by MJ Haag
“Please stop,” I whispered. “I would like one of your shirts.”
His hungry expression softened.
“I did not mean to take,” he said gently, his hand moving to my face. “You are so beautiful, not just here...” His finger brushed along my jaw, then he leaned in to kiss my forehead. “But here as well.”
His lips were thin and hard because of the teeth immediately behind them. Yet, I’d never felt anything more comforting. In that moment, I knew I was losing myself to the beast just as Bryn had lost herself to Tennen. Would I end up rejected, just as she had?
“When you’re free,” I said quickly, “you will forget me. You can’t take everything I am because I need to be me when you’re gone.”
He pulled back and looked into my eyes, his expression closed off. I waited, bearing his scrutiny, hoping he would understand.
“Thank you for the food, Benella.”
I nodded and walked away, feeling his eyes on my backside.
Hopeful, I went to my room, but I still didn’t find a shred of clothing. Stubborn man. My stomach rumbled. And he had my food.
Chapter 9
Three days later, I still had no clothes; and the beast continued to avoid me. Instead, he chose to close himself in the study.
Impatient with the stalemate and beyond bored, I sought him out.
“I would like clothes to visit my father.”
“Would you mind delaying your visit for a few days, dearest?” he said. “I need to write a few letters and would like you to deliver them for me.”
I blinked at him as my heart gave an odd flip. I had expected his refusal but not his explanation or the endearment. His request sounded reasonable, and he’d asked so nicely. With a small sigh, I nodded.
“Could I still have some clothes?”
“When it is time to leave, most certainly,” he said distractedly, his eyes devouring the words on the paper.
I struggled for patience.
“The boredom is making me irritable. I would like to walk outside.”
“I hardly think walking outdoors naked with all of the servants about is a good idea.”
“That’s exactly why I need clothes.”
“Dearest, I will never get those letters written if you keep distracting me with conversation,” he said.
Instead of leaving, I flopped in the chair opposite his desk, sitting sideways with my knees hooked over one arm while leaning back against the other. Although remaining would slow his work and prevent my visit, I couldn’t stand the boredom any longer.
“What are the letters about?”
“Estate business.” His eyes flicked to me and quickly returned to the papers.
“The estate has business?” I asked with humor.
“It might. If I can finish these letters.”
I tipped my head back over the arm of the chair and observed the room upside down.
“If I can’t have clothes and occupy myself outside, what else am I to do, but bother you?”
A sudden heat wrapped around my right breast, igniting an increasingly familiar flame in my middle. The suction tugged at an invisible string that led directly between my legs.
Jerking my head up, I saw the beast. He released my nipple with a wet sound and a lick before lifting his head and meeting my wide gaze.
He didn’t speak, and I couldn’t. We stared at each other in silence for several minutes. Then, he did something completely unexpected.
He closed the distance between us, and pressed his warm lips firmly against mine. But for only a moment. It wasn’t a kiss, as in a warm press of soft lips, but a press of skin and teeth. Still, the gesture pierced something inside me. My chest ached with the sweetness of it and the uncertainty in his eyes when he pulled away.
“I’m trying,” he said, straightening from me. “But what you did proved too tempting to ignore.” He walked back to the desk. “Please find something to do elsewhere.”
I sat up as he sat down.
He gave a pained groan.
“Do that again,” he begged.
Frowning in confusion, I started to move back into the same position before I realized what I’d done. I’d removed my legs from the arm separately, giving a brief glimpse of the last part of me he had yet to see.
Blood rushed to my face, and I stood stiffly.
“I think I’ll go take a bath,” I murmured, trying to leave the room with dignity.
“That is not helpful,” he said.
My thundering heart didn’t return to normal until I stood in the laundry. I started a fire, filled the large kettle, and waited. The door to the outer court called to me, but I had no desire to frolic naked with the nymphs. Then, inspiration struck. He had removed anything I could use as a cover from his room and my own. Even the curtains tended to disappear if I looked at them too long. But what about the linen closet?
Excited, I ran to the small room and grabbed a clean white sheet from the shelves. Quickly wrapping it around myself, I ran back into the laundry, hoping he wouldn’t know until too late. I checked through the window for any enchanted creatures then eased the door open.
Sunlight rained down on me as soon as I stepped outside the manor. I breathed in the air, tasting the freshness of it. With a smile, I ran away from the house.
I had almost made it to the trees when the female nymph came running toward me. She shook her head and pointed back to the manor.
“Not you, too,” I said, slowing down.
She looked at me sadly with her wooden eyes.
“I wanted to check on you long ago, but he doesn’t often let me out of his sight. Are you feeling better? I’m sorry for what happened.”
She shrugged her shoulder and looked back into the trees. Her male counterpart waited there.
“Are you two together again?” I wasn’t sure how else to word it.
She grinned widely, understanding, and nodded vigorously.
“I’m happy for that.”
“Benella!” The vibrations of the beast’s roar rumbled the ground, tickling the bottoms of my feet.
