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have gained him for yer husband in exchange for that land. Land has always been an acceptable dower, Annabella. Yer da has rented that land to Duin since he inherited it. The coin he earned for the rental has been put aside for yer dowers.
    “Last month when yer da and the earl met, Robert was assured that Angus Ferguson wanted only the land in exchange for making ye his wife. He declined any purse, saying the land was more than enough value for a wife. Yer da and I will take the coin we saved for ye and now divide it among yer sisters.”
    “Nay,” said Annabella. “If the earl declines my purse, then it should be mine, Mama. What if he dies, and I have need of another husband? Ye cannot take back the land ye have given the Fergusons, which leaves me in poverty wi’out my gold. I will not be left helpless to the Fergusons, and married off to some retainer for their benefit. If the earl does not want my gold, I do.”
    Her mother was surprised by her daughter’s clever reasoning. She saw the wisdom in Annabella’s words. “Say nothing to anyone, my daughter,” she told the girl. “I will speak wi’ yer da. Ye will have what is yers; I promise ye. Ye will be far from the Bairds of Rath at Duin. You do need to be able to protect yerself.”
    “My sisters have inherited yer beauty, Mama, but I seem to have inherited yer wisdom,” Annabella remarked to her mother.
    The lady Anne smiled. “Thank ye, daughter,” she said. “Now learn this from me as well. Men, husbands in particular, dinna like discovering that their wives are intelligent. Keep this knowledge from yer bridegroom, and always keep yer own counsel. Ye will have a happier marriage if ye do, Annabella.”
    “How will ye get Da to let me keep my gold?” the girl asked, curious.
    “By letting him believe ’twas all his own idea,” her mother said mischievously.
    Annabella laughed. “Oh, Mama, ye’re really quite wicked,” she teased her parent.
    “Being a wee bit wicked,” the lady told her daughter, “can also intrigue a husband, as long as he does not feel threatened by yer behavior. Now, there are other things we must discuss if ye’re to be properly prepared for yer marriage bed.”
    “I know a man’s form is different,” Annabella said. “I recall that ye bathed Rob and me together when we were little ones. Yet girls dinna have breasts as children. They grow them as they grow older. Do men grow anything extra?”
    “Nay,” her mother said, “but their man parts do grow in keeping wi’ the rest of them. Some sprout hair on their chests, while others do not. We are all furred in many of the same places.”
    “Myrna says the earl has many mistresses,” Annabella told her mother.
    “Aye, a man will have his extras,” the lady Anne said calmly.
    “Does Da have a mistress?” Annabella asked her mother. “How do you bear it?”
    “Your father has not the means to keep a mistress.” Her mother laughed. “But I know he tumbles the village lasses now and again. It means nothing. He is my husband, and my lord. He gives me his love and his respect. I want nothing more.”
    “The earl is rich enough to keep a mistress,” Annabella said thoughtfully.
    “Aye, ’tis said he is rich,” her mother responded. “But if he keeps a mistress you will never acknowledge her, my daughter, should you learn of her existence. Give yer husband the bairns he wants and must have. Give him yer loyalty. He will respond in kind, no matter his wandering eye. You may even fall in love wi’ him.”
    “Will he love me?” Annabella wondered aloud.
    “If ye’re fortunate, perhaps he will,” her mother said, “but his respect is more important. A woman respected by her man is secure in her place.”
    “Do ye love Da?” the girl boldly inquired.
    “Aye, I suppose that I do, and I’ve always enjoyed our bed sport,” the lady Anne said. Then she smiled. “But we have strayed from the knowledge ye must have for yer wedding night.”
    “I think I