Dedicated to my Lord Justin who brought out the maiden in me.
A young maiden was walking along the road one late autumn afternoon. The trees were thick on both sides. The shadows were beginning to lengthen and you could feel a chill in the air. Between the thick carpet of fallen leaves and the density of the trees the road seemed to narrow; or perhaps it was the lateness in the day that made it seem so. I will need to find a place to sleep soon, she thought as she started to shiver. She was so deeply absorbed in her thoughts she did not know someone was following her.
Lord Justin was ambling along on his horse on his way home when up ahead he noticed someone walking on the side of the road. It looks like a young maiden, he thought. It will soon be dark. It is getting too late for a maiden out alone. He decided to get a closer look. Perhaps he could give her aid. Without really thinking he spurred his horse into a gallop and raced toward her!
Suddenly she heard a horse galloping towards her! She turned quickly, ran into the woods, and hid behind a bush. It looked like a man, she thought. Her heart was beating so loudly she was not sure if it was her heart of the pounding of the horse's hooves. Why does this man want to frighten me so? She did not know he had watched her and knew exactly where she had disappeared.
Suddenly Lord Justin drew up his horse and dismounted. He stood facing her direction and said, "I know you're in there. I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you. I was not thinking when I spurred my horse. I just wanted to see if you were in need of help. It will soon be dark and a young maiden should not be out alone. Please forgive me dear maiden and come out."
Angel thought, he is dressed like a Lord. Perhaps he did not mean to frighten me. Perhaps he is concerned as he said. She slowly stood up but kept her distance. She said, "My Lord I know you not and I'm frightened and alone. How do I know you won't harm me if I come out of the bushes."
"Fair maiden I'm sorry. I did not mean to frighten you as I said. I implore you if you are alone let me help you. Perhaps then you will forgive my horrible conduct. I am Lord Justin," he said as he took a slight bow. He smiled as he said, "Maybe one day I'll learn to behave and not frighten young maidens. Please forgive me and come out." She took a few tentative steps but did not come out of the woods.
Once she got closer Lord Justin said, "I don't recall seeing you before. Do you live close by?"
"My parents are both gone, my Lord. I lived at an orphanage but ran away. The sisters did not like me, were cruel, often punished me for naught, and would not let me eat. One day when I was sent to fetch water I simply did not return."
"Fair maiden where are you sleeping now."
"I sleep in barns my Lord. I've been sleeping in the haymows."
"Have you eaten recently? Are you hungry?" She did not answer or move any closer but Lord Justin could see she was weakening.
Lord Justin held his hand out to her and said, "My fair maiden, I could give you a place to sleep and food to eat. You can work for me. I am in need of a maidservant. Please come out now as it is getting late and these woods will soon be full of animals on the prowl."
Her eyes grew large and she looked around her in fright and quickly stepped out of the bushes. As she came out of the bushes Lord Justin offered her his hand saying, "Fair maiden I can't keep calling you hence, pray tell me your name."
Tentatively she looked into his eyes and said, "My name is Angel my Lord."
Lord Justin did not move. He looked into her eyes and could not pull his eyes from hers. She had the darkest brown eyes he had ever seen. Finally forcing his eyes from hers he said, "I'm glad to have made your acquaintance Angel." What a perfect name he thought as he looked again into her eyes. Her eyes captured his again. He could feel his heart racing. What was it about the maiden that made his heart beat so? He finally pulled his eyes from hers and said, "It's time to go."
Lord Justin mounted his horse and put his hand down to lift her saying, "As you are in a frock Angel, you will have to sit across in front of me. Fear not I'll hold you between the reins." He closed his arms around her holding the reins on either side and spurred his horse into a gentle gallop.
They rode in silence each left to their own thoughts.
Lord Justin enjoyed the feeling of the young maiden pressed against him as he rode. His thoughts were not as kindly as he had led Angel to think. His manhood was in need and she could learn to serve him well. He thought, I will let her get comfortable and win her with my kindness and she will learn to serve me in other ways beyond being my maidservant. His smile turned wicked as he looked down upon her.