The nymphs shooed me toward the manor again.
With a sigh, I slowly turned around and walked back. He had sounded angry, but his mood didn’t worry me. My slow pace was so I might enjoy more time outside.
He waited in the laundry room doorway. I clutched the sheet to me and stopped several paces away.
“What were you thinking, going outdoors without clothes?” he asked in a calm tone, but I could hear the frustration and anger underneath.
“I had the sheet.”
He crooked a finger at me. I wrinkled my nose and didn’t budge.
“I’m tired of being inside. I only wanted to walk around a bit. I was covered.” I swept my hand down to indicate the sheet draped around me. “At least the important bits were covered.”
He left the shelter of the doorway to stalk close to me. He circled me, inspecting the wrapping then stopped directly behind me. His breath tickled my hair a moment before his lips skimmed the exposed skin of my shoulder.
“All of your bits are important,” he said, moving aside my hair to kiss the back of my neck before continuing on to the opposite shoulder. “I would like them all covered when you go out.”
When he finished with the shoulder, he moved to the side of my neck. With guilty pleasure, I tipped my head to the side to give him better access.
He growled and pulled me against his chest. His erection pressed against me.
“If you can stay inside and out of the study unless absolutely necessary, I will have the letters ready by morning,” he said, planting a kiss along my jaw.
His fingers closed around my hand, and he led me back inside where steaming water filled the largest washtub.
“Please wait until I leave before getting into the water.”
He pressed his lips to my shoulder once more then quickly left.
I tingled all over. Pent energies, indeed.
* * * *
; Though I’d hoped to go directly to the Water, the beast insisted I ride to Konrall first. I had two letters to deliver there. I couldn’t find it in myself to be too upset by the stop, however. I wore clothes; a plain dress to look respectable and underthings. I grinned to myself.
Swiftly brought me to Konrall in record time and halted before the candle maker’s door. He knelt so I could dismount with grace and watched as I knocked.
It took a moment, but eventually the door opened and a familiar smile greeted me.
“Good day, Benella. Regretfully, the merchant isn’t due for a few more days.”
I realized he thought I’d arrived looking for payment from the last flower delivery.
“I’m actually here to bring you a letter,” I said, pulling out the beast’s note. It had the candle maker’s name on it and a wax seal. Nothing else.
“Oh, from your father?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know. I’m sure reading it will enlighten you. I have another to deliver to the butcher for the Kinlyn family, so I’d best be on my way.”
The candle maker nodded absently as he stared at the seal.
The butcher was just as curious about the letter for the Kinlyn’s that I left in his care, but I didn’t say anything more to him than I had to the candle maker.
When I exited the shop, Swiftly was not where I’d left him. Tennen had his mane and was watering him at the smithy. The baker stood beside Tennen.
“Convenient for a quiet conversation with you,” the butcher said from just behind me.
I nodded and looked back at him with a smile.
“Yes, if I were dull enough to march over there to claim my horse.”
“Do you want me to fetch him for you?” he asked.
“No need.”
I called for Swiftly, keeping my voice calm and pleasant so as not to upset the creature. However, it didn’t seem to matter.
Swiftly pulled his head out of the water so abruptly that he yanked his mane out of Tennen’s grasp. The horse then pivoted on his back legs and thundered toward me. In an instant, he stopped and dropped to his knees. The practicality of not using reins became very evident.
The butcher chuckled behind me.
“A well trained mount.”
Already on Swiftly’s back, I agreed.
“Keeps me out of trouble.”
Swiftly stood as the baker called my name. I smiled my farewell to the butcher then leaned over Swiftly.
“I don’t trust the pair of them. Best not to let them too close.”
Swiftly bobbed his head and snorted in a very horse-like fashion. He closed the distance between the baker and me at a trot then came to a quivering stop, his ears laid back as he listened.
“Good day, Mr. Medunge,” I said politely before glancing at Tennen, who still stood in the shadows of the smithy.
“Thank you for watering my horse,” I called to him with a sweet smile. Tennen glared at me.
The baker took a step toward Swiftly, reclaiming my attention as the horse sidestepped.
“Has your father mentioned my visit?” the baker asked.
“I’ve been away and am just now going to see my father,” I said.
“Away. Yes, your father mentioned you are an employed woman now. Such a shame for someone of your beauty to have to work so hard.” He clucked his tongue. “I spoke to your father of several other options should you want a better life than a maid, but I’ll let him discuss them with you.”
I nodded farewell and tapped my heel to Swiftly. We quickly left Konrall.
The first letter I delivered in the Water was to the Head. Again, the man didn’t receive me, but his assistant took the letter and assured me it would find its way into the Head’s hands later in the day.
The last two letters I delivered in one stop. One was simply addressed to the Whispering Sisters and the other to my father. Ila greeted me as usual with tea at the door, but her smile was hesitant.
“You’ve been gone so long I thought perhaps Aryana truly upset you.”
