"Guy's Rose" (Book 1), by Gratiana Lovelace, 2012

"Guy's Rose", Ch. 2--Sir Guy Bathes in the Middleton Apartments (PG-13)

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Guy’s Rose” is a sweeping romantic love story set amidst the intrigues of the 12th century English court and British politics.  As such there will be some passages in this story involving heartfelt love scenes (R rated) and some passages involving intrigue and some violence.  I will label the maturity rating of those chapters accordingly.  Otherwise, the general rating for this story is PG or PG-13 due to mature situations and topics.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read those chapters.  This is my disclaimer.

“Guy’s Rose”, Ch. 2:  Sir Guy Bathes in the  Middleton Apartments Monday Morning (PG-13)

Finding himself comfortably ensconced in a large apartment in the palace--with servants to draw his bath and tend to him--this fine treatment makes Sir Guy feels quite at ease about his upcoming audience with Prince John.  It is as he lies dozing in the bath after washing himself--with rose petals floating about him--that his rest is disturbed.

Lady Roseanna/Oxbridge:  Returning to her apartments in the palace and starting to remove her Oxbridge garb, Lady Roseanna [(1) right top] is stunned to find Sir Guy in her brother’s room and in the bathing tub.  Lady Roseanna whispers her question to her servant Bessie, “Bessie, what is this?  How did he come to be in Lord George’s room?”

Bessie:  Curtsying to her mistress Lady Rose in her familiar Oxbridge garb, Bessie [(2) right top] says quickly apologetically, “I’m so sorry, Milady.  Twere Prince John’s doing.  He was brought here and we were told to tend to him.  He is to sup with Prince John midday.”  She hesitates and then says, “And since he is of similar size to Lord George, we were told to lend him Lord George’s clothes.

Lady Roseanna/Oxbridge:  “Gods teeth!”  Lady Roseanna swears as she tucks her hair back up under her cap.   “As long as I live and breathe, my brother’s things will not be disturbed for a one such as him--one of Prince John’s sycophants.” 

Then before her servant can stop her, Lady Roseanna/Oxbridge strides into Lord George’s--now Sir Guy’s--bedchamber intending to have it out with him--forgetting that she is still attired as a lad with no rank.  Seeing the well dressed lad from earlier walk into the room, Sir Guy stands up from the tub naked and issues a command. [(3)  right middle]

Sir Guy:  “Boy!  Hand me that towel over there to dry myself with.”

Lady Roseanna/Oxbridge is struck dumb and simply stares at Sir Guy’s dripping wet nakedness.  If she thought this man was handsome before, she thinks he is an Adonis now--tall, muscular, toned, and naked.  Of course, Lady Roseanna has never seen a naked man except in religious picture books depicting Adam and Eve, but they were covered with fig leaves in strategic places--or when she changed a diaper on a friend’s babe.  But this is real life--and a full grown man--standing naked, and not ten feet away from her.

Sir Guy:  “Be quick about it!   I don’t want to catch my death!”  He says sternly as he crosses his arms in front of his chest with being chilled.

Bessie:  Bessie hurries forward.  “Sorry Milord.  He’s Lord George’s valet and was startled to see ye in Lord George’s room.”  Bessie  says covering for her mistress as she also appreciatively glances at the naked nobleman and hands him the towel with a small smile on her face.

Sir Guy towels himself mostly dry and then wraps the towel around his abdomen--awaiting the clothes he was promised.

Sir Guy:  To Oxbridge/Roseanna, “Well boy, if you’re to be my valet then you best start right now.  Fetch me some trousers and a shirt.”

Lady Roseanna/Oxbridge turns numbly to her servant Bessie since she is still thunderstruck with the beauteous male sight she just witnessed--and who is still standing before her--in all his tousled wet hair glory.  [(4) right 4th]