The Short Life of a Southern Belle

Chapter 7

Author's Note: Hey readers, a lil bit of smut in this chapter though its pretty tame. Hope you enjoy.

"You sure?" Candie said in a hushed excited voice when I told him about the baby, "You sure cherie?"

I nodded.

Candie grinned, grabbed my face with both hands and kissed my lips.

"Good girl," he breathed, "That's my good girl."

He planted a kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes in contentment, only to feel him pull away.

"I gotta tell Lara Lee."

I felt a pang of disappointment. He could have celebrated the moment with me a little more first. Instead he went rushing to find his sister bellowin',

"LARA LEE WE GONNA HAVE A BABY!"

It sounded almost like he and Lara Lee were havin' the baby. I grimaced at the thought but brushed it away. Lately I had become wholly reopposed to the idea of them harbourin' incestuous feelin' for each other. I didn't want to believe it was true, told myself their closeness was innocent. At the same time I found myself resentin' their bond more and more. I should be the number one woman in Candie's life. In this moment I didn't feel like it.

As soon as she heard about the baby, Lara Lee started being real nice to me again. By now I had seen enough of Lara's flippant nature to not fall back on likin' her for it. But I forced myself to show her the same amicableness. I knew Candie wouldn't approve of anything else, especially when Lara Lee was acting sweet as pie. But when Lara Lee announced that she was goin' to turn one of the rooms into a nursery, I couldn't stop myself objectin'.

I should be the one doin' that. It was my baby. I glared at Lara over the dining table. She pouted. Calvin stepped in.

"Let Lara Lee do it sugar," he said, "She's a whiz at this sort o' thing. Don't you want the baby's room to look nice?"

"You sayin' I couldn't make it look nice?" I asked resentfully.

Candie gave me a somewhat pained look.

"That ain't what I meant. I'm sure you'd do a fine job too..."

Lara Lee made like she was clearin' her throat. I did all I could to focus on Calvin and not throw my plate at her head.

"Wouldn't you prefer to the spend time with me sugar?" he asked with a congenial smile.

The answer was yes of course. So Lara Lee got her victory. I didn't mind. Time with Calvin was worth losin' to her. But we couldn't lark around all the time. Calvin had plenty o' paperwork to do. Usually he wanted privacy to do it, but on this occasion he let me sit in the room with him. On the proviso I was quiet of course. And I was, readin' Madame Bovary until I came across a word I got stuck on.

"Calvin, what does obsequious mean?"

Candie glanced from what he was scribblin' with amusement.

"Servile, slavish, fawnin'."

I smiled.

"So in a word. Stephen."

Candie chuckled,

"Don't let him catch you sayin' that," he returned to his work a brief moment, "What you readin' anyway baby mama?"

He had started callin' me that lately. It wasn't a French endearment but I liked it.

"Madame Bovary."

"You wanna tell me what it's about?"

I didn't know if he was actually interested. He had started writin' again. But I told him anyway.

"It's about a woman, Emma Bovary..."

"You don't say," Candie remarked in a teasin' voice. At least I knew he was listenin'.

"She's married to a doctor," I went on, "Who is pretty nice but she finds him borin'. She falls in love with a law student..."

"So you're readin' about an adulteress," Candie interrupted, "Cherie I can't say I fully approve."

I blushed at this,

"She's not an adulteress," I protested, "She decides not to have an affair and he leaves."

"Oh I see," Candie sounded almost disappointed, "And then what happens?"

"Well another fella's come along that she likes," I admitted reluctantly, "But I'm not sure what's goin' to happen."

"Hmm," Candie pushed back his chair and came over to me. He held out his hand, "Hand me the book sugar."

I did. He walked back to his desk and sat down. I heard him unlock the desk drawer, slide it open.

"I don't think you should read this book anymore cherie," he dropped the book in the drawer, "A married woman swoonin' over other men. It might give you..." he closed the drawer and twisted the key in the lock, "ideas."

I jumped to my feet,

"Calvin, I'd never have an affair," I cried, tryin' not to think about Billy. That had been a one off. I was never goin' to be unfaithful again, "I love you."

