The Chieftain Needs an Heir - a Highland ménage novella (Clan MacKrannan's Secret Traditions) by Jonnet Carmichael Read Free Book Online Page B

want to wed another.  And although his brothers had many carnal sons atween them, there could be no legitimate son in the Heir's Cradle, for his brothers were not yet wed.
    "So Coinneach assembled his brothers and his Tall Wife at an oak tree in the forest grove, and the Wisewomen instructed the Tall Wife to cling onto the vines of mistletoe and ivy on a certain overhanging branch, and to stay there until bidden otherwise.  And Coinneach did hook her gown up on the vines also, and did Spend in her, and his brothers came after him and Pushed In the Spend.  And this was repeated until she was got with bairn.
    "Such was Coinneach's delight at the remedy's success that he built the Chamber of the Green Man beside the Vault for all Fertility Traditions to be enacted in comfort and privacy.  And thus Coinneach's Tall Wife was honored.
    " And as the years passed, and ignorance turned to knowledge, this remedy was modified and the abundant Rules of Engagement written in the Green Book's pages.  And there it is added how effective this remedy was for Niall's great-great-great-grandmother, for she had many bairns in years to come, even after the Chief's brothers were killed in battle and his cousins used for the chore."
    The Bard took a wee pause here, for it was the next bit would affect those around him in the circle, and he must be sure they were paying full attention.
    " The remedy called the Pushyng in of Spend is written for the First Moon as this.  The husband will Spend in his wife.  And after him a second man who is fresh and unspent will Push the Spend in further.  And after him a third man will do likewise.  This second man will be Ruaridh.  The third man will be Hector."
    He stopped to let the news sink in.
    Looking around the circle to gauge reactions, he saw the two Wisewomen had left their stars to hold Sorcha's hands… or were they holding her up?  Sorcha was in shock, but apart from that she was looking well, verra well indeed.  Oona's bees and eating habits had worked their wonders.  The Bard looked past Oona who already knew all about the remedy, and Mirren he didna care about, and on to Ruaridh.  Caught!  Flushed, but no displeased.  The remedy would save him the bother of going wenching for once.
    But was the man focussed?  Luck if Mirren would speak out again, for Ruaridh would do his part infinitely better with her gone.
    He'd missed Niall's first reaction because of starting with Sorcha , so he looked now to the chieftain once the news had settled in.  A bit wider about the eyes but still the warrior, accepting orders from the king's messenger and giving orders to the clan's military contingent and getting the job done.  Nothing would faze him.  For all Niall's eyes were on Sorcha, his mind was focussed on the clan and getting the Heir's Cradle filled.  The Wisewomen had done a grand job there.
    Big Hector had much the same look of the soldier who would get the job done for the good of his MacKrannan bloodline.  The Bard could only see his profile, Hector being next to him in the circle, but he followed his line of vision.  Hector was staring at Sorcha, and it was as if he were saying sorry.  Fair enough, for Hector's manners were impeccable.  As long as he wasna crying off, for he was so perfectly suited to the task that it would a pity for him no' to manage.
    On with it, then.
    "The Grandam Wisewoman will now give the first set of the Rules of Engagement she has transcribed and summarized from the ancient script."
    Oona fetched a parchment from up her commodious sleeve , cleared her throat, and began.
    " The First Rule for the First Moon.  The husband must Spend in his Tall Wife, for that is the Spend for Pushing In.  The second man will then enter the wife and keep Pushing In the Spend until he is ready to spend himself outside of her.  Thus it is proven he was virile enough for Pushing in the Spend of the chieftain, and that his potency grew to the utmost size he could muster.