Reis stood at the outskirts of the town, looking at the destruction left in his troop's wake. He had no idea how many of the villagers were actually still alive. There were bodies everywhere, and most had obviously been there for more than a day. One of his men took his horse from him after he dismounted and directed Reis to the inn his men had taken over as their post. He entered, his eyes searching for Cedric. Setting his broadsword on the table in front of him he spied a women and a man chained in a corner. What in the hell was Cedric thinking? Both had been beaten, though the man had been far less severely hurt than the woman. Reis was fuming wondering once more what the hell had gone on. He had only been three days behind his men. How could such a thing have happened in his absence? Cedric he had learned was riding through town making sure the townspeople that were left were going to obey their command. The flag of James was raised above the building they had staked claim to Reis had noticed when he came in. The mead he had requested was brought to him by a striking girl who he couldn't help but notice had snuck the man and woman some food. "What are you doing feeding prisoners? I assume you've been allowed to remain free to provide my men services not to feed prisoners." He stood from the table, noticing the contrast in them at once. For her ebony/blue colored hair his was blonde; for her dark eyes his were light green. His green eyes looked over her, studying her face for any sign of fear. Any sign of anything. He knew at once why it was she was free, the looks by his men when she entered the room left no doubt as to what was on their minds. He was tall, muscular, and had a toughness about him but with that toughness was an air of confidence that somehow softened him. Dressed in James' colors, his clothes and chain mail in obvious need of repair he stood waiting for her answer. "You speak English don't you?"
"Not to the likes of you!" She returned furiously. Then she spit at him. Her eyes blazed with anger.
He laughed heartily. "You are a saucy wench, aren't you?" He really had no problem with her feeding the two people, though why they were chained indoors he was curious to know. He took his seat and asked for some food, watching the girl as she did her job despite the obvious hatred for Reis and his men. He wondered if she had been fondled so much in her entire life before his men came to town. Evening came around and still Cedric had not returned. Reis realized someone probably had warned him of Reis' arrival and Cedric was wisely staying away. He observed the girl all the while, especially when she tried to discreetly tend to the two people chained. When most of his men had grown drunk and loud he went upstairs to claim a room as his. The one at the top of the stairs was obviously the master suite of whoever had inhabited this place and he claimed it as his. He noticed some of Cedric's things were already there and ordered one of his men to move Cedric's things elsewhere. It was obvious by Reis' tone of voice that he was not pleased with Cedric at all at the moment. He returned downstairs and watched closely as the inn's staff tended to the tables. When it was obvious the night was drawing to a close, he grabbed a hold of the girl's arm and led her up the stairs to his room. He bolted the door and sat on the bed. "Stoke the fire, will you?" He asked somewhat gruffly.
"I ought to burn you alive!" she cursed at him. She would have too if she hadn't noticed him bolting the door. She knew she would burn as well since the window was too awkward for her to get out. She stoked the fire anyhow; knowing that if she didn't it might be taken out on the only two people that mattered to her whom were still living.
He watched her quietly as he removed his chain mail and his boots. "Burn me alive? Would you rather me return you downstairs to the four score of drunken men down there who haven't seen a woman in months? No one would dare come in here and claim you, or has Cedric already claimed you as his? Is that why you were free?"
She turned fiery, fierce eyes on him, virgin eyes, eyes that contained the fear of the unknown. "I'm free because I gutted one of your soldiers with a sword," she replied with spunk.
"My hats off to you, but you're free because Cedric wanted you free. Otherwise you'd have been run through with a sword or chained up with those two down there. Don't fool yourself. If you'd like to test my theory, I'll unbolt the door and you're welcome to go on down there and see for yourself. But I think I'm a little more familiar with the ways of my men than you are." He looked at her curiously. "You live here? This is your home?" He had no idea why he realized that, but she was so comfortable in the room. As comfortable as she had been downstairs.
"This was the home of my best friend," she spat out but this time two tears escaped her eyes. She wiped them away fiercely. "My home...if such a thing exists, was burnt to the ground two days ago with my mother and father inside it and my baby sister as well!"
"A fact that will not go unpunished once Cedric is found." He narrowed his eyes as he searched his pack for something for her to wipe her eyes with. "Here," he handed her a handkerchief. "Are you a healer? Do you know how to tend to wounds?"
"Would you trust me if I were?" she replied back, "If I were a healer, and a good one I could just as easily poison you as I could heal you."
He met her gaze with his own sharp one. "You could at that. My men aren't leaving any time soon, and while you may have been able to run one of my men through with a sword I doubt it would happen a second time. I'd say, for the time being that you're far better off with me alive than dead or ill from poison. He unbuttoned his shirt slowly, it was now apparent that he favored his left arm as he removed the shirt exposing a wound on his left shoulder socket. His chest was broad and wide, with a tuft of blonde hair between his male breasts. A tuft of hair was visible above his trousers waistband as well. He wasn't a perfect specimen of a man, but he came close and he was well aware of it. His arms, chest, back, neck and shoulders were all large and muscular from extensive use. "So which is it? Are you going to heal me? Or at least send for someone who will."
"Can I?" she asked gently, asking in gesture to look at the wound. Seeing him hurt had brought back her natural caring instinct. When he seemed to be sincere she approached and gently and carefully looked the wound over. "I'll need some root and tea leaves..." she replied, "I can heal it though, I've seen worse. It will hurt though."
He stood slowly and walked to the door, "Get what you need and bring me a tankard of mead when you return." He watched as she left the room and followed her out the door standing at the top of the stairs as he watched her leave the inn. He hoped he was wise in trusting her, but at the moment he knew of no one else to trust and he hoped she realized the feeling was mutual. He had no idea how many of her townspeople had been killed or maimed in the melee, but he knew that most of his men were present and accounted for. There was little chance that the few remaining men could fight back and win. He returned to the room, pulling a chair up in front of the fire and sat waiting for her return.
She returned a little later than he had expected, panting and out of breath and beneath her eyes was raw. She was clutching tightly against her the items she needed and she quickly offered him the mead first thing. "It was hard to find any intact," she offered as an apology and then she walked over and picked up his small knife and began to cut the root with expert talent. That she was unusually good with a blade for a woman was an understatement. She found a bowl without much searching and began to brew the mixture on the fire. She cooled it to where she could touch it and then took some and rubbed it on her own wrist, turning it a brownish tint with the herbs. She plastered some material she had brought with her and applied it. Then she fumbled trying to tie it in place around his large body. When she was finally satisfied she cleaned up her mess and stood as though ready to attack if she needed to.
"Great. Thank you." He stood suddenly and opened the door, calling to one of his men who looked upon him with a slight smirk when he saw Reis' torso was bare. He returned to the room watching the girl intently. "I guess I should know your name since I'm going to be getting to know you quite well over the next few weeks and months." He opened the door when a knock came and took the shackles he had requested from his man. He set them down on the chair he had vacated and when she hadn't replied he said. "All right, I'll start with the introductions. I'm known as Reis."
"Constance," she said after a moment, eyeing him and the shackles and carefully sizing the situation up.
He threw some blankets and a pillow from the bed onto the floor by the foot of the bed, enclosing one of the shackles around the foot of the bed. "Come, Constance. I'm not going to hurt you. But this will ensure two things. One, it will ensure you're not going to leave while I sleep. And two, it will ensure that no one will be able to come in here while I sleep and take you. It's important regardless of what you and I discuss that my men think you're my slave." He held out his large hand to hers, a gesture he hoped would make her realize he truly meant her no harm.
"My word isn't good enough for you is it?" she returned angrily, "I helped you when I could have done something terrible and this is how you repay me on top of all the rest that your men have done. You're all dogs!" She had already given him her hand but she felt the necessity to continue to hurl insults at him. She wanted to hurt everyone right now the way that she was hurting.
"Once my position is secured here and Cedric has been found, Constance, I will trust you and them a lot easier." He put a shackle around one ankle. The shackles were long enough that she could walk from the bed to the fire. He searched her as she stood in front of her, removing her knife and anything else that could be used as a weapon on him while he slept. "Scream," he said suddenly. "Now."
Constance looked like she might not cooperate but at the slight movement of his hand at his side she let out quite an impressive scream.
"Well done," he said as he walked from her to the bed where he disrobed without a second thought of her being witness to it. He sat on the bed as he looked at her. "Good night, Constance." He smiled slightly gesturing to the candles beside her indicating he wanted them out.
Constance put out the candles and then moved near the fire sniffling as she heard the terrible noise of the shackles on the floor. She curled up in a blanket and sat there. Finally, only due to exhaustion did she sleep. Fear of him had kept her up most of the night though as she had thought of how to defend herself if she needed to.
He woke in the morning and after putting on his trousers sent for some bath water. He looked at Constance finally. "I don't suppose you should be in here while I bathe, though I have to admit your hands are probably much softer than mine are." He saw the circles under her eyes. "Long night?"
"Too long," Constance replied curtly. She rolled back over from him and towards the fire curling up into a ball. She couldn't be more than sixteen; her small lithe body had the perfect form for beauty.
He allowed her to remain in the room while he bathed, sensing she wasn't going to go out of her way to observe him in his state of undress. After removing the shackle from her ankle. When he had finished he got dressed and sent for one of the women who worked at the inn. He looked to Constance while he asked the girl her name. Making sure Constance heard his instructions to the girl he said, "Sarah is it?" She nodded. "I don't know what your duties were up until now but your duties now are to see to Constance's comforts. She will bathe here, eat here, and you are to see to it that she has food and drink and whatever else she might need brought to her at all times. You are also to come fetch me wherever I may be if there is any trouble at the inn, particularly if it involves Constance." He bid Sarah to get Constance's bath water and closed the door behind her as he walked towards Constance and sat in the chair, his feet by the side of her body. "You sew, I presume? My clothes I was wearing need to be washed and mended. You can see that gets done while I tend to some things around the village this afternoon." His voice was harsh, but his eyes reflected a softness to them.
Constance rolled over and glared at him, a look of pure hatred. "You try to pretend to act like a gentleman but you are a monster! Look what you have done to my life and now you expect me to be your slave? just like that? I was born free."
"Well, you're not now. None of you are any longer, such is the way of it." He shrugged slightly. "Do you work downstairs? How did you get chosen to serve my men? I find it hard to believe Cedric would be so unselfish as to share you with the other men."
"You think you've all had me in your grasps for so long. I was safe but I came out for Erienne. I came out to protect the only "family" I had left! One of your men grabbed me and was going to do the unthinkable when I ran him through. Then Cedric had fun giving me a good beating. I would've won had not it been called on your arrival I'm assuming. Then the men were thirsty so that's how I wound up where I am." Constance glared at him.
He stood slowly and pulled her to her feet so he could look at her. "I think you give yourself too much credit, woman. You may have bested one of my men by taking him by surprise, but Cedric is a seasoned warrior. If he put his all into it and if he had wanted it, you wouldn't be standing here. You'd be out in the square like the rest of your townsmen." He raked his fingers through his now damp hair, which formed small curls along his forehead. "I'll give you a choice. You can either stay here to do my bidding or I'll place you back downstairs to serve my men where you'll need to fulfill their commands. But I warn you if you choose that end that I will not protect you again. I don't interfere with what my men claim as there's when we pillage a town. And I don't care how good you claim to be with a sword, no one woman could stop 80 men. It makes no difference to me. I'll find myself another girl to look after my needs, there has to be more than just you left in this village. Perhaps one more willing to serve me as well."
Constance looked out the window and then dropped her head. "No don't...I'll stay, there's nothing else for me anyhow. My friends and family are now nestled in the hands of God and only I was left this fate. You may be someone I despise but I despise you much less than I do those down there. The way they treated Sarah last night. She was only a child, only a year older than myself." She was quiet for a moment, "I'll need a needle and thread to mend your shirt."
"You may get what you need, I do not consider you a prisoner. It is only at night until I feel I can trust you that I feel the chains are necessary. I have no desire to be struck with a dagger through my heart while I slumber. I would suggest, and you do as you deem fit, that you and Sarah remain here whenever I'm out." He thought a moment. "That scream last night I had you bellow was for your protection. My men will think I've taken you as mine, they will not harm you so long as I am still breathing."
A look of sheer shock came to her face as she realized what the other men now thought. That she had compromised her virtue and become his wench as well as his slave. She despised him even more now but she kept her distaste to herself. "I'm going to go and gather anything I might need and want this time so that I won't have to keep going out. It makes me ill and miserable and I've enough of that already." She was gone almost four hours and she and Sarah returned with their hands full of a little bit of everything. She scuttled it away in a corner and then getting out a expansive sewing set she began to look his shirt over, seeing what was to be done. "I'd be better off making you a new one but I haven't my loom. It won't be the most stylish mending..." she dropped her head, "my mother was far better than I." She closed her face up tight refusing to let the tears escape that wanted so badly to come and instead she sat down near the window and began her mending.
He had just finished talking with one of his men when she returned. As the man left he watched her and her friend. He stood and walked towards her sitting at the window, placing one of his large hands on her shoulder. "I'm not looking for you to be a dressmaker, Constance. I'm simply looking for my garments to be wearable again when I depart from here and require my traveling attire." He knew she hated him, but he hoped in time that she'd realize the things he'd done he'd done to protect her. He was an above average man when it came to his education, where most of his men wouldn't know the difference between a horse from a mule if he wasn't there to explain it to them. He said nothing as he lifted his hand from her shoulder, brushing against her cheek inadvertently as his gauntlet caught on her hair. Pulling free without causing her undo harm, he turned and left the room closing the door behind him. He returned hours later, well after dark stopping downstairs before going up to his room. He sat at the head of the table as was expected of his men while they ate. Finally, he went up to his room obviously tired from the day.
Constance was sitting near the fire brushing and braiding Sarah's blonde tresses into two long braids while she told her a story. They stopped abruptly and froze when he entered the room. Sarah trembled, Constance stayed firm, her strength blazing in her eyes.
He looked at the two girls, amusement in his eyes at Sarah's reaction. Though from what Constance had said she had been mistreated and misused the night before. She probably thought he was going to do the same. "You can go now, Sarah." He watched as the girl glanced cautiously to Constance. "Now please, unless you care to see me undress." He laughed lightly as the girl got up and left. He bolted the door behind her and found his mended clothes. Removing his shirt and trousers leaving only his body below the waist covered with his underwear. "Thank you," he said gruffly. He sat in the chair in front of the fire, shifting her so her back was against his legs while she sat on the floor. "Tell me what happened here, will you please." He sighed; it was obvious there was something on his mind. "I've received a different story from every man I've spoken with. Some say Cedric was a mad man, some say he was provoked, and some say a little of both. I know in my heart what I believe, but I'd like to hear it from you. One who survived."
There was a long silence and then Constance spoke in an eerie voice, hollow sounding. "We were playing soccer in the square after school. Suddenly Mr. Krantz on the outside of town came running in yelling about riders approaching. Before he could even truly get anyone to listen to him they appeared. The blonde with the arrogant eyes ordered us to surrender. Most of my schoolmates ran home or huddled with their families in the main street. I climbed a pear tree in the orchard to get a better view. The town leader refused and the man killed him right there. It was the first time I had ever seen a man slain. Many rose to his defense and as soon as they began to come at the man with the arrogant eyes he ordered attack "If they will not obey they will pay..." he cried out. The men began to kill everyone," Constance's voice began to tremble, "they killed them like they were nothing. People whose names they didn't even know, mothers, fathers, children. Then they began to burn places. I went to see if I could help my friend Erienne. I held her in my arms while she died. My best friend and I'll never see her smile again. I watched my home burn and as I stood there one of them grabbed me, pushed me against a wall and began to rip my bodice. In my madness I took a sword to him. I--" she stopped and froze stiff, she was too busy fighting to hold back tears to speak.
"Even though it was one of my men you killed, Constance. I'll tell you you did nothing but defend yourself. There is nothing to be upset about. It was either him or you." He sighed, staring into the fire. "This is not how I normally work, Constance. I had something I had to stay behind at the last town and take care over it was unavoidable. Though now I'm wondering if Cedric wasn't behind it. There's no reason that this couldn't have been a peaceful transition. Of course we expected to be met with some resistance, but certainly not the whole town being slain in the process." He stood and walked to the window, raking his fingers through his hair as he looked outside. "You'll need to tell me where I can send a scout team in search of a cleric or a priest to bury your dead. I assume there's no one here to do it, which is why it hasn't been done yet."
"Father Muldoon is over in the next valley, about a half days ride from here if he hasn't fled," Constance replied. "I don't see why you don't just burn them though, they've all died at the hands of your men, no one is here to see to the graves, no one is here to care..."
"You care," he turned from the window to face her. His eyes reflecting the fact that perhaps she was underestimating him in thinking he didn't care. "I'll send some men tomorrow to see if he's still there. And what was it you mentioned today not having while you were mending my shirt? Is this something you need?"
"A loom...." Constance replied casually, "I enjoyed making fabrics on it. I was the pretty good at it but it's not necessary."
"If you're going to make me decent clothes it is," he smirked slightly. "What do you have to wear besides what you have on now? Anything?" He glanced at her clothes guessing she didn't or she would have been wearing it. He pulled a shirt from his sack.
"You burned my clothing when you torched my home and my baby sister, mother and father!" she bit out feeling the need to put him at a distance so he wouldn't see how badly she was hurting.
"I didn't burn anything. I'd appreciate it if you'd differentiate my actions from my men's actions. When I report to the king I take full responsibility for everything that happened under my command. You are not the king." He tossed her his shirt. "Why don't you wear that and wash your clothes. You can't go around wearing the same thing every day without taking them off. I'll have to chain you to a stall in the stables after a few days." He sat on the edge of the bed watching her with a curious smile.
"And go around in front of the likes of you without proper undergarments?" Constance turned white at the thought. "Couldn't I go around to the other homes and find things from there to wear. After all, they won't need them. It takes a petticoat two days to dry properly!" she was aghast and even more surprised that she had just shared such information with him.
He laughed heartily as he stood and walked towards her, taking hold of her upper arms with his hands and kissed her roughly, his mouth covering hers in a bold kiss. He licked her lips with his tongue, forcing her lips apart so that his tongue could enter her mouth. Just as suddenly as he had kissed her, he broke away his hands still holding her arms. "Proper undergarments or no, Constance. If I wanted to, nothing could stop me. You can go tomorrow and find some things in the ruins if you wish, but surely you'd be more comfortable sleeping in that than with all of the layers you have on now."
Constance's chest was heaving and her eyes wide as she regarded him. She grabbed the shirt and curled down into a dark corner to try and change as discreetly as she could. She scurried to the fire then and sat curled with her knees to her chest, feeling immodest.
He watched from where he sat on the bed in amusement as she sat by the fire. "It's time for bed I'm afraid, Constance." He made her bed for her on the floor and called her over after searching under the bed and mattress to ensure she had not hidden any weapons during the day in his absence. "At least I know this time I don't have to search you for weapons." He held the chains out waiting for her to come to him.
Constance slipped past his grasp of her and ran towards the door. She fumbled at the lock, unable to concentrate in her fear and knowing he was close behind her she turned tail and ran towards the corner by the window, crawling under a table and cowering there.
He walked over to her shaking his head, amused at her courage. Admiring her courage, finding himself very aroused by her display of courage. It wasn't very often he found a man who stood up to him, let alone a woman. The table was large but it was no challenge for him to move it out of his way. He picked her up by her arms, her back pressing against him. He pushed her up against the wall, his mouth breathing heavily inches from her ear. He thrust himself against her, purposely allowing his erection to make its presence known against her lower back. He said nothing as his hands took hold of her hands and extended them up against the wall. His tongue circled her ear, darting in and out suggestively.
Constance cried out softly and struggled as much as she could. "No don't!" she called out but the words for all her effort were barely louder than a whisper, her throat swollen shut with fear. All she knew was a desperate need to fight. In a brash move she whipped her head towards his arm and bit him, hard.
"You little wench," he hissed through his clenched teeth. He moved his hand, releasing one of hers briefly before placing both of her wrists in his grasp. He drew her head back by her hair with his free hand and pressed it against the wall. Moving behind her again, his knee forced her legs apart as he covered her mouth with his hand from behind. Cursing slightly under his breath he maneuvered his elbow to hold her head against the wall as he lowered his underwear, recovering her mouth with his hand he soon forced his way inside of her from behind. He would have loved to have taken her willfully, been able to enjoy her body. As it was he didn't even have the opportunity to look at it because she still wore his shirt. He felt her trying to bite his hand and this only made him thrust harder inside of her. He groaned lightly, biting the side of her neck as he felt his time draw near. Pushing her further into the wall as he felt his orgasm build and suddenly release. He remained standing behind her, oddly he found himself still hard within her. He stopped biting her neck, his breathing returning to normal. Still aroused he began thrusting again.
Constance's tears were bathing his hand covering her mouth. She was too numbed by the horror of what was being done to her to struggle anymore. Finally all of the pain and suffering she had been through in the last couple of days was coming out. He was taking from her the one last thing that she had possessed, her innocence and he was taking it in a way the made her resolutely hate him and men in general.
Finally fully spent, he removed himself from within her turning her to face him. Sensing her momentary inability to fight him, he led her over to the bed and put the shackle around her ankle. He watched her a hint of sadness in his eyes. "It won't hurt so much the next time, Angel." His eyes scanned her quickly from head to toe before retiring to the bed. He lay awake most of the night listening for any noise she might make.
All night long she wept, when she would wear down it was only heaves and sniffles until she built back up and would wail with her grief. Mostly she cried for what he had done to her, for how she hurt inside, physically and emotionally. She was curled tightly in a ball and she didn't care if she died there.
He woke from his light sleep to a knock at their door. Bidding her to get on the bed under the covers he undid the chain at her leg before pulling his trousers on. He opened the door to find his man had returned from the errand he sent him on with Sarah behind him with bath water. He took the box from Thomas, speaking with him in hushed tones as Sarah brought the bath water in. Reis dismissed both of them once Sarah had finished her tasks assuring her Constance would need no assistance on that morning. He returned to the bed and lay down next to Constance, his hands behind his head. "The bath water's for you, and what's in the box is as well. I sent Thomas in search of it yesterday afternoon." He turned his head to look at her. "Please stop looking at me like that and go take your bath, I have a busy day planned for you today."
Quivering she staggered over to the bowl and removed his shirt. The soft morning sunlight giving him a perfect view of her ethereal white back, her skin as delicate as satin stretched over the curves of her body. She cried as she bathed but she obeyed his orders, shaking when she reached that part of her body now tender. The tint in the water both horrified and disgusted her so much so that she was ill in the empty basin and when she had finished that she returned to her pallet.
He shook his head. "A woman not interested in a gift. I hope it's not because it's from me. Thomas was gone for almost a full day on this task. Perhaps you can use part of it when we return this afternoon." He set the box on the bed, opening it to reveal an assortment of scented bath soaps and a simple light blue dress. He got in the tub washing himself off quickly before he dressed. "What is it not good enough? I realize the size may be wrong, but I had to guess. I don't think I'm too far off."
Constance removed the gown from the box and examined it, trying not to let him see her admiration of it. She pulled on her corset adjusting it tight in the front and then she tossed on her beautifully delicate petticoats until when she tossed the dress over her head it looked marvelous on her. She smoothed it into place and curled her hair in an attractive knot atop her head. She tried to only twirl around and enjoy its fluffiness and newness when she was sure he wasn't looking.
He chuckled to himself lightly letting her enjoy the moment while he shaved. He had finished a few minutes before but allowed her the extra time. When he was sure she was ready he opened the door and allowed her to go out first walking behind her. It was the first time the two of them had been seen together since his first night there. He bid her to stand by the bar as he spoke with the cook briefly and quietly about that evening's meal. When finished he placed his hand possessively at the small of her back guiding her out of the main room of the inn and out the door. When they stepped outdoors a boy of about twelve ran up to them. "Lord Krager, sir." Reis blushed deeply at the way the boy addressed him. "Daniel, just Reis will do." Daniel's eyes grew wide, "But the lady, milord." Reis laughed heartily. "What is it you need, Daniel?" He bowed his head in embarrassment. "I was trying to shoe your horses, sir, it got out of its stall. I got him back in, but I thought I should come tell you he has not been shoed." "Go and get yourself some breakfast, Daniel. I'll see to the horses. Thank you, son." He followed the boy as he ran off to the inn to do as he was told. It was obvious by the way the boy looked at Reis that he worshipped him. Reis was still embarrassed by the boy's words, he said nothing as they continued towards the stables.
"So what do you do to him, beat him," Constance ground out the words, really wanting to know who the boy was but too angry at Reis to give him anything but a good tongue lashing.
He laughed deeply, obviously amused by her words. "Yes, I beat him daily. Can't you tell how frightened he was of me?" He opened the stable doors and led her to a stall that held the boy's horse. "I had him prepare his horse for you." He held his hand up sensing her anger rising. "I'm not insinuating I don't think you're a capable rider, but until I see for myself what your abilities are I'd like to start you off on this one." She really had nothing to complain about, it was a beautiful beast. It was brown with a darker brown mane and tail, its legs having a bit of off white hair near each hoof. He sat on the stool and shoed his horse watching as she perused the horse.
"I don't want to ride right now," she replied coolly after she had pet the horse for a few moments. "Perhaps some other time."
He thought for a moment and stood from his horse and walked to her. His eyes ran down her body quickly, returning to her face his eyes reflecting that he thought he understood. His brow creased slightly almost as if something he was thinking troubled him. "Of course, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." He dropped his hand in hers and led her out of the stables. He began walking with her the opposite way of the inn. "Have you always lived here?" He held her hand securely in his, keeping her close by his side though his head he kept focused straight ahead.
"Yes, for as long as I can remember and my mother says I was born here," Constance replied, too afraid of him to fight for freedom of her hand anymore. She continued to walk along with him.
They walked for what seemed like hours, Reis asking questions about what was hopefully now his town. He listened intently to what she had to say impressed that she spoke well. When they returned to the inn it was dinnertime. The man and woman had been removed from their chains in the main room and were being tended to by one of Reis' men who was familiar with healing. There were now two places set at the head of the main table rather than one. Daniel spotted them as soon as they entered and ran up to the two of them. Instead of looking at Reis his eyes were wide on Constance as he handed her a wooden bird. For one so young, the workmanship was rather good. "Please, milady, I'd like you to have it. I just finished it this afternoon." He looked at the woman hopefully.
Constance looked shocked at first and waited for Reis to refuse her having it. When he did not she took the gift with a smile, "thank-you it's very beautiful. I am surprised that you made something so lovely only to give it away." The woman and man watched Reis with Constance wishing urgently to free her, to protect her innocence from his ways.
He smiled brightly at her compliment and blushed, turning he returned to where he sat in front of the fire. Reis laughed lightly. "It appears he likes you. He doesn't normally take to women." When dinner began to be brought out he took hold of her hand, preventing her from going upstairs to his room. "You will sit here next to me this evening, Constance," he said softly.
Constance sighed, she still hurt too much to fight him and she didn't intend to starve. She let him lead her to her seat. She shrunk into herself amidst the presence of Reis' men attempting to hide any trace of sexuality not flaunt it. Sarah was noticeably the same way now. Constance had a good appetite and ate all that was put before her.
When they had finished eating, he placed his arm over hers, intertwining her fingers with his over the arm of her chair. Soon it was obvious his men were tired and had had too much to drink. There was no news to report from the various scouting teams he had sent out, and so they would head out tomorrow continuing their search for Cedric. He led her up the stairs, letting her go up first while he stopped and talked to Thomas briefly. He entered their room where fresh bath water awaited her once more. He closed the door behind him, bolting it as he went to sit on the bed. "You look like his mother," he said simply. He met her questioning look. "Daniel. You look like his mother. I found him about seven years ago abandoned, sitting in a house naked unable to move because of a broken leg. I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but she willingly left. I know that much. I saw a portrait of her at her parents' home, and you look like her. I don't know if he sees it."
"Oh," Constance replied curtly. She took a bath quickly and dressed in a nightgown that Sarah had brought to her from some of the houses along with a few good dresses and some passable ones. Once dressed in her nightgown she retired to her pallet without comment or argument.
He waited to undress until she had fallen asleep, once certain she had he undressed and walked over to where she slept. He stood over her watching, so peaceful in slumber. He bent and picked her up, quieting her when she stirred as he set her on the bed. "Lord knows why, but I'm trusting you, Constance. So help me if I get stabbed in the heart while I sleep. But despite what happened last night I think you know you're better off in here with me than you are out there with them." He lay down next to her. He drifted off to sleep easily, too easily if he would have been aware of it. He rolled onto his side, his leg draping over her legs.
Constance was too tired to worry with it and she adjusted to make herself comfortable, leaving his leg where it was and she trained herself to go to sleep. She slept well during the night.
Reis stirred in the morning, feeling the warmth of a body lying next to him he instinctively threw his arm around her waist, drawing her to him as he moved on top of her. He wasn't fully awake until he was already inside of her, though he obviously had been aware of who he was making love to as he noticed he held her wrists with his hands. He knew better than to worry about pleasing her, though he hoped soon enough she would come around to enjoying it and he would not feel like he was forcing her every time. When his orgasm had subsided he moved beside her, bringing her to rest against his chest as he closed his eyes to return to sleep.
