Sounds filtered into the white haze of peace surrounding her.
Utensils scaping metal. The muffled clearing of a throat. A masculine throat, for the sound was mellow and low.
The wind outside the side of the house, whistling past a window.
She awoke and felt instant warmth.
Fur cradled her body, surrounding her underneath with luxurious softness. It felt good against her bare flesh.
Bare flesh.
Her senses kicked in. She felt the brush of softness against the peaks of her breasts, the enveloping warmth over the tops of her thighs.
She lay quietly, unable or unwilling as yet to open her eyes.
A scrape of a chair on wood floors. The step of a masculine boot crossing the area outside whatever enclosure which housed her.
The hiss of a fire being stoked, the heat of the hearth which filtered into the place she was.
The room was warm, but she knew, outside the wind was fierce and cold.
She felt safe and secure and protected.
She could smell a vague hint of cologne. Very masculine and pleasant. She liked it.
And food…
Her stomach reacted to the delicious odor. It smelled wondrous. She was famished.
She slowly opened her eyes, her curiosity outweighing the need to remain quiet and unobtrusive.
Wooden beams braced a ceiling of white-washed clay or gypsum. Heavy drapes lined the outside of the small alcove in which she lay.
She felt a bed of feathers beneath her. A luxury indeed. But this seemed a modest enough home with its rustic features.
She did not know this place. There was nothing familiar about it at all.
The room was lit with oil lamps. And the dancing shadows of a recently tended fire.
She turned her head and instantly gasped, for a streak of excruciating pain filtered out all else. A brilliant white light flashed before her eyes.
She fought against being pulled into the silent depths.
“Lie still. You have a head injury.” The voice was deep, commanding and definitely male.
With a strong tinge of foreign accent, one she could not place at present in her incapacitated state.
She obeyed instinctively, easing her hand’s pressure on either side of her head. If she lay very still, the pain receded tremendously.
She felt a raised bump on the right side of her temple. It was terribly sore to the touch.
“You must drink water.”
She chanced to open her eyes once again. A large man was shadowed against the light of the hearth. She could not make out his face clearly and he simply stood, looking down at her.
He took his leave without a word, coming back shortly. A warm palm cupped the back of her neck, easing her enough to place a pewter cup to her lips.
She drank greedily, holding the strong wrist with her fingers that the glorious treat not be taken from her.
Gray eyes watched her face studiously. Beautiful gray eyes. A strong, virile face with dark stubble about the full mouth. A straight nose. An aristocratic face. A scar over his right temple.
She stared at the man, and he stared back.
His build was stocky and he was tall. His clothes seemed of simple cut but well made. He wore a white cotton shirt, a dark vest and tan breeches.
He raised, setting the pewter aside. His hands went to his pockets, and he continued to stare at her.
“My head hurts.” Was that her voice? It sounded so…strained and odd even to her own ears.
“I imagine it does, yah.”
“You have an accent.”
“No.” he drawled the reply. “You…have an accent.”
“…Where are you from?” she tried again.
“From where do you originate?” he lifted a rather condescending brow to her way of thinking.
Was he having sport with her and if so…why did the fact make her wish to weep. She pushed such a ridiculous notion aside, clearing her throat gently. “I am from…”
Her mind was blank. She waited, for the answer to come. No answer came.
“Yah?” he seemed to be waiting, that analytical look on his face.
A cold, alien feeling swept through her mind and body.
“I…I cannot…” panic came and was allowed for her mind was a clean slate with nothing inside its hollowed cavity but anxiety and a growing fear. “I…
He read the emotions flitting across the pretty enough face. “Calm down.” His tone was censored and brusque. "You have hit your head. This is very likely all temporary.” He had seen it enough in the war.
She seized upon the statement, laying back, calming her nerves. She took in deep, cleansing breaths, forcing the fear aside. “Of…course. You are right. It is only…”
Nothing came to mind, so she stopped speaking.
She lifted hopeful eyes. “But, you know me, yes? I m-mean.” She flushed, motioning to her state of being. “We are acquainted, surely for you…removed my clothing.” She felt the reality acutely now, her flush deepening.
