”“But why?”“That’s the question I’m asking myself almost constantly.”“I thought you’d changed,” she said, sounding sad.“He HAS c...anged,” Jessica said. “All of us have. His visit to Japan fundamentally changed who he is, but he’s not completely different from the man he was. He’s more mature, more confident, more deliberate, and, generally drama-free.”“He’s not wired for monogamy, Michelle,” Kara said gently. “He never was, and he isn’t now. One of the things we accepted when we agreed to marry. Back in the early 1970s, he'd inherited a country cottage from his maternal grandmother, cashed it in and made a series of extremely astute investments on the London Stock Market. By the time he met my mother's elder sister, Derek's bank account was already closing on seven figures, and he'd effectively retired by his mid-forties.Not that he ever threw his wealth in people's faces. He was -- and still is -- an extremely nice guy, but it was quite a culture shock to move from my rather poky. He said “If your ass is going to be filled you have to keep it clean. Now what do you say to Daddy.” “Oh thank you Daddy for all these presents.” I said. “Now strip down and get in the bathroom” he said. In the bathroom I stood in the tub while daddy shaved me. I was mostly hairless just a little light hair on my legs. My chest , butt, and stomach and were hairless, as most males in Mom’s family were not hairy and I hadn’t yet grown facial hair. He shaved my legs and also. Ballachulish would do for now, but James MacRae wanted a castle and had one in mind. A three day march to the north, would find them at the bridge to Eilean Donan, once a place they called home. Five days passed and the peaceful village had become a place of evil, as young women were brought in by any means, to serve the men’s needs. Any who tried to escape were stripped bare and flogged publicly in front of the others to show them what awaited, should the idea of escaping cross their minds..