The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 51
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Your hair looks considerably better since you brushed all the tangles out,” Caleb spoke, trying to make her feel at ease.
“My entire head feels better, after not having all the tight braids any longer,” Laurel said still blushing shyly, as she walked up to him.
“Good,” Caleb said, as he kissed her forehead again. “Come and sit with me and we will relax a bit before I read to you,” Caleb said taking her hand, and leading her over to a large and deep leather chair at the foot of his bed.
“Where am I supposed to sit?” Laurel asked guilelessly.
“On my lap silly girl. Where do you think?” Caleb replied with a wry grin.
“I have not sat on your lap since I was twelve seasons,” Laurel giggled shyly in reply.
Caleb smiled at her saying this, not wanting to remind her of the sad day he had gone to check on her, after her reaction to the news of King Garron’s impending marriage to Lady Ellos. She had been tearful and heartbroken, and he had indeed held her on his lap to console her. It was then he realized her feelings for him were more than just a childish infatuation, and his own were also more intense.
“Yes, after that you felt far too grown up to do so. Though I feel now, I will have to change your thinking about that,” Caleb said, as he sat down first. Then giving her a brazen smile, pulled her suddenly down onto his lap.
“Oh!” Laurel said in surprise, as she fell into his arms, while he laughed out loud at her reaction. “Do not laugh,” she giggled embarrassedly. “Must you always tease me?” she asked, blushing and still laughing.
“I am afraid I cannot help myself where that is concerned. You make it far too easy,” Caleb said, giving her a roguish smile.
“Well Sire, I feel you have teased me enough for one night. So I am asking you to control your impulses for the rest of the evening,” she said to him, smiling shyly.
“I am sorry to say my dear you may be asking far too much of me,” Caleb replied in a deep and ardent voice, as he slowly began to kiss her again.
Laurel closed her eyes and placed her arms around his neck as she was no longer timid in his embrace. Caleb kissed her slow and gently, as he wished for her to move and join with him at her own pace, the need to be with her, far outweighing the need to possess her. He smiled intermittently as he felt her body meld into his arms, and could hear her softly sigh as he kissed her more ardently. He began to feel her tremble as they became more passionate and intense in their affection for each other, giving her one last lingering kiss, he gently pulled his face away, holding her closely.
She sighed deeply, and laid her head on his chest as he softly caressed the back of her neck, stroking her hair.
“I do not know what I shall do without you, when you return home,” Caleb said to her softly. “I very well may not let you leave,” he whispered, as he kissed her temple.
Laurel looked up, smiling sweetly at him, as he slowly outlined her face with his finger.
“I have to go home Caleb, my father will need to accept the fact that I will not be living in Gwenlais forever, and that we have both given our consent to the marriage. I truly feel he was never expecting it to happen, especially after all the potential suitors Lady Ellos tried arranging for me,” Laurel said, with a knowing smile, guessing his reaction to the mention of suitors.
“Suitors? There were suitors? I specifically told your father I was officially courting you before I returned to Heathwin,” Caleb asked, with an edge to his voice.
“It was the winter after Mother’s funeral, before we were courting. I said they were potential suitors. I of course, had no interest in any of them. I was actually quite rude to them,” Laurel smiled at him smugly.
“Well that is certainly a surprise,” Caleb replied in a mocking tone, smiling at her wryly.
Laurel still smiling but narrowing her eyes at him, decided she would still have a bit of fun with him.
“However there was one, I do not remember his name, he was nothing like you. He was quite pleasant, agreeable and passive. A bit shy as well,” Laurel teased him, as she began to giggle and bite her lower lip.
“Oh really? Passive and shy was he? So how long did this poor sop last before you humiliated him beyond repair?” Caleb asked her, with a deep edge to his voice.
Laurel laughed at his question. He did know her too well, as someone of that personality would never be able to hold her interest, though she did think he was being just a bit mean.
“I am not that cruel Caleb. I would certainly never purposely humiliate anyone,” Laurel said, pretending to be insulted.
“Do I need to remind you yet again, of your little tantrum at the stables, when you were yelling at me in front of most of the Patrol, because I would not let you go hunting?” Caleb asked her his voice still edgy, but a smile on his lips.
“That was different. You were being unfair and you deserved it,” Laurel began to giggle nervously, unsure of what his reaction would be.
“And to think I was going to take you to Welstone tomorrow,” Caleb said to her softly as he brushed the hair from her face, smiling at her surprised expression.
“You were going to take me to Welstone? I have never been to Welstone,” Laurel replied, her voice unable to hide her excitement.
“Yes, and it looks like it will stay that way. You will have to ask your former love to bring you,” Caleb said softly, smiling at her mockingly.
“Caleb! I was just teasing you. You know I have no former love. Will you not change your mind?” she asked, smiling at him demurely.
Caleb smiled at her with narrowed eyes. He picked her up from his lap quickly and had her stand up.
“Go and get the book from my desk, before I change my mind about that as well,” he said to her brusquely, but smiling as he gave her a quick swat on her backside, making her jump in surprise.
