Topic: Affectionate Roses

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:30 EST
May 1617

The day had come. The feeling of celebration was already in the air in the streets of Cluaine Mor. Despite knowing that they would not catch a glimpse of the newly wedded couple until the next day, the people of Carib wanted to celebrate the marriage of their king's sister to the new duke, and that feeling of festival extended to the castle. The court was dismissed for the morning, expected to return for the feasting that would be the great celebration that evening, yet the wedding itself was a small affair, intimate and private as the couple desired. For Elspeth, came Harry and Bryn, Jane and Felipe; for Miles, came his father and brothers, and their wives. A small, family affair, but no less warm for that, the vows were spoken in soft tones before the Goddess, with no need of excessive outpourings of delight. Yet there were hours yet before the court would reconvene, and in that time, no one expected to see the newly-wedded duke and duchess set foot outside the rooms that were theirs alone. After all, what else did a man and woman do after they shared vows that bound them for a lifetime"

The answer to that question seemed obvious, but for a couple who obviously adored each other, but were more than a little nervous when it came to the matter of consummating their marriage, it was easier said than done. As for Miles, his stomach had been in knots since he'd gotten up that morning, hardly having slept much the night before. It wasn't that he was unsure of what he was doing; he knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Elspeth. It was only a case of nervous jitters, common to most brides and bridegrooms, especially to those who weren't well versed in the matters of lovemaking.

In fact, the first thing his blushing bride did when they reached their chambers was kick off her shoes with slightly extreme violence, and remove the tiara from her head, sighing in relief. Then she threw herself onto her back on the bed, and groaned. "Why can't we just stay in here for the rest of the day?" she whimpered, not really looking forward to all the pointing and whispering that would be inevitable during the feast. "Maybe we could dress a couple of servants up as us."

Miles chuckled as Elspeth made herself comfortable. Thankfully, he hadn't been subjected to wearing anything too terribly uncomfortable or encumbering, though it seemed to have taken a ridiculously long time just to fasten all the buttons that lined the front of his jacket. As splendid as he looked, he had a feeling this was one outfit he was only going to wear once. "Are we expected to wear these ridiculous clothes to the feast, as well?" he complained, though he didn't find her dress ridiculous, so much as gorgeous.

She raised her head, leaning up onto her elbows. "I think so," she admitted ruefully. "I think the court will be a little put out if we show up wearing what we would normally wear." A thought occurred to her, making her giggle. "Jane and Bryn would kill me if I showed up with my arms covered."

"It will take at least an hour to get all these buttons fastened again," he complained, exaggerating just a little as he scowled at himself in the mirror. He was almost afraid to look at her now that they were alone, for fear he might lose control of himself.

She laughed, pushing herself onto her feet to move over to him. "I'll help you," she promised, rising onto her toes to press a soft kiss behind his ear as she peeked over his shoulder at his reflection in the mirror. Her hands crept about his waist, the simple gold ring on her finger declaring to the world that she was a married woman.

He exhaled a soft sigh and laid his hands over hers, feeling a strange flood of contentment washing over him, mingled with other feelings he didn't quite have a name for. "I love you, you know. No matter what happens, I will always love you," he assured her softly, despite the fact that they'd just said their vows.

Her eyes were only just visible over his shoulder in their reflection, but her smile was still there for him to see. "And I love you," she promised in a tender tone, her fingers tangling with his. "You see me. No one else really does."

"I think they do," he replied, slowly turning to face her. "Your brother does, and Jane and the queen," he said, to name but a few, but then, perhaps they saw her differently than he did. He touched her cheek, like he had so many times before, and yet it was like the very first time all over again.

Her head tilted back, spilling her loose hair back from her shoulders in a rippling fall of bright copper. "Not the way you do," she told him, a small smile quirking her lips as she inched her fingers up over his chest.

He had never seen her so relaxed as she was now - surpirisingly relaxed, considering what they were expected to do. They had at least a few hours to themselves, plenty of time to discover each other in new ways now that they were wed. He sifted her soft fall of copper hair through his fingers. It was a rare thing to see her with her hair loose and her shoulders bare, and he was admiring the view, still a little astonished to know that she belonged to him. "That's because I love you," he told her. It wasn't that the others didn't love her, too, but they didn't love her the way he did. Towering over her the way he did, he bent his head to kiss her lips, stoking the spark he had spoken of earlier that would set both their hearts and bodies on fire. His kiss was as tender as always, but not quite as chaste, a little more demanding, a little more hungry.

Perhaps what Elspeth had truly been afraid of was already done. He'd proven, beyond any doubt, that he loved her and wanted her, simply by going through with exchanging those vows, by making her his wife. The fear was no longer choking her as she pressed into his arms, opening herself to his kiss even as she shivered at the sensation of his hands in her hair. He loved her. That was all she needed to know.

He had promised to always love, cherish, protect her and care for her, and he intended to keep that promise. Whatever had happened in her past, he would make her forget; he would replace those bad memories with good ones - memories full of love and laughter, and this was only the beginning.

They had both made those promises. They both intended to go above and beyond in keeping them. And for Elspeth, that first step was to be brave beyond her usual means; to stop hiding behind her fears and reach out to show him that she felt as he did. Her kisses deepened, tasting him with the same hunger he dared to show her, lithe fingers reaching up to begin undoing the plethora of buttons that held his doublet closed.

There was so little to her dress, it was almost astounding. It was usually the woman who was covered in several layers of clothing, but this time it seemed he was the one who was overdressed. While she worked the buttons of his doublet open, he leaned in to let his lips trace the curve of one bare shoulder, the skin beneath his lips so soft and fragrant.

In that soft exploration, he found the first of her secrets - that the curve of her neck was ticklish enough to make her giggle quietly as his lips brushed toward her shoulder, the delicate sound muffled against his chest as she pressed her face to his doublet to try and hide it. Perhaps it was strange, that she could laugh so easily in such a moment, or perhaps not. He was the only man beyond her brother in whom she had so much trust and love as to be entirely herself.

Muffled as it was, he heard her giggle and smiled, that giggle only encouraging him further. Was this what Jane meant when she'd implied they should relax and enjoy each other" And why not' Why should this be a chore? Shouldn't they have fun with it and not take it so seriously' They were human; they were going to make mistakes, but together, they would learn from those mistakes. All of a sudden, Miles' kisses stopped, but only so that he could scoop her up into his arms and carry her toward the bed, where he intended to show her just how tender a lover he could be.

How many secrets could he uncover in a single afternoon' From the ticklish curve of her throat to the way she counted each button as it came undone on his doublet; from how sensitive the soft underside of her knee was to a single touch to the unexpected dominance she displayed when it came to baring his skin to her hands; from the tender sound of his name on her lips to the way every inch of her skin blushed when he finally saw her pale skin unwrapped for the first time ....there were many secrets only he would ever know, and this was only the beginning.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:31 EST
It was the first day of their new lives together as husband and wife, and they had all afternoon to discover each other. All afternoon to laugh at their mistakes and to enjoy their successes. All afternoon to learn that he, too, was ticklish; to learn what made him groan and what made him sigh; to hear him whisper her name when at last he claimed her as his own, as tenderly as his first kiss. There was no way they could learn everything about each other in one day, but there was time enough to learn there was nothing to be afraid of so long as they were together.

