...Walked with you once upon a dream...

Pt. 13

Before the sun rose, Ansel set out on his master's wishes. He stopped at the kitchens first to see what information could be dug up. It wasn't much, but he got a name. He also received information where the food was being delivered at one time. He checked it out and sure enough, it was the guest bedroom. It was empty though....he had not been on this side of the manor a lot, so he was rather unfamiliar with the territory. Then, he went to the next door and cracked it open. You AND Jacques were  sleeping together naked! Confirming this wasn't a guest but some kind of secret lover.

The morning was now beginning as the sun shined through the windows. Your father was drinking his morning cup of tea when Ansel stepped in. He bowed before trou father. ''Do you have something for me?'' he asked. ''Yes sir,'' Ansel answered then gave out the information he gathered.

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You were just waking up as the sunlight touched your eye's. Jacques was still deeply asleep on your chest. He looked so peaceful. You ran your finger's through the top of his head. His hair was so bouncy, soft, and shiny. It was addictive to touch. He stirred a little to your touching, then slowly woke up.

He moved his head to park his chin above your chest to look at you. You just smiled and rubbed your hand on his cheek with your thumb rubbing under his eye. His eye's were enchanting as they stared back at you. Something to easily get lost in. Your thumb rubbed on his face again, making him close his eye's and turn his face into your hand.

Jacques then sat up and moved behind u to hold and confort you. ''This is how it should be,'' he said hugging you to his body and pulling the blanket over you. You didn't argue. This felt very nice in fact. Jacques placed his head on top of yours and let out  a sigh, closing his eye's.

You turned around onto your back to look up at him. His head was partially on the pillow roll as his eye's remained closed. You propped yourself up a little to kiss and wake him. The kiss did wake him as he kissed you back. Some of his torso moved on top of yours. Afterwards, you hand found itself to his cheek again. Rubbing and clearing hair behind his ear. Up close, he was CAPTIVATING...even far, he was too. ''We can have breakfast brought to us,'' you said as a few of your finger's brushed his lips. Jacques smiled, made a hum, closed his eyes, and laid his head on your shoulder.

A half hour later, you both rose out of bed and got dressed. You had the servants bring breakfast to your room. Both you and Jacques sat across from each other on your bed and ate. The storm from the day before, had brought calm, cool, and sunny weather. You just HAD to take advantage of days like this in winter for they RARELY came!

You finished your food and set your plate down. Jacques was in the midst of chewing his last bites. An idea sprouted in your mind. ''Would you like to go riding today?'' you asked. Jacques was in the middle of chewing. He couldn't speak so he just gave you a nod. ''Wonderful, I'll have them get the horses ready!'' you said with a little excitement. Truth is, you LOVED horses, always had. Jacques liked horses too, but didn't let his enthusiasm out as you did.

After Jacques finished eating, you both went to the stables. In your mind, you decided on taking him down the riding path behind the stables. It was calm and peaceful back there.

The stable hands had readied two horses. Two solid white geldings. Jacques placed on a pair of gloves and then hopped on. You followed after and took lead out of the barn onto the trail. Jacques followed you, then was right next to you.

The trail was absolutely breathtaking. ''We should just get lost out here,'' you said.

''And build a castle of our own,'' Jacques replied.

His response made you blush a little. ''Tower's that touch the sky too,'' he added.

That made you both smile as you looked at each other.  ''Race you!'' you said as you took off. You had no idea we're to since you and Jacques were galloping through the wide open field. You both slowed down as you both reached the end of the field. The horses then slowly walked down a shady hill and path.

Both of you found trees to tie the horses up to and then dismounted. When you both walked out into the open, Jacques playfully tackled you. Both of you laughed as you both rolled around in the tall grass.

You both finally came to a halt with you on top. Both of you were expelling some heavy breaths. Jacques moved his gloved hand up your cheek and held it there. He even brushed his thumb very slowly across your lips.

This triggered you to kiss him as he kissed back making it very deep and passionate. He even pulled you closer as he let it run on your neck and down the exposed part on your chest. ''I want you to come back with me, I WANT you to be MY lady,'' Jacques said clearing your hair around your ear.

You were rendered speechless. In a way, this was a proposal too. ''I don't want an answer now, I still need to see where everything is at,'' he said softly. You nodded as he still cupped your cheek. ''Your such a rarity, I can't believe others didn't see it,'' he softly said again.

''Most are stupid anyway,'' you said curling your fingers around his long locks. He grinned and rubbed your back. You both sat up after awhile with you straddling his lap. ''I had the kitchens pack a little something for us....do you want me to set it up?'' you asked softly. Jacques gave you a nod. ''People don't realize it, but riding is work too,'' he said. You smiled, kissed him, and got up.

You went over to the horses to see what the kitchens had stored in your knapsack. First, you pulled out a blanket for you two to sit on. Next, you pulled out a small, tied leather bag. Opening it revealed bread, boar sausage, cheese, and some apples. Not exactly a lunch, but would do for the time being.

Then, you returned to the spot Jacques and you were occupying. First, you laid the blanket on the ground for you both to sit on and then set up the food. You both then dug in. Both of you grabbed the spare butter knives to spread the cheese and slice the sausage on and for the bread.

As you both ate, you decided to start a conversation. ''So.....tell me all about Sir Jacques Le Gris,'' you asked. He was kind of surprised that you had any interest, no one had ever asked before.

''Well....I wasn't a 'Sir' until of recent,'' he started.

''What were you before?'' you asked.

''Squire, my father was one, but never became a knight,'' he responded.

''He was also a literary person as well and taught me, I had no name or wealth, so knowledge was my tool. As I grew older, it seemed like it was going to be a life in the church, but celibacy wasn't for me,'' he added.

The last part made you laugh a little, but then found some seriousness again.

''You must of had a pile of women through the years, being in the royal army and all,'' you said.

Jacques was quiet for a few seconds then spoke. ''Yes, but none of them had a scrap of intelligence or common sense at the least. Most, were just eager for the pay. I can remember telling some to just stay silent because I couldn't stand their nonsense.''

''Ever married?'' you asked and Jacques was quiet again. Longer this time which almost made you regretting that you asked.

''....Once,'' he said quietly.

You could tell that this subject pained him, so you did not press it. Out of nowhere, he spoke. ''I was young and had an expensive wife. What was on her back became most important. So, I sold and did extra things to keep her happy because I loved her. It blew up in my face though, I came home one day and she was in OUR bed with the banker.....now she's with him somewhere else.''

Immediately, you pulled him to you and hugged him. His arms held onto you too. You found yourself rubbing his back as well. Now, you had REALLY regretted asking this!

''I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,'' you quietly mumbled.

Truthfully, being in YOUR arm's made him feel better.