The day after I had raped Eiellani Rose Wintermorn I found myself rather morose; a feeling that was quite foreign to me. I sat in my favorite leather chair in my study, savored the taste of a fine cigar, and sipped the red wine that Philippe had poured for me at the hour of ten in the morning. By all rights, it should have been a perfectly wonderful morning. Rapes had always left me invigorated, so I wondered what was the difference this time?
I wondered if I was simply getting soft, and that caused me no little worry, for I could not afford to be ?soft? in several of the business enterprises in which I was engaged. No one had ever accused Count Talomar Longden of being soft about anything, and I had no intention of having such rumors start now. I got up off my chair and walked to the leaded glass window and swung it open to allow some fresh air inside. I so loved the view from my study window. It gave me a wonderful view of the road leading to the entrance of the castle. Of course, Philippe would punish himself for not being present to serve me, but I could not wait to have fresh air enter my lungs. I felt like I needed to purge myself of a feeling that I?ve never before experienced ? shame.
Eiellani was not like the other woman. She was pure and innocent, and in no small way I found myself feeling as though I had profaned a treasure beyond price. I blame it all on her twit of a husband. If he had only accepted my invitation to join me for a drink and food, I would never have considered doing to Eiellani what I had done. It was his fault and I should kill him for being the cause of such fear and harm to his wife. I would do that immediately if not for the fact that it would turn his wife forever against me.
I set down my glass and went down to the grand hall in search of Philippe. I found him there and told him to gather all of the servants into the hall. When all forty-four had gathered before me I informed them that the Lady Eiellani was to be taken care of as if she were my wife. Her wounds would be treated as if they were my own, and her horse was to be cared for as if he were my own stallion. Anyone who would be caught not fulfilling this command would be dealt with so severely, they would curse the day they were born.
Needless to say, Eiellani was treated as a queen and her healing went well and quickly. As for me, I couldn?t bare to see her again. I avoided her, and thankfully the castle is so large that such avoidance is not a great problem.
She stayed at Longden Castle for two weeks to heal, and then we returned her to her husband. I find myself missing her presence. I must think of ways to see her and make amends.
TL
I wondered if I was simply getting soft, and that caused me no little worry, for I could not afford to be ?soft? in several of the business enterprises in which I was engaged. No one had ever accused Count Talomar Longden of being soft about anything, and I had no intention of having such rumors start now. I got up off my chair and walked to the leaded glass window and swung it open to allow some fresh air inside. I so loved the view from my study window. It gave me a wonderful view of the road leading to the entrance of the castle. Of course, Philippe would punish himself for not being present to serve me, but I could not wait to have fresh air enter my lungs. I felt like I needed to purge myself of a feeling that I?ve never before experienced ? shame.
Eiellani was not like the other woman. She was pure and innocent, and in no small way I found myself feeling as though I had profaned a treasure beyond price. I blame it all on her twit of a husband. If he had only accepted my invitation to join me for a drink and food, I would never have considered doing to Eiellani what I had done. It was his fault and I should kill him for being the cause of such fear and harm to his wife. I would do that immediately if not for the fact that it would turn his wife forever against me.
I set down my glass and went down to the grand hall in search of Philippe. I found him there and told him to gather all of the servants into the hall. When all forty-four had gathered before me I informed them that the Lady Eiellani was to be taken care of as if she were my wife. Her wounds would be treated as if they were my own, and her horse was to be cared for as if he were my own stallion. Anyone who would be caught not fulfilling this command would be dealt with so severely, they would curse the day they were born.
Needless to say, Eiellani was treated as a queen and her healing went well and quickly. As for me, I couldn?t bare to see her again. I avoided her, and thankfully the castle is so large that such avoidance is not a great problem.
She stayed at Longden Castle for two weeks to heal, and then we returned her to her husband. I find myself missing her presence. I must think of ways to see her and make amends.
TL