𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Hunter (part 1)

"Hilda!" Mother's voice carried through the walls of the house.

I forced myself through the drawing room's door and down the hallway to see what she wanted now.

"Hilda!" Mother said breathlessly as she hurried around the corner, arms outstretched ready to grasp my shoulders. "Come, it is not not long before the men start arriving."

I almost groaned with boredom!

***

Imogen had sorted me out with a dress and I was making my way to the main sitting room, when I saw someone through the tall window. I paused and realized who it was.

I ran to the doors just ahead and pushed them open, as quietly as I could.

"Wymond, what are you doing here?" I whispered.

"I thought I would wish you luck." He said. The Hunter seemed resigned and, although I had only had one proper conversation with him, he seemed odd.

"I really don't want to do this today."

"You do. You know you do."

"I know." I sighed, "but truthfully I don't want to marry."

"You don't have a choice Hilda." He reasoned.

"I ought to go." I said and gave him a sad smile.

What was I doing? Talking to two men at once. Only one of whom I could even suggest to marry, but if I really loved him, would I have talked to Wymond?

***

I walked into the sitting room through the back way so I avoided all the men waiting in a line behind the main door.

"Where have you been?" Mother said impatiently. "Why do you leave everything to the last second?"

"Sorry." I mumbled.

Mother turned and the door opened to reveal the first man.

Father spoke: "Hilda, this is Malak Stout."

"My Lady." He said and did the usual routine men did when greeting me. This is going to be boring, I thought, how many are there?

***

Half an hour later a familiar face appeared on the other side of the door. I felt butterflies flutter inside me and Duke took my had and kissed my knuckles. Before raising his eyes to meet mine, his forehead creasing as he did so.

I smiled and wished the pink that was building in my cheeks would go. Last time we touched it did ended with me wrapping myself around him and showing the passion that I didn't know I had.

I looked to my side at Mother and gave her an encouraging smile, which, surprisingly, she returned. If Mother agreed, Father would too - or so I thought...

***

"I will not marry that man." I screamed to Father. "He is not the one, Duke is. Mother, please, you saw it too." I turned to her in the hope she would support me. I was wrong.

"Dear," she tried to soothe, "your Father and I both know Ferox would be better."

"You are not me!" I yelled. "This is bullshit." I said even louder, before storming out of Fathers study.

I didn't even bother changing from my dress as I made my way to the stables. Even there, I didn't bother gathering tack, I just jumped straight on Storm and cantered away.

***

Should I swim? I thought as I stood at the waters edge in one of my best, most beautiful dresses. Fuck it, yes, I should.

I managed to untie the bow and let the dress fall from my shoulders revealing my corset. As I stepped out of my clothes, I simultaneously untied the string of my corset before throwing that on the ground too.

I walked to the edge and I felt the cool water run between my toes. I waded deeper and deeper until I could no longer touch the lake bed.

I swam out to the center of the water and I felt free again. I felt young and happy. Nothing to worry about. Nothing.

I turned back to towards the shore, in mind to do another length when I saw a horses head appear, then it's neck and finally it's rider.

Oh shit! I thought. Not now, I've nothing on!

"Hilda?" Wymond shouted out to me.

"Yes, it is." I shouted back.

"Whatever are you doing out there?"

"Swimming." I enthusiastically said.

"Shall I join you?"

Now, really? I. Have. Nothing. On. I thought again. But why shouldn't he join me? We're in water anyway.

"Oh, go on then!" What was I doing?

He laughed as he took off his gear.

Whoa, he does have a nice body!

Wymond waded into the lake and said: "are you mad? It's bloody freezing!"

I laughed, "come on, it's not that cold!" I teased.

That encouraged him because he came swimming right to me. I wondered how much of my body he could see.

"We really should not be doing this." He said.

"Having second thoughts already? I don't normally think about that until it's over. Either, people find me or I did it without anyone ever realizing I had gone."

He smiled a gorgeous smile and I returned it before splashing him with water.

"Oh, now you've started something!" He said through laughter.