Hans van Berkamp, Captain in the Hungarian regiment of Horse, sat by the fire in the tiny servant quarters kitchen. He leant back in the simple wooden chair, chewing the last few mouthfuls of scrambled egg that he had breakfasted on. He was still in his cavalry strides and boots, their polished leather still glistening with early morning dew and blades of freshly cut glass. He had changed into a loose fitting cotton shirt, as his previous one was being scrubbed clean of his own blood in the washer room by the housemaid. His impressive chest heaved as he let out a mighty sigh, the muscle rippling under the leather lace by the deep meeting of his clavicles, his shirt open in a deep v-neck. He still felt the elation and adrenaline of victory in battle, but this was tempered somewhat by the unsavoury task still to come that morning.
McCreedy topped up his black coffee with another tot of peaty, single malt Islay whiskey. Berkamp took a deep draught of the liquid, "Well my old friend, even at home, a man's duty is never done." McCreedy grinned and nodded in agreement as Berkamp rose, adjusting his shirt, tucked tightly as it was into his perfectly tailored cavalry strides at his narrow waste. He grabbed his sabre from where it hung in its scabbard across the back of the chair. McCreedy stood also and knuckled his forehead in salute as Berkamp stepped out into the pleasant mid-morning air, the cold numbing somewhat the still throbbing, recently sutured gash across his cheek, now the only sign that he had come from a duel to the death that morning.
Marie von Berkamp sat at her dresser, her eyes a little red and puffy against her creamy skin, which itself seemed translucent after her long, hot bath. The tears had subsided somewhat, it had been an emotional ride back from that horrific scene at the dual, but her heart still thrillingly fluttered at the memory of the excitement. Katalin, her maid and confidant, sat behind her and carefully brushed Marie's dark hair.
"What was it like Marie?" Katalin asked, safe in the familiarity and privacy of her Madam's chamber.
"Exciting Kat, terrifying. But what a man he is, I see that now like never before." Her eyes were downcast, then rose shyly to the mirror as she spoke, meeting the reflected gaze of Katalin their eyes briefly flashing total understanding between each other.
"Yes Marie, your clothes were utterly soiled!!" her blond hair shook under her bonnet as she giggled mischievously.
"Oooh, Kat!!" Marie turned, blushing, playfully striking her friend on the arm. "But, oh, how I love him now! He was more handsome than ever I have seen him! But I wish he would see me now, I feel I have sullied our marriage, he will be cold to me now I fear."
"Fear not," said Kat, embracing her with her equally petit body, "he is a great man, he will deal with it well." They paused in comfort and familiar embrace. Kat could feel her hard breasts through the single layer of her night gown. Marie turned her face to her friend, the soft lavender scent still strong after her bath, their lips softly met in a casual kiss. "Thank you for saying so Kat," she spoke softly "I dearly hope that is true."
At that moment, they heard the athletic step of a large man mounting the stairs to the chamber. Kat started, jumping up, she began attending to brushing her mistress' coat. There was a gentle but firm knock at the door.
"Madam, may I speak with you?" It was her husband, his voice polite, but cold and devoid of any feeling.
"Yes my love, please enter." She tried to calm herself, brushing her hair, her delicate hand trembling. He stepped in, filling the door frame, then stepping to one side, holding the door open. With a deep, respectful bow, his sword and belt still in his hand he greeted his wife, his gaze flicking to Katilina in subtle command. Marie could barely speak, her voice cracking with emotion "Katilina, please leave us."
"Yes Madam" she curtsied as she left, again as she passed the Captain, whose stooped body bowed a little deeper as she exited, the door closing behind her.
Captain von Berkamp threw the saber and belted scabbard onto the bed. "My lady, I hope this morning finds you well, I note the exertions you suffered this morning somehow left you more beautiful and gracious as ever, I..." but Marie could play the facade no longer. Seeing the red, inflamed suture on his cheek; his attire and upright bearing reminding her of her feelings that morning, she could no longer hold back. She threw herself at him, her arms around his waist, her head against his chest as she looked up to him, eyes glistening.