“Your garments were soaked.”
“Of course.” She nodded minutely, not understanding any of what was being said. “But it was proper you do so. There are no improprieties here, correct?”
Another type of fear surfaced. She was in a strange room with a strange man who she did not know and she was…
The man seemed to consider all said then a dark scowl laced his features. “Are you telling me you do not know who you are?”
“I…I thought that had been established, Sir.” That particular fear grew by leaps and bounds for she realized, he had not answered her questions.
She was unable to read the carefully composed features.
The man stared at her for an inordinate amount of time.
“…I am your husband, of course." He stated quietly. “Who else has the right to remove your clothing.”
She…closed her eyes, relief flooding her entire system. “Well, you might have said as much from the beginning!” she breathed out a shaky breath, her hand coming gracefully to her chest bone. “I was thinking dreadful thoughts.”
She gathered her wits, beginning anew. “W-What happened to me? How long have I been…”
“I found you on the beach. I assumed you took a spill. The cliffs are treacherous in spots.”
“Oh dear.” She tried a small laugh which fell flat. “How stupid of me.”
“I thought so.”
She scowled crossly at the man. “A little sympathy would not be unwelcomed." It was scolded.
His features did not soften one iota.
“…Are you upset with me?” it was her turn to study the man. “You appear so standoffish and distant. Have we…quarreled?”
“We are always quarreling." It seemed to amuse him.
She thought the statement through. "I see." What more could be said to that, after all. "We are not happy, I take it. Is the marriage not to your liking, Sir?”
“You ask rather straight-forward questions.” He clearly did not appreciate the fact.
“I am in need of rather straight-forward answers at present.” She reminded the man.
“You should eat.” He turned, going to fetch the food.
She stared after his retreat, her senses reeling.
He returned shortly, bowl and spoon in hand.
She forced herself onto one elbow, ignoring the pain throbbing in her temples. "Thank you.” The soft voice filtered over the man which made his anger deepen.
She held the coverlet to her breast, taking the food, sitting it beside her on the cushy bed.
He watched until she took the first bite then crossed, seating himself at the table in the center of the other room.
The stew was delicious. She ate in silence, searching out her surroundings.
“Where are we? Where is this place?" she tried for amiable.
“Outside Portus, five miles give or take.” He cleaned a weapon with a cloth, she noted.
“I can hear the ocean, correct?”
He said nothing.
“This is your home?”
“One of them.” He shrugged stocky shoulders, carefully disassembling the weapon, placing the parts in an orderly manner on the table before him. "the one in which I feel most comfortable.”
“It is a male’s domicile.” The décor or lack thereof told her that much.
Those gray eyes shifted. “You find fault with it?”
“It is warm and clean." She disagreed. "It is a fine home.”
He returned to the weapon.
“You will not speak with me?” she tried not to be exasperated with him, but her nerves were such, it was difficult.
“Concerning?" he scowled over at her.
“Everything, man.” She snapped. “Anything! I…I need to know about myself. About my life. How can you not know this?”
“What do you wish to know?” his gaze was a direct one.
“You do not believe I am…” What? What was she. "Do you think I make up this ridiculous farce and if so, why? Do you think I am lying to you? For what reason?”
“You lie continuously about any and all things.” He continued to hold her gaze.
Her spirits sank. “Do I?” her brow furrowed with sadness. “What sort of person am I to do so?”
The room was quiet.
The girl tried to regroup. She only had his word for any of this, after all. There were always two sides to a tale, surely. "May I know your name?”
“My name is Erich.” He sent her a look which said, ‘as well you know’. “Erich Richter.” He looked down the site of the weapon, one thick finger rubbing the long barrel almost lovingly. “And you, my Liebling…are Tessa.”
She repeated the name in her head. It brought no recognition.
“I am tired.” She told the truth. “I believe I will sleep now.”
**********************************
“What are you doing?”
Tessa startled then relaxed. “The fire was dying. I thought to prepare a meal before you returned.” She tried a smile of welcome.
