The Promise

Chapter 9

I truly do dislike that woman. I made my way from the kitchen to the drawing room where I sat and watched the rain bash against the windows,simply enjoying the sound. I turned to see Winnie carry in a tea tray with some lunch appetisers and place them on the tea table that was accompanied by a settee either side where I was currently seated. "Am I doing something wrong Winnie?" I couldn't help but feel like I was constantly in the way "whatever do you mean ma'am?" she stood beside me and I turned to look at her "I just feel so... unwanted here and Cecil she..." Winnie interrupts me "forgive my rudeness ma'am but Cecil is wicked, she has never been nice to anyone, I don't believe she knows the meaning of the word, you must not threat, you will make yourself sick, you already have everyone concerned about your appetite or lack of" she speaks placing a hand on my shoulder for comfort. "You're right" I sigh "I must apologise for it is not the food that makes me lack hunger, everything is just a lot at the moment" I place my hand ontop of  hers and smile at her before she departs, leaving me to look at this beautifully arranged lunch selection.

I tried to pick, eating some grapes and biting on some bread. I just really wasn't hungry, I thought about what to do with the hours remaining in the day and decided I should try to write to mother. So with that I headed back to my room, sitting myself at the study desk and placing my quill to the paper.

'Mother, I am just writing to...'

Is all I wrote, what am I writing to tell her? That I still have not fulfilled my duty? That the help hate me? That I am clearly not wanted here? I sigh resting my forehead on the desk as a tear escapes me. The tear landed on the paper, smudging the still wet ink as more tears freed from me copying suit of the first escapee. The sound of the rain beating the windows made my sobbs almost impossible to hear in which I was greatful for. With no more tears left to cry I lay myself on the bed and fell into a deep slumber.

"Lady Francesca, Lady Francesca" Winnie voice repeats as she lightly shakes me from my sleep, I open my eyes looking up at her as I stretched out my arms "you really are beginning to worry me ma'am" she sigh as she presses her hand against my forehead " you have a small fever, let me help you out of your dress and you can get some proper rest" I sit up as she speaks " I am truly fine Winnie, I'm just a little tired from all the change" I reassure her "I will inform Lord Alexander that you are not fit for dinner" I begin to shake my head as she speaks "no, no he already hates me we mustn't give him another reason" I plead, as I stand myself up from the bed "please my lady, if you do not rest you will only make yourself worse, Lord Alexander will understand" she begins to help me out of my dress as she speaks and I do not protest for sleep seems rather needed.

In my nightdress I slide back between the sheets and close my eyes. Drifting back to sleep and into dream. I dreamt of hands sliding over my body, squeezing and massaging me, rasing my nightdress up around my waist, I felt fingers caressing my bare skin. I awoke,not sure how long I had been asleep but feeling rather flustered. My nightdress around my waist and my fingers stroking the inside of my own thigh. I didn't stop, I slid my fingers higher and higher and higher until they collided with the most sensitive parts of me. I move my fingers up and down myself until a warm wetness begins to form,I didn't stop I couldn't stop, I repeated my actions speeding up as a feeling began to arise inside me, my breath began to quicken and my free hand fisted at the sheets. Then suddenly it was as if my insides tingled and my legs began to shake, a release like no other consumed me and I let out a loud moan, bringing my hands to my mouth to muffle it as a smile overcome me. A feeling like no other, I need more.

I flung myself out of bed, clutching my lamp, heading out the door and back to the library where it all began. I opened the door a jar sliding in just like I had done so the night before,closing the door behind me. The night was dark and the storm rattled through the walls of the house with the loud grumbles of thunder and occasional flash of lightning. I begin to search for my next adventure, my fingers crossing paths with each book spine. 'The bond of bondage' my finger settled, what a confusing title I thought as I pulled it from its place, taking a seat on the brown leather chaise facing out of the large window. Before I open the book the door opens and I turn to see Alexander, once again shirtless and scruffy looking "are you well?" he questions as he approaches me, resting himself against the window in which I face. So now he wants to speak to me again?

"Quite so" I speak as I look up to him greeting him with a small smile. "The storm keeps me awake so I thought a new book could keep me company" I raise the book to show him and he laughs "no" he shakes his head reaching for the book, peeling it from my hands "that's definitely not for you to read" he sits beside me, this man laughs? And it's a pleasant laugh, deep and warm but why is he laughing at me? "Do I amuse you my Lord?" I turn to face him with a face of confusion. "Quite so" he smiles " may I be so blunt and ask why?" with my tone more of a demand than a question his eyes lock into mine "I watched how that other book corrupted your innocent mind earlier, I watched as your breath raced and your thighs clenched" he paused for a moment edging his face closer to me speaking in almost a whisper " Tell me Francesca, have you even provided yourself with pleasure yet?" I am to stunned to speak and the silence became unnerving.

"If the last book did not spark your insides then this book with scare you from such pleasures" my eyes look out the window before I spoke again "for whatever do you mean my Lord?" I speak softly, trying not to fall over my very own words. "You must enjoy the pleasure before you enjoy the pain" he speaks as he removes himself from my presence and exits the room.