Chapter 3 – Becoming a Baroness

Naturally, Elizabeth did not sleep well. She tossed and turned all night and woke for breakfast. She tried to eat, but could not. Her mother did her hair and she dressed, ready for the day that was not going to be like others.

Today she would become a Baroness.

The next day at noon she walked into the offices of the German High Command. A chaplain was to marry them there, the best place for a German officer to marry. Elizabeth was wearing her dress of blue with a thin veil over her face. The dress hid the bruises that she had from the men holding her, but her nose had a slight bruise to it. She knew the Baron would be repulsed, but she tried to make the best of it.

She never imagined herself married especially not married to a man twice her age. Heinrich would be a good husband to her, but she had hoped to enjoy her freedom longer.

It was not meant to be.

Her mother had said she had hoped for such an event so she would be safely married. She was now not only a woman of substance, but she was also to be a Baroness, a woman at home while her husband fought for his country. God only knew what would become of her, if he was killed or died.

She sighed and walked with her mother into a great room. To one side stood Heinrich in his dress uniform, a few other officers, and the chaplain. Some of the other men looked on enviously and she held her head up, thankful she did not have marry one of them.

She walked up and stood beside him. Her mother placed her cool hand in Heinrich's large warm one. He stood stiffly watching her. They spoke their words and then he put a ring on her small finger. He bent, kissing her cool hand as he spoke his vows to her. She spoke her own, but she did not remember them after. There was a short sermon on love, understanding, and trials.

The chaplain pronounced them husband and wife.

The baron stepped to the girl and lifted her veil. She looked up at him palely and he smiled a little. His hands found her waist and he pulled her to him, kissing her softly before pulling back and pressing his brow to hers. He had to stoop to do so, but he looked her in her eyes. "Don't faint, sweetheart." He said softly.

"I won't." She promised. She felt a little dizzy. She was now his, bought and sold for the good of a nation she felt no allegiance. She was now a German, not by birth, but by marriage, a baroness, and a wealthy one at that.

They then moved and signed their marriage license. Heinrich signed with a flourish. It was a lovely formal signature. She signed, not as much art to it. She then sighed looking down at the paper. She was now Baroness von Rheingarten. Her husband then took the license and passed it to her mother for safe keeping and then looked at at the girl, his young wife.

He held and arm about her waist for support. She was grateful as they spoke to people there. She felt a little faint as the adrenaline left her body. He seemed to sense it and did not let her go, though it looked all the world that he was deeply in love with his bride and was being very affectionate.

They had a light meal and then her husband whisked her to a car. The car took them to a hotel, one that as he told her the Fuhrer himself had picked for then so they would not be disturbed. There was also a park they could take walks in if they wished. She followed him to the desk. He took the key and they made their way to the third floor.

The room was large, with a lovely view of the city. She walked to the window and looked out. It had begun to rain and she smiled as the rain fell in hard sheets against the panes. She heard her husband moving about. She then felt his hands on her thin shoulders.

She turned to look at him and he smiled at her. "Are you happy?" He asked.

"Yes." She said.

He nodded. "I know this was not your idea of a fairytale, but I will not treat you badly. You will want for nothing and be safe as my wife."

She looked at him. He was sipping a drink from a glass. He had it to his lips as she watched him.

"So how does one go about this? Does one throw off their clothes and have at it or what?" She asked him curious.

He spat the contents of his mouth back into the glass and looked up at her startled. He had a slight coloring to his cheeks. "No." He said. "There is an art to it." Instantly taking her meaning.

She looked out. "We will not be able to do anything in the park until the storm passes."

"Likely true."

"The bedroom looks comfortable." She mused.

He set down his drink and regarded her. "Why are you so eager for me to make love to you?" He asked.

She shrugged. "I have no idea what one does when they are married. You are the one who was. You need to tell me."