She straightened, wiping her hands on the apron she had found in a drawer over by the hearth.
“Where did you find that dress?”
The woman glanced to his meaning. “Is it not mine?” she was confused. “Do you use this place as a rendezvous for your assignations, Sir?” She half-teased.
His brow darkened. “If I did, I would not tell you, would I.” He sat his weapon aside, unburdening himself of his pack. “Why are you up and about.”
“Because I was bored and feeling useless.” It was sighed. “Are you always so gruff. Do you never smile?”
“I see little to smile about.” The gray eyes shifted indolently.
“That is apparent.” she returned to the fire. “Did you catch anything?” The blue eyes twinkled with something he could not read.
Erich’s scowl increased.
“No meat for tonight’s table, hum.” She clarified unnecessarily to his chagrin.
“You are not strong enough to be doing chores.” he snapped. “You will set your recovery back and it will take longer for you to be up and traveling.”
“Am I traveling somewhere then?” she was puzzled. “Do not take your temper out on me because your game eluded you.” She grinned up at the dark, forbidding features. “Become a better shot.”
“I was not hunting.”
“I was not hunting.” She mimicked his foul mood and his accent. “Then what were you about?”
“None of your affair, woman.”
Her grin widened. “You are an old grouch.” It was decided. “Do you wish some of this? It is left over stew but I baked bread as well.” She swung the kettle about, lifting the lid. “I found some nuts and berries to add to the dough. Smells heavenly, yes?”
“You have been rifling through my belongings.” His mood was darkening by the minute.
“Forgive me.” The small figure stood, hands on hips. “I did not know I was not allowed to roam freely under your roof. You should have left a note.”
The slender fingers held the hem of the dress aloft. “Should I remove this? It is not mine. Would you like it back as well?”
“It belongs to my sister.” Erich grated uncivilly.
Tessa relaxed mentally. “Then I do apologize.” Her tone softened as her manner. “If you could show me my own clothing, I shall return this to the wardrobe, of course.”
“...Nein.” The man regretted his attitude. “...Nein, wear it. She will not care.”
“I prefer my own things.”
“They were ruined.” he confessed, almost restlessly.
“I had only the one outfit?”
“You did not expect to stay.” what was one more lie.
“...I see.” Tessa did not but it seemed such a trifle to argue over.
“We quarreled. I came here for solitude.” That much was true. The man glanced about the room absently.
“But, I followed.” Tessa surmised. “Rather remiss of me, not allowing you your solitude. Again, I can only apologize. I do not know what was in my head.”
“You are headstrong and obstinate.”
Tessa laughed gently. “Then what attracted you to me, Sir. I do not seem to be exactly the perfect woman for you.”
“You are very good in bed.” Erich knew the remark was crass, vulgar and undeserving but nothing seemed to break that damnable facade she had about her and he was slowly beginning to hate it.
Tessa blinked her shock then, flushed slightly, downing her head. She swallowed the uneasiness of the situation. “...Well.” She was floundering from the direct manner in which he spoke but, she was resilient, she was finding out. “Good to know for future reference, I suppose.”
Erich’s mouth tightened irritably.
The silence was uncomfortable for the woman.
“If you could arrange a suitable mode of transportation, I will gladly leave you to your brooding then. It is abundantly clear I am intruding here.” She drew in a cleansing breath.
“There is only the one animal.”
“Perhaps you can lend it. The town is only a short distance away.” Tessa suggested evenly.
“You cannot ride in your condition.” He grated. “Do you think me totally lacking in the civilities of life?”
“That is exactly what I think, Sir.” Tessa snapped right back. “What else can I believe from your behavior?”
“I am tired.” Erich tried to settle his temper. The woman could not be forced into a situation that she was not ready to confront even were he upset and angry with her. “We will discuss this another time. I have said, you are to stay. You will stay.”
“I cannot with all this tension between us.” she spread plaintive hands. “Please tell me what we quarreled over. If we speak of it, perhaps it can be resolved.”
The man shook a woeful head, hanging his cloak on the peg by the door.
“Was it something I did?” Tessa persisted.
