The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 116
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
Laurel sat up and looked at him with unabashed love in her eyes, a smile on her tearstained face. She laughed softly as she spoke.
“I do not know what I find to anticipate more. Our wedding or all the surprises you have planned for me,” she said giggling.
“After you have experienced both then you can tell me which you preferred,” Caleb replied, moving his thumb across her cheek gently to wipe away a stray tear.
“My mother always loved you. She would have been happy that we are to be wed,” Laurel said in a shaking whisper, putting her arms around his neck again.
“I am very happy to hear that,” Caleb whispered back to her, as he stood up holding her in his arms and carrying back into the Lodge.
When they reached the inside of the Lodge, Laurel asked to be put down. She was feeling vulnerable and self-conscious and did not want anyone to make a fuss of her. Caleb complied with her wishes, as he did not want to upset her. They walked hand in hand back to the private rooms.
“Go and get your things mo stor, and then come to my room. I will be helping to arrange the bath. Just come in and relax, I still have our book from the Library, and I will read to you later,” Caleb said, as he gently kissed her forehead.
Laurel just smiled passively and walked to her room. The moons were so bright she did not need any other light to see by, as she opened her wardrobe to retrieve her clothes for the night. She walked back out into the corridor and noticed that Caleb had left his door open for her. She entered his room quietly and saw that he had lit a fire, as well as the candelabra on the table.
He had the door into the bath opened, and she could hear Caleb talking to Lucas, the older man had served the royal family almost his entire life. She smiled when she heard Caleb laugh at something Lucas had said to him. She found it endearing that Caleb had such an easy manner with most of the staff. The only one he seemed to scold from time to time was Imagin, who was not really considered a servant, as she was actually a family member. She sat down in the large deep leather chair at the foot of Caleb’s enormous bed. When she had slept in Caleb’s bed before, Laurel felt lost in its enormity, when she was laying in it by herself. She heard Caleb softly walk into the room. He walked over to her and crouched down to be at face level with her, reaching over and stroking her hair.
“Your bath will be ready in a few moments my love. I am glad that I found you waiting. I was ready to go and bring your little argumentative self in here,” Caleb said, smiling at her adoringly.
“I am not argumentative,” Laurel said laughing.
Caleb raised his eyebrows and gave her a doubtful grin.
“Well I am not tonight, that is why I am in here now,” she replied, still laughing at his expression.
He was happy to see her mood had improved and she was no longer looking sad and heartbroken, only tired and a bit drawn. He reached over and kissed her tenderly on her lips, very gently, as he had no intentions of overwhelming her again.
“When you are finished, come back in here and lie down. If I am not in the room, I will not be gone long. Then I will read to you, and we will have a pleasant quiet night together. No one will come looking for you, or disturb us, I will make sure of this,” Caleb spoke in a deep and soothing voice, as he gently traced the contours of her face with his finger.
He looked towards the bath as he heard Lucas leave the room through the main door out into the corridor. He stood up smiling at Laurel and walked into the bath to check on what needed to be done. Lucas had kindly finished filling the copper tub with warm water. Caleb added Laurel’s favourite bath salts. He then put the warmed bath linens on the small stool next to the tub. After adding more wood to the hearth, he lit several candles and went to tell Laurel her bath was ready for her.
“Your bath is all prepared dearest,” Caleb said to her, helping her to her feet. “Enjoy it and relax for a bit. I will try to be back before you are finished,” he said in a soft deep voice, kissing her forehead again.
Laurel did not speak, she simply smiled sweetly at him and walked quietly into the bath, closing the door softly behind her. Laurel looked about the room and found that Caleb had arranged everything perfectly. All her personal toiletries had been placed on the stone mantel, the bath linens had been warmed, and the fire in the hearth was still burning brightly, which caused the room to be very warm and a bit steamy. She found it amusing how sometimes he could be quite intense and rough, when he teased and played with her, but then be very sweet and tender when he wanted to tend to her needs. She undressed quickly and took off her matrimony necklace and carefully placed it on the stone mantle. She sank into the intoxicating warmth and aroma of the bath. She felt her tension and sorrow drift away with the fragrant steam of the water. It was tempting to stay for some time in the bath, but she did not want to have Caleb wait too long for her to return to the room. She listened carefully to hear any sounds he had come back. After a few minutes had passed she heard his door shut, and could hear him walking about. She smiled and stood up as she stepped carefully out of the tub and wrapped herself in the warm bath sheet. She dried quickly and applied a rich lavender scented lotion to her skin, and then donned her pale rose colored night gown. She unpinned her hair and brushed it out to smooth the tangled waves, then placed her necklace back on. Tonight she decided to not wear her robe to bed, they would be wed in less than a week, and Caleb had more than proven himself to her. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and walked into his room and found him tending to the fire, kneeling down, his back to her. He had changed to more comfortable attire, so as to be able to lie down with her. She approached him slowly, her hand trembling slightly as she touched his hair and softly moved her fingers down his neck and shoulders. He smiled at her shy gesture, but continued to stare ahead at the fire, not wanting to interrupt her demonstration of affection. She moved her hand back up to his hair, and gently caressed the back of his head. She stepped forward slowly, and bent down and gently kissed the back of his neck, then returned to lightly stroking his hair once again. Caleb breathed in deeply, his heart pounding in his chest. How he wanted to take her in his arms, and bring her back to his bed, and show her how much his heart and body ached for her. Letting out another breath, he stood up slowly and turned to look at her. Laurel’s eyes were soft and glowing, and full of love and trust.