He sighed and shook his head taking a deep drink before speaking. His hand were on his hips as he regarded her. "Yes. I could school you, but I would rather know you more. We have a week, my angel. There is no rush."

"But the rules…"

"Rules?"

"Mother told me about needing to prove that I was pure."

"You have no idea what that meant do you?"

"I know it has something to do with me and you in bed."

He chuckled. "Are you playing so innocent or are you really that naïve?"

"What?" She asked suddenly defensive.

He stepped to her. He was such a large and powerful man. She swallowed hard as he stood there regarding her a moment. "Do you have any idea what happens between a man and a woman?"

"I know you must do something to make a child. It involves sleeping together."

"A man and a woman can share a bed and never make a child." He said. He watched she. "Sleeping together does not mean you are making love together." He sighed. "There is an art to it. One cannot just go at it. It would brutalize you." He looked at her as he made her look at him. "I would never hurt you, Lizzy."

"I know…"

A clap of thunder made her jump. She was pressed to him and he smiled as he kissed her hair. He reached up and pulled it loose from the pins that held it in place, scattering them on the floor with small metallic pings. He then caressed the locks, letting it feall about her shoulders. "Perhaps we should retire. You are shaking." He pressed his lips to her brow. "Are you afraid of storms?"

"Yes. After being caught in one and my horse threw me. I broke my leg and had to wait for my father to find me. All the while the rain and the thunder…it was terrifying." She looked at him wide eyed. "No shelter. I got a fever and was ill for days..."

Another thunder clap made her yelp. "Shhh." He soothed. "You are safe in here with me." He wrapped an arm about her. "I promise."

She nodded. He gently took her hand and led her to the bedroom. There he removed his jacket, iron cross and let his suspenders drop down. He sat down and removed his boots.

She removed her shoes and rubbed her poor sore feet as she sat on the bed. She had not had a chance to break in the shoes and they had pinched terribly. She had been able to take the pain until then.

He moved and knelt before her. He smiled and lifted her leg and turned her so she was on the bed. He sat down, her calf on his thigh and her foot on his hand. She scooted a little to be more comfortable. He tenderly lifted the small foot as he sat facing her. He caressed it with firm strokes.

She gasped in pleasure. She had never had anyone rub her feet. It was lovely and he was watching her reaction. He set one down and then started on the other. Her other foot rested on his thigh as he gently caressed her other foot. It was the one that had been injured. He was so gently, but she relaxed until she felt his lips against her ankle.

Her eyes flew open as he nipped a little at the ankle bones. He smiled and continued to put small kisses on her ankle to her calf. He looked up at her and put his hands on her knees as he leaned up and kissed her, his body over hers, fingers splayed touching her under her dress.

She was startled by this, but it felt good and she allowed it.

His hands glided higher under her dress to her thighs as his mouth moved to her throat. She gasped felling his fingers on her sensitive skin.

She looked at him. "Heinrich."

"Relax." He said softly. "You first time will be painful. I need to relax you." He said softly.

She had no idea what he meant as he moved to release the buttons of her dress behind her. As he did so he tugged the material down, revealing her pert breasts that were larger than most her age. He smiled as he looked at them. He pulled the material off her. She lifted her hips, which moved of their own accord, and he also removed her underwear.

She gasped realizing she was naked before him.

He looked at her, savoring her as he looked at her, his eyes darkening in a way she had never seen before in a man. He dipped his head, his hands supporting him over her and pulled her nipple into his mouth to suck on it. She gasped startled by the sensation.

He did the same to the other one and she felt an odd sensation in her belly. He kissed down her belly, nuzzling her navel. He kissed her hip, then her thigh before lifting his head and pushing his hand under her trim buttocks. He kneaded them a moment before looking up at her with a wicked grin.

She had never seen that look on him and she blinked watching him as he pressed his face downward and found his aim.

She gasped and my hands moved to try to push him away.

Was he crazy? Men didn't kiss there!