I hugged Ila close because I was so happy to see a friend.
“Not at all. Well, maybe at first, but my master’s demand on my time is what kept me away so long.”
“Everything is well, then?” she asked.
“Yes. I have a letter for you from my master and one for my father.”
“I will take you to your father first.”
We walked a familiar hall, and she stopped before his door. When she opened it, Father looked surprised, but happy, to see me there.
“Excuse me, please,” he said, speaking comfortably now to the sisters he taught. He came to me and hugged me tightly.
“Had you not visited today,” he said, pulling back, “I would have walked to you.”
“I apologize for the delay.” I reached into my bag and handed Father the letter the beast had penned. “He asked me to wait an extra day so he could send a letter with me.”
Father glanced at the seal then tucked the letter in his jacket.
“I shall save this for later,” he said, patting the pocket that hid it. “Have you spoken to Bryn?”
“I came straight here. I will visit with her before I go.”
He nodded and promised to meet me at the house for the midday meal.
Ila led me to the bathing rooms where Aryana waited. Since I would join Father soon, I declined a bath and sat on the cushion beside her tub.
“What brings you today?” Aryana asked.
“I have a letter addressed to the Whispering Sisters.”
I took the letter from my bag and held it out for either of them to take. Ila made no move toward it, and Aryana smiled at her before holding out her hand.
Unlike the rest, she barely glanced at the seal before breaking it and reading the contents. A moment later she laughed, low, rough, and amused. She handed the note to me, surprising me.
Stop educating her. She is a smart, clever woman and should be left to discover the world and its pleasures first hand.
I frowned at the letter, then looked up to meet Ila’s amused gaze as she too read the words.
“So you’ve spoken to your master about what you’ve learned here?” Aryana questioned lightly.
“I’ve kept my word,” I said. “I’ve only mentioned that I visit my friends here. What I’ve learned has stayed with me.”
She grinned.
“I think that’s his issue. Has he tried to seduce you?”
I blushed.
“And thanks to our education, it didn’t work?”
I shook my head because it hadn’t been what the sisters had taught me that had kept me the most safe. I felt a slight sadness again for Bryn and Sara.
“It wasn’t what I learned here as much what I’ve learned out there.” They both made small noises of understanding. “I should go speak with Bryn,” I said with a sigh and stood.
“No questions for us today?” Aryana asked.
“It might be better if I didn’t. I wouldn’t want to cause you trouble.”
Aryana snorted.
“He doesn’t worry me. I worry more about you under his roof. Take care. We are here if you need us.”
I nodded and left.
Swiftly followed me to my old home and waited outside while I went in. Bryn sat at the table, speaking excitedly to a woman I didn’t know. When Bryn saw me, some of the light left her eyes. The woman turned to me with an expectant smile.
“Dana,” Bryn said, “this is my other sister, Benella.”
“Another sister?” Dana said. “My, I didn’t know there were so many of you. I don’t think she was in the dinner count. I’d best go and add another place,” she said, standing and leaning over to kiss Bryn’s cheek.
“It’s not necessary,” Bryn said, standing as well. “Benella often doesn’t have time for us.”
Her words, though spoken politely, irritated me. She hadn’t even consulted me to see if I might attend.
“Is this for your wedding dinner?” I asked.<
br />
“Of course,” Dana said with a laugh. “Three nights from now, your sister will be married to my cousin. It will be a feast the Water will not soon forget.”
How could Bryn think I would miss her wedding feast?
“Then I shall be there,” I said, returning Dana’s smile. She seemed truly excited by the dinner and the marriage.
“I’ll leave you to visit,” she said as she moved to the door.
After she left, Bryn turned on me. I didn’t wait for whatever grief she intended to air.
“Are you well? How is the baby?” I asked.
She sighed, her expression between anger and excitement.
“The babe is fine, making my middle thicker. I told Edmund I suspected I might be carrying. He turned a bit green but assured me he is excited by the prospect.” She eyed my dress. “Edmund’s father is well connected with the most successful merchants in the Water. Dana assured me it will be a formal affair. Blye has been working nonstop on our dresses. She won’t have time to make one for you, too. Not this late.”
Was that her only concern? The way I would dress?
“I’m certain I will not embarrass you.”
She looked at my dress in doubt, and I distracted her with another question.
“Were you able to fix Father’s coat?”
Her face flushed, and she glanced down at the table. Guilt painted her face.
“Someone in town saw Father going to the Whispering Sisters and discovered he worked there. Can you believe he would purposely tarnish our reputations like that? We spoke about it, and he agreed it would be best if he did not attend the dinner or my wedding.”
“You suggested he not attend?” I asked in disbelief.
“It would have been awkward. His association with them...” She shook her head.
I couldn’t believe my ears. She didn’t want her own father to attend because he taught whores, giving them an education they could use to change their profession. The only reason Father taught there was to provide for us, for her. And, what about the merchants attending her dinner who visited the Sisters for other reasons? They were still good enough for Bryn.
