The horse's hooves pounded on the ground as Margaret pushed the mare across the open meadow. She wore her hair loose and it flowed behind her as she urged her mount to go faster. She enjoyed the feeling of the animal's strong flanks on the inside of her legs and the way the saddle rubbed against her body as she urged the majestic creature through the forest.
She had not slept well at all during the night. Every time she had closed her eyes, she had seen Lila's wet body. Even in the morning light, she could picture the way the moonlight had glistened over the woman's dark skin. She could still taste Lila's sweet lips and feel the tongue that had expertly explored her mouth in the rose garden.
Elaine had chattered about the upcoming nuptials as she had helped Margaret dress. Partly from exhaustion and partly because of her churning mind, Margaret had barely commented. Phillip and Father had talked about the property and things at court all morning. She usually loved to hear about the excitement in the King's palace, but this morning she couldn't even enjoy the intrigue. Breakfast had been followed by a visit with the seamstress for a final fitting of her wedding gown. She had been poked and prodded by the seamstress and her assistants for an hour. She finally lost herself in her thoughts, imagining that the assistants' hands were Lila's. Those thoughts had left her nipples pushing against the fabric of her gown and the juncture between her legs throbbing again. She knew the seamstress had to notice the nipples pressing through the material. A blush crept into her cheeks and she tried to focus on something else.
When the seamstress had finished, Margaret went to the kitchen and filled a canvas sack with fruit and cheese. She thought about going to sit by the lake to enjoy her lunch, but she was afraid that Lila would be there, so she had decided on a long ride through the mountains would ease her body. The groomsman had helped her prepare the roan mare and Margaret had escaped.
Her mind had stayed with her, though. Lila came back again and again. No matter how hard she had pushed, the dark woman had lingered just outside her conscious thoughts. She had thought the ride would ease her discomfort, but instead the rocking on the saddle had spurred the throbbing between her legs to a new height. When she dismounted near the cool creek, she stood beside the horse for a few minutes, breathing hard and making sure her legs were secure underneath her.
She secured the mare with a long rope and dipped her toes into the creek. The frigid water helped cool the sweat from her forehead and eased the heat that flowed through her blood as well. She spread the blanket on the soft creek bank and sat down to enjoy her cheese and fruit. She usually enjoyed being alone and having the time to think, but today she quickly found herself regretting her decision. Without Elaine or Phillip there to distract her, all she could think about was Lila.
"Perhaps a trip to the priest for confession would have been more productive than this ride," she grumbled to herself, lying back on the blanket with closed eyes. When she opened them, she cried out in surprise. Lila was standing at the edge of the trees. She wasn't hiding, but she had come up quietly. Margaret let out a little scream and sat up, turning her body halfway toward the woman as she did.
Lila threw her head back and laughed at Margaret's shock. It allowed Margaret a moment to take in the gypsy. Her hair was again flowing loosely around her face in a mass of busy curls. The sleeves had been removed from the blouse she wore. Shirt, Margaret corrected. It looked like she was wearing a man's shirt. Only two of the buttons were fastened. The one directly over her breasts and the next one down hid the globes from view but did not cover her flat brown stomach. Margaret was surprised to see the woman wearing man's breeches. They fit snugly and did nothing to hide Lila's curves. She wore boots and her pants were tucked into the tops. She was leading a big black horse.
Silently, Lila led her mount to the creek side. She did not bother tethering the huge animal. She stood beside him, rubbing her hands over his flanks and talking softly in a language Margaret did not understand. "Seems you and I think alike," Lila said to Margaret as she released the animal and turned to the smaller woman. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at Margaret. From this angle, she seemed to tower over the noblewoman. "It seems you and I must think alike often. We both wanted to swim last night and chose to ride today." Her voice dropped to the same husky tone that had sent Margaret into turmoil in the clearing the night before. "I just want to know if you are running from the same things that I am."
"Who said anything about running?" Margaret snapped, not liking the feelings that Lila stirred inside her. She pulled herself to an upright position, trying to keep herself angry. Just being close to Lila was making her insides warm. Her breasts were starting to tighten at the same time the lower part of her body was turning loose.
Lila laughed again, the sound musical. "Okay, so you aren't running away from anything, which only leads me to wonder why you are as far from the castle as you could get this close to your wedding day." Margaret sighed and lowered her shoulders, staring at the soft quilt. Lila sat down next to her, taking Margaret's face in her rough fingers. "Sometimes, it is easier to talk to a stranger," she said softly, caressing Margaret's cheek.
Margaret remained very still, not wanting to enjoy Lila's touch but feeling sparks of pleasure rush through her body nonetheless. She did not pull away and found herself not wanting the gentle caress to end. Margaret's lips were parted slightly, and she unconsciously extended her tongue to wet her lips. Lila's dark eyes dropped to Margaret's shiny lips, focusing on them. Lila leaned forward, touching her mouth to Margaret's. Margaret did not attempt to move away as Lila's tongue teased her lips farther apart. The gypsy's tongue slipped into Margaret's mouth and explored the dark cave.
She teased Margaret's tongue, urging the young girl to explore as well. Tentatively, Margaret pushed her tongue into the hot trap of Lila's lips and attempted to mimic Lila's movements. Lila tasted of bread and strawberries. She enjoyed the taste and the feel of the woman's mouth.
Margaret was so involved in the kiss that she was surprised when she felt a hand on her breast. Lila's fingers had left her face and were now caressing her breast through the material of her dress. Her nipple was hard and pushing against the material. Lila's hands were brushing over the outline. A moan caught in the back of her throat and spilled into Lila's mouth. She could feel the area between her legs throbbing again. The sensation seemed even more concentrated today than it had the previous night.
