Powers of a Stranger (working title)

Ch. 11

        Feeling a sharp pain in my leg, I moaned. Opening my eyes, I rubbed them adjusting to the light, I found myself back in Marquis' bed. The dark heavy curtains in the room pulled back to reveal a bright and sunny day. Slowly sitting up, I looked around. There was a basin with red water inside and a few rags laid beside it on the night stand. Is that from me? Then feeling something on my forehead, I felt tape and some swab stuck behind it. Touching the pad, I inhaled from the pinch of pain I felt when touching it. Hearing noise from the wash room. Marquis walked out. It was evident, he just finished from his bath. His long dark hair still glistened from the water. I was a little disappointed to see him fully dressed. It would have been nice to see his naked chest again. Giving him a goofy grin, I said good morning.

        "Ahh, My little one, you are finally awake. I am glad to see you looking a lot better. I was worried that you would never wake up. You are absolutely prone to getting hurt aren't you?" Giving him a questioning look, I didn't reply. Marquis chuckled and continued.

        "When you fell, you hit your head. You have three stitches from that. Now your leg, is a different story. I am amazed you were able to walk as much as you did. You have eighteen stitches on your leg. Not to mention some scratches and minor scrapes on both your arms. Plus, a fever on top of that. My sweet, I'd say you are a living palette of pain right now. That's putting it lightly. I wouldn't try to move too much, princess." Moving to sit on the bed, he gently cupped my cheek. "I was afraid I had lost you forever."

        Giving him a reassuring grin. I shook my head and said, "I wasn't afraid one bit. I knew you would find me. You have that determination." Laughingly, I added, "You found me even before I knew I needed help. So... Knowing this, I knew you would always find your way to me. No matter how far I am or will be."

        With a low groan, he moved in closer until we were only a breath away of our lips touching. Both his hands rested on either side of me, leaning in, he huskily whispered.

        "No, you are wrong about one thing... You are never far from me or ever will be... again." Then he kissed me... Slowly at first, a slow gentle embrace against my lips. Then harder as if he was giving into his hunger and couldn't get enough. Opening my lips, I knew we both wanted it. That was all he needed to begin his fight, to lead in this dance our tongues made. Each stroke his tongue made against mine I pushed back in return. I wanted him to feel the same fire that burned in the pit of my stomach whenever he touched me. Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer. Not being able to hold back, I moaned. While rubbing my back and neck in a sensuous motion, I felt him move to hold me in his arms. Then suddenly, with a hesitant growl, and both his hands on my shoulders, he gently pushed me away. Placing his forehead on mine, and his voice hoarse, he explained.

        "My sweet. You are injured and sick. Not to forget... There's that damn gentleman's vow I made to you. I will not break that. Though, on a good note, I did break that face of your so called cousin." Letting out a shocked gasp. I pulled back to look at his face. He grinned sheepishly, "Don't worry. He's fine. His face is a bit smashed in and disfigured at the moment, but he's fine."

        Relaxing a bit, I sighed. Folding my arms to show my disappointment, in a haughty voice, I said. "You couldn't at least spare him on my behalf and lightly knock him out?"

        I didn't want him to see that I was really only disappointed that our kiss ended. Though, I was worried about Thomas too, but he really had it coming for dragging me away like that.

        Chuckling at my dismay, Marquis grabbed my hand and kissed it. I had a feeling he knew my reasons for being disappointed. Ugh! How obvious can I get? Getting mad for not getting what I want... I am a grown woman for goodness sakes! I can control my feelings... I need to control them. For now, anyways...

        His eyes twinkling, he replied, "Now, what help would that have been for me? I would have had to carry him and you back home. I knew you wouldn't forgive me if I left him there. Even if I knew he would only find his way back to you in the long run. Besides, it's best to keep your enemies at arm's length, so it's easier to choke them when you want." With a wink, he stood. Fixing his white collared shirt and tucking in the ends. Walking towards the door, he calls for Dorothy. Hearing his call, she greets him with a smile.

        "Dorothy, please get my princess something warm to eat. She needs to feed this cold of hers. She must be starved after her bout with the fever." Turning to me, he adds, "I will be back. I need to check on your cousin." Leaving before I could say anything else, Dorothy interjects and excuses herself saying she will return with some soup.

        While waiting I inspected my injuries. Pushing the covers away, I looked at my leg first. Looking down I saw that my right leg was wrapped up neatly in a bandage. Unraveling the bandage I saw the horrible gash that formed a vertical line under my knee down to my shin. It was stitched up, but it was an ugly sight. Letting out a sigh, I wrapped it back up to cover the healing wound. This will leave a huge scar. No shorts or skirts for me for a bit. If ever. 

I am not normally a very vain sort of person but I wanted to see how badly my face was. Slowly limping to the wash room; I walked over to the sink and snuck a peek at what injuries I acquired when I fell. Not to mention when I almost fell over the cliff. Examining my face, it wasn't so bad. A few scraps and scratches... that won't take too long to heal. Peeling the tape from my forehead I removed the gauze. Seeing the small stitches and cut near my hairline, I sighed.

        Okay.  So another small scar.  At least my hair can cover that.  I need to quit getting hurt…   Now, my arms had many scrapes, but they were small compared to the nasty gash on my leg.  I do have to admit that I look extremely pale and haggard.  He did say I had a fever.  My eyes were unsightly large for my face; giving me a look of a small child.   Was I really that sick?

        Limping back to the bed I sat down and got back into the covers.  I am a mess.  Marquis will most likely want to wait for me to fully recover before getting married.   Burrowing myself deep under the covers, I nestled into the comfort of Marquis’ smell drifting from his blanket.  I was slowly falling back to sleep when Dorothy came in with a tray holding a bowl of soup and crackers.  The pleasant aroma of chicken broth filled the air making my stomach rumble with hunger.

Dorothy gave a warm smile and set the tray down on a table near the bed. 

“Now, my dear, how are you feeling?  Pardon me, but you look a fright.  I am afraid to even touch you for fear you would break.”  Sitting on the bed, she reached over and squeezed my hand.

Returning her smile, I replied.  “I feel fine.  There’s nothing I can’t handle.  These scars will eventually fade and I will still be the same person.”

 “That’s a relief.  We were all so very worried when you turned up missing.  It was the oddest thing.  Our Young Master, as soon as the flames in the stables were subdued, he had this expression…  As if he just realized something.   He went to this very room as fast as he could and then you were gone!  With not even a word or command, he took off on his horse into the dark forest behind our estate.”  Making a small noise between her teeth she shook her head, “Your cousin is a strange sort isn’t he?”

Not sure how to answer, I glanced at the bowl of soup.  Seeing where my attention lay, she gave a small embarrassed laugh, then picking up the bowl she handed it to me.  Grinning, I said thank you and eagerly devoured the deliciously made soup.