The Knights of the Public Realm Ch. 04

Relieved the ordeal was over, that the attention of the crowd was finally off her, Ann sunk into her seat and surveyed the scene in front of her. Her eyes darted over the smiling faces lost to the music as they spun and interlaced. She was aware of Sir Lawrence, still dancing clumsily but clearly enjoying himself, her interest drawn to him unerringly. Even when she forced herself to look away she seemed to sense where he was, who he was partnered with, whose hand he was holding.

The band struck up a new tune that instantly filled the space that had been cleared for dancing with an avalanche of new faces. As they played it became clear that it was an energetic jig that resulted in much partner swapping. Sir Lawrence had been press ganged into joining the line under light protest and Ann found herself smiling at his smile. But another part of her was working out who he would be taking as his next partner, and her heart stuttered when her counting stopped on the green dress of Amy.

Amy's cheeks were flushed alluringly, her hair just a little tousled from the dancing and Ann couldn't help but feel lust for her disarming beauty. Her mind flashed to watching her in the barn, the way she had obeyed so readily, the words that Sir Lawrence had said. She wanted them to be separate, not to dance together, she wanted them both for herself.

As the dance progressed Ann became increasingly uncomfortable until she could no longer watch. Excusing herself from the table she took leave through the nearest door and strode away from the music until it was muffled and indistinct. She found herself in the midst of a long corridor that led off to an all but disused wing of the castle. Ann relaxed, her strong shoulders almost visibly softening as the solitude and peace calmed her. She sat in an alcove, hidden from view and tried to dissemble the thoughts of Sir Lawrence and of Amy still rushing around her mind.

Just as she was starting to untangle the mess her solitude was broken by one of the great oak doors opening, allowing the muffled sounds of the ongoing revelry to seep in. The door closed again, shutting off the warmth of the sounds leaving only Ann and the sounds of two sets of feet walking erratically towards her. The voices of the two became more distinct as they half walked, half stumbled onwards, rapidly in danger of revealing her hiding place. And the closer they got the more she was sure that they were, with cruel inevitability, Amy and Sir Lawrence.

They staggered to a stop close to where Ann was sat and crumpled to the floor, both leaning against the wall. Ann scrunched her eyes and dug her fingernails into her palms, torn between the urge to step out and the hope that this would all just end immediately with no one knowing she was there. But she did nothing, she sat quietly and listened to Amy and Sir Lawrence.

"So then Amy, tell me what you think of your mistress?"

"Oh Ann? She's lovely. She's quiet, and strong and kind and...well, and I think she's beautiful. And I know I've had too much wine and it's not my place to say it and I shouldn't even think it but I think she has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Ohhh god, you won't say will you?"

Sir Lawrence laughed, a warm, engaging, encouraging laugh that made the listening Ann's stomach tense in a pleasant way. She listened intently, trying desperately to keep her breathing quiet, despite the feelings that Amy's words were enflaming.

"No Amy, I won't tell Ann, although I do agree with you, her eyes really are something special. Have you never mentioned this to her, that you find her so...beautiful?"

"Oh no, I would never presume Sir. Besides whatever would I say? No, I shall simply admire her from afar. Although...oh, god, I can't believe I'm about to say this, my friend is one of her maids and has promised me I can help run her bath...sometimes she needs help to undress and I can help too. Sarah...my friend...she says that she has such a wonderful body. Her hips, her shoulders, her, well, her breasts."

Ann cringed and blushed and bit her tongue harder. Outraged to be judged by her staff like that, she considered chastising the drunk, impertinent villager before Sir Lawrence interrupted.

"I would very much like to see that too. In fact, I have an idea you may be most keen on. Your friend, Sarah I think you said her name was, has keys to Ann's chambers I assume?"

There was a silence, which Ann filled in as Amy nodding, possibly as wide-eyed as she was herself.

"So, what if we entered her chamber whilst Ann was elsewhere, concealed ourselves there and waited for her to come to bed? Once the door is locked behind her and it was just us three, well, we could chat with her, maybe tell her how we both feel and, for one night, let those dreams come true. Tell me Amy, have you ever kissed a girl?"

Ann hadn't thought she could get any redder and more embarrassed by this conversation. But she also realised that she was hanging on every word being spoken about her, that she was biting her lip as she thought of kissing Amy, and then kissing Sir Lawrence, and then, well, and then.

"No Sir, well, once, but it was nothing. But I'd kiss Ann, I really would, and I know that I'd enjoy the softness of her lips on mine. She does have very soft lips."