Not to say there weren't moments of concern. She couldn't help her flash of fear as he drew himself over her, into her, remembering all too clearly the pain she had felt when another man had taken the only thing of value she had to give. But Miles was not him. Miles was hers, he loved her, and he gave her more than she had ever thought to expect, soothing her fear with tenderness as they moved together toward that unexpected surge.

He tried to be tender, to be sure she was ready for him, but there was only so much he could do. He'd been warned that it could be painful for a woman, but he was as careful and as gentle as he could be. He only hoped he'd be rewarded for his patience by giving her pleasure that matched his own as they moved together toward the pinnacle of their love.

Hands gripping, sheets tangled, breath quick, bodies laced together, they found that reward together, names painting the air, ghosting out to the garden through the door both had forgotten had been left open to cool the rooms they now shared. And no pain, no regret, no tears ....Miles found his flame-haired wife in his arms as they sank to the sheets together, her lips curved in a wild, warm smile, stroking his skin with loving words as she nestled close. Jane had been right all along.

It would no doubt give Jane great satisfaction to know that, but she would just have to wait. Miles smiled back, looking just a little bit sleepy and feeling more content than he had in as long as he could remember. He touched yet another kiss to her bare skin as she nuzzled against him, his arms around her to hold her close. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked, though he was mostly certain he hadn't.

Elspeth's smile still seemed a little shy, though it was infinitely more intimate than any she had given him before now. "No," she promised him softly, teasing her fingers through his hair, tousling the short length as she did so. She was absolutely fascinated by how different and familiar he was in this moment; still the same Miles, but somehow more than she'd known of him before. "I never thought it ....it would be so ....nice."

"It is nice, isn't it?" he said, though he wasn't expecting an answer. Nice wasn't quite the word he might have chosen to use, but he understood what she'd meant by it. It was nice lying here with her, wrapped in each other's embrace, still warm from their love. He touched a kiss to the tip of her nose, both intimate and playful. "I am happy here with you, Elspeth. Happier than I have ever been," he told her, knowing somehow that this was precisely where he was meant to be.

She giggled softly at the silly sign of affection, inching up just enough to kiss his chin in answer. "I never thought I would be lucky enough to be married after my mother was killed," she admitted softly. "I never dreamed that I would love and be loved in return. You make me happy, Miles. You have done since we met. But I cannot promise not to swear at you if you frustrate me sometimes."

He laughed a little at her threat. "Do you really wish to talk of such things now?" he asked, drawing her down against him and stroking her hair with one hand. "I promise you that no matter how much we may argue, I will never go to bed angry with you and I will always still love you." He could not imagine ever being so angry at her as to break that promise.

"I promise, too," she answered faithfully, resting her cheek over his heart as he stroked his fingers through her hair, sighing happily at the comfortable stillness wrapped around them. Noon had come and gone, still a few hours left for them to enjoy one another in peace before the court reconvened to celebrate their match with them. She watched her fingers teasing against his skin, enchanted by the glimmer of gold about her finger. "We should probably bathe, you know."

"Probably," he agreed, the smile heard in his voice, even if she wasn't looking at his face. Probably, but he seemed in no hurry to break the spell that had been cast between them. He paused a moment, his fingers trailing through the copper silk of her hair, before speaking again. "You're beautiful, you know. The most beautiful woman I've ever known." Or seen or met, for that matter.

She blushed - no doubt he felt the heat against his chest as her lips curved, as she ducked her head a little shyly in answer to his compliment. "I'm the only redhead in the court," she pointed out, only too eager to diffuse a compliment she didn't feel she deserved. "I stand out, a little, that's all."

"It's not just that," he was quick to point out. "Beauty isn't just about the way someone looks, Els. You are beautiful both inside and out," he told her, unsure if he could find the right words to explain what he meant. While it might have been that red hair that had first attracted him, it was not what had made him fall in love with her.

She tilted her head back to look up at him, her shy smile silently begging him not to tell her why he found her beautiful. She was uneasy enough with being told she was attractive at all. "I don't need to be beautiful to anyone but you," she murmured softly. "I love you."

He was sure he was not alone in his assessment. After all, she had a brother who adored her, not to mention her friends, but he didn't want to embarrass her further by pointing that out. Instead he merely repeated her words back at her, his fingers moving to caress her cheek. "I love you, too."

Her smile relaxed, pale arms pushing herself up to slither higher over the bed and dare to claim his lips with her own in a tender kiss. She might never have the ease in public to tease him the way Jane teased Felipe, or to risk the disapproval of the court by being seen to be in love with her husband, but Miles could be assured that he would always feel loved when they were alone.

That kiss rekindled the fire that was simmering between them, and it would be another hour or so before they were finished, sweating with the effort, gasping for breath, and laughing with each other, even as they traded kisses back and forth. It was easier the second time, as they got a little more comfortable with each other, but not so comfortable that there weren't new things to discover in their exploration of the other. If she had asked, Miles would have admitted that he didn't much care what anyone at court thought, so long as he was secure in her love.

In that, at least, he never needed to feel anything but secure. Elspeth was loyal and loving, but careful with who she gave her love to. Once she gave it, she rarely chose to take it away. But today was about celebrating a love she had never thought she would ever experience, and though they had to drag themselves from one another's arms eventually or risk having a maid walk in to help her dress and seeing everything there was to see, she knew this love would always be here for her now. It was certainly present enough to make her blush and giggle as she twisted her hair up to secure it safely, shy of her own skin on display but bold enough to brazen it out to walk nude into the bathing chamber and step down into the warm water of the sunken bath.

As much as Miles tried not to stare at his new bride, he couldn't help but watch her as she moved about their chambers, admiring her beauty and hardly believing she belonged to him. The view had a visible effect on his body, as well, which he was all too aware of, but there was no help for it, and he could not hide in their bed forever. And so, he followed her into the bathing chamber, grabbing a towel as soon as he was able to cover that all-too-obvious hint of arousal.

The bathing chambers were large affairs in this castle, the water continually flowing, constantly renewed, always clean. Elspeth adored her bath, but she had always felt it was a little too big. Now she shared it with her husband - and that word alone gave her a thrill - it seemed perfect. She lounged in the water, enjoying the gentle coolness of that warmth on her skin for a long moment, eyes closed as she sighed happily. "I would rather never leave these rooms than ever have to go anywhere without you."

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:32 EST
Miles glanced over at her, relieved to find her eyes closed. It was probably silly to feel shy about his body when they'd just consummated their marriage twice, but he was all too aware of the effect she was having on his body and his inability to control it. "You'd get tired of me after a while," he pointed out, as he abandoned the towel and eased himself into the water.

