Chapter 22

At Court:

Francis opened the book he had been reading before looking up at William and Amelia. They had avoided each others gaze at the table, avoided anyone's face and it irritated Francis."DeFleur." Francis called.

Thomas left his wife's side and bent at Francis side."Your brother...."

"My brother, your majesty."

Francis looked at William who was chewing a piece of pie, Amelia doing the same and the extravagant foods offered on the table made it their simple actions seem even more humble.

"Yes your brother, what is wrong with him?"

Thomas shrugged, his now engagement was a hindrance in his affairs to further himself. A woman with no title, connections or heritage was now a mark on his name.

"Maybe he finally realised that keeping his dick out too long to get some female attention was a mistake."

Francis growled."You will not speak about others in my presence like that. I suggest you do not spread any rumours DeFleur. I have taken a liking to William and I will see to his well being, including his reputation."

Thomas growled with jealousy, he wanted the king's favour!"Like Dominic your majesty?"

Francis snarled and dismissed him with a flicker of his jewelled hand."Watch yourself DeFleur, this isn't the peasant hovel you grew up in and I hope for your sake you remember."

Thomas bowed an apology and strode out. He was going to have a little word to his brother in law and see how much he liked the new baby in his place.

+++

At the DeFleur mansion

Dominic woke up early, removing his shirt off because of the heat he strode through his home. He hadn't done that in a while. In years in fact...

After receiving the lavish estate he had only one day before servants came in and tuned it to their new masters 'approval'

Walking towards the gardens, considering a dip in the lake he saw a figure. Scrunching his nose in confusion he walked towards it. Flicking a fly off him he wondered why the British weather was not very well British.

"Who's there?" He called, no reply, striding closer and grabbing a pistol from the rack he allowed his staff to keep he ventured closer.

"I said who's there this is the earl speaking"

There was no reply. The wind whispering nothing. It was still warm and the sun was now in Dominic's face.

The grass was crisp from the rain last night and walking bearfoot. He wiggled his toes and as the wind blew he closed his eyes in bliss and spun around.

And tripped. He cursed and feeling a pair of hands grabbed onto him.

Blinking upwards he was now at the mercy of someone. Being face flat on the ground and his arms restrained he looked up to see. A woman....

Lifting him up still restraining his arms, she held him close."Who are you?" Her breathing heavy and on him , he felt intrigued by this. She snapped digging closer into his ribs.

He gasped in pain."Release me wench, how dare you?"He spat.

The woman obeyed him and shoving him to the ground glared straight in his face. Her black hair tied backwards in a ponytail. She flicked it slightly behind her. Eyeing up her captive.

A strong face she her fringe flicked in her face. Her eyes narrowed.

Her face currently holding a glare was free of any blemishes. She was very beautiful. Especially for a black woman. Dominic thought.

"I will repeat myself sir who are you?" She said, her tone clipped and educated ?!

Dominic stuttered for a moment" I am Dominic DeFleur Earl of this estate and you are?"

She stayed quiet, her face unchanged by his revelation of his title, shrugging she lifted him up.

"I asked you a question"

She shrugged again straightening her shirt, the fact she was wearing one was a fault in its self but she was also wearing pantaloons!

"I know you did my lord however I have the right to answer when I want within reason or I could lie and you may have your answer then"

"Disrepectful wench"

"I have been called that many a time" She reminisced chuckling.

"But I am a proper woman I will not talk to a man unclothed." She said continuing.

Dominic blushed his shame slightly, his chest bronzed most woman would be trying to accosts him but she boldly without his permission walked to the other side of the stable and grabbed an object."You may use this until you return to your fancy house and wear some proper attire "

She tossed the shirt and Dominic caught it obeying her and putting it on."Why are you in my stables?"He narrowed his eyes." Have you come to steal?"

Dominic tugged at the shirt, It was a bit baggy but it was a cream coloured and matched Dominic's brown pantalons. His face was a mask, although impatient to know what she was doing. It was rare a woman was a threat.

She laughed, her voice bubbly and happy" There are many estates and why because I am black you assume I am unable to read and be civil."

Dominic was quiet. Yes actually. But he didn't comment instead repeated his question.

"I am your horse mistress you may not have realised but someone manages the accounts, the horses bills and welfare and the team you have" She brushed a horses hair as she talked watching the uncomfortable earl.

"How do I know your not lying?"

She smirked and grabbing some oats walked towards two grey horses."Believe what you want"

He watched her as she fed them, coaxing them, calming them." You work well with them"

"I have a very demanding master" She repiled half mockingly.

