Okay, so don't kill me, I have a perfectly good reason why I haven't updated in so long, even though I told you I'd update when I got to 100 reviews. I actually spent a week and a half in Switzerland, hiking the Alps, so I really couldn't update. I'm really sorry. But here it is now! And I added a bit of touchy feely and Connor hotness to make up for it. Once again, I do not own AC3.
Chapter 9
The next few days were full of nothing but me learning how to swim. We spent our time in the shallows of the river by the manor, me in my breast bindings and hunting pants and him in nothing but a pair of worn blue trousers. It would be a lie to say that I didn't notice. A lot.
His face alone was cause enough for my heart to race, but having to look at his toned broad chest, the droplets of water gleaming off his bare red-brown skin, the compact muscles of his arms and stomach rippling deliciously with every movement, it was too much. I couldn't even make eye contact without blushing like a fool and staring, so most of the time I kept my eyes and body forcefully focused on learning my new skill. It was maddening, having the man I liked shirtless and willing to put himself in close proximity to me so I wouldn't drown. My face might be permanently stained red.
However, since the day he had saved my life for the third time since I've known him, he had not acted any different. If anything, he became more distant. During my lessons, we spoke of nothing but missions and training. One man in particular, John Pitcairn, the name mentioned in the letter Connor had received off of William Johnson's person, appeared often in these conversations. It was apparent that the British General was a Templar, and our next target. Other than that though, there was quite a lack of subject matter. And since I didn't have the ability to look him directly in the eye while we were both in such improper attire, any potential new conversations were effectively cut off.
But that really didn't stop the embarrassing situations that our clothes, or lack there-of, put us in.
There was one particular instance that stuck out in my mind. It was on the first day of my new training, and we were starting with floating. I was on my back, taking shallow breaths like he told me while still keeping air in my lungs. It was hard, and I kept wanting to let all my air out and breathe deeply like I was used to. It certainly didn't help that one of his large hands rested on the small of my bare back to keep me afloat. Very distracting.
He removed his hand, and I floated there for a while. Just when I thought I had it, I lost my concentration and started to sink. I panicked, flailing around for a moment, before Connor's strong arms lifted me out of the water. I sat bridal style in his arms while I coughed and spluttered like a fool and clutched on to his neck. His body was steady and unwavering like stone, as if lifting me was no trouble at all, but it was also warm and comforting. I enjoyed being in his arms more than I would ever admit.
He placed me back down in the water and we did the exercise again.
"Remember to keep your diaphragm expanded, and you will not sink." He told me, running a few calloused fingers lightly across my stomach, just under my navel, to show me the place he was talking about. Neither of us were prepared for what happened next.
His fingers hit a sensitive spot and my body jerked upwards of its own accord. I gasped and shivered at the unfamiliar sensation, my face heating to an impossible shade of red. It wasn't something I'd ever felt before, and the things it did to my body were confusing and unsettling. And if I was being honest, it felt good.
Connor's eyes widened and he snatched his hand away, looking at me in shock. I'd never wanted to drown more than at that moment.
"I am sorry. I did not mean...that is to say, I was not trying to..." He said, stumbling over his words cutely. The flustered look on his face made me giggle. Connor never looked flustered.
"It's alright." I replied hesitantly, going back to my floating position. I noticed his eyes run over my prone body, his gaze lingering on the place he had touched earlier, and blushed brilliantly. I closed my eyes so I could block out his handsome face and not concentrate on the lingering feeling of pleasure still heating my skin. "I'm not really sure what just happened."
He nodded and we went about my new training as we did before, not noticing the subtle but frequent glances we both sent each other.
The fifth day of my swimming lessons had gone well, and I was officially dubbed capable of swimming, thanks to Connor's rigorous schedule. In fact, I found I rather liked it after awhile. I could see myself coming down to the river and swimming for leisure. It was amazingly calming, when there wasn't a certain half naked Native to distract me.
As we were dressing I heard feet running this way. They sounded light and coordinated, probably that of a woman. They padded toward us in a signature stride I had come to specifically identify. I could already tell who it was before she came into view. Myriam, my closest girl friend since I'd come to the homestead more than half a year ago. I had gotten to know her while we went hunting together, and we had been close friends ever since.
She ran to me with my recently acquired dark blue cloak in her arms. If she brought that cloak, it could only mean one thing.
"Neela! You have a client!" She shouted to me as I made my way out of the river, placing the cloak in my arms when I'd dried myself. "He's of high social status, looks anxious for your time." She told me, I nodded gratefully, pulling the heavy cloak over my shoulders and tying it at my neck. I lifted the hood up and over my head, making sure to conceal most of my face. I wore the cloak in case anyone I knew happened to walk into my "store", which was really a generous donation of Miriam's house. Much like my fake name, it was a precaution to make sure that no one might recognize me. And probably a contributor to the rumors spreading around that I was a witch.
"Thank you, Myriam." I told her gratefully and she nodded before running off to keep my costumer busy until I got there.
"A client?" Connor asked, confused. Oh yeah, it seemed I had forgotten to tell him of my business.
"I sell medicines to travelers and such from a store built off Myriam's house. Would you like to see?" I asked. Though I usually kept my consultations with costumers private, I felt he should know what kind of work I do. I did spend most of my time with him after all. He nodded stiffly.
"Follow me then." I led him up the hill to Miriam's cabin on the outskirts of the homestead. Outside I could see a white horse tethered to a wooden fence post, looking very well groomed and with what looked like an expensive black leather saddle on its back. Myriam had been telling the truth about this client's wealth. I slowed my pace and ducked my head as we made our way to the door, making sure my face was completely kept in the shadow of my hood.
