He looked up at me, not smiling.'I want you,' he said.
'You have me,' I told him, gasping.
There were a few moments of silence except for small sounds of passion and then louder sounds, mainly from me.
We lay together with one of his hands on my bottom and the other around my back as I nestled against his deep chest with its fine crisp hair.
'I do not have you,' Hugh said at last.'I only have part of you.'
I gave a small giggle that was very unlike me as I glanced down where we were still joined together.'A very important part,' I said.
'Very important indeed,' Hugh agreed, wriggling that part of him slightly but delightfully.'But I want more than that.'
'What more do you want?'I asked.
'Your heart,' Hugh said.'And all the rest.'
I glanced at the door, hoping that Robert did not burst in, as I had with him.'You know that you cannot have that,' I said.
'I know that,' Hugh said.'Yet I want it more than ever.'
'It would not be right,' I said, knowing that what we had just done was equally wrong.
'It would be very right,' Hugh said.
I removed his hand from my rump.'I know it will not happen,' I said.'I have told you of my vision.'
'That vision could be wrong.'Hugh replaced his hand exactly where it had been.He began to move his fingers, sending little waves of pleasure through me.
'Don't do that,' I said, meaning the exact opposite.
Hugh read the real meaning behind my words.His fingers continued to knead and then began to explore further.I closed my eyes and forgot about everything else.
The smell of smoke awoke me.I felt my nose twitch and coughed, once, twice, and again.I sat up with a jerk, looking around me.The candle had burned to a mess of tallow that had melted over the pewter candlestick and grey dawn had brought patchy mist and rain.The bed was empty save for me and sweet memories.
I sat up.Somebody had pulled a cover over me, lifted my clothes from the floor and folded them neatly on top of his table.That must have been Hugh.I dressed quickly as the smell of smoke increased, now joined by the crackling of fire.
'Is anybody there?'I opened the door and coughed violently.The turnpike stairway was filled with smoke and the sound of burning was obvious.'Hello?'
There was no reply.'Hugh?'
Footsteps sounded on the turnpike as a female servant scurried down.I put both hands on her shoulder to stop her.She looked at me, wild-eyed, with her simple one-piece gown filthy and her hair tangled across her face.
'What's happened?'I asked, 'where is everybody?'
She stared at me blankly.I slapped her face, hard.'Where is Hugh?What has happened?'
She cowered away, obviously too confused or terrified for coherent thought.I let her go and stumbled down the stairs, nearly tripping in the thick smoke.'Hugh!'
There was another servant in front of me.I took hold of his shoulder.'Hey, fellow!'
He looked over his shoulder.'Who are you?'
'Never mind that,' I snapped, 'tell me what has happened?Where is Hugh?'
'We're under attack,' the man said, 'can you not smell the smoke?'
'Where's Hugh?'I shook him, 'where is he?'
