Pre-Arranged Love Ch. 07

A little note: "dinner" means lunch and "supper" means dinner. Just so no-one is confused :) I haven't used the terms yet, but they might come up in future chapters. Just a little heads up.

Another thing guys, I got an editor, so thank you Jim for editing.

Now, to my readers: Thanks for following my story and being so patient. I hope the length of this ch. will suffice; it's actually only 10 pages. I write rather slow and in small timeslots, but I'm trying to make the chapters longer, although please bear with me if I give you a short chapter.

There was a particular comment on ch. 6 that really stuck. It was an anonymous person who ditched their friends birthday party to read my story. Um, if you're reading this, I just want to say; I'm really touched. Yes people, I have developed a conscious and felt bad about it, but my initial reaction was...W-O-W.

Just another note, ch. 8 might not come out for a while. I haven't written anything in the last few days, having been rather pre-occupied. If you want to keep updated on the situation, just check back on my profile.

Happy reading. :)

le kitty

~*~

Llewellyn opened the doors for me, allowing me to glide out before he closed them and offered me his arm. "Just remember what I said about the stepping and you'll be fine." I shot him a scathing look; it wasn't exactly easy to forget.

"Where are we going?" I tried to ask with a nonchalant air, "To see Monsieur Pierre Moreau. His father was a French nobleman, but his mother was a Baroness in her own right. Monsieur Pierre was my private tutor. You will learn well from him. My mother will teach you the rest."

We descended down a flight of stairs, "You can't honestly mean this," I spoke, an incredulous look pasted across my face. Llewellyn laughed and his eyes sparkled with his laughter, "Oh yes, I mean it, I mean everything." He gave me a deep look; it was a look that made me shiver, not that it was frightening, it just somehow hinted at something more, something at an unfathomable depth. I turned my face away.

"Here," we arrived at an intricately designed double door, "this is the library. Pierre is expecting you." Llewellyn held the door open, waiting for me to proceed. I breezed through, turning to see Llewellyn wink before the door closed. Annoyed, I clenched my teeth before turning back to the rows of shelves. I could still hear the trilling chirping of the birds, but other than that, there was silence. "Hello?" I asked tentatively. There was no reply. It was a fairly large chamber, with light pouring from all the high situated windows, similar to that of a cathedral. There was a strange, almost familiar smell about the chamber, as if a memory was stirring from a long slumber.

I stepped forward, feeling a sense of peace and contentment steal over me and I frowned, trying to place it for even that peace, the very action of stepping forward seemed familiar. I brushed my fingers over the endless rows of books aligning the shelves and realized the smell that greeted my senses was of aged paper, books collected on shelves for far too long. I walked slowly, focusing hard to read the writing on the spines before I frowned. An overwhelming sense of annoyance washed over me. The tedious concentration of knowledge and lack of ease in presentation bothered me. I wanted it easily available. I had always been the only one in my family who could read. My eyes skimmed over a word I didn't recognize and annoyance flared stronger. I had never encountered anything I couldn't comprehend.

Almost to the end of the shelf, I began to encounter books written in foreign languages. Baffled and intrigued, the fact that I couldn't read them was like an irksome itch that I couldn't scratch. My father had always considered education a waste and never sent me, let alone my brothers, to school. I didn't know why I could read and none of my family could. My father told me I had picked it up but he never encouraged me and often attempted to dissuade me from reading.

I would have continued to explore the other shelves but a wooden door caught my attention. It was old and the hinges were rusted, but it wasn't my interest that was piqued, it was that sense of familiarity again. I traced doorknob, feeling an odd sense of pre-monition, like a dream that's veil was slipping off. My hand lingered on the doorknob for a moment, a moment that seemed to stretch over an eternity. I took a deep breath and pushed it open. It gave way with a groaning creak and I gasped. It was a beautiful garden. There were butterflies, hundreds of them and the most colorful variety of flowers I had ever seen. There was a small pathway through the garden and almost in a daze, I stepped forward. The sweet smell of flowers permeated the air and I inhaled deeply. Light laughter burst from me spontaneously. I sped up, lifting my skirt without abjection to run. The path split off at a crossroad and without hesitating, I took the left one, it felt like I had been through these paths an endless number of times.

