The Greener Field

Suspicious Clues

Upon returning that afternoon to Derek's equestrian estate, the dour Miss Beverly greeted them then showed them out to the riding facilities. There they found Derek who had already prepared three horses for their late day excursion. He told them they would tour the countryside near Godmersham Village and its wooded surroundings. With much trepidation Sarah climbed up on her animal and was shown how to keep her feet in the stirrups and control the reigns. Jess comfortingly offered to ride close to her and commandeer her mare if she became feisty or threatened to run independently away from the other two.

Before long, Sarah seemed  comfortable in the English saddle and was able to enjoy the sites as they came along under the Derek's expert guidance. The woods were particularly thick in this area of Kent, southwest of Canterbury, and the party of three horses and four hounds skirted the low, undulating hills just before dusk. Derek pointed out the ruins of several old fortified estates, overgrown now with foliage in the distance. One they could see was just the walls and groundworks of an actual Medieval castle.

The trails narrowed as they came into denser woods and their host told them of the game birds he liked to hunt there in the fall. Sarah enjoyed the quiet of the environment, save for the shrieks and calls of numerous birds which gave the place an eerie atmosphere as darkness threatened to move in accompanied by billowing clouds. Returning after an hour and a half back to the outer stables of Derek's Silkcrest, the three riders dismounted and left their rides with a groundskeeper who minded the stalls. This they did none too soon, as the cooler wind had come up, bringing with it a steady shower. The weary travelers scurried up the gravel pathway to the main house just before becoming completely soaked.

Entering a side door where Derek led them, Miss Beverley took their coats, ferrying them upstairs to the domestic floor of the manor. The place was cozy and warm and besides the smell of a fireplace somewhere, Sarah detected the sumptuous aroma of a meal in preparation. 

 "Dinner will be served in about an hour," Derek told his guests officiously. "Now . . . Jess, Sarah, Miss Beverley will show you to the guest suite. There you will find accommodations to bathe and relax a bit before we reconvene in the dining room for our evening meal."

Jess looked over at Sarah and winked, confirming that their stay there would be of a royal treatment.

"Thanks, Derek. Everything looks fine. . . as usual."

As they were shown these accommodations with Edwardian style furniture, a matching bedroom set, and an adjoining bath, Sarah began to wonder privately how often Jess came to Silkcrest—and with whom?

Down the distant hall she could still hear Derek's voice.

"Miss Beverley . . . you must remind George when he's finished with the horses . . . to stock up with plenty of firewood for the night. There's a bit of a chill brewing out there with the rain."

"Very well," she heard of the diligent woman, her voice trailing off.

Entering the bedroom suite with Jess and closing the door, she felt a little like she was on a movie set. One of those made-for-TV series so loved by the public., featuring the British aristocracy with all their pomp and idiosyncrasies. 

Suddenly as she walked up and looked out the bay window toward the stables and a darkening night sky, Jess came up silently behind her and pressed his body in a tight hug against her. For an instant she felt it was too rough, intended to catch her off-guard. He held her tightly there a moment, unable to move.

"So just what do you think of this place?" he whispered enticingly into her ear.

Sarah slowly relaxed after the initial surprise and Jess released her to face him.

She smiled back, seeing his boyishly eager face.

"Well frankly, I think it's creepy as hell, Jess . . . but OK, also fun . . . . and exciting, I guess."

"Anything else" he asked, beginning to unbutton his shirt.

"Like?"

"Well with all  our excursions. . . it promises a night of intimacy. Don't you agree? Something we've both waited for."

Sarah was still feeling a bit uncomfortable in the strange house to fully relax. After removing his shirt, Jess approached her closely and put his arms around her. She could feel his warm skin, still slightly damp from the rain. His heady cologne had now faded slightly, mixed with his manly scent, something attractive her and compelling Sarah to begin caressing his neck.

He kissed her eagerly, almost violently. She let out a small cry as his muscular arms hugged her so intensely that it took her breath away.

"I promise, princess," he whispered again. "Tonight will be a time with me, you'll always remember." He confirmed this by still holding her firmly in his arms.

"Yes, Jess," she replied affectionately, looking up into his intense eyes. "I do look forward to making love again. . . But. . .I'm just very uncomfortable in this house. I know I'll be more relaxed back in the hotel."

Jess paused for a moment. She could see in his eyes he was recalculating.

"Wherever we are, it can be magic, angel. Don't let your silly fears keep you from that. Let's prepare now to meet Derek for dinner. We'll let the desert for the evening . . . just be each other."

Sarah smiled back at his enthusiasm and naughty suggestion.

"Sure, Jess . . . But I get the bathroom first, " she said, feigning a playful attitude. "And I'll need some time to change out of these cowgirl clothes. Back into my wardrobe of a proper English lady."

He smiled. "Take your time, angel. Out here there's no schedules. No neighbors, no taxis or traffic. It's just us . . . alone in Silkcrest."

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Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

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