Nun indeed.She would shrivel and die in some chilly cloister. She may resist now, but she will bless the day I laid an alternative future before her. A future she was born for, a life her body was made for. I can, will, mould her, for her own pleasure as much as mine. And we will find joy in each other.
But first, there will be pain. There will be resistance. I will overcome that. I will spank it out of her, and I will pleasure her to distraction. She will not regret becoming my duchess.
I make a circuit of our encampment checking on Karl’s preparations for our departure. It is a needless task; I am merely marking time until I must return to my quarters and learn whether or not the lady has obeyed me. I hope so. While further punishment does hold a certain attraction, I was not exaggerating when I told her that I would take a switch to her backside. If I must discipline her again this day, her treatment would be harsher. I doubt I would find her sweet quim wet and welcoming after a few strokes of wet willow. At least, not this first time.
No, it is better that she obeys me now, and we proceed on our way.
I cannot delay any longer. I turn on my heel and stalk back to my tent.
Natalia is fully dressed, seated on the end of the bed. She looks like a frightened sparrow, and utterly miserable. Her gaze lifts to mine as I enter. Her lovely eyes are glistening. I glance from her to the table. The tray of food is untouched.
Disobedience? Or have fear and misery robbed her of her appetite? I opt for the latter.
I approach her, but rather than towering above her this time I squat at her feet. Her face registers her surprise.
“My lady, you must eat. Please. Just a little now, and more later perhaps?” I school my features into a gentle smile, determined to calm my bride rather than add to her alarm.
She makes no move, so I stand and select several morsels for her. I assemble these on a slice of brown loaf and present the food to her. To my relief, she takes it and starts to nibble on a hunk of cheese. I force myself to remain patient while Natalia picks her way through ham, cheese, a small mug of mead, and some honey dribbled onto the bread. Despite her protestations she actually consumes a hearty meal, and I am content we can safely set out.
Karl has selected her clothes well. She is wearing some sort of warm woollen gown and stout boots, and the cloak he has draped on the bed looks weatherproof enough to ward off the December chill. We will be travelling south and the climate will become milder as we approach Richtenholst, but here in Hohenzollern the winter’s grip is starting to settle over the landscape. I would not wish to save my lady from frostbite yesterday, only to have her freeze to death on a mountain pass in Bavaria.
I pick up the cloak and drop it across her shoulders, stepping in front of her to tie the ribbons at her throat. She is motionless under my ministrations. I offer her another smile, one intended to reassure though I fear it falls short.
“We leave now, Tally. Come, you will ride with me.” I usher her from the tent, leaving Karl to disassemble it when we have gone. He will follow us and catch up in a few hours.
My horse is tethered a few yards from the camp, chewing the sparse grass and snorting white plumes into the chilled morning air. A veritable monster of a stallion and as black as the night, Hades stands at over seventeen hands high, towering over me and most other men. My bride is dwarfed by him. An experienced warhorse he knows his craft and has served me well for several years. He looks the part, though when not in armour he is a gentle giant, content to graze and grow fat if I would let him. He has work to do today carrying the two of us, but I have no doubt of his strength. He will need it to service the several fine mares I have selected from the Hohenzollern stables.
I loosen the tether and grasp the reins, then swing into the saddle and reach down for Natalia’s hand. She offers it with a degree of nervous reluctance, but I haul her up before me easily enough.
“On, boy.” At my murmured command the warhorse starts forward. Our journey has begun.
With the exception of Karl and a handful of men who will remain to assist him in the heavy lifting as our camp is dismantled, the rest of my knights and guards travel with us, as do the maidservant recruited by Karl and whosename escapes me at this moment, and the troop of Hohenzollern horses. Our force is formidable, certainly sufficient to convince any brigands roaming the countryside to seek easier pickings elsewhere. I do not fear for myself, but Lady Natalia’s safety is also my concern.
The next two hours pass in near silence. I check that Natalia is comfortable, and warm enough. She answers my queries in the affirmative, her back rigid, her eyes fixed straight ahead. After a couple of leagues her posture is slipping, she is clearly tired, her muscles tensing under the strain. I invite her to lean back against me.
“Thank you, my lord, but I am perfectly comfortable.”
I lean in to lay my lips close to her ear. My words are for her alone.
“I spanked you earlier for disobedience and for endangering yourself. Lying to me will invite even harsher retribution. You will feel the sting of the switch against your delectable bottom soon enough, my lady. For now though, I invite you again to lean on me. You can relax. Sleep if you will. I will not let you fall.”
My words are met by a sharp hiss of breath, then, slowly but surely, my bride leans back into my arms. I shift her a little to ensure she is both comfortable and secure, then draw my cloak around her small form, enveloping her in warmth. I hope it will be enough.
Several hours pass. The silences between us are lengthy, but companionable enough. The beat of hooves at our rear signals Karl’s arrival. The convoy carrying most of our belongings is some way behind him, destined to arrive at Richtenholst a day or two after we do.
Karl’s destrier canters alongside mine. He answers the enquiring tilt of my chin with a curt nod to signal all went well with our departure from Hohenzollern, before wheeling his steed around to take his place in the convoy a few yards behind us. I note that he has brought his mount up alongside the cart carrying the new servant.
It is nearing nightfall when we crest a small hill to see a village laid out on the other side. A scattering of dwellings can be discerned in the gathering gloom, rough constructions made of mud, stones, branches, and whatever else the villagers could find to cobble together. The roofs are mainly thatched. Most important of all though, I see a church.
The chapel is modest, but I do not doubt it will serve our needs well enough, provided the priest is in residence. I haul on the reins to pull Hades to a halt and turn to scan the column at our rear. Karl spurs his horse forward to regain my side.
“What village is that, do you know?” I point down the hillside.
“I know not, sir. Would you like me to ride down ahead of the rest and enquire?”
“No, but you can accompany me. Bring half a dozen men. And the maid. We’ll be having a wedding.”
Natalia stiffens in my arms, but has the good sense to remain silent. I am relieved. I will permit her to speak freely when her words are for my ears only, but I will not accept insurrection in front of my men at arms. This marriage is to happen, and it is to happen now.
