Her Dark Paramour

The next several days passed in much the same way. Ariana woke up in her own bed, spent

the morning sewing in the study with Tobias, who often read to her out of one of his books,

rode Willow in the afternoon, danced the evening away in the ballroom and feel asleep in

Edric’s arms. But to Ariana, it still felt a little like they were playing house.

She was thoughtful that night when she climbed into Edric’s bed with her hairbrush. It

had become part of their nightly ritual. He had even insisted that she teach him to braid

so he could do it himself. He ran the brush through her hair over and over, caressing her

curls with his fingers. Dropping the brush in her lap, he wrapped his arms around her and

buried his face in her hair.

“Your hair smells like lavender.”

“It’s from the soap in the bathroom.”

“I know; I like it.” He took the ribbon she handed him and swiftly plaited her hair

down her back.

“You’re getting pretty good at this.”

“Pretty good? I think I’m better at it than you are already.” He teased her. She gave

him a tired smile. He leaned against the headboard, and pulled her against him so her back

rested against his chest. “What is it, love?”

“Tomorrow Tobias’ trial week is up.” She said softly.

“And has that got you worried?” She thought about it for a moment.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you already know what I’m going to say?”

“Yes.”

“And aren’t you going to say the same thing?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s the problem, love?” He stroked her hair, kissing her temple. She turned

and kneeled next to him, raising a hand to her neck.

“This.” She touched the impression etched into her skin.

“Ah.” His expression melted.

“We’ve spent nearly every minute of an entire week together. I’ve answered every

question about myself, told you things I haven’t told anyone before. But you have told me

almost nothing of yourself, of your past. I’ve been patient, and I’ll continue to be

patient for as long as it takes. I really will. But, Edric, don’t you see? We’re both

ready to commit to staying together when we don’t know what this thing, this secret will do

to us. I’ve trusted you with everything. But I don’t see how we can continue if you don’t

trust me as well. It hurts me that you think so little of how I feel for you.” She

crumpled next to him, unable to go on even if she had felt the need to say more.

“I’m so sorry. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I will tell you. I have to

tell you. But, I just…”He ran his hands through his hair in agony. “I’m just so…terrified,

more scared than I’ve ever been before. I will tell you; I just…need more time.” Ariana

wasn’t sure what more time would do, but she nodded.

She sighed and settled against the cool skin of his chest. That struck her as odd. She

thought for a moment. Quite distinctly, she remembered how the heat of his body next to

hers had excited and frightened her on that first night. She pressed her hand to his chest.

His skin was markedly cooler than hers. Remembering the nights in between that and this,

she thought there might have been a gradual change, so slight that until its overall effect

was registered she hadn’t noticed it. She sat up again and pressed her hand to his

forehead, frowning in concern.

“Do you feel alright Edric?” He looked at her quizzically.

“Yes, I feel fine, why?” He was taken aback at her sudden change of topic.

“You’re cold.” She pressed her hands to his cheeks, his neck, to make sure. “Are you

sure you feel well? Perhaps we should call a doctor.” He grasped her wrists, kissing her

hands.

“I feel fine, really. It’s probably just too many nights sleeping without a shirt on to

impress you.”

His attempt at nonchalant dismissal made her suspicious, but she knew if he didn’t want

to confess to being sick, she couldn’t make him. She had proof positive that Edric didn’t

share what he didn’t want to. So, instead she decided she would monitor him closely to see

if he developed a cough or some other symptom of illness. She slid down and nestled closer

to him, hoping her own body heat would warm him.

That night, for the first time since she’d begun sharing Edric’s bed, she slept

restlessly. She woke before Edric, who still felt cold. She didn’t think she could go

back to sleep, and she really didn’t want him exerting himself carrying her to her bed while

he might be sick anyway. So, she kissed him lightly, smiling when he mumbled her name,

picked up her hairbrush off the floor, and went back to her own room. As she lay down, it

occurred to her to wonder if Mrs. Beddoes could tell that she didn’t spend the night in her

own room. If she could she’d kept it to herself at least. Ariana dozed off and on until

she heard the secret door swing open. She sat up in her bed to see Edric’s face poking into

her room.

“You frightened me; I didn’t know where you’d gone.”

“Silly, where else could I go. I woke up, and since you were still asleep I thought I’d

spare you carrying me in here for one morning.” He crossed to her bed and climbed in next

to her.

“But I like carrying you in here every morning. You say the sweetest things to me.” He

snuggled into her chest and she put her arms around him.

“I do? What do I say?” She hadn’t known she talked in her sleep.

“It isn’t every morning. But, mostly it’s things like, ‘I’m sleeping,’ or ‘go away.’

But sometimes it’s things like ‘put me down.’ Once you even called me a tyrant.” He

chuckled at the memory.

“And those qualify for sweet sayings?”

