When he did so, Iliana clasped the bed linens closer about her and turned to glare accusingly, “You ruined by mother’s bed linens.” That only seemed to make him laugh harder. Iliana stamped her foot furiously. “’Tis not funny, my lord. My mother and I spent many hours embroidering those linens. They were very special to me. I would have an explanation as to why you ruined them.”

Duncan’s laughter slowed at that and he did manage a slightly repentant look, then he sighed and shook his head. “’Tis sorry I be, madame wife. Me amusement is not at ye. I have jest never seen me da so overset. He was a picture, he was.” His laughter ended on a sigh as he took in her solemn face. She obviously did not see the humor. Tilting his head, he eyed her curiously. “Didna yer mother explain the facts o’ life to ye, lass?”

“Of course she did.” Iliana glared at him for thinking it might be otherwise.

“Well, I didna mean to insult ye with the question,” he soothed. “’Tis just that ye appeared a muckle muddled about the blood. ’Tis no shame in that,” he added hastily when she started to stiffen up again. “Me sister, too, was a mite confused by it, ye noticed?”

“Aye, I did notice,” Iliana said warily.

“Well, Da and I have never explained the facts o’ life to her. There seemed no need when her betrothed could not be bothered to collect her.”

He fell silent for a moment, taking in her expression, then sighed. It seemed obvious to him that while she might have been given some of the facts of life, she had not been fully educated; She had started worrying her lower lip the moment he mentioned Seonaid’s ignorance.

Shifting, he explained delicately, “The blood is caused by the maiden’s veil.”

Iliana’s eyes narrowed at that. Her mother had not mentioned anything about a maiden’s veil. Mayhap he meant the bridal veil, she thought pensively. He quickly disillusioned her of that.

“Ye see, a lass is born with a wee bit o’…er…flesh. Skin…in there.” He gestured vaguely toward the apex of her thighs. “The first time she and her mate…join…the veil be torn and there be blood. The blood proves she came to her man a virgin.” He watched her expression closely, satisfied that she understood when she began to look horrified.

“So ye see, they wished fer the sheets to prove ye were untried ere yester eve.”