Later that day, Rose woke from her nap and did a few chores around the tent; unloading their bags from the night before and putting them into the basket for washing. Her wedding gown went back into the protective box that Evelyn brought it in and was stored into the oak chest that held most of her possessions. Afterwards, once the sleeping mat was made up and everything was spotless, Rose went off to search for Evelyn.
'"It hurt at first," she nodded, as they walked by the water's edge. "For a few minutes it felt like I had the worst cramps, that I usually get before my monthlies."
Evelyn winced, "I remember that," she said. "But other than that, it was good?"
"It was amazing!" Rose giggled. 'He was patient and gentle with me the entire time, Evie."
"Thank goodness," Evelyn sighed. "I was up half the night, worried about you."
Rose nodded, "But this morning… after we ate breakfast," she bit her lip. "There was a lot of blood on the sheet."
"That's normal," Evelyn said gently, patting her arm. "It always happens the first time and you shouldn't worry too much about it. It shouldn't happen the next time you two are together like that."
Threading her arm through Evelyn's, Rose sighed. "Thank heavens," she shook her head. "I was so embarrassed and shocked!"
Evelyn laughed, "I remember an old friend from Oxford, who bled heavily on her wedding night," she shook her head. "Her husband refused to sleep with her, until her doctor had to inform him that it was a normal thing."
Rose giggled, "But that moment… when you know… when he…" she nodded, blushing heavily.
Her friend snorted, "When he climaxed," she finished for her, making her squeak.
"Anyway.. when that happened, it was just this raw emotion," Rose said, looking off at the sun, watching it slowly move to the west. "I've only seen Ardeth when he's happy and when he's annoyed at something. But last night was different, Evie. I think there were tears in his eyes or something."
"You better not run about and tell anyone else that," Evelyn teased, making her friend scoff. "I'm sorry, love. I am glad that your first time was with someone you love and with someone who cares enough to be kind to you."
Rose nodded, "I think you and I are both lucky," she said, as the cold water lapped at their feet. "We both have husbands who are kind and love us. From this life to the next and so forth."
At the top of the hill, there was a whistle. The girls looked over and saw Rick waving at them, shouting about dinner being ready.
"Just make sure you married a man who can make his own dinner plate," Evelyn sighed, as they grabbed their shoes. "Eleven years and he still can't make himself dinner."
….
"Awww, read us more story, Abal!" Jawna cried, as Rose closed her worn copy of Pride and Prejudice. "Another!"
Rose giggled, "It's way past your bedtime, love," she said, as the girl pouted. "Maybe tomorrow night we can start another story."
After dinner, Rose grabbed her book from the small table near the sleeping mat she shared with Ardeth and went to the large fire pit in the camp. By then, most of the children were waiting with their blankets, giggling and squealing when she appeared.
It was a nightly tradition, made in the six months during her stay, that Rose would read the stories from her book collection. The mother's were happy to send them off for an hour or two, just to get the last of their daily chores done before bedtime.
"Now, I must get you all back to your homes," she said, standing. "Your parents are going to want you in your beds."
Carefully, Rose picked up the youngest of the group, Fayruz and tucked her book under her arm. "Come, come," she nodded to the children. "For you will have sweet dreams tonight!"
Making her rounds, Rose safely delivered each child back to their parents, accepting their thanks with a blush. "It was not a bother at all, Najat. He's a good boy and you are very lucky."
"Soon, you and our lord will be lucky," Najat nodded, smiling at her. "Soon."
By the time she dropped Fayruz off, promising her that they would play together the following day, Rose headed off to find Ardeth.
"Ah, you are home," he greeted her, as she stepped into the tent. "Did they make you read the entire book?"
"The last seven chapters," she nodded, setting the book down. "Now, we are to start a new book tomorrow night."
He watched as she moved around their sleeping area, collecting her things for bed. No longer seeing the need to change behind a curtain, Rose pulled her dress off and set it down on the sleeping mat. Off came her brassiere and knickers, before her nightgown was pulled over her head and covering her body.
"Did you have a good meeting?" Rose asked, as she sat down to remove her hairpins.
"It was satisfactory," Ardeth nodded, as he moved to sit behind her. "But I was relieved to come home and see you more."
Rose giggled as he gently moved her hands out of the way, pulling the last of the pins out. Her long, red curls tumbled down her back and over her shoulders, only to be pushed away to expose the side of her neck.
"It seems as if you are starting something, My Lord," Rose gasped, as he kissed her right below her ear.
"How ever did you come to that conclusion," Ardeth whispered, as his hands moved up the sides of her legs and under the nightgown.
Rose shivered and moaned, dropping her head back against his shoulder. "If you keep doing that, " she gasped, as his hand touched between her legs. "We'll never get a proper nights worth of sleep."
"You wish to stop?"
Rose let out a gasp, squirming against his hand and in his arms, "Ardethhhh!" she cried.
"If you shout, you will wake the entire camp," he chuckled, as she moaned weakly.
"Then don't tease me like this," she begged, yanking his hand out from between her legs. "If you're going to make love to me, do it properly."
Turning around, Rose pushed him back onto the mat and straddled his lap, leaning down to kiss him. She pulled away quickly and tugged at his tunic, pulling it up towards his head.
"We have all evening," he reminded her, as he pulled the garment over his head. "I don't have any duties tomorrow."
"Really?" she asked, as he nodded. "That's a first."
He placed his hands on her hips, "I am married," he said. "I can enjoy a few days with my wife. We are…"
"Honeymooners," she giggled. "That does make sense. And we are spending a night in Cairo together."
Ardeth nodded, "One day, I will take you to one of the greatest cities," he promised, carding his fingers through her hair. "Wherever you want to go."
She shook her head, "I'm happy here with you," she said softly. "I've seen most of the world in my childhood, darling. Once is enough for me."
"Whatever you wish for," he nodded.
"Hmm," Rose grinned down at him. "I wish to be on top tonight. It is only fair, since you did all the work last night."
When they finally went to bed, the sky began to lighten as the sun slowly crept up into the sky. Neither of them would greet the day until after lunchtime, much to the amusement of many. Including Rick and Jonathan.