Her eyes opened as he spoke, watching him step down into the water though, no doubt to his relief, she was still too shy to look anywhere other than his face. "I don't think I could ever get tired of you," she told him with absolute confidence. "My life is so different to the life I expected to live. I could never have dreamed of even meeting you, much less being your wife." She snorted with laughter as a sudden thought came to her mind. "My mother was beginning negotiations with the butcher to marry me to him when everything fell apart. Can you imagine me as a butcher's wife?"

"I suppose that depends on the butcher," he remarked as he immersed himself in the bath, realizing the water didn't do much to hide his obvious maleness. It was pleasantly cool though, and thankfully, she didn't seem to be gawking. "I don't want to imagine you with anyone but me," he added with a playful grin as he looked her way.

She laughed softly, swishing across the bath to rummage through the basket of soaps and cloths that sat beside it. "He was fifty," she told him. "And fat. And he had this boil on the end of his chin that wobbled when he laughed." But he'd been a good man, for all that; he would have looked after her, if that was the direction her life had gone.

Miles winced at the thought of her married to such a man, whether he was a good man or not. He knew it was wrong to judge someone based solely on their appearance, but he couldn't help but be glad that the butcher's loss was his gain. "I'm sure he'll find someone else better suited to him."

"I'm sure he will," she agreed softly. Locating the unfragranced soap from the bottom of the basket, she turned to make her way across the bath. It was awkward going, and eventually she had to give up on her modesty and simply stand, wading toward Miles with a soft blush creeping over every inch of her pale skin.

The view was doing nothing to alleviate his arousal, but this was their wedding day and she was his wife, and he refused to admit or surrender to his own embarrassment. Goddess, she was beautiful - the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on. He wondered why she didn't seem to know it. "Els, what ..." he asked, trailing off as he realized what it seemed she intended to do.

She bent to kiss his nose fondly. "What?" she asked innocently, twisting to settle herself across his lap as she lathered the cloth in her hand to begin sweeping it over his skin with gentle, affectionate hands.

He wondered if he should tell her that he was perfectly capable of bathing himself, but that didn't seem to be the point. He arched his brows at her as she kissed his nose, not finding anything innocent about the way she settled herself across his lap. "Nothing," he said, not wanting to discourage her in any way. He settled his hands against her hips, determined not to flush with embarrassment. He couldn't help but admit to himself how he was enjoying this.

Elspeth might not have been quite so innocent about her behavior as she seemed. She was certainly wearing a rather wicked little smile as she dedicated herself to thoroughly washing her husband. Shoulders, back, arms, chest ....lower and lower under the water, with no sign of stopping even if he squirmed.

He studied her as she took upon herself to bathe him, admiring the graceful way she moved that body of hers - the body of a goddess. It was only when she came dangerously close to his manhood that he caught her hand and pulled her closer. He seemed to ask permission with only his eyes, wanting her again, needing her to release him from the agony that was his longing.

He truly didn't need to ask, with or without words. She was his, attuned to him, knowing she was teasing, however sweetly she did it. Pulled closer, she settled herself against him, her knees brushing his hips, arms coiled about his neck to toy her hands through his hair as her lips found his. Twice wasn't enough. She would never have enough of him.

His arms circled her waist as she settled herself against him, a moan of pleasure muffled against her lips as she kissed him. At this angle, she would have to do most of the work, but she didn't seem to mind. All his worries and fears evaporated in that moment. Whatever she had suffered in the past, he had shown her nothing but love and tenderness and been rewarded for it with the same in return. She was more than he could have ever hoped for.

Shy she might be, inexperienced in this kind of sharing, but she felt safe and loved. She felt bold enough to try, unafraid that a mistake would result in derision, not with Miles. Freshening themselves for the evening ahead would just have to wait, though at this rate they might actually be late to their own party.

Though he might regret it later if they were late, at the moment, all he cared about was Elspeth. She filled his thoughts and his heart; she was all he wanted and everything he needed. She was his world. So what did it matter if they were late" He had a feeling those who truly cared for them would understand.

And this, too, was a new feeling for his Elspeth; to be allowed to take charge, to actively be permitted to tease and warm and play without fear of reprisals or disapproval. His reward for giving her that moment of power was raw and powerful, a sharing of sense and feeling and everything that went with it until she sat limp in his arms, giggling between tender kisses. "I-I didn't know I was allowed to do that."

There were some who might have said that a woman who was bold enough to take charge was no better than a whore; that it was a man's right and duty, and not that of a woman, but Miles was not one of them. Though they both lacked experience, he was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected turn of events. "Allowed?" he echoed, all out of breath, and a little confused by her statement.

The tip of her nose circled his; he was now learning just how affectionate Elspeth was with the people she loved, and as her husband, he was entitled to the lion's share of that affection. "To ....um ..." She blushed, trying to think of an appropriate word. "Ride?"

He smiled in amusement at both her blunt description of what she'd done and the blush that accompanied it. "You need not be embarrassed or shy with me, love," he assured her, charmed by the way she showed her affection for him. It never occurred to him that the same went for him.

"I will try," she promised softly, blue eyes sparkling as she kissed the tip of his nose. "As you should. You are beautiful in my eyes, Miles. Don't hide from me." So she had noticed the way he had anxiously covered himself over moving from the bed to the bath.

To his memory, no one had ever called him beautiful before. Handsome, maybe, but never beautiful. It was not a word that was usually associated with a man, but he thought he understood what she meant. Despite that and her assurance that he need not feel embarrassed, he felt his face flush warmly. "I will try, too," he promised, resting his forehead against hers.

Trickling her fingers through his hair, she beamed a happy, soft smile, quite content to linger there with him as long as they could. But, sadly, they didn't have the luxury of losing the day together. A gentle knock resounded on the outer door of the suite of rooms they now shared, announcing the arrival of her ladies-maid and his valet, to make sure they were presentable for the feast.

He sighed when he heard the knock at the door, interrupting their solitude. He was more than capable of getting himself dressed, despite the plethora of buttons on his new doublet. "Must we?" he asked, already knowing the answer to that question.

"Jane will probably come and find us if we don't at least make an appearance," Elspeth predicted in amusement. She kissed the tip of his nose. "We don't have to be present tomorrow at all if we choose not to be."

He grumbled a little, even as she kissed his nose, but knew she was right. "Very well, but we are spending tomorrow alone," he told her, tapping a finger against her nose, as if to punctuate his statement.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:33 EST
"With no buttons," she agreed in a giggling tone, quite happy to tease him as she slithered from his lap. Her maid and his valet were standing politely just outside the open door, both their robes in hand, ready to prepare them for their evening. It was still strange, to Elspeth, to be waited on by someone who was actually higher on the social scale than she had been for much of her life, but she'd managed to make good friends with Maeve since arriving here.

He laughed at her remark, but made no promises. He'd rather enjoyed watching her unfasten those buttons for him. "Perhaps," he said, with a teasing grin of his own as he reached for a length of linen to wrap to wrap around her shoulders, before he thought to wrap one around his waist. The maid and valet would just have to wait a moment longer.

