The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 78
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“It is not….it is not that Caleb. I….I care what they think of you. My mother wished for us to be together. My…my father did not. This will…will only make his insolence worse. He will look at you as a monster and accuse you of a horrible act. He will never believe me, that I gave myself to you, to claim me as your wife. Please Caleb, please will you not reconsider? I cannot stand the thought of him looking at you that way,” Laurel entreated once more, between her soft sobs, as she kissed him back softly. “Please my Prince, let us follow the Alliance agreement, let us wait just a bit longer,” she said in a shaking whisper, as she softly kissed his face several times, feeling her tearstained cheeks against his own.
Caleb sighed deeply, in frustration and despair at Laurel’s crestfallen demeanor.
“Oh mo stor, my sweet darling you ask too much of me. You are breaking my heart,” Caleb whispered back, his voice choking with emotion.
He slowly pulled his hand away from her, and then carefully and gently lowered her nightgown. Kissing her on the forehead he then moved out of the bed, covering her, turned and picked up his coat. Laurel sat up in confusion, wondering what he was doing.
“Where are you going?” Laurel asked, in bewilderment.
Caleb’s back was to her when he stopped walking, and looking over at the table picked up the new Marriage Agreement. He crumpled it up roughly in his hands and tossed it into the fire as he walked to the door. Caleb opened the door and looked at her for a moment before answering, his eyes piercing but forlorn.
“There is something I must attend to. Lie down and rest mo stor. I will be back in a while,” he responded, though his voice was low and calm, his body and eyes revealed that he was angry and irritated, he walked out of the room closing the door softly.
Laurel lay back against the pillows crying quietly. Then with sudden resolve she got out of bed, putting on her robe and slippers. She opened the door slowly and cautiously, as she looked out. Not seeing Caleb in the corridor Laurel walked quickly and noiselessly, as she peered over the balcony, watching Caleb walk purposefully out the main entrance of the Hall.
Caleb made his way into the stables stomping in angrily, as Aiden and Cahir, looked up from where they were sitting at a small table playing Tablut.
Aiden looked past him and grinned wryly.
“I believe you have forgotten something Caleb,” Aiden spoke up, in a mocking tone.
“No, I have not forgotten anything. I am afraid the plans have been changed,” Caleb answered, in a weary and irate voice.
“What is wrong? Why would Laurel not agree to your plans? What could she find to her advantage by going back to Gwenlais?” Cahir asked irritably.
“It is her father, is it not?” Aiden asked, sounding more like a statement than a question.
“Yes, the mac olc de soith!” Caleb answered, cursing loudly and lividly. “I told her I did not care what he thought of me. Or how difficult he might become. That I would handle him and whatever issues his anger caused, even if that meant forgoing our protection for a time, then see how quickly his tune would change,” Caleb explained, his jaw clenching after he spoke.
“What did she say to that?” Aiden asked, with a knowing smile.
“Oh, she just became pitiful and started crying and telling me she would not resist, but it was not how she really wanted things to be. That it would just make all our lives more difficult and harder to deal with. That she could not bear the thought of her father thinking and telling everyone I forced her to marry me at this time. Again I told her it did not matter what her father thought, but she would not be convinced and just became more pathetic,” Caleb explained in a sad low voice, raking his hand through his hair.
“Could you not just have insisted?” Cahir asked him, with a perplexed voice.
Caleb looked over at him with a look of complete irritation, as Cahir and Aiden looked back at him with surprised grins at his expression.
“I wish to ask you both something. Have you ever tried making love to a woman who is just a sobbing, crying, tearful mess?” Caleb asked, in a mocking angry voice.
Cahir and Aiden looked at each other grinning sardonically.
“I cannot say that I have,” Cahir countered sarcastically.
“That usually happens as I am leaving,” Aiden replied mordantly.
