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 c