Constance had silent tears tracing her cheeks again. Gently she struggled from his grasp and wandered over to her water basin to wash him off of her, to wash the dirty feelings off of her. Since she was already clean and did not wish his intentions forced on her again she dressed very early and sat by the fire to do some delicate mending to the many dresses and petticoats she had salvaged.
He woke a short while later to a knock on the door. He groaned lightly as he pulled his trousers on and walked to the door. A very tired looking Thomas was there and Reis went out into the hallway to talk to him privately, returning to the room where he dressed wordlessly. "Come, there's work to be done today that requires our presence out of this room." He watched with a slight smile as she made delicate stitches on a petticoat she was currently mending.
Constance put the petticoat down and rose in her gown of black and white. She was in mourning not only for her people but for what he was doing to her, for what he was forcing her to become. She quickly put her hair into an elaborate looking style and accompanied him from the room. She was mad at him for what he had done to her in the early morning hours and it was obvious as she walked stiffly at his side, almost daring him to touch her.
They ate in the hall downstairs, fewer of his men joined them at this early hour for their meal. Of course most of them had stayed up much later than he had. Something one of his men commented on while they ate, becoming quiet soon after the comment left his mouth when Reis eyed him harshly. When they had finished eating, he walked with Constance outside with a few of his men following behind. "Father Muldoon," he said. He looked from the priest to Constance. "Where are your parents?"
"Slain I'm afraid father, burned in their home and Anne-Marie too," Constance said, performing her cross as the father did his as well. "Oh my child I'm sorry," he quickly offered. Constance nodded softly.
Reis took her arm gently and said softly in her ear. "He knows they're gone, Constance. I requested he tend to them first. Take him to them, and then lead him to all the others please. I want them all properly righted and buried. Assuming my presence is not welcome, I'll take my leave and return to the inn. But I assure you any attempts at leaving with the priest will be met with force. My men will stay out of your way, but they know not to let you leave." He watched her for her confirmation that she understood.
Constance turned from him without a word and walked with Father Muldoon to her home. She was kept busy all day joining in funerals and mourning. At last his business concluded the father left, the soldiers about him told him to leave her alone and with a look of regret he parted her company after blessing her. Constance returned to where her friends and family were buried and dropping to her knees she wept.
Daniel had been watching the day's events with wide-eyed curiosity from his hiding spot in a tree. He didn't think anyone knew he was there, he spent hours in this tree watching things. Actually, he kept hoping that he would spot Cedric one day and be the one to tell Reis so that he would start paying attention to him again. When he realized the woman was weeping, he climbed down from his hiding place and walked towards her cautiously. "Milady, are you all right? Shall I fetch Reis, er, milord?" He bit his tongue embarrassed at his error.
"No oh please no," Constance pleaded with him tearfully, "please I haven't done anything wrong. Please just forget that you saw me--please Daniel."
"But you're crying," he pointed towards her face. He sat on the ground nearby, watching her quietly as he drew in the dirt with a stick. "Reis has taught me that I should never leave a lady in need, but if you don't want me to fetch him ..." He shrugged, obviously not knowing what he should do. He looked up at her. "I guess I'll take my leave then, milady. You won't tell him I saw you here and left you? I'd hate for him to think I haven't listened to the things he taught me. And I fear he'd be doubly upset since it's you I'm leaving."
"Then why don't you stay here with me until he comes for me," Constance suggested softly, "I'm sure he won't leave me alone much longer. Tell me about yourself Daniel. Why do you follow Reis around? Why do you like such a man?" she thought a moment, "no perhaps we shouldn't talk about such things. How about then that you tell me about something that interests you and I'll try not to cry in front of you anymore."
He shrugged. "I don't follow him around, milady. He's the only thing resembling a father I've ever had. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be able to walk, or worse yet I'd be dead. I've been with him for more than half my life now, and he's really not as tough as he seems. He's just doing his job, and that awful Cedric shouldn't have been trusted. I tried telling Reis that he was up to no good, but he wouldn't believe me. Or perhaps he didn't want to believe me." He shrugged, as he looked around them seeming to take the scene in. Perhaps looking at it from her perspective, or perhaps he was remembering something from his own past. "I like to draw. Can you draw?"
"Nope...I was always terrible at it," Constance replied, "and please call me Constance. I couldn't be but a couple of years older than you and hardly a lady. I can't draw but I can play soccer."
He looked at her stunned. "But you are, I mean, you don't know?"
"Don't know what?" Constance asked regarding him with an odd expression now.
"I don't really understand all of it myself, milady. But I can say that none of Reis' men would dare address you so informally, including myself. Not without his permission." His eyes grew wide. "You sit with him at meals, the place you sit is where his lady would sit." Hoping he was explaining this right, for it wasn't overly clear to him. He just knew that Reis had given this girl a position commanding the respect of his men.
"His lady?! You mean he has a wife?!" Constance exclaimed misinterpreting Daniel's sentence. "Tell me true!" she yelled as she toppled Daniel into the dirt and sat sideways on him, two fists curled and presented before his face at the ready.
He looked at her with his eyes wide, full of fear. "No, milady. No, he would never." He closed his eyes, trying to fight back the fear. "There is no wife, milady. There is only you. His men refer to you as the Lady Krager, though they know you're not his wife. But by having you sit with him, that is the position - the status - he has bestowed upon you amongst us. His men must do your bidding if you were to ask it, milady. He has made you his equal." He closed his eyes, knowing he had said too much. "Please let me up."
Satisfied with his answer and the fear in him setting off some strange reaction in her she moved from him and helped him up. "So besides drawing what else do you do? We could go exploring and see if there's anything left in the houses we want or I could teach you how to play soccer, or we could go riding." She finally smiled for the first time since the attack was made on her village.
"Exploring or soccer would be good. Or anything else you could teach me. I don't get to do much kid stuff." He looked to her for guidance, "How old are you?" He knew she was right in that there weren't a lot of years separating them.
"Sixteen. I just turned a month before the attack," Constance replied. "Come on," She pulled him up to his feet and went rummaging through the ruins until she found her ball. Then she cleared off the large rectangle in one of the city's courtyards where the children had played soccer. She began to teach him all the rules and soon she had her skirts fiercely clenched in her fists while she kicked the ball around trying to beat him.
He caught on quickly, but he was no match for her obvious experience. Nor was he very coordinated on his feet, it was obvious that he was well suited to his love for drawing, widdling, and other things occupying his hands. But he didn't let his lack of coordination get him down or prevent him from trying. Later he dropped from exhaustion and refused to get up. "Look, milady, the clouds." He pointed up to the sky, trying to catch his breath. "That one there looks like a tree."
"That one there looks like a rabbit, see the fluffy tail!" Constance said, joining in as she sat eloquently on the ground in her dress, ignoring the dirt. "What's that? Maybe a goose?" she pointed to another.
"I think it's a swan," he called out with a laugh as a shadow fell over the two of them. Daniel stood quickly. "Sir," he said softly. "What are the two of you up to out here all alone? I'd grown worried when no one had seen either of you for hours." Reis had been watching the two of them for quite sometime, but had elected to stay hidden within the trees for a while and watch. He saw a side of Constance he hadn't been privileged to see until now. Daniel was obviously frightened and said nothing.
"I see you have finally come to claim me to do your bidding," Constance spat out, the anger returning to her eyes in a flash. "I was educating Daniel is all. He was of course keeping an eye on me for you. Give him a drink for merit!" she marched off past Reis and back towards the inn in a huff.
He remained behind with Daniel for a while, sensing somehow the boy's need for his approval. They returned at dusk, Daniel's mood obviously improved. Reis' eyes were busy searching for Constance as Daniel made his way to what was now his place in front of the fire. He went upstairs to get ready for dinner once he noticed that his requested bath water had been brought upstairs for him. Undressing after he closed the door, he got into the bath before noticing Constance asleep on the bed. "Long day? Daniel tells me you taught him about soccer."
Constance rolled over in an attempt to ignore him.
He laughed lightly as he finished his bath, dressed in his trousers and sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed her hair from her face. "It's time for dinner. Get dressed and go downstairs with me."
Constance sighed and got off the bed. She washed her face quickly and put on a new dress not really caring how she looked. She didn't want to dress nice for Reis or his men. She was beautiful nonetheless.
He opened the door for her and led her downstairs and to her seat next to him for dinner. His men were in a somewhat somber mood this evening, three days with no signs of Cedric left them nervous. Being the only female at the table, his men treated her with caution though it was obvious in the way they addressed her and treated her that what Daniel had stated earlier was true. They did not treat her like a child or a villager, though it was obvious at the same time the men were trying to figure out what was happening between the two of them. When they had finished eating, Reis once again claimed her hand. When it was time for them to retire, he followed her up the stairs and into their room. He sat on the floor in front of the fire, his legs stretched out in front of him his hands supporting his weight behind him on the floor. "Sit with me please, Constance."
Constance sat down as far from him as she could get and still be in front of the fire.
He reached for her and brought her to him, sitting her in front of him his arms around her. He rested his head against hers. He felt her tense as his hand grazed her arm lightly. "Don't pull away from me, Constance." He smoothed her hair lightly. "I think Daniel has a crush on you."
She remained as stiff as she could be but she didn't pull away. "Well that's a sore lot for him isn't it? He'd hardly have any luck rescuing me from you, and of course following in your footsteps as he is I'd be no better off with him than I am with you." she ground out in a voice full of anger.
"Ah yes, the evil Reis." He kissed her ear softly. "Have you ever thought that if you stopped being angry at me for something I wasn't even here for that you might enjoy me? Or at least find me less revolting than you do." His hand reached up to stroke her budding chest.
Constance gasped and shivered. "Perhaps...but that would only let you hurt me worse. I know you're going to hurt me again so why don't you do it and get it over with so I can rid myself of you."
"I don't think you'll find yourself rid of me anytime soon, Constance." He nibbled the side of her neck gently. "Hurt you worse? Explain please."
"Sarah has warned me," Constance replied, "she told me if I pretended even the slightest emotion other than anger that the man would be worse. She says she cries and that gets them to leave her quickly."
"Ah," he replied moving his lips back to her ear. "Why don't you try not fighting, not crying, and not being angry with me. Have I not gone out of my way to show you some kindnesses? The dress? The soaps? The priest?"
"It doesn't matter if I am or not does it..." she realized, "you're going to anyhow. I belong to you..." Her resolve stiffened as did her posture and she was less frigid with him. Allowing him to touch her and not fighting his advance.
"Mmm, yes. You do, but you can belong to me willingly or against your will. And I think you might find meeting me somewhere halfway would be beneficial." He leaned her against his chest. "And yes it does matter. I really don't like hurting you. And I'd very much like to enjoy your company while I'm here. And not just in my bed either." His finger traced her jawline slowly, moving up to her lips seductively toying with them before moving to the ear he had just been kissing, tracing it lightly with his fingertip.
Constance watched him, what he was doing to her. She shivered when he touched her. It made her feel strange inside, something she'd never felt before. She pulled out the clip holding up her hair and the whole of it came down, puddling onto the floor around her. "Fine, you possess me." she finally acquiesced spiritlessly. It wasn't what he wanted and she knew it. He wanted her to want him but she didn't, she wanted to be as far from him as she could be. She didn't realize it but he was already taming her, claiming her bit by bit.
He carried her to the bed and set her down gently, his lovemaking was gentle. It was obvious with her acquiescing at least a little bit meant something to him. He touched and kissed her, every inch of her from her face to her toes. He took her fingertips in his mouth, taking each finger into his mouth one by one watching her face for any reaction. He smiled slightly, "Is this better, my sweet?"
"It doesn't hurt..." she replied though her heaving chest told another story entirely.
He entered her slowly, gently as he moved his mouth to her shoulder, nipping lightly as he felt her body react and accept him. His pace quickened as he spent himself, remaining on top of her tiny form watching her. "I see no tears. I hope I kept my end of the deal and there was less hurt involved. I realize it may still hurt a time or two."
Constance nodded softly. "Thank-you," her voice quivered out in a whisper. She lay still for a moment and then couldn't help but add, "I still feel dirty." When she realized he wasn't going to let her up and that she should have to accustom herself this feeling as well she closed her eyes and waited sleep. It soon came to her. During the night she began to move and then to moan softly, crying in her sleep. "mama..." she called out, "Anne-Marie...Anne-Marie." Her struggling got worse as her memories intensified.
He took hold of her arms and sat up with her in the bed. "It's all right, sweet." He held her against his chest, smoothing down her hair. When she did not seem to wake up he walked to the door carrying her after placing a pelt over her nakedness. He spoke to Thomas, who stood guard and returned to the bed until Thomas returned with a tankard of mead then left the room, closing the door behind him. "Wake up, Constance. It's just a dream," he rocked her against him smoothing her hair.
Constance came to with a start and began to weep, clinging to him like the very young woman she was. He offered her the mead and having never had it before she took it without regard when he said it would soothe her. He was careful not to give her too much and shortly afterward she fell into a peaceful sleep in his arms where she slept until well after sunrise.
When she woke he sat in the chair in front of the fire holding her in his arms, the pelt still over her. It was obvious from the redness of his eyes he got little sleep. When she stirred he held her tightly to him so that she would not fall from his grasp. He breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me last night not waking up for me."
Constance lacked recognition for a moment. "I was there, I was back there. He was laughing at me, making me watch. He would not let me die with them. I want him to die," She said as she shivered and curled closer against Reis for warmth.
"I know, my sweet. I'm sorry you had to see it, but it's part of war. Cedric will pay for what he's done. I assure you of that. When he's found he will pay." He smoothed her hair down, saying nothing further. He vowed to sit there and hold her until she moved of her own free will. He forgot about Thomas standing guard at his door and when the knock came he quietly beckoned him in, discharging him of his nightly duties. He saw the look in Thomas' eyes and met it sternly. He was aware of some of the things being said about he and Constance already. This would be another to keep the gossip fires burning. He bid the man good day and requested he ask Sarah to bring their breakfast up to the room shortly. When she brought it up, he dismissed her telling her he'd fetch her when she was needed again.
Sarah made to protest but instead gazed at Constance with regret in her eyes and then fled the room. Constance remained curled against Reis while she ate her breakfast and it wasn't for a while after the meal was finished that she finally slowly moved from his arms and then hurried to dress. "It's turning cold..." she said as she hurried to dress. Once that was accomplished her shivering finally ceased. "What is it you require of me today?" she asked without emotion.
He thought a moment as he finished dressing for the day. "Are you up to riding yet or no? If not, then I'd request you walk with me again. I want to come to know every inch of this town, and the best way to do that is to walk it or ride upon it."
Constance walked with Reis down to the stable and with his assistance mounted sidesaddle on the horse he had assigned her. She was soon proven to be an adept rider. She walked him through all of the courtyards and the streets explaining how it used to be. She saw a few people being held that she used to know and she spoke of them but without emotion. "And that is what is left of this place," Constance finished as they returned to the front of the inn. Her cheeks were softly colored with the chill in the air.
Daniel came to take their horses and asked Reis' permission to spend the afternoon with Constance playing soccer. Seeing no reason to object, and knowing he had some work to tend to he agreed. He smiled at the boy and suggested he might want to see if she'd be interested in doing some work with a bow and arrow. He winked at Constance when he told Daniel perhaps trusting her with a sword wasn't wise. He chuckled as he saw her grow agitated at his words and watched as the two of them left. He found four of his men, the most useless but trustworthy of his group and assigned them their task. He then rode his horse around the perimeter where his scouting teams were to check on them. He spent the afternoon with the few townspeople that were left, assuring them the violence was over and that there would be no more bloodshed so long as they continued to work. Finding out what each of them did, he assigned them all jobs. He returned to the inn to await Constance's return. He was determined not to search for her this afternoon, he trusted Daniel with the girl.
Constance and Daniel were having a wonderful time laughing and playing soccer. They had been at it for a couple of hours and Daniel was getting quite good when Constance requested a break, stepping into the brush to recompose herself she heard voices before she saw figures. Two men stood not far from her. She could not help but hear as one spoke of Cedric and how he might mount men to overthrow Reis because Reis was not sharing the wealth. She had intended merely to slip away when she snapped a twig and they turned and saw her. She fled the thicket out into view of Daniel when the two men caught her. "You snooping wench. I'll teach you what you're good for," one man called out and grabbing her by the hair he ripped her bodice as she cried out. The other man had a sword prepared to defend if necessary. Her dress ripped she was thrust against a rock and she knew what would happen soon. She began to cry and this only spurred the man on.
The men apparently hadn't noticed Daniel, or paid him no mind because he was able to get away and ran quickly to the inn. He burst through the door out of breath; unable to speak he took hold of Reis' hand and tugged him not caring that he was talking with someone. Reis turned to dismiss the boy, but seeing the look in his eyes followed him without an explanation. He knew Daniel well enough to know that he would not interrupt him unless it was necessary. He heard Constance's screams before he saw anything and when Daniel told him there were only two that he saw Reis told him to stand back. Wishing he had his bow and arrow on him, he drew his sword as he approached quietly through the trees to where they were. "Get away from the lady now!" Reis shouted, his jaw clenched. He held his sword against the second man's neck. "I shan't repeat myself again. Get away from her now, or your friend's head will be lying on the ground detached faster than you can unbutton your breeches." The two men knew better than to fight him when he held a sword to one's neck and the other was in an utterly defenseless position. He called for Daniel and bid him tie the standing man's hands together while he removed the other one from Constance with one arm, holding him off the ground before letting him down. When Daniel was done he bound the second man's hands together than attaching the two men to a rope around their necks. Reis knelt before her.
Constance went into his arms at once her clothing ragged she was shivering in the chill. "Cedric," she gasped into his ear before she buried herself against him.
He took her into his arms easily and with Daniel's help led the two men back to the village letting two of his men placing the two in the stockades. He would tend to them later. Constance had passed out sometime on the walk back, and he was more concerned with her at the moment. He told Sarah to get some water and a cloth and asked Daniel to bring up a tankard of mead. Setting her on the bed gently he paced around the room until Sarah came with the water and Daniel with the mead. Telling them both to leave he bolted the door and sat on the edge of the bed. He wrung the cloth out, applying it to her brow, wiping her face and neck with the water. "Wake up, damn it," he said under his breath. After removing what was left of her clothing and covering her with a pelt he pulled up a chair and sat raking his fingers through his hair as he watched her lay lifeless on the bed.
His efforts with the cloth were not in vain for shortly thereafter Constance's eyes opened. She took some of the mead he offered her and that helped revive her even more. "Bless you, for saving me," she gasped out weakly. She had just enough strength to crawl to him and curl up in his arms before she felt the need to rest against him one small white hand gripped tightly to his shirt. After lying, nestled against him for only a few minutes she stopped shivering.
He loosened her hold on his shirt as he stood, lowering her to the bed. He released his hold on her only long enough to lie next to her. Once comfortable, he brought her back to him. He tried to think of what the girl must be thinking after everything she'd been through the past few days. He smoothed her hair, running his fingers through it enjoying the feel of it going through his fingers. A knock on the door came a while later and he got up to answer it, securing the pelt around her naked form he answered the door. He took the offered message and returned to the bed, a smile coming to his face as he read it. The town was his, by order of the king he was now officially Lord Krager. Permission to begin building of a castle had been granted as well. Something Reis was sure the townspeople wouldn't be thrilled about doing, but once they knew with a castle came jobs, food, and better living he thought they would come around. He set the message down and drifted off to sleep to the sounds of Constance's soft, feminine breathing.
Sarah's weeping filled the room when Reis woke next. Constance had her arms around her rocking her before the fire. She got a brush and brushed the blonde's hair styling it for her. By the time she was finished Sarah was in better spirits and she brushed Constance's hair. "Do something pretty with it please," Constance asked. "Have you heard what everyone says?" Sarah said softly, "They all say that you're going to become a lady, destined for heartbreak. I keep trying to tell them we've already seen heartbreak. The things these men do to us each night...sleeping in chains, bound to these men." "Sarah shh...you'll just upset yourself again. What's happened has happened. There's nothing we can do about it. This is our life now. Christian would want you to go on."
He shifted slowly on the bed not wanting to startle Sarah, he always did no matter what he did. He took in this snippet of conversation before he sat on the edge of the bed. He took a sip of the mead that was left from earlier and went downstairs wordlessly. He returned a short while later. "While I cannot stop my men from being men, Sarah, you will no longer be bound each night. I'm afraid the rest I cannot prevent. I am only one man, and I cannot defend 80 of them while claiming the two comely women in town off limits. And somehow despite all of my shortcomings your friend Constance consistently points out to me, I'm not sure that she'd be of the mind to share or switch places with you."
Sarah finished what she was doing for Constance and then fled the room. Constance had on a gown of red, which went beautifully with her black hair. The bodice was a little large on her but the rest of the gown fit beautifully. She looked out the window and smiled as she saw the falling snow.
He walked up behind her. "Dinner is ready downstairs. You will join me." Though it was a statement, there was obviously questioning in his voice. He placed his hands on her upper arms, grazing the back of his hand along her arm. "Perhaps you'd be willing to engage in some conversation on this night, or is that asking too much."
"Depends on what you'd like to talk about," Constance replied moving towards the door to descend for dinner.
He let her go down before him, the men downstairs were ready to eat and their arrival met with loud approval. Once dinner was over and music had begun one of Reis' men asked Constance if she wanted to dance. He glanced at Reis hesitantly after the question had been asked, Jared knew he was pressing his luck. He had heard what had happened earlier that day, but he was in the mood to dance and the other girl that was around burst out into tears anytime he went near her.
"I'll dance with you 'til you can't keep up," Constance answered. Then she called for the music to a dance that was lively and required intricate steps. She had been at it little more than a minute when Jared fumbled and she laughed lightly and curtsied at him. "Nice try." The music continued and she finished out the dance alone and without missing a step. Her face flushed beautifully with the exertion and even Sarah was clapping and laughing at Constance's antics.
Reis watched her, but his eyes were more on his men than on her. His face and eyes were unreadable, though the hint of a smile was there if one were to look real close. The evening proceeded in much the same fashion, various men attempting to keep up with her to no avail. Though some did better than others. Reis watched as Jared approached an obviously frightened Sarah. Surprisingly, Jared sat next to her and spoke to her. "You don't like to dance I take it?"
"In another life I liked to dance. Dancing is for those who are happy...Constance is the only one who makes me happy anymore. A year older than me and she's all that holds me together." Sarah looked down at the table as though it was suddenly the most interesting thing she had seen.
"Oh," he said softly. He remained seated by her saying nothing else. As the night wore on and the men got drunker, seemingly even Reis, one of his men grew bold in dancing with Constance. His hands wandered over her, pulling her closer to him. It was apparent what his intention was, but before he could go further in his assault on her Reis had pulled him away from her. "You lay hands on the girl in my presence? Have you lost your mind?" "I'm tired of dealing with the other girl. Why don't you share? She's obviously worth it if you've kept her for yourself." Reis pushed the man's back against a nearby wall. "I share nothing that is mine." The man's eyes grew wide, "Yours? I see no ring on her finger. I've heard no vows exchanged. Have you lost your mind? She's just a common wench, a dozen like her you could get at the next town." Reis backhanded the man across his face. He turned his attentions to the room finding Thomas their eyes met and it was clear what Reis wanted him to do. Reis released the man and stormed out of the inn, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Thomas placed his hand on Constance's elbow. "I'm to take you and the other girl to your room, miss."
Constance nodded and eagerly made for her room with Sarah. "It looks like you might be safe tonight if he doesn't come back," Constance replied. "I mean you might get to stay here with me." Sarah laughed sardonically, "Do you know it was only a week ago that I was a virgin, engaged to be married in the spring. How much they have taken from us." "You will never be happy again if you dwell on that Sarah," Constance replied. "I don't want to be a wench!" Sarah cried out. Her hysterics were becoming so much so that Constance finally had to slap her to quiet her. "If they hear you they're going to come in here and without Reis you've no protection against ill treatment." Constance knew that with eighty or more men present it was only a matter of time before young girls like herself were taken from nearby villages and transformed into wenches for their pleasure as well. Now that Sarah had quieted they sat doing detail work on the gowns Constance had acquired in front of the fire.
It grew late and Reis hadn't returned. Thomas opened the door once to allow Jared entry who brought both of them some warm milk to drink at Thomas' request. When Jared had left, Thomas glanced at both women before shutting the door. This went on for three nights, Thomas and Jared taking turns standing guard by the door and bringing the women their food and drink. Late on the fourth day, Reis returned. He entered the inn after tending to his horse and once he had food and drink set before him called for Thomas to sit with him. They spoke in quiet, hushed tones while Reis ate. When he had finished he went up to his room. He sat wearily in front of the fire, saying nothing obviously tired.
Sarah rose and left the room and Constance changed for bed. She quietly curled up on her side of the bed, leaving him do as he wished knowing that was the best she could offer him in this odd mood that she didn't understand. She was waiting for the right moment to speak to him but she waited too long and fell asleep before the opportunity appeared.
He joined her eventually, pulling a pelt around him. He was hesitant to disturb her for talk, which made him laugh lightly. Had he wanted her for loving, he wouldn't have hesitated to disturb her. He brushed her sleeping face with the back of his hand. "Constance?"
With a soft moan her deep eyes came open, half-lidded as she looked up at him. "Yes?" she questioned.
He swallowed hard. "Everything was all right while I was gone. You and Sarah - you were safe? Thomas looked after you?"
"Yes," Constance replied and nodded, "Although it sounded pretty rough downstairs while you were gone. Sarah and I embroidered and beaded my dresses. Thomas and Jared made sure we were fed and it snowed some more."
He nodded. "Yes, I'm sure my men weren't happy. Jared, eh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you go take a look in my bag. I brought something back for you." He watched as she got out of bed and walked over to his bag. "Go ahead, open it. There's nothing in there you can't see." He chuckled lightly. "It's probably at the bottom in a box." He shut his eyes as he heard her digging through his sack. In the box were needles, thread, beads, and other sewing necessities. All were of obvious exceptional quality and make.
"Oh they're beautiful! Amazing! Think of the things I could make with these. I've never seen anything so lovely! Where did you get them?!" She danced around the room excitedly pressing the box tightly against her. Then she set it down on the table and continued to prance about in excitement her eyes twinkling and her face aglow.
"I'll do better than tell you where I got them. Tomorrow I will show you. You're able to ride, yes? You're well enough, I mean." He glanced at her body a slight smile crept to his lips as he pictured what was underneath her nightdress.
Constance nodded enthusiastically and ran to the bed practically jumping on him before she hugged him tightly and then kissed him spontaneously, jerking back startled when she realized what she had just done. She froze atop him, unable to move.
His arms went around her waist instinctively and he held her securely in his arms when she jerked back. "I'll take that as a yes then." He chuckled lightly and kissed her chin lightly. When he felt her shift on top of him, he called out gruffly in reaction to his body's involuntarily reaction to her brushing against him. "Don't," he looked into her eyes. It was obvious he was not upset with her, that there was another reason he was bidding her not to move.
Constance was still and her wide eyes questioned his order as she was frozen, waiting for something to happen or something to be said to release her from this limbo.
He shifted her himself upon him to avoid his own discomfort and moved one hand from her back to the bodice of her nightdress. He used his fingertip and traced lightly from her neck to her shoulders to her flowering chest to her stomach and back up to her chest. He held his breath, watching her intently as he circled each of her nipples with his fingertip. Releasing his breath slowly. "Why must you wear these? They only serve to get in the way and you don't see me sleeping in clothes."
Constance's breathing was uneven and she moaned softly at what he was doing to her breasts. "I guess I should stop if you're just going to keep taking them off every night," she gasped out.
He chuckled lightly. "Indeed," he dropped his hand to her waist. "I don't want you getting ill, wear them. But your willingness to discontinue is appreciated." He looked up at her. "Will you aid me in enlisting the townspeople? I've orders to build a castle. Having you willingly by my side will help, and they'd be guaranteed work until it's finished. And obviously with a castle would come stable work."
"I will," Constance replied, "A castle would ensure us the King's protection from future attacks right? I will talk to them. They will not likely take my opinion right off since I am only a child but..."
He laughed lightly. "My men and I would be in charge of protecting them, yes. But certainly having everyone within the confines of a castle's walls would be safer." He tipped her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes. "And I shall argue vehemently with anyone who claims you are only a child." Then, "Did you miss me while I was away? Or perhaps you were grateful that I was gone? Or did you even notice."
"I did notice you were gone and I suppose I missed having you around. I did not long for you if that is what you are asking," Constance replied. Her body trembled involuntarily. She was still under the spell of his attentions.
He felt her tremble against him and laughed lightly, "At least you're honest. Though I think I need to work on the not longing for me part." He reached down with both hands and in one fluid motion her nightgown was over her head and tossed behind her on the floor. He felt her heart racing as he pulled her against him running his fingers through her long, dark hair his fingers grazing her bare back lightly in the process. "Every warrior needs to know there's a woman somewhere who longs for him. It gives us reason to fight."
