Dark Matter: SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE

by Jessica Loft

  “Whatever for?” She asked.

  “For men. Though we can be gentlemen we can also be vicious dogs. It’s sad, but true. I know many a soldiers who have done exactly what your Colonel did, simply because they knew they could claim no responsibility once they leave. It’s not a mark of a man, that’s for sure.” He paused, looking down at her belly. Without the layers of the dress, he could see her little roundness emerging from the white filmy fabric of her nightgown.

  “I take it your Lady does not know?” He asked. Jasmine shook her head, and he promised her immediately that he would keep her secret for her.

  “Your turn,” she said, patting his knee. “What is it that ails you?”

  A look of sadness passed over Robert’s eyes as he took his own deep breath. Jasmine would be the first person he told about Emma. His father didn’t even know. With Jasmine though, he felt as if he could trust her with his secret.

  “A few years ago my younger brother Jared was captured by the Turks. He was not captured while in the army however, but while he was with his young wife and daughter. His wife, Rosalyn, was a gypsy, and very beautiful. They had married and were planning on telling our father once Jared came back from war. While he was gone, Rosalyn and the baby girl Emma, were found travelling, and were captured. They became subjects of ‘scientific’ exploration.

  When my brother found them, Rosalyn was barely alive, and Emma, sweet darling Emma, who was only eight months old at the time, had been labotamized. My brother was able to get them to Shamus, Rosalyn’s older brother, right before he was captured and taken back into the fortress. Rosalyn died from her wounds, and Emma was taken into the care of the gypsy tribe. About a year later, Shamus found me, and explained everything.

  I loved Emma like a daughter as soon as I saw her, but the Gypsy’s refused to give her to me. She’s part of them as she is part of me, and they are very protective of their own. But I want her. After the wedding and such, I want to bring Emma here, to live with me. She’ll always have the mindset of a baby, no matter how old she grows. But I want to care for her. Protect her.”

  Robert’s story surprised and awed Jasmine. She had known that he had a big heart, but could never have guessed that it was as open as he told this story. She knew of lobotomies, a new type of ‘healing’ people would say, to cure insanity. She didn’t believe it, and neither did a lot of the soldiers she had met travelling through the tavern. The thought of having someone do that to a child chilled her to the bone.

  “I’m so sorry Robert,” she whispered, opening her arms to hold him. Together they folded into one another, their bodies fitting like two pieces of a puzzle.

  “Why can’t I be marrying you,” he sighed, holding her close.

  Jasmine felt tears prick at her eyes as she heard the words. She felt the same way. Robert was unlike any man she had ever met, and as long as she worked at the castle, she would always be right there to watch him be married miserably to Lady Astrid.

  “If only it were possible,” she whispered. Together they stayed holding one another for a long time. Neither wanted to let go. They knew that once they did, they would have to walk away and back to the reality.

  “Come,” Robert said finally, slowly pulling away. “The morning is drawing close, and you must try to get some rest. I have no doubt Lady Astrid will unfortunately keep you on your feet nearly all day.”

  CHAPTER 7

  4 Weeks Later

  Tears welled up in Jasmine’s eyes as she tried to pull her dress up over her stomach. She was growing so quickly now that she was into her sixth month. Everything made her cry, she constantly wanted to eat, and she couldn’t for the life of her get her old dress on.

  “It won’t fit,” she cried, dropping the fabric onto the floor. “Oh Laurel, what am I going to do? How am I going to hide her?”

  Laurel came up to Jasmine and wrapped her arms comfortingly around her distraught friend. “There there,” she soothed, rubbing her hand over her back. “It’s going to be all right. I promise. Here. I brought you one of mother’s old dresses. It’s a little worn, but it will cover the swell until we can buy some fabric and make you a new one.”

  Laurel reached into her bag and pulled out the old rough fabric of her mother’s outdated dress. It had long sleeves, a high neck, and was dirt brown. It swallowed Jasmine’s frame, but at least it covered her baby bump. Looking down at herself in the ugly dress, she began to cry again.

