“Tally. I am Tally.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“While any part of your anatomy is inside me, I am Tally. It is not my given name, but my family call me that.”
His low chuckle is warm, sensuous. “Ah, Tally then. Come for me, Tally. Now.”
“I do not understand. What is it that you want?” My voice is breathy, I am finding it difficult to concentrate in the face of the near overwhelming pleasure burgeoning within me. No part of my body is unaffected, I am trembling, tingling, on the verge of …
“Now, Tally. Let it go now.”
In the next instant I am flying. I have on occasions watched the birds gliding above me and dreamed of what of would be like to join them, to swoop and soar in the air, weightless. This is it, this is that sensation. I am spinning, swirling, my body and mind no longer my own, seized by an irresistible spasming that seems to start in my core and pulse outwards to the very ends of my fingers and toes. I am scared, and exhilarated at the same time. This is incredible, wondrously terrifying. But regardless of my discomfiture, my confusion, I am powerless to stop what is happening.
Nor would I wish to. It is glorious, though the sudden release leaves me limp. The intensity of the sensation recedes, my body relaxes. I feel boneless, and utterly content.
I lie still, Stefan’s arms around me. I no longer care that I am naked, nor that he has spanked me, hurt me, frightened me. He has delivered the most exquisite experience of my life, I have encountered nothing of this sort in the past. Somehow he knew just how to touch me, how to caress and arouse me. He controlled my response, and made it seem so effortless. I turn to him and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Tally.”
The use of my family pet name from his lips sends another sweet tingle through me. It carries with it an intimacy, offering a promise of something comforting and safe. But as I lie in his arms, savouring his hard warmth, his solid strength, the crushing reality of my situation descends. I know this is a promise of something I cannot, must not, have.
I have made promises also, to myself, to Sophia, and to God. In truth, the prospect of becoming the duchess of Richtenholst is one I could readily enough warm to, I suspect, but there is more at stake here than just my happiness. This was a stolen moment, a rare gift of pleasure snatched from the crumbling wreckage of my life, an aberration no doubt brought on by the stresses and terrors of the last days.
“Tally? Are you ready to get dressed now? We have much to accomplish this day.” His grace hauls himself up to a sitting position, and I go with him. He pats me on the backside. The tap is playful and I realise that my bottom is no longer especially sore. “Shall I play lady’s maid for you or would you prefer me to summon Karl?”
“I can dress myself, my lord.” I try to move away from him, intending to seek out my clothes from yesterday. I dread to contemplate the state they will no doubt be in after my adventures in the tunnel.
“Ah, back to the formalities are we? Mayhap you require my fingers to be inside your sweet cunt once more, to remind you of our new status.”
I turn to him, my face no doubt betraying my genuine shock at his crude remark. Unrepentant, the duke grins at me and stands up. He picks up a blanket from the floor and tosses it in my direction.
“Cover yourself, Tally. I expect Karl has breakfast for us, and some clothes for you. Naked, you are a truly beautiful sight, and one I would not be averse to sharing with my loyal servant and companion. But from the expression on your face I surmise that you may have other ideas about that.”
He strides to the entrance of the tent and leans out. “Karl, our stomachs are under the impression our throats have been cut. What do you have for us?”
With a startled squeak I am galvanised into action. I drag the blanket around my shoulders and grip it tight, every inch of me covered except for my head. I am only just in time as Karl saunters in bearing a tray. He sets it down on the table, offers a nod in my direction, and leaves again. Momentslater he is back, this time carrying a bundle of clothes. He drops those on the bed in front of me.
“Yours, I understand, my lady. I hope they are among your favourites. I am not normally called upon to select a lady’s garments.” The look Karl directs at the duke could best be described as baleful. The man seems to consider himself put upon.
For my part, I am grateful. And confused.
“Thank you, Karl. They are mine, but how did you…?”
“I encountered a woman in the castle when I went there to seek out your possessions. Berthe? She was intent upon guarding the royal chambers from defilement by our troops but I managed to prevail upon her good nature. She took some convincing but I can be insistent when such is needed. The woman finally agreed to show me which chamber you used, and where your belongings were kept.”
I am stunned again, horrified at the fate that has seemingly befallen poor, loyal Berthe. What form did Karl’s ‘persuasion’ take?
“Did you hurt her? Please, tell me that she lives still.” My gaze swivels from one man to the other as Karl turns to me, clearly astonished.
“Hurt her? Lady, I value my hide too much to have risked such folly. Mistress Berthe remains safe and well. You will be able to ascertain this for yourself soon enough as she has insisted upon joining our party. She travels with us to Richtenholst.” He turns to address the duke. “Such was her price for aiding me yesterday. I judge the woman to be a faithful and skilled servant, my lord, and I expect her to prove an asset to your household. Perhaps your new duchess will be requiring a lady’s maid…?”
The duke frowns and appears to be considering the matter. He shrugs and helps himself to a slice of cold meat from the tray. “Mayhap. Do you want the woman, Tally?”
Again I am nonplussed. He is inviting my opinion. I gape at him, nodding.
Berthe? Sweet Berthe is to come with me. I am to know a familiar face among strangers. “Thank you, my lord. Yes, Berthe is a good servant. She will work hard and…”
