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."