Morals of Love

Chapter 3

"Oh honey! What happened?" Dunkan gasped.

Taking a deep breath Narella began her fake explanation. "I knelt down to look at the flowers, got tangled in my dress. I took a fall. No big deal. I'll just get my dress hemmed tomorrow."

"You sure Mom?" Jasbear asked.

"Yes honey." Narella responded, avoiding eye contact with either of them.

"Sit down my dear." Dunkan suggested, pulling out the chair next to him. "We were waiting for you."

"Oh, sorry I'm so late" Narella said quietly.

"No worries my dear." Dunkan reassured as he signaled the waiter.

As course after course was served the conversation was light. They talked about the garden and the paintings Jasbear was working on. After everything was done and everyone was full Dunkan requested that Narella join him to discuss something privately. He knows something is up! How am I going to keep Jasbear's secret? Should I keep it? She decided that she would. She would keep Jasbear's 'one and only' to herself. Even if Dunkan asked. She followed him up the stair and down the hall to his library.

"Sit down my dear" Dunkan requested, gesturing to the couch. The couch was smooth dark brown leather and had a high back. The texture and thin cushion was so far from her comfortable love seat in her secret little house. She sat down uncomfortable she looked at him. He sat down next to her and took her hand in his. "I talked to the doctor." Dunkan said gently.

Narella let a short gasp pass between her lips. "Honey? Is that what you have been acting so strange about?" Narella blushed turning her pale skin a rosy pink. Dunkan pulled her into his arms. "My dear we have a lovely son. What more do we need?"

Trying to find comfort in his arms Narella smiled. "You're right" she whispered.

"why don't you get cleaned up. Then I want to show you this new book I got." Dunkan suggested. Narella slowly sat up and gave Dunkan a quick kiss and headed off to her room.

~*~*~*~

Narella got out of the shower. As she dried off she left the steamy bathroom and entered her warm bedroom. A servant had lit a fire in the fire place and laid out a new dress across the bed. Narella winced when she saw the shorter skirt. Word gets around fast.... she thought. At least I have many knee length skirts. She is probably hemming that dress I was wearing. I didn't really like it anyways. The knee length skirts were always her favorite.

Turning to her dresser she looked into the mirror. As she pulled her hair into a pile on top of her head. She admired her figure. Thin and delicate. I really haven't lost much that of my youth. My figure is still good.. She frowned. If only my hair wasn't turning gray.... turning back to the bed she thought about Dunkan's response to the news of her infertility. He wouldn't be so happy if he knew the truth.

She put it on the light blue outfit. Then she suddenly got a tight feeling in her stomach. I hope they haven't taken all my long dresses. Quickly she went to her closet. With a sigh of relief she realized that they were all there except the one she was wearing and the one she had on earlier today.

Reaching into the back of the closet she pulled out a long chain loop with a key hanging down. She closed the closet door and left the room. She shut the bedroom door and taking the key locked the door. No one is gonna ruin those dresses. She put the key around her neck and headed down the hall to Dunkan's library.