Angel did not realize what Lord Justin's plans were for her. She was happy and content that she would no longer have to sleep in the haymow above the horses and soon would be warm and have food to eat. She would happily cook his meals. She thought, I am going to take very good care of my Lord to repay his kindness. I am only a maidservant but I will take good care of his needs.
Little did Angel know what the lord's needs were.
As they rode on in silence the rhythmic gait of the horse made Angel drowsy. She did not realize she had snuggled into Lord Justin drifting off to sleep.
Lord Justin felt Angel as she nestled up close and enjoyed the feeling of her next to him. It had been quite a while since he had bed a wench and he was in great need. Angel would serve him well.
It was some time before they reached Lord Justin's manor. By the time they had gotten there Angel was rested. When he drew the horse to a halt, she awakened with a smile. She looked up at Lord Justin and said, "I'm sorry my Lord I seem to have fallen asleep."
"No need to apologize we are home now and you may have something to eat."
Lord Justin helped her down and then dismounted. He said, "I'll take you into the house then I'll care for my horse." He led her into the kitchen much to her delight and left the room. Angel thought, I'll make him something to eat while he tends his horse. Angel soon found all she needed and had fixed something to eat by the time the lord returned.
Lord Justin smelled something cooking before he entered the room. He came in smiling and said, "I'm glad I rescued you Angel. I am a dreadful cook. While it smells very good, you need not have cooked the moment I brought you in. You must be very hungry."
Angel said, "I was happy to be of help. I've nibbled a little while I cooked." Her eyes grew large, she covered her mouth with her hand, lowered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry my Lord, I should have asked."
Lord Justin said, "Don't apologize Angel. I'm glad you made yourself to home. I intended you should eat. I just wasn't expecting you to start working the moment you walked into the kitchen."
Lord Justin smiled, looking down at Angel's bowed head said, "Please eat as you will. Once you are finished I will find you something clean to wear then you may wash up and head off to bed. We'll figure everything else out tomorrow."
Once Angel had eaten, Lord Justin showed her to her room. Lord Justin smiled distractedly as he turned to walk away then stopped. He retraced his steps and knocked on Angel's door. Angel slowly opened the door saying, "Yes my Lord?"
"I'm going to look and see if there are any clothes here that will fit you and I'll be back shortly."
"Thank you my Lord," Angel murmured as she slowly closed the door.
Lord Justin went to the closet to see what he could find. That wench he had known was about the same size as Angel. If he could find something, she had left, Yes! This was exactly what he was looking for. Looking them over he decided she would have more than enough clothes. He would not have to worry about getting her anything to wear. If they needed altering, he was sure Angel could do it. She would not be expecting new clothes anyway. After all, she was only a maidservant. He quickly took the clothes to Angel so she could get off to bed.
Lord Justin realized what a treasure he had found. Angel had no family and was his for the bidding. Now he thought how could I have her as my maidservant and have her serve me in other ways as well? It was obvious she wanted to please him.
First things first he had to win her trust so she would serve him well in everything she did. Now, he had a lot of planning to doβ¦
Lord Justin's manor was almost a day's ride from the closest village. He was a Lord by title, however he was the poorest Lord around. He had lost all of his money gambling. He was quite sure when he had more money he could turn things around again. In the meantime, he now had a maid and didn't have to pay a thing, and soonβ¦ very soonβ¦
There was no time to think of that now.
Lord Justin had enough food in the pantry for a couple of days but he would need to sell something to get a few supplies. He looked about trying to find something of value to sell. He had sold almost everything already. He did not see anything. What was he going to do? Then he thought about the north wing. That has not been open in over fifty years. Perhaps there is something of value there.
Angel had drifted off to sleep and for the first time in a long time was warm and full. She slept well and did not awaken until the sun was high in the sky.