The Master of Chateau le Loup
Chapter One
The carriage jostled and bounced erratically and sharply, causing the two women in the carriage to brace themselves firmly.
"Such a dark, dark forest," the maid murmured, her large blue eyes scanning the scenery through the window. "Surely, such a man of wealth would not desire such bleak surroundings."
The small, brown-haired beauty shrugged and continued to stare out of the window though her eyes saw something beyond the trees. "We are not so sure what kind of man Monsieur le Loup is."
"His given name should be enough," the maid groused. "This cursed forest could only foster wolves. No creature of kindness would wish to live here."
"Wolves are loyal creatures, to their own kind," Relena pointed out softly in her gentle voice. "They are logical and highly intelligent."
"Ah, mademoiselle, I should not speak of such things to you. This is your home now."
"I am married, Dorothy, you must remember that now," Relena murmured, her eyes drifting down to the beautiful diamond that sat atop her ring finger. It was encrusted in a silver flower with a black interior, giving the diamond the appearance of floating in the flower.
"You are such a brave woman and a very good one to your family for doing this sacrificial deed for them."
"My mother is ill and needs the money. I had no other prospects and I am getting to the age where I fear my hopes for proposals will grow to naught sooner than later."
"Your beauty is youthful and classic, my lady, surely you do not doubt your ability to wed?"
"It is behind us now, Dorothy, as I am about to meet my husband in a few short minutes."
"Does my lady wish for me to stay with her for a few days while she settles in?"
"No, I do not do well with maids around. Despite the desolate outlook of my new home it gives me the peace and quiet I have long desired."
"You were not one for the court?"
"Heavens, no!" Relena exclaimed softly. "The wigs, the corsets, the lies and the false friendships; it was as if one was swimming in a vast ocean infested with deadly sharks."
"Your analogy is vivid enough, my lady," Dorothy said with a smile.
"Please, I am not your lady."
"Of course…Relena."
Impatiently, Relena swept a long strand of hair behind her shoulder and winced as the carriage threw her against the door. "As my first order as lady of Chateau le Loup, I will have this trail smoothed," she complained.
"A lady of the house! You should most certainly have your time filled."
"I should hope so. I would hate to see what becomes of me if it is not."
Suddenly, the carriage jerked to a stop and both women looked at each other with slight trepidation in their eyes.
Relena's heart was pounding out a fierce rhythm and her stomach knotted to the point of pain. Her delicate fingers wended themselves together anxiously, nervously. When the door was opened she nearly jumped at the sudden movement. Her nerves were on edge and she was shaking as she was helped out of the carriage, Dorothy right behind her.
And there it was. The Chateau le Loup. It was a monstrous sight that looked more like the gates of Hell than the gates to a rich manor. Large, black iron spokes shot out of the stone walls that enclosed the grounds of the house. An arching gate kept all carriages or horses from entering without dismounting first. The house itself appeared to be looming over them, daring them to enter if they had the courage. It was gray and ancient. Large stones built up the towering home and huge glass windows opened up to forest, the glass gray and tinted with age.
For a moment, Relena wondered if they had arrived to the correct place. The chateau looked abandoned. As she opened her mouth to ask her driver if he was sure about their location the gate swung open on its own accord and the large, main door opened to reveal two men walking out onto the vast steps that led up to the entrance.
"That must be your husband on the right," Dorothy whispered as they began to walk through the house's dying garden up to the stone steps.
Relena swallowed hard, fear gripping her tightly and causing her hands to grow moist inside her gloves. The man was more wolf than man, it was true! He looked untamed in his navy blue suit. His hair was wild and unkempt, short for the fashion of the day. Dark blue eyes stared down at her with a severe lack of approval and any warmth to show he was a kind man. He could have been one of the pillars he stood so near to.
"Ah, Madame Relena, so glad to have you here at last!" the butler exclaimed, reaching out to help her up the last step. "I trust your trip here wasn't too uncomfortable."