"Why me?" Constance gasped out softly. She closed her eyes a decisive happiness and pleasured look on her features. She reopened her eyes a moment later and they were deep with seduction and sensuality.
He ignored her question and turned slightly, placing her on the bed before moving on top of her. He cupped a breast with one hand as he entered her with a moan that sounded more like a roar than what it was. Once he had established his rhythm, he kissed her. His mouth moved to her ear. "That's why." It would be impossible to explain to her, he knew so he said no more. His lips traveled down her neck to her shoulders and finally to her breast. He took a nipple in his mouth and aptly teased it to attention.
Constance was herself emitting moans and pants this time and she found herself kissing him back, his mouth, his jaw, his neck, his shoulders. She was giving into her instincts and enjoying what he was doing to her. It wasn't hurting her this time. "Reis, Reis!" she gripped him and her eyes went wide with fear as her body climaxed for the first time. Confusion led to tears.
His climax came soon after, her response to him sending him over the edge quickly. He remained on top of her, perplexed by her tears. Her cries of his name did not sound as if they were from pain. "I didn't hurt you." He thought slightly, he had entered her so easily he assumed she had been ready. But perhaps he had been wrong.
"Yes you did! Something exploded inside me. I'm going to die from doing this!" Constance yelped.
He laughed loudly. "Hardly," he moved alongside of her and lowered his hand to her legs. "That's supposed to happen, my sweet. I'll show you." He used his fingers and hand to bring her to a climax again. He saw her fighting him. "Don't, Constance. Let go. I assure you, it's not harmful."
Constance felt herself tighten again and then another explosion and she moaned delightedly with the pleasure that brought her. "Oh please...do it again," she drawled out seductively, pressing herself against his hand.
He chuckled lightly. "I take it you like that then? No more hurt? No more tears? I can't stand tears. But I could certainly stand for hearing you call my name like you did a few minutes ago many times."
"Mmm..." Constance replied and then she yawned widely. "I think being too happy makes you sleepy..." she yawned again and her eyes began to drift close.
He reached around and pulled the pelts over them both and drifted off to sleep with her. A loud pounding on the door woke him up. Getting out of bed to put on his pants, he noticed it was barely after sunrise. "Who the hell?" He muttered under his breath as the door flew open. Thomas blushed profusely, obviously caught by surprise as a well dressed and bejeweled brunette entered the room. "How very nice of you to send for me, you bastard." Reis felt his anger boiling and retorted, "Obviously you found me on your own, I didn't need to send for you. I can't escape you even when I'm miles away fulfilling my duties to the king."
Constance heard the noise and sat up clutching the pelt to her. She watched the woman curiously and noted Reis' anger.
"You left us, left me, to starve. How could I not search for you? You're here with plenty to eat and drink." She glanced at the bed. "And obviously it didn't take you long to find someone to warm your bed." She eyed Constance in distaste as Reis walked towards her. He grabbed her by the upper arms and spun her towards the door where Thomas was happily waiting for her to come through the door again. "Get out. We'll talk about this later. You cannot come barging into my room, my town as if you own everything. If you're here when I decide to leave my room then we'll talk. I hope you turn around and go back to where you came." Reis handed her to Thomas and closed the door as the two left. He walked to the window and looked outside, seemingly have forgotten about Constance.
"He lied to me about you," Constance thought aloud. "He lied to me. He said you had no wife, that there was no other woman in your life. He lied to me! He tricked me!" She fumed and then hurrying to where she kept her clothes she began to gather them up all the while repeating the Lord's prayer over and over again.
"My wife?!?" He turned to her. "Whoever you speak of did not lie, Constance. You're not some wench I chose for a night of pleasure. I wish she was my wife, she'd be far easier to get rid of." He walked towards her stopping her from gathering her things. "She's my sister, Constance. My step-sister. We share the same father. When her mother died twelve years ago, my mother kindly took her into our home. Acknowledged my father's illegitimate child. And now for some reason she feels I owe her something because I had my father for my whole life and she didn't."
"Then what's she doing here?" Constance gasped. She buried herself against his chest.
"I don't know. I guess I'll find out. Are you capable of being strong? She's not going to be kind to you, but you can't take it personally because she's not kind to me either as you just saw. And this was a good day for her. I need you to be strong. If you're going to get all weepy every time she says something, she'll just prey on you further."
"No one picks on me without a good fight," Constance answered the fire that he used to be witness to all the time returning to her eyes.
He brushed her cheek lightly with his thumb. "There's the spark," he smiled and kissed her forehead, lowering his hands to her tiny buttocks caressing lightly. A glimmer came to his eyes as he lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered softly. "Let me kill you again, my sweet. I'm going to need something good to get me through this day, and you are very good."
Still undressed Constance walked over to the bed and lay down on her back looking to him, giving him permission to take her. To make her feel that odd burning explosion inside again.
He shed his pants and joined her, once on top of her he entered her slowly, teasingly, watching her reaction to him until he was fully within her. He took her hand in his, placed it next to her head by the bed and took each finger in his mouth one by one in unison with the thrusts of his lower body.
Constance's panting and moaning increased as she was meeting him instinctively. She could feel her body growing tighter and tighter. Finally she could hold out no more and the explosion occurred again. "Reis!" she cried out as she gripped him, her tiny body jerking and shaking with the force of it.
He kissed the tiny beads of perspiration from her neck and shoulders as his own explosion occurred in reaction to the force of hers. He pulled the pelt around them once more and rolled beside her bringing her to lay next him. Wrapping his arms around her waist and his leg around her legs he kissed her. "I'm not ready to face her yet. So I shall stay here with you until I am ready."
"As my father used to say, "you'll get hungry eventually," he was always right," Constance laughed lightly and snuggled against him. "For something I used to be terrified of. I find myself liking this a lot."
"Well, maybe you can educate Sarah that it's not so bad with someone who cares enough to be gentle. I think Jared is fond of her, but she treats him so unkindly. Understandably so, of course. But not all of my men are monsters."
"Why don't you assign her to stay with him at night?" Constance suggested, "I'm sure she'd get the idea after a while like I am. I would like to see her happy."
"I can do that." He sighed heavily, realizing he had to get up and face his demonic sister. Throwing the pelts back, he stretched and kissed her, letting his finger graze down the length of her body from her chin to her thighs. "You go talk to the townspeople while I talk with Catherine. I can't avoid her forever." He stood and dressed quickly. Buttoning his shirt as he bent over to kiss her again. "And don't let them tell you you're a child."
Constance nodded. The she sent for Sarah giving Reis privacy by taking her space behind a dressing screen. She had Sarah put her hair up in a very womanly style. She had on a fetching red dress with a black velvet bodice and she looked very much like a grown woman. Sarah left the room as soon as she had concluded her business.
Reis nodded his approval of her choice of gowns and went downstairs. "She what?" he exploded at the same time Constance came down the stairs and went out the door. "She left, Reis." "I don't believe it. She's up to something then. There's no way she came all this way just to turn around and leave." He stormed out of the inn once more beckoning Jared to accompany him. The two men went to the field where he had noticed Daniel and Constance playing soccer to spar. He needed to get his mind off Catherine - and Constance. He knew what the men were saying about him. About them. And he wasn't sure what to do about it. Why he had taken her up to his room his first night there he had no idea. Well, he did. He didn't want Cedric to best him on something, and the minute he saw Constance he knew she was Cedric's type. He figured Cedric would come back sometime during the night and find him with the girl he had chosen for his. More than two hours went by and Reis had worked up quite a sweat, as had Jared. When he saw how tired the young man was, he stopped. He had not managed to rid himself of all his demons that afternoon, but he less angry at any rate. He returned to the inn and remained downstairs with his men, something he had not done since arriving in the town.
Constance meanwhile had rallied the people together and given a surprisingly moving speech about building the castle. She explained that it would be symbolic to the people about what they had lost and whom they had lost and that it would be a standing monument to them. The people finally rallied eagerly behind her and she secured every last one to work who could. Satisfied with herself and eager to tell Reis she raced back. "I got them, everyone. They listened and they agreed to help build it!" she enthused to him her eyes sparkling with the knowledge that she had done something that should make him proud of her.
He smiled at her enthusiasm, at the sparkle in her eye at accomplishing something. "Good, my sweet. I knew you would. That's why I sent you." He gestured for her to sit. "It seems my lovely sister has taken leave already. Apparently I wasn't hasty enough this morning in kowtowing to her needs and she left."
Constance smiled. "That is good news indeed then I'm sure. What shall we do now? Have you told Jared yet of his new assignment?"
"No, I haven't yet. I need to figure out who's going to take over his old assignment first. Thomas and Jared are two of my men I know I could trust. I knew I could trust them with you. I will before the evening comes to an end." They finished dinner and when once again the music got Constance dancing, Reis, Thomas and Jared went outside the inn. Returning a short while later he returned and after speaking with Ian returned to his seat and vowed to enjoy the rest of his evening.
Constance and Sarah were dancing while the surrounding men clapped them on. One of the men made the mistake of trying to get too close to Constance and she playfully pushed him off hoping to dissuade him.
Sensing her mood was a good one, Reis stayed seated and watched the two girls dance. Daniel sat to his side at the table and the two talked, Daniel didn't care for Catherine either so he was just as disappointed to hear that she had arrived that morning as Reis had been. When fights started breaking out amongst the men, Reis decided it was time to bring the evening to a close. He beckoned Constance to him. "You'll need to tell Sarah why Jared is escorting her upstairs. I have given them the room next to ours. I don't want my man being made a eunuch because she misunderstands and thinks he's there to handle her."
Constance nodded and grabbing Sarah she led her aside. At first it was obvious Sarah was against it but the more Constance persuaded the less Sarah disagreed until at last she threw her arms about the dark haired girl and hugged her. The women recomposed themselves and joined the men. Sarah walked up with Jared, not totally without apprehension, but close. Constance smiled appreciatively at Reis, a silent thank-you for his small gift of kindness.
When they got to their room, Reis sat in front of the fire for a while before retiring to bed. For some reason on this night, the comfort of having her nearby willingly was enough for him and he left her alone. They woke the next morning early and after they had dressed and eaten, he led her to the stables. He saw her look at him somewhat curiously and said, "I'm taking you to where I got those things. Or don't you wish to go?"
"I'd love to," Constance smiled and with his aide she was soon sidesaddle on her horse and ready to go. She had on a long green dress with many, many skirts and a heavy fur cape on including a hood to shield her from the cold.
They rode for a couple of hours and came to a fair. He tied their horses off and he walked with her. "I brought you here to look, please look around. Do as you please. If there's something you wish to have, tell me. Today I follow you."
Constance wandered around looking at all of the treasures and crafts. The first thing that interested her was a collection of drawing pencils and paints. "Oh I must have these for Daniel. He'd be so good with them," Constance pleaded.
He raised an eyebrow, but they were bought without question. "Surely there's something you want. Fabric for some new dresses perhaps. We also need some foodstuffs, salt for making meat and what not. Do you know of those things?"
Constance shook her head, "No I haven't any idea. My mother did all of that." She bought Sarah a comb and only after she'd bought for others did she dare get anything for herself. She looked over the fabrics and unable to decide moved to the trims and beads. She put together quite a collection of those and then picked out fabrics that would agree. Finally she stopped at a stand of jewelry gawking at a sapphire and diamond necklace so ornate and well crafted that it could only have come from one of the finer households in London. The stones were the largest she had ever seen and the child in her longed to snatch it from the stand and beg for it.
He met her gaze and smiled slightly. The vendor seemed to sense the possibility of a sale and was attentive to the two of them. Reis looked at Constance, "I think we've bought enough today. Don't you? Besides, jewelry is supposed to be a gift not something you know about." He brushed her cheek lightly. "At least I know you have good taste. Expensive, but good."
Constance smiled delighted with the compliment and quickly gave up wanting the necklace. She walked with him and helped him as best she could with the food. Her mother had been teaching her at the time of her death and so Constance knew a little here and there.
He was impressed with the knowledge she did have and taught her a little more. Once he felt they had bought everything he could think of, he made arrangements to have the items taken ahead of them. He was in no hurry to have the day end prematurely. "Let's get some lunch, shall we? Then we can walk around some more. You really are quite unselfish. Why didn't you buy more things for yourself?"
"Because they will not make me nearly as happy as presenting other people with things. Besides I have all of that beautiful fabric to create more beautiful gowns than I imagined. That's all that I need. What else would you have liked me to have bought?" She asked as she walked around with him.
He shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Most women in your place would have bought everything under the sun and not given a second thought to their friends, certainly not someone like Daniel who came with me." He held her chair for her at a table and sat across from her. "Have you ever been to London," he asked as their food was placed before them.
"No," Constance shook her head. "I've never been farther than I could view the town from where I was. Mother always cautioned me not to ride too far away and no one from my family ever went anywhere."
He nodded listening to her talk as they ate, and as the afternoon went on he realized it was time to head back. He helped her once more onto her horse and they were soon on their way and back in town. She heard his sister's voice before he even set foot in the building and shook his head. "I knew she wouldn't have just left." He sighed as he opened the door letting Constance pass through first. "There he is, Father. And the little wench he wishes to marry. That's why he sent me for you." Reis looked from his sister to Constance to the priest. "I sent for no one, Catherine. I don't know what trick it is you're up to, but I have no intentions on marrying anyone. Certainly not at your insistence." The priest looked from Reis to Catherine to Constance and spoke finally. "But, sir, certainly you realize you must do the right thing by this girl." Reis glared at Catherine. "Forgive me, Father, but if I decide to marry it will be because I want to not because I've decided to do the right thing. Always doing the right thing has not gotten me where I am today." Reis had avoided looking at Constance until now.
Constance's face was deathly pale in contrast to her skin. She stood there trembling slightly at suddenly being the center of attention. She would love to tell Catherine off but she was a firm believer in religion and 'doing the right thing' even if Reis professed not to be. "Catherine what right have you to interfere here?" Constance finally asked hoping to affront the older woman that way.
Catherine glared at Constance, though a look of triumph was evident in her eyes as well. As if she had somehow succeeded in showing Constance exactly where she stood, where she would stand. And Catherine had visions of her own enough not to be bothered with answering Constance's inquiry. Instead she went upstairs to what she now claimed as her room, having thrown Sarah out of the room she the night before had just been granted. Reis rolled his eyes determined to deal with that later. Turning his attention's to the priest he spoke. "Father. Apparently my dear sister has erred and overstepped her boundaries as my sister. Her place is in London at court, she knows not the way of the life I lead. I apologize if she brought you out here unnecessarily. You're welcome to some food and a room for the night in exchange for your trouble's but I fear there will be no wedding." The priest took Reis outside and after more than hour the two returned. The priest then asked Constance to join him. "Young lady, has the gentleman made any promises to you? Has he hurt you? His sister claims he is hurtful. I'm afraid I will not be able to interfere again, however. He has indicated he would get pardon from the king if I were to try again."
Constance's eyes glazed over with tears but she wouldn't let them come out. She didn't know if she should yell 'yes oh yes he's hurt me to the depths of my soul' and run to freedom or if she should deny it all until Reis had finished using her and left her to wither away here. "No, he shows me every kindness father. He has provided much for me and protected me from the ill will of others. If anything he is to be commended, not reprimanded."
The priest sighed heavily. "Very well, I cannot make you come with me. This is your home and I understand your hesitancy to leave. I will pray for you, my child. And I will pray that he do the right thing by you." He watched her closely. "And if he doesn't marry you? If he leaves here one day and returns months later having claimed a bride, you will not regret this choice?"
"I do not know father but I know that if I go with you I will regret having left here so soon," Constance replied.
"I am here for you, my child. Should you ever need the church it as well is always here for you." He walked with her back in and sat to eat watching everyone a bit sadly.
"Father why are you so sad?" Constance couldn't help but ask after a while.
He smiled half-heartedly at Constance. "Nothing, my child. Just thinking. My apologies. Would you be kind enough to show me to a room?"
"Of course father," Constance curtsied for him and then led him up to one of the best rooms in the inn. She brought him all the comforts she could think of. "Will you require anything else father?"
"No, thank you, my child. Good night." He closed the door to the room. Jared was sitting in the darkened hallway. "Milady, ma'am. She's claimed our things as hers." He bowed his head, embarrassed at bringing such a matter to a girl's attention. But he had no idea how to deal with women, much less one as mad as Reis' sister was.
Constance frowned; Catherine had made her a little too upset today. She barged into the room, laughing mentally that Catherine had not locked the door. Then she slapped the older woman and grabbed the poker for the fire, heating it in the flames. "Get out of here now before I set the comforter and you on fire, or I just mark you with it instead. This room does not belong to you. I will take you to one as nice but this room already belongs to someone!" she said in a bitter and hostile tone that broked no argument.
Catherine stared at her in disbelief. "You little whelp," she cried. She stormed out of the room and into Reis' room who expecting Constance had left it unlocked. "Your little wench is trying to tell me that I can't have the room next to this one." "She's right, that room has already been occupied. I believe there are plenty of other rooms to be had, Catherine. And I'd quite honestly prefer not having you next to me. You might hear something through the walls unsuitable for someone as innocent as yourself. Jared can show you to a room, Catherine." "Unbelievable. You are going to let that, that girl control you?" "No, Catherine, no one controls me but the king and myself. I don't want you closer to me than is required. If I could arrange to dine elsewhere I'd do that. But as it is, I shall have to deal with you through meals." He walked out to the hallway, a smile creeping to his lips as he saw Constance with the poker. "Good night, Catherine. I think I have other fires to worry about putting out tonight." He crooked his finger at Constance and bade her to come to him wordlessly as Catherine stormed past them both.
Sheepishly Constance put down the poker and came towards him like a child preparing for a whipping.
He closed the door behind them once she'd entered the room and kissed her passionately, his fingers getting caught in her hair as he tried to press her against him. He chuckled lightly sensing her surprise. "What were you expecting me to do to you?"
"Knock good sense into me," Constance replied.
"Mmm, I see. Now I'd much rather kiss you." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that really what you think of me? You thought I was mad at you? That I would hit you to get you to agree with me or behave?"
"Reis I don't know what to think of you most of the time. Sometimes I want to absolutely hate you and other times....well other times I feel quite the opposite."
"Well, I hope those other times become more commonplace then the ones where you want to hate me. I certainly don't know that I'd enjoy sharing my bed with someone who hates me. I suppose the question should be are you mad at me? The scene my sister made. The priest. Marriage."
Constance dropped her head, "Mad, nay, just disappointed. Truth be told I've always been taught that if a man wanted your virtue or if a man got your virtue then he should marry you and keep you respectable so that you could hold your head up. I believe that marriage is a wonderful thing between two people." "I'm sure you have a good reason though..."
"Yes, I see your point. But would you be happier knowing I married you because a priest told me it was the right thing to do, knowing that when I leave here I may never return, or may be unfaithful? I don't believe in the nstitution of marriage. My mother was deeply hurt by my father's blatant infidelity. And I'd rather not marry than risk putting someone else through what my mother went through." "And as far as holding your head up." He laughed. "My men give you the respect you deserve. I have treated you with respect I do not handle you in front of my men, I have you sit next to me while we eat. No one can claim for certain I've taken your virtue other than you and me. You have no reason to hang your head in shame. You didn't offer yourself to me. I took you for mine." He brought his hand up to one of her breasts and cupped it against the warmth of the palm of his head. "And that you are."
"Until I'm not good enough and you leave me for another and I shall be left to become an old woman only remembering once when I belonged..." "or maybe I'll go hysterical and die some tragic death while searching for you..." Constance replied and she rolled away from him, lying on her stomach and denying him.
“I wouldn’t let you die.” He tried to touch her, getting her to turn over. When she refused he picked her up with relative ease he placed her on top of him. “Now you’re turning away from me. We had a good day, or at least I thought we did. I took your position in the argument with my sister. I didn’t have to, but I did.” He moved her down along his torso, his arousal apparent as it pressed between her legs. He took hold of a few strands of her hair, twisting it around his finger. He looked into her eyes as he kissed her intensely. “And I think you have long to go before you’re an old woman.”
She kissed him back she couldn't resist him. How she wished that he felt inside of him the way she felt inside herself. It was a strange new feeling creeping into her when she was with him. She wasn't sure that she wanted to fight it anymore.
He held her to him, the warmth of her body against his an interesting feeling. Releasing her briefly as he brought the pelts around the both of them before he returned to kissing her. He broke away briefly, brushing some hair from her face. “You know how to warm a man inside as well as outside, Constance.”
She smiled softly at him and then laid her head on his chest, "Goodnight Reis....my love." she faded off to sleep.
He let her drift off to sleep, once she was deeply asleep he moved her from his chest to beside him on the bed. He woke the next morning feeling oddly refreshed and calm until he heard his sister’s shrew voice coming from the hall below. He shook his head as he opened the door and saw the look on Thomas’ face. He closed the door, returning bedside he woke Constance up. “Time to get up, my sweet. Breakfast is waiting and so is my charming sister.” Once he was certain she was awake, “I’ll send Sarah up with your bath water and await you to join me before I eat my morning meal.” He left the room and Sarah arrived a short while later with her bath water to help her dress for the day.
Sarah was a little pale looking and when Constance inquired Sarah told her that she was not feeling well. "You should go rest after this then," Constance said concernedly, "we don't need you coming down ill." Constance finished her bath and dressed. Then she saw Sarah back to bed. The blonde was slightly warm but not enough to be concerned about.
Reis’ eyes brightened slightly when he saw Constance come down the stairs, otherwise he made no outward reaction to her arrival. “There she is. Now the morning meal can begin.” He glanced at Catherine who sat to his left seething, obviously not pleased with having to wait on Constance in order to begin eating. As the food was brought out, Reis leaned over and said softly to Constance. “I need your assistance after breakfast.”
"Of course," Constance replied with a smile and then dove into her oatmeal appreciatively.
When they finished eating, Reis stood and waited for Constance without another word to Catharine. He led her outdoors and along the roadway. “I want you and Sarah both to become apt at using both a sword and dagger as well as a crossbow. I know you’re willing, and I know you know how to use one already. But I want to train you both myself. Between Thomas, Jared and myself if for whatever reason I should have to leave the two of you will be able to defend yourselves. I will give you both a dagger that is to remain on your person at all times, even while you sleep should I not be here.”
Constance nodded, "Very well. You will find Sarah is excellent with a crossbow already. Her aim is remarkable. She's in bed now though. I told her to because she was feeling ill."
He looked at her sharply. “Ill? I’ll send one of my men to look after her.” He scowled lightly as he calculated things in his head. He glanced over her sharply. “And you, you’re not feeling ill?”
"No...not today..." Constance replied without giving it a second thought as they walked along in the snow.
He watched her walk off and started to walk after her when Daniel ran up to them with a message for Reis. He read it and looked up from the scroll to Constance. “Well, I have orders to appear before the king. It seems I will be heading out this afternoon.” He turned the way they had walked from. “I’ll find you before I leave,” he said to both of them as he returned to the inn. He hated leaving Thomas and Jared behind but found it was in his best interest if the two of them remained. So he arranged for a group of twenty of his men to prepare and leave within three hours. While things were tended to, packs loaded, horses readied he went in search of Daniel and Constance.
They were in Sarah's room talking with her and remarking on how, at the moment, she was perfectly fine but she seemed to get sick and then well again over and over. Daniel was drawing with the brightly colored pencils that Constance had given him and Constance sat near him on the floor with her head on the bed as she spoke to them.
Reis looked at what Daniel was drawing, and sat on the bed near Constance’s head placing his hand on top of her head lightly. “It’s up to the two of you where you stay while I’m gone. Thomas and Jared are both staying here. And you’ll have Daniel to look out for you of course as well. Are you feeling well, Sarah? Constance said you weren’t feeling well.”
"I'm feeling alright at the moment sir but I've been having bouts of disorientation and nausea sir," Sarah replied. "Resting seems to have helped some perhaps."
He nodded his head obviously unconcerned. “Well, good.” He took Constance’s hand and wordlessly took her into their room, shutting the door behind them. He stood by the window looking out at the snow before he turned his attentions back to her. “I should be gone three or four weeks.” He rubbed his chin lightly. “Do you read? I realize that’s not something you’re taught to brag about but if you do please admit it so that I might write to you while I’m away. I’d rather write to you than to Thomas. Unless, of course, you’d rather I not write and in that case I won’t waste your time or mine.”
"I can read, Father Muldoon taught me," Constance replied, "please write me." She touched his arm tentatively, "please be careful and write to me and tell me about all of the wondrous things that you see."
He smiled, placing his hand on top of hers holding it to his arm. “I’m not going to bite you, my sweet. I will be most careful it wouldn’t do for me not to return to the land I was just given rights to. And I will write.” His eyes grew sad for a moment. “I’ll need to talk to Jared before I go. But I think that can wait for a few minutes. There’s something far more important that needs to be tended to I think.” He lowered his mouth to hers gently, his lips claiming hers in a soft but probing kiss. His arms inched around her tiny waist bringing her to him as he broke the kiss briefly only to initiate it again.
Constance returned his kissed with feeling and her arms wound about his neck. "Oh Reis," she gasped softly. Suddenly she felt dizzy and she swayed in his arms but she held fast and it soon passed.
He worked the buttons on her dress slowly, his mouth alternating between her lips, her neck, and her ears until he was able to expose her shoulders and chest. “I was going to settle for a kiss until I heard you say my name.” He let her dress drop to the floor, unlacing her corset slowly, seductively his hand grazing gently against her bare skin. Finally, he removed her undergarments. “Undress me, Constance.”
Nervously Constance fumbled at the fastens of his shirt and once she had that removed she caressed his chest with her hands. Then she unfastened his breeches with even more trepidation and removed those as well. She removed all of his vestiges until he stood bare before her as she did before him.
He laid her on the bed bringing himself on top of her, taking hold of her hands in his as he entered her. His mouth met hers then breaking away so he could bring his mouth to her breasts. He took each into his mouth, toying with each nipple with his tongue. He released one of her hands from his grasp, tracing his finger over her face gently. “Give yourself to me, Constance. Let yourself go. Meld with me.”
Constance matched his rhythm and then felt herself tightening and then she did let go and her explosion made her body tremble against him and she cried out his name.
He reached around her waist, holding her tightly to him as his own explosion was brought to the surface. He kissed her chest, extending his kisses along her shoulders and neck until he once again met her mouth. “You know how to send a man away quite satisfied, my sweet.” He eyed her curiously as he rested above her though his body weight was supported by his arms trying not to be heavy against her. “You aren’t going to go seeking this elsewhere while I’m gone are you?”
"Oh no!" Constance cried out, "I can only trust you to be gentle. Someone else might treat me the way you did at first. Besides, I don't desire another..."
He groaned lightly. “Had you not attempted to run away from me that would never have happened.” He moved from on top of her and stood to redress. Buttoning his shirt he bent over to kiss her. “I will see you in a month, my sweet. And I will write. Be well, Constance. And remember even in my absence you are a reflection on me in front of my men.”
She watched him go and once he had left she sighed, "Reis," in a small whisper. She ate meals in the proper and expected fashion and tried to do as Reis would have wished her to. Sarah's sickness continued, only for a while each day and Constance realized she had unfortunately caught the ailment when the same thing began to happen to her. She read Reis' letters always with great anticipation and she spent most of her days indoors, shielding herself from the cold of winter outdoors and learning to use a dagger well with Jared's aide and a pencil well with Daniel's.
Jared spent the time of Reis’ absence trying to get to know Sarah better. She did not take the use of the dagger as easily as Constance did and as her sickness grew apparent to Jared to not be an ailment at all he worked on getting her to accept him. One evening when Constance and Daniel were working on a picture together, Jared asked Sarah to step outside with him for a walk. When they got outside he eyed her shyly, his brown eyes soft. His glance fell to her waist and then returned to meet her gaze. “I think we should get married, Sarah.”
"Married?" She gasped softly and flushed herself, "and why do you think we should?" she cooed back playfully as girls her age were apt to do.
“Well, I guess I don’t rightly know why we should. But it seems apparent that you’re with child,” he looked away, dropping his gaze. “I realize that it would not be mine, but I would raise it with you. It would have my name. I could take you to London I imagine if you wanted to leave here. And I can’t say that I blame you if you do.”
Sarah had froze when she had heard his words 'with child' suddenly it all made sense to her. She gave a small gasp and then looked at him. "I was going to say yes before," she replied softly, "I have feelings for you Jared and you care for me well. Yes I will marry you." Then another thought crossed her mind. "Constance," she gasped knowing the symptoms now for what they were.
“You will? Let’s send for the priest tonight then.” He tried to ignore her obvious thoughts of Constance. Constance was none of his business and he’d be a fool to ruin his favor and dishonor himself and his family by interfering in Reis’ business. “What will you tell the priest, Sarah?” He sighed. “I’ll take credit for the child, but I also don’t like the priest thinking that I took advantage of you before we were wed. I’m not like the other men.”