She looked back at him and smiled mischievously. She picked up the book and walked back to where Caleb was sitting. He was still smiling at her amusingly, as she sat back down in his lap, snuggling into his side, much to his delight. Opening the book he began to read to her, his voice rich and deep, as he read the beautiful words, with a quiet passion, she had missed hearing. Laurel found herself becoming lost in the calming tone of his voice, she began to picture herself living there. It did not seem so wild and harsh when they were together, like this, being held in his arms, in the stillness of his room. She too wondered what she would do without him, and felt a twinge of pain in her stomach at the thought. Her eyes becoming moist as she realized it would be several months after he brought her home, before the harvest, and his return to Gwenlais.
“What is it dearest? You seem so far away right now,” Caleb asked her quietly.
She had not noticed that he had finished reading, and was now softly stroking her hair.
“I was just thinking how much I will miss you when I return to Gwenlais. There is a part of me that does not wish to go, even though I know that I must. There will be so much for me to do before we are married,” Laurel sat up to face him, as she spoke. “I still cannot believe that we are to be married, well at some point,” she said, her voice shaking with excitement.
He looked at her lovingly, continuing to softly stroke her hair, smiling at her excitement at the thought of their union.
“I will be choosing the date and time of the wedding, this will not be anyone else’s decision. I will be honest and tell you, that it will not be that far off. As I fully realize that I cannot have you apart from me for too long, and I am happy that you feel the same. As soon as I know what the date will be I will tell your father immediately, by way of messengers. That way your father can inform you so that you will have time to take care of your personal duties and needs, before you must return to Heathwin with me,” Caleb said, his voice soft but authoritative.
“To Heathwin? Will we not marry in Gwenlais?” Laurel asked, in a bemused tone.
Caleb smiled at her patiently, realizing she did not know of the particular laws of the realm.
“No, mo ghra. The laws of Heathwin require that we are to marry here in Heathwin in the presence of the four Chieftains, in order for our union to be recognized. Before that takes place you must meet with the Chieftains themselves, so that they say they have accepted you. So you will be living here at least a fortnight or so, before the wedding takes place. I will have Phineas explain everything to you when you return home as he is well versed in the laws and formalities. For now do not concern yourself too much. Concentrate on getting your personal things in order, and you will have to indulge my mother’s enthusiasm, as she will be quite happy on helping you prepare for the wedding. Believe me the Festival is just a taste of what she will be like,” Caleb said, smirking concerning his mother.
“What if the Chieftains do not accept me?” Laurel asked, in a small worried voice.
“Well, they can all rot then. Do not worry about that love, that is just one of those formalities I was talking about,” Caleb replied kissing her softly.
“It will be interesting to see Father’s reaction when I tell him we have both consented to the Marriage Alliance,” Laurel said thoughtfully.
“You will not be the first to mention this to him dearest,” Caleb said, laughing at her innocence of the subject. “I will be accompanying you home, and I will have the negotiations all written up formally. I will be the one to tell your father our plans to marry. If our parents have already discussed this then there should be no surprise,” Caleb spoke to her patiently, explaining how it would be presented. “Did he not discuss the arrangement with you at all?” Caleb asked her.
“No, actually he never talked about it with me. Mother did bring it up to me once before, shortly before your marriage to Morene, that she and your mother had discussed it together. It was Phineas who brought it up after your last visit to Gwenlais. He did not feel it was right for Father not to tell me, of the possibility. Father was quite upset that Phineas took it upon himself to inform me, but I simply told him, Phinny did what he thought was in my best interest,” Laurel replied.
“I will agree that is Phineas’ primary motivation when he decides something concerning you, whether I find it annoying or not,” Caleb said to her smiling.
Laurel smiled back at him her eyes looking soft and drowsy as she laid her head against his chest and shoulder, sighing deeply. Caleb turning his face, lightly kissed her forehead, as he began to play with her hair.
“So, no more worrying about particulars for the moment,” Caleb paused for a moment before speaking. “I suppose I should escort you to your room before I lose all my resolve and keep you in here with me tonight,” Caleb spoke, in a soft ardent voice.
Laurel giggled at his comment, knowing he was probably not jesting.
“Phineas will have knocked on your door by then. The poor thing is more than likely in a panic from not finding us,” Laurel said, with a sad smile.
“More than likely. Come on then dearest, you should go to bed if you wish to go to Welstone in the morning,” Caleb said, with a sly grin.
“So you are still taking me then?” Laurel asked, as she picked up her head, and looked at him with bright eyes.
“Did you really think I would not take you mo stor?” Caleb asked her, still grinning.
“I was hoping you were just teasing,” Laurel said, giving him a beguiling smile.
“I have this feeling you are going to get your way quite often. I will need to learn how to resist you a bit more, though I am sure it will be next to impossible, mo ghra,” Caleb said softly, as he kissed her lips once more.