My cheeks flushed as I came out into a clearing with a pavilion beside a small pond framed by trees. Sitting amiably in the pavilion was a man reading a book. He didn't seem to notice my presence or perhaps he was just too engrossed in his book. I studied him for a moment; he had a graceful posture, sitting there with his legs crossed; an image that seemed to complement the clearing completely with ease.

Curiosity propelled me forward and finally he looked up. There were wrinkles of age around his brow, his blond hair streaked with grey, but his green eyes that greeted me were clear, defined by a startling clarity. I watched them widen in surprise for a moment before he settled into a smile and almost as if drawn by an irresistible force, I found myself smiling back. "I was wondering when you would come," he spoke with a barely noticeable French accent, and I frowned, that same feeling of premonition stealing over me.

"Monsieur...Pierre Moreau?" I asked.

He nodded, "That would be me."

As I walked forward I felt completely at ease despite being complete strangers up until then. I sat down on the indicated chair noticing the books on the table. "What would you like to study first?" Pierre inquired as he put his book down.

I shivered, there was an almost dreamlike quality about the way everything was unfolding. "What is there to study?"

"We will cover literature, history, geography, French or Latin, whichever one you prefer, or both, and the arts of course. However, I would like to see how well you can read before we start anything else."

I found myself eager to learn, to devour the knowledge that he was so freely offering, "Literature then."

"Literature, so be it," Pierre's eyes twinkled as he reached for the first book.

~*~

Almost two hours had gone when finally Pierre brought the lesson to an end. By this time, I was really enjoying myself, delighting in all the texts we were analyzing. Pierre had assigned me numerous texts to read to bring my reading and writing up to an acceptable level.

I took Pierre's offered arm with the numerous books he had given me in my other. We strolled leisurely through the garden taking the path that led away from the library. Conversation with Pierre had been easy and free without constraints, but the question I wanted to ask hovered hesitantly in my mind. Strengthening my resolve, I mustered my courage and asked, "Monsieur Moreau, will you tell me about the de Clare's?"

Pierre shot me a questioningly guarded look, "What do you wish to know?"

There was a lot I wanted to know, especially about what Llewellyn had said when he told me an 'incident' had impaired my memory. I had been shocked, but wariness had kept my shock in check. It was true, there was a lapse in my memory, I could not remember anything before the age of 7, but it was because of a fever that had burned part of my memory system. However I could not deny the coincidence even if I could deny the connection, but even then, Llewellyn had insisted that I was a lady. Confusion and fear coursed through me as doubt cast itself on everything I believed in. Was my entire life a deception? I bit my lip, wondering if I should ask.

"Ah, look, there's Llewellyn. I believe he is here for you."

My head shot up, sure enough, Llewellyn was striding down the pathway. My heart skipped a beat before it began to pound.

"Monsieur Moreau," Llewellyn gave a slight nod of his head, further addressing Pierre in rapid French. Pierre replied and I marveled at their fluidity and grace.

Pierre turned to me, "I will excuse myself now, do enjoy the rest of your day, I shall see you soon". With a smile, Pierre was gone and I was left alone with Llewellyn. Llewellyn offered me his arm, knowing I had no choice, I complied.

We resumed walking, "Pierre tells me you are a fast learner," Llewellyn commented. I glanced at him, refusing to begin a conversation. Llewellyn continued, "I take it you enjoyed your time."

Still I refused to talk. Llewellyn stopped walking to turn to me, "Callie, it is considered good manners to reply."

I knew it was, but every fiber in my being felt alive just to rebel against him. At that point I realized my mistake; I needed to play along if I was ever to escape. "I'm sorry," I quickly spoke up.

A wry smile touched Llewellyn's features, "No, you're not."

My heart began to resume pounding as Llewellyn lifted my chin, "You're too fierce to be truly sorry," Llewellyn swept his lips across my cheeks in a gentle caress, "fiery and passionate," Llewellyn murmured into my ear and breathed deeply before his hand came around the nape of my neck. His lips caressed my soft flesh before pausing on my breast and I felt his tongue. The books tumbled from my hands.

I closed my eyes, right then I hated my body; it felt like I had been deliberately and sensitively tuned to respond to a mere touch from this man, butterflies fluttered in my belly. I forced my eyes open and tried to step away from him, but his arm crept around my waist, holding me in place.