"Perhaps we should not tell the priest of the child," Sarah suggested, "or perhaps we could tell the father the truth and he would realize what a loving and caring man you are."
“I leave it to you then, Sarah. Whatever you decide I will go along with.” He smiled slightly for the first time since she had said yes. “May I kiss you?” He chanced a look at her, his brown eyes full of uncertainty.
Sarah flushed softly, "Yes please." She closed her eyes and met him halfway for a tender kiss. "Please, send for the priest," she requested softly of him.
He smiled slightly. “I shall. I will see you tomorrow then.” He walked inside with her. “Good night, Sarah. And thank you.” He found Thomas and asked that he send someone for the priest as he watched Sarah make her way upstairs.
Sarah immediately rushed to tell Constance of her pending wedding, choosing not to mention her being with child and her suspicions that Constance was as well. The two girls had themselves a celebratory party and finally fell asleep both curled up near the fire.
The priest arrived after lunch and after talking with both Jared and Sarah, and realizing that times were different he agreed to marry them. He wondered just how many more times he would be beckoned to this town. Jared sensed the other men’s unhappiness about his marriage to Sarah and he wished that Reis were there to keep the peace that night. But thankfully, the men drank enough and played enough cards to be distracted. Jared led Sarah up to her room later that night and went to lie on the bed.
Sarah closed the door as she knew was expected of her and then she stood before him a bridal flush on her cheeks. Slowly and with nervous fingers she undid her dress and removed her garments to stand before him with only her blonde hair which reached her hips covering her in places.
He stared at her wide-eyed, his voice caught in his throat. “I wasn’t,” he paused clearing his head unable to take his eyes off her. “I mean you don’t have to do this, Sarah. That is, I wasn’t expecting you to …” he trailed off embarrassed.
"Every bride shall give herself to the husband that she loves and this shall bind them together only less greatly than the hand of God does," Sarah replied.
“Well, would you be offended if I said I’d rather you give yourself to me by allowing me to hold you? I’ve never,” he blushed further. “Well, I’ve never done this before. I mean, been with a woman.” He sighed slightly. “And I’d like to start our life together by doing something that no other man has to you. By lying with you.”
Sarah froze only a moment and then with a smile she went to him. She crawled into the bed and pulled several pelts up over them that they might stay warm. Meanwhile Constance watched the falling snow out her window and thought of, and longed for Reis.
It was six weeks before Reis returned, his stay in London being extended an additional two weeks. King James was pleased with his work, pleased with his plans for the town and the fact that he already obtained cooperation from the townspeople for building of the castle. James promised to send additional men to aid in the building of the castle so that Reis would have someplace permanent to live within a year. He had been regular in his letters to Constance, giving them to a troop or men he passed headed in her direction until he left London. His last night in London he had a beautiful girl offer him something beyond dancing and he had found himself interested until he closed his eyes and Constance’s face was there. He had pushed the girl out of the door without so much as a kiss. He lay in bed and groaned lightly wondering what in the hell was happening. The trip back was easy and uneventful; it seemed for those two weeks that everyone left them alone. He knew there were other troops around, he found their tracks but they made no moves on him or his camp. He was greeted in the stables by Daniel and horror stories of Catherine and her treatment of his men and of Constance. He was deeply disturbed to hear that Catherine had taken some of Constance and Sarah’s things as her own. And when he heard that she had tried to assert herself as the lady of the town in his absence he about went through the roof. But he found himself deeply pleased to hear that Constance had held her own, but still Reis was determined to make it up to her somehow. He raised a brow in question when he heard that Sarah and Jared had married. He chuckled lightly shaking his head as he realized most probably the reason for their sudden marriage. He gave Daniel a package that contained drawing paper, more pencils and some paints and made his way to the inn. If it was possible, he was even more the specimen of a true warrior than he had been when he first arrived. The anger and wrath he felt when he first arrived had been replaced with an air of confidence and belonging this time. His head held high, his eyes searching the room completely ignoring Catherine.
Constance had passed the weeks in much the same way as she passed all her time. She practiced her weapons, read Reis' letters and watched Daniel draw. She usually only saw Sarah in the mornings and evenings when she came to attend her. Constance, being the naive young girl that she was hadn't even noticed the changes in her body that had replaced the fading sickness, but she did not put this down to her condition of which she was unaware. She heard a commotion downstairs and peeked out into the open hall to see below what it was. When she saw Reis she went back and checked her appearance and then headed to greet him. She froze when she got midway on the stairs though and her eyes met his.
He met her gaze and smiled slightly, a smile obviously meant for her and her alone. He scanned the rest of the room before crossing to where she stood by the stairs. “What I don’t warrant a better hello than a half attempt at entering the room?”
Constance descended the rest of the stairs and raised up to kiss him quickly. "I thought you would want me to save most of what I have to say for later." she looked around at the audience of eyes all on them.
He picked her up by the waist and carried her up the stairs her feet not touching the ground until they were in his room with the door closed spurring quite the reaction out of his men. “Is this later enough,” he raised an eyebrow slightly. “Are you going to really kiss me now?”
Constance threw her arms about his neck and kissed him passionately, with reckless abandon, leaving her chest heaving as she drew back slightly. "I have missed you."
“That was better. I think we need to work on your kissing, my sweet. Now what is it you wanted to say to me? Daniel gave me a 13 year olds version of things.” While he was content with keeping his lips off her, it was obvious he was not content leaving his hands off her. If she attempted to pull away, he would pull her to him again or make sure his hand was always on her.
"Well mostly I've been practicing my skills with the blade and crossbow when I haven't been fighting the illness that Sarah had. Mine went away though about the same time as hers. We've spent most of our time indoors because it's too cold to go out and you can't do much in the snow. A lot of the time Daniel and I talked and he tried to teach me how to draw. I read all of your letters. Oh Reis I missed you so much." She kissed him again.
“Ah good, we’ll practice tomorrow. I’ll take you out to the fields and we’ll see if you can’t get yourself a deer or something. Do you think you’re good enough to do that yet?” He paused slightly. “I heard Sarah and Jared got married. That was sudden. Is she happy, I hope?”
"She's thrilled in fact I hardly see her anymore. She and Jared are always cuddling together or whatever it is that they do. They're very happy together and I'm happy for them I suppose. But why should we talk about them. I'm tired of it!"
“Mm,” he bent to kiss her, his hands reaching around to the small of her back. His fingertips grazed her buttocks lightly as he felt himself getting aroused just from touching her. Who was he kidding, he had been aroused thinking about her since before he got back into town. “I haven’t eaten yet today, but I’m thinking you might be able to keep my mind on things other than food for the rest of the evening if you saw the need. But you’re going to have to do more than take off my clothes this time, my sweet. I am tired from all my traveling after all.”
Constance kissed his mouth and then his jaw and then his neck as she removed his shirt. Then she kissed down to his nipple and after a poor attempt at using her tongue she resorted to her fingers momentarily before the kissing resumed and her hands removed his breeches, shoes and undergarments. She continued to kiss and caress him as she drew him to the bed and then she sat on her side, on her knees, waiting for him to get comfortable and do with her as he'd like.
He lay on his back and brought her on top of him, after ensuring she was ready and he wouldn’t hurt her he brought her on to him guiding her by holding onto her hips. He closed his eyes and clenched his mouth as he tried to stifle his groan. “It’s like I’ve never been inside you before,” he said softly, obviously excited. He moved her up and down on him, establishing a rhythm then stopped. “Your turn, my sweet. I am at your mercy.”
Constance resumed his rhythm and once she had that under control she kissed his jaw and then his mouth. She went until she had to stop for her own climax and her inner muscles caressed him as her body trembled in ecstasy.
Once her climax had subsided he sat up, taking hold of her legs and wrapping them around his waist. His hands on her hips, he kissed her and lowered his mouth to her shoulder while he brought himself to a climax. He called her name out at the same time as a groan he was sure could have been heard downstairs and outside. He rested his head against her shoulder holding her to him unwilling to move, unwilling to let her move. “Too long. Six weeks is far too long.” Finally, after his body had caught up to the rest of him he shifted gently, careful of her legs and laid them both down together not bothering to pull any covers around them. “I think the next time I shall have to bring you with me. I fear if it hasn’t been before now, I’ve certainly ruined your reputation.” He chuckled lightly, “or improved it depending on how you look at it.”
"I can't go as your mistress," Constance replied, "what would the faith say about me. It would tarnish your good name before his majesty as well. Perhaps you have improved my reputation but no one else shall get to use their knowledge so what does it matter."
He chuckled lightly as he ran his finger along her face lightly. “You are difficult sometimes. I’ll just have to figure out someway to bring you along next time. You are my servant after all, we don’t have to discuss with anyone how exactly you serve me. So tell me again just how much you missed me.”
Constance's eyes momentarily flashed indignation and she became stiff. "You can be very cruel at times Reis as much so as your sister."
“Can I? So it would tarnish my name and you would be talked about if you came as my mistress, so you’re saying you shouldn’t come. So that would mean that if I have to be gone for say two or three months you’d rather I find another mistress than bring you along as my servant. And really, the king wouldn’t care anyway. He’d probably wonder why I hadn’t taken a mistress.”
"No," Constance replied suddenly, "take me. I am what I am. A girl of good standing no more, nay a mistress; a common lowly mistress." she replied honestly. "I missed you too much while you were gone to not go with you..."
He smiled slightly. “Nay, my sweet, there’s nothing common or lowly about you. If I wanted that type of mistress I could have any one of a dozen of them while I was away or I could have brought them back with me. Believe me thoughts of you would never have crossed my mind over the past six weeks if there was anything common about you.” He brushed the back of his index finger against his cheek. “And I’ll argue vehemently with anyone who tries to say different. You had no say in the direction your life turned, and I’d wager you’d rather be my mistress than in the position Sarah is not knowing who the father of her child is.”
Constance blinked, "Sarah's with child?! She's going to have a baby and no one has told me?!" she exclaimed astonished. "How do you know that?"
He shrugged, “I knew before I left. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.” He stopped short of telling her his suspicions that she was, too, with child. Somehow he didn’t think that would be wise at this point. “I’ve seen enough girls pregnant to know the symptoms. I might be wrong, but I don’t think so. That surprises you?”
"Yes it surprises me. I mean I feel terrible for her, a child whose father she doesn't know, conceived in violation of her own body," Constance explained. "She's so young too, barely fifteen...and she didn't even confide in me..."
“Perhaps she realized you were suffering the same symptoms as she was and felt it wasn’t her place to be the bearer of such news. You said you were, yes?”
"Yes..." Constance said and his words hit her. "no," she gasped, "me, with child?" She looked down at her abdomen as if it would give her the answer. "I'm going to have a baby? What do I do?"
He laughed heartily. “I don’t think you have to do anything. It’s already done. Thank you, my sweet.” He kissed her, pulling the pelts around them. “Surely you realized. I mean,” he narrowed his eyes as he calculated something in his mind. “You’re only sixteen? I suppose you wouldn’t have realized. No wonder Daniel likes you so. I wonder if the boy will dislike me now. It’s one thing for you to be my servant, but such a display of your servitude I don’t think he was expecting.”
Constance merely looked shocked and she wiped viciously as her eyes began to well up with tears, not wanting him to see them. "I'm sorry...." she begged forgiveness and pried herself from him going behind her dressing screen and finally allowing the tears that she couldn't hold back to come. She knew he would be angry with her but she couldn't help it.
He stood slowly from the bed and after pulling on his underwear, he sat in the chair near her dressing screen. “What’s troubling you, Constance? I’m not going to hurt you. Come out here and talk to me.” He couldn’t stand to hear a girl crying. It was more than he could take.
Sniffling Constance emerged and curled herself up in his lap. "I'm scared," she replied in a whimper. This was followed by more sniffles as she tried not to cry in front of him.
He clutched her to him, holding her against his bare chest. “Well, I can understand that, angel. But there’s really nothing to be scared of. Women have babies every day, have been doing it for years. In fact, I’d wager you and Sarah will have your babies within days of one another. So you’ll have someone to go through it with you.”
"You're not mad about the baby?" she asked with wide eyes.
He laughed lightly then realizing she was serious he stopped quickly. “Why on earth would I be upset about you bearing me a child? Certainly when I crossed the line between maidservant and taking you to my bed I knew what the results could be.”
"Well you do not desire to marry me so I did not think that you would want to put up with me bearing you a child either," Constance replied curled comfortingly against him.
“Well, it’s probably not what I would have chosen, no. But I understood the risk, I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. I know some women who take years to get with child, and some who can’t at all.” He shrugged, rubbing her bare shoulder gently. “You’re not doing well to keep my mind off of food, my sweet. Come back to bed and help me sate this hunger for you I worked up these past few weeks.”
Constance kissed him passionately, caressing his chest before sliding off his lap and returning to the bed. She made love to him once again with everything she had in her, trying her hardest to please him.
Afterward, he lay on the bed facing the ceiling, his arm around her. “I hope it’s a girl,” he said more to himself than to her. He kissed the top of her head. And then he laughed heartily. “I can’t wait until Catherine finds out. She won’t be pleased. Your giving me a child will interfere with her plans of being lady of Corin’s Village.”
"Why is that?" Constance asked, "I have no claims above her. She's a Lady after all isn't she? Though I'm afraid I don't think she makes a very good one."
“No, she’s not. She’s my sister by way of my father, my father held no position with the king. It was my mother’s family that had the royal blood. My mother was disowned for marrying my father, though never grew out of favor with anyone but her family until Catherine came to live with us. I was 22 then, Catherine was 16. Then mother was publicly ridiculed for cloaking my father’s sins. I, myself, held no title until now. I served the king because I chose to. It brought me adventure, wealth, and now it has brought me a town of my own. With Corin’s Village comes the title of Lord, and I’m sure my sister was hoping that I would somehow forget what she did to my family and let her be with me by my side.”
"Will she stay?" Constance asked making a sour face of dislike. She then began to trace circles on Reis chest idly. She yawned softly. "I'm too young to have a baby Reis..." she mumbled as sleep claimed her.
He let her sleep, dressing later and going downstairs disappointed to find Catherine still awake. He rolled his eyes as he asked for a plate of food and took a seat at the table across from her. They got into a heated but quiet argument, Reis assuring her that she would have no place in Corin’s Village. He smiled slightly, the knowledge that Constance was with child his secret. One that he would enjoy springing on her at another time. He met Thomas’ gaze and bid the man to sit with him, only to find himself on the receiving end of a berating by Thomas with regard to Constance. Apparently it was only unknown to Constance of the condition she and Sarah shared. Reis didn’t want to hear about it. He heard Thomas, he knew what the right thing was, but he wasn’t about to be cuckolded by the first girl he came across. He saw Thomas’ eyes turn to the stairs followed by a shake of disgust of his head. Reis turned to look at the stairs to see Constance in her nightgown. He stood and walked to her on the stairs. “What are you doing, sweet?”
"I came looking for you. I can't sleep well without you. Please don't tell me you're going again," Constance said softly, sleepily, "please come sleep with me and keep me warm." Her dark eyes pleaded with him in an angelic manner.
“I’ll be right up, angel. Thomas and I were just discussing some things. You shouldn’t be down here dressed like that,” he smiled slightly. “Not that I mind, but I don’t want my men any more envious of what I have waiting for me in my bed every night.” He reached up and kissed her, as she stood above him on the stairs. “I’ll be up shortly to warm you inside and out.”
Constance hurried off back to bed and huddled under the pelts to keep warm and wait for him. "The child has no manners and no respect. I can't believe the little wench paraded before me like that, dressed so scantily, and the rest of the gentlemen here," Catherine spoke loudly. "No wonder you don't marry her, with manners and class like that. She was born a wench, probably born of a wench and the profession is in her blood!"
Reis stood, slamming his hand on the table. “I will not have you speak like that, about Constance or about anyone. You were not invited here. You are not welcome here. I wish you would go. And before you insult my men, and my people - and they are now my people, I will bid you return to London from whence you came and leave me the hell alone.” He stood before her, his finger pointing in her face. “I will not hear of you saying one unkind word about her or her parentage again. I will whip you myself if I do, do you understand? She is not a wench, she did not choose her position in life. She came downstairs in her nightgown obviously scared for some reason. You traipsed across half the country to find me. What does that make you?” He turned his back on her before she could respond and went up to his room, slamming the door closed behind him. He saw Constance huddled under the pelts and lay down on the bed fully clothed above the pelts. He stroked her hair gently. “You awake, sweet?”
"Couldn't sleep with all the commotion downstairs, not to mention I just...I just can't sleep," Constance replied obviously frightened.
“What’s wrong, my sweet? My sister frightens you, or is it the child?” He stroked her hair lightly. “Either way, you shouldn’t be frightened. My sister can’t hurt you, and I’m certainly not going anywhere permanently if that’s what you think. I can’t guarantee I’m going to be here through your entire term, but I will do my best.”
Reis' words seemed to allay her fears and a short while later she returned to sleep. The next morning she dressed with Sarah's aid briefly before the blonde returned to her husband. She wore a gown of soft yellow this morning, her black hair making a pretty combination with the soft yellow fabric. "What are we to do today?" she asked with marked enthusiasm.
“What would you like to do, Constance? You gave into my wishes on how I cared to spend my evening with you last night. I shall do the same in return for you today.”
"I'd like to go to the market again and prepare for the Christmas festivities. There are things that I need to buy and Christmas will be here in four days." Constance replied with great excitement. "For one thing I'm three gifts short of having enough for everyone."
He nodded approval of her idea as he walked with her downstairs to eat. Catherine wisely stayed away from them, remaining seated by the fireplace a cold, distant look in her eyes. When the two of them had finished their meal, he led her outside to where their horses were already prepared for their trip. He helped her onto her horse before getting on his own. It was a cold, crisp day but the sun shining didn’t make it seem quite so cold. He always enjoyed riding in the snow anyway, his horse was a beautiful animal to begin with but the stark contrast of its black hair to the white of the fresh fallen snow was breathtaking to him. When they arrived he suggested they go their separate ways and meet for the afternoon meal in a few hours. He gave her a pouch full of coins. “If you need more, just have the vendors hold whatever items you can’t purchase and we’ll come back for them after lunch.”
Constance smiled brightly at him and promised to be careful with the money. She walked about eagerly finding the art vendor and buying a more varied set of colors for Daniel this time and a large pad of good paper for drawing on. Perhaps in the spring she would convince him to bring some of his work here to sell. Then next she found an exquisitely beautiful dress, she was sure it was the most beautiful she had seen in a long while and she bought it, saving it wrapped and addressed. Then she bought beautiful colors of yarn to finish the scarves she had made for them. Finally she began to buy all of the food they would need for such a splendid feast. She was going to make this the best Christmas festival ever.
Reis waited for her by the food area, his own shopping done long before now. He hadn’t anyone to buy for really save Daniel and now Constance. He had struggled over her gift, not wanting to go overboard but on the other hand he didn’t want to get her something too insignificant either. It wasn’t every day he had to choose a gift for the girl carrying his child. He kissed her boldly and possessively. “Get everything you needed, my sweet?” His hands rested on her arms, rubbing them lightly as he smiled upon her.
"Everything's all set, even Christmas dinner. Some of the women will of course have to cook while I supervise or something. I was always too busy playing in the games to worry with cooking," she laughed lightly. "I'm ready to return after lunch if you are."
He shook his head. “Mmm, I’m glad you know of any of these things. It’s been years since I’ve had to worry about Christmas dinner, and other than Daniel I’ve never given gift giving a second thought for the past seven years. I imagine most of my men will appreciate the gesture; most of them haven’t been home or seen their wives or mothers for months. What did you do for Christmas until this year?”
Constance's face lit brightly, "Well we woke up early in the morning and had our breakfast. Then we went outside and the festival was opened up. There was jousting with safe blades and a snowman contest for the little ones, plenty of hot chocolate at the bakery to be had. There was a snow tossling contest, a race down mainstreet. Then we all strung apple curls for the city tree and each person put their candle on it. Then we all stood round and sang and had worship. Finally we went in and had more food than we could imagine. When we had eaten so that we couldn't touch another bite we went home and opened out presents and after a prayer of thanks we went to bed." She could hardly contain her youthful enthusiasm.
He scowled slightly as he listened to her words. “That sounds very nice, Constance. I’m sorry all of that won’t be here this year. But I hand over duties for planning anything you care to plan.” Taken in by her enthusiasm, he kissed her deeply breaking away finally seeming to realize where they were. “It’s time for you to start thinking of what traditions you will start for your own child. Our child.”
Constance fell solemnly quiet then, perhaps in thought. She finished her lunch and then they rode back. Once they had stored all the food to prevent perishing she went upstairs and curled before the fire to hurriedly finish out her gifts. There was a room in the inn which she had full of the gifts. She was keeping it under lock and after explaining it to Thomas had asked if couldn't he keep somewhat of an eye on it. She finished another scarf that afternoon and wrapped it and Daniel's present and she had only two gifts left to finish. She fell asleep in the middle of her second scarf.
Reis came in much later to find her sleeping on the floor, the fire having gone out. He picked her up effortlessly and placed her on the bed. Brushing her hair from her face he took the opportunity to observe her unaware. She looked almost angelic while she slept, and a pang of guilt entered his mind when he thought of her giving birth to a child so young out of wedlock. He sent Thomas for some broth and hot tea for when she woke. He had no idea how long she had been on the floor like that, but he imagined she’d need some warming. He eyed the presents on the floor, and when Thomas mentioned the room full of them he realized how busy she had been. He smiled slightly, hoping that the holiday would bring her some happiness for a few days. He heard her stir when Ian came in saying that a sighting of Cedric had been reported, but had not been confirmed. Reis was no longer worried about Cedric, the king had granted him authority over Corin’s Village so Cedric’s crimes would not go unpunished. If it was the last thing Reis did, he would see that done. “I’ve some soup for you, angel,” he said when he’d returned bedside to see her awake.
"Mmm, that sounds nice, thank-you," Constance replied. She sat up and took the soup from him. Smiling when she tasted it, she commented, "This is wonderful. I hope I haven't ruined your plans for today by falling asleep, but I just couldn't help it. I've been so tired lately."
“Not at all. I just grew worried about you when I hadn’t seen you in a while. You shouldn’t work yourself so hard, my sweet. You fell asleep on the floor, and the fire went out.” He stood from the edge of the bed. “The tiredness I believe will wear off in a few weeks. I don’t know much of these things, but it seems the women I’ve known who have gotten themselves in such a way grew less tired as they got further along in their condition. I expect come late spring the babe will be born. And then a mother you shall be.”
Constance dropped her head. "I am not ready for that. I am not of the age to have a babe or be a mother." she sighed and finished her soup knowing it was God's doing that she should bare a child and there was nothing she could do but allow it to happen.
“Obviously your body disagrees with you.” He looked at her a look of concern came to his eyes briefly and then was gone. “You are young, but that’s all the more reason for you to be careful, rest often and not to fall asleep without blankets or a fire going. I realize I have little authority to tell you what to do, but that is my child you’re carrying.”
"Yes Reis," Constance replied. She finished the soup with an appreciative smile and then retrieved her yarn and remaining where she was in bed she continued work on her project. "Reis, why did you come here?" she asked softly.
“I assume you mean Corin’s Village and not here to my room at this particular moment. I’m not quite sure. Something led me here; I guess you could say it was God’s will. If I hadn’t someone else would have. Are you suggesting you want me to leave?”
"No, I just wonder about you is all. I sleep in your arms every night am I not allowed a little curiosity about the man whose babe I carry within me? A man whom I know scarcely anything about." Constance replied.
“Ask. There’s very little to tell that I haven’t already told you. But ask. You’ll need to know anyway for the child’s sake. As far as coming here, I’m not sure. This was one area James wanted his presence strengthened. The other villages we went through didn’t feel right to me, so I bid Cedric to continue on. I knew when I arrived and saw what he had done that I had to stay. Even if I hadn’t wanted to I would have had to. Leaving your people unburied was wrong, and I couldn’t turn the other way.”
"What did you do when you were a child? Where did you live? Did you go to school? What's the most exciting place you've ever been?" Constance began to eagerly bombard Reis with questions.
“I did what most boys do. I rode horses, sparred with my friends, worshipped my father until I found out what he was really like. I always wanted to be in the king’s employ. I grew up in London, and yes I went to school. Father didn’t find it necessary, but of course the captain of a trading ship wouldn’t. But Mother insisted, believe it or not I was raised with all the proper things a child should have. I don’t know where the most exciting place I’ve ever been is. The Vikings are an interesting group of people, and so is their land. Breathtaking some of the scenery as well.”
"Oh...their lands lie to the east of here yes?" Constance thought a moment. "I have always wanted to go to London. I hear there are the most amazing things there. Parties every night and a church as big as out village and the castle I've heard you could get lost in there forever it's so large and grand inside."
“Well, you shall see it first hand when I bring you with me in a few weeks. It’s probably better for all concerned if we go before your condition is apparent. And to put your worries to rest, you will have your own room. Will that help ease your fears that people will talk?”
"I suppose...though I shall miss having you to keep me warm and safe each night. It is hard to go to sleep without you." Constance replied softly.
He chuckled lightly. “You give me far too much credit for being noble. I never implied I had any intentions of sleeping without you, just that you would have your own room. What we do behind closed doors, in my home is no one’s business. So long as you have your own room to speak of, gossip should be stopped. I will have to endure going without intimacy once the child arrives, I don’t plan on embarking on celibacy anytime before then.” He sat on the edge of the bed again, “But I’m pleased to know that you’re getting accustomed to sleeping with me.”
"It would be foolish not to," Constance replied, "I'm very thirsty...I should get something to drink." She moved to get up and almost fell, losing her balance. She grabbed swiftly a hold of the bed. Again her true fear over being with child shone in her eyes. She moved on though and went down for her water anyhow. She returned with a large pitcher and poured herself a glass, enjoying languidly the cool refreshment.
“I wonder what she will think when I bring you with me to London and leave her here behind.” He stood and left the room when he heard Catherine ranting from the hall below. After enduring yet another of her tantrums, Reis took his leave and decided to take his horse out for some exercise. He was surprised to find Sarah in the barn brushing down one of the horses. As usual, she acted is if she’d rather be any place but facing him when they were together. But this time he wasn’t so quick to let her go. “Is everything all right, Sarah? I must admit I don’t recall ever seeing you out here before. Are you feeling all right? Did you and Jared have a row?”
"Don't you come anywhere near me you...you rogue you!" Sarah called out. "Everything will never be alright again and it's all your fault. Come one step closer to me and I'll scream. I'll scream for Jared!"
“Go ahead and scream, as if Jared would believe I’d do anything to you. I don’t need to go after my men’s women. And Constance keeps me happy enough for now.” He paused slightly as he watched her. “I wish you’d tell me what exactly is my fault. Why do you hate me so? I certainly had nothing to do with what my men did before my arrival, and it seems to me that I gave you a bed, a room away from them, gave you sanctuary in my chambers when I was gone and gave you Jared which inevitably led to your marriage.”
Sarah scoffed, she obviously realized he was right and had nothing to say. She was silent and continued to brush her horse for a while before she finally replied, "Things are just so different now, so confusing I don't know or understand my place. I don't even know who I am...I'm afraid I'm not what Jared wants..." she sniffled.
“Well, Sarah, while I admit to not taking the time to know all of my men very well, Jared is one that I have taken the time to know. I asked him to watch you for that reason, I knew he would bring you no harm - and I also knew that he cared for you. He would not have married you under the circumstances if he didn’t want you.” He pulled up a stool and sat, “If you think about it, Sarah, what man would have married you under the circumstances who didn’t want you. Perhaps I’m overstepping my boundaries here, but I assume he knew of your condition before you wed.”
"Yes," Sarah answered. She leaned in and curled against Reis a moment. "Thank-you," she replied softly.
He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable by her display. “There’s nothing to thank me for, really. In all honesty it was an attempt to please Constance that brought it all about. That’s not to say that I was concerned for you, but in war things happen. I try not to interfere with my men overmuch, and they in turn do the same. You care about him then, Jared, I mean? He treats you well, I assume. I don’t see him treating a woman in any other fashion.”
"I care very much for him sir," Sarah replied stepping back. "He's very, very good to me, even when I'm so awful to him sometimes...."
“Well, that’s none of my business. I just wanted to make sure that he treated you well. I’m sure Constance is curious as well.” He looked at her curiously. “Tell me something, if you will. Does Constance expect me to marry her? Does she wish me to?”
"Of course she wished you to," Sarah replied without thought, "she prattles on about it all the time when you're not around. As for expecting it I highly doubt she has anymore idea about her life anymore than I do. If she thought she was allowed to expect it then she probably would."
He nodded. “I think once things settle down, once I know there is no threat to my townspeople, your friends and family. And once building of a castle has been finished most of my men will leave. Twenty or so will remain, but until then I’m afraid this is how life will be. Those that survived our attack have been put back to work, those that lost their ability to work will be found other tasks. I’m trying to restore order. It’s Christmas you know. Perhaps you and Constance can tend to things, invite anyone who remains to the inn for dinner. We certainly bought enough to feed all of them.”
