my mind and makes me feel warm inside."
Michelin giggled and turned as red as a beet.
I asked Bobby, "Are you enjoying your time with Linda?"
He answered, "I am, Luke. She is exactly as advertised. Is it proper to say what I feel?"
I answered, "Absolutely, always speak freely."
He said, "We shared some damn fine sex last night. We are anticipating a repeat performance tonight. I plan to hog Linda's time and attention this whole week." He spoke in the accent of a Texas country boy. His Scottish brogue was completely gone. We all laughed.
I noticed Linda was fingering her pendant. I caught her eye and mouthed, "I love you."
We stopped for our light lunch almost exactly an hour into the trip.
After we were seated, a rather severe-looking older woman handed each of us a menu. She turned out to be a sweet and lovely person.
I looked at the menu and addressed Bobby. I said, "My menu is not written in English."
Bobby laughed and said, "Of course it is. It's just that Americans can't read, write, speak or understand the English language." We all Laughed.
Linda said, "Apparently he is right, Luke. I can't read it either."
I said, "We are lucky. Bobby can speak American. Will you translate for us, Sir?"
He laughed and said, "Please allow me to order for us all. There are some things on the menu that you will like very much. There are some other things that you may find distasteful."
We all agreed and Bobby summoned the server with just a look in her direction. He ordered Cullen Skink for four. He ordered a glass of white wine for each of the girls and questioned me with his eyes.
I asked for a double whiskey on ice, Crown Royal if it is available.
Bobby ordered my drink and water for everyone. He also ordered ice for Linda and me.
The server left and Bobby said, "Most places have ice now but you won't get it if you don't ask for it. People here use very little of it."
I asked, "What is the dish that you ordered?"
He answered. "It is something I think you will enjoy. It is a staple in this part of the country. Each restaurant has its own recipe but they are all similar. The version served here is very good. It is a thick creamy fish soup. It is similar to your New England fish chowder. It's made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Sometimes turnips are included, but not here. It will be served with the house bread which is baked daily on the premises."
I looked at Michelin and said, "You are being very quiet."
She smiled and answered, "The Laird has brought me here before. He knows what I enjoy. This is my favorite dish in this establishment. I think he ordered it especially for me."
I looked at Bobby and he said, "I must keep her happy, Luke. She has given me permission to bring the two of you here as our guest.
I let the subject drop and our drinks arrived. I asked, "Bobby, no whisky for you?"
He shook his head and answered, "Nay, not while I drive. We can share some fine whisky this evening. I noticed you did not order Scotch, but I have some I think you will enjoy."
We were served, with the soup and bread. The bowls were large, filled to the brim and steaming hot. The old woman served all of us from one tray, which she balanced on her hand and one shoulder. Her grace and coordination were remarkable. She finished and curtsied as she took a step backward from the table. She noticed that I had appreciated her dance. She smiled and then winked at me before she left the table.
Linda said, "You alphas attract all kinds of women."
Bobby chuckled and Michelin smiled at me. Under the table, she ran her hand up my thigh and touched my cock. I captured her hand in mine and held it there for a few seconds. I was more than passively interested in attracting the woman whose hand I was holding.
Bobby indicated we should let the soup cool for a minute. I sipped my whiskey until he took his first taste. Michelin just dug right in. Linda and I moved more slowly. I put half a spoon full in my mouth the followed immediately with a full one. It was delicious.