“Well, it is extremely distracting, and not at all amorous and desirable. So I got up, and threw the new agreement into the fire and came down here. Of all nights for her to not be her stubborn, quick tempered little self. It would have been so much easier if she just would have said no, and had a full blown tantrum. Then I would have just spanked her, and dragged her over and made her sign it. She would have cried for only a few moments, called me a brute and few filthy Kedesh insults, but then it would be done and over with. But no, she had to be sweet, reasonable, and intelligent. She made far too much sense, which of course made me even angrier,” Caleb retorted, in a defeated tone.
“You do realize, if it would have taken place that way, you really would have been forcing her?” Aiden asked with a laugh. “But take heart old man. You did not resort to being a barbaric brute, and your little Princess loves you enough that she actually cares what people think about you. It is rather touching I think,” Aiden said, as he hit Caleb’s arm in a playful manner.
“Yes, I suppose it is. Though I am not giving in completely. I have a few things she will have no choice but to agree to. Which now brings me to asking you Cahir, for a favor,” Caleb mentioned, looking at him intently.
“Of course old man, anything,” Cahir answered, with sympathetic smile.
A short while later Caleb made his way back up the stairs walking to his room. Opening the door, to his surprise he found Laurel, curled up in his large leather chair. She looked over at him with a shy smile, as he walked into the room and shut the door behind him.
“And who would this lost little waif be, sitting in my chair?” Caleb asked, in low deep voice, grinning at her sardonically.
“I did not like the way things were between us when you left. So I thought I would wait for you in here. I assumed you would come to your room first,” she answered sitting up a bit more placing her feet on the floor.
“Really? Are you sure you wish to be here after what almost happened earlier?” Caleb asked her with the same grin, as he took off his coat and walked over to his wardrobe.
“Yes Caleb. I trust you now more than ever,” Laurel answered him, in a slightly injured tone, pouting at his disposition.
“And why would that be dearest?” Caleb asked her, as he very casually began to undress in front of his wardrobe, stripping down to his knee length britches he wore underneath his clothing.
Laurel looked away in surprise and embarrassment as she had never seen him this way and had not expected it. She swallowed hard for a moment to control her bashfulness and unease, realizing he was doing this to make her uncomfortable, in punishment for not going along with his plans. Biting her bottom lip for a moment to stop her lips from trembling she then looked up at him with an air of defiance.
“I trust you, because you conceded to my wishes,” Laurel replied answering as bravely as she could, knowing there was still a hint of a tremor in her voice.
Caleb smiled at her sardonically as he walked over to the chair, and held his hand out to her. Laurel took his hand as he helped her to her feet, Caleb then sat down and pulled her on to his lap abruptly, causing her to catch her breath for a second. She looked at him shyly, but was determined not to show her awkwardness, as she put her arms about his neck.
“So my sweet girl. There are a few things we need to discuss tonight, seeing as how you decided to invite yourself into my room,” Caleb spoke up, in a domineering manner.
“Caleb I….” Laurel began but was cut off, by Caleb placing a finger to her lips.
“You will just listen to what I have to say first,” he replied, slowly brushing his finger against her lips, before lowering his hand. “First of all you must know the only reason I conceded to your wishes is I did indeed consider tonight would be our wedding night. I did not want our first night as a married couple to be filled with tears and regret. You were not the only one who did not wish for us to married in this manner. My father was also not agreeable to it, and felt you should not be forced into doing something you did not agree with. However, in the future know this mo stor, that just because you cry and become emotional does not mean I will bow to your every whim,” Caleb stated sternly.
“Caleb I do not…” Laurel began once again.
“I am not finished,” Caleb replied curtly, to which Laurel looked away for a moment, startled and self-conscious. “You will be staying here for an extra fortnight, I am not asking your father for permission, this is just how it will be. Cahir is going on his last garrison assignment to Gwenlais at that time. He will be assigned as your escort. You are not to leave the castle grounds without him, at any time, for any reason. Is that understood?” Caleb asked her, with the same stern expression.
“Yes Caleb,” Laurel answered, in a quiet voice.
