The Noble Woman

Chaper 6

I recoil from the intensity and anger of his stare. I am sure his head is going to explode any minute,

"Where were you," He asks in a surprisingly calm voice

"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep And I just went for a walk around the castle," I lie swiftly then take a seat next to him

"Please Julia, If you cant sleep then wake me up. Ill stay up with you all night if I have to. Just please don't leave me. Please," He says as tears forms in is eyes

As I watch my prince genuinely worry about me I cant deny the growing feelings I have towards him. My heart aches as I watch him in pain. I long to hold him close and promise that I will never leave him. I think I.. I.. Love him.

I wrap my arms around his neck and he rests his head  on the crook of my neck and weeps,

"I love you so much Julia,"

My stomach flutters and I reply, "As I love you" And for the first time, I mean it

We cuddle and he strokes my hair as the sun rises. I feel comfortable in his arms, safe. This is the way its supposed to be. But I still love Morgan with every fiber in my body. But now I love the prince. That changes things... a  lot.

*************************

The following week is blissful. Now that I've accepted the fact that I've fallen for the prince, Ive made a greater effort to get to know him. He is so kind and generous, and hes all mines. We spend every moment together. Eating meals, watching the swans, tea in the flower garden, going horse back riding and gazing into each others eyes. Every night is filled with sweet passionate love making. Although all is well, sometimes late at night, my body and my soul yearns for Morgans presence and touch. I miss her so much it hurts but I try to ignore the pain. I see her sometimes serving food and she looks at me with betrayal in her eyes. The look she gives me tears my heart so now we try our best to avoid each other. In all honesty, if id known id fall for George, I would have left her on my parents estate. I don't need the accusal in her eyes tainting my happiness. George is my happiness.

After a long day of dancing and socializing, I make my way to our bedroom. I am so exhausted I just want to cuddle in Georges arms and rest. I am helped out of my dress by a servant and I put on my night gown and lay down under the sheets, waiting for my Prince to join me. I see him crawl into bed and my heart smiles. He pulls me close and i rest my head on his chest and listen to his heart beats. He strokes my hair as usual and I eventually drift off to sleep.

Julia's Dream (Memory of Morgan)

I lie on the snowy forest floor  with her in my arms. The temperature is freezing cold but with Morgan in my arms I barely notice the cold. I inhale the scent off her hair and it smells so good my mouth waters,

"What are you thinking about?" I ask as I nuzzle her hair

"My uncle" She says sadly

I detect the moroseness in her voice and I lift her face up to mines and kiss her gently, "What happened?" I ask

"When I was eight, My mum sent me to his cottage to deliver some food and fruit. i didn't know him well but he was family so I wasn't in the least worried. When I got there he asked me to sit with him for a while . I did and he began to stoke my hair and kiss my neck. I was so confused and scared that I started shaking. He was a 53 year old alcoholic. He became more aggressive as I asked to leave and then he began to take off my clothes. I cried and tried to fight him off but his heavy frame and strong muscles were no match for my petite shape. Eventually he got my clothes off and raped me. I screamed in agony as he tore my insides apart. I felt like I was dying, I wished I would die. When he was finished I dressed and ran home with a bleeding vagina. Every since that day I swore I would never let another male lay his hands on me in a lustful way. I kept my word,"

When she is finished telling me that story she is crying and shaking. I join her in crying and my soul aches for her. I hold her close and try to console her,

"Morgan I'm so sorry. I wish you never had to go through that and I honestly wish I can kill him. But its over now. And you will never have to deal with a man because you have me. You will always have me," I say in a shaky voice with tears still steaming down my face

"I wont always have you," She mumbles "In a few weeks you will marry and I know you will forget about me,"

"Morgan! I swear on my life I will never love anyone but you. I don't care if I am marrying him, you will always have my heart't

She smiles as she believes me. Her smile always makes my heart skip a beat. So beautiful... so perfect...

***************

I jolt awake with tears poring out my eyes and my heart stammering out of my chest. I look over at George who's soundly sleeping and snoring. I cry because I have betrayed my first love. She trusted me and I abused her trust. I get out of bed quietly and make my way to her room with tears still steaming out of my eyes.

I am standing outside of her door but I am scared to go in. I push aside my fears and open her bedroom door to see her staring out the window crying. I shut the door and run to her and start crying even harder,

"Morgan I'm so sorry!" I say in a cracked voice and pulls her in for a tight embrace

She doesn't respond but she cries harder and hugs me back. I lead us to the bed and we cuddle and cry for a long time. When we are all cried out we stare into each others puffy eyes. My love for her hasn't decreased by one degree. I kiss her lips and I taste heaven. I feel like I am home here in her arms. No one can ever take her place, she is the one for me. I rub my hand up and down her inner thigh and she moans softly. I make my way to her panties and pull them down. We undress each other and make love like this is our last time. So much passion, so much desire it is almost dizzying. I try to muffle my moans but I cant suppress my cries of pleasure. After we are finished we fall asleep exhausted and naked...

I move around with my eyes still closed, unsure about my whereabouts. Then yesterdays memories flood my mind. My heart beats fast as I realize I have fallen asleep in here. I am sure it is morning am I am positive the prince has realized my absence. I get so nervous I feel like I will vomit. I am scared to open my eyes but I know I must. I open my eyes to see Morgan in my arms naked and sleeping peacefully, I smile at the sight of her. Next see the window and the suns rays confirm that it is morning. I look over at the door and my heart stops in my chest. The prince is sitting on the floor by the door looking at me and Morgans naked bodies entwined in each other. His face is expressionless. Oh God...