"And would you kiss her as I caressed her Amy? Does the thought of her body slowly being revealed to you excite you? Perhaps she could sit between us, you in front of her kissing and me behind undressing her, caressing her, perhaps holding her still as you kisses travel over her naked body."

Ann's eyes closed for a moment, her mind overcome with the images that Amy and Sir Lawrence were creating. She thought of his diligent, skilful fingers disrobing her, her body leaning into his muscled torso, his iron-like thighs. Her breasts chilled in the night air now that they are exposed, only to be warmed by Amy's mouth, by her diligent attention. She thought of the softness of Amy's lips enveloping one hard nipple as his fingers began to toy with the other, rolling it between thumb and forefinger. And then perhaps he might take a firm grip on her upper arms, holding her tight, drawing her back as Amy slowly working her way down, her hair trailing over Ann's strong body.

But there was a tension there too. Ann's imagination dwelt on Sir Lawrence, the feel of her body against hers, his breath on her neck, his strength overpowering hers. She yearned for him, for his undivided attention, to yield entirely to him. For now, Amy, her alluring body and pretty face, can wait until Ann had her fill of this Knight.

Ann was snapped out of her daydream just as she had become aware of how aroused she had become.

"Well, Amy? Doesn't that sound divine?"

Before Amy could say much more that an affirmative muted moan, Ann exploded from her hidden listening post, unable to withstand the building pressure a moment longer. Any anger disappeared in a flash, looking down on the seated couple. There was no doubt they were both individually incredibly attractive, and the knowledge that they had just been considering pleasuring her together was both shocking and enormously arousing. Ann's heart raced for all those reasons, her anger at their presumption replaced with desire, lust, arousal and perhaps a little embarrassment.

Amy flushed bright pink, Sir Lawrence was absolutely still, neither of them able to say anything for a moment. Ann managed to regain control first.

"It is customary, is it not, to obtain permission from a lady before kissing and undressing her? And, Sir Lawrence, I do not believe it customary to retain help to do such things, not least for such an illustrious Knight."

Her resolve had faltered and what had instinctively felt like a door she wanted to leave open now felt clumsily closed. She wished she could express to Amy that this was all too much too soon but the words could not form themselves quick enough, Sir Lawrence had now found his composure and leapt to his feet.

"You are, of course, quite right Ann. Amy and I were overcome by the spirit of the night, by your enchanting eyes, by our desire for you. It seems she and I share some interests, as perhaps do you too. And despite our...idle...talk we would never dream of taking what you would not offer."

Ann scowled, she could feel herself being won over, a most unusual feeling for her. Nevertheless she allowed him to continue.

"Perhaps we could reach a compact, as you know full well our hearts desire, the advantage being yours. Perhaps, perhaps...perhaps the tournament tomorrow might provide a suitable ground for me to win my desire. I win, and you submit to my...our...desires. You win, and I will make you a Knight of the Public Realm."

Ann was stunned. This was an incredible offer, to be a Knight like Sir Lawrence would be transformational. And the cost of losing, well, that might well be a cost that she was willing to bear. But she could not imagine truly relaxing with both of them, not yet, she knew that she needed time with Sir Lawrence first, to feel confident in his undivided attention.

"No, Sir Lawrence. Much as it pains me I can not make that compact. You, and you alone, will be permitted to my chamber should I lose tomorrow."

With Amy watching, disappointed, she reached out a hand to seal the compact, her eyes locked on Sir Lawrence's. The handshake was firm, the look meaningful and a million words and feelings exchanged between them. The contact lingered a little longer than it should have and was all the better for it. Ann turned to go, hesitated and in that second struck up more courage and recklessness than she thought possible. She gazed at Amy, bent towards her, tilted her chin up with her hand and kissed her.

Amy's lips were every bit as soft as they looked, her gasp of shock parted them slightly, allowing Ann to trace her tongue gently between. Amy started to yield, her lips given up to this moment, and it was Sir Lawrence's turn to watch, enchanted and hugely aroused by this beautiful, stubborn, captivating woman. He silently firmed his resolve to win her, to take her, to bring her such unbridled and exquisite pleasure. They were going to explore her wildest and deepest seated desires and he stiffened even further at the thought.

Just as Amy started to kiss back Ann pulled away and strode towards the great hall, desperate for neither of them to see the grin on her face or the flush on her cheeks. Instead she focussed on maintaining her walk whilst desperate to run. And as she strode away, her heart thumping, she wondered whether losing tomorrow would be the worst result at all.