Wrapped up in that linen, she giggled, leaning close to kiss his chest fondly. "We can survive this evening," she promised. "We can hide behind Harry and Bryn if we have to." Because she knew her brother would go out of his way to make sure the newly wedded couple were not overwhelmed by the deceptive well-wishers seeking influence at court.

He smiled as she kissed his chest and adjusted that length of linen around her."How long do you think we'll have to stay?" he asked, though she probably didn't know the answer to that anymore than he did. At least until they were finished with dinner, but that could take hours, depending on how many courses there were.

"A few hours, I suppose," she sighed regretfully, already working on calming herself in preparation to be under so many eyes. The face he had seen for just a few short hours here in privacy was one the court had never seen.

Was it strange to be worrying about a few hours at court when they had the rest of their lives to spend together" At least, when they weren't busy tending to their duties as Duke and Duchess of Cluaine Mor. "We'll leave as soon as we're able," he promised her, as he wrapped a length of linen around his waist. His valet may have seen him naked before, but her maid hadn't.

Elspeth giggled softly, a last brush of her fingers to his skin as she turned to let Maeve take her in hand. The process of being dressed and having her hair tamed was something along the lines of a knight being armored; she needed that quietness to compose herself for the evening to come.

It didn't take half as long to get him dressed and ready as it did her, and he took to pacing the floor while waiting. He wasn't nervous exactly, but as the second son, he wasn't accustomed to being the center of attention. It was something he was going to have to get used to, he supposed, now that he was a duke.

In fairness, the length of time she took was all to do with how many strokes of the brush Maeve ran through her loose hair. Both women knew how having her hair brushed calmed Elspeth down; it was a vital part of her morning ritual. But eventually, she slipped into the main room of their chambers, once again the beautifully dressed, composed duchess, her face lighting up in a soft smile that belonged just to him.

"Shall we brave the court, your grace?"

"I think we shall," he replied, with a soft, appreciative smile at her appearance, as he offered her an arm. "We will not require your services this evening," he informed his valet and her maid. If he had his way, they wouldn't need their services the next day either.

"As you say, your grace." Maeve curtsied to them both. "A late breakfast, too?" she asked innocently.

Elspeth blushed a vibrant shade of rose, curling her hands to Miles' elbow to squeeze hopefully. She couldn't quite bring herself to say it aloud.

"A late breakfast, yes," Miles confirmed, since it seemed Elspeth was not inclined to answer. At least, he did not share her blush. While some newly married couples could barely stand the sight of each other, Miles and Elspeth were fortunate enough to have married for love, and as such, were hoping to enjoy their first days as newlyweds.

"As you wish, your grace." Valet and maid bowed and curtsied, turning to finish their duties in the room while their master and mistress stepped out into the corridor to make their way to the main hall, where the court was convening to eat, drink, and be merry.

"How long do you think we'll have to stay?" Miles asked quietly, tilting his head close to hers as he led her down the corridor toward the main hall, arm in arm.

"It's still going to be a few hours, no matter how many times you ask, love," she murmured back to him. No doubt he could feel her growing more and more tense the closer they grew to the hall, but at least he was used to her public face.

Tradition or not, he couldn't help but wish dinner was over, but he didn't ask again. He frowned as he felt her tensing beside him and turned a momentary glance her way. "We'll be among friends, love," he reminded her - and family, for that matter. He wished the feast could have been as small and private as the wedding, but it couldn't be helped.

She drew in a slow breath. "I know," she said softly. "I just don't like the pointing and whispering. I am getting better at ignoring it, though. Aren't I?" The hall sounded full of people, that concentration of influence and opinion more than a little intimidating.

But they wouldn't be facing it alone - at the great doors stood Harry and Bryn, and Jane and Felipe, ready to escort the newly-weds safely to their seats with an overwhelming amount of pomp and circumstance that would please even the most stuck up of the barons. And the King and Queen, predictably enough, were openly armed, as usual.

"They are only jealous," he whispered back as they stepped closer. Jealous of him for being elevated above his expected place to that of second most powerful man in all of Carib - above that of his father and older brother even; jealous that he had been given the princess' hand in marriage. He doubted there was anyone there who was jealous of her for marrying him, but there were plenty who might be the other way around.

He might have been surprised, then, if he had heard some of the gossip among the younger ladies of the court. They were heartbroken that he had been claimed so soon after arriving at court, though they could hardly blame the the king's sister for making her choice so plain. Elspeth knew she had disappointed many women by marrying Miles - it was that which made her so nervous to present herself as his wife this evening. But she didn't have time to worry over that now.

As the newly-wedded couple reached the doors, Bryn turned, her face opening in a broad smile as she took them in. "You survived, then?" she teased easily.

"Just barely, Majesty," Miles teased in return, bolder than usual, grinning with happiness and just a hint of mischief. Everyone present had to know what he and Elspeth had just shared together, though they might not guess how much they'd enjoyed it, if not for the look on both their faces.

Elspeth's cheeks turned beautifully rosy as she ducked her head, attempting to hide her wide grin at Miles' almost brazen response to Bryn's tease. Felipe smiled to himself, glancing significantly down at his own wife, as Bryn laughed aloud.

"Miles, we're family now," the queen pointed out. "I have a name, and you are now my brother, so use it."

Miles arched both brows, flushing a little at the thought of calling his queen by her first name, whether they were related by marriage now or not. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, out of habit - it was a habit that was going to be hard to bread.

Beside Bryn, Harry laughed. "You will get used to it eventually," he assured the other man, who must be fairly close to him in age, though he felt like the older and wiser of the two.

"Especially once you have seen her drunk," Elspeth added in a quiet tease of her own, dissolving into giggles at the outrageously overdone look of absolute betrayal Bryn then threw at her.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:33 EST
The pale-haired queen chuckled, turning to lay her hand on Harry's arm. "Shall we brave the jaws of the monster, then" Highnesses and graces and all?"

Jane had yet to add to the conversation, content to remain quiet for the moment and let Miles and Elspeth soak up the king and queen's attention for a while. She clung to Felipe's arm, looking just a little pale, but if asked, she'd have blamed the day's warmth.

"I doubt we have much choice," Harry said, with a smile for Bryn, before looking between the other two couples. "Ready?"

Drawing a breath in, Elspeth nodded uncertainly, wrapping her own hands about Miles' arm. Her eyes strayed to Jane, a flicker of concern there, but unwilling to make mention of something her friend clearly didn't want made a fuss of.

Felipe caught her glance, his own concern for his wife showing briefly in his eyes as he adjusted his position with Jane - one arm about her waist, the other holding her hand. "We'll pretend it's the Pomeran fashion," he murmured to her encouragingly.

Jane beamed a weary smile up at her husband, grateful for his caring concern, though she doubted it was anything a good night's sleep couldn't cure. "I'm just tired, love. No need for worry," she assured him, though she was grateful for his support.

"You should have gone to sleep when I told you to last night, rather than ..." He smirked impishly down at her, one eye flickering a wink before he schooled his expression, looking Harry calmly. "In your own time, King Harry. This is your court, after all."

