Turning over in my bed, I was awakened by raised voices coming in through the door to my small room off the kitchen. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I tried to distinguish who was angered, and where the voices were coming from. As I rose and began to dress, I realized one of the voices was Sir David, my guardian.
I had lived here, at his estate since I was a small child, 12 years old, when my parents died during a skirmish with the awful Lord Edward over our small tract of land, which neighbored Sir David's. He found me later that night, cowering in the barn, shivering with fear and cold. He brought me back here, to his estate and gave me a small room. In exchange, I was to help in the kitchen. Most of the other servant girls did not like me, as I seemed to have a much coveted place in the main house, and my chores were minimal compared to theirs. I was to do nothing that would roughen my hands or darken my pale, milky skin, which meant no outside chores, washing dishes, doing laundry or many other chores they deplored. When I turned 18, Sir David began training me to pleasure him, although he had yet to take my virginity. I took pleasure in my lessons with him, as I felt like I had some control as he writhed beneath my mouth and hands, which became more skilled with each lesson. He was very gentle with me, never raising his voice, and after our first session, I was no longer afraid to join him when he summoned me.
Drawing my thoughts back to the present, I heard small snippets of the heated conversation. It seemed to be coming from Sir David's study, which was situated off the dining room, a short distance from my quarters.
"Father, I have told you that I have far too much to do keeping the men and horses ready for battle to bother with such trivial things! And I wish you would not concern yourself where these private matters are concerned." I recognized this voice as Sir David's second son, Rian.
Sir David's voice softened, so I had to strain to hear. "My son, have you even lain with a woman yet, felt her warm sheath gripping you, heard her breathless sigh as you entered her?"
Rian's voice grew more irritated, "Of course I have! I'm nearly three decades old. I've been carrying on with various servants since I was a teen. My sexual prowess is not at issue here! I will not do what you ask, not today, not tomorrow, and very likely, not ever!" With that, I heard his heavy footfalls as he left the house.
Tip-toeing out of my room to meet Rosie the cook in the kitchen to begin my daily tasks, I came face to face with Sir David. His brows were furrowed as he bellowed, "Where is my tea!?"
I rushed to the stove and quickly grabbed the handle of the metal tea-pot, burning my hand. I gasped and let out a yelp of pain as the teapot went clattering to the floor.
"Dammit! Grace, I apologize for frightening you," Sir David said as he took my reddened hand.
"I-It's okay, not even blistered, Sir," I said, trying to draw my hand back.
"He gripped my hand and gently pulled me to a basin of cool water near the sink. As he placed my hand in the water he asked, "Did you hear any of the conversation I was just having with Rian?"
Not willing to lie to him, I answered meekly, "Yes, but only parts, hardly enough to make sense of it."
He peered at me for a moment then asked, "What were you able to make sense of?"
I swallowed hard and answered, "You want Rian to ...to... be with a woman...in that...that way." I managed to stammer.
He smiled at me and said, "You have excellent hearing, but you obviously did not hear the whole of the conversation. I offered him your virginity, but he says he's too busy to take it."
I gasped, "But why me? Why now?"
He smiled at me again and answered, "Rian is too much like me, concerned with everything but himself. I know he has had trysts in the past, the men around here keep me informed. But it has been months since he has been with anyone. And also, I will not have true sexual intercourse with another, only my beloved wife, who refuses to do the things I have trained you for. And it is past time for you to know the intimacy of love-making. Rian would be gentle with you, I wouldn't allow any other to have you."
"Well, Rian does not want to be with me...like...like that."
He chuckled lightly, "My dear, your innocence still delights me. Of course Rian would want you, if he would take the time to realize it. That is why I have come to a decision. You will be in his quarters when he gets back from the fields, and you will remain there until he does what I wish."
My eyes widened at the thought of this. "But what if he refuses?"
Sir David took both my hands in his, "You will spend every evening with him until he relents. The first thing you must do for him is the thing I enjoy most, he will not be receptive at first, but it is something he needs, to be humbled and give up control, if only for a few moments. Do you understand?"
I nodded slowly. He took me into his powerful arms and kissed the top of my head, "Good, my sweet angel, I know you will succeed. Now finish with your tasks and go up to his room. I will speak to him when he returns, do not worry, my sweet, his anger will not be directed at you."
The rest of the day passed in a blur, my mind never far from what I was expected to do this evening. Even Rosie the cook seemed to know, for she performed most of my tasks, enabling me to finish early.
I slowly climbed the stairs to his room, terrified of Rian's reaction to me being there when he returned. I slowly drew a warm bath, washing myself carefully. My mind began to wander to what the night held. Before I knew it, darkness had begun to fall. I scrambled from the tub and dressed hurriedly in my prettiest nightdress, just in time to hear Rian and his father in another heated discussion. I began to draw another tub full of warm water and gather the soap and some soft cloths. I heard his heavy footfalls on the stairs, and the door to his room opened. He peered around the door, scowling at me as I sat on the corner of his large bed. He came fully into the room and closed the door behind him, standing perfectly still, letting his eyes wander over me. He began undressing, right there, just inside the door. Unbuttoning his shirt, he pulled it off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. I immediately got up and went to pick it up. He swiftly reached out and grabbed my arm gently, pulling me up to face him. His chest was broad and muscular, covered with a light smattering of dark, coarse hair.
"Leave it, you're not here to do my laundering," he said quietly. His grey eyes roamed my face. "Are you frightened, Grace?"
I quickly swallowed and licked my lips, "Yes, sir," I answered.
"Don't fear me, I don't intend to hurt you. You can stay here in my room until my father gives up this ridiculous idea, and you will be safe, I will not do as he wishes."
I reached up and touched his long brown hair, "Do you think it is wise to defy him? I do not wish to incur his wrath anymore than you do. I do not believe you will hurt me, however, I want you to do what he asks. For both our sakes," I said, rising up on my toes to press my lips to his. He tried to pull away before our lips met, but I firmly held his face in both hands and he could not pull away without me losing my balance. His lips were firm and moist, but unyielding. I slowly drew back and stepped away from him. His eyes followed me as I picked up his shirt and laid it on the chair by the door. He sat down and began to unfasten his boots, sliding them off before rising to his bare feet. His eyes never left mine as he loosened his belt and began sliding his breeches down over his hips, testing my nerves to see if I would look away. I did not. His lean hips appeared, and between them a thick patch of dark hair. He bent low now, slipping the pants off his lean calves, over his feet and off. He stood before me naked, his golden tan body lean and sinewy. My eyes were drawn to his center, where he was showing the beginning signs of arousal. He had a beautiful cock, much thicker than his father's.
He stepped into the tub and slid his tall body into the fragrant, warm water, still watching me from under half closed lids. I slowly stepped to the side of the tub, and he had to raise his head in order to watch me. I silently, slowly drew my nightdress up over my smooth thighs, baring my own small patch of wispy golden curls. Although I could not see him with my dress obscuring my view, I heard his sharp intake of breath. I continued to slowly pull the hem of the dress up over my flat stomach and my firm, round breasts, and finally off. I let it slowly drift to the floor. My eyes searched his face as his eyes roamed my body, before finally making their way back to mine.