Chapter 8

The next morning started way too early for Narcisse when with the first ray of light his wife forcefully tore the velvent curtains open and glistening brightness flooded the room. With an unhappy groan he buried his face into the soft cushions.
"Do you plan on laying indolently in bed all day? The duties of a Lord Chancellor certainly won't take care of themselves," came the low voice of his newly-wedded bride from the other side of the room.
"But they do not start in the middle of the night either," he muttered with annoyance, not ready to raise just yet.
Stephane unintentionally rolled to the edge of the bed and his eyes wandered through the chambers in search for his wife. He found Catherine sitting on a chair in front of her vanity, carefully combing trought her long hair that gently cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. She was only wearing a thin red robe over her nightgown that was tied up carelessly and revealed her creamy neckline. An alluring sight he was not accustomed to. A sight he very much liked since she had not yet hidden behind the rigid facade of the Queen Mother.
"In the Middle of the night?! Oh, you're speaking of the time you took advantage of your sleeping and defenseless wife. Now it's broad daylight, Stephane."
Her snippy comment made him laugh out loud. Catherine might combine many qualities in one person, but defenseless was not part of her repertoire.

"Defenseless? Oh come on, even with your hands tied behind your back you still remain a lethal threat." Regardless of his own nakedness Stephane got up and positioned himself behind his wife. With gentle force he took the brush out of her hand and began to comb her soft hair.
"Do you know what I love so much about you? Even deep asleep or in the middle of our most fiery quarrel you cannot prevent your body from being ready for me as soon as I touch you." As if to prove his assertion, his free hand caressed her collarbone in a feathery touch.
"Your flatteries will get you nowhere. You've already got what you wanted last night and take it from me - I'm not in the mood right now. And I'm pretty sure this moment will last." Catherine snatched the brush back from him and angrily tossed it on the surface of her vanity.

"Oh for Gods sake - you're seriously upset that I've seduced you in our wedding night?" Narcisse disbelievingly stared into the small mirror, searching there for her hazel eyes.
"Of course I am. Why does this come as a surprise for you? Because you think the tiny little addition between your legs – that what makes the difference and identifies you as a man - gives you the right to simply take whatever you desire?" She stared at him angrily through the shiny glass of her mirror.
"No, Catherine, it's my position as your husband that gives me the right," Narcisse growled indignantly.
"Oh please, don't give me that speech once again."
"Then should I give you the speech about your failed little plan to get our marriage annulled instead? Honestly, Catherine. You are not exactly in a position to make any demands."

Stephane watched his wife taking a deep breath. Probably to throw a nasty remark his way. So he pulled Catherine up from her sitting position and forcefully turned her to look at him.
"I just want you to listen to me, okay? I do not want to lead a life where we are constantly being on each other's throats. And I'm ready to give it an honest try. Even if you are obviously not ready yet, I still expect you to make a serious attempt. We both have certainly wished for a different future, but since it's done and we are married now, we now have to learn to get along. And as a sign of my good will, I will not mention your little attempt to get our marriage annulled to Charles."

The surprised expression on her face betrayed not only that she did not reckon with his relenting, but also that she had actually listened to him.
"Stephane, I will not make any promises to you, but at least I can give it a try." He could see how much overcoming this first timid admission had costed her. So he nodded approvingly and contented himself with this first little step she was willing to take in his direction. He involuntarily raised his hand and stroked her cheek with affection.
"I'll accept that to start with." Narcisse dropped his hand and went back to the bed to collect his scattered clothes. But he was unable to interpret the look his wife was giving him.

So he hurriedly dressed while Catherine still looked at him indecisively. When he had finished, he approaced her one last time to give her a sweet farewell kiss. A kiss she actually returned to his greatest joy. Stephane released his wife after a few seconds and bent down to grab her hand and there he placed another kiss on her soft skin.

"I'll see you later, my dear wife."
"That can't be helped, I'm afraid. Send in my maids, husband."


Thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging feedback! I really enjoy writing these characters and I love their love-hate dynamic as well.

With wishes and kisses, Cat