"Rather than what, my love?" Jane asked, matching that impish smirk with one of her own, despite her pale complexion, almost daring him to fill in the blank in front of their friends.

"Thank you for reminding me, Felipe," Harry remarked, with a smirk of his own. He wasn't being entirely sarcastic - he hadn't been king very long and was still getting used to it all.

"I think we can guess what you did instead of sleeping, Jane," Elspeth murmured to her friend, her blush firmly back in place as she and Miles took their place behind the royal visitors to the court.

Bryn cast a grin back at them warmly, pausing to lean over and kiss her Harry's cheek with tender affection before nodding to the herald. The doors were opened, and the royal party were announced to the court, greeted with the by now-familiar contrast of respectful silence from the northern nobles and raucous howling from the southern horse lords.

There were faces familiar and otherwise among the court, most of them wearing smiles, but for a handful of jealous faces. Miles own family were among them - father, mother, and even older brother - all smiling proudly at Miles and his bride. Harry and Bryn led the way, waiting for the court to quiet enough that they could be heard before Harry stepped forward to say a few words, with Bryn still on his arm.

"It's with great joy that we gather here today to celebrate the joining of this couple in marriage, and with even greater joy that we present to the court, Miles and Elspeth Bradan, Duke and Duchess of Cluaine Mor."

The Archon, leather-clad leader of the horse lords of the south, rose to answer the announcement with a raised cup. "We drink to the happiness of your union, Duke and Duchess of Cluaine Mor. May your years be long, and your nights fertile!"

As the horse lords erupted into wild cheering and the nobles into gasps of shock at the blunt blessing, Elspeth turned bright red, Bryn had to turn her face away or be seen laughing, and Felipe found himself very seriously contemplating the chandelier above them in an attempt to keep a straight face. He liked this court.

"Very fertile," Jane was heard saying by those close enough to hear her. Had Elspeth looked her way, she would grinned. As it was, she was having as hard a time keeping a straight face as Felipe beside her, and she couldn't help but nudge his arm, as if to remind him of their own wedding vows.

To his credit, Miles only flushed a little as he looked to Elspeth, a fond smile on his face. It was obvious to anyone with eyes in their head that theirs was not a loveless match.

Elspeth shot her friend an embarrassed look, her blush deepening at Jane's grin as she tore her eyes away to look up at Miles. No, there could be no doubt there was love in this match. The strangely-mismatched court watched as the King and Queen escorted the newly-weds and the royal visitors to the dais, and even some of the northern nobles were openly applauding with the horse lords' cheers.

Bryn raised her hand for silence, and it fell instantly. "We are here to celebrate," she told them all. "So eat, drink, talk, dance. Let us make the rafters sing with our joy!"

Thankfully, it seemed only the six of them had overheard Jane's remark, and only Elspeth had reacted to it.

"Here, here!" called a voice from the dais, coming from Miles' father, Baron Niall Bradan, the king's own Chancellor, who was holding a full tankard aloft to toast them.

Miles swung a glance that way and found smiles on the faces of not only his parents, but his brother, as well. It was his brother who had concerned him, afraid he might be jealous Miles had overtaken him, but he had always seemed content with the prospect of inheriting the barony, and that hadn't changed.

Following Miles' glance, Elspeth found herself faced with true smiles from his family - his parents, his brother, people she had worried might be unhappy with her for raising him by dint of her love. She hugged closer to his arm, heedless of the fact that everyone could see her affection, rising onto her toes to kiss his cheek and murmur into his ear. "We'll talk to them soon, love."

Miles nodded to acknowledge her whisper, as relieved as she was to find smiles on the faces of his family members that hinted at pride and joy, rather than jealousy. He just hoped it lasted, though now that he was the second only to the king, it hardly mattered.

"Come on!" Jane called, tugging at Felipe's arm. "I'm famished and you promised to feed me!"

"I thought I already did," Felipe answered, a little louder than he had intended to, and abruptly stilled his face, attempting to look as though he hadn't said a word. "Let's find our seats, shall we, dear?"

Settling down into her own ornate chair, Bryn flickered a faint grin to Harry. "I thought you said your cousin was solemn and stern?" she murmured in amusement.

"Felipe?" Harry echoed, as he claimed his own chair, right beside hers. "Hardly. Stephan, perhaps. Each of them is different from the other, though I think Felipe has changed a little now he's with Jane," he told her further, as the court went about their merry making.

She chuckled softly. "Stephan didn't strike me as solemn," she admitted. "Though he was still gloriously excited about being a new father when I met him, and feeling guilty about sending me here in the first place. I can't honestly say that I'm not grateful he had that idea now, though." Her hand stroked his gently.

"I don't think I would describe any of them as being solemn," Harry replied. In fact, compared to his cousins, he was probably the most solemn of the bunch, but he didn't bother to mention that. "It does seem to have worked out well, hasn't it?" Harry asked, smiling over at his wife and turning his hand so that he linked fingers with hers and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. They had not yet been blessed with a child, as his cousin had, but he was hopeful it would happen before long.

"It does," she agreed quietly, raising his hand to her lips for a soft kiss. "Your family is unusually blessed with love matches, Harry. I am honored to be a part of it. And privileged to be your wife." Not your queen, but your wife. That was what she truly felt.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:34 EST
He smiled, about to say something in return when a crash sounded from somewhere nearby, and Harry turned his head to find Jane swooning in Felipe's arms, amidst shards of broken china and spilled food.

Heads turned at the crash, an outcry going up as nobles and ladies alike saw that the Princess of Pomerania had collapsed. Felipe was quick to lift his wife up, swallowing down his concern as he looked hastily to Harry. "Private room?" he asked, his tone expecting nothing less than immediate directions and the summoning of a healer this instant.

Harry looked as concerned as everyone else, and nodded his head to Felipe, beckoning a servant forward to fetch a healer. "I'll show you to a private room," he said, taking it upon himself to do it, rather than asking another servant.

"I'll stay," Bryn assured her husband, signaling for the minstrels to keep playing. She could be relied upon to keep the celebration going in the absence of the major guests.

Elspeth was already at Felipe's side, touching a soft hand to Jane's brow in concern. She, at least, had some idea as to what was wrong here.

Miles had followed right behind Elspeth, looking and sounding just as worried. "Is she all right?" he asked, as he glanced over Elspeth's shoulder.

As for Jane, she was starting to come back around, unaware of what had happened when everything had gone black. "Fe-Felipe?" she murmured groggily.

"I'm here, sweetheart," Felipe murmured to his wife, following swiftly after Harry as they were lead into the privacy of the audience chamber.

Elspeth skipped ahead to the chaise, tossing a cushion down to pad her friend's head. "She isn't ill, is she?" she asked her cousin.

Felipe shook his head, gently laying Jane down on the chaise. "Relax, sweetheart, the healer is coming."

Jane grabbed hold of Felipe's hand, looking pale and shaken. It probably didn't help that she hadn't eaten enough today. "Felipe, there's something you should know ..." she started, trailing off as she realized they had a small audience hanging on her every word.

