Pre-Arranged Love Ch. 03

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I can't say how you've all made my day, I came on to check whether Literotica approved of my first and second chapter yet, and I found 2000 PLUS views. It probably isn't a lot, considering how much people read amazing stories here, but I was definitely blown away. So thank you, all of you, for reading, voting, commenting and definitely thanks to the Literotica staff who make this possible. I really appreciate it. This is chapter 3, have a good read. :)

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No more was said as we approached the manor. My objection to him carrying me was blown away by what he had said. I could not make sense of it; did he know me from somewhere? Impossible, I was English and he Scottish, there was no way, and I did not remember ever seeing him before. My pondering was brought to an end as Lord de Clare placed me back on the ground as a girl of maybe 7 or so years came running out to greet us.

'Llewellyn! You're back!' An ecstatic girl with dark copper hair threw herself into Lord de Clare's arms; he laughed as he swung her around playfully, before setting her down.

'Of course, Lily, did you go through my luggage yet? I brought you a present. How is mother?'

The young girl Lily, looked up at Lord de Clare with shining light blue eyes, 'I know, the servants arrived yesterday with your entire luggage. I thought you'd be in town for ages, I missed you,' the young girl's mouth turned down in a pout.

'I missed you too, here; I want you to meet someone.' Llewellyn turned Lily towards me. 'Lily, this is Callie, she's our guest. Callie, this is my sister, Lillianna de Clare.'

Lily looked at me curiously from head to toe, 'Why is she dressed so funny? It's not etiquette.'

I wanted to shrink into the ground right there and then, but Llewellyn just grinned, 'Shh, don't tell anyone.' Llewellyn winked at Lily, who giggled.

'Llewellyn? Llewellyn, is that you?' a woman's voice drifted from the manor. Llewellyn turned, 'Mother', he walked up to her, bending to kiss both her cheeks. 'How have you been?'

Llewellyn's mother smiled a broad smile, 'I may be old, but not that old. Your old mother's fine, I'm just glad your home safe.'

Llewellyn chuckled, 'of course.'

Seeing Lord de Clare unite with his family with so many happy smiles made my throat constrict, my family had never been this happy, I would never have a family again. . I watched as Llewellyn bent down to whisper in his mother's ear and I didn't know what to think when her eyes widened in surprise and flickered fleetingly towards me.

Llewellyn straightened, 'Mother, allow me to introduce you to someone.' Llewellyn guided his mother towards me. 'This is Callie, she will be our guest. Callie, this is my mother, Countess Katherine de Clare.'

'I am honored to meet you, Lady Katherine.' I bobbed my head, embarresed of my current attire. Lady Katherine was a beautiful red haired woman and even with her age, she held herself with posture. I noticed the striking resemblance of blue eyes and red hair, given only one exception, Llewellyn's hair was brown.

'Oh, indeed. Welcome to our estate.' Lady Katherine smiled warmly, despite my bewildered state of attire.

Lord de Clare smiled, as he guided me into the manor, his young sister Lily chatting excitedly beside him. I felt strange and out of place as Lord de Clare unlocked the collar that was around my neck and handed me over to 5 maids, telling them to prepare me for the evening.

The maids were young, perhaps around my own age; they chattered amongst themselves, simple manor gossip. They scrubbed me clean, despite my protest and my embarrassment; they tweaked my nipples and giggled when I tried to elude their nimble fingers.

'What's your name?'

'Callie, Callie Pennant,' I spoke, cautious.

'Ah, you can call me Faye. This is Gwen, Jane, Elizabeth and Agnes.'

I smiled and nodded.

'So tell us, are you a whore?' Faye asked, as she toweled me off, rubbing scented oil into my skin. 'You're skin is soft, although you've got a tan and callous hands and feet. Were your family freemen?'

I was appalled at her 'matter of fact' way of talking, but I told her the truth, 'no, Lord de Clare saved me from prostitution, he brought me and yes, my family are freemen. My father sold me.'

I lapsed into silence and none of the other girls spoke, still comprehending what I had just told them. Faye laid a hand on my shoulder, 'I'm sorry'.

I didn't speak as they dressed me in a simple evening gown; the chemise I wore was made of silk, the softest clothing I had yet ever worn. It was for the upper class. My hair went up in a simple elegant bun, however that made the collar chafed skin around my neck clearly visible. The girls smeared some cream over it, assuring me it would heal without leaving a mark.

They ushered me out the room, a servant boy waited outside, ready to take me to the great hall to dine. To say the least, I was extremely nervous.

As the large door opened, I stepped into the great hall, allowing the servant boy to seat me near the dais where Lord de Clare, Lady Katherine and Lynn sat, followed by the knights that served him and the rest of the household. There was much chatter during dinner, it seemed the manor household all liked Lord de Clare and enjoyed his presence. He was funny, and did certainly put everyone at ease with a laugh and a smile. I began to relax within the cheerful atmosphere as everyone gave me a welcome smile. I learned that Llewellyn de Clare's father, previous Earl of Abercorn had passed away about 2 years ago, therefore making Llewellyn de Clare, Earl of Abercorn at the age of 19. I was surprised.

After dinner was over, Llewellyn requested to withdraw from entertainment as he was weary. He held out his arm to me, as though I should accompany him. Without knowing what else to do, I complied. Lord de Clare took me on a stroll through his gardens as silence reigned the peaceful night.

'Lord –'

'Please, just Llewellyn.'

I briefly wondered if all lords were like this before I continued, 'Llewellyn,' I paused, the name felt stiff and unused, almost awkward spoken on my tongue, 'why did you purchase me. Was it because you felt sorry for me or,' I stopped abruptly, not knowing how to continue, we had stopped walking likewise and he was facing me. I was glad the darkness hid my expression. 'Or?' he prompted.

'Or, was it because you wanted a whore?' The last words came out as a hushed whisper; I pulled my hand out of his arm, trembling despite myself and waited for him to speak.

I felt Llewellyn step closer to me, invariably; I shifted backwards, hitting a wall. Llewellyn placed both arms against the wall, trapping me within the confines. 'Callie...Callie...' he whispered.

A sudden realization hit me, 'I never told you my name.'

'Callie, it was pure co-incidence that you bumped into me in town today, I was shocked, how did you end up in a prostitute market? You looked at me with such pleading eyes; I was going to save you anyway. I had been looking for you. All my frequent trips to England, it was to look for you Callie. Today, on the carriage, I had no idea what to say to you. Do you not remember me?'

I stood there, numb with shock, 'I don't know you.' I whispered.

Llewellyn didn't speak, but I could hear him breathing before he laughed softly, 'of course, the incident jarred your memory, you were only 7, you don't remember.'

'Remember what, what incident?'

Instead of answering this, Llewellyn answered another question, 'I did not purchase you because I felt sorry for you or because I wanted a whore, it was neither, Callie. But the fact remains; I have purchased you, so now you will have the liberty of pleasuring me...'

I gasped as I felt Llewellyn's lips brush my cheek. Without another thought, I pushed at him, hissing, 'this is no liberty' before I tried to run, but his arms created an inescapable barrier as he grasped me round the waist, holding me firmly. 'Let me finish.'

I relaxed and he let go to tilt my chin, 'I brought you, so now I will make the condition for your release; until you remember me, you are mine.'

I stood there as I absorbed the impact of his words. I shook my head, unbelieving, 'no...' Fear sent me into action; I bolted from him, catching him off guard as I ran blindly. Suddenly I tripped, falling, and the blackness engulfed me.