  “The Lady will give me no reprieve today,” she cried. “Not in this hideous thing.”

  It was true, and Laurel knew it. Ever since Duke Robert had saved Jasmine that day on the lawn, Lady Astrid had been especially mean to the poor girl. She found constant ways to make fun of and demean Jasmine, and forced her to endure her cruelty silently while her friend, Countess Clara, often joined in on the mockery. Robert, bless his soul intervened whenever he could, but with the wedding drawing so close he was often busy riding back and forth between the estates trying to get everything in order. As usual, Lady Astrid did nothing to help prepare. Her job was to look beautiful, and that was all she did.

  “Come now, dry your eyes,” Laurel instructed, dabbing a kerchief over her friend’s face. “The Lady will be ringing for you at any moment.”

  Jasmine did the best she could to reign in her hormones and listened to her friend. Yes, the dress was frumpy and outdated, and smelled slightly, but it protected her baby, and that was the most important thing. After the dress was all tied up, Jasmine quickly left the servant’s quarters to begin her morning chores.

  She raced up the stone steps as quickly as she could, and all but flung open her mistress’s door, panting. To her utter surprise, she found her Lady and Robert already dressed and in the middle of a heated discussion in the sitting room. “Oh! My Lady, I’m so sorry, I”-

  “What in God’s name is that ghastly thing you’re wearing?” Lady Astrid asked, mortified. “It looks absolutely filthy!”

  “Oh, um”-

  “I won’t have you in my room touching my things with that rag of filth,” Lady Astrid spat, venom in her tongue.

  “Astrid,” Robert growled.

  Her dagger eyes turned from Jasmine to Robert, ready to strike at any moment. “I’ve had enough of you telling me what to do!” She hissed. “This is my home, these are my servants, and I will treat them as I wish! You may be my husband in a day’s time, Robert of Earlsbury, but know that I will always and forever despise being your wife.”

  “Good!” Robert growled, standing up and pushing away from the table. “That makes two of us!” He stormed out of the room, his temper as hot as the hearth flames. Jasmine stood stock still, not sure at all what to do about the situation.

  “What a ghastly man,” Lady Astrid seethed, standing up to pour herself a glass of wine. Lady Clara appeared from around the corner, indicating that she had been eavesdropping the entire time.

  “Not to worry dearest,” she purred, stroking her hand over Lady Astrid’s curls. “All will be well in a few days time.” Her cold eyes held a deadly laugh in them, and Jasmine felt a horrid stirring in her stomach.

  “I believe your Lady demanded that you get that ghastly dress out of her presence,” Lady Clara hissed, her wicked eyes turning to Jasmine. “Go work in the scullery today.”

  “You heard her,” Lady Astrid barked, “leave!”

  Jasmine’s feet moved into action, but she did not run to the kitchen. Instead, she snuck into the adjoined bathing room. There was something not quite right about what Lady Clara had said, and Jasmine wanted to find out more. Quiet as a mouse, she squeezed herself into the small space between the bedroom quarter’s door and the closet hallway that adjoined the bathing room.

  “Are you sure this will kill him?” Lady Astrid asked. “If he survives he’ll no doubt murder me.”

  “I promise you, darling,” Lady Clara soothed. “Simply pour the vial into his ear while he’s sleeping, and he’ll simply never wake up. You’ll be a widow with both a new title
and a new fortune, and you’ll no longer have to take orders from no one.”

  “If that’s true, why haven’t you killed your husband yet?” Lady Astrid asked, her tone accusing.

  “Because I actually don’t mind mine. He’s good in bed, and is always away on hunting trips. Besides, he hires me the most handsome stable boys to play with.”

  Jasmine felt her heart thumping hard and loud in her chest, threatening to give away her hiding spot away. She gathered herself up, and all but ran from the room. She had to warn Robert.

