The grand bedchamber glowed softly from the candles. Sitting atop the tables and fire. But the heat from the flames did not keep Eleanora warm.
Every nerve of her body was electrified. The hard body rubbing against her naked curves only made her more hungry. Laying on her back every thrust of his hips made her feel closer to flame. Her hand dragged against his spine. Only causing him to move more desperately.
Their breathing was the only thing that filled the room. It made Eleanora hotter, her back arched. She wanted to be consumed by him.
"My lord" she breathed.
Reaching for the headboard as waves of pleasure spread from her head to her toes. She pressed her face against his neck to contain her screams. She did not need the house to know she was blessed with such an effective lover.
Once he was complete she let him lay across her for some time.
She could hear their breathing slow. She enjoyed the pressure across her breast and hips.
She enjoyed the familiarity of his body on hers. Like they had always been lovers.
Like being reunited. She thought.
With that thought, her stomach felt unsettled. Something wasn't right.
This was the first night with her husband. The first time is never that successful, for the woman at least. Her skills were not the issue.
Watching as he gently pushed away from her. He sat on the edge of the back towards her.
She covered her breast and held her unsettle stomach.
"How lucky am I to have a husband who knows how to pleasure his new wife?" She gently probed. She understood men had their experiences, but she wanted honesty in their marriage. He could at least be honest.
His fine ass walked across the chamber. To the basin of fresh water as he splashed his face. His long black hair tied neatly.
"Robert?" She whispered. Something wasn't right. She swallowed the saliva that suddenly filled her mouth.
"It offends me, dear Nora," He finally spoke as he turned around to face her. "That you keep referring to me as a lowly Duke. And assume he could be an equal lover."
Charles. She wanted to scream. But her mind froze. Ears once filled with the sounds of their passion now rang.
His handsome sculpted face looked as fresh as it did years ago. His body strong and hard like marble statue from Greece. She knew every part of his anatomy.
Charles made a slow seductive movement toward her. Her stomach churned.
She was speechless as he pressed his fingers against her chest to lay her back against the bed. He laid against her body. He kissed her neck, hands fondling her body.
She looked around the room. It looked nothing like her husband's bed chamber. Gold decorations lush bedcovering. The scent of fresh water and rose.
Eleanora felt something rough and dry move up her throat. She violently crawled away from Charles. Just over the edge of the bed, she felt something push out of her mouth. She vomited something dry and painful. As she looked down at the floor embarrassed.
Covered her mouth at the sight. Perfectly bloomed white peonies laid across the floor. She could taste the perfume of the flower on her tongue, in her nose.
Tears pricked her eyes. Her fear caused her body to shake violently.
Waking up with a fright Elenora looked around the room. It was her husband's room. Decorated in blue and warm wood brown. The ornate painting hanging above the low fire keeping her warm. Looking to her left she could see her husband's back as he slept.
"William" She cursed under her breath.
He pervades even my dreams now.
The words that William whispered on the dance floor brought back memories of she wished to forget. When she was in love and spent her days making love by bubbling rivers and blooming flowers.
But she wanted a new love. Looking over at her husband's resting figure, she wondered if she could find love. If not a caring companion. He was a kind man, better than she deserved.
She ran her fingers across his bare back. Smooth and strong. He was so still and calm while he slept. He had a slight tan from working outside. She loved the sun and didn't blame him for removing his shirt while he was out there.
Then something occurred to her, he shouldn't be that still. His skin did not twitch at her touch. His body did not rise or fall as he breathed slowly.
"Robert?" She rustled. He did not respond.
Using all her strength she turned him on to his back. His eyes wide open mouth hanging limp. She covered her mouth as the scent of peonies once again filled her nostrils. She touched the deep purple and black marks around his neck. Too small to a man's hand and to large to be a rope. Curiosity caused her to straddle his chest, and place her hands perfectly over the bruised marks on the dead Robert's neck.
Clapping echoed in the bed chamber. "Welcome back." Laughed the dreaded voice. William walked toward her. Dressed in all black. White peony in his hand.
"Now. Back to work." He said just as he grasped her jaw and shoved the flower into her mouth.