The Consummation (Unexpected Circumstances 3)

“I would like that,” I replied.

“I shall bring her to the Women’s Room later,” Branford snapped over his shoulder. “Now get out!”

Ida sighed, and from my view under Branford’s arm, I could see her smile as she turned to leave. As the door slammed shut, Branford groaned heavily and dropped his head next to mine on the pillow. I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair, hoping his ire over his sister’s actions was not too great. He lay still on top of me, his breathing slowly calming as I touched him. Minutes passed, and I felt his head turn and his lips press against my shoulder.

“She is infuriating,” he mumbled. “Perhaps it is for the best since I have likely worn you out by now anyway. I should give you time to rest.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Though I felt I could close my eyes and sleep peacefully the remainder of the day, I also welcomed the feeling of his warm skin against mine. The sense of safety—security—I felt in his embrace overwhelmed me. It was incongruous, these feelings I had, for though I desired his touch, I was still fearful of his temper.

Branford sighed again and raised himself up on his arms. He kissed my lips and then my chin before rolling off of me and sitting on the edge of the bed. I watched him get up and dress himself slowly, and then I followed his lead.

“She wants to make amends,” Branford said. “She blames herself for what Kimberly and Nelle did to you.”

“It was not her fault,” I whispered as I laced up the front of my dress. It was not a topic I wanted to bring up again. Indeed, I wanted to completely forget it had ever happened, but I did not think that would transpire. Everyone had seen me like that—the entire court.

“She still wishes to set it right.”

“There is no need—”

“Just allow her to help,” Branford said, interrupting me. I nodded quickly, and the topic was thankfully dismissed. We both finished dressing, and Branford clasped his sword around his waist. He turned to me, and his gaze traveled slowly up and down my body. I blushed, and he smiled. I was glad Branford’s mood didn’t seem to be completely soured by his sister’s intrusion though he did say he would speak with her about it again. When I inquired, he explained the doors of the royals’ chambers were never barred but guarded instead since barring the door would not allow friendly forces to assist if someone were to get into the rooms.

“Will Dunstan always be at our door, then?” I asked.

“No, the guards who patrol constantly are quite a bit more subtle. I will show you when we head out.”

“Out?” I inquired.

“I want to buy you something,” Branford said with a shrug. “We shall go to the marketplace.”

“Buy me something?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”

“Because I have never bought anything for my wife, and I want to do so,” he said simply.

With that, he donned his jacket, placed my cloak around my shoulders, and led me out into the hallway. He took me to a space directly across from the door where a portrait of a man in royal robes was hanging on the wall. Branford identified him as Camden’s great-grandfather and then pointed to a barely noticeable slit in the wall up the side of the painting. If I had not been told to look there, I would have passed over it, but it was large enough for an arrow to be shot from the other side of the wall. Branford had me peer in, and I could see a man behind the slit, hiding in the darkness. I gasped as the man’s eyes shone out of the blackness.

“There is an entrance behind the staircase,” Branford said. “Guards are always inside the walls.”

Dunstan was no longer waiting at our doorway, and it was rather nice to not think about someone following us. For the most part, I was glad for Dunstan’s sake. I did not want him to feel Branford’s wrath again. Branford took my arm and led me to the marketplace just outside the castle walls, and we strolled through the merchants’ shops and stalls.

We stopped to see how Amarra and her pups were doing, and they seemed quite well. It would be only a few weeks before the pups could be weaned, and Amarra could come and get used to her new home. Branford was visibly excited by the thought though I was unsure how I felt about having a dog in our chambers. When I approached Amarra, I was surprised to have the dog lick my hand. I cried out in surprise, and Branford thought my shock was wonderfully funny but managed to control his laughter long enough to wipe off my hand with his handkerchief and kiss the top of my head.

Taking my arm again, Branford walked us slowly around various merchants’ carts, asking me over and over again what I desired. I had never in my life had someone buy something for me, simple or extravagant, and I had never tried to think of something that I might just want and not need. Branford was growing frustrated with my lack of input and finally threatened to buy me one of everything if I did not indicate something I liked. Eventually, he pulled me over to a lavish display of jewelry laid out on a table with a bright blue covering. The woman behind the array beamed at him and seemed to have difficulty addressing him as she looked to his face. Branford told her I was in need of jewelry and to help me choose something. Everything on the table was so beautiful, I had no idea where to even start looking. All the necklaces and bracelets on display were truly wondrous. After seve

ral minutes of the merchant showing me different pieces, and me refusing because they all seemed so extravagant, Branford leaned over my shoulder.

“If you do not choose something,” Branford threatened with a smile, “I am going to choose something for you. Probably many ‘somethings.’ Maybe all of them.”

I nodded and bit my lip, finally pointing to a necklace. It held at the end of its chain five stone pendants—three of deep black onyx and two made of bright yellow stones that separated the black ones.

“You like that one?” Branford said.

“It resembles the colors of your banner,” I replied in explanation. He nodded, seemingly pleased, and tossed a handful of coins at the merchant. He lifted the necklace into his hands and reached behind my neck to clasp the necklace there. With his fingers, he traced down the chain to the stones at the end and lifted the largest one in the center, letting it shine in his hand. He smiled at me and briefly kissed my lips before we continued.

We walked a little farther down the main section of the market, and Branford stopped to admire a blacksmith’s wares for a while. After a few minutes of listening to him speak to the smith, I noticed a cart of fabrics and took the few short steps away to get a better look at them. There were many different fabrics in the cart, including some brightly colored silks, which were absolutely lovely. After I had admired the feeling of the cloth on my fingers, I felt Branford come up behind me, and his hands gripped my waist. He leaned over my shoulder and spoke.

“Do you enjoy sewing?” Branford asked.

“Yes,” I replied.