No, he thought, he would not betray that trust he saw in her eyes.
Her actions were pure and innocent, she was not being provocative in anyway. It was simply her way of demonstrating her affection and love for him. Her inexperience did not allow her to see the effect her sweet gesture had on him. He smiled at her warmly and lightly kissed her lips. Caleb took her gently in his arms nuzzling his face into her hair, as he felt her wrap her arms around his waist. He breathed in her scent, feeling her body tremble against him through her nightgown. He pulled away slightly to look into her face, gently brushing her hair back.
“How are you feeling now mo ghra? You look more relaxed,” he asked her, in his deep rich voice.
“I am. Thank you for all the lovely things you did to make my bath so comfortable. Now I am ready to just lie down and hear your beautiful voice read to me,” Laurel said, in undisguised affection.
Caleb laughed at her lightly. “Well, let us waste no more time then,” he said, completely enchanted by her.
Taking her hand he walked over to the bed and pulled down the blankets, allowing her to get into the bed first. She settled in and turning on her side she waited for Caleb to get in the bed with her. He settled in and covered them both. Laurel snuggled into his side, her arm across his waist, laying her head in the crook of his arm. Caleb reached over to the side table and taking the book opened it to read, Laurel reached over and held it open for him.
He began to read very softly, as this particular poem was light and happy in mood, speaking of the joy and pleasure found in the arms of someone loved and cherished. It was one of their favourites, and always left them smiling at each other when he was through reading it. Tonight was no exception. When Caleb looked over the book to read her another poem, suddenly she gently closed the book, which caused him to look over at her curiously.
“Perhaps we could just talk now,” Laurel said, in response to his expression.
Caleb smiled at her in amusement, placing the book back on the side table. He then turned over on his side to face her, pulling her closer to him.
“And what would you like to talk about, dearest?” he asked, in an ardent voice.
“Yesterday when Phineas and I went for a walk, I suggested that we go to the back garden and he told me that we could not, because you told him I was not to go there until after the wedding. When I asked him why, he would not tell me,” Laurel replied, with a coy smile.
“And you want me to tell you?” Caleb asked, in a deep seductive voice, smiling at her enticingly.
“Yes. I do,” Laurel said, as she laughed at him.
“Well, I am afraid I will have to disappoint you mo ghra,” Caleb said in the same tone, caressing her face. “I have something very special planned for us and you will just have to wait to see what it is. So I will insist you not try and find out on your own. I would be very disappointed if I could not keep this a surprise,” Caleb continued to speak in the same beguiling tone as before, to express to her how important it was to him, without challenging her.
Laurel was moved by his demeanor, as she found him impossible to resist when he spoke to her this way. His presence was intense but completely seductive, and she was unable to give him an impudent remark. Laurel found herself captured by the soft intenseness of his vivid blue eyes. She swallowed hard as he smiled at her and continued to caress her face and gently kiss her forehead.
“Alright Caleb I will not go there. If it is that important to you,” Laurel said in a soft voice, smiling demurely at him.
“Thank you my love. You will not be disappointed that you had to wait a bit,” Caleb said to her ardently. “Is there anything else you would like to discuss tonight?” he asked, smiling lovingly.
She looked away for a moment, smiling shyly.
“I wished to discuss ...,” she trailed off, biting her bottom lip.
“What is it dearest? You may ask me anything you wish. We can talk about whatever is on your mind,” Caleb said to her in a soft reassuring voice, as he gently touched her face.
“As you know, I truly am unaware of what to expect on our wedding night.
I never had the opportunity to discuss anything of this nature with my mother, or with anyone. I do not wish to... to appear awkward to you,” she spoke in a shaking shy voice, keeping her eyes averted.
Caleb smiled at her adoringly, reaching over to kiss her softly on her lips.
“Awkward is never a word I could think of to describe you. I could certainly never look at you in that way, on what will be the most wonderful night of our new life together. I promise, I will be very gentle and very patient with you. You will have nothing to be afraid of, or to worry yourself about. All that I will be concerned with is showing you how much I love you, that is all that will matter,” Caleb said to her, in a soft loving voice.
Laurel looked at him with soft trusting eyes, a small smile on her lips.
“I cannot help but think, that perhaps it will almost be like the dance at the Festival. I felt....I felt things I have never felt before. That must sound silly to you,” Laurel said, laughing nervously.
“No, not at all. The nature of that dance was very sensual, and very seductive. Which is why I asked you in the first place,” Caleb said to her, with a charming smile.
Laurel laughed shyly at his comment. She reached over and slowly pushed his hair back and lightly caressed his face, as he continued to smile at her lovingly.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask me mo ghra?” he asked her gently.