"Constance can handle it. If she needs my help she'll give me an order. I'm her lady's maid after all," Sarah replied, "or something like that until you marry her. Which you better do...that girl does everything for you." She left the stable then.
After his talk with Sarah he needed the ride more than he had before. He had three women to deal with in his life and all three brought out very different emotions and thoughts. He didn’t bother putting a saddle on the animal, he and the beast knew one another well enough it wasn’t necessary for the type of ride he wanted tonight. Never in all of his life had he wanted to strike a woman as he did when Catherine was near. She was the reason that everything in his life had turned sour, the reason his mother had lost her mind and later … he refused to think of that. So he turned his thoughts instead to Constance. He knew what Sarah said was true, Thomas basically said the same thing though with Catherine present Constance’s condition was not mentioned. But the thing was, Reis had no desire to be married. He didn’t want to set foot in that trap. Shat if he was like his father and couldn’t be loyal? But he doubted that would be the case, as his body had demonstrated so aptly on his last visit to London. He returned after midnight and remained downstairs with his men enjoyed a few tankards of ale before going up to his chambers. His eyes fell upon the empty bed and then searched until he found her by the fire. “Couldn’t sleep?”
"Not without you," Constance replied softly.
He glanced at her sitting in what he now considered to be her chair, her dark hair cascading past her shoulders. He closed the door and walked towards her, pulling her from the chair. His eyes were red, indicative that he’d had a bit too much to drink. “What is it you want from me?” He bellowed loudly. He held her by her arms, her feet barely touching the ground.
"Oh please," Constance pleaded immediately realizing something was wrong, "I'm sorry, whatever I did, I'm sorry..."
“That’s not an answer,” he moved taking her with him as he pushed her back against the wall. His eyes fell to her nightdress. “You look so innocent dressed like that, dressed for bed.” He put a hand around her neck, pushing her head back. “So tell me, Constance whose last name I don’t even know. What is it you want from me?”
"DeCatess," Constance squeezed out nervously, "I want...I want you to love me." she replied, "I'd like you to marry me but it's..." she shrugged.
“But it’s what? Don’t stop now, Miss DeCatess. Do tell. I find it interesting that never have I found myself in this position before and I’ve been doing this for going on 15 years now. So, please I’m interested in what you have to say on the subject.”
Constance was trembling with fear by now and actually beginning to sweat. "Well you've said yourself that you don't wish to marry so obviously it's a dream of mine. That's all I was going to say."
He took hold of the neck of her gown and tore it, taking a hold of a breast roughly. “And why would you want to marry me? The man who enslaved you? Raped you? The man you deem responsible for your parents’ and sister’s murder? The man who’s going to take you to London as his mistress? Why would you want marriage from me?” His eyes were burning with intensity watching her closely.
"Because..." Constance said softly, "because I love you...I love you and I don't want another...not now, not ever."
He laughed, a deep throaty laugh almost inhuman sounding. “Love? Tell me what do you know of love at the ripe age of 16?” He knew she was scared and found it amusing when he looked to the nipple his thumb and index finger were fondling that it was hardening. “Because I gave you a child in your belly you think you should love me?”
That was all it took to ignite Constance's temper and catching him off guard she slapped him in the face. Immediately her eyes went wide with fear. "Oh Reis I'm sorry I didn't mean it, really....please..."
“You little wench,” he cried. His eyes grew wide and he released her suddenly. He reached down to remove his belt from his trousers. “Kneel,” his eyes were steady on her, void of any emotion.
Constance opened her mouth only a fraction to plead but saw the look in his eyes and thought better of it. She dropped her eyes a moment and then her eyes locked with his and she kneeled as he had asked.
He brought the belt against her upper back once, and at the sound of it coming into contact with her he closed his eyes and released the belt, letting it fall to the ground next to him. He pushed her down onto her hands and after unbuttoning his trousers he pulled her nightdress up around her waist and entered her roughly, a loud groan emitting from his mouth at the friction he encountered.
Constance's eyes welled up with tears but she would not cry for him. Not when he was violating her like this. She felt mistreated in the worst way, taking from her what she would have willingly given him only an hour ago. He was hurting her inside, physically and emotionally. She remained in place and took it though but she vowed that she would try her hardest not to put herself in this position ever again.
He was fighting back emotions of his own as he exploded within her. He knew somehow that what he had just done hurt her worse than had he beaten her senseless with his belt, but oddly he found he couldn’t inflict pain on her. Pain that the result of which would be visible to him afterward at any rate. He found this most baffling, as he had never encountered such a thing before, the inability to punish someone who had done him wrong. He stood and buttoned his trousers, replacing his belt and left her kneeling before him with her nightdress around her waist as he opened the door to their room and slammed it shut behind him. He met Thomas’ eyes and scowled at the man, he had blood on his hand he realized. Dear God, he realized, he hadn’t meant to be that rough on her. Even the first night he had taken her he didn’t get blood on himself. He went downstairs and sat with the group of his men that still remained, indulging in more mead.
Constance dared not lie in that bed which now infuriated her. She hated him again, that act proved to her that she had been wrong about him. He was a heartless man and she would not be kind to him only for him to use her and then hurt her. She curled up behind her screen and under her dresser in the darkest place of the room she could find and there she wept. Curled in a little ball, her long black hair her only cover besides the stained nightdress, she went to sleep.
He returned hours later, what time it was he had no idea but day was breaking he knew. He was too intoxicated to miss her until he went to hold her, then he grew concerned. He opened the door quickly and when Thomas stated she had not left the room he lit a lantern and searched, even checking the window but seeing no marks in the snow outside the window he knew she hadn’t gone out that way. Finally, he found her and the sight of her gown repulsed him because he knew he had done that. An apology was on the tip of his tongue, but he held it back. He had as of yet never apologized to a woman, and he wasn’t about to apologize to this one either. He picked her up gently, easily and laid her on the bed. He brushed her hair from her face, “I’m the one who deserves to sleep on the floor, my sweet.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Don't say such things to me! Don't address me in such a manner!" Constance said in a firm voice. Her eyes were full of fire. She crawled down the bed and over the edge. "Take me when you will...I know you will anyhow, but I'll not lie with you. I'll not sleep with you."
“I don’t want the damned bed,” he shouted. “I was trying to get you off the floor it can’t be good for your back to sleep on the hard floor.” He walked towards her and took hold of her arms roughly. “As far as lying with me, there are others who would be more than willing. So please don’t think you’re somehow punishing me. There’s a dozen girls just like you in every village, believe me my side shan’t be kept cold for too long without you. Nor shall I miss any sleep over it.” He clenched his jaw tightly. “So on that note, I bid you leave. I am no longer in need of your services. Your duties as my servant and mistress have been terminated. I want you and your things gone out of here by the time I return this afternoon.”
Everything inside her screamed. She wanted to cry out, to beg forgiveness, to profess that even now she still loved him but the stubbornness and fire born within her would not allow it. Instead she waited until he had left the room and she gathered all her things. She left explicit instructions with Sarah as to what was to be done about Christmas and then with Daniel's help, after making him swear that he would not tell Reis any of what he had done she hauled her things into the woods to an abandoned cottage some ways away. She assured Daniel that she would be fine and she curled under as many pelts as she could gather and she cried herself to sleep. There was an ache inside her, not a physical ache; it went much farther than that. It was an ache in her soul.
Reis spent hours in the woods nearby, finding a stream where his horse could drink he sat upon a rock that the sun had chosen to warm that day. He laid his head in his hands and went through the prior evening’s events. He had no idea what had gotten into him. Of course he did, he didn’t like the thought of being trapped and that’s exactly what he felt. Maybe she’s not really pregnant, maybe it was a scheme she and Sarah concocted in light of Sarah’s condition. Obviously her marrying him would ensure the plight of the town’s survivors would be somewhat easier than if Reis oversaw the land on his own, without one of the town’s own by his side. But he didn’t think she was capable of that. He returned to the inn later that afternoon and one glance at the men that were there told him that Constance was gone. He met Jared’s gaze and just about went off on the lad, but he managed to keep his temper in check. Mead helped his foul mood, enough tankards of it as the afternoon turned into evening turned into night he felt nothing. And when he stumbled up the stairs to his room, he was so affected by the alcohol that he didn’t bother to undress nor did he seem to notice the void of someone missing next to him. He woke the next morning in desperate need of a bath and a shave, but he did not bother. Instead he ate his breakfast, everyone seeming to sense his mood left him alone, and left for the day once more. He had to find something to do to work off this anger, but he didn’t want to spar with anyone. He knew he would kill them, his temperament was such he knew that would be inevitable. He returned to the stream and followed it hoping to find it turned into a larger body of water, and was pleased to find it did. Despite the cold temperature, he removed his clothing and decided to go for a swim. He wouldn’t stay in long, just enough to wear off some of his adrenaline. He had no idea how long he had been in the water, but he felt as though he was being watched. Not being shy or reserved, he came out of the water and dressed hoping the person would either reveal themselves or let him go about his business.
Constance had emerged from the cottage only to get something to drink but upon approaching she had discovered that Reis of all people was in her lake! She found some bushes she knew would hide her and she froze there. She was not going to meet up with him. She'd walk upstream for the water if she had to.
Reis satisfied that whomever it was meant him no harm mounted his horse and rode off. He realized that he should probably stay and see who it was that was living on his land that apparently didn’t care to reveal themselves to Reis, but he was in no mood to deal with that today. He returned to the village, tended to his horse and returned to the inn. His sister was up to her usual antics, however, she chose the wrong day to push him today. She was trying to tell Sarah how to run the Christmas feast and since Catherine knew nothing about running a household he put his foot down. “The day after tomorrow I’m bringing you back to London where you belong and if you set foot in Corin’s Village again I will order my men to kill you upon sight. Blood or no blood, I will not have you here somehow trying to take control of my town.” He turned his attention to his men, naming off a group of about twenty including Jared and Thomas, telling them to be prepared to leave. He saw the look on Jared’s eye and met it harshly. “I allowed you to stay before because of Constance, since she is no longer staying here she no longer requires the protection of my men. I am not going to allow two of the best men I have to stay here and look after women any longer.” He went up to his room then to bathe and change.
Jared approached Sarah, knowing she had heard everything. He shrugged, “he’s right. I don’t know what to do. If I choose to stay he will more than likely turn me out of his troop, and then I would be disgraced.” He bowed his head. “What would you have me do?”
Sarah laid a creamy hand on his arm, "Go...it's alright. You must do what you must do. I will be alright here, waiting for you to return. Besides, we'll have our Christmas together still. Constance has planned a wonderful one for everyone."
“Everyone excepting her now, Sarah. That’s not right. You should go to her and tell her to come dine with us. I don’t believe even Reis has it in him to deny her that. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. I’ve never seen him treat a woman as he’s treated her. Men yes, women never. Not that it is my place to question him, of course. Maybe he’ll return from London with a change of heart. She can’t have a baby alone. It’s one thing to be illegitimate and acknowledged and another to not even be recognized by your own father.”
"He must have really hurt her for her to run off in the first place," Sarah sighed laying a hand on her own flat stomach. "I don't even know where she is. Only Daniel knows that and I'm not sure how to get him to tell me. I worry about her out there all alone. She's never been on her own and now she's with child." Sarah looked out the window at the new batch of light snow that was beginning to fall.
Jared looked out the window and then went to go talk to Reis. He knew he was betraying Sarah’s confidence, but at the same time he knew that Reis would want to find her. He returned downstairs a short while later and sent Daniel up to talk with him. “Close the door, Daniel. And come sit by the fire.” He waited until he sat near him. “Jared tells me you know where Constance is. I think you should tell me, son.”
"Constance made me swear that I wouldn't tell," Daniel replied, "she made me swear it on my honor sir. She said it was better for everyone." Daniel obviously didn't enjoy the idea of Constance being out there all alone anymore than anyone else did.
“Daniel, I appreciate your honor and I have always taught you that was an important aspect of a man. But Constance is carrying my child,” he met Daniel’s gaze. “I suppose she left out that part of everything. True I bid her to leave my chambers, but I did not wish for her to leave the inn. I’m not too keen on the aspects of being a father, I’ve done my best to be kind to you and treat you as I would my own son but you’re not mine. I didn’t get to witness you being brought into this world, and I refuse to miss out on it with what may perhaps be the only time I get to experience it.”
Daniel was solemnly quiet for a long time. "Okay I'll show you," he finally decided. He saddled up two horses and then took Reis in the woods, very, very near where he had been and led him to an old abandoned cottage. The chimney displayed no signs of recent use and the cottage was dark save some dim light probably made by a candle.
“Thank you, Daniel. You can go back.” He waited until the boy rode off and opened the cottage door. He stood in the doorway, his eyes adjusting to the dimness of the room from the brightness of the sun reflecting off the snow outside. “Are you trying to kill yourself?”
Constance gasped in startlement when she saw him. She had been sewing and pricked herself with the needle. "Daniel lied to me," she said, not really speaking to Reis. Then she added in his direction, "you don't care if I live or die so be gone with you!"
“No, he didn’t really lie to you, but you neglected to inform him of your condition. I don’t believe even he at the age of 13 would have allowed you to bring yourself here had he known you carried a child.” He walked towards her and took the pricked finger in his large hand. “I don’t believe those words ever left my mouth, not caring whether you live or die. I certainly don’t want you out here in the cold, it’s not good for you or the baby.”
"You're not good for me either!" she bit back. Her eyes were full of angry fire. "I'd rather take my chances of dying in the cold then dying at your hands you drunkard!"
“I was trying to point out why it is you shouldn’t love me. I don’t want anyone to love me, Constance.” He gestured to her as of yet unshowing belly. “Aside from the daughter or son you give me and Daniel I suppose.” He sighed and sat on the floor, knowing she wouldn’t ask him to do so but that she hadn’t been adamant about his leaving either. “Come back with me, Constance. Come back to me. I swear to you on my mother’s grave that I will never again violate you as I did.”
"I hate you...if you want me back you're going to have to haul me back by force," She replied her eyes narrowed. "If you think my child will love you, you're wrong. My child will know of you just the way that I do. It will fear and mistrust you as well." she added, returning to her seat on the floor and going back to her sewing.
“I see. So now you’re threatening me with slander to my name to my child.” He moved slightly, his face inches from hers. “Just remember, my dear Constance, a mother is only needed to carry and give birth to a child. There are others who can be hired to tend to the rest of the mothering duties if need be.” He smirked slightly, then picked her up and placed her over his shoulder. “Force eh? Being that you’re as light as a feather it won’t take much force. I’ll send Daniel back for your things.” With some difficulty he managed to get on the horse placing her in front of him on the animal. “If nothing else you deserve to be there for the Christmas dinner you arranged for. I’ll spend the entire day in my room if necessary, but I will not stand for you out here all on your own on a day that is important to you.” He started the horse on its way, one hand around her waist holding her steady.
Constance fought him the whole way and then stormed through the bottom of the inn and up to his room. She turned the lock on the door before he could get there. "Now if you promise to be nice to me tonight I'll let you share my room," she called through the door.
“I already gave you my word, Constance. But as you wish, I give it again.” He paused and continued to speak through the door, aware of the eyes from below on his back. “I know you’ll be disappointed to hear that I’ll be taking Catherine back to London the day after tomorrow. If you don’t open the door I might reconsider and leave her here.” He heard a few low chuckles from below.
The door was opened so quickly he almost stumbled in and she locked it after him, as was his usual fashion. She turned to ask him something but instead opened the door and as always found Thomas waiting. She bid him to figure out some way to get her some warm water for washing. Then she curled herself by the fire to wait.
He chuckled lightly as he watched her. “I’m not sure if you hate my sister that much or that you trust me, but either way.” He paused as Ian knocked and entered with some water. It was a known fact now that Sarah was with child and Jared forbade her from doing such things any longer. “You know, I wasn’t expecting you to come back to this room, our room. There are others you may choose if you wish. I just wanted you someplace warm.” He walked up to her and helped her unfasten her dress so she could bathe returning to sit on the bed.
"I like this room," Constance replied, "this room used to belong to Erienne." She would have continued but quickly remembered her anger and gave no further reply. She enjoyed the warmth of her bath, luxuriating in the first consistent warmth she had enjoyed in two days.
“Who was Erienne, your betrothed?” His eyes fell on her curiously. “You’ve mentioned him before.”
"Erienne was my best friend. She and I were always together, like sisters. It was her parents who were chained up down there," Constance replied bluntly, "I was never betrothed."
“Yes, I suppose you were a little young yet.” He cleared his throat. “Do you still wish to accompany me to London?”
It was easy to tell Constance was fighting a war with herself, on the one hand she wanted very badly to go and see all the wonders of London. On the other hand, she was furious with him still. She sighed, "yes."
He smiled slightly. “Very well.” He stood and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll be in the room three doors down I guess, if you need something let me know. Otherwise I’ll see you in the morning and tomorrow we’ll settle sleeping arrangements. I don’t enjoy having my room taken from me.”
Constance glared at him. She didn't sleep well again that night and was still sound asleep late the next morning.
Reis didn’t sleep well either, knowing she was in what he for all purposes considered to be their room. When he went downstairs to eat and learned she hadn’t come down yet he went to make sure she was all right. Finding her still lying on the bed asleep, he joined her on the bed easing himself as lightly as possible next to her. His hand went around her waist comfortably. The scent of her bath was still evident and he groaned slightly in response. His fingers traced her waist and hips gently yet possessively as he drifted off to sleep.
In her sleep Constance cuddled up against him but she was the first to wake and she quickly eased herself from the bed without disturbing him. Her frown turned to a smile though when she remembered what day it was. She got out the gown that she had made in his absence. She would wear it in honor of the holiday now and not because of him. It was red velvet, off the shoulders with fluffy white fur trim around the top. The bodice curved to her figure and noted the maturing of her breasts. It had a v-waist and then a largely full skirt with many petticoats underneath and it was trimmed on the bottom with three inches of white fur. She looked breathtaking. She slipped into a pair of heels she had taken which just happened to fit and brushed her hair to a shine. She turned slowly around to examine herself in the mirror.
He watched her in raptured silence, when she turned around he was unable to withhold commenting. “You look beautiful. Amazing.” He stood slowly from the bed and walked towards her, his hand grazing the fur. “Though it means you won’t be able to wear my gift for you.”
Constance didn't comment merely watched him evenly. "Well gifts aren't given until before bed anyhow," she replied. "Now I'm agreeing to be cooperative since it's Christmas and you should be nice to everyone on Christmas..." she walked towards the door. "If we don't hurry we're going to miss the games and I have to make sure all of the food is getting started anyhow."
He took hold of her arm, turning her to face him. “Not so fast. Stay right there.” He went to the pile in the corner where his chain mail and weapons lay and from a scabbard that appeared empty a pouch dropped into the palm of his hand. “Cooperative or not,” he was walking towards her now. He traced his finger gently along her collarbones, “you still appear bare.” He spun open the pouch and pulled out a pearl necklace with a large ruby pendant in the center. “You would do me a great honor, Constance DeCatess, in topping off your outfit by donning my mother’s necklace.” He unclasped it, his large hands clumsy in working it. “But don’t you dare tell Catherine where you got it. She is under the impression my mother had sold all of her belongings.”
Constance lay a hand over the necklace where it lie. It was so large and beautiful that it made her self-conscious wearing it. She flushed brilliantly and smiled softly. "It's more amazing than anything I've ever seen." She said as she walked back to the mirror and took it in. It made her hold her head high, like a lady.
“I’d beg to differ, Miss DeCatess. I’d say you outrank that bauble any day in the amazing department.” He offered her a slight smile and opened the door. “Ready, my sweet?”
"Mmm," Constance replied musically with a slight nod. As soon as she was visible the room downstairs fell silent save gasps of amazement and Catherine's incessant ranting.
Reis scowled at his men, a hint of a smile evident was present however as he spoke. “What? Has it been so long since you’ve seen a lady properly attired you don’t know how to act.” He offered a sarcastic smile to Catherine as his men seeming to collect themselves stood until he led Constance to her seat beside his.
"If that's a lady I'm a mule!" Constance cried out. Sarah appeared a moment later, all decked out in a gown of green satin with a hunter velvet bodice. She was on Jared's arm and she smiled when she saw Constance. Constance took her seat gracefully while most of the other men were still laughing at Catherine's expense.
Once they and his men had been served, he bid the kitchen help to come dine with them. They shyly did so and when they sat he wished everyone a Merry Christmas and bid them eat. He wasn’t overly hungry, so he ate slowly choosing instead to watch his men and Constance as they ate. Being over 100 of them including the town’s people who chose to join them, the room was loud and Reis found it difficult to think. When it appeared most of them had finished eating, he looked to Constance for guidance. “Now what, my sweet? I think my men are quite interested in the day’s festivities you have planned.”
Constance beamed proud of herself. "Okay everyone. The first event is the snow tossle. The last one still handling it after hand-to-hand wrestling in the snow is the winner and the proud owner of his own turkey. While that's going on anyone interested in the race should see Sarah to sign up. The jousting will begin at noon and Mr. Hennerson will be the judge and in charge." She ushered everyone eagerly outside while she donned her fur lined boots instead of her heels and a beautiful fur lined and trimmed red velvet cape.
Jousting. Now there was something he could do, and he knew there was only one of his men who could even come close to besting him, Thomas. He sighed slightly knowing it would be unfair, and so he contented himself to watch and help the men in warming up. When they got to London he would take her to see some jousting at the palace. He remained on the sidelines most of the morning, watching the activities. But mostly he watched the transformation of not only Constance but Sarah as well. His mother’s necklace was breathtaking on her, and he was glad that he had brought the jewels with him. He called her over to him, hoping to take advantage of her good mood. He placed his hands at her waist and kissed her lightly. “You look beautiful, Constance. I fear James will try to steal you right from under my nose when he sees you.”
"The King?! You mean I shall see his grace?!" Constance gasped her excitement sparkling in her eyes. "That would be as magnificent as seeing his holy grace. I can't believe I'm getting to go. I imagine it's more magnificent than ever the travelers at the inn told us." Suddenly she remembered to whom she was speaking and he could see her defenses go up. "The men are enjoying themselves today. You should join them. Christmas is a time for everyone to rejoice in something or another."
“I’ll save it for next year when I’m sleeping once again under a roof that’s mine permanently.” He lowered his hands from her waist, “I’m going to go for a ride around the perimeter, make sure everything is fine. If you’ll excuse me then, but don’t forget we’re leaving at daybreak tomorrow and you’ll need to be packed. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” He smiled politely and walked in the direction of the stables. He looked back briefly at her before entering the building.
Sarah immediately had Constance enveloped in her embrace. Constance laughed the rest of the afternoon away and with the help of Reis' men there was a tree in the square decorated with strung apple curls while the remainder of the apple was made into hot apple cider. The dinner feast was enough to please everyone. Then the gifts were distributed. Most people that Constance knew only on a casual acquaintance got an intricate scarf from her. Thomas and Jared got fine new silk shirts, she gave Daniel an even better drawing set and paper so he'd never run out. Then she presented Catherine with an impressive ball gown, saving her gift to Reis for last she waited while Catherine opened her gift.
Reis eyed Constance curiously at her choice in gifts for his sister she certainly didn’t deserve anything let alone something so personal. He chose to distribute his gifts personally and privately, and had already given Thomas and Jared theirs - Thomas receiving a new pair of gauntlets and Jared receiving a new pair of boots. For Sarah he had given some fabric to make some dresses out of knowing she’d need some new ones soon as her pregnancy progressed. The only one he had left was Constance’s, and he would do that later. Catherine met Reis’ gaze and glared at him. “It’s lovely, Constance,” she managed to get out politely. Even that took too much effort on her part.
Constance smiled, "I'm glad it's to your liking Catherine. When I saw it I knew it would look lovely on you." She returned to Reis' side while Sarah looked appalled at what she'd done.
Reis took her hand in his, lacing his fingers through hers securely before standing and bringing her along with him. “It’s time for your present, my sweet.” He pulled a long and thin wooden box that was perfectly wrapped, receiving much comment from his men about his domestic skills. He watched as she opened it, moving aside the velvet to reveal the sapphire and diamond necklace she had longed for at the fair they had gone to, and a pair of sapphire and diamond earbobs to match. He held his breath not certain whether or not he should have held off giving her such a gift.
Her deep eyes began to sparkle with tears and she tremble as her face rose to meet his. Hers eyes said a hundred things. "Oh Reis they're so beautiful! They're really mine?" Soon even some of his men were wiping their eyes at the emotional moment remembering families they had left at home. Constance had touched all of them with her spirit. Now she threw her arms about Reis and hugged him with all she had in her. "Oh this is a wonderful Christmas!" she exclaimed.
He took advantage of her closeness and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her waist bringing her to him. Admittedly he was caught up in the moment; kissing her so boldly in front of everyone was not something he would have normally done, but he realized it might be the only time for weeks that he’d get this opportunity again and while in London he was certain he could find discreet female companionship if Constance chose to turn him away. But he certainly couldn’t engage in such activities en route to London with Constance present. He brought one hand from her waist and brushed it against her cheek, resting his palm there as he intensified his kiss all sense of where they were having been forgotten. He was lost in her kiss, lost in the warmth of her.
Constance was likewise returning the kiss with all she felt inside her, lost in the moment. She didn't know what to think the way he was treating her today. So she simply didn't think. Instead she did what she wanted to do and she let herself kiss him with all her heart, enjoying the way he was kissing her and she knew that if he kissed her like that anymore her reserve would dissolve and she'd be defenseless.
Time it seemed to Reis had stopped and it wasn’t until he dropped his hand from her cheek to her neck, his thumb gently caressing her jaw and ear that he remembered where they were. He didn’t want to stop kissing her, didn’t want the moment to end at all. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, the spell still had not been broken though. He was still only focused on her and for him she was the only person there at that moment. “Merry Christmas, angel.” He went to kiss her again.
"That's quite enough impropriety with your wench in the public eye," Catherine broke in the moment. Constance immediately sought shelter against Reis from the lashing of her character that followed.
He turned to Catharine his anger reaching its boiling point. “You, my dear sister, can go spend the rest of the evening in your room packing.” He paused slightly a wicked smile came to his lips as a thought occurred to him. “And one last thing, Catharine, I’d be careful what you say about the mother of my child. If you have any hope of getting your hands on any of the Taylor legacy I’d suggest you change your tune. Anything you get out of me after that child is born you can accept as a gift because as far as I’m concerned you have no rights to any of it being that you are of no relation to my mother. And if you spite me, so help me God I’ll leave every dime, every acre and everything else you can possible think of to Constance and our child. Either grow up or get the hell out of my life.”
"Oh you retch!" Catherine fumed and launched at Constance. She was halted by Daniel who was aided a moment later by Jared. Then she stormed off muttering to her room. Everyone else having heard Reis profession clapped. Constance was too traumatized to do anything but stand still and tremble.
Reis turned his attention from his men, his neck colored slightly over what he had revealed to everyone in the room to Constance. He placed his hands on her upper arms gently and bent to whisper in her ear. “I’m sorry, my sweet, but I couldn’t let her talk to you that way. Certainly not after the gift you gave her. Besides, they’ll all know in a few months anyway unless you plan on staying hidden somewhere until the babe has come.” He placed his finger under her chin tilting her head to look at him. “I have a brilliant idea if you’d like to hear it.”
"Of course, it's Christmas," Constance replied slipping back into the glee of the season, "all ideas are magic on Christmas. Tell me please."
He smiled widely at her enthusiasm, tapping her nose lightly with his finger. “Well, it involves you and me going upstairs to our room and I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination other than all I see you wearing is that necklace.” He glanced at the ruby dangling just above her breasts, which made him look at the view of cleavage her dress offered. “Besides you haven’t given me my gift yet.”
"Well since it's Christmas," Constance said, not giving her anger a second thought. She bid goodnight to everyone else that thanked her in chorus as she went off with Reis. When they got in the room she turned her back to him and coiled up her hair. "Would you unfasten me please Reis?" she asked with such love and devotion in her voice, temporarily lost in the good spirits of the day.
“I thought you’d never ask, my sweet.” He unfastened her dress and held his breath when he stepped away from her as the dress fell to the floor. “Keep your arms like that, holding your hair up and turn to face me.” It was a simple request, but he had never seen he stand before him in that fashion.
She trembled momentarily as she did so hoping that she had not done something to upset him. She turned around and stood before him just as he had asked her to.
He removed the rest of her clothing and stepped away from her. “Beautiful. You are so beautiful, Constance.” He brought his hand to the necklace and traced it lightly, his fingers in contact with both the pearls and her skin. He watched as her nipples responded slightly to his touch even though he wasn’t touching her breasts and smiled. “So sensual.” He pushed her back against the door gently and knelt before her, kissing her waist and then nuzzling between her thighs where he focused his attentions, his hands firmly on her hips to hold her in place as he probed gently with his tongue and nibbled lightly with his teeth in the folds between her legs. He moved one of his hands, and placed a finger within her gently his mouth continuing its probing.