She struggled and he held her firmly, continuing to stroke with ruthless efficiency. Her hands fluttered by became more unsteady as the feelings began to build. She had no idea what was going on as he continued. Finally her hands settled on his hair. She wanted him to stop, but her body betrayed her and instead held his head there of its own will. She whimpered and he looked up at her a moment. They locked eyes before he turned his head for a different angle and her mind reeled.

At last she cried out, unsure why she did. Her toes curled and she clung to him, her hips arching against him as something took over. She had never felt so and he patiently waited as she calmed her down from the plateau and then rested his head against her abdomen a moment as she panted, eyes closed. She had never felt that sensation ever and she opened her eyes as she felt him shifting.

She watched him with hooded eyes as he shifted off the bed ridding himself of his shirt, undershirt, trousers, and boxers. She watched him as he moved in a rather hurried disorganized fashion that was not characteristically him. He came back to her as she looked up at him in confusion. "What…was that Heinrich?" she asked.

He smiled as he looked down at her He put himself between her legs as he held himself up with his arms. "You have never peaked before, my sweet? Never done it to yourself?" He asked in a deeper voice that made her shiver and be horrified at the notion all at once.

She felt her cheeks flame. "Certainly not!"

He chuckled. "So innocent." He muttered. He sighed and kissed her before he pulled back to look at her. "This part will hurt you and I am sorry. Relax and let it pass. It will never hurt again. I promise you."

She looked at him, trusting him fully as he reached between then, his hand touching her still sensitive core. She felt something below and felt a slight stretching. He then shifted and held himself over her. He bent and kissed her lips. "Don't be afraid." He told her almost gruffly.

"I could never be…" The sentence died on her lips as pain ripped through her senses. He had thrust his hips forward, quickly, without hesitation, and then stilled as he rested against her hips. She gasped and tried to push him away as her body felt split. He remained where he was and she felt the warmth of his hips against mine.

He was so close, on her, in her, and holding her gently.

"I know it hurts. I am sorry. So sorry. Es immer weh tut das erste Mal Schatz. Verzeihen Sie mir. Atmen Sie auf. Das ist richtig. Entspannen Sie sich. Lassen Sie Ihren Körper an mich." He said lapsing into German.

She did not understand him well and she felt tears stinging her cheeks. He caressed her neck with one hand and bent his head to hers. His voice was calming. She let him talk and relaxed. He spoke softly and she did not register the words, but it was almost as though he were singing a lullaby.

She realized that the pain was less as he moved a little. He was inside her. Fully inside her. He withdrew a little and then thrust forward again. She felt even less pain and more a tugging sensation.

He began to move faster and she let him. She was feeling warmer, but still she was gaining more comfort from his proximity and body against her own.

He reached down and pulled her legs further up his legs to his hips. She could feel him going in deeper. It was not long before he gasped, grunted, and his head dropped to her breasts and he panted against them as his hips continued to move, but slowed down.

After a few moments he lifted off her and pulled her into his embrace. Outside the rain was still falling hard and the thunder made her become close to him if that were possible. "Are you well?" He asked pushing some of her hair back behind her ear as he watched her with concern. His hands were on her back and around her buttock caressing gently.

"Yes." She said.

He nodded. "Good." He said. He looked out at the rain and smiled a little as he continued to hold her, caressing her absently.

She looked at him. He looked almost boyish with a lock of his hair out of place and over his brow. She touched it and then put her hands against his chest.

He kissed her and sighed. "I think I am falling in love with you, Lizzy." He said pressing his brow to hers.

She smiled. "I find myself the same with you, Heinrich."

He chuckled and then kissed her nose. "Sleep. The day is still long and I intend to love you often while I am on leave."

She smiled sleepily and snuggled against the soft hair on his chest, breathing in his comforting scent. His hand held her to him and he lifted the sheet over them and sighed. She felt him watching her until her slept.

I sighed as sleep took my body.

So far marriage was nice.