"I love you too cherie," Candie smiled, "And because I love you, I don't want you readin' silly lil books like Madame Bovine. Alright?"

"Yes Calvin," I said dutifully, not botherin' to correct him that it was Bovary. He'd probably been makin' a joke sayin' it wrong.

I went to choose another book without enthusiasm. Madame Bovary had been gettin' real excitin'. Now I would never know the endin'. I glanced at Calvin who had resumed his work.

"Calvin?" I said, an unstoppable question formin' on my lips, "You would never have an affair..." Calvin went completely still, "Would you?"

Calvin's head snapped up with a grin,

"What a question," he said in marvellin' voice, "Of course not cherie! Like I just said, I love you."

I was stunned. That he could sit there and lie with a smile on his face.

Candie pushed his chair back,

"Come here cherie."

I turned to the bookcase, too angry to comply. Why couldn't he just admit his affair Shee-ba, apologise and say he'd never do it again? I'd forgive him straight away if he did that.

"Marieee," Candie called, "Ain't you hear me. Come here."

I sighed. Maybe I should just take solace from the fact it was obviously over between him and her. Candie had stayed put in Candieland since learnin' of my pregnancy. That had to mean he was devoted to me. Reassured, I made my way over to him.

Candie patted his knee with a smile. I went to sit, yelpin' when I felt Calvin's hand swot my backside.

"Calvin!" I eyed him with embarrassment.

He chuckled,

"That's for makin' me wait. You're supposed to be a good girl, honey."

He pulled me into his lap, his hand caressin' my stomach. I'd barely started to show yet.

"My good girl," he breathed, "Lift up your dress."

"What?" I choked.

"Do it cherie," he said in a forceful whisper.

I dragged my dress up over my knees, gaspin' when Candie's hand snaked between my legs to fondle me.

"Calvin," I squirmed, blushin' madly.

"Shh," he murmured, "Just enjoy it honey."

I might have. If there hadn't been a rap on the door. I threw my dress back over my legs, trappin' Candie's hand underneath.

"Monsieur Candie?" came Stephen's voice.

"Goddamnit," Candie muttered, "Yes Stephen?" he yelled.

The door opened. Stephen poked his head in.

"Oh," he said when he saw me, "Beggin' your pardon Madame Candie. I thought Calvin 'ere on his own."

"She's keepin' me company," Calvin said pleasantly.

I almost squeaked as his fingers brushed me. A good thing we were behind the desk, so Stephen couldn't see what was really goin' on. He smiled.

"Well ain't that nice," he remarked, "Er, Billy Crash come 'bout the Mandingoes. You want me to tell him you busy?"

Candie sighed contemplatively.

"Naw send him in," he said.

Stephen nodded eagerly.

"Oh Stephen," I couldn't resist sayin' "You so obsequious."

"Obs - obseekyus..." I giggled at the look of confusion on Stephen's face, "What that mean Madame Candie?"

"It means you helpful Stephen," Candie lied smoothly.

Stephen left the room thinkin' I'd paid him a compliment.

"That was naughty cherie," Candie's hand danced on my thigh, "Teasin' Stephen like that."

"You should move your hand, Calvin," I said anxiously, "before Mr. Crash comes."

"Hmm," Candie gave my thigh a squeeze.

"Please," I hissed, "It's inappropriate."

Candie sighed,

"Oh alright," he slid his hand out from under my dress, "But don't think I'm finished with you," he purred in my ear, "Soon as I'm done with Mr. Crash, we gonna have fun cherie."

He slowly bucked his hips in meanin'. I blushed, too flustered to notice Billy's arrival until Calvin hailed him.

"Billy Boy, how do you do!" he said with boomin' theatricality.

"Good," Billy said in a sort o' non-committal tone.

This was the first I'd seen Billy since the cabin. Pieces o' that day flashed before my eyes, left me feelin' mighty uncomfortable, especially when Billy looked straight at me.

"Madame Candie," he inclined his head politely.

"Mr. Crash," I replied, tryin' to sound reserved as possible.

I was glad when Billy's eyes shifted to Calvin,

"Hope I ain't interruptin' nuthin'," he said gruffly.

