Later that morning Celeste was once more dressed in her male garb as Terence addressed her. "We still have funds for a week or two, perhaps we need not look to our trade for a while."
Celeste retorted hotly "We need money for our own purposes also. Remember that I at least don't intend to remain in this profession all my life!" His relaxed, to her eyes lazy, attitude provoked her to her old independence. She would not be told how to conduct their affairs if it was so clearly ill-considered. Her mood was not helped by the frustration she was still feeling after the morning's denial of release.
They argued back and forth, but Terence had to admit their ultimate aim
was
to build up funds for their different purposes, and they should not use up all the proceeds of each interception. So Celeste had her way in that, and also in their choice of destination. "We must get far away from Norwich" she had argued cogently. They would head through Thetford to Cambridge next, and then eventually on to Bristol where she had some acquaintances down by the docks.
Finally Celeste contrived to slip away, claiming she was going to see to the horses, whilst Terence was settling the bill. She slipped quietly into the stable, checked that none was around, and sneaked into a corner of a stall. There she quickly brought herself off, her fingers working deftly under her skirts. But although she came, it really didn't satisfy her. As she was rearranging her skirts she caught the stable-boy peering at her from the next stall and wondered how much he had seen. It was of no concern to her, she was quite brazen enough to like the idea of a secret audience. She paused as she was passing the stall where he pretended to work, looking at his breeches to see if she could see any sign of arousal. She could see none, but nevertheless smiled wickedly as she said "I hope you're having an entertaining day, boy." She stifled a laugh as he blushed.
So they settled their bill and departed. Celeste glimpsed the young stable-lad again as they rode out and gave him the most outrageous wink, being rewarded once again with his scarlet face. Perhaps when we pass here again, she thought ... he clearly is ripe for some education in certain arts.
On the road each of them dwelt quietly in their own thoughts for a while. Terence was pondering his new-found mastery, glancing frequently towards his slave. Unfortunately for him, in her own cogitations his slave was plotting to become distinctly un-slavish once again. She was determined to reassert some independence. It was not, she told herself, that she would renege on her surrender. After all, that surrender was wonderful in itself, she remembered, and the memories stirred her yet again. But Terence, older though he was, still had so much to learn. Surely it was her duty to teach him in between her times of surrender? Thus she arrived at a rationale which satisfied her.
The day was dull and dreary as they rode towards Cambridge. They came across one coach too suddenly to make "arrangements", and to their chagrin had to let it pass. In the forests around Thetford they made camp for the night. They were both tired and sore from the day's riding, and after eating a cold supper they huddled together for warmth, falling quickly asleep.
