Merry Begot

Chapter 1

Elora sloshed through the muddy ruts created by the wagons of farmers who'd brought their goods to the market that morning. The dismal clouds which had hung heavy and gray over the village most of the day had finally dumped all their rain by mid-afternoon, filling the ruts and making the dirt too slippery for boots not to constantly slide into them.

Of course, it didn't help that every window was dark, candles snuffed for the night. All except for the small Inn. Since that was Elora's destination, it was the only one that mattered. She hurried around the worst of the rain filled trenches, hugging the carefully wrapped garment to her like an infant. She decided to cut through the stables, as they would be far less treacherous.

Almost as soon as she stepped inside, Elora could hear the unmistakable sounds of an erotic tryst. It wasn't uncommon. Ashamedly, she'd watched many a man fuck maids in that very building, her curiosity too strong not to look away when she should have. Luckily, she'd never been caught or it was hard telling what the consequences would've been.

At the moment, Elora's only concern was getting her hard work delivered to a paying customer as promised, even if the sounds had her body awakening in ways it did a lot more often lately. Prepared to quietly backtrack and go around the stables, the quiet moans of the woman reached her ears and the words froze her to the spot.

"Oh, Daddy. Daddy, harder."

With wide eyes, Elora recognized the sound of the Innkeeper's daughter, Irabelle. But the more disturbing voice came after.

"Aye, you like that. Don't you, little belle?" It was Farl, Irabelle's stepfather.

His response was followed by the increase of slapping skin and pleasured grunts.

Shocked, Elora's heart started racing, knowing what kind of illicit and shameful act she'd just happened upon. Her desire to flee was immediate, but in doing so, she knocked over a rake, which clattered loudly on the hard-packed earth.

Still, Elora ran with all her might, praying she'd made it out of sight before either Farl or Irabelle managed to spot her.

It took a moment to calm her heart when she reached the front of the Inn. If not for desperately needing the coin the dress would fetch, she would've merely run straight home. But Elora couldn't leave without delivering at the time she'd given. Her quickness with thread and needle was what kept her prized above the other seamstresses in the village.

Adjusting her bundle, she took a deep, calming breath and entered the Inn. Irabelle's mother, Junip was behind the polished wood counter where she served ale and food by order. She smiled at her in greeting, and it made Elora heartsick to know the woman was so innocently ignorant of her husband's immoral affair with her daughter.

One thing Elora's mother had always taught her, though, was to never stir trouble because it always came back on the messenger the worst. So, she returned the woman's smile and stuck to the most important business at hand.

"Here's the dress you ordered for the festivities tomorrow, Junip," she announced.

"Oh, delightful," the older woman celebrated clasping her hands together. "Let's have a look."

Elora laid the garment on the bar and untied the wrappings, peeling them back to show the Innkeeper. Junip's face lit up and she covered her mouth.

"Oh, Elora. It's beautiful," she praised. "Belle is going to look just lovely in this. The loveliest of all the maidens."

A tight fist clenched around Elora's chest and throat. She'd made the dress for Irabelle?

That wouldn't have bothered her before, but knowing what she did now made Elora want to snatch the garment away from Junip and tell her never mind. Unfortunately, she couldn't do that. Her purse was empty of coin, and she needed too many supplies.