I let out a soft gasp as Llewellyn's hand came up to cup my breast, "Don't, at least preserve some modesty if you're going to rape me again," I tried to glare at him.

"Fear not, these gardens are secluded and privy to only the lord and his family. They are tended only at the break of dawn; no one may enter without permission so I assure you, no servants will stumble upon us at this time. If I recall clearly, you were most willing when I took you." Llewellyn dipped his head to capture my lips before I could offer a rebuff. I felt the laces of my bodice come undone and the gown slip ever so slightly off my shoulders.

When he finally released me lips, I whispered, "I don't have a choice, do I?"

Llewellyn traced the contours of my face, "my sweet Callie, you were made to be mine."

"God help me, I don't know what you're talking about." I turned my face away, in truth, his words shook me with an intensity I didn't think possible.

Llewellyn brought my chin back to face him and the intensity of his gaze was scorching, "Sometimes I wonder if you really have no recollection at all. I wish you would remember; it would simplify many things."

My resolve broke and I finally asked the questions that had been burning in my mind the moment I arrived, "Why? Don't speak in riddles I beg you, what is it that you're not telling me? It is true I have no memory prior to the age of 7. You said an 'incident' occurred, tell me, what incident? Please, you must tell me! Have I been here before?" I clutched at his shirt; never had I wanted to know anything so badly. Even if this was just a coincidence, the hunger to recall my memory was overriding my rational thought.

I saw surprise and sorrow flicker in his eyes and his mask slipped away. Llewellyn grasped my wrists, "Callie, I cannot unlock your memory. If I do —" Llewellyn stopped abruptly.

At his words, my heart fell, pierced by a thousand shards of disappointment. Anger blossomed in me and I pulled my wrists out of his grasp, "You are cruel, mercilessly cruel."

Llewellyn folded me into his embrace, "I am sorry, there are many things you don't understand. I promise you will in time." I pushed down the urge to struggle away from him as I closed my eyes, trying to rein in my stormy emotions.

"Come, my mother and sister await our presence."

Llewellyn released me and I turned away to fumble with the laces of my bodice but Llewellyn eased my grip away to finish the lacing. Again, I felt the soft brushing of his fingers before he bent down to retrieve my fallen books. His actions surprised me, he had taken me with my forced consent and yet here he was; an alluring gentleman.

Llewellyn gave me his arm again, offering a curious smile, "What is it that you are thinking? A puzzled frown mars your brow."

Taking the chance to make him a snide remark, I began, "I am wondering, why it is that someone who perfects so well the art of chivalry can also be such a tempter."

At this Llewellyn laughed and I didn't realize how rich his voice could be. "Then I too am also wondering; how is it that someone who perfects so well the art of innocence can be so passionate and wanton in bed."

"You —!" I glared at him, furious, before whipping my head away from him, my cheeks flaming.

Llewellyn laughed without restraint, his arm snaking around my waist from behind as he delivered a small kiss to my neck, "Callie, you will find that I am more than happy to amuse you."

My teeth clenched together with an audible snap and Llewellyn chuckled lightly. The rest of the walk in the garden went by with cool amiability on my part. We approached the manor and as we passed the servants, they all bowed or curtsied as their lord passed. I felt distinctly out of place.

Llewellyn guided me upstairs and into the family's private chambers. There was a long table with Llewellyn's mother and sister already seated. I curtsied and Countess Katherine de Clare in her elegant posture raised an eyebrow at Llewellyn, "Well, if it isn't the mighty prince. Has he finally decided to grace us mortals with his presence?"

My eyes widened in surprise, I had not expected the Countess, someone of such standing to make such a brusque remark. I turned to Llewellyn to see a mocking smile play on his lips as he guided me to my chair before walking over to his mother, placing a small kiss on her hand. "Mother, please accept my deepest apologies, I was merely caught up with...the intricacies of showing Callie around."

My eyes widened in surprise and my cheeks flamed again as I recalled his 'intricacies'; it was all I could do not to shoot Llewellyn a murderous glare.

I watched as a smile tugged at the Countess's lips, "indeed, well in that case, I will let the matter pass." Llewellyn winked at me before taking his seat at the head of the table and I wondered if the Countess's definition of 'intricacy' and Llewellyn's were the same.