Miles drew back, giving Felipe and Jane some space, but remaining in the room so long as Elspeth was there.

Elspeth's fingers gently stroked against her friend's hair, confident that she knew what had caused the fainting fit. "We'll leave you be," she said softly, rising to her feet to leave with Miles.

Felipe glanced up in alarm, his eyes hastily lowering to Jane once more. "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked, his brows furrowed with fearful worry.

Jane glanced briefly to Elspeth, an apologetic look on her face for having ruined the wedding feast.

"It's all right. We'll be right outside," Miles assured the other couple, in case they were needed or wanted.

"I'll just check on the healer," Harry said, making his excuses, too, now that Jane was conscious.

Elspeth's smile was gentle; she didn't consider the feast ruined, more concerned for her friend's health than to sit amid dozens of observers for hours. She didn't say a word, though, simply touching Miles' arm as they slipped from the room.

Harry gave Felipe's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before following the newly married couple from the room, so he could locate the healer.

Jane's gaze never left Felipe's, even as she waited for them to be left alone. "Felipe, I ..." she trailed off, unsure whether to tell him or not, until the healer arrived and confirmed her suspicions.

Down on one knee beside where she lay, Felipe held her hand in his, his fingers stroking tenderly against her brow. "Why didn't you tell me you were feeling unwell?" he asked her gently. "Elspeth would not have held it against us for missing the feast. Your health is more important than anything."

"I'm-I'm not unwell, Felipe," she stammered in response, holding his gaze, not wanting him to worry. "I think I'm ..." That was as far as she got, as the healer barged into the room, looking flushed from having rushed here as soon as his feet could carry him.

Felipe glanced up at the man, frowning at the interruption but glad to see him here so promptly. He raised Jane's hand to his lips. "I will be just outside, sweetheart," he promised her. "But I will give you your privacy for this."

Jane frowned, her lips quivering with the threat of tears, not because she was afraid of the healer but because she had failed to tell Felipe the news before the healer arrived, and she wanted him to hear it from her. That was assuming her fainting spell was due to what she suspected. Hopefully, the healer would be able to confirm those suspicions. She would have asked Felipe to stay, but somehow she knew the healer would only ask him to leave.

"The princess is in good hands, Highness," the healer assured Felipe.

"She had better be." Few people, when they met Felipe, understood that he was a warrior at heart. In this instance, however, it was very easy to believe. He held the healer's gaze for a long moment, just to make the point, and turned, bending to kiss Jane's brow gently. "Whistle, and I'll come to you."

Jane nodded silently, not trusting her voice if she dared speak. She desperately wanted Felipe there with her, but she supposed it could not be helped. "Would-would you ask Bryn or Elspeth to come in?" she asked, not really wanting to be left alone with a strange man poking around, healer or not.

"Of course, sweetheart." He squeezed her hand, offered the healer a last warning look, and stepped smartly to the door, disappearing through it. It didn't even have time to close before Elspeth was entering, setting the portal closed in her wake before moving to join them.

She glanced at the silent healer. "Did Felipe offer to remove something from him if he fails to diagnose you properly?" she asked Jane with a gentle smile.

"No, I just don't want to be alone," Jane replied, reaching for Elspeth's hand. If she could not have Felipe there with her, then there was no one she trusted more than Elspeth.

"If I may," the healer interjected, looking between the two women.

Jane drew a deep breath and nodded her head. Thankfully, the man would not be poking around inside her - that was the job of a midwife. He asked her a variety of questions, but it was only after she told him when she'd last had her courses that he announced his diagnosis, confirming Jane's suspicions. Of course, she would still have to see a midwife to be sure, but he was fairly certain she was with child.

Elspeth sat quietly with her friend as the healer asked his questions, a slow smile of delight crossing as he came to his conclusion. She squeezed Jane's hand encouragingly, taking a moment to dismiss the healer with a caution not to say a word, even to Prince Felipe. This was something Jane deserved to be able to tell her husband herself. She twisted to hug her friend tightly, kissing her cheek, as the healer slipped from the room. "Congratulations."

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:34 EST
Though Jane was happy, she still looked worried, even as she hugged her friend in return. "But what if he's wrong?" she asked. "What if it's something else? What if something is wrong" What if Felipe doesn't want a child yet?" That what ifs in her head seemed endless.

"Jane ....calm yourself," Elspeth told her gently. "Felipe wouldn't have married you if he didn't want a life with you, and that life has always held the possibility of children. I am sure the healer would not have suggested you might be pregnant if he was not certain it isn't anything else." She touched her friend's cheek gently. "You cannot change what has happened. And if Felipe is not delighted, I will let you pour water over me in the middle of the feast this evening for giving you false comfort."

Jane brushed away a few errant tears of worry, mixed with a happiness, but she wouldn't let herself be truly happy until she had told Felipe the news and knew that he, too, was happy for it. And then, she finally wanted to eat something before she passed out again. "You're right, of course," she told her friend, sniffling a little and trying to smile a little at her friend's teasing. "Thank you, Els. You are a good friend," she said, giving her friend's hand a squeeze.

"You are the only sister I have ever had," Elspeth reminded her gently. "And while you are here, I am going to spoil you silly. When I'm not, um ....cavorting with my husband." She blushed just saying that.

Jane smiled warmly at Elspeth's praise. "As are you," she said, returning the compliment, not because she felt obliged to, but because she meant it. "Perhaps we will stay awhile, until I am feeling better," she said, though that would largely depend on Felipe and on the midwife.

"I would like that," Elspeth admitted, gently kissing her cheek once again. "But I understand that you may need to go home, too. I will simply have to visit with you sooner than I thought." Her smile deepened. "Let me fetch Felipe in here. You can return to the feast in your own time."

"Tell him to bring food!" Jane said with a smile, looking more like her usual self, albeit a little pale and tired. She kissed Elspeth's cheek in return, glad once again of her friend and of all the friends she had here in Carib.

"Do I look like Brynhilde" Of course he'll bring food!" Elspeth giggled, squeezing Jane just once more before rising to her feet. "Miles has probably already loaded him down with a plate for you. Just take your time." She booped her fingertip to her friend's nose affectionately, turning to slip out through the door.

Sure enough, it was only a minute or so later that a knock sounded on that door, and it creaked open a little way for Felipe to peer inside. "May I come in, sweetheart?"

So confident was she that Elspeth wasn't angry that Jane didn't even bother to apologize for ruining the feast, relieved no one was upset with her and excited to share the news with Felipe. She giggled like her usual self when Elspeth tapped her on the nose before leaving to fetch Felipe, and Jane found herself trying to adjust herself on the chaise so that she didn't look too rumpled for her husband. "Please do," she replied when Felipe peeked into the room.

Relieved to find her awake and looking far more herself, Felipe stepped inside, one hand bearing a platter of meats and vegetables that wafted enticing scents about the room. He was quick to move across the floor to her, pausing just long enough to lifted a small table over as well, setting the plate down before dropping to his knee and pulling her close. His lips found hers without a word, pouring his loving concern into a long kiss before finally drawing back to enfold her in his arms. "You had me worried for a few moments there."