Constance was barely managing to keep herself upright the sensations he was causing in her making her weak at the knees. She moaned sensually. "Reis, Reis what are you doing to me. I can hardly stay up..." she moaned in a deep husky, sensual voice.
He groaned in response and stood, taking her into his arms and bringing her to the bed. “This is where you belong, Constance. With me, in our bed, allowing me to do these things to you.” He buried himself between her thighs again, his tongue and fingers unrelenting in its pursuits. He felt her try and restrain herself. “Let go, Constance. If you don’t want to call out, then grab onto me or something - you won’t hurt me. I want to know I’m driving you crazy.”
Constance dug her nails into his shoulders and with a small gasp gave into release. "Again, please again," she begged as soon as her body had calmed somewhat.
He obliged, one finger within her another gently caressing the spot in between her openings. He discontinued his probing with his tongue and teeth and chuckled lightly as she moved her hips involuntarily. “Just what is it you want, my sweet?” He gestured down to his trousers, his erection obvious even covered. “And could perhaps I satisfy that need with other parts of me?”
"No, oh no," Constance replied, "I want that warm, wet feeling again..."She again moved her hips, begging. "Reis take me, please."
He placed his mouth against her again, his tongue and teeth probing and teasing relentlessly until he felt her release once more. He smiled wickedly at her as he kissed up her torso to her breasts, taking one into his mouth toying with her nipple. He reached down and unbuttoned his trousers, pulling them down then sitting on the edge of the bed as he shed them and his shirt and underclothes. Returning his attention to her breasts, he brought himself on top of her. “Now it’s my turn to feel that warm, wet feeling and contribute some wetness of my own to it, dearest.” He brought her knees towards her body and thrust inside of her gently, an animalistic groan emitting from his mouth. And that’s exactly what it was when he was with her, he felt like an animal always wanting to paw at her. He thought briefly to the way he had kissed her earlier downstairs in front of everyone. “This is where you belong, my sweet.”
"Treat me as you have today and I will always be here," Constance gasped out. She moaned with his attentions.
He brought his mouth to her shoulder biting lightly to refrain from calling out as he felt his release overcome him. He rested on top of her, “I gave you my word, Constance, I will not behave like that again. You have never turned me out of our bed, there’s no reason that I should have to claim what is given to me willingly with violence. I was drunk and I thought maybe you had come up with this scheme with Sarah to fake a pregnancy to get me to marry you and lay claim to my family’s name and money only for me to find out in a few months there was no child. I know that’s not true, but that’s what alcohol does to you. I was feeling trapped and was looking for a way out.”
"I am with child," Constance panted in reply, "and I would never have thought up such a thing. I wouldn't understand having a lot of money Reis. I understand fire, food and shelter. With that and love I am happy. I'll settle for three out of four." Suddenly she covered her mouth. "I'm going to be ill," she mumbled before struggling to get away from him. She made it as far as her face basin before she was terribly ill. Something she had eaten for Christmas dinner which was not normally in her diet had disagreed with the child within her and now she was paying for it.
He sat on the edge of the bed, “Oh my sweet, we didn’t.” He paused. “I mean, our lovemaking didn’t upset you did it?” He walked towards her and rubbed her back lightly, obviously concerned.
"I don't think so....it doesn't usually," Constance got out when she was finally finished. She took a glass of water and rinsed out her mouth before making her way back to bed. "I don't like being ill. I thought it had gone away..." she said softly curling on her side.
“I’m sorry, darling. Hopefully tomorrow you’ll be better. Perhaps the temptation of all the new gowns I’m going to take you to be fitted for once we arrive in London will help you to feel better. And you’ll be able to see the house I grew up in, my home now I suppose, and I hope it will be my son or daughter’s home too one day.”
Constance flushed softly, "I'm sure it will be if that's what you want. Is Sarah coming also or are they staying in Corin's Village? Oh I can't wait to see everything...I think it's going to be marvelous...." Her words slowed and he could tell she was becoming very sleepy, her eyes jerking open to wait for his answer.
“No, you and Catherine will be the only females accompanying us. Women only cause distractions, and when we travel we certainly don’t need distractions. Go to sleep, Constance, you won’t feel the comfort of a bed again for almost two weeks.” He kissed her gently, his arm around her waist as he shifted next to her on the bed.
The next morning Constance dressed in one of her simple gowns and donned a pretty cape. She brushed her hair and bound it atop her head in a knotted style before pinning the cape of her hood on. The men hauled her things down and soon she was atop her horse, her cape beautifully draped around her.
The trip to London once again went by without event, and for once Reis found himself glad of that. With Constance along he had no desire to engage in battle with anyone. The last night was torturous for him as they stopped less than a day’s ride from London and his home. Finally, he and his men entered the outskirts of London and though there was only little more than a score of them, people still came to watch. And then towards the outskirts on the other side of town they stopped in front of an imposing but not overwhelming structure. While it was large, it was obvious whoever had designed it did so with great care for style. Reis helped Constance from her horse and led her indoors through the lower level door. “This is where the men will stay. There’s no need for you to come down here, Jared, Thomas or Ian will be by the stairwell at all times should you need something tell them and they will get it for you.” He led her across the hall to the stairwell and stopped as he gestured to another door. “That’s where you will enter and exit from.” He led her up the stairs to the first floor where he showed her the parlor, dining room, formal dining room which he stated rarely got used, and then up more stairs to the second floor where he showed her to her room. “I’ll have Florence bring up some bath water for you. Are you up to going out this afternoon or would you rather rest?” He smiled, “I know how inviting a bed looks to me after two weeks of sleeping on the ground so I can imagine how you must feel.”
"No, I shan't mind going out," Constance smiled, "I want to see everything and being here well I'm afraid I'd be just too excited to sleep without seeing something." She was grateful for the bath water and then she dressed in a simple dress of blue.
He knocked on her door a short while later bathed, shaved and changed as well. Even his hair had been trimmed. He smiled slightly. “We’ll get some lunch and then I’ll show you around. I need to get a message to James letting him know I’ve arrived as well. Hopefully he is not overly busy and I’ll be invited to dinner within the next few days.” He offered her his arm and led her down the stairs out to the front of the house where a carriage awaited them. He helped her in, the manners of a gentleman waiting for her to get comfortable before going over to the other side and getting in himself. He pointed out buildings of interest and then as they stopped in front of a place to eat he helped her out, his hand barely touching hers as he helped her down. “I’ll take you down to the docks sometime too. I imagine you’ve never seen the ocean or a ship if you’ve never been out of Corin’s Village. It’s rather an overwhelming sight, truth be told.”
"Oh I'd love to see it," Constance enthused looking around. She's never done so much looking before. Everything about this place excited her and it showed in her features. When they were seated for their meal she behaved like a perfect lady. "Not to be rude or anything, which I hope I'm not, but has your sister left us? We're on our own?"
He chuckled lightly. “No, Miss DeCatess, we’re not on our own but I doubt very likely she will bother you again. She has no where else to go really, which I suppose is part of the reason for her bitterness. We have the same father, but she would have been better off had we shared the same mother. Her mother died about ten years ago I guess now, and my father had to tell my mother the truth. She had known before then of his indiscretions, but none before had ever been so obviously brought to her attention.” He shrugged, “for all I know I have other brothers or sisters out there.” He took a drink of wine. “I didn’t really answer your question. She will be living at the house, but her room is on the second floor. She thinks I was doing her a favor, granting her privacy or something like that. When in actuality I just didn’t want her anywhere near me when I slept.”
Constance nodded. She paused a moment and then lowering her voice she asked softly, "Why do you keep calling me by my formal name? Is that the way things are done here?"
“Well, yes. At home I won’t of course, but believe it or not I do know how to act the role of gentleman when the situation warrants. And since you’re concerned over what people will think of you because I’ve brought you with me, I figured the situation called for my demonstrating my proper upbringing to you.”
Constance smiled at him softly, "Thank-you." Then she dropped her voice again, "and what am I supposed to call you?"
He chuckled lightly. “Well if you want to be technical about it, milord would be the correct form of address. But that’s far too formal under the circumstances. I think just Reis or Mr. Krager would do.” He scowled slightly as his eyes dropped to her mouth. “I think Mr. Krager would be best. You have a way of saying my name that arouses me even when we’re no where near a bed.” He winked slightly.
"Yes milord," Constance replied with a smile and eyes that laughed with delight. She finished her lunch having commented on how delicious everything was. "Now can I see something wondrous?"
“I believe I already have, sweetheart.” He smiled as he helped her from her chair and led her out the door to their carriage. He led her to the castle. “We’re not expected so I’ll take you for a tour of some of the grounds that I won’t get beheaded for setting foot on unannounced.” He helped her out, his hand dropping comfortably but lightly to the small of her back as he walked with her to the stables. “The royal horses, a team of finer horses I doubt you’ll ever have occasion to see.” He nodded politely to one of the stable hands who was in the process of brushing down a pure white horse.
"Oh they're beautiful!" Constance exclaimed. "I wish I had a white horse." She reached her hand out to touch one but then thought better of it without permission. She looked around at everything with the eyes of one who had never seen extravagance before.
“Go ahead, you can touch her sweetheart.” He stepped away briefly and returned with some crushed oats and dried apples in his hand. The horse sniffed his closed hand as he dropped the food into Constance’s hand, his hand closing over hers briefly. “You’ll have a friend for life if you give her some of that.” He rested his hand on the gate of the stall and watched Constance.
Constance smiled and reached out her empty hand to pet the horse while offering her the food in the other hand. The horse was careful about eating out of her hand and Constance was not at all timid about feeding her. She pet the horse and soon had both arms about its neck hugging it and petting its mane. The stable hand smiled, that was the best attention that horse had seen in a long time.
When she had seen all of the horses he walked with her back to their carriage and led her back to his home. “It’s getting late and I have some business to tend to this evening.” He paused slightly as he stopped outside her bedroom. “You have an early morning tomorrow, eat a good breakfast though because you will be occupied for most of the day. I doubt I’ll see you again until dinner tomorrow.”
Constance nodded and looked at him for a long moment before finally, almost reluctantly it seemed, taking her leave from him. She slept incredibly well that night enjoying a beautiful room that had been decorated in purple and light green satins and silks. The room was obviously feminine in design and was elegant if conservative.
Reis returned to his room to change and left shortly thereafter. He returned late and left early in the following morning. Florence entered her room offering Constance a slight smile, bringing her bath water with extravagant oils for the water and shampoos for her hair. Florence was grateful for pulling the duty of taking care of the young lady over Catherine, and she vowed to treat the girl better than the queen so that she might have nothing to complain of. He returned a short while later to help the girl dress and informed her that Jared was below to take her out for the day. She smiled slightly and with a knowing nod of her head, “enjoy your day, miss.”
"I believe that I shall," Constance replied with a smile, "thank-you so very much for the wonderful oils and shampoos this morning. I appreciated them very much." Constance left Florence and went gracefully down the stairs like a breeze to greet Jared.
Jared smiled slightly when he saw her descend the stairs, he had to admit to being a little displeased with his assignment to be Constance’s escort around town. But Jared realized Reis probably had a dual purpose in assigning him such a task, and he had to admit he liked Constance. He led her outside to where the carriage was waiting for them and helped her in. They rode for a short while and stopped in front of a strip of stores. He helped her out and led her into a dress shop. “I’ll be back to collect you later this afternoon, Constance. I believe I’m leaving you in very capable hands. I’ve seen Miss Malhoun’s work and she could make a burlap sack look like an evening gown, and I somehow doubt Reis has any of those in mind for you to wear.” He smiled slightly, though he was disappointed that Reis had as of yet not done right by the girl. He didn’t understand it and would never pretend to understand it, and this gesture just proved to Jared that Reis cared for the girl or he wouldn’t care what she looked like while in town.
Constance smiled and then stepped into the shop. Miss Malhoun was pleased with her figure and began work immediately. "So tiny and delicate," she commented appreciatively. She showed Constance all of her fabrics and designs and Constance had her say and combined at her leisure until both were satisfied with the collection.
It wasn’t Jared who came to collect her, but rather Reis showed up his strong arms folded over his chest as he heard Constance and Miss Malhoun come out from the back room. Reis raised an eyebrow slightly at the stack of boxes that Constance was going to be bringing home with her today. He frowned slightly until he heard Miss Malhoun tell her the new gowns would be ready within two weeks. Neither of them had paid any attention to Reis until he cleared his throat lightly. He offered her a slight smile; a look of admiration came to his eyes. “Miss Malhoun, I was wondering if that green velvet gown I saw over there was in Miss DeCatess’ size. And she’d need shoes and a hat to match, of course.” Miss Malhoun offered him a smile of pride at the way this man was dressing this girl and nodded the affirmative. “We’ll take it then, please. She’ll need it for the ball I’m taking her to tonight.”
Constance's shock showed immediately but she covered it up wanting to be proper. She could save it for later. “Thank-you milord," she smiled at Reis good-naturedly. As soon as they were out of the shop and in the carriage she burst. "A ball? Really? Oh thank-you Reis! Thank-you so much for everything!"
He grumbled under his breath, but it was obvious he was not unhappy or upset. In fact it was a new emotion Reis was feeling, something almost barbaric in nature - jealousy. He knew that there would be men at the ball claiming dances with her, and it disturbed him, more than he cared to admit. “The dress should go well with the necklace and earbobs I gave you for Christmas.” When they arrived at his house Florence helped her dress, Reis waited downstairs in the parlor for her after he’d finished getting ready. He paced the room as if he’d never been to a royal ball before and it was disturbing to him. He was so deep in thought he didn’t hear the doors to the room open, instead stood by the fireplace sipping a brandy trying to figure out how he could keep her from dancing.
Constance smoothed the dress near her waist once more. She had never worn anything that made her look so grown up before. Her black hair was all up in a beautiful mass of twists and pinned curls atop her head. In front of it all set a highly detailed silver tiara with crystals hanging from it in all the right places. The necklace was the only thing near her throat as the gown was off the shoulders and low to accentuate her bust. The boning in the bodice showed off her slim figure. The gown had a v-waist and then it poofed grandly over the six foot hoopskirt. Her heels clicked in a most becoming fashion as she entered the room. A beautiful black cape was draped over Florence's arm to go with the attire.
He stared a moment when he did finally turn around and finally he glanced at Florence. “As usual, Florence, you’ve done a marvelous job.” He walked towards the two of them and took the cape from Florence dismissing her as he placed it around her shoulders; his fingers gently strayed to the nape of her neck. “You look stunning, Constance.” He led her outdoors and to his carriage, helping her in. They arrived at the castle; he helped her out and stood before her placing her hand on his arm. “You’ll be fine. Just breath deeply and remember that you belong here. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think you didn’t.”
"You're not going to leave me are you?" Constance asked, "I mean you're not going to go and visit with others and leave me to fend for myself? I fear I'd make a terrible mess of things." She looked regal as she stood there, every bit the radiant beauty. She could pass for royalty at any given moment attired and coiffured as she was.
“No, I don’t plan on it, my sweet.” He brought his hand to her cheek lightly. “But that’s not to say someone won’t drag me away from you, or you from me.” He longed to kiss her, it had taken every ounce of will power he could muster to stay away from her the prior night. And now he was regretting that decision. Seeing her dressed before him, her shoulders bare he longed for her. To be inside of her, the thought that she carried his child did nothing to discourage that thought, as he knew it did other men. They entered the castle and went in the direction of the ball, he checked her cape and offered her his arm politely. They walked into the crowded room and Reis acknowledged people he knew before he found them a table with three other couples he knew. He made the introductions, his hand resting at the small of her back lightly. “Lord and Lady Peltier, Lord and Lady Ward and Lord and Lady Lynne may I present the charming Miss DeCatess from Corin’s Village.” He held her chair for her as the six people stared rather incredulously at the girl. It was the woman he introduced as Lady Ward who spoke first. “How are you liking London, dear?” Reis let out a breath he was unaware he had been holding. People of the court were odd sorts, himself included. He wasn’t certain how they would treat her.
"I find London very much to my liking," Constance answered surprisingly, "I have yet to see very much of it but already it fascinates me. I have seen some of the shops and the houses and I find it to be a marvelous place indeed.”
The three women smiled, the three men simply stared. Mitchell Ward glanced from Constance to Reis and shook his head slightly as Reis went to get them both something to drink. Leave it to Reis to show up with someone half his age, his eyes moved back to her Constance and her jewels. She wasn’t old enough to have such things, his wife was going to be jealous if Reis bestowed such a generous gift on the girl. And somehow Mitchell knew Reis had. “Do you have family here, Miss DeCatess? Or how is it exactly you came to be in London?”
"Reis brought me with him to show me his family's home and the sites of London," Constance replied. "I have no family at all."
The three men seemed to nod in unison as Reis returned with their drinks and placed his hand lightly against the back of her chair, grazing the nape of her neck lightly with his thumb before he sat. The four men engaged in conversation, business mostly while the three women listened and when the conversation turned from business tried to engage Constance in conversation themselves. It was clear that Sandra was the friendliest of the three women. She seemed genuinely interested in hearing about Constance’s town, none were horrified over what had happened it was an expected part of the king’s plan. The music began, a waltz and Reis stood, offering Constance his hand. He smiled slightly, “please say you’ll join me Miss DeCatess. I’ve been waited with baited breath since I saw you dance that night at the inn.”
A blush rushed to Constance's cheeks but the placed her hand on his anyhow and rose. Dancing was her forte and she knew all of the dances no matter how intricate. She kept perfect step with Reis. "I like the faster ones better," she whispered softly.
He chuckled lightly, “I imagine you do, my sweet.” He held her close, not close enough to cause a scandal but close enough that he could feel her warmth. As the song ended he whispered softly in her ear. “Dance as you please, Constance, I know there will be many requesting your hand. But please don’t expect to be sleeping alone tonight. As jealous as I will be from watching others handle you, I promise not to hurt you.”
Constance only smiled in reply and Reis was right. She danced the floor. Finally at the height of the evening James' nephew chose her of all the women in the room to dance with. A good deal of the floor was cleared and he intentionally picked a difficult dance. She was flawless, gracefully, beautiful and it was obvious she was having a good time. Even the king smiled upon her. She curtsied properly to the royalty when she had finished and finally no one was waiting her hand and she caught up to Reis for another dance though it was already well past midnight.
He danced one last dance with her and led her home; he went to his room and changed into his robe before quietly making his way to her room. He knocked lightly before opening the door. “Did you have fun?”
"I had the most wonderful time," Constance replied spinning around in her dress one last time. "I can't get this unfastened," she commented. Her hair was still up in its style, held there by hundreds of pins. She had removed her jewelry and returned it to its box.
“I think I can help you with that task most willingly, my sweet.” He unfastened her dress, his hands creeping around her waist until they encircled her bringing her back against his chest. He lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing gently. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you tonight, nor could many other of the men who were there. I shall have to remember how well you dance and how you enjoy it for future reference.” He turned her to face him after he unfastened her corset and kissed her passionately, bringing his hands from her waist to cup her face gently with his palms.
Constance kissed him willingly her small arms creeping up around his neck and entwining there to support her as the charms of his kisses made her weak. Her hands slowly traced back down to run under his robe over his well-toned chest and she emitted a moan-of desire.
Reis captured her moan with his kiss, emitting one of his own at the feel of her hands willingly touching his bare chest. He moved his hands briefly to undo his robe, breaking their kiss briefly to catch his breath as well as to remove her chemise. He brought her against him, her bare skin against his own as his hands reached to her small back and buttocks rubbing gently, pulling her into him. “These past weeks were worse than the six weeks I was away from you before. It’s one thing to crave you when you’re far away, but it’s pure torture to want you knowing I can’t have you even though you’re here.”
"You brought that upon yourself," Constance gasped back, "besides you've always told me you could have other women...." Then her voice dropped to almost nothing, "I'm not all that important to you..."
“Who says you’re not important to me?” He said softly, his voice barely a whisper. “Yes, I could have others, but you’re not the type of girl I would treat that way. You’re not some harlot I met on the street, and while I’m not of the mind to marry you that doesn’t mean you’re not important or that you are someone I would treat that way.” He moved one hand from her back to her stomach and gently moved down between her legs, a finger entering her gently. “Besides, I like knowing that no one but me has touched you. That in itself increases my desire for you.”
"Oh," Constance replied. She drew her breath in sharply and moaned again as he pleasured her. "Oh Reis," her voice was deeply husky and seductive. Her eyes darkened.
“Oh is right,” he chuckled lightly at her response to him as he continued with his gentle probing as he lowered his mouth to her breast hungrily. “You taste delicious, my sweet. I could feast on you all day.” He looked up at her his tongue toying her nipple. “Tell me you want me, Constance. That you’re not just subjecting yourself to my needs.”
"I want you. I want this," Constance gasped out in reply, "I want you Reis."
He groaned in response, returning his attention to her breasts. “Hearing those words makes me want to explode without even being inside you.” He picked her up gently and carried her to the bed, moving on top of her entering her slowly. He caught his breath as his length went all the way inside of her and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. He brought his lips to her possessively, nibbling her lower lip lightly before his tongue sought hers.
She kissed him passionately her hands playing with his nipples as her tongue danced with his. She felt her body tightening and she held out as long as she could before crying out his name in a soft gasp as she climaxed.
Hearing his name called by her in such a fashion brought him over the edge. He held her tight, not willing to relinquish his hold on her until he rolled over to her side. He rested his hand lightly on her belly. “You’re starting to show, my sweet. Just a little bit. Might I suggest when you’re at the house you do without your corset. And once we leave for Corin’s Village you would do well to be without one until after the baby’s come. I asked Miss Malhoun to make you some gowns and underclothes that will accommodate the growth of your body. I don’t want you working any harder than you have to.”
"Thank-you," Constance answered in a tone of obvious preoccupation. She was distant from him then, lost to thought, playing with a strand of her long hair that had come undone.
He placed his hand on hers lightly. “What’s wrong, Constance? Or does my lovemaking leave you bored?” He traced his finger along her jaw, down her neck, around her breasts and along her stomach and belly button.
"No, not at all, drains me of energy perhaps but never leaves me bored," Constance replied, "just thinking about what you said..." She trembled as he traced over her stomach.
“Umm, and the fact that you don’t want a child? Or is there something more going through that pretty head of yours.” He sat up suddenly, pulling her to him, handing her the sheet to cover herself with as he started pulling the pins from her hair. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”
"It's not that I don't want our child Reis, it's just that every time I even think about it all my insides want to scream and I feel like I'm sweating and I start to shake. I'm scared and not just a little bit. I know you can't do anything to help me but I can't help the way I feel. I was just a child, going to tutoring and playing ball a few short months ago. I feel like I've lost control of myself and it, it frightens me and makes me want to cry."
“Of course you’re scared. So am I. I’ve never been a father before and I have a rather poor example to look to for guidance. You can cry anytime you want, sweetheart. I have pretty big shoulders you may as well use them, as well as my arms that are willing to hold you anytime. Please don’t think you have to hide from me how you feel. I realize I can’t do much, but I want to help anyway I can.”
Constance smiled softly and threw her arms about him to hug him. "Thank-you Reis. I lo-" the words died on her lips, "thank-you. I'm sleepy..." she finished with a yawn. She curled tightly up against him. "We should do this every night..."
“Your wish is my command, my sweet. All you have to do is ask, and I will have you know I don’t lock my bedroom door either so you’re always welcome to come crawl into my bed.” He held her close, kissing her ear lightly. “Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well.” He woke early the following morning and returned to his room dreading the thought of doing it but knowing he had to. The thought that if they were married he wouldn’t have to behave like this entered his mind, but he wasn’t ready for that. He didn’t know if he would ever be ready for that step.
Constance woke disappointedly alone. She hated to wake cold and alone. Florence appeared soon after to bring her bath water and after helping her bathe she dressed her in a cream dress with rose florals. When Florence had left the room Constance removed her corset as Reis had instructed. She looked fine without it, she thought. She checked her appearance and then went down for breakfast.
Reis offered her a smile when she entered the room. “Good morning.” He waited until she sat down at the table and continued. “You must have made an impression last night, Lady Ward has already sent over one of her servants inquiring as to whether or not you would like to go shopping with her today. I assumed you’d be interested, but said we’d send a reply along shortly.”
"Sure," Constance smiled, "if you think I should." Then she lowered her voice, "and you'll have to come help me put my corset back on gently."
“With pleasure, my sweet.” He laughed lightly. “It has nothing to do with whether or not I think you should, you’re perfectly entitled to go. I brought you along so that you could enjoy yourself, and I imagine that spending every minute of every day here at my home or by my side would not constitute enjoying yourself. I will give you some money so you’re free to buy what you want. And then I’ll have you all to myself this evening.”
Constance smiled, "Thank-you, that sounds wonderful." She sent reply of her grateful acceptance and once Reis had helped her ensure that her presentation would be perfect she sat in the parlor to wait for Lady Ward to appear.
Sandra arrived and was shown into the parlor where Constance waited. She smiled brightly. “I’m so glad you could join me, Constance. It’s so much more enjoyable shopping with someone than alone, and I figured Reis wouldn’t show you the things a girl likes to see. You don’t mind that I call you Constance, do you? And please call me Sandra. I hope to get to know you better while you’re here so that you’ll want to come back.”
Constance smiled, "Thank-you, how very kind of you Sandra. Yes you may call Constance. When I was informed of your invitation I simply couldn't wait because I knew you could show me all of the really beautiful stores."
She laughed lightly, “just don’t tell my husband that or he’ll never let me out of the house again.” She waited for Constance to join her by the door and walked with her to her coach, the door being held open and closed by her footman. They traveled a short distance, Sandra taking the opportunity to quietly examine Constance while they traveled. When the coach was stepped, “here you’ll find everything your heart could desire from perfumes to fabrics to shoes to foods. If you get bored or tired just tell me and we’ll leave, not everyone can shop like I do.”
"Oh I'm sure I shan't possibly get bored with all of those treasures you list at my perusal. I'd love to have some perfume and new shoes would be lovely and one can never have too many exquisite fabrics..." Constance carried on enthusiastically. She followed along taking Sandra's mannerisms in and then upon discovering what was proper and acceptable she realized and followed those guidelines.
Sandra was looking over some hunter green silk material when she looked at Constance, “this color would look wonderful on you, Constance.” She held it up to her with a smile meeting Constance’s eyes. “If you want to catch him, my dear, you have to make yourself noticeable. Not that you don’t already, but a little help here and there from something that looks absolutely stunning on you can’t hurt.” She winked.
"Will you help me?" Constance asked her large eyes almost pleading.
“Of course I’ll help you, though I don’t think you need much help. He invited you here, dear. I’ve known Reis for ten years, my husband has known him since they were children and neither of us can ever remember him bringing someone to London with him. So you must be doing something right. Besides, I can tell by the way he looks at you that he cares, so could everyone else there. I know for a fact there were one or two gentleman that didn’t ask you to dance for fear that Reis wouldn’t approve.” She gestured to the vendor to wrap some of the fabric and when Constance offered to pay, “no, please allow me. Save your money for something that I didn’t suggest you buy.” After Sandra made arrangements for the parcel to be added to their others things at the coach they walked away and Sandra looked at Constance with a smile. “You’ll just have to be patient, Constance. He’s slow, he’s kind of like a big, dumb ox. But he’ll come around I’m sure.”
"I wish so Sandra," Constance replied, "I just don't want to push him for both our sakes."
“No, and you’re very wise in thinking that. If you push him, he’ll only pull further away. Men work that way for some reason. Of course I didn’t have to worry about that much, my marriage to Michael was an arranged married. Neither of us had much to say about it. His father wanted my father’s land, my father wanted the protection that came with the Ward name. We at least liked one another, that was helpful.” She smiled with a slight laugh. “So what else would you like to look at?”
"Oh goodness I don't know," Constance replied, "Oh maybe we could look at some nursery things? A friend of mine, Sarah is with child."
“Oh how exciting for her” Sandra exclaimed. “Yes, we must. All babies need some nice blankets, so you should buy some extra soft material for the baby to snuggle up to. The softer the better.” Sandra led her in a different direction than they were currently walking. “Did you enjoy yourself last night? You looked positively glowing. It’s always fun to see the look on someone’s face who isn’t familiar with the ways of court.”
"Oh it was splendid!" Constance exclaimed, "I hope I never become familiar with them, not if it makes them any less amazing than they were last night. I could have danced all night. Reis was smiling at me like I could do no wrong..." Constance sighed happily.
“Well, he apparently knows you well enough to know that you would do no wrong. He mentioned to me that it was only your second day here, and I was surprised at how comfortable you seemed. So obviously you’re smart and you catch on to things quickly, which bodes well for you. He wouldn’t waste his time on you if you were unable to fit in here.” When they had finished picking out some material for baby blankets and clothing, Sarah led her to a café. “Let’s get some tea and something to eat, shall we? We’ve been at it all day it seems.”