"Naw," Calvin said congenially, "Marie don't mind us talkin' business, do you darlin'."

"Not at all," I said, wishin' I could get up and leave the room. But Calvin's arms were wrapped around my waist, "Go right ahead."

"Thank you darlin'," Calvin chirped, "So Billy Boy, this Vessepi character, who we gonna put up against his nigga tomorrow?"

"Big Fred I reckon," Billy answered.

"Not D'Artagnan?"

Billy shook his head,

"Vessepi's nigga is pretty good from what I hear. And D'Artagnan barely won that last fight against Yellow Pete."

"You think he can't win another?" Candie sounded irritated.

"Against a weak opponent maybe," Billy said, "But this Luigi ain't weak."

Candie stroked his beard,

"Big Fred it is then," he said, "Have him ready to go in the mornin'."

"Sure thing."

I was relieved to see Billy headin' for the door. But all o' a sudden he turned around.

"Forgot somethin' Billy?" Candie sounded amused, "If you're lookin' for your hat it's in your hand."

Billy shook his head. He seemed a little irritated.

"Just wanted to say congratulations," he said, "'Bout the baby."

My stomach tightened. There was no way of tellin' whether Billy was the father of my baby. But I preferred to believe that it had actually been Candie, who hadn't turned out to be like Eddie Lowell at all. It was more comfortin' for me to think this. I didn't like Billy here, remindin' me it could be different.

"That's mighty nice o' you Billy," Candie said.

"Yes thank you Billy," I said in the brightest voice I could.

Billy smiled but it was more like a grimace. I couldn't imagine how he must be feelin', thinkin' he had fathered our child.

"Your folks is happy for you," he said to me, "Your Ma wanted you to know, case you don't visit."

I wasn't plannin' on it. I only wanted to stay around the Big House with Calvin.

"Thanks for passin' on the message Billy," Candie's voice had a hint of impatience, "You run along now. I'll see you tomorrow."

Billy's brow furrowed slightly,

"Yeah see you," he muttered, "Madame Candie," he dipped his head to me.

"Mr. Crash," I said distractedly, my mind in what Candie had meant by 'see you tomorrow'.

"Now where were we sugar?" he purred as soon as Billy left.

I tried not to focus on his hand slidin' over my thigh.

"Are you goin' to the club tomorrow Calvin?" I asked.

"Yes cherie," Candie answered, "I got this big fight arranged," he chuckled, "No need to look so unhappy darlin'. I'll be home come next day."

It wasn't how long he was goin' for that bothered me. Even the fact he was goin' at all wasn't that bad. It was the fact that he was goin' to where she was. That Shee-ba. She might use the opportunity to get her claws back into him. I couldn't let that happen.

"Let me come with you," I said rapidly.

Candie had begun hikin' up my dress. He paused.

"To the club? Why you wanna go there cherie?"

Because I don't trust you around that Shee-ba, I thought, because I wanna keep an eye on you. Of course I wasn't goin' to tell him that to his face.

"I'm curious," I shrugged, "I've never been to the club. Also I don't like you bein' away from me."

The last part was entirely true.

"Oh sweetheart," Candie tapped my nose, "I know you don't. But there ain't much in the club that's gonna interest you. Especially not the fight. That sort o' thing's far too bloodthirsty for a sweet thing like you to watch."

"So I'll leave the room when it happens," I said brightly, "I'll... bring a book to read or somethin'. Rest o' the time I'll be fine just hangin' off your arm, bein' quiet and watchin' you work. Like today."

Candie didn't look particularly swayed. In desperation I slipped my hand to zip of his pants.

"Please Calvin," I implored him softly.

Candie looked rather bemused.

"My, my. You've sure learnt how to ask somethin' from me, haven't you cherie," he said in a low voice.

I held my breath as he studied me for a long moment.

"Alright," he said, "You can tag along."

I gave a cry of delight and kissed him, feelin' completely victorious.

To be continued...

Methinks Candie has his own reason for letting Marie come along. But you'll have to wait to find out readers. Mwahahaha til next time!