The smell of the food stirred her hunger, causing her stomach to growl in complaint, but first things first. She smiled as Felipe found his way to her and wrapped her in his embrace. She always felt so safe and warm and loved when she was in his arms, almost wishing she could stay there forever. "I know," she replied, with a remorseful frown, once his lips had finished with hers. She smoothed his hair back from his face with a loving caress. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I wasn't sure."

He stilled, those brows of his knitting together once again. "It feels as though I may have missed an important part of the conversation here," he pointed out mildly. "Tell me what, sweetheart' I know it isn't bad. Elspeth couldn't look me in the eye without giggling."

Her fingers brushed his cheek, a soft, almost shy smile on her face. "I'm with child, dear heart. You're going to be a father," she told him, waiting to see his reaction once he realized what she was saying.

Felipe stared at her for a long moment, the words settling hard and fast into his heart. "A ....you're ..." He looked down at her midriff, one hand brushing his fingertips to the soft silk that covered her skin as though expecting a bump to suddenly appear. "And you're ....you're well" You're not suffering with it?"

"No, darling," she was quick to assure him, smiling warmly at his obvious concern. "I'm fine. Just tired and hungry. The healer isn't certain, but he thinks I'm a little over a month along. I will have to see a midwife, of course, to be sure. But we should have a child sometime after the New Year."

"Should I call for a midwife now?" he asked, more concerned for her health and comfort than anything in this moment. It was a bit of a shock to come to a different country for a wedding and discover you were a father shortly after that wedding was celebrated.

"No, we can ask for one tomorrow," she replied, thinking it wouldn't hurt one way or the other to wait another day. "But I think I should probably be careful until then," she added, just to be on the safe side. Though she didn't mind him spoiling her a little, she was thinking of the life growing inside her more than herself.

"Would you like me to give our apologies to Elspeth and Harry?" he asked then, happy to forgo the feast to cater to her every whim if she so desired. A slow smile was beginning to creep across his face, proof positive that her news was settling in his mind. More proof came when he didn't wait for her answer, his hand cupping her cheek to draw her into a tender kiss. "I love you, Jane."

Jane giggled a little, unsure if Felipe was aware of his mistake. While Elspeth and Harry were siblings, it was Miles and Elspeth who had just been married. That giggle was quickly smothered by a kiss that proved he wasn't upset with her and that she was secure in his love. "I would like to join the party, but I don't think I will be doing any dancing tonight," she admitted. And they might have to leave early to ensure she got a good night's rest.

"Then we won't dance," he promised her, touching a soft kiss to her nose. A moment later, he was bent double from his knee, pressing a kiss to her middle tenderly. "You are going to be loved, little one," he promised their unborn child, nuzzling to her as his arms wrapped about her waist. "So loved."

As if she didn't adore him enough already, her heart overflowed with love at his tender words and embrace. She rested her cheek against his hair, her arms going around him to cling to his embrace. "Are you happy, Felipe?" she asked him quietly, little more than a whisper.

He smiled against her waist, lifting his head to look into her eyes. "I've been happy since the moment you agreed to be my wife, come what may," he told her softly. His fingers curled to her cheek, thumb stroking tenderly against her skin. "Happy does not even begin to express how I feel to know that you and I have made a child together."

"It's not too soon then?" Jane asked uncertainly as she shifted her gaze to meet his. She could have sought the counsel of a midwife or herbalist for some potion or other that would help prevent her from getting pregnant, but she was happy to be giving Felipe a child, whether the child was a son or a daughter. A thought occurred to her then, as she remembered his brother. "You don't think it's more than one, do you?"

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:35 EST
Felipe's smile gentled as she shared her uncertainty with him. "Whether we planned it or not, a child is a blessing," he reminded her affectionately. "And lucky though Stephan was, I will hope for just one child at a time. I could not bear to risk you in such a way."

"We should tell Harry and Bryn," she suggested, affectionately combing his hair with her fingers. And she should still eat something, but before they did that, she leaned close to him, touching her nose to his, close enough to taste his breath. "I love you, Felipe." There wasn't much she needed to add to that, as those simple words told him everything she was feeling in her heart and everything he needed to know.

"Tomorrow," he told her tenderly, touching his lips to hers as she lingered close to him. "Let Elspeth and Miles have their night; we can have the day tomorrow. And, if you wish, we can stay in Carib until the child is born. I will not risk you if I can possibly help it."

Jane was satisfied with his answer. He was right - the news could wait until tomorrow. She didn't think Elspeth or Miles would mind, but she would still be with child tomorrow. From the look on her face, his suggestion that they stay in Carib until the child was born surprised her though. "You want us to stay in Carib all winter?" she asked, as if perhaps she'd misunderstood.

"If that is what you wish, sweetheart, then yes," he murmured gently, his thumb casting a gentle line along the side of her face. "Until you are strong again and the child can cope with such a journey. It might be best for you both. Pomerania can live without me for a few months."

"It would be more than a few months, Felipe," she pointed out, as she was only just pregnant. It would be at least another seven or eight months until the child was born and they wouldn't be able to travel until spring when the snow in the passes melted and cleared and until their child was strong enough for the journey. It could well be a year before they were able to return. It was a long time to be away from his home and his family.

"A year is not a sacrifice," he told her. Though yes, he was anxious to earn his place as Stephan's general when the time came, Felipe knew this experience would never come again. The last thing he wanted to do was put Jane at risk, and traveling while she was with child was definitely a risk.

"You are sure?" she asked, needing to make sure he had considered all the consequences of staying in Carib until the following spring, but they did not really need to decide today.

"I would not say it aloud if I were not sure, sweetheart," he reminded her fondly. Felipe never offered anything out loud without having thought it through first. It was part of the reason Maks found him so frustrating, but always listened when his younger brother spoke.

She linked her fingers with his, feeling almost guilty at his readiness to remain in Carib for her sake. "I would not keep you here if your duty demands you return," she said, giving him every opportunity to change his mind.

"Duty be damned," Felipe told her, his voice stern but fond. "You will always be more important to me than my duty. And my brothers, my parents ....they would be ashamed of me if I felt any other way."

"I'm sure Harry can put you to good use," Jane assured him, throwing her arms around his neck to hug him close. "Thank you, Felipe. You are the best man I know, and I know you will be a fine father."

"I have you to keep me on the right path," he chuckled, curling his arms about her waist as she threw hers about his waist. "Are you happy about this, Jane" I've heard nothing but concern from you about my feelings, but I am not the only one invested in this. What of your feelings?"

"Of course I'm happy!" Jane replied. She was a lot of other things, too. "I will admit I'm a little scared and worried, but I am happy, too. Very happy, Felipe," she assured him with a soft smile, just as her stomach reminded her to eat. "And hungry, too!" she added with a grin.

