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The Knight And The Lady Of The Crimson Dress (part 2)
"Why Sire, indeed I am a lady of refinement, but I know how you men like the chase." Guinevere winked and he moved towards her. No doubt he thought he could corner her and steal a kiss out in the open where any of her father's courtiers might see. As he approached she side stepped and took his place at the horse. Grabbing the saddle, and in one easy move with the other hand, she unceremoniously hitched up her skirts and pulled herself up. It was no easy feat he knew, and Arthur also knew that it took considerable strength to do that. He stood admiringly for a moment, pondering what other hidden attributes this lady had.
"Catch me if you can Sire," she said letting out sweet laughter like a thousand bridle bells. And with that she cantered away leaving him behind open mouthed at this saucy nature. Maybe the red hair bad transformed her by some magic into a tavern wench after all.
Guinevere knew not to outpace the King too much. He was in his armour after all, so she satisfied herself to go at a mid trot and always keep in sight lest he should lose interest. She had found in her time as a beautiful and captivating noble, that men lost interest very quickly once they'd achieved their goal. The trick, so her teenage friend Morgan had taught her during their time at the nunnery, was to never let them take things too far too quick. It was an art she would say, that was more tricky than the brewing of all secret potions. That friend had been sent away from the school for your noble ladies, for unruly behaviour. Had Guinevere not been blessed with such a great poker face, she too may have enjoyed the same fate. The nuns had called her friend
"Morgan Le Fay", whispering she was a fairy enchantress, a mischief maker, and worse... a corruptor! Guinevere smiled, she was a herbalist, an apothecary, an amateur dabbler in the Arts and alchemy - nothing more. In short, her friend was a hell-raiser and certainly not the type to fratenise openly with, for she was dangerous....and that made the fair Guinevere love her so much more!
By the time the King caught up to her she was already seated on the ground. Of course she'd had time to pinch her cheeks to gain a flush of colour, and to run her fingers through her hair. The jewels of her dress shone in the dappled light and she applied berry juice to her lips. Oh yes, he would look upon her and see a ravishing beauty he thought he could tame. From wild cat to purring kitten, that's what men wanted. They liked to feel they were in charge, but at times they liked to be led a good chase.
"There you are Sire, I'm so sorry to have worn you out, but in truth it's good battle practice."
"You ride well My Lady, perhaps a little too well. It's unseemly to ride like a man, you may damage yourself and your virtue should people see you riding so." He was in earnest, but he was smiling. She saw his playful banter as a warning not to tease too far with this one."
"Why yes your Highness, I must admit I broached the boundaries of propriety. But it's a fine Spring day, and my heart is aflutter and my mind and self control not quite itself in my present company.Love got the better of me."
He watched as she feined a shock at her revelation. She was an accomplished actress, he'd give her that. He almost believed she was contrite, but she was too in control. She'd set her scene and was playing her part, and the role was now demure maiden. He wasn't buying it of course, they both had secrets and skeletons in their closet. That's how relationships work. You start with a clean slate for past indiscretions and you blotted your book gradually with new ones. She may have her faults, Lord knows he has plenty of his own, but any fool could see she was a worthy match for him. And besides, he liked her.
"We need to talk." No preamble, no beating about the bush...straight into business! He took her hand in his and the moment had come.....
end of part 2
© .Garry Saunders
"Catch me if you can Sire," she said letting out sweet laughter like a thousand bridle bells. And with that she cantered away leaving him behind open mouthed at this saucy nature. Maybe the red hair bad transformed her by some magic into a tavern wench after all.
Guinevere knew not to outpace the King too much. He was in his armour after all, so she satisfied herself to go at a mid trot and always keep in sight lest he should lose interest. She had found in her time as a beautiful and captivating noble, that men lost interest very quickly once they'd achieved their goal. The trick, so her teenage friend Morgan had taught her during their time at the nunnery, was to never let them take things too far too quick. It was an art she would say, that was more tricky than the brewing of all secret potions. That friend had been sent away from the school for your noble ladies, for unruly behaviour. Had Guinevere not been blessed with such a great poker face, she too may have enjoyed the same fate. The nuns had called her friend
"Morgan Le Fay", whispering she was a fairy enchantress, a mischief maker, and worse... a corruptor! Guinevere smiled, she was a herbalist, an apothecary, an amateur dabbler in the Arts and alchemy - nothing more. In short, her friend was a hell-raiser and certainly not the type to fratenise openly with, for she was dangerous....and that made the fair Guinevere love her so much more!
By the time the King caught up to her she was already seated on the ground. Of course she'd had time to pinch her cheeks to gain a flush of colour, and to run her fingers through her hair. The jewels of her dress shone in the dappled light and she applied berry juice to her lips. Oh yes, he would look upon her and see a ravishing beauty he thought he could tame. From wild cat to purring kitten, that's what men wanted. They liked to feel they were in charge, but at times they liked to be led a good chase.
"There you are Sire, I'm so sorry to have worn you out, but in truth it's good battle practice."
"You ride well My Lady, perhaps a little too well. It's unseemly to ride like a man, you may damage yourself and your virtue should people see you riding so." He was in earnest, but he was smiling. She saw his playful banter as a warning not to tease too far with this one."
"Why yes your Highness, I must admit I broached the boundaries of propriety. But it's a fine Spring day, and my heart is aflutter and my mind and self control not quite itself in my present company.Love got the better of me."
He watched as she feined a shock at her revelation. She was an accomplished actress, he'd give her that. He almost believed she was contrite, but she was too in control. She'd set her scene and was playing her part, and the role was now demure maiden. He wasn't buying it of course, they both had secrets and skeletons in their closet. That's how relationships work. You start with a clean slate for past indiscretions and you blotted your book gradually with new ones. She may have her faults, Lord knows he has plenty of his own, but any fool could see she was a worthy match for him. And besides, he liked her.
"We need to talk." No preamble, no beating about the bush...straight into business! He took her hand in his and the moment had come.....
end of part 2
© .Garry Saunders