“You will listen to Cahir and do exactly as he tells you and you will not argue with him. While you are here, you will stay in my room each night as well. The only reason I will not make love to you, is I will not have the chance be taken that you will be carrying my child while you are in Gwenlais. I will not make you any more vulnerable than you already will be. And furthermore, the only laws that I follow are the laws of Heathwin. As my betrothed you are my responsibility, and you are only to answer to me, not your father, not Phineas. Are we clear with that as well?” Caleb asked her again, with the same tone.
Ye….yes Caleb,” Laurel replied, no longer able to control her trembling voice or lips, as her eyes looked stormy and dejected.
Caleb then smiled at her seeing she was becoming emotional. He gently placed his hand against her face and kissed her very slowly on her lips, until he felt her body begin to relax against him.
“I am sorry if I upset you tonight Caleb. It was not my intent to do so. Please do not be angry with me. I truly feel following the original agreement is the right thing to do,” Laurel expressed with complete sincerity, her eyes still sad and imploring.
“I know my love. But you must understand I do not agree with you. I had no intention of letting you return to Gwenlais after the Scimitar attack. I only went along with it, to wait until you were stronger, to bring up what I had planned all along. Perhaps I should have brought it up sooner. Though I doubt that would have changed your mind,” Caleb surmised, smiling at her perceptively.
“No it most likely would not have,” Laurel said returning his smile, feeling more at ease. “So, you are not angry with me any longer?” she asked shyly.
Caleb smiled at her not answering immediately, thinking about her question for a moment longer.
“Yes, I am still angry. I shall however come to terms with it soon enough. Let us go to bed and not dwell on it any more tonight,” Caleb replied, as he held her closer, and standing up walked over to the bed.
As they both lay down under the warm covers, Caleb held Laurel in his arms and began kissing her passionately, as he began to caress her as he had done earlier.
“I will not place my hand underneath your bloomers as I did before Laurel. It will be far too difficult for me to resist you if I do. I will be giving you just a taste of what we could have shared tonight. Trust me mo stor, the months we are apart you will indeed miss me. I mean to show you what love will be like Laurel, for the time that you are here with me,” Caleb spoke in an ardent deep voice, before kissing her again.
As Caleb continued with his passionate attentions, Laurel felt herself becoming overwhelmed by his boldness and familiarity. She could no longer control her trembling, becoming breathless with each kiss and caress as Caleb held her closer, and feeling his body against her in a way she had not experienced before. Her hands gripping on to the back of his neck, trying to control the feeling of becoming overawed by him. Caleb suddenly stopped his attentions, and looked at her his face showing his concern, as he wiped her cheeks with his thumbs holding her face in his hands.
“I am sorry my love. Please…please do not cry. I did not mean to frighten you. Shh. Come here now, and I will just hold you. It is alright,” Caleb spoke in a warm and loving voice, as he took Laurel in his arms, her head resting against his chest.
Laurel had become so daunted by Caleb’s passion and physical intensity, she did not realize she was crying freely.
“Forgive me dearest. Yes, I was angry with you. I am not any longer. I cannot bear to see you this way. I promise you, I will never overwhelm you in this manner again. I love you mo stor. I never want you to feel frightened of me. For a moment I had truly forgotten how innocent you are. I am not accustomed to that. Shh, it is alright, you will have nothing to be concerned about again I promise you,” Caleb said, his voice filled with remorse.
“I…I am fine now Caleb. It is true I was just overwhelmed by all of it,” Laurel responded, trying her best to sound calm.
“You will not have to be worried when you come to bed at night. I will be careful in how I show my affections for you. It is my hope that you will indeed miss me, but I shall miss you just as badly, if not more,” Caleb admitted, as he kissed her forehead and gently caressed her back.
“I shall miss you very much Sire. I am very happy to be staying with you another fortnight,” Laurel answered back, in a soft drowsy voice.