"I'm glad." Catching her lips with his once more, he reached to the table he'd manhandled over before ever dropping onto his knee. "There is food here, little pigeon," he pointed out in amusement. "Start pecking. I'm not having you fainting again."

"If you keep spoiling me like this, I will get fat," she warned him, with an amused sparkle in her eyes, as she reached for a hunk of bread and a slice of meat, suddenly feeling famished.

"Not fat," he chuckled, laying a hand against her midriff fondly. "Pregnant. So no more complaining about being plump. Yes, I did hear you telling your maid to pull the stays tighter. That's probably why you fainted, you silly woman." He kissed her temple, rising from his knee to sit beside her.

"Well, I didn't know I was with pregnant then!" she told him, with a chuckle, as she poked him in the ribs. "Oh, does this mean I don't have to wear stays anymore?" she grinned hopefully just before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Not so tight, certainly," Felipe supposed. He wasn't that familiar with ladies' underwear, despite having got the art of getting Jane out of hers down to a fine art. "There must be a different type of thingy for when you're expecting. Surely?"

"Perhaps," Jane replied, with a mischievous smile. She and Elspeth had had nearly this same conversation not too long ago, both women taking a lesson from Bryn in rejecting their corsets, at least while they were in Carib.

Felipe eyed her a little suspiciously. He'd had a very close look at his wife's new undergarments earlier that day, after all. "You're never wearing a corset again, are you?" he predicted in amusement.

"Not if I have a choice," she replied, gobbling up another bite of the "sandwich". "We are going to start a new fashion trend," she claimed, around the sandwich. "And women everywhere will join us!"

Felipe tried very hard not to laugh. He was aware of how much his wife hated her corset, but he wasn't entirely sure how she was going to set a new fashion without parading around half-naked. "Women everywhere, love?" he asked mildly. "You really think you can convince my mother to wear those ....things?"

"When she sees how comfortable they are, perhaps," Jane replied. "Wait until we tell Marianne," she added, that mischievous gleam in her eyes again, though it seemed it might be a while before she was able to do that.

Felipe snorted with laughter. "I'm not sure I want to think about my sister in those things," he admitted merrily. "Stephan would probably enjoy it, though. Perhaps you should start with him."

"I would, but don't you think Stephan would look rather funny in women's underthings?" she teased, unable to hide the smirk from her face even as she took up a tankard to wash her bread and meat down. It seemed the food and the assurance from Felipe had Jane feeling like her usual self again.

He laughed aloud at that, his hand finding its familiar place at her back even as she renewed her strength from the platter he'd brought in. "That, I would pay to see," he chortled. "Although Maks is more likely to wear them!"

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2017-10-01 08:35 EST
Jane's smile widened, her husband's laughter like music to her ears. She loved to make him laugh when she could, knowing he carried his own fair share of duties and responsibilities in Pomerania, even if he never complained. "Will you write Stephan, then, and tell him of the news?"

"With your permission, sweetheart, yes," he assured her. "If you wish the news to arrive ahead of my warning that we will be remaining here, I would suggest you write to Marianne or my mother first. Between them, they will be able to keep any hotheads from trying to tell me what I can do."

"Do you think that would be best?" she asked, deferring to him to make that decision, not only because he was her husband but because she trusted him to best know how the court might react to their decision.

"I think it might be, yes," he mused thoughtfully. "And by the time the letter arrives, you should be out of the dangerous months. You will be able to write and tell them when they can announce it to the court. No one will think anything of our staying in Carib a while before that - Harry and Elspeth are family, and have been apart from us for a year themselves."

"Oh, Felipe! You are too good to me!" she told him, hugging him close again, so happy she was close to tears. As fond as she was of Marianne, she had missed Elspeth dearly and wanted to spend as much time as she could with her friend and her husband's cousin. She kissed both his cheeks, before moving to reward him with a kiss to his lips.

Her husband laughed as she pounced him again, smiling into her kiss tenderly for a long moment. "Affectionate tonight, aren't you?" he teased fondly, kissing the tip of her nose as he grinned. "Are you feeling better?"

She nodded enthusiastically, linking her fingers at the back of his neck. "Well enough, I think, to rejoin the feast, for a little while, at least." She owed Elspeth that much at least and wanted to share in her friend's happiness.

"I think they might notice if I carry you back in like this," he pointed out in amusement, his hands settling at her hips as he stood up, bringing her with him. "Scandalous underwear is one thing; playing the invalid for sympathy points is quite another."

"I was not playing, Felipe," Jane pointed out with a frown. Had she misunderstood him or was he teasing her again. Her color had returned, and she was no longer feeling light-headed or weak, though she was still a little tired from their journey.

His smile warmed. "I know, sweetheart," he assured her. "You almost stopped my heart when you keeled over. Don't do it again."

"I will try not to," she told him, though she could make no promises. She could only promise to try and get enough rest and enough food. Thankfully, she had not been ill, and with any luck, she wouldn't be.

"You will rest, and take care of yourself and our child," he told her, mostly serious despite his smile. "You will do what the midwife tells you to do. No insane stunts just because you feel like it, not for at least another ten months."

She half-feigned a serious look on her face, though she was serious about the child that was growing inside her. "Yes, my lord husband," she replied obediently, with a touch of her lips to his.

"Has that ever worked on me?" he asked with a flicker of a grin, bending his knees to let her feet touch the ground once again. He was well aware he was something of a push-over when it came to his wife, but he was trying to strike a balance between always giving in and laying down the law.

"On occasion," she admitted with a grin, as he set her on her feet. She touched another kiss to his lips, not just to reward him but simply because she adored him and enjoyed the feel of his lips against hers. "Shall we, my prince?" she asked, with a sweet smile and a flirtatious flutter of lashes his way.

"We shall, my princess," he agreed, straightening as he took her arm. "Try not to make Elspeth giggle too much. She has a reputation to keep firm here." Of course, what he didn't know was that Elspeth was already considered one of the merriest women at this court. They hadn't been here long enough to learn how dour it could be on occasion.

Once they found out, it was likely Jane would single-handedly make it her mission to lighten the mood at court with some merriment. "There is no such thing as too much giggling," she insisted, that hint of amusement in her eyes again. "Unless we're at church." There was a time and a place for everything, after all, even as far as Jane was concerned.

"And not even that stops you sometimes," he agreed with a chuckle, moving toward the door, his wife on his arm. "Now then ....everything settled" No more startling revelations you want to share before we go back to the feast?"

"No, love. I think that is enough for one night," she told him, admittedly unable to think of any other news he might not know of yet. It was probably enough of a shock to find out that she wasn't wearing a corset and that she was pregnant all in one night.

It was certainly a night he was never going to forget, that much was certain. Smiling, Felipe touched a last kiss to her brow, reaching to open the door. "Then let's go and celebrate with our cousin on her wedding day, sweetheart."

"I would like nothing better," she replied, her arm linked with his as they returned to the feast, much to the relief of their friends and family there. There would be explanations later, but tonight was for Miles and Elspeth, in celebration of their wedding. Tomorrow was another day, after all.