Diana Gabaldon · @Writer_DG
30th Jun 2013 from TwitLonger
#DailyLines #WrittenINMyOWNHeartsBLOOD #Book8 #OutMarch25th #premaritalcounseling
“Ahh…uncle,” Ian said, in a casual tone that made his uncle instantly focus attention on him.
“What?” said his uncle, warily. “Ye havena got your lass wi’ child, have ye?”
“I have not,” Ian said, offended—and wondering vaguely how his uncle had known he was thinking of Rachel. “And why would ye think a thing like that, ye evil-minded auld mumper?”
“Because I ken well enough what ‘Ahh…uncle’ usually means,” Jamie informed him cynically. “It means ye’ve got yourself into some confusion involving a lass, and want advice. And I canna think what ye could be confused about wi’ regard to wee Rachel. A more straightforward lass I’ve never met—bar your Auntie Claire, that is,” he added, with a brief grin.
“Mmphm,” Ian said, not best pleased by his uncle’s acuity, but obliged to admit the truth of it. “Well, then. It’s only…” Despite the completely benign intent—well, the _innocence_, even—of the question that had come into his mind, he felt his face go hot.
Jamie raised his brows.
“Well, if ye must know, then—I’ve never lain wi’ a virgin.” Once he’d got it out, he relaxed a little, though his uncle’s brows nearly met his hairline. “And aye, I’m sure Rachel is one,” he added defensively.
“I’m sure, too,” his uncle assured him. “Most men wouldna consider it a problem.”
Ian gave him a look.
“Ye ken what I mean. I want her to like it.”
“Verra commendable. Have ye had complaints from women before?”
“Ye’re in a rare mood, uncle,” Ian said coldly. “Ye ken verra well what I mean.”
“Aye, ye mean if ye’re paying a woman to bed ye, ye’re no likely to hear anything ye dinna like regarding your own performance.” Jamie rocked back a little, eyeing him. “Did ye tell Rachel ye’re in the habit of consorting wi’ whores?”
Ian felt the blood rush to his ears, and was obliged to breathe evenly for a moment before replying.
“I told her everything,” he said between clenched teeth. “And I wouldna call it a ‘_habit_’.” He did know better than to go on with, “It’s no more than other men do…” because he kent fine what sort of answer he’d get to _that_.