“Oh yes, because you wrap your little arms around me and press your face into my neck

and your sweet, warm breath blows over me. And then when I lay you in your bed, I usually

have to pry your arms off of me, and you say things like, ‘no’ or ‘don’t go.’ And when I

kiss you, you heave the most contented little sigh it always makes it hard to return to my

own room again.” She chuckled, kissing his forehead, and he heaved a little sigh of his

own. Later, she nearly had to push him out of the bed before he would leave.

She knew this day was no different than any other. Edric had given her his promise since

the beginning. But for some reason, knowing Tobias would ask today her stomach was doing

nervous little flips. So, when Edric left, she got up and got dressed. She was sitting

sewing at her desk when Mrs. Beddoes unfastened the rope from the door. She’d finished the

green skirt and jacket and was ready to sew together the pieces of the dress she’d cut from

the pearl grey sateen. She brought a few with her and headed down to the study.

Tobias was there already, sitting by the fire. She took a cup of tea, and sat with him.

Before long Edric joined them, and they each sat with their work: Tobias reading a large

book, Ariana sewing, and Edric absently sketching. She’d stolen a look at his sketchbook a

few times; it was about an even split between various landscapes and portraits of her.

Shortly, Tobias closed his book with purpose and looked up at the two of them.

“Well, here we are at the end of the week.” He began. “I hardly feel the need to have

this conversation at this point. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to share our thoughts on

these issues to remove any misconceptions. So, in that spirit, Ariana would you like to

continue to stay here, for the present at least?”

“Yes, I would.”

“And have you been honest about yourself with Edric?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Good. Now, Edric would you like Ariana to continue to stay here with us?”

“Of course.”

“And have you been honest with Ariana about yourself?” He looked at Edric pointedly.

Ariana suspected that Tobias knew what Edric’s secret was from that look.

“Well, I haven’t lied to her, if that’s what you mean.” Edric dodged the question.

Tobias sighed and looked at him severely.

“It is not. Since we’ve reached the end of the week and you both wish to stay together

we will allow Ariana’s flat to be released, as per our agreement. But, you must be

forthright with her before any discussion of permanent arrangements is allowable, Edric.

And might I impress on you that sooner is always preferable to later in matters such as

these. Don’t put your happiness in undo jeopardy.” With that he picked up his book again,

summarily dismissing them. With a frown, Edric jumped up and left the room. Ariana watched

him go, suddenly afraid of what might happen if he refused to tell her his secret.

“Tobias, what is he so frightened of that he thinks it will drive me away?” Ariana

hoped the older man could give her some comfort.

“I’m afraid it’s up to him to tell you in his own time. But have faith, child, he will

tell you. I think he’s simply gathering courage for the task. You have affected a great

change in his life, and the prospect of losing you must be torturous. I must admit, the

idea distresses me none too little as well. Perhaps he simply underestimates his power to

hold on to you. I doubt there is anything either one of us can do; we must simply be

patient and wait.” He patted her hand and returned to his book.

Ariana left her sewing in the study and wandered about the manor wondering where Edric

had gone. She found him in the stable, resting his forehead against Ebi’s neck and absently

stroking the horse’s cheek. He didn’t look up at her when she approached, and when she

suggested they go for a ride, he replied that he didn’t feel like it. His distraction

alarmed her, so she took his hand and dragged him away from the stables informing him that

they were going for a walk. He let her lead him across the field toward the stream. She

kept hold of his cool hand, wondering if Tobias’ words had upset Edric so, or if he were

indeed getting sick. They walked until they reached the stream and found Edric’s favorite

place to sit when they let their horses drink from the cool flow. She sat down on the

sheltered rise underneath the stand of birch trees, drawing him down with her. He laid his

head in her lap and stared, unseeingly at the stream while she stroked his hair. They sat

without speaking for a long time, Ariana’s unease growing steadily. She lifted his head off

her lap, and lay down beside him so she was facing him.

“What is it, Edric? Speak to me, or I shall go mad!” She caressed his cheek, her face

etched with anxiety. He managed a weary smile.

“Just the same old worries, love, only heightened to a new degree of terror.”

“Oh, Edric.” She had no more words for him. No words to convince, cajole. He was

hurting himself to avoid sharing his secret with her. Her silent tears spilled onto her

face. He brushed them from her skin with a gentle hand.

“Don’t cry, love. There’s no sense in our both being upset by it.” He sat up and

pulled her to his chest, kissing her warmly. “Now, I think we’d better head back. It’s

cold and you came out without a coat on.” He smiled at her affectionately, regaining some

of his usual liveliness in his face.

“You’re not wearing a coat either.” She couldn’t shake her concern for him. He was

being consumed by his secret, and she felt helpless to stop it.

Edric pulled Ariana to her feet and guided her back across the field toward the manor.

If she had been in the humor, she might have laughed at the ironic twist that had occurred

at the stream. Edric now lead her across the field with purpose while she sullenly allowed

herself to be carried along beside him.

When they reached the manor Mrs. Beddoes had a simple lunch of sandwiches waiting for

them. Edric pushed her toward the dining room, claiming he needed to retrieve something

from his room. Ariana observed to herself, not for the first time, that both Tobias and

Edric seemed to be busy or have eaten already whenever she took a meal. She ate one of the

little sandwiches from the pile on the tray, but her stomach still felt uneasy, so she left

the rest and wandered out into the front hall. Edric came down the stairs with his hands

behind him and stopped in front of her. He held out his closed hands to her.

