The Knights of the Public Realm

The life of a female knight was, frankly tedious. Well the life of this one as at least. Ann had bested all of the viable opponents within a three day ride of her well-garrisoned castle. Pageants had come and gone, with Ann collecting pennants and plaudits in each. Now though there was no new challenge, no sufficient opponent to spar with. She twisted the knife into the grand feasting table and wished for something...someone...

The serving girl burst into the otherwise empty, echoing hall her words tripping over each other as she rushed her news, unseemly in her enthusiasm. Through the spluttering, incoherent mess, Ann discerned that a great train of men and horses, flags and trumpeters were heading towards them. They had been spied from the ramparts and now all was chaos as fires were lit and barrels rolled for the unexpected but most welcome guests.

Inevitably the blasts of trumpets carried on the wind to them as Ann watched from the open window, followed by the dampened thunder of horses hooves. Her heart beat a little faster as the standard bearers gradually hove into view. The purple, the turret, it was unmistakable, this was the advance guard of Sir Lawrence, the Knight of the Public Realm. A knight of fierce reputation in and out of the saddle, with a title that could be bestowed on valiant foes. Suddenly Ann's imagination ran to besting Sir Lawrence in combat and becoming just such a Knight. She gripped her chalice firmly, decisively. She was going to show him just what she was made of.

The hubbub of the great hall was nearly overwhelming. Ann was used to, and enjoyed, the quietness of her life, but this was a whirlwind of noise and seeming chaos. She sat at the top table of course, raised over the rest of the room. Sir Lawrence was sat beside her, with various more senior local nobles on her side, his lead men on his. She looked out over the feast the servants were bringing out, constantly bustline with more dishes and drinks. The influx of new, lively company had brought out the villagers that had long learnt not to expect wild revelry too often.

But now the party, and the wine was in full flow. Locals and newcomers mixed, the wine and the excitement producing a heady combination. Ann cringed as she watched some of the women fawning over the new men, captured by their toned bodies, their exotic accents. Sir Lawrence, on the other hand, seemed to positively encourage them, calling out toasts and talking with his men, pointing at couples beginning to kiss.

Ann cut a sideways glance, trying to size up the man that would be her opponent soon enough. He looked broad and strong, his smile natural and ready, and despite herself she had to concede it was alluring. It lit up his otherwise stern features, softening them somewhat. Not that she didn't enjoy the steely expression that rolled over his face on the rare occasions that something displeased him. However, this evening he seemed in his element, as natural and as comfortable dealing and controlling the revelry as Ann felt uncomfortable. As she considered this he leant over and locked eyes with her. This startled Ann out of her reverie, trapping her she was unable to drop his gaze and instead looked guiltily back.

"You've been watching me Ann."

He laughed, warmly, almost conspiratorially, drawing her in.

"Sizing up the competition were you?"

Ann blushed and finally wrenched the gaze from him, looking downwards. She was furious at his candour, at how right he was.

"I see no competition!"

She spat out at him before pushing the heavy chair back noisily, angrily. The rest of the room stood, as decorum dictated, as Ann threw her linen napkin onto the plate and strode purposefully from the room. There was no way she was going to be staying a moment longer next to that man!

As she walked down the corridor away from the hall she heard the silence dissipate and the previous, good-natured, hubbub rise again, some music striking up also. The heavy oak door of her chamber sealed out the noise and Ann placed her forehead against it, cursing her lack of composure. But more than that, cursing the fact that Sir Lawrence's smile, laugh, was in her head and refusing to leave.

Ann had dismissed her maid on the way to her chamber, and was left alone in peace. She unlaced the layers of fine clothing she had worn for the evening until she was left in her corset bodice and knickers. There had always been something enjoyable about the tightness of a corset. She had learnt early on how sensitive her nipples were, and over time how that sensitivity could be harnessed in the darkness to provide luminous, electric sparks of pleasure. The tight embrace of her bodice accentuated that and right now she could feel her nipples tighten a little, to feel the start of an itch.

No! She shook her head, an overly dramatic attempt to clear the thoughts starting to form there, to shake the desire starting to raise in her. Ann unlaced the bodice, studiously ignoring the pleasure of being released from its constraints or the cool air caressing her breasts and hard nipples. Collapsing into her bed and sliding between the covers, Ann tried her best to dispel the fog of arousal and think of something, anything, else.

Sigh followed sigh. Restless and uncomfortable, both too hot and too cold. No no no, she was not going to relent, and yet her hand started to move. No! His smile wasn't that amazing...his eyes not that enchanting. But now her hand, unbidden, was resting on the waistband of her knickers and her resolve weakened.

"Fine. But only so I can sleep."

She murmured, reluctantly, out loud.

Ann closed her eyes and bit her lip, her finger skillfully caressed over the cotton of her knickers. Her mind wandered to undressing Sir Lawrence. No, he was stood watching her, devouring the sight in front of him. Her body sung a response back at the thought, and her mind embellished the idea. His hungry eyes, the encouragement of his soft, exotic voice, the strong, needy bulge of his arousal. Ann firmed her fingers, working her increasingly hard clit through the fabric, enjoying the slight dulling of the sensation.

The attempted suppression of desire had had the opposite effect and her climax started to rise. Her hand slid inside and rested just above her clit, applying a little pressure before working in firm, confident, skillful circles, moving and pleasuring her clit with each arc. She held Sir Lawrence's face in her mind, he was there watching her, desperate to see her come, for her to climax for him. Her lips parted slightly and the softest, most sultry murmur escaped her. Her body paused, caught for a moment before crashing over the edge of a hard orgasm. Her finger applied one last motion and her body was wracked with staccato shudders of pleasure, orgasmic relief flooding through her nerves.

Pulling the cover back over her, Ann fell asleep almost immediately. As deep and restful a sleep as she has had in many years, dreamless except for the distant memory of a handsome man watching over her. She was both aroused and perhaps a little ashamed as he watched her, comforted by his presence in a way that belied her strength and independence.

Morning brought a piercing sun streaming through the windows. With no maid in the room the previous evening and Ann caught in her own private battle she had neglected to draw the curtains. Fully woken by the unwelcome intrusion, she resolved to embrace the early start and take a horse ride around part of her land, flushing out the thoughts that had occupied her. She dressed quickly and headed out the main staircase towards the stables.

Behind her she heard the easy cascade of feet on the stone staircase. Without turning she knew the easy, confident stride could only belong to Sir Lawrence. Of course it was, of course. She turned, her thoughts confirmed. He looked fresh and well, far more than was deserved after a night of carousing.

"I was just heading out for a morning ride."

He declared happily, clearly looking forward to the day.

"Would you care to join me? After all, I barely saw you last night."

A half smile from him, a knowing emphasis placed in the last few words and Ann found her heart racing. Surely he didn't - couldn't - know? Despite herself she smiled back and agreed, perhaps more eagerly than she would have for anyone else, as she racked her mind as to the ideal route to take him around her estate. She wanted to show off to him, to impress him. She wanted nothing and everything to do with him. Her mind in turmoil she headed to the stables and tried to brace herself for the day ahead.