Chapter 15 (Part 2)

“Open the window!" Dominic's voice although muffled could be heard and Jacqueline flung the doors open hard. Hoping it would hit him.

It did.

"Shit." He cursed, glaring at Jacqueline.

"I apologize, my lord, it was an accident,” She smirked up at him. "Forgive me." She smiled happily at his red throbbing nose and wanted, was holding the temptation to laugh her ass off.

His face was still handsome, blond hair flicking messily almost dancing across his face. He looked like a comical hero in a sense, most women would swoon, but the reddened throbbing nose made her splutter and look to the carpeted ground, ignoring the temptation to laugh.

He took her seriously and bent his head coolly" You are forgiven."

Jacqueline huffed and rolled her eyes at him. He glowered and bent down to his stallion. "Shh," The horse hadn't moved from its previous stillness but it stood even stiller. Almost like a statue at his master’s wishes.

"Well as a lady you need to know how to ride, especially if we go to court. When his majesty wishes we must ride with him"

Jacqueline nodded, at his majesty. The sovereign, His Majesty, King Francis 1st. "Well hurry up then,"

"I don't have a horse, my lord,"

"I know I didn't give you a horse for a reason. A woman receives a horse from her husband as a gift you deserve nothing from me,”

She got up and turned to leave, the library didn't seem so warm. "Wait!"

She continued walking towards the door and the horse neighed. "My lord, I am to rest," She stated clearly.

"After our lesson Jacqueline, or I'll teach you another way," His threat, scared her she turned around with a frown on her face.

She stepped closer to Dominic, his blond hair flicking less now as the wind reduced but his face angry at her, his dark beast below him. "We'll what am I supposed to ride on?"

He arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow "My horse, of course,"

"It is improper,"

“You belong to me. Nothing is improper,"

"So I am your slave," She snarled back at him, he soothed his horse and pausing looked up.

"No, a wife," She wanted to scream, she was sick of being a wife. She longed for some company, being Lady Defleur was tedious and well...

The horse was rather magnificent.

She walked and the windows low stepped over it and out onto the grass. "Here you go," He threw her a pair of boots and watched her put them on.

"Get on then," She looked at the horse eyeing it up and wondering how to get on it.

Dominic groaned irritated and got down from Storm, he picked her up and although her dress rode up slightly he put her on the horse like a child.

"Hold onto my back, do not dig your nails," Dominic mumbled, Jacqueline wrapped her arms around his waist.

Servants walking past looked at the couple who were yet to move; most likely thinking it was a romantic moment of master and mistress.

Her dark hair flicking madly around her whilst her face was leant on her husband’s back.  His face having an awed expression, supposedly, but he was focused on the distance in front of him.

"GO BACK TO WORK!" Dominic shouted and the servants head bent down bowed and scuttled back to the grand house.

Jacqueline stayed quiet on the horse, it was warm, somehow comforting...

He clicked his tongue and the horse lurched into action.

Jacqueline felt free and relaxed she rode with Storm with ease, Jacqueline forgot about being Dominic's wife and holding on she closed her eyes in peace.

Dominic rode faster. He was somewhat calm, but with his wife at his back he felt the need to go faster. So again he clicked at Storm. The pace increased and both of them smiled laughed into the morning air.

+++

Joseph was late. Shit. Shit. Shit. He thought. Running madly through the village to get to work, he had woken late and master wouldn't be pleased.

Buttoning up his shirt as he ran he swore again as he realised he didn't have his ruff and Lord Defleur was perfect when it came to staff and appearance. Maybe he would be drunk and unable to comprehend what he looked like.

Probably not, if that happened then pigs flied. He would get a lecture or a beating and hoping it was the former he raced last the luxurious green trees and bushes and came closer to the house.

"Good morning Joseph," Dominic was above him towering on his horse. The countess was watching him and Joseph bowed low at both of them.

His face scowling and her face was tranquil, Joseph kept his eyes trained to the ground. "Joseph, why are you late?"

Dominic asked.

"I'm sorry my lord it won't happen again" Joseph answered, Jacqueline sharply hit Dominic in the back but Dominic caught on and flung her to the ground.

His arm twisted slightly but it was nothing compared to her pain, the impact of coming down from the towering beast that she had been riding on and wasn't fully still was painful.

She cried out as her bruised stomach hit the ground harshly and she couldn't get up, whimpering as the pain ebbed but increased again she wondered how she had got to this. Jacqueline closed her eyes tightly as another wave of pain flew into her.

Joseph bowed again and picked her up. “My lady," He spoke slowly, grasping her hand lightly he squeezed it sympathetically, Dominic stood masterfully above them not wanting to help either but instead looked at his servants eyes of warmth and his wife's returning of gratitude.

She stormed off and Dominic unbothered addressed Joseph. "I'm finished I'll get back to the horse"

Joseph bowed and followed behind his master. Once reaching the entrance Dominic turned and punched Joseph nastily in the face, leaving his servant's bloody nosed and unconscious.