“Pick one.” She considered a moment and pointed to his right hand. He opened his hand

to reveal a blue button.

“You guessed it. Here you are.” He handed her the button and she looked at it in

confusion.

Why would Edric want to give her a button? She looked up at him and his expression was

pure mischief. She was glad he seemed to be feeling better, but she felt too sullen to play

games. He took her hand in his taking back the button and pressed something cool into her

palm. It was delicate silver locket on a thin silver chain.

“Oh, Edric, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.

“A small gift in commemoration of our first week together.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” She had never received a more precious gift, and it

astounded her.

“I know, but I was getting jealous of all the things Tobias has given you, so I thought

I’d better make sure you knew that I could give you pretty presents, too.” He teased.

“Open it.”

Inside the locket was a small portrait of Edric smiling lovingly at her. The picture was

an exact representation of how he was looking at her now.

“I wanted to give you something that would keep me near your heart always.” He took the

locket from her and fastened it around her neck. Indeed, the length of the chain left the

locket sitting directly over her heart. “Perfect.” He stroked the locket, and kissed her

tenderly.

“But I don’t have anything to give you.” She protested.

“You’ve already given me plenty of things Ariana. But there is something else you can

do for me.”

“What?” He took out his pocket watch opening its cover to show her the blank space on

the inside.

“Agree to sit for a proper portrait so I might carry you around in my pocket all day?”

He winked at her and she giggled.

“Of course.” He smiled, grabbing her hand and dragging her toward the stairs. “What,

now?”

“Do you have something else you need to be doing at the moment? A clandestine meeting I

am unaware of?” His eyes twinkled.

“No, I…” She couldn’t think of a reason why they couldn’t do it now. He laughed and

swung her up into his arms, carrying her up the stairs to his room.

She knew she should object to his carrying her about, but she didn’t really care. She

wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing, and took advantage of her position, as she did

whenever she was near his face, and kissed his jaw near his ear. He carried her all the way

into his room and set her on the desk. He pulled his bedside table over to the wall nearby

and set his desk chair next to it. Pulling out some paints and brushes, he placed them on

the smaller table. Next, he turned to Ariana and positioned her on the desk so she was

close to the window facing his position by wall, light pouring in on one side of her face.

Smiling at her, he untied the ribbon from her hair and pulled a few curls over her shoulder.

Satisfied, he sat down and began working.

“Hold still.” He commanded her.

Ariana wondered if she should be doing anything in particular other than not moving. She

fidgeted a little until Edric stopped what he was doing, heaving an exasperated sigh and

gave her a significant look. She smiled sheepishly and folded her hands in her lap. She

watched Edric as he dipped his brushes in the paint and made little strokes on the inside of

the cover of his watch. He looked up, studying her, and back down to the watch. Up, down,

up, down: he was so concentrated on his work, his mouth fell open a little and his eyes

widened as he studied her. He looked so sweet and innocent in his absorption. Her own

expression softened as she watched him. He was so adorable, she soon found it rather

difficult to stay perched on the desk and not rush to him and enfold him in her arms,

showering him with kisses. Finally, he finished. He carefully set the watch on the table

and began cleaning his brushes and stowing his supplies back in the desk drawers. She

watched him with affectionate amusement on her face. When everything was satisfactorily

tidied he handed her the watch as he moved the table back beside his bed. She sighed.

“What do you think?” He ran a hand through his hair.

“And here I was beginning to think you had some talent.” She teased him. “The portrait

you gave me of yourself is perfect, but this doesn’t look like me at all. This is a

portrait of some other, prettier woman you know, isn’t it?”

“I’ll not have you disparaging the beauty of my lady, miss. This portrait is exactly

accurate.” He teased back.

She looked at the picture of herself again. He was a little biased, she thought, but in

general it was a fair representation. The expression on her face was right at least. It

said, ‘I adore you,’ which was true. She smiled; he’d even painted her locket into the

picture. She handed it back to him, and he pored over it, grinning contentedly. He set it

on the desk to dry and lifted her off it, setting her on her feet.

Unhampered by his command to hold still, Ariana wrapped her arms around Edric’s neck, and

showered him with pent up kisses. He laughed as she pressed her lips all over his face. He

caught her chin in one hand and steered her lips to meet his own. Her head spun a little as

he kissed her ardently. He slipped his tongue into her mouth enticing hers to follow its

gentle rhythm. She knotted her fingers in his hair and he ran his hands down her body,

using her hips to pull her closer. Abruptly, he pulled back, chuckling at her. She stood a

little surprised trying to catch her breath.

“What, no innocent maiden protesting my getting carried away?” He ran a hand down the

hair trailing along her back.

“I think she got a little carried away herself.” Ariana replied breathlessly. He

laughed and taking her hand, headed downstairs toward the study.