The Sacrifices for Peace.

Four chapters and no reviews... this story must really suck... oh well try and enjoy. let me know what I'm doing wrong. 

 

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Chapter 4

A week had passed since the purchase of the dun stallion and though the uncomfortable atmosphere between them grew a routine formed. 



Branwen would wake up first wash and dress then go down to the kitchens to overlook breakfast before waking him up to wash and dress before its delivery. Nothing was really said during breakfast just an uncomfortable yet thoughtful silence. 



Jarred would then escort Branwen to the Library where she would be tutored by the formidable Lady Belfair. The woman was a friend of his mother and a retired school mistress, well-travelled and lovely woman, providing you stay on her good side. Jarred had asked her husband if he would tutor Branwen but Lady Belfair insisted she would help as Branwen would need all the help she could get fitting in with the Ladies of the court. Lady Belfair and Branwen had quickly become friends. 



Her lessons with Lady Belfair were Sociology, Etiquette, History and English literature and language. When lessons were over Branwen and Lady Belfair would eat lunch together some times her husband Sir Belfair and Jarred would join them. Lady Belfair would tell Branwen all the gossip of the court. 



After lunch she would change into a pair of leather riding trousers and a riding skirt and walk down to the paddock where Brad would be waiting with the Palomino called Brio. They would have an hour and a half lesson. Half sat astride the saddle, half ridding side saddle. At the moment they were working on walking, trotting and canter. Brad had told her she was a natural and hoped to move her onto galloping and jumping by the end of the month. 



She would go see Ferus then, to talk to him and groom him before washing and changing for her three hour lesson with Sir Belfair where she would learn Maths, Geography and taught how to debate. He often complimented her on her natural diplomacy and grace. 



She would then change for dinner and eat with Jarred their conversation polite asking about each other’s day before falling into silence. After dinner they would have dance lessons, the only activity they did together before Jarred would retire to his study sometimes with Brad sometimes alone and Branwen would go to their room to read and study before going to sleep. 



Other than the odd kiss on the cheek or forehead, their arms linked as they walked or Jarred’s arm over her as they slept there was no physical contact, friendly or otherwise between the pair. There was so much stress on what was expected of them that it made any activity between them strained and uncomfortable. 



Everything apart from dancing, when they danced she would pretend he was someone who loved her, let the music absorb her and she would glide effortlessly. He would be captivated by the happy sparkle in her eyes and the grace of her movement. When she danced she came alive and it was only when he saw her like that did he think maybe the marriage would work.



When the music stopped the tension would return, the clumsy awkwardness would return and both of them would grow more and more unhappy. Branwen finally stood away from him as the music stopped and she looked up at him. His eyes tore away now the music no longer played he would not hold her gaze. Brad who had been watching frowned to himself. He saw their unhappiness and was powerless to help. Brad walked over to Branwen he had become good friends with the woman they talked art, literature but mostly they talked horses.



“I decided I’ll let you ride Ferus tomorrow but any practicing will be done on Brio understood?” Brad said. Branwen looked up at Bran with a childlike excitement for a moment he thought she would kiss him.



“Oh thank you Brad” she told him before running over to Jarred to tell him her news. He had to admit she was loyal to her husband. 



“Jarred, Brad is going to let me ride Ferus tomorrow” She said excitedly “Will you be there to watch?”



“I will” he said smiling at his wife enjoying the excitement that lit up her face. “I promise”



She grinned at him and then at Brad before she went to her room but her mind was not on her studies or riding Ferus it was on the emptiness of the room and the loneliness that had settled in her heart.

 

She sat on the balcony watching the stars when the door was slammed open. Brad was stood there with Jarred and two of the harem girls. Both men were drunk and the Harem girls were holding them up. 



“Ah there’s my lovely obedient wife” Jarred slurred. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”



Branwen could feel the lead in her stomach. Bile raged like a stormy sea as she watched him, swaying his arm around this other woman and the will to be an obedient wife snapped. She was fed up of being ignored, he was her husband whether he liked it or not, She bit down on the feeling though and helped him into the room. She walked to the door where the two harem girls stood. Brad looked at her his arms around both Harem girls.



“I thought I better get him back before I escort these ladies to my room.” He said with a cheeky wink and the girls giggled. “He didn’t look at another woman” 

Brad’s words were calming but she wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. She soothed the tide of anger and willed away the lead. She removed his boots and he tried to help and in doing so making the job harder. She could smell the ale on his breath and it made her scrunch her nose up in displeasure. Finally she got the clothes off him; he lay slumped on the sofa watching her, a burning need for her building with in him.



“Come on, in to bed” she said and helped him to his feet. He staggered putting his weight on her.



“Is that an invite my wife” he said pulling her closer the need for her raging out of control now. 



“You are drunk” she said pushing him away but he held onto her tighter pulling her with him onto the bed, he rolled on top of her and kissed her hard. She pushed him away ripping her lips away from his. Anger flared in him and he pinned her hands above her head and kissed her hard. She struggled and he merely tightened his grip.



“I’ve wanted you so bad” he said kissing her neck. He sat up and looked at her, the tears in her eyes and the despair in her face. He sobered up immediately. 



“I’m so sorry” he said releasing her hand and looking at her the horror of his actions marring his face. He sat at the edge of the bed his head in his hands. She sat up shakily and put a hand on his shoulder.



“So am I” she said softly “let’s forget it, you were drunk and I was angry at you”



“Why were you angry at me?” he asked.



“Ask me in the morning I’m going to sleep” she said climbing into bed. He turned off the lights and crawled in beside her, pulling her close and kissing her face softly, apologetically. It was a long time before either of them slept.