Laurel paused for a moment, her eyes becoming stormy with emotion.
“Will you kiss me again, the way you did the first time in the Library? I wish to feel that way again, after all the sadness we shared tonight. I wish to feel that way before I fall asleep,” Laurel said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Caleb did not speak, his eyes conveyed all that he wanted to say to her.
He gently reached over and took her face in his hands and slowly began to kiss her. Being careful to treat her as if this was the first time he had kissed her passionately. He turned over, placing Laurel to lie beneath him, as he softly caressed her hair, his other arm supporting his weight above her. Caleb gently lowered himself slowly to her.
“Do you feel how are bodies meld together this way?” Caleb asked her, in a soft whisper.
“Yes. Yes I do,” Laurel whispered back.
“This is how it will be when we join with each other. We will then move together, just as you said, in a dance. I will not join with you until you are completely ready to receive me,” Caleb said in a soft reassuring whisper, as he gently kissed her lips.
“How will you know?” Laurel asked him, with a trembling voice.
Caleb smiled at her gently before answering, “We will both know mo stor. It will be a feeling neither one of us will be able to deny,” he replied, in the same soft whisper.
He felt her melt into him as he continued to kiss her softly, her body beginning to tremble at this new experience. He kissed her passionately once more and then turned back on his side turning Laurel with him, holding her in his arms. Laurel sighed deeply, still trembling, but not overwhelmed, as she was on the terrace. She felt a sense of relief, at knowing that he would be loving and gentle with her.
“It will be a wonderful, beautiful night, Laurel. I promise you. Ta ghra agam ort,” Caleb told her his voice filled with love, as he kissed her forehead again.
“I love you too Caleb. Thank you for helping me feel less... anxious,” she said without guile.
“You are most welcome mo ghra. Let us try and get some rest now,” he said to her gently. “My mother has quite a bit planned for you tomorrow,” Caleb said, in an impatient tone.
Laurel giggled at his demeanor, the wedding plans were beginning to try Caleb’s patience. The only thing he was concerned with was the “surprises” he had in mind for him and Laurel.
“Yes, I am supposed to choose the final selection for the flowers, as well as the food being chosen. She actually wanted you to help with that,” Laurel giggled again, guessing Caleb’s reaction.
“I do not care what we eat, may it be fish or fowl. I will be too busy looking over the security details. I finished selecting the escorts for your family’s arrival. The camp will be made readied for them by the river. So whatever you and she decide on will be perfect,” Caleb said, still sounding uninterested.
“She will not be happy with your excuses,” Laurel told him pointedly.
“She will not be happy until the day of the wedding. I am beginning to believe she is looking forward to it perhaps more than we are,” Caleb replied dryly.
Laurel laughed at his remark, wondering how true it was.
“Caleb you must know my stepmother will never be happy camping by the river,” Laurel said, smiling at him wryly.
“I was already informed by the envoy of this. She will have no choice. It is a two day journey, three for the supply wagons. The escorts will be ready to leave tomorrow. This will all be done soon dearest. Then we will finally be able to relax a bit,” Caleb said sounding tired.
“Do you think after I have helped your mother with the last of the preparations, we could take the horses out for a bit? I have not ridden my mare since the meeting with the Chieftains,” Laurel asked quietly.
“Of course dearest. I think that is wonderful idea. Do you have any place in mind you would like to go?” he asked, delighted with the idea of this pleasant diversion.
“I still have not seen the ruins. I have been wanting to see them for two seasons,” Laurel giggled at the idea.
“That is true. It will be easier to see things now, as much of the greenery that covers them will have died back or lost their leaves this time of the year. You will enjoy the ruins. There is so much history and stories there. Some of them I am afraid are a bit sad and tragic,” Caleb said, in a melancholy tone.
“That is just a part of life. It makes us who we are. It will not make the trip any less enjoyable, especially because we will be together,” Laurel said, lovingly as she snuggled deeper into his side.
“Many things have become more enjoyable because you are here. I truly can no longer imagine life without you,” Caleb said, ardently as he kissed her forehead.
“You do not have to Sire,” Laurel said softly.
Caleb turned over on his side to face her, holding her closer to him he began to kiss her passionately, but with tenderness. He stopped after he felt her tremble with emotion again. Turning back over on his other side, he pulled her over with him, so her back was to him, as he held her in his arms.
“Shh. Just rest now mo ghra. Close your eyes and sleep. I am afraid this may be the last night we share together until our wedding night, we will be a bit busy with preparations and of course your family will be here soon. Let me just enjoy your presence. I will indeed miss you while you are not here with me,” Caleb said, softly as he kissed the back of her head.
Laurel smiled at his remark and sighed deeply in peace.
“I love you,” she whispered as she began to drift off.
Caleb smiled warmly holding her closer, “Ta ghra agam ort,” he murmured back to her, as they both drifted off blissfully together.
“Caleb. Caleb wake up,” Aiden whispered, grinning broadly.
Caleb slowly opened his eyes with Laurel still sleeping in his arms.
“Why is it whenever I have Laurel in my room, you feel the need to come in here and wake me up?” Caleb whispered back groggily.