“Those words you called me, mo stor and mo ghra, what do they mean?” Laurel asked, her eyes luminous.
“Mo stor means, my treasure, and mo ghra, means my love. Ta ghra agam ort, means I love you. I will be using these expressions more often now,” Caleb said, kissing her tenderly again.
“I wish you to know Sire. That I have always loved you. I am happy we are to be wed,” Laurel said, in a soft whisper.
“I am most happy as well mo ghra. Ta ghra agam ort,” he whispered back, as they shared another passionate kiss.
“Aiden! Aiden! Are you there?” Phineas asked in a harried voice, knocking loudly on Aiden’s chamber door.
Phineas heard footsteps and then suddenly the door flew opened, Aiden was looking quite agitated, his hair tousled, his shirt unbuttoned, open and exposing his chest.
“De reir a Deantoir, Phinny! What is your problem?” Aiden asked, in an exasperated voice.
“I cannot find Princess Laurel or your brother,” Phineas explained.
“Well they are not in here,” Aiden replied, sounding more agitated. “Have you tried their rooms?” Aiden asked sarcastically
“I of course checked her Highness room first, then the Library. I have not checked Caleb’s room for fear of what I might find there. It was brought to my attention that your brother has given his consent to the Marriage Alliance, to Princess Laurel. Which is telling me, they have obviously come to the same conclusion. So as I said, I am afraid of what I may or may not walk in on,” Phineas replied, looking uncomfortable.
“Well good for them! I have to say, after her visit last season, I am not surprised. He could barely let her out of his sight then. I would not worry too much concerning what liberties Caleb would take with Laurel. He is quite aware of her.... inexperience. He is not going to do anything to upset her. Not yet anyway,” Aiden said, not able to help himself, by adding his last comment at Phineas’ expense.
“You will have to excuse me if I do not find your comment reassuring. The Queen is also expecting me to find Laurel, in order for me to ask her of her feelings. Your Mother is quite tenacious in this regard,” Phineas stated, in an exasperated tone.
Just then a female voice coming from Aiden’s room called his name enticingly. Aiden gave Phineas a sly grin.
“Sorry Phinny I must leave now, I am....entertaining a guest,” Aiden smirked, as he abruptly closed the door.
Phineas stepped back and bowed his head in frustration. As he turned to make his way back down the corridor, he was met with a sight that had him sigh deeply in relief. Caleb and Laurel where at the end of the corridor, in front of Laurel’s room. Phineas made his way down walking slowly, so as not to interrupt them, as they were obviously having an intimate conversation, they stood facing each other standing very close, Caleb gently touching Laurel’s face. He stopped walking and looked about awkwardly as he saw Caleb kiss her passionately. A few moments later he saw Laurel go in her room, as Caleb stood for a moment outside of the door, both arms leaning into the door way. At this time Phineas quickened his pace and called out to Caleb.
“Prince Caleb, may I have a word with you please?” Phineas said, in a tired voice.
Caleb looked up at him and smiled sardonically as he went to meet Phineas half way, he did not wish to engage in a conversation with him right outside of Laurel’s door.
“How are you doing this evening Phineas?” Caleb asked him pleasantly.
“I am doing much better, now that I have finally found the both of you. Let me start by offering my congratulations, on your decision to marry her Highness, and to tell you, that it is probably the best decision you will ever make. Also that I have always looked upon Laurel as the child I never had, and if you do anything to hurt her, I will make it my life’s work to make sure that you suffer,” Phineas said unflinchingly, offering Caleb his hand.
Caleb smirked in surprise at Phineas’ boldness, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.
“Thank you Phineas, I am glad to hear it,” Caleb replied, slapping the other man’s shoulder in response.
“Yes, well I will not bother asking you where you were all night, I truly do not want to know. I simply wish that you will respect the Princess’, shall we say, delicate sensitivities,” Phineas said in a voice, saying much more than his words expressed.
“You have nothing to be worried about Phineas. I will not do anything to make Laurel uncomfortable. But let me add if certain things do not make her ill at ease, then you will just have to trust me,” Caleb replied pointedly, his eyes becoming intense as he spoke.
“Very well then, I wish to change the subject, as this one is becoming quite tedious. Your Mother has requested, several times, that I speak with Laurel tonight. She wishes to know her feelings on the subject at hand, and I am thus to report my findings to her immediately,” Phineas said, looking very weary.
Caleb was actually feeling sorry for him at this point, knowing well how his mother could be, in her request to get information.
“I will speak with my mother Phineas. You do not have to bother Laurel at this point, she is more than likely half asleep by now. I am taking her to Welstone tomorrow, so she really should just rest. Go relax, and have some wine. Mother will know all that she needs to know this evening, I assure you,” Caleb smiled reassuringly at him.
“Thank you Caleb. I will take my leave then, and retire for the evening. Goodnight, and again congratulations. She is a lovely young woman Caleb, you are most fortunate to have her,” Phineas said, with repressed emotion.
“I know Phineas, and thank you,” Caleb smiled at him warmly.