“I am most glad to hear you say that mo ghra. Just rest now dearest. We shall sleep in tomorrow and spend the whole day just relaxing and reading poetry, perhaps a game or two of Tablut. Does this sound agreeable to you?” Caleb suggested as he kissed her forehead again.
“Yes it does. I love you very much Caleb. I am truly sorry if I upset you,” Laurel said as she snuggled closer into his chest, her voice becoming choked with emotion.
“Do not give it another thought my love. You did not upset me anymore than I upset you. It will all work out soon. As you said it will only be a few months. I will send word as soon as I can say exactly when the date of the wedding will be. I cannot assure you, that you will be in Gwenlais for the Harvest Festival. You may very well not be there,” Caleb told her in a soft low voice, as he could feel her falling asleep.
“It is alright. I have been to hundreds of them,” Laurel murmured, in a sleepy far away voice.
“Really? Hundreds you say? I thought they only happened once a season,” Caleb remarked, with a chuckle.
He was answered by her softly snoring into his chest, as he laughed lightly and kissed her again.
Caleb opened his eyes to hear Laurel whimpering in her sleep and turning over, curling up into the covers. The drapes had not been drawn last night, so the large room was filled with the sun’s early light. He reached over and pulled her softly into his embrace, nuzzling her hair, smelling the faint fragrance of lavender. His thoughts went back to Laurel’s reaction to his plan of marrying now and forgoing the original Marriage Alliance agreement. She had completely surprised him, as he expected her to agree with his plan to keep her in Heathwin. Caleb smiled to himself at her passionate stance, to not wish for him to forgo what the Alliance agreement would give to him. He softly kissed the back of her head, again feeling regret for his anger and frustration, and treating her too intensely. Laurel whimpered again and turned over in her sleep facing him, as she blinked her eyes drowsily, trying to focus. Caleb smiled at her lovingly as she smiled back at him, reaching over and caressing her cheek with his bent finger.
“Maidin mhaith mo stor,” he said softly, his accent more pronounced when he was relaxed.
“Good morning. Is it time to get up?” Laurel asked in a small tired voice, blinking sleepily.
“No, not as yet. It is still early. Go back to sleep dearest,” Caleb replied with a warm smile, and then kissed her forehead.
Laurel smiled back and then snuggled in closer to Caleb, leaning her head into his chest. Within a few moments she was sleeping once again. Caleb held her closer, resting his lips against her forehead, as he gently caressed her back, thinking of when she would return to Gwenlais. He felt a bit more comforted knowing that Cahir would be her escort while he was away. Dismissing any more negative thoughts, from his mind, he carefully got out of bed, and walking over to his wardrobe put on a loose black tunic with matching britches. After covering Laurel, he made his way to the family dining room, knowing his family and Phineas would already be there. He could hear the lively conversations which were ensuing, then stopping abruptly, when he walked into the room and sat at his usual place. Caleb looked up at everyone with a mocking grin, as they all looked at him expectantly.
“Well, Caleb. None of us expected to see you bright and early this morning,” King Fergus spoke up with an amused smile.
“I certainly did not old man. Did your Princess find you too irritating to be with last night?” Cahir asked, as Aiden laughed lightly at his question.
“Shockingly no. I found her waiting for me when I returned. She is still sleeping. My poor sweet girl is exhausted, from me waking her and making all those demands in the middle of the night,” Caleb replied, with a rueful smile.
“Demands? What demands? Prince Caleb, why would you be making demands of her Highness in the middle of the night?” Phineas asked, looking over with alarm.
“Just let her rest as much as possible dear. Did your plan go as you had hoped? The two annoying hooligans here, refuse to tell your father and I how it all transpired,” Queen Alana stated, giving both Aiden and Cahir a disapproving glare.
“What plans? What demands? Really, I insist someone explain to me what is going on!” Phineas demanded, sounding on the verge of hysterics.
“Here allow me Caleb, feel free to jump in when you wish,” Aiden spoke up with a roguish grin, then proceeded to explain to Phineas, all that Caleb had hoped to accomplish.