  ~

  Jasmine looked everywhere in the castle, but try as she might, she couldn’t find Robert. She knew that the Lady Astrid was going to wait a few days after the wedding, but she felt as if she needed to tell him as soon as possible. After hours of searching, she was exhausted. Her swollen feet ached, her back was on fire, and the heavy old dress made her hot and uncomfortable. Tiredly, she walked into her bedroom in the belly of the castle, needing a rest.

  “Robert!” She gasped, opening her door to find the man she had just spent hours trying to find. He was standing in the middle of the small room, holding a large box. When she said his name he turned to face her and smiled.

  “There you are,” he greeted. “I was just going to leave this here for you, but then I realized how much I wanted to see your face when you opened it.”

  He walked towards her and with a kiss on her cheek, he handed her the box. “For you my dear.”

  “Robert, thank you, but please we”-

  “We’ll talk later I promise,” Robert assured her. But for now, please just open it.”

  Jasmine’s eyes looked up at him questioningly, but she did as she was told. Sitting the box on the floor, she unlatched it and pulled back the lid. She gasped when she saw the lilac and white lace dress sitting there, wrapped up in a white satin bow.

  “Robert,” she breathed, her hands moving to gently lift the gown out of the box. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It was my mother’s,” he informed her. “From when she was pregnant with my little brother. It’s a little outdated fashion wise, I know, but it’s a lot better than that rag, and cleaner too. It would honor me if you wore it.”

  “The Lady would kill me,” Jasmine murmured.

  “She’ll do no such thing,” Robert replied aggressively.

  Jasmine lifted her eyes up to Robert’s, shaking her head. “No Robert, you don’t understand. She will, just like she plans to kill you.”

  Robert’s body went still, and she knew that he was finally listening.

  “What did you just say?”

  “It’s true. That’s why I was looking for you,” Jasmine explained, both of them forgetting the dress. “I overheard her and Lady Clara talking about it. She plans to murder you after the wedding.”

  “That blasphemed whore!” Robert roared, storming out of the room.

  Jasmine tried to keep up with Robert’s footsteps as he all but ran up to Lady Astrid’s room, but she lagged behind. Robert not at all aware that she was following him, kicked open the door to the Lady’s room, his body filled with white hot rage.

  “You plan to murder me do you?” He growled, lifting Lady Astrid out of her chair by her arms.

  “Unhand me!” She screamed, beating at his chest.

  “Admit it, you lecherous snake!” Robert hissed as he shook her.

  Lady Astrid twisted and bit his hand, making him yelp as he let her go. “Who told you- ohh, you sneaky little git,” she snarled, her eyes turning to Jasmine as she made it into the room.

  She stormed over to the frightened Jasmine and struck her as hard as she could across her face, sending her to the ground. “You’ve been nothing but trouble since you’ve gotten here!” Infuriated, Lady Astrid reared back her foot, intent on kicking Jasmine while she was down.

  “No!” Robert yelled, lifting Lady Astrid up and hauling her away.

  “Why not?” She snarled, kicking with all her might to get out of his grasp. “why are you protecting her?”

  “Because she’s pregnant, you evil witch!” He barked back, using just enough force to send her flying backwards so that he could step in between them.

  Lady Astrid stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock. “Is that why you despise me so? Because you fathered a bastard with this servant?”

  Robert shook his head, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

  “No. But I will take on the responsibility if she allows me.”

  Everyone in the room froze at the sudden statement.

  “What?” Jasmine whispered, getting up from the floor.

  Robert looked back and forth between the two women, wanting nothing more than to put a stop to the madness.

  “You don’t want to marry me, my Lady. And I don’t want to marry you. Here is what I propose. You and I come together in a contract, and I offer you a marriage to my consort, Duke of Havishire. His wife is about to pass from sickness. He’ll be widowed in a year and free to marry you. Maybe ”

  Lady Astrid took a deep breath, and glared over at Robert. “I don’t want your friends or your pity. But you’re right. This marriage will not work for either of us. I’ll talk to my father. I want out of this, and obviously you do too. Now, I suggest you take your little trollop over there, and leave at once.”