He smiled"Well then carry on as you were,"

She bowed low and watched Dominic as he hummed a tune out of the stables. Laughing she turned around and put a paper note to herself in her boot.

Dominic walked back to his house and he reached the front door and stared. His country mansion was warm. Almost fair like with a glow that only occurred because of the sunrise."Ho there."

A servant turned around holding the messages for the day and curtised venturing closer to her master."What are those?"

"Your messages my lord, I am to give them to Master Porter."

Dominic nodded and went to his bedroom. It was empty.... Opening the adjourning bedroom he saw Jacqeueline was perched right on the edge eyes closed and lips shining."You will join me for breakfast." He said.

Jacqueline's eyes opened and he went into the room. Alice already in the corner sewing she began to dress Jacqueline.

She took his hand and they went down to breakfast."I am not an invalid, waiting for some pity."Jacqueline began.

"I never said that."

"Your actions did, my lord, I no longer seek worldly comforts such as human friendship." She bit into the manchet on the table.

"Friendship?"

"Yes, I have no longer, a want for friendship or love."

"Jacqueline. I have been an idiot."

She looked at the floor, hoping for an apology."I have let you ride amok and like a child you must be curbed. Our days will now be together. I will choose where you go and who you go with. I may allow some lady friends of my choice and attendants to serve you and chaperone you."

Her eyes widened and her fist became clenched."My lord, and lady."

The servant from earlier had the letters and offered it to Dominic, rolling her eyes Jacqueline sat patiently."What?" He sat in disbelief."Get out!"He snapped at the servant.

Once the door was shut Dominic slapped Jacqueline round the face."You DeFleurs! You are all the same. Suckers. Blood suckers."

Jacqueline still shaking from the slap recoiled as he came next to her again."Look." He shook the letter in her face and she took it out of his red hand.

It was from Thomas and it talked of William's engagement but also that he was pining on Francis and was being granted many affection by his majesty.

Jacqueline smiled sadly, William would never marry for anything else but love and she wished she could see him, and punch Dominic in the process.

She gave him back the letter."I wish to sleep."

"No. I'm going to court! We are going to court, for once you will be useful and conduct the house to be ready for our departure. We will leave tonight."

He lunged forward to hit her again and Jacqueline closed her eyes ready for the blow, There was none and the door shut with a slam. Jacqueline swallowed her tears, and started to pace around the room.

Bastard. Bastard. Bastard."My lady?"

Dominic's butler smiled at her and offered her a hankercheif, she let her angry tears fall and she ignored him. He grabbed her and held her rocking her gently as a child and wiped her tears."I'll help you, hmm."

She nodded gently into the older man and sank into him."My wife, the cook will bring you something to eat hmm and we'll write a list, my lady."

Jacqueline nodded again, never feeling so weak in her life and let the old man take her into a room."What's this?"

"Your study, my lady." He offered her a chair"Especially made for your arrival but we thought you might not want us to talk to you."

Jacqueline laughed sadly and took the tea offered. A woman entered holding a tray, covered in pastires and cakes. She smiled and placed the tray down.

Offering Jacqueline a crumpet, a scone and a chocolate cake all at once Jacqueline was overwhelmed. Placed on matching blue and a white china, it looked bery pretty and made Jacqueline smile.

"I am grateful for your kindness, I have not been shown any in a while."

The old woman cooed softly and grabbed her by the shoulders, stunning Jacqueline slightly."The lord is very passionate my lady and kind and benelovent. But he is cold, ruthless and lonely."

Jacqueline honestly did not care. She continued all the same."He will grow to love you, but he needs an incentive."

"Incentive?"

The woman patted her hand and shooed her husband. He smiled knowingly and left the room.

"Men want what they can't have, my dear. You must show him you can flourish and still be his wife."

"Be stronger then the abuse." She stroked Jacqueline's cheek."He may hit you but not break you. Then he'll truly love you. He's like the sovereign that way."

"He's a bastard."

"Well I'm quite certain of his legitimacy, but he is certainly harsh and I disapprove, now would you like some tea?"

Jacqueline nodded and she poured it into the cup, the hot liquid black went into the china bone cup. She took it gently and the cook sat opposite her."Now. First on the list..."

Author's Note: I am not able to upload on the weekend as it's the Christmas weekend in England so I decided to upload earlier, i hope you enjoy the next couple of chapters as they go to court.