The servants served up breakfast. Bread, butter, cheese, wine, meat and fish arrayed the table. I picked up my bread, following suit, using the butter knife to butter it. Countess Katherine smiled at me, "Callie, how do you find our home?"

I shot Llewellyn a glance from under my lashes, he was chewing his bread slowly, his eyes lightly amused. I wanted to wipe every ounce of amusement from his face, he was enjoying my predicament.

I smiled back at the Countess, "My lady, I thank you for your generous hospitality, but I cannot reciprocate what I will owe, especially to Llewellyn," I cast him a meaningful look only to see his amusement light up further. "Therefore, I wish to be allowed to work until my debt is paid."

I watched the Countess smile with amusement, "Dear child, you misunderstand, you are an extended guest in our home, more than an extended guest. Surely, you did not really think we extend to our guests such unfitting courtesy?"

I was angry at her statement. Did she know Llewellyn had taken my virginity? I met the Countess's eyes evenly, determined not to let rules of etiquette seal my tongue, "My lady, I am not fit to be a guest at your table. Llewellyn purchased me from a prostitute market; I wish to repay his kindness and leave."

My heavy words hung in the air and nobody spoke. Lilliana de Clare gasped, but it was the Countess's face that I was focused upon. Her features were hard but they softened when she spoke again, "Child, where would you go then if you leave?"

I did not have an answer ready, but one sprang to mind, taking precedence over the others, "Where I go, begging your pardon, would be none of your concern."

I neatly placed my bread on the plate, waiting for the Countess to throw me out, instead, she only laughed, her blue eyes twinkling, it was a few moments before she stopped, "Bravo child, I admire your courage, but unfortunately, your wiles are wasted on me."

I looked at the Countess with a new surprise. She did not throw around her power like most nobles of her standing. I had not counted on that, but my surprise quickly turned to annoyance as I spied the smug look adorning Llewellyn's lavishing good features.

Without much of a choice, I finished breaking my fast, resigned to my plan of escaping. Breakfast over, Llewellyn stood, "Mother, if you will excuse me now, I have some pressing matters to attend to." The Countess nodded. Llewellyn bantered a few words with Lilliana and after smiling deviously at me, he left. I briefly wondered what 'pressing matter' Llewellyn was attending to when the Countess stood, a slightly serious look in her eyes, "Callie, I will expect you in my private chambers this evening, you are expected in the library with Monsieur Moreau after dinner. One of the maids will show you to your room, in the meantime, our manor offers you all its hospitalities." Mutinous refusal crossed my mind before I stood and curtsied, "I will be there, my lady."

With that being said, the Countess departed with Lilliana and I was left to myself. Delighted at being allowed free reign, I left to explore the manor immediately. There were a few servants, maids, kitchen hands scurrying about on their own errands on the main floor. As I explored the main floor, I filed away any information that I might use to escape, the doors to the kitchen, pantry and such. Having fully explored everything the main floor had to offer, I decided against going upstairs and headed for the library instead.

As I turned the doorknob, a hand shot over mine, preventing me from entering. I looked up startled; it was the last maid that had departed Llewellyn's chambers, the one who shot me the look of complete and utter loathing. She stood slightly taller than me and for the first time, I noticed her excessive makeup and voluptuous figure, clad in the tightest and most revealing gown and kirtle. She was a striking figure, her chin and cheekbones chiseled perfectly with sharp eyes and perfect lips to compliment her beauty. In a sense, she looked like a goddess with fiery auburn hair, yet I could only define her beauty as cruel.

She smiled; a smile that only seemed to curl her mouth in a slight sneer which did little to conceal the hostility I could see in her grey eyes. "Callie Pennant?"

Responding to the hostility she was emanating, I bristled, "Yes, may I help you?"

"I am Isabella Rose; I'll show you to your room." I noted how Isabella spoke her name as though it was obvious who she was.

Without further comment, the girl turned, heading upstairs. Warily, I followed her and she stopped before a door. "This is your room."

Her eyes did not leave me as I opened the door and walked through. It was certainly removed from Llewellyn's chamber but that did not matter to me. The door behind me closed with a click and I spun around, just as Isabella slapped me across the cheek and I stumbled back with the force of her slap.