  Robert grabbed Jasmine’s hand and pulled her into the hallway, not wanting to give Lady Astrid the chance to change her mind. “Were you serious?” Jasmine asked, as soon as they were alone.

  Robert looked down into Jasmine’s eyes and gently pulled her close. She went willingly, and nestled into his chest. “I was. If you’ll have me. Emma and your baby will be ours. I love you, Jasmine.”

  Jasmine’s heart swelled with adoration as she leaned in to kiss him. “I love you.”

  Now Enjoy The Next Story Below Or Choose One From The Table of Contents

  Protecting Her Body

  Elizabeth Connor’s was no rags to riches story. She had grown up fairly affluent; in her comfortable upper, middle-class home. Her family was nurtured and loved her; she had access to a good education and opportunities. But many people in America grow up in a similar situation and do not get to be where Elizabeth Connor made herself. She took what she was given in life and ran with it, she ran far and hard, and now she ran a billion dollar company. Elizabeth was a savvy businesswoman; she was disciplined and driven. She knew what she wanted and she knew how to get it.

  As the sun rose over the city, Elizabeth Connor sat in the back of a Tesla model S, her driver navigated through traffic as she went through her schedule for the day. She was going over the details with Tom Meadows, her personal assistant. Tom was a wiry, well-groomed man; his blonde hair was always trimmed and styled; his black wayfarer glasses complemented his fair complexion. He had the look of the grown up version of the boy next door. He was organized and efficient, with a passion for business and he was truly Elizabeth’s right hand. He even rivaled her in terms of work ethic, for many, a seventy-hour week would be a veritable nightmare.

  Elizabeth and Tom, however, had her schedule down to a science. Tom understood Elizabeth’s drive more than anyone, he understood that she had made certain sacrifices to become the powerful woman she was and she wasn’t about to let anything get in her way.

  Not even Elizabeth’s own family and friends could understand her devotion to her business. Tom was the closest anyone had gotten. In order to maintain her lucrative and powerful position as CEO of Connors Innovations, they worked insane hours, and Tom was always by her side. She rewarded him appropriately with a 6-digit salary, perks, and bonuses. Sometimes though she had the impression that he would do it for free.

  “Tom, you sent me the files for the merger?” she turned to him and as she sipped her skinny latte.

  “Yeah, of course. I sent them yesterday at 5:30pm. Maybe check your emails from last night,” he looked back to his papers as she checked her inbox once again.

  “Ah, yes. Here it is. Thanks, Tom. Okay, that�
��s everything. Everything is looking good to start the day,” Elizabeth replied.

  She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a small silver compact. Opening it up she examined her face in the mirror and then carefully reapplied her lipstick. In business, Elizabeth understood, it is important to look the part; when you are the boss you have to radiate authority and power. Elizabeth was a petite woman; she was naturally pretty with delicate features and soft brown eyes. In order to sharpen her appearance from its natural softness she kept herself in top physical shape and dressed immaculately. Her trademark look was a dark power suit with a pencil skirt tailored to perfection and accompanied by a pair of Louboutins. Her shiny chestnut hair was kept at a shoulder-length, blunt bob that was razor precise. Her posture was perfect and she could walk for miles in sky-high heels.

  Connor Towers was her castle, her office was her throne, and the city was her kingdom. Every morning, before the rest of the city had even started to get out of bed, she and Tom would already be going over their schedule in the car and riding up to the executive penthouse to rule the day together.

  Elizabeth prided herself in the fact that Connor Innovations had a hand in most of the business industries in the city. Elizabeth was known to all the most powerful business people and politicians. If she wanted something done, it was done. She invested a lot into her city and she saw the returns.

  The car pulled up in front of a Connor Towers, they were like a synchronized dance routine. Tom hurried around to open the door for her, he took her latte and gave her briefcase to her. She stepped out of the car gracefully and made her way across the sidewalk towards the entrance in her usual confident stride.