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

"Guy's Rose" Ch. 19 (PG-13) -- Lovers Discretion, 9/24/12 Gratiana Lovelace

Sir Guy:  Sighing he says “Hhhhh!  Well, the forest has many scenic vistas to enjoy.”  Of course the only vista Sir Guy is referring to is the one of him seeing and caressing his naked lady love during their lovemaking.  Sir Guy gazes at Lady Roseanna affectionately and her face pinkens in a charming blush.

Lady Roseanna:  “Yes.”  She nods her head to the footman trying to maintain her sense of composure--considering she is a recently deflowered virgin of just one hour.  “I showed Sir Guy our lovely scenery.”  Sir Guy’s continuing gaze let’s her know that the only scenery he is thinking of is her.  And, if truth be told, the only scenery Lady Roseanna is thinking of is her Sir Guy and his handsome nakedness and their lovemaking.  Perhaps Lady Roseanna and Sir Guy can be forgiven for their excitability due to their sensual urges as new lovers not two hours ago.

Footman:  “This way, please.”  He leads them back to the Dining Hall.

Sitting alone at the head of the table eating his own breakfast--not a meal he has often since he is rarely up this early--Prince John greets Lady Roseanna and Sir Guy as they enter the Dining Hall.

Prince John:  “There you are!  I’d almost give up hope that you would join me this morn.”  Prince John [(4) right]  smiles mischievously at them and motions for them to sit together to his left.  “Sit!  So!  And how are you two lovers this morning?  Still happily engaged?”

The phrasing of Prince John’s question--two lovers--startles both Sir Guy and Lady Roseanna.  They wonder if he knows, or merely suspects their intimacy.  But they recover quickly--Lady Roseanna being especially quick to respond.

Lady Roseanna:  Chiding her cousin in her usual familiar whiney tone with him, she says “Oh Johnny.  Be serious.  Of course, we’re still engaged.”  She rolls her eyes at her cousin, then she turns to her left where Sir Guy sits and smiles sweetly, then winks at him--because Prince John can not see her do that.

Sir Guy:  Smiling broadly with a raised eyebrow at his lady fair, and then turning to Prince John, he says  “Sire, I would not let such a pearl as Milady Rose slip from my grasp so easily.”

Prince John:  “Huh!  Still besotted.”  Then Prince John turns Machiavellian as he delights in attempting to crush his cousin’s happiness.  “But cousin Rose, I should probably have cautioned you earlier about Sir Guy.   He is a killer, and not just of men.  He killed the last woman that he loved, Lady Marian.  He ran her through with his broad sword.” 

Prince John waits for Lady Rose’s and Sir Guy’s reaction.  Sir Guy’s face drains of color.  Though he had told Lady Roseanna of his foul deed, to have his Prince blithely tell her of his shame lets him know irrevocably that he can not trust Prince John.  And a nagging worry that Prince John will break the betrothal starts to erode Sir Guy’s happiness--and this sadness shows on his face.  Sir Guy has truly come to love his sweet and uncomplicated Lady Rose--and he could not bear to part with her now.

Lady Roseanna:  Noticing Sir Guy’s sudden quiet--even his breathing has stayed--Lady Roseanna lays her hand upon Sir Guy’s arm and smiles at him lovingly.  Then she turns to her cousin.  “Johnny, now don’t be mean spirited.  Sir Guy is a man of honor and already told me everything.”

Prince John:  “Everything?  Perhaps you did not hear …” 

Lady Roseanna:  But she stops him cold using the formal again  “Sire, I know everything.”  She emphasizes again.  “And there are few of us who can claim to be without sin--even you and I.  But our Lord Christ came to wash away our sins, if we truly repent.  As good Christians, we can not do less than our Lord bids us in forgiving others.”  She smiles sweetly at Prince John, knowing that she has trounced him with her appeal to faith.