Lord and Lady Gaufrette, escorted by their son, Sir Roger, arrived the next day and the Lady Gaufrette gushed over how beautiful the castle looked, now that it had been dressed for the wedding. Sir Roger made his polite welcomes and immediately went looking for Velvet. He found her in the near field, attaching a new door to the smokehouse.
“Hello, Velvet.” Her skin crawled when she heard the rasp of his voice. “Did you forget me?”
She turned to Roger, mallet still in hand. “Why, hello, Sir Roger.” She gave the requisite bow. “Welcome back. Did you have a good trip?”
“Yeah.” He leered, his hard eyes sweeping her from head to toe. “I thought about you the whole way here.”
“That’s nice, but you should be thinking about your bride.”
Roger closed the space between them so fast that she had scant time to react. His iron-strong fingers gouged the flesh of her wrist and her fingers opened involuntarily, the mallet bouncing harmlessly in the dirt. “I am thinking about her. AND you.” His teeth flashed as he spoke, lips curled back in anger. “You see, I plan on fucking you after I fuck her.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, if you don’t, I’ll make sure that she pays.”
Velvet felt the blood drain from her face, her breath caught in her throat. “You wouldn’t dare!” She hissed.
“You don’t think so? Why don’t you ask some of the girls around here? They can tell you what happens when someone refuses my charms.” He wrenched her arm, making her grunt in pain. “You want to stay with your precious princess, you’ll fuck me, wherever, whenever and however I want.”
“Sir Roger!” The warrior released her arm at the sound of Sir Gordie’s sharp voice. Gordie’s eyes flew to hers and she gave a small nod, then returned to bore into Roger’s. “Is there a problem?”
“Naw, Gord. Just a little … “ He sneered at her, adjusting his now-tight crotch. “Misunderstanding.” He turned, heading for the stable. “I’ve got to check on our horses. See you later.”
Gordie waited until he was far enough away before grabbing her arm and wincing at the purpled marks that were already arising. “That piece of shit! If he thinks that he can come into my castle and hurt
my
friends … ”
“Gordie!” Velvet exclaimed, unable to hide her amusement. “You cussed!”
“I did?”
“Yes, you did!”
As soon as she began to laugh, he reluctantly joined in and with moments, the dark, evil feelings had passed and she returned to her job. Sir Gordie watched as Sir Roger left the stable, heading for the castle and hoped that he could protect his princess and his friend.
******
There were no more quiet nights after that. Rosebud’s rooms were filled with wedding presents and an endless parade of wedding participants marched through, leaving the wedding gown, stockings, veils and the like in their wake. Rosebud was extremely grateful to Velvet, who doggedly stayed with her as Roger insisted that he be present at any and all fittings that concerned the wedding. After all, he said, it was his wedding, too!
Velvet knew better, especially after she was a little late for a scheduled fitting of stockings and found the princess backed into a corner, his hands quickly moving upward under her dress. He had been purple with anger, but was unable to dislodge Velvet from Rosebud’s side and had grudgingly acknowledged her presence from then on.
The day of the wedding, the castle was bursting at the seams with villagers, merchants and other royal members who had been invited to share in the joy of the king and queen at the marriage of their only child, Princess Rosebud. The only people who didn’t feel joy were sitting in the tiny upper solar, their fingers intertwined as they silently gazed at each other.
Rosebud noticed the pains that Velvet had taken to be beautiful on the day of her marriage. She was wearing a pale yellow skirt dress with a brightly colored shawl that covered her shoulders. Her thick black hair had been curled and lay in luxurious waves around her face. The queen had done her make-up and the effect took Rosebud’s breath away. The only thing that had remained the same was her eyes. Those gorgeous dark brown eyes melted at the sight of her and Rosebud’s heart felt warmed.
I can do this. She chanted inwardly. As long as I can always see me in your eyes, I can do this
.
Velvet didn’t let Rosebud know that she HATED the dress. She had wanted to wear pants, as she always had, but Queen Rosamund stated that pants were not part of wedding protocol and once she set her mind, it could not be turned. But when she had seen the look in Rosebud’s eyes when she’d come into the solar, she forgot about protocol. Rosebud was wearing her gown and she looked as if she had stepped out of a fairy tale book. That thought was tempered by the reality that she was soon to be another’s bride.
Neither woman spoke. Their souls spoke to each other as their fingers stroked and mouths touched. Rosebud’s heart quaked as she felt Velvet’s tongue search and find hers, lovingly wrapping it in hers. Velvet imagined that there was music and she was squiring her bride around the dance floor. Rosebud moved close, melting into the strong arms of her lover, swallowing back tears that threatened to fall and ruin her make-up.
They moved together to the unheard music of their hearts, pausing only for small kisses and meaningful touches, content that what was precious between them would remain so.
Three knocks rang on the door, followed by two more and Sir Gordie stepped into the room, closely followed by Queen Rosamund and Lady Gaufrette. Velvet maintained her security position beside the door.
“Oh, my dear, you look stunning!” Gaufrette moved around the young woman, casting her eye upon the gown. “I believe that I will be hearing the pitter-patter of little footsteps soon!” She winked and Rosebud looked away, turning to smile at her mother.
“Are you ready?”
The princess smiled. “As ready as I will ever be.”