"Not at all," Relena lied. "Though next time I think I will ride horseback instead of coach."
The butler chuckled and nodded. "Horrific roads we have out here. At any rate, welcome to Chateau le Loup. This is the master of the house, Monsieur Heero le Loup. Is your maid to remain here?"
"No," Relena said kindly. "She will be leaving once my bags are unpacked in my chamber."
"Then let me help you to her room," the butler said to Dorothy, reaching out to take her arm.
This left Relena and Heero alone. They stared at one another, though Relena could only glance for a moment before she was forced to advert her eyes. She looked down at her simple brown shoes as Heero stepped forward.
"I thought you to come from a rich family."
"We are financially sound."
"You look starved," Heero retorted. He began to circle her slowly, his gaze burning through her.
Relena began to turn warily, finding herself too exposed. She didn't like the idea of this man circling her like prey.
"Hold still!" he demanded. "Your turning defeats my entire purpose of moving around you," the man continued, his voice harsh and snapping.
Relena visibly jumped but kept herself still, her cheeks blazing and red.
"You dress sensibly, the absence of a wig is relieving, too thin, too short…" he muttered. "I will not be surprised with the wind blows you away. No substance."
"Excuse me?" Relena instantly snapped. No substance?
"At least physically. You could dress the part of a man and be mistaken as one," Heero elaborated. "Now, your education."
"Has probably far exceeded yours."
Heero simply raised an eyebrow. She had spirit and was courage. That would prove to be a slight problem as Heero did not do well with defiance.
"Math? Sciences? What of those?" he barked.
"I can do all functions of mathematics whether it be physics or finances and as for sciences I am fully up to date on all the latest theories and what we consider fact."
"What of domestic chores?"
"They are poor monsieur. I clean well enough but I do not cook, nor do I sew. I do not play anything but the piano and poorly at that."
"Useless skills but they are defining as a woman nonetheless. Do you deny your role as a wife and a mother?"
"I deny the role of a mother because I am yet to ever be one. As for a wife, I would deny those roles mainly because I would defy any degrading stereotype to my sex."
"A feminist," Heero groaned, putting his face into his large, callused hand momentarily.
"Not what you had hoped for?" Relena taunted though her voice remained sweet.
"Not in the least, you are definitely the opposite of what I had requested."
"Then we at least have that much in common, Monsieur le Loup."
"You fear me yet you do not back down," Heero puzzled.
"I was taught to face up to my fears."
Heero took one decisive step towards her and grabbed her fiercely by the back of the neck, forcing her to look up into his eyes. "That will be remedied very quickly I should think," he growled.
"You have the title of a gentleman, but you are anything but," Relena whispered fiercely.
Heero smiled just slightly and Relena's eyes widened when she caught the glimpse of his long incisors. "I am neither of those, my wife. You will learn that soon enough."
His eyes stood out amongst the drag, gray scenery around them. All shades of gray and shadows. Those savage eyes seemed to be the only thing alive and Relena found herself unable to tear gaze away. Neither of those? Neither gentle nor man? Is that what he had meant?
His head swooped down with no warning and cold lips pressed hard against hers. She was helpless to fight against his strength as his arms encased her like bands of steel. His kiss was full of passion and menace. There was an animalistic sense about it, like a male staking claim of something that was his. He was marking her in some unseen way. It was frightening but ever so slightly enticing and seductive all at once.
Before Relena could think over that aspect further, his mouth was gone and she was standing free from his grip. Momentarily, she swayed.
Her first kiss. Pale fingers fluttered up to her red, swollen lips. They felt bruised and hot. Heero merely glared down at her for a moment longer.
"Welcome to my world, lady," he said coldly. "I do believe it will be quite different than the one you're used to."
(O)(O)(O)
AN: reviews, anyone? I'm slowing down with Look my Way and Never Fall for the Infallible at the moment and this one I've been dying to post. I hope you all enjoyed it. Feedback is absolutely welcomed.