"That sounds great," Constance smiled gratefully. "I'm famished." She ordered a splendid meal and enjoyed it as she had the dancing with the enthusiasm of a new comer.
After lunch Sandra led her home, “I’m sorry I have to cut the day short but I have an appointment with the hospital I have to keep. We’re organizing a fund raiser to build an addition on for children.” She smiled and patted Constance’s arm. “I’ll give you my card, and please don’t be afraid to call on me anytime. Even if you just want to stop for a spot of tea I’d be thrilled to have you.” She handed Constance her card.
"Thank-you and you likewise may drop in. I'm pretty sure Reis wouldn't mind if I entertained you for tea," Constance smiled. "Thank-you for a wonderful day." Constance descended after her packages were taken in and followed the last of them into the house.
Reis saw Sandra’s coach pulled away from the house and made his way from his back exercise area indoors. He knocked on her door and entered with a light chuckle. “Is there anything you didn’t buy, my sweet?”
Constance thought a long moment and then replied, "Spirits, I didn't buy any spirits and no male clothing either..."
“I’m deeply hurt,” he feigned a frown. “To think I expected you to get something for me.” He chuckled lightly. “You had a good day? Sandra is a likeable woman, I was pleased at her invitation. More pleased that you accepted.” He shut her door and walked towards her giving her a kiss. “I missed you. Sitting amongst the king and the others is just utterly boring compared to you.”
Constance laughed lightly, "I should not have found it boring to sit amongst the king. Of course you would have been equally as bored shopping I'm sure. Are there any lovely gardens in London? If there are I should very much like to take a walk in them now, if you don't mind..."
He laughed lightly and wrapped his hands around her waist. “Sweetheart, have you looked at the back of my house? It’s one big garden. Would you care for company or to walk alone? I could have Sasha pack us a picnic if you’d like, some tea and cakes and you can take off your shoes and walk among the flowers.”
"Splendid!" Constance smiled rushing to her window to see if this was in fact true. Her conclusion was a gasp of amazement. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. "Of course you have to go with me. I've been away from you for too long!"
He took hold of her hand and led her downstairs asking Sasha to prepare them something to snack on and set it in the gazebo outside and led Constance downstairs to the first floor, past the few men that were there and out the back door. He pointed out various flowers he thought she might not have seen before and picked a white rose handing it to her. “A perfect rose for a perfect woman.”
Constance flushed beautifully, "Thank-you Reis, it's beautiful." She walked with him admiring all the flowers until she found a grassy spot she particularly liked and she laid down. It was then that he noticed how tired and weary she was having overdone her day.
He sat next to her, removing his jacket and laying it over her. “No one will disturb us out here, Constance. Feel free to rest a bit. If I know Sandra she probably had you running all over the place.” He brushed back her hair and placed her feet in his lap. He removed her shoes and began to rub her feet. His large hands working small circles along the bottoms and tops of her feet. He chuckled lightly inwardly. If people could see him now, sitting in his mother’s garden rubbing a girl’s feet. He shook his head, he always thought himself to be above such things. But obviously he wasn’t, and oddly he found himself wanting to do nothing but take care of and protect Constance. He watched as her face relaxed a bit from his attention to her feet.
"That feels so wonderful thank-you," Constance said softly her voice trailing off and shortly afterwards he could tell she was asleep. "Oh and isn't this a touching scene...what are you doing now big brother," Catherine said high-falutedly a short while later as she approached. "Don't tell me you're pampering the wench now....oh! you really have lost your mind."
He cast his gaze towards her, obviously not happy with the interruption. “Perhaps if you weren’t such a witch all the time, Catherine, you’d have someone to cater to your needs as well. What has Constance ever done to you to deserve your wrath anyway? I know what you consider to be my doing, but she has nothing to do with who your mother was.”
"Well...let her have her fun, just so long as you don't marry her. The poor little dear wouldn't stand a chance. She's really not your type Reis," Catherine laughed and jerking the train of her skirt back around she traipsed off, head held high.
Reis shook his head as he watched Catherine leave. He was bound and determined to find some way to keep his sister out of his life. He started rubbing Constance’s other foot, leaning his back against a bench. He sat looking at nothing, just enjoying the tranquility of the afternoon.
Quite some time later Constance's eyes fluttered open. She smiled at Reis and then looked around once more to admire her surroundings. "It's so beautiful. I don't know how you can ever leave it. If I had a garden this lovely I should spend a good part of every day in it."
“Well, we’ll just have to see about getting a garden made for you then. The look on your face just now would be worth it.” He kissed her softly. “Did you get a good nap? You must have been tired if you fell asleep outside like this without putting up any sort of a fight.”
"I was really tired. I guess I haven't gotten out of that yet. You said I would though soon," Constance sighed. "Maybe we should just have dinner out here....it's SO beautiful."
“We could do that if you’d like. I don’t have anything to do tonight, and I know Catherine won’t join us out here. Yet another example of how different our mothers are, she has no interest in this sort of thing. If I left her in charge of this garden it would be overgrown with weeds. You know, I’ve thought of marrying her off just so I could be rid of her. I could bid her leave, but she has no place else to go. No family, her mother had no brothers or sisters and had no other children. I don’t owe my father much, he certainly never did anything to deserve my loyalty. But he was blood and Catherine in turn is part of my blood as well.”
"I just wish she wasn't so...." Constance sighed, "She's going to hate me when she can see the baby."
“Of course she will, but that’s all right. We’ll survive. I’ve lived with her wrath these past twelve years; I can surely endure a few more. I take it you don’t approve of my marrying her off? I’m sure with the proper dowry I could find someone to take her. Throw in some of my land …” he trailed off thinking deeply.
"Actually I approve very much of you marrying her off," Constance replied. "I have tried Reis to be nice to her.”
“I know you have, Constance. I’ve been trying myself since about the time you were walking. She’s just bitter.” He shrugged, “My only problem is I just don’t hate anyone enough to give her to them.” He laughed lightly. “I’ll work on it. Perhaps Michael or Jacob know of someone who would be interested. I’ll even throw in my mother’s Taylor name if I have to.” He straightened, replacing her shoes on her feet. “Let me go talk to Sasha about having our dinner brought out here.” He offered her a smile, kissing her lightly. He stood and left, returning a few minutes later. “All taken care of. So what did you and Sandra do today anyway? It seemed like you were gone forever.”
"We shopped for clothes and shoes...and baby stuff," Constance replied hesitantly.
Reis raised an eyebrow, “baby stuff?” He glanced from her, redirecting his attention to the ground. “Yes, I suppose you’ll be needing plenty of that. I’ve never been around babies before, Daniel was two or so when I found him.” He glanced at her belly, realizing she was going to start showing soon. He really didn’t want to leave London for another month, but that it would be pushing it as far as the knowledge of her condition. “I was thinking that perhaps it would be wise until we leave if we told people we were married.”
"Why?" Constance asked, "Oh...because of the baby? but Lady Ward, Sandra already knows that we're not."
“Well, there’s a way around that. I haven’t had a private word with James yet, you could always claim I asked you not to say anything until I had the opportunity to tell the king.” He sighed. “It’s up to you, of course. But no one but Catherine would know the truth, and I don’t think anyone would take her word over mine.”
"You would lie to the king? Oh Reis you can't!" Constance gasped looking worried for him. "I don't mind that you tell everyone else. I mean it would make me very happy but, lying to the king is punishable by death."
“No, I’m not going to lie to the king. I will tell him the truth, it’s not him I’m worried about. He knows what happens out in the field, and were I being totally irresponsible I’d be punished. But obviously I’m here with you. We certainly wouldn’t be the only couple to have children out of wedlock, and neither of us is married so we’re not committing adultery. Again it’s up to you, but you are going to start showing and I’d much rather not have to leave in a week or two because your condition is too obvious and not be able to return.” He shrugged as Sasha brought their dinner out. He helped her up and led her to the table.
"Okay," Constance nodded, "do it." For the first time she absently laid her hand over where their baby lie, almost as a silent promise. "This looks wonderful," she commented of the food. "Everything in London is wonderful."
“Only because you’re seeing it through a newcomers eyes. You probably wouldn’t find it so wonderful if you’d lived here all of your life.” He smiled slightly. “But you have years to get tired of it, because I don’t think this is going to be our last trip here.”
Constance smiled at him brightly and then went back to her food. "I wonder if it hurts to grow large with child," she mused aloud after a long silence.
“To grow with child, no I don’t believe it does. I’ve never heard tales of that at any rate. You’ve got courage, Constance, and strength. You’ll be fine.” He tried to reassure her, it was a feeble attempt but he tried. “And I won’t leave you to go through it alone.” He sat back slightly, extending his feet out in front of him. “I know you’re disappointed regarding my opinions of marriage, but I don’t think I treat you badly or unfairly. Other than the incident I swore would never be repeated I’ve been kind to you. Can you live with me like this? Knowing this might be all I can offer you?”
Constance was quiet a long time and then answered, "Until you can offer me something better, yes."
He nodded, pleased with her answer. “Thank you.” After dinner, he led her indoors and left her in the parlor while he went up to change. He returned a short while later having changed. He kissed her on the cheek politely. “Now for my meeting with the king. I’ll be late, so don’t feel the need to wait up for me.” He bent lower to speak softly in her ear, “unless you’re going to wait in my bed for me.” He chuckled lightly.
"I'll be asleep," She replied. She stayed up a while longer and then went to her room to change for bed. Then she snuck down to his room and curled up under the covers to wait for him. While she was waiting she fell asleep.
He returned well after midnight, a pleasant meeting with James. He always preferred meeting with James one on one. They had been friends before James took the throne, and Reis had an admiration and respect for the man that went far beyond the throne. He undressed and got into bed, pleased to see that Constance had taken his suggestion. He kissed her lightly, and adjusted her so that she rested on his chest. He woke the next morning before her and watched as she slept. He smirked slightly when she stirred. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
Her large doe eyes regarded him a moment before she gave him a small smile. "Good morning to you, though I'm not sure what's so good about it. I feel very ill of person today."
“I hope not. You have a big day ahead of you,” he winked. “You and I are having lunch with the king. Unless of course you had other plans, I don’t know how pleased he’d be to being told you ranked something above meeting him though.”
"Oh I wouldn't possibly!" Constance exclaimed. "Lunch with the King. What will I wear? What will I say? What if I mess up?"
He chuckled, “You’ll be fine, my sweet. He doesn’t expect you to be perfect. He knows this is your first time here. He was just interested to see whom it was that has gotten me to settle down. I don’t think he believes I’m capable of making wise choices.” He stood from the bed slowly and dressed. “As far as what you should wear, how about that off white gown that I saw in your closet? It’s very becoming to your womanly attributes.” He winked.
An hour and a half later Florence was putting the final pin in Constance's hair. She was wearing the gown he had suggested. "I still say your corset's entirely too loose. You may as well mot even have one on..." Florence was fussing at her good-naturedly.
Reis knocked and opened the door, when she was ready offering her his arm. They arrived at the castle, Constance being helped from the carriage by one of the staff. Reis got out after and took her arm, leading her indoors where they were led to a dining room and bid to wait for the king’s arrival. “Nervous,” he took her hands in his, kissing them politely.
"Very nervous, I don't think I've stopped trembling since you told me," Constance replied. "I believe I swallowed several butterflies," she smiled.
A few minutes later the king entered proceeded by a few of his subjects who soon left the three of them alone. He smiled genuinely at Reis when he bowed politely and turned from him to Constance. He took her hands in his, glanced at Reis briefly and flashed her a smile before walking with her a short distance from Reis. “So you’re the young lady that’s finally gotten Reis to settle down somewhat.”
"Yes your majesty I suppose so," Constance replied in her usual melodically beautiful voice. "It is an honor to meet you. So long as I live I shall remember this day."
He smiled slightly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “You honor me, and I thank you. I thought Reis was exaggerating when he spoke to me of your beauty and your gentleness, but I see he speaks the truth. How are you liking my city so far?” He broke off and waited curiously for her answer.
Constance immediately burst into rapid, enthusiastic conversation, "Oh it is a most wondrous city! I have yet to even see much of it but already I adore it. Your grounds and horses are beautiful as are the gardens around here and the shops are lovely as well. I adore it all and I wish to see everything!"
“We’ll have to convince Reis you need to see more then won’t we? I want you to wish to return one day. You attended the ball the other night. I noticed you dressed in green, but of course didn’t know who you were at the time. I hope it will not be the last of them you attend, my nephew spoke highly of your dancing.”
Constance smiled, "I hope it shall not be either. I had a wonderful time. You throw marvelous balls your majesty."
“Once again, you’re too kind, and I thank you. I shall tell my staff you think so, it’s really they who deserve the credit for the successes. Come let’s eat lunch before Reis wonders what stories I’m filling your head with,” he led her to the table and sat. The food was brought out and James watched the two of them. He looked at Reis expecting him to say something and when he didn’t, James spoke. “Miss DeCatess, Reis is apparently being shy about bringing this up, so I will. I’m having a special dinner tonight, nothing as extravagant as the ball and I was hoping the two of you might join us. Reis has indicated it was up to you and how you’re feeling. I think you would enjoy yourself.” He glanced at Reis for a moment than returned his attention to Constance.
"If I go home and rest this afternoon then I should be able to manage dinner," Constance replied, "thank-you for the invitation. My friends shall never believe me when I tell them that I have had the amazing honor of dining at the table with the king of all England."
“We’ll just have to give them a reason to believe you then, won’t we?” He laughed heartily. “We will also have to make sure you get home and get your rest so that you can join me tonight. I don’t think you’d want to miss it.” They ate lunch, the king engaging her in polite conversation obviously in an attempt to get to know her. When they stood to go their separate ways, James thanked her for her company and took his leave after Reis once again bowed. Reis turned his attentions to Constance was out of the room. “Well, my sweet, was he what you expected?”
"Oh no, far nicer and more interesting," Constance confided with a giggle.
“Let’s get you home so you can rest for a few hours. If I may say so, I believe this might be one dinner you don’t wish to miss. And I’d hate to have to come unaccompanied.”
Constance smiled. They went to her room and she made herself ready to rest. "Reis...will you lay with, hold me...at least until I go to sleep?"
“I’ll stay with you until we have to get dressed for the evening, sweetheart. How can I refuse such a request?” He smiled sincerely. He laid on the bed with her, holding her to him until he felt her breathing change to that indicative of sleep. He stayed with her until he needed to bathe and dress, sending Florence to wake her. Giving Florence the pearl necklace with the ruby pendant Constance had worn on Christmas, he bid her to find a gown that it could be worn with. He bathed, shaved and dressed and waited in the parlor downstairs with a sulking Catherine who was disappointed she had not known of the dinner until Reis told her to get dressed for the evening.
Constance emerged in a gown of ruby satin, with a sheer black lace overlay over the entire gown. It was off the shoulders and the lace on the ruffle at the top hem and all over the skirt had shinning black beads on it. With her black tresses up in a regal style she was absolutely breath taking.
He escorted both women to their coach and to the castle. Catherine was escorted to the dining room while Reis and Constance were taken to a private room where the king, his nephew, and a handful of other people waited. James smiled while Reis bowed. “I didn’t believe it possible, young lady, but every time I see you you’re more beautiful,” he held her hand within both of his.
Constance curtsied as low and respectfully as she could. "Your majesty flatters me with compliments I am not sure I deserve." She smiled and there was an invigorating blush on her cheeks.
“Well, I’m hoping you will flatter me, my child and make this dinner a celebratory dinner.” He eyed Reis with a slight smile and walked away from Constance as Reis approached them. “What the king was trying to say, Constance, is that he’s prepared to announce to everyone tonight that I have taken you as my wife. I was hoping, however, before he does that you would consider legally becoming my wife.” He held out a diamond solitaire ring, “it was my mother’s.”
Constance stared at the ring in shock and then at his eyes and then back at the ring. "Reis, it's...it's beautiful. You...you don't have to do this you know. I said I'd stay..." she replied ever so softly.
“I know what you said, but I’m asking.” He gestured to the group of men, “I asked James to have a priest here. The ceremony will just be an exchange of our vows, but the king will be our witness. That’s what he meant yesterday by giving your friends proof of your having met him.” He slipped the ring onto her finger. “So you will?”
"Yes," Constance finally managed to gasp out, her face lighting. She was trembling before him and tears of joy were escaping down her face.
He kissed her cheek. “Well, shall we then? I’m not quite sure I believe I’m doing this, but I know that I want our children to have my name - our name. I certainly can’t promise to be the greatest husband, because I never thought I’d be one to observe how others go about it. But I will do my best.”
Constance smiled, "And I promise to try and be a good wife. Oh Reis you don't know how happy this makes me." She looped her arm gracefully in his, her sapphire eyes twinkling with delight.
He placed his hand on her arm and led her to where the priest stood. After confirming with the both of them this is what they wanted, they exchanged vows and were within a matter of a quarter of an hour married. The marriage license was signed and the two were left alone briefly while the king tended to other things and the others in the room went to find their seats in the dining room. Reis kissed her politely, taking her into his arms. “He plans on announcing our marriage tonight. Do you mind? That’s why I asked Catherine to come along.”
"No, I don't mind at all," Constance smiled. She was glowing like a new bride.
He smiled, pleased at her response and led her to the dining room where they took their seats at the table with Catherine and sat. Reis was for once able to completely ignore his sister. James entered the room and Reis couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw the look on Catherine’s face when he came and stood at their table bidding Reis and Constance to stand. “It seems, ladies and gentleman, that my efforts to expand the land touched by the crown has yet again resulted in one of my loyal men declaring their loyalty to someone other than myself. While we all know with my efforts there are plenty of unspeakable acts that go with it, this is why I find it so important to bring to light the positive. I have to admit, however, I never thought I’d see the day I’d have to compete with this man’s loyalty with anyone.” He placed his hand on Reis’ shoulder and said, “it is my privilege to present Lord Reis Krager and his wife, Lady Constance Krager of Corin’s Village.” The dining room erupted into cheers and clapping from everyone but Catherine who stared in disbelief at the three of them. After a few minutes the king bid the couple to sit and took his place at his throne.
"You...you....you..." Catherine glared at Constance, "this is not happening! You can't marry her! She's a...she's...she's..."
Constance merely smiled at Reis and turned to devote her attention to those congratulating them.
Reis glared at Catherine, daring her to continue with her statement, and she wisely stopped. She may have been insensitive, but she wasn’t stupid. Dinner went by uneventfully after that, other than people congratulating them and extending invitations to visit them for dinner and lunch before they left. Reis was now more determined than ever to marry Catherine off, he didn’t want to deal with her tirades any longer. When they returned home that evening, Reis pulled Constance into the parlor with him and poured them both a glass of wine. “Were you surprise? Are you happy? Do you hate me for springing it on you like that?”
"Surprised, very, happy, very. Do I hate you for springing it on me?" Constance raised a brow and then smiled before she kissed him, "not a chance." She took a sip of her wine. "Yes, definitely surprised. I had told myself that you would never marry me."
“Well, I had myself convinced of that, too. But I also realized if I did that I could never bring you with me to London, or at least it would be difficult to do that. Most of the people you’ll meet here who are my friends enjoy their lives at court, they long ago gave up the life I choose to continue to lead. I did so because I had no reason to give it up save a lonely home that I shared with Catherine. Not much incentive to stay put.” He set his glass down and took her into his arms, “Care to kiss me now, wife?” He smiled, his gaze dropping to her mouth.
Constance raised her head and her lips met his hungrily, expressing her deep love and devotion to him. She kissed him until she finally had to draw back for breath, her chest heaving with the sensations he awakened in her.
He pulled her to him, resting her head against his chest running his fingers through her hair. “I’m afraid I don’t have any sort of gift for you, but perhaps we can find something together before we leave that you find to your liking.” He lowered his hands from her hair to the small of her back, moving them to her hips. “Can I interest you in calling it an evening and retiring to our room?”
Constance smiled at him. "You needn't ask twice," she replied with a smile. She walked with him upstairs and made love to him several times during the night, finally curling against him for sleep.
He was awake in the morning when she stirred, holding her left hand with his right one. He kissed the top of her head when he felt her stir. “Good morning.” He shifted slightly so he could look at her and offered her a smile, his hand closing around hers.
"It is that," Constance smiled. She kissed him lovingly then "Was it a dream? Was it all just a dream?" she sighed happily.
He chuckled lightly, the tip of his index finger grazing over the diamond. “If it was, we both dreamed the same thing.” He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it politely. “I am not quite sure which was the more pleasant part of the dream though, I don’t know that I remember you being so lusty as you were last night. But of course the dinner was nice, too.”
"We belong to each other now," Constance smiled. She laughed lightly then, "Your poor sister was rather upset. She called for smelling salts and relaxants during the night."
Reis rolled his eyes, “yes, I imagine she wasn’t pleased at all. She’ll get over it.” He rolled onto his side, holding her to him tightly. “And what would you like to do today? Shopping? Visiting? Staying in bed with your husband?”
"I like staying in bed with my husband actually," Constance smiled, "staying in bed and being absolutely non productive for one day." She kissed him. "Couldn't we do that?"
He returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around her more possessively. “Whatever the lady desires, and I certainly wouldn’t object to such a request. Though I imagine, as you told me once before, we’ll have to eat sometime.” He caressed her upper thigh lightly.
"Sooner may be better than later, alas I am famished love," Constance replied rubbing his chest, "but then I promise to show you just how grateful I am...and how much I love you."
He sat up. “Grateful, for what? I didn’t marry you to make you feel somehow indebted to me, Constance.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I did it for no reason other than I wanted to.”
"Grateful for you resisting the urge to make love to your wife long enough to feed her is all I meant," Constance replied.
He chuckled. “All right then. But if you weren’t with child I may not be so apt to resist the urge.” He winked and lay back on the bed, pulling her to him. “Should I have breakfast brought up here or do you care to venture downstairs? Though I have to admit I’m tempted to keep you to myself with such an offer as you just made pending.”
"I don't intend on venturing anywhere love. You promised me a day in bed and I intend to take it." Constance laughed lightly. "Shall I hide under the sheets now so you can ring for breakfast?" Her face lit with amusement.
“Hardly. Florence needs to get used to seeing you in here, because I have no intentions of you spending another night away from me unless I’m traveling.” He stood and put his robe on, ringing for Florence and requesting breakfast before returning to bed. He positioned himself next to her on the bed, taking her in his arms and kissed her. “I guess I’ll have to settle for kissing until after breakfast.”
She kissed him back lovingly and smiled, "Yes, kissing until after breakfast. Your child seems to be rather hungry,” she added. Then as if on cue her stomach growled.
He chuckled lightly and placed his hand on her belly lightly. “I guess so. A demanding little one.” Their breakfast was brought to them, Reis provided Constance one of his shirts to put on while she ate. When finished he brought her back to bed, “I’m ready for more sleep. You exhausted me last night it seems.”
Constance smiled and curled up in his embrace. There began a storm outside and with every burst of thunder her body jumped and with every flash of lightening she cringed trying to bury herself closer against him.
He chuckled lightly at her attempts, stroking her hair gently. “I don’t believe it. You’re frightened of something. What happened to the girl that I first saw who had the courage to fight my men? To fight me? Or is it just rainstorms that make you like this?” He sighed, “not that I mind your cuddling against me, mind you.”
"I hate storms," Constance replied. "I can still fight your men and you and don't you think I can't!" the fiery attitude returned. "But I am frightened of storms," she softened again.
“Well, now you have someone to protect you and comfort you, and I get the pleasure of being the one to do that.” They spent the rest of the afternoon in their room, and though Reis knew Constance would have been willing to make love he was more interested in getting to know this girl who was now his wife. As the storm grew fiercer and more candles had to be lit in the room, he took the sponge from the bath water she sat in and after moving her hair washed her back. “What were you like as a child? Do you take after your father or your mother in your appearance and mannerisms?”
"My father used to always say I was born of my mother's grace and beauty and like a little kitten drown in the pride and stubbornness of his family 'til my hair turned as black as his. Mother says I was a curious child and she needed more than one of herself to keep an eye on me. I was always wandering off, adventuring and getting into trouble. All father had to do was look at me sternly and I punished myself. Father always said I was bright and that I took on to learning like a bird to flying."
“I can see that,” he chuckled placing his arms around her brushing the sponge across her breasts lightly. “Most definitely the curious and stubborn part.” He set the sponge down and placed his hands on her stomach lightly. “How far along are you now? I still can’t believe that’s my child in there. Our child.”
"Seventeen weeks," Constance replied. She looked down at his hands, "I can't believe it either."
They spent the next two weeks being entertained between dinner invitations, theater, entertaining at the castle and some of the wives of Reis’ friends inviting Constance to tea or shopping. And while all were nice to her, it was clear that Sandra was the one who genuinely considered her a friend, even offering to come for a visit them sometime in the fall if she could convince Michael to get away from London for a while. When Constance’s clothing had been finished, Reis suggested it was time for them to return. As they laid in bed the night before they were to leave, Reis held her close knowing it would be their last night in a bed together for a couple of weeks. “We’ll come back after the babe is born, maybe in the winter for Christmas.”
Constance smiled, "I'm sure London is wonderful at Christmas. If we do though I shall have to leave instructions for Sarah on having the Christmas festival. I shall miss it." She kissed him, "goodnight Reis. I love you."
“Good night, Constance.” He kissed her lightly and brought her closer to him, drifting off to sleep. The next morning he let her sleep until he had to wake her to leave, between Florence and Sasha she was dressed and well fed and met Reis and his men down below. Shortly after sunrise they were on their way. Reis did his best to keep her comfortable, though with her advancing state he knew there was little he could do for her other than give her extra blankets and stopping to rest more than they would have normally. After almost three weeks they arrived in Corin’s Village, Reis sent Ian with Constance to the inn knowing Jared would want to see Sarah while Reis remained out with the men and brushed down his and Constance’s horses before going indoors. He was pleased to see that the staff was busy preparing dinner for the twenty or so of them. “Thank you,” he said as he kissed Constance. “A good hot meal followed by a night in a warm bed with you are exactly what I need.”
"I can agree with that," Constance smiled, "A good hot meal and sleeping in a warm bed will do us both good." She now looked visibly pregnant and the men were cautious of her while observing her constantly. Sarah was in exactly the same state, sitting in a corner chair crocheting a baby blanket.
He chuckled lightly, “I don’t think I said anything about sleeping, my sweet.” He paused slightly, “so have you told Sarah yet or are you saving it for me to do?” He let his left hand drop from her waist and took her left hand in his, “I have to tell you that ring looks much better on you than it ever looked on my mother.”
Constance blushed, "you compliment me beyond what I deserve. No I haven't told Sarah yet." She kissed Reis on the cheek and went to Sarah to do just that. "Sarah a most wondrous thing happened in London. Reis and I were married before the king!" she held out her left hand bearing the beautiful ring on her delicate finger.
Sarah glanced from Constance’s face to the ring and then to Reis across the room. “Before the king,” she exclaimed. “You mean you actually met him? I’m so envious, Constance.”
"He's extraordinarily nice. I met him several times and we enjoyed wonderful conversations. I cannot wait to go back." Constance replied.
Sarah smiled genuinely. “I’m glad for you, Constance. I’m glad he married you.” Sarah glanced at her crocheting, “I’ve made us both some things. I’m glad you’re back; I wasn’t sure how long you were going to be gone. I was beginning to think Jared wouldn’t be back in time.”
"Well he's back in plenty of time," Constance smiled. "The babies aren't due until late spring anyhow." Constance hugged Sarah and said she was glad to be back then she went upstairs to refresh herself for dinner. She was putting the final touches on her appearance when she truly caught sight of herself in the mirror and her changing form was something of a curiosity for her.
Reis came into the room after knocking lightly. He smiled slightly as he approached her. “Is there something wrong, or have you decided you’re not hungry after all?” He pulled back her hair gently, grazing the side of her neck with his lips. He moved his mouth to her ear, “you look wonderful, sweetheart. As if you need me to tell you.”
"No, I'm hungry," Constance replied. She smiled at his kisses and then slipped her arm in his. They made their way downstairs and to the head of the table. Everyone was glad to have the traveling members back amongst them and dinner took on a very jovial flair. Constance seemed to adapt quickly to the mood and her eyes sparkled with the excitement.
Reis listened intently as his men and the townspeople gave him a rundown of the progress of the building of the castle. He also wanted the townspeople to begin training with weapons, swords and bows and he wanted reports on who was better and more apt with each. He wanted everyone to know how to defend themselves as well as their city, and he wanted to know whom he could count on for what. After dinner he led Constance on a walk outside, “Tell me there must be a house that we can claim as ours, someplace that we can raise our child in for the first few years of his life besides an inn.”
Constance led him to the square, to the largest and most beautiful home in town. "Mr. and Mrs. Drouhillet lived here before the siege. This house is vacant if we want it. It's beautiful inside I've been told."
