Emeline: A Gisborne Tale

Chapter Eleven

Saddened by Emeline's rejection of him, Conrad returned to Devon House. He could understand why Emeline didn’t trust him. He had struggled to come to terms with what Prince John required of him, and he was sure his reservations showed when he first met his cousin. The pasted  smile on his lips had made her visibly recoil, like a wicked sneer that betrayed his intent. He was no actor and knew he was not able to deceive Emeline in the way that Prince John wanted him to.
 
But even though he could see that Emeline had been distrustful from the start, he had carried on, forcing them both to carry on down a path that neither of them wanted, because he knew he had to in order to marry the love of his life.

When Conrad arrived at the manor he saw that Sybil had not gone home.

"Why are you still here, my darling? Where is Nicholas?" He looked around the room but Sybil's brother was nowhere to be seen.

"We had an argument and he stomped out of the room. He went home, I suppose. Don't worry, my love. He left the carriage for me and took one of the horses."

Conrad went to her and took her in his arms. He held her close then tipped up her chin to gaze into her eyes. She responded by kissing him.

Surprised that she initiated the kiss, Conrad returned it lovingly. 

Slowly, Sybil pulled away and strode over to the hearth.

"I don't know what we're going to do, Conrad. If your cousin doesn't marry my brother Prince John will not let us marry.  I love you so much! I don't want to lose you." She ran back to him throwing her arms around his neck. The tears came unabated.

Conrad stroked her hair as he tried to quiet her. "We have time, my love. Do not be upset. There may be a way that we can still marry."

"I don't see how," she said tearfully, her voice muffled as she buried her face in his shoulder. Suddenly, an idea struck her. "We could run away together. Somewhere where nobody will find us!" Sybil gazed desperately at Conrad

He returned her gaze, sadly. They both knew this was not an option. Sybil sunk back into Conrad's arms and held him tightly.

She pulled his head down and pressed her lips against his ear.  She whispered, "If we cannot marry I want you to, I want you to….. make love to me."

Conrad grasped her shoulders and pushed her away, holding her at arms length, staring at her in disbelief. "Sybil. You can't mean that! Your husband! If you are not allowed to marry me you will have to marry another man and he will put you out when he finds out you are no longer chaste. I do not want to ruin you, my love."

He dropped his arms and began to turn away, but Sybil ran towards him and clutched him tightly. “Conrad, you are the only man I want. The man I love. This is the only thing I can have from you and I want it. I want you to be the one to have me”  Pressing hard against him, she took his hand and placed it on her breast. Feeling his body respond, she ran her hands over his shoulders and down his back. She could feel his desire. She knew she had won.

Conrad, overcome with passion and his love for Sybil, would not deny her. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs to the first bedchamber he came to. Laying her down on the bed he began to deftly untie the lace of her bodice. Sybil shook her long black curls from their binds and let them drape around her head that was cradled on the pillow.

They made love passionately and lovingly.

Once their lovemaking was over he rolled over next to his beloved and they turned to look into each other's eyes.

Sybil stroked Conrad’s cheek. “I’m glad we did this. I will never regret that you were my first and only lover. It will not matter if I marry another. I will always only love you, Conrad Emery.”