The life and death of Nicolae Roman

Chapter 20: The Locket

Nicolae opened his eyes with a start.  He looked down and saw Elizabeth's head resting on his chest.  She was breathing softly and evenly, and was obviously asleep.  Nicolae smiled and tightened his arms around her.

"Mmm," Elizabeth murmured, opening her eyes.  "What time is it?"

"I'm not sure, but it must be late afternoon," Nicolae answered. 

"Already?"  Elizabeth sat up in bed, pulling the sheet over her chest.

"Time flies when you're having fun," Nicolae teased her, gently running his fingers down her bare back.

"I should get dressed," Elizabeth said.

"No... not yet," Nicolae whined, pulling her back to him.  "I'm not quite finished with you young lady," he whispered huskily in her ear.

She relented, allowing him to make love to her again.  Afterward, she giggled and asked.  "How many times was that?  Three?  Or four?"

Nicolae smirked.  "Does it really matter?  I say, the more... the better."

"You... Count Roman... are insatiable," Elizabeth tapped him on the chest.  "But now... I really have to go."

Nicolae groaned.  "You're right... Ion will probably return soon."

Elizabeth got out of bed and started to get dressed.  "Is that your valet?"  She asked while fastening her bodice.

"Yes," Nicolae answered as he pulled his breeches on.  "Do you need help with that?"  He approached his beloved grinning.

"I'm perfectly capable all by myself," she pretended to scorn him.

"True... but it's more fun if you let me do it," he murmured seductively.

Elizabeth smiled, but continued dressing herself. She then sat on the edge of the bed, watching Nicolae put his shirt back on.

"What?  Enjoying the show?"  Nicolae raised an eyebrow.

Elizabeth giggled.  "I think I've earned that right today... haven't I?"

Nicolae grinned.  "You could say that... yes..."

But when he glanced at his beloved, her face suddenly turned serious. 

"What's wrong, my love?  Was it something I said?  Or did?"  Nicolae sat down next to her and took her hand in his.

"It's nothing... really," she stammered.

Nicolae narrowed his grey eyes.  "It doesn't sound like nothing."

Elizabeth sighed.  "It's just that... I hope you haven't changed your opinion about me after today."

"What?"  Nicolae exclaimed.  "Why would I?"

"You know... because we... did what we did," Elizabeth muttered.  "Do you think I'm a loose woman?"

Nicolae chuckled, but stopped when he saw tears pooling in the corners of Elizabeth's eyes.  He gently brushed them off with his thumbs, and drew her close to him.

"I would never think that about you," he reassured her.  "You are the most beautiful, intelligent, bewitching woman I've ever met.  And my opinion about you will not change.  If anything... today brought me even closer to you."

But Elizabeth still looked uncertain.  Nicolae stood up and walked to his dresser.  He opened the top drawer and removed something from it.  He then returned to his lover.

"Hold out your hand," he instructed her.

She obeyed.  Nicolae placed a gold locket in Elizabeth's palm. Her eyes widened in surprise.