Rowena made her way along the walls until she reached the
bedroom. She entered her room, and took off her heavy clock. She went and took
her bath, followed her usual routine, and went and got into her bed. She felt
very tired, and fell asleep immediately. Rowena was with the Earl, they had met
secretly every night for over two weeks, Rowena was so happy, and excited. She
felt completely alive, more alive than she had felt in years. The Earl drove
her back to the Marquis estate. Rowena,
he said, I insist that we must tell the Marquis about us. He kissed her gently
on her cheeks; Rowena laughed, and kissed him on his cheeks. She had to stand
on her tiptoes, towards his tall bended frame. He laughed down at her, and gave
her a long hug. Then he continued to hold her, and stare at her. I have looked
long, and far for you. I have been searching for you for years. Rowena smiled,
and whispered; now we are finally joined together, as it should be.
The notorious Earl of Wexcoust gave her one last final hug.
I insist that we tell him tomorrow about us. I will wait here to make sure you
enter the house safely. I will stay here for two hours before I leave for my
estate. If you change your mind about living with me. I will be waiting here. I
will continue to do this until you tell the Marquis that you want to live with
me forever. Rowena smiled happily, gave him one last kiss, and walked towards
the Marquise house. She looked back from time to time to make sure that the
Earl was waiting for her. To her relief he was, still watching her to make sure
she was safe. He had done this for over two weeks. He had even taken her to
meet his mother, Princess Alice, and the rest of his family. They had eaten
dinner together every night. They had made her feel welcome, and loved. That
was what was missing all my life she thought to herself. I finally belong to
someone who really loves me as I am. She giggled to herself softly, and
continued into the dark house. She did not notice anyone; she was so absorbed
with her thoughts of the Earl, and his mother the Princess. She did her usual
routine that she had done now for the past two weeks. She was very careful not
to waken anyone, and made her way towards her bedroom. She hummed soon she
would really have her own bedroom, and home. The Earl had promised her that his
estate was her estate. Everything he owned was hers also.
Lady Rowena looked at the time, it was very late, and she
had been late every night for over two weeks now. She looked carefully around
to make sure that no one saw her. She had done as the Earl told her, to be
careful, until she decided to tell the Duchess, and the Marquis, about them.
The night was cool. She closed her hooded cloak tighter around her to hide her
identity. She stepped into the side door, located under her bedroom, she
slowly, and carefully walked towards her bedroom. She passed the Duchess room,
tiptoeing trying to be quiet. She finally reached her room, and gave a sign of
relief. She must be very careful.
She walked to her bath, took off her clothes and took a warm
bath. She put on a warm heavy nightgown, and walked back into her bedroom and
began to brush her hair. She pulled it back, and pinned it with her mother’s
pearl bow. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on her door. She went to her
door, wondering who it could be at this late hour. She opened it a little,
startled to see the Marquis glaring down at her. My lord-- she began, but he began in a rage to yell at her. His
eyes frightened her; because she had never seen him so angry. His eyes were
hard, and looked like glowing fires of death. Where have you been going! He
demanded, why are you coming home, this time of night! I was told that you were
meeting some Man, but fool that I am I did not believe it. I trusted you
Rowena, believed your little lies about not wanting men’s attentions. My
lord... began Rowena, again, I can explain. He replied, continuing in a rage,
save your explanation! I saw you with my own two eyes.
You arrived here in the Earl of Wexcoust’s coach. I saw you
kiss him. My lord began Rowena again,
you must let me explain. Save your explanations! He shouted you are like all
women; you only care about money, and position. You fooled me into thinking
that you were so pure, and different! Yet you sleep with the Earl of Wexcoust! Startled, Rowena stepped back, the Marquis
face was very angry, she was completely caught off guard. She looked at his
face, noticing that he was extremely upset. He looked very grim; his eyes were
burning with a hard sternness. Rowena! He demanded, I want an explanation! He
stared down at her. Rowena was confused; she asked whatever are you talking
about? He asked what have you been doing? where have you been?, the Marquis
continued in a rage!, Rowena tried to explain, but he cut her off.
Do not lie to me Rowena! I saw you with the Earl. I saw him
kiss you! I thought that you were different! I thought you weren’t the kind of
women who sleeps with men for their wealth, and position. Why did you lie to
me! He shouted, angry, you told me that you did not have any relations with
men. I believed you; I thought you were pure, and innocent. Now I see that you
are no different than any other women. Women who lust after a man for his
money, and will do anything if a man has money, and a high position. So my little pure angel, he said
sneering you are corrupted by your new friends.
His voice was bitter; you made a complete fool of me. He
continued in a rage, in spite of Rowena’s protests. Rowena was very distressed.
She was not used to such behavior. My lord she began again, He rudely snapped,
what is it! Walking towards her he shook her hard in spite of her cry of pain.
He kept saying I thought that you were different. I could have seduced you, and
taken advantage of you! But I did not because I respected you. His voice was
bitter, have you been with your lover tonight? Rowena was speechless, He
snarled like a lion, and grabbed her, he held her close to him, his jealously
barely contained. He stepped back looking down at her confused, and frightened
face, you seek a lover, do you? He looked her up and down. He pulled her close,
his muscular arms felt like steel. He kissed her deeply, and long ignoring her
muffled protests.
He said huskily, his voice mockingly, how is that my lady.
She struggled in vain, and tried weakly to push him away. She was frightened,
and appalled by his violence. She tried harder to push him away. He pushed her
away very hard, almost causing her to fall. She tried to gain control of
herself when he suddenly stepped close to her.
Grabbing her hard. He pulled her close, and kissed her hard.
Rowena gasped, and tried to step back, her entire body trembling from the
encounter. The Marquis kissed her long, and hard. You little fake, he almost
growled, you played me to be a fool! I believed you to be pure, and innocent.
Yet all of this time you play me for a fool. I could have taken you anytime,
but I respected you, and adored you! I could have seduced you, and made you
mine, and you trick me! You insult me by sleeping with my enemy! He flung her
away from him. A sneering look upon his face. Don’t be dismayed my little lady,
he said mocking, I will not take seconds, I shall not touch you, after the Earl
of Wexcoust has satiated himself with you!
Rowena was gasping now outraged herself.