“Yah, it was something you did.” the man turned, his features livid.
“Tell me, I will put it to rights, man. I promise.”
“It cannot be put to rights.” he shifted a warning stare.
“Please tell me.” Tessa softened her approach. “What...did I do, Erich.”
“...You left me for another man.”
Tessa gasped her shock. “I...never!” she spoke before she thought but... “I would not do that!”
And then, at the incredulous look on his face. “I..m-mean.” it was back-tracked hastily. “Of course, I...” she ran a mystified hand over her brow. “That is why you do not wish...”
She closed her eyes. “My God. There is nothing to be said.” She realized finally.
The man was taken aback by such sincere honesty. He stared at the enigma before him.
“There is no excuse for what I did. There can be no forgiveness.” It was all clear to Tessa now.
She sat at the table, trying to formulate some sort of sense out of the entire debacle.
The only sound was the ticking of the clock over the mantel.
Tessa didn’t know why she would do such a disagreeable, dishonorable thing, but Erich’s attitude said, she had.
She shook the long dark tresses for such stupidity on her part.
Out of the quietness came a sobering thought. One which rather amused, of all things.
She shifted narrowed eyes. “Erich, did you push me off that cliff?” The woman found herself half amused, half mocking but she dimpled despite the mood of the moment. “Good for you. You should have shoved a little harder, evidently.”
Erich’s brow furrowed for such questionable humor.
“I think it best I go, do you not agree?” She tried to give him an out once again.
“You will go when I say.”
“This time, you mean.” She nodded her understanding. “I owe you that at least.”
The silence returned.
“Do I have family?”
The question threw the man for he had no answer. He supplied one. “Nein.”
“None?”
He remained silent, uncertain in his own mind why he was doing what he was doing any longer.
One woman had made a fool of him. This one had to be a liar as well but her game was a new one he could only guess at.
He could play games as well. As she would see.
“How did we meet, Erich?” Tessa was more than curious.
She was baiting him. She already knew they were complete strangers. Why keep playing this insidious game, in which case.
But play it she seemed wish to do.
“...We were introduced through our family’s associates, of course.” That was how it was done in the better family’s, after all.
“How appropriate.” She linked her hands primly before her. “You said I possessed no family, Erich.”
“Your parents were taken by an illness.” The man’s fertile mind did not fail him. “You were reared by the sisters at St. Ethins with the understanding, we would wed after your graduation.”
“And I was there, how many years?”
“Twelve.” Tessa had been there that long, at least.
“A long time.” ‘Tessa’ sighed lightly.
“Are you titled? I mean, only highly placed individuals still arrange marriages.”
“Is your memory returning?” He asked politely.
“I wish.” the smile came and went. It was a nice smile if you did not know it was full of deceit and viciousness. “It is only a logical assumption, correct?”
“My mother insisted on the marriage.”
“She would wish you marry well.” Tessa conceded.
“She missed the mark then, did she not.”
The woman spread her hands. “Evidence would have it.”
Well, at least they were talking.
“I have offered to leave. Why would you insist I stay?”
“You ask too many fucking questions.”
“It is how a person learns, is it not?” the woman sat, cutting a piece of bread. “I am allowed to eat?” She held the slice aloft.
The minutes passed.
The man went about his business which was to unload his knapsacks and weapon. “Why are you staring at me.” He shifted annoyed eyes.
“Was I?” Tessa asked politely. “You are of German extraction, are you not?”
He was trying to shock her before, with the vulgarity, she knew. It made her want to smile.
Why, is anyone’s guess.
“You refuse to answer.” she held her smile. “And now, you sulk like a little boy. I find that oddly attractive.” The blue eyes swept his impressive frame consideringly.
“Go to hell.” Erich’s temper spiked. “You impertinent little trollop! I have never sulked in my entire life! What the hell would you know of my temperament.”
“I know I’ve experienced it enough.” she philosophized.
He glared at her.
The blue eyes lowered to hide her amusement.
He made a sound in his throat, grasping his cloak, exiting in a huff.
Tessa chuckled sensually, returning to her food.