“If it meets with your approval, Constance, then we shall claim it as ours. I’ll have our things brought here tomorrow. Are you glad to be back? I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer, but I was afraid if we stayed much longer your condition would be more than obvious. And while I don’t care, I don’t want your reputation to be called into question. If we return with a child no one will really question it. James knows already I will tell people we had already married here, but I wanted to be married by a priest recognized by the king and the church.”
Constance nodded. They broke the lock on one of the side doors and wandered into the large home. "It's beautiful," Constance replied with a smile as they wandered around. We'll have to start fires right away to warm it up but it's certainly a beautiful home. Prettier than any I've ever been in save yours in London."
Reis walked with her throughout the house wordlessly taking it all in, “it will be perfect for us I think.” He stopped in the master bedroom, amazed that the house had remained relatively untouched. He brought her to him, kissing her as his hands wandered from her waist to the small of her back his fingers grazing her buttocks lightly. His voice was low and gruff when he spoke. “Would you like to know what I’m thinking,” he bit her lower lip lightly as he pressed his body into hers his arousal apparent.
"Mmm," Constance moaned delightedly and her arms wound around his neck and she kissed his mouth hungrily before kissing down his neck and then hungrily reclaiming his lips once more. "what..."
“Well,” he trailed off. “We’re in a room with a nice big bed and we’ve never had the opportunity to make love without someone nearby.” He kissed her again. “I believe what I’m trying to say Mrs. Krager is that I want you here and now.”
Constance hugged him then removed his shirt to play with his chest and nipples.
A groan escaped his lips as he breathed in severely. He kissed her briefly then broke away and unfastened her dress, moving his mouth to her ear. He placed his hand on top of hers and whispered softly, “kiss them.” He glanced into her eyes. “You tried it once but stopped, I’d like you to try again.”
Constance looked to him and then shyly she kissed his nipples. Then she went further and caressed them with her tongue. She looked up from her task to see if he approved.
His head was tilted back slightly, his eyes closed as his hands ran through her hair. A soft groan of pleasure could be heard from his mouth, it was obvious by his body’s reaction as well that he was thoroughly enjoying what she was doing.
Constance continued her caresses. Her dress fell away to the floor then. It displayed her tiny childlike body rounded with her own child within her. Her black tresses streamed down her back.
Reis pulled away from her to move to the bed, pulling her on top of him his hands caressing her rounded belly gently as he kissed her. His tongue sought hers, simulating lovemaking in its movements. He groaned softly, his voice barely a whisper. “Put me inside of you, Constance.”
Constance soon complied and their familiar rhythm was resumed. Soon she cried out in pleasure as her orgasm seized her, "Reis, I love you." she called it out without inhibition for the first time.
He held off his own orgasm for as long as possible, allowing her to please herself more than once. Once they had both spent themselves, he brought her beside him holding her close. “I think you just helped me decide I want no servants at our house permanently, only during the day. If you’re going to behave like that I’ll do the chores myself if I have to.” He tapped her nose lightly with his finger.
Constance flushed, "I'm just too shy Reis, forgive me." She kissed him. "I love you."
“You’re forgiven, sweetheart.” He nuzzled her neck lightly, “but I liked that. A lot. So, please work on being less timid, there’s no reason to be embarrassed about enjoying yourself - certainly not now that I’m your husband. I like hearing you, knowing that I’m really satisfying you.”
Constance smiled and kissed him. "You like making love to me even though I'm with child?" She rubbed her protruding belly.
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I? Besides, to be honest, I’ve always like having a woman on top of me anyway, and your being with child gives me a few months of that being the only possible way for us to make love.” He kissed her, his hand going on top of hers then inching down between her legs. “You’re a beautiful woman, Constance, and being pregnant doesn’t change that. Besides that’s my child you’re carrying, how could I not find that appealing?”
Constance shrugged, "I find it less terrible than it used to be. It feels better now and I actually like it. Reis I'm sorry for all of the bad things I used to say about you...You hurt me so badly though."
“I know I did. But believe it or not, I didn’t mean to. That night - the first night I took you - I didn’t mean for that to happen. I tried to be kind to you, to keep you away from my men. At least you know who your child’s father is, Constance. Would you rather be in Sarah’s shoes knowing it could be one of a dozen or so men?” He sighed, holding her tightly. “I’m not justifying what I did, Constance. I’ve never before taken a girl like that, but you ran from me and then you bit me. And there was something in your resistance to me that appealed to me in an animalistic, barbaric way.” He kissed her lightly. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
Constance smiled softly and cuddled against him. Finally, they redressed to go back to the inn and its warmth. Constance slept soundly that night dreaming of having such a grand home. The next morning she was up, full of energy and ready to go. She was bathed and dressed and sitting by the fire, waiting for him when he woke though he slept no later than usual.
He chuckled lightly as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Anxious are we, my sweet? Everything should be done before the midday meal and then you can spend all afternoon organizing to your heart’s content.” He stood and walked towards her, not bothering to dress. He took her chin in the palm of his hand and tilted her face up to look at him. “I don’t want you overdoing it, do you understand? The house doesn’t need to be made a home in less than a day. Just make it livable and do the rest with time. Besides, you’ll need something to keep you busy for the next few months before the child comes.”
Constance smiled, "Yes I suppose so. The town doctor told Sarah not to do much anyhow." She kissed him lovingly. "Come on Reis. I'm famished."
He chuckled lightly and followed her downstairs where they ate and after breakfast he left her to oversee their belongings transferred to the house. He took the opportunity to meet with a few of his men, apparently Cedric had returned to the village in Reis’ absence and acted as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place. This puzzled Reis, because one thing Reis knew of Cedric was that he took pride in the destruction left in his wake. The thought of him acting casual about anything left him concerned. He returned to the inn for dinner, waiting for Constance to join them before having the meal served. Though no formal announcement had been made of their marriage, it was a known fact that they were married. After dinner, he stayed and enjoyed his men’s company and realized Constance had left. Thomas chuckled at him when Reis started to go upstairs to their room and reminded him that they no longer stayed there. Reis shook his head and made his way to their home. He found her in the large kitchen. “What are you doing, my sweet?”
"It's too dirty," Constance replied where she was scrubbing vigorously. "I wanted some leftover turkey and bread for a sandwich but it's too dirty to make one here." She continued to scrub harder, still not satisfied.
He took hold of her hands. “Sweetheart, just take a clean shirt of mine and set it over the counter and make your sandwich on that. You shouldn’t be doing this, and I really don’t care if you get bread crumbs on one of my shirts.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them paying no attention to the soap on her hands as he turned them palm up so he could kiss the palms of her hands lightly, tracing the lines on her palm with his tongue. He looked at her seductively, “you’d better tend to that sandwich before I make you forget what you were doing.”
"I'm too hungry to forget," Constance replied, "and this kitchen is too messy for your shirt." At his insistence she did so anyhow and soon had devoured the sandwich and went to bed immediately after that.
The next few months passed in much the same way, both of them spent their free time getting the house organized concentrating on the baby’s room after their room and the kitchen. As far as Reis was concerned those were the three most important rooms in a house anyway, at least at the moment. The time had come finally when he had to keep his desires in check as her body changed to that of someone about to give birth at any moment, Sarah was in the same condition. In fact there were bets going on amongst the people who would give birth first. He sat at the kitchen table one night after dinner watching as she struggled to get up from her seat. “The baby has shifted,” he placed his hand against her pregnant belly lightly. “I can see you’re lower. I’ve heard that happens, but never would have believed it was so noticeable.”
"Nor I," Constance was quick to agree, "the doctor says that means the baby will come soon." Fear came over her face and she struggled to hide it quickly. "Sarah was telling me of another of her horrible nightmares. This time it was that she had a monster instead of a baby," Constance laughed nervously.
“Mm, well, I wouldn’t pay attention to dreams like that. She’s probably frightened a bit, as I’m sure you are. Nine months ago the thought of having a baby was probably the furthest thing from either of yours minds.” He brought her to him so she sat on his lap, caressing her cheek gently with the back of his hand. “You’ve never told me what you hope for, or do you not have a preference.”
"I don't care either way so long as it's healthy," Constance replied. She retired with Reis to bed and it was later that very night that she woke him. "Reis, Reis something's happening," she said in an almost panic.
He threw his trousers on as he felt then saw the wetness on the bed, “I’ll be right back with the doctor.” Shirtless and without shoes he went out and knocked on his door obviously panicked. Amused, the elderly man went about gathering his supplies and followed Reis back to his home. Not so tough when it came to his wife having a baby, that was usually the way of it with men, the doctor realized. He went to the bed and felt Constance’s stomach, the head was positioned down as it should be. He was surprised when Reis sat on the edge of the bed and took hold of her hand. After examining her, “you’ve got a ways to go yet, young lady. I suggest you try and rest until the pains get closer together then come back and get me.” He glanced at Reis, “if you have someone who can sit here you’d best get someone, when she gets further alone you can’t leave her alone.” Reis nodded and went to get Ian from the inn while the doctor sat with Constance. When he returned the doctor left and Reis returned to her side, his eyes were wide as he glanced at her. He didn’t know what to say, so instead he kissed her hand.
"I'm not scared. It's going to be all right. It won't hurt much at all," Constance tried in vein to put on a brave face for him. It was wiped away when the next pain seized her and she gasped.
“It’s all right to be scared, Constance, and it’s all right to admit it hurts. You’re pushing a baby out of your body, even I realize there’s pain involved in the process.” He squeezed her hand tightly. “I realize I’m not the most modern man, Constance, but I certainly don’t expect you to keep your mouth shut. Curse at me all you want,” he bent towards her and brushed her hair back from her brow. Hoping to get her mind off things for a while, “just think soon we can go back to London and we can stay this time as long as you’d like. Forever if you want.” He looked at her sincerely.
Constance smiled at him softly, "but if we stayed forever, who would live in the castle? I do want to go back though." Two hours passed and she had progressed well. There was sweat on her brow and tears on her cheek as she gripped his hand. "Oh please Reis," she begged, "make it stop please....please I'm begging you!"
“I wish I could, my sweet.” He wiped her face and neck with a damp cloth, finally getting frustrated he tore the front of her nightgown so that he could wipe down her chest, too. Reis had no idea how many hours went by after that, but he remained by her bed throughout the entire time. He told her stories when she was able to focus on his words, allowed her to grip his hand when she felt a contraction, and wiped her down and offered her water whenever he felt it was necessary. Finally when most people would be eating lunch he had Ian send for the doctor. Her pains were almost five minutes apart by now, Reis figured that meant her time was drawing near. “I’ve sent for the doctor, Constance. Hopefully soon.”
Constance only gave him a look of understanding. She didn't feel much like talking anymore. She gripped his hand as another contraction seized her. "Love you," she gasped out when she could.
“I know, my sweet,” he brushed the hair from her forehead and soon after the doctor arrived having brought his wife to assist him. She soon appeared with warm water and blankets. She saw the pained look on Constance’s face and smiled wryly. “Dear, I’ve had eight of them and you forget about the pain as soon as you see their face. Just a little while longer now.” She took over from Reis keeping her face and chest moist, dripping droplets of water in her mouth periodically to keep her lips and throat moist. “You can start pushing now, Lady Krager,” the doctor stated simply. Reis refused to leave even though the doctor’s wife assured him she could handle things, he had promised Constance he wouldn’t leave her side and he wasn’t going to. He looked as the doctor made reference to the head and realized that the blood spilled in battle was nothing compared to childbirth. There was something more personal about it, and it made his heart tighten to think that he had been the cause of this. He squeezed her hand and kissed her ear reassuringly, “its face is beautiful, my sweet. You’re almost there.”
Constance gave him a quick half-smile and then went back to pushing. A long while later she finally had the shoulders out. Then another push brought a goodly portion more of the baby. A few pushes more and Reis' son entered the world. They were incredibly shocked when that act was followed by the emergence of his daughter.
As much as he wanted to, he could not take his eyes from the two little children that had emerged from within his wife’s womb. He watched as the doctor’s wife tended first to the boy and then the girl, of course they would boys were always prided upon though Reis really wouldn’t have minded having only a girl. The cords were cut, the placenta delivered a short while later and then the doctor set to stitching Constance up - something Reis could do without seeing. He returned his attentions to his wife and offered her a smile. “I had no idea, two. They’re beautiful. Perfect. Ten toes, ten fingers, two eyes, a nose, two ears and a mouth - and the corresponding parts for the boy and the girl.” He chuckled lightly as the woman placed their son in Constance’s arms who quieted almost immediately. Reis watched in awe at the baby as the doctor’s wife aided Constance in getting the boy to latch. He released her hand finally realizing she would need it to support the little bundle. Suddenly feeling out of place he stood and walked to the window.
Her eyes followed him silently. She wondered if perhaps he was displeased but as tired as she was she dare not push it. Instead she tended the babies and soon fell asleep.
The doctor’s wife took the babies, changed them and tended to them once more before placing them both in the babies’ bed. Reis realized at once they would need to get another, though Constance had done all the work he was exhausted from having watched her. He dismissed the doctor and his wife, both leaving telling him should they need help to send for them. He knew the wife hadn’t wanted to leave without changing Constance and the bedding, but Reis couldn’t see disturbing her, it took more than half a day for the children to get here and he didn’t think she’d mind sleeping in dirty clothes for a while. He remained seated by her side, getting up periodically to check on the babies but remained close by her side. He rested his head against her arms, his hand holding hers, feeling her twitch he looked up to find her awake. He had no idea what to say, so instead he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, his fingers lightly grazing her knuckles.
Constance smiled, "Reis..." she smiled at him and then she had to ask, "are you happy? pleased with our children?"
He looked at her curiously. “Of course, sweetheart. They’re a little wrinkly looking and splotchy, but how could I not be pleased. They’re healthy, you’re healthy. What’s not to be happy about? Surely you don’t think I am unhappy one is a girl.”
"You just...you seemed so distant a while ago. That's all. They're beautiful aren't they. You're sure they're alright?"
“Indeed, my sweet, beautiful. And the distance was only because I felt incredibly helpless and out of place. I couldn’t do anything for you, at least during the process I could hold your hand. But once it was over, the doctor was tending to you, his wife to the babies I had little to do. That’s all, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead. “You should get your rest though, they’ll be awake soon and hungry I imagine. One of your friends has come to help you, Camille I think her name is. I’ve offered her the job of your maidservant if it pleases you. Surely with to of them you’ll need help.”
"Yes, thank-you," Constance replied, "You are too good to me Reis."
He laughed lightly. “You don’t need to thank me, Constance,” he stood and kissed her gently. “Get your rest, I’ll see about getting you something to eat. You’re feeding three now, so you’ll need to eat well. Lucky kids.” He gave her a shy smile and brushed the back of his hand across her face gently. “I’ll be back, my sweet.”
Constance smiled, "thank-you, hurry back my love." She kissed him lovingly and laid back to wait for him.
The next three months passed by quickly, Sarah had a girl about a week after Constance had the twins, which according to the doctor was normal given twins. Reis doted on both mother and their two children, always attentive and helpful when he could be. He never shied away from changing a diaper or burping one while the other was being fed by Constance. Even though the doctor had told Reis it was acceptable for them to resume relations, Reis was hesitant and continued sleeping on a palette on the floor next to their bed. The nights passed torturously for him at times, he longed to feel her close to him again but for some reason he just couldn’t bring himself to move from the palette to the bed. His kisses and touches were gentle, polite and tender but they never crossed the line of impropriety. The twins were working on rolling over by now, and Reis found himself thrilled to watch the two little people grow and learn new things.
Constance was carefully gardening outdoors when she could as of late. She had taken the hobby up in attempts to fill a void in herself. She missed Reis even though she hated to admit it. It made her feel different without him at night and the way he was treating her, without passion. Finally one night she had enough and creeping from bed, trying not to wake him she put on a cape and left the house. She walked around the village edge all night. Finally near mid-morning she returned and fed the babies and lay in bed, wholly unamused with life and deep in the throes of depression.
Reis woke one morning to find Constance gone, this didn’t overly surprise him because he knew she hadn’t been sleeping well of late. Why he wasn’t sure, not being able to fathom it was he causing her lack of good sleep. When Camille arrived to make breakfast and Constance still hadn’t returned his lack of surprise at seeing her gone turned into concern. Had she stumbled into the lake by accident? She was an excellent swimmer he knew, but if she’d hit her head somehow. He shook his head, not daring to picture her laying somewhere unconscious. He asked Camille to tend to the twins, having no idea what to do with them without Constance and the mother’s milk they were accustomed to. He threw on his boots and was soon out the door. Tracking her was easy enough, but then suddenly her tracks ended and in their place were horse’s hoof prints. Who the hell would take her? Though an idea or two had already entered his mind. If it was Cedric he was wise in taking Constance, and Reis knew this. He would bargain for Constance, something as much as he loved his children he didn’t know if he would go to great lengths to do. He could make other children, but there was only one Constance. He went to the inn and quickly assembled Thomas, Jared and a few of his other men and after humbly asking Sarah if she would stay at his house and look after the twins they left in a matter of minutes. The tracks led them out of town, and judging by the freshness of them he hadn’t too good a head start on them, a few hours at the most. Thank God she didn’t go for a walk too late at night he mused somberly.
He spoke to Thomas when they stopped for a while to water the horses, questioning Constance’s inability to sleep at night. “You mean you haven’t resumed being her husband?” Reis looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “Of course not, Thomas, she just had children.” Thomas snorted, “she’s not dead, Reis. The children are what four months old now and I’m sure the good doctor has given you permission to share her bed again by now unless something went awry during the birthing process.” “No, no. Of course, everything is fine. I just have no idea how to do that, Thomas. She’s not a girl anymore, she’s my wife. The mother of my children, plural, I have two of them.” “She loves you, no?” “She says she does,” Reis looked up at the sky. “And you, Reis? Do you speak of love to her?” “No, never.” He picked up a stick and broke it in between his fingers for lack of anything else to do with his hands. “I never realized until this morning that what I felt for her was love. But thinking she was gone, that I would never see her again. I’d gladly trade places with her and take whatever punishment Cedric can dish out just to know that her smile was out there. That she was out there.” His voice broke to a whisper, “I’d sell my soul if it meant getting her back, Thomas.” “Well, as much as I appreciate your heartfelt confessions, Reis. I think they’re wasted on me. I think there’s a young lady who needs to hear you utter these things, even if you can’t speak of the words love.” Reis stood, his hand on Thomas’ shoulder, “how right you are, friend. Come let’s continue our search.”
Meanwhile Constance wasn't fairing so well. She had angered Cedric trying to escape and now he was abusing her. "Reis will come for me you monster!" she called out hatefully at her captor.
Though his tracking skills were impeccable, Reis knew when he needed to acknowledge someone was better at something than he was and so he let Hugh take over the tracking after they had finished their short respite. Cedric had covered his tracks well, but not well enough because Hugh was able to lead them to what they all recognized to be Cedric’s horse. On foot a short distance later, Reis, Thomas, Jared and Hugh came to a dwelling. After walking around it carefully they determined Cedric was either alone or hadn’t planned on being found as there were no guards posted anywhere. Finding an entrance that wasn’t the main one the four men entered quietly and listened for any sounds. There was a stairway leading down and Reis swallowed hard envisioning Constance being kept in a dungeon somewhere, and somehow knowing if harm had fallen upon her he was to blame. It was Thomas who heard it first, a cry, and they started in that direction. “You fool, Cedric, you dare kidnap the mother of my children. My wife. You must truly have a death wish or you’ve gone completely mad.” “Nay, Reis, she should have been mine. Those should be my children she bore not yours.” Reis tried to see Constance but was unable to, drawing his sword he attacked hoping one of his other men would be able to find her and free her. “They are lovely children, too, Cedric. A boy and a girl to carry on the Krager name.”
Constance was bruised and cut up but she would most definitely live. She was silent so as not to give away Thomas approach as he made for her and she watched in horror as Reis and Cedric fought.
Cedric was the one person of all his men he dreaded doing battle against, he was the one man he knew could defeat him if given the chance. However, Reis was faster than Cedric and much more agile than his body type should have allowed him to be. And while Cedric manage to get a couple of good shots in at Reis, drawing blood in three of them and one causing Reis’ left arm to go numb a very exhausted and worn Reis defeated Cedric. He stood over him as he lay on the ground, the man who was once his friend and saw somewhere in his eyes what he had seen once that made him like him. It was this that stopped him from running Cedric through with his sword, instead he bound and gagged him and had Hugh and Jared look after him while he went to Constance and Thomas. He took her into his arms and wiped her hair from her face. He kissed her deeply, the pain in his left arm momentarily forgotten as he clutched her to him. “Well, I’ll just go help them with Reis,” Thomas said as he walked quietly away from the two of them unsure if either of them cared or even heard him.
"Reis," Constance gasped. "I've missed you so much I was so worried. I tried to fight him but I couldn't. I love you." She finished before she kissed him through bruised lips.
"Reis," Constance gasped. "I've missed you so much I was so worried. I tried to fight him but I couldn't. I love you." She finished before she kissed him through bruised lips.
“I know, my sweet.” He brushed his lips against hers once more lightly more to reassure himself she was really there and all right. “We need to get your wounds tended to. Can you walk? Did he,” he paused. “Did he lay his hands on you?”
"Not other than what you see. He was about to when you found him."
He hugged her to him again. “Let’s get you home, your children need you and there’s much we need to discuss it would appear.” They walked back to where they had found Cedric’s horse and took it for Constance to ride, Cedric riding in the wagon the horse pulled. They returned home well after dark, the stars were out and the sky was clear but Reis failed to notice the beauty of anything until he knew for sure Constance was all right. Hugh stayed to tend the horses, Ian placed Cedric in the stockades and Reis took Constance home after Thomas said he’d send for a healer. They both needed one, though Reis had forgotten about his arm long ago. The adrenaline from finding Constance harmed had overpowered the pain. When they were finally indoors and he knew that Christian and Gwenivere were both well, he made his way up to their room. His eyes grew heavy as he sat on the edge of the bed looking at Constance, she was battered and bruised but seemed fine otherwise. He pushed back her hair, “tomorrow we will talk, sweetheart.”
"Yes tomorrow," Constance smiled brushing his cheek. "Oh Reis I love you so much!"
He kissed her lightly and when the doctor had come he had him check over Constance before tending to himself. The doctor tried to argue with him, but Reis even in his weakened state wasn’t going to give in. Finally assuring Reis Constance was fine other than plenty of cuts and bruises, the doctor tended to Reis’ wounds. The sutures in place, the doctor left and Reis for the first time since their children were born slept with Constance in their bed.
Constance snuggled against him and finally slept peacefully.
Reis woke in the morning wishing he hadn’t. Sarah kindly agreed to stay another day to tend to the twins while Constance recuperated, and when Camille brought Reis breakfast in bed he knew that he had chosen the right person for the job. Once they had eaten and the children were settled, Reis took Constance outside. He held her hand, keeping her close as they walked. “I don’t know what I’d have done had I not been able to find you, or if God forbid you had been dead. Though Cedric would have been better off killing you than raping you, the pictures I saw in my mind drove me mad. Never have I been so angry in all my life as I was thinking of another man touching you the way I touch you.”
"He'd have been better off killing me?" Constance gasped. "Am I only important to you for sex?! Am I still a slave to you? Is being your wife only a cover for everyone else?!"
He stared at her incredulously. “Dear Lord, what are you going on about, woman? Do I treat you as if you’re only important for sex?” He stopped walking and turned towards her. “What I was implying, my wife, is that had he killed you I would have returned the favor but it would have been quick and painless as I could have done yesterday. On the other hand had he laid his hands on you, I would have made him suffer immensely before eventually putting him out of his misery.”
"Well he was coming close but you reached me just in time," Constance replied thankfully.
“Is that what you think, Constance? That I married you to give our child, children, a name? And I certainly don’t know how you would get the impression you’re only important to me for relations, I don’t think I’ve done anything of late to make you think that.”
"True, lately you've been avoiding me like I'm nothing!" Constance fell into wails.
“I have not. When have I avoided you? Other than today I’ve rarely been out of your sight or away from you without your having knowledge of where I am. How in God’s name is that avoiding you?”
"By not sleeping in the same bed as me? By not touching me romantically, by treating me like your daughter and not your wife! Actually I believe you touch our daughter more!"
He was stunned, and he actually had to think of a response. “I didn’t want to hurt you, nor did I want you to worry about waking me in the night should either of the twins wake up. As far as touching you, I had no idea. I mean, I just assumed.” He stammered slightly, “I was trying to treat you with respect, as my wife and the mother of my children and not to treat you as a mistress. If I have made you think for some reason that I do not desire you, you’re seriously mistaken. I just didn’t think you’d want me to. I don’t know that I’d want me to if the situation were reversed.”
"I'm ready for you to desire me now," Constance replied her blues eyes looking at him softly.
“Now?” He asked somewhat shocked, “I mean, I don’t know that I’ve ever had a woman tell me that before. Certainly not you, I assumed you didn’t care for it. I don’t know that I want any more children right away, Constance. I think two is more than enough for right now.”
Constance sighed, "Fine then....you can at least touch me, treat me like your wife and not a stranger. Perhaps even sleep in the same bed as me."
He sighed slightly and placed his right arm around her waist, bringing her towards him his left arm resting lightly at her waist above her hip. He brought his lips to hers, kissing her possessively a low groan emitting from his mouth at the contact causing him to deepen his kiss. He lowered his lips to her neck, nibbling lightly then returning to her lips nibbling again. “I’ve been afraid to sleep in the same bed, Constance. Afraid I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.”
"I don't mind Reis. It's lonely without you," Constance replied.
“Well, I’ve never been in this situation before, Constance. I am trying to treat you as a wife, a mother should be treated - I don’t know. I have a poor example to form opinions from, so I have no idea.” He sighed softly kissing her again, “I don’t want to go back to the house, I want to stay here where we can be alone. No children, no Sarah, no Camille.” He started working the fastenings on her gown slowly, painfully as he moved his left arm he cringed slightly.
Constance moved from him, "Shh....Reis you're hurt. Don't, I understand love." She leaned in and kissed him and carefully led him onto the ground and then she cuddled with him.
He caressed her lightly, pulling her on top of him so he could do so using his good arm. His hand at the back of her head, he pulled her down to meet him for a kiss. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Constance. I was so frightened when you didn’t come back. I pictured all sorts of things, and all I knew is my life would never be the same without you in it.”
Constance leaned down and kissed him lovingly, "Oh my darling. You've no idea how much I wish I hadn't run off. I never intended to worry you. I was so upset I just had to be away. Then as I was coming back I saw a rider and I thought it was you. I was sadly mistaken."
“I’m sorry, my sweet. I should have come after you, had I known of course I would have.” He sighed slightly, taking in the scent of her hair his hand gently caressing her back. “You don’t resent me? I mean for having children. That’s one of the reasons I stayed away from you, I know you say you love me but a part of me didn’t want to believe someone like you could truly love someone like me. As you say, I hurt you.”
"I do love you," Constance replied softly, "I know you hurt me and at first I did resent you for giving me our children to carry but that's only because I was frightened. But you stopped hurting me. You didn't keep hurting me and you began to be kind to me so long as I did my part and I gradually learned to see things differently."
He took hold of a few strands of her hair with his right hand, letting it run through his fingers. He glanced up at her casually as he shifted himself underneath her, “I love you, Constance. I’ve never said that to anyone before, nor did I ever think I would. I built a fortress around my heart that I didn’t want anyone to penetrate, but for some reason you have. I want to give you everything my father couldn’t give my mother.”
"Is that why you wouldn't love me? Why you tried to make me hate you?" Constance kissed him, "Oh Reis you have given me a lot. You've made me happier than I ever thought I'd be."
“I’m glad to know that, and yes that’s why I tried to keep myself from loving you. But I failed it seems, because I find myself loving you deeply. Can you forgive me? I want to give our children a marriage to look up to, for them to be proud of who their parents are.”
Constance kissed him lovingly in response. "I want that too Reis. I want that too." She kissed him and then she began to shiver. "It's a little chilly here."
He smiled slightly, “I’m sorry, love. Let’s get you inside, and I can work on showing you that I do not think you’re my daughter.” He stood slowly and helped her up. “Unless you have any objections,” he kissed her lightly. “I’ve missed you.”
"I've missed you my savior," She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. "Love me Reis."
“Gladly.” He led her back to the house grateful both children were sleeping. Leading her up to their room, he eased her gown off after he unlaced it. He sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots and trousers. “I’m going to need help with the shirt, love.”
Ever-so-gently Constance helped him off with his shirt. "How long is it going to take to heal?" she asked concerned. Meanwhile she began a trail of kisses down his neck and onto his chest.
He shrugged, “it depends on how much I use it.” He reached down with one hand to push back her hair so he could watch as she kissed his chest, “there are some things that I think will be worth its use though. Making love with my wife would be the first thing to come to mind.” He groaned lightly in response to her kisses, “it’s been far too long, my sweet.”
"Oh Reis...I love you," Constance wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Their twins squirmed in their sleep in their bassinets nearby.
THE END
Story ©Susan Matthews/APCKRFAN/PhantomRoses.com & Lisa Bland.