Inside I saw a tall man with a well tailored coat and a three point hat. He looked a bit fidgety with shifty eyes and sweaty palms. He didn't look to be very comfortable with his presence here. That was not uncommon though, since most people thought I was some kind of hag sorcerer. I put on my business smile, the only part of my face he could see, which I usually used to comfort nervous guests.
He turned to me and stared in disbelief, wether it was from my odd choice of dress or the intimidating Native standing behind me, I didn't know. I raised my hand in greeting and he shook it, still looking a bit disgruntled.
"Are you the Potions Witch?" He asked nervously. I frowned at my unwelcome nickname. It appeared to have spread to the point where people actually thought it was what I called myself.
"I prefer the name Evelyn." I told him as politely as I could manage, digging up the old "lady's manners" I had been raised with. He looked apologetic and confused at the same time. I heard Connor grunt disapprovingly from behind me, which I ignored. I smiled to both men, showing that no insult had been taken. He had not been the first of my many customers to call me that.
"I am sorry, Mrs. Evelyn. You are quite a bit younger than I had expected." He said, still fidgety. Why was he so nervous? I didn't bite...most of the time. And did he just call me Mrs. Evelyn? What made him assume I was married?
"Do not worry, I have received similar comments in the past. Now, what can I help you with?" I asked him, eager to get on with business.
"Oh yes, well, you see, I have a strange dilemma I was told you could help me with." He said awkwardly. Oh, so he was one of those clients. That explained his behavior, though not quite the level of discomfort he seemed to show. Then again, many men had trouble admitting to such difficulties, as their pride would not allow it.
"I assure you I have most likely already encountered whatever problem you may have. You have no cause for discomfort." I reassured him. He nodded, apparently not having calmed at my words.
"All right then. Recently, my wife and I have been meaning to have a child but we've encountered certain *cough awkwardly* problems. It is mainly my problem, though. I love my wife very much, but I have found that I cannot *another cough* make love to her. The doctors in town have all told me that they have no cure. Can you help me?" He finished, and I sensed a note of desperation in his voice at the end. Connor, who stood behind me, shifted uncomfortably. I had almost forgotten he was there because he had been so quiet. I felt a little bad for putting him in this awkward situation.
Such talk did not bother me much, even though speaking of such things to a woman was unheard of, as I prided myself on my professionalism. I simply viewed it as any other ailment that needed treatment, and I happened to be the only person capable of doing this. Most women would have shied away from difficulties such as this, having to do exclusively with men. But then again, I had already come to terms with my abnormality. If I did not set my skills to good use then who would?
The man was still looking very nervous, his eyes shifting to the door every few seconds. He looked as if he were ready to bolt at any moment. I still thought it strange that the man was still so uncomfortable, but paid it no mind. Instead, I smiled and nodded, trying to ease the other man's nerves. Connor looked sharply at me, as if not believing I actually had a cure for the man's problem. I ignored him, getting on with my work.
"It seems you suffer from impotence. There is no need to worry, it is more common of a problem than you might think. I have something that will help." I got up and went to my medicine cabinet while relaying the standard information, "this is a tonic of my own creation. It will cure your ailment temporarily, meaning it will only be in your system for about a day, before it is digested and no longer of use. I also must discourage any consumption of alcohol while using this. Have you any specific allergies?" I asked, shifting through my cabinet and taking out a wooden box full of small bottles, each filled with the same dark, cloudy green liquid. The man nodded, still looking a bit sweaty, but relieved at the same time.
"Pine nuts, madam." He told me. I nodded pulling a vial out of the box for him to see.
"Then you should have no trouble taking this. One vial should be enough for one night, but they are very expensive as they are rather hard to make. They cost 200£ each." I told him. The fidgety man nodded in relief. He took three bottles of the tonic out of the box and wrapped them carefully in a handkerchief. He placed a bag of coins, which I carefully weighed the weight of in my hand. It seemed about right, if not more. The man bowed.
"I am most grateful for your help, fine lady." He told me respectfully, though a bit hurried. I nodded with a smile, happy to see that I had helped someone.
"I hope to see a letter arrive soon with the news of the successful birth of your first child. Good luck to you." I said happily. He nodded with a wistful smile, forgetting for a moment his earlier nervousness. Then he seemed to remember something. He checked his pocket watch, and his face scrunched up in panic. He looked to me and then to the door, looking suddenly in a frenzy.
"If you are late for something, you are most welcome to leave now if you must, mister...?" I trailed off, leaving him to fill in the name.
"Filbrook, my lady. I am terribly sorry, but there is someone I must meet with." He said. I nodded, giving him permission to go. He hurried towards the exit, tripping on a loose floorboard in his haste. He slammed into me, knocking me to the ground in the process. I wheezed and coughed uncomfortably as the man's full body weight pressed down on me. Connor made a sound from behind me that resembled a growl and pulled the man of me by the collar of his shirt. I quickly returned to my feet and brushed myself off.
"I am terribly sorry." Mr. Filbrook said quickly, backing away from me and sending a nervous glance towards the hostile Native. I pulled my hood back over my face, hoping the customer hadn't seen, and sent a warning glance towards Connor. He crossed his arms over his chest and exhaled heavily, somehow managing to look like a pouting child while still giving off that stoic aura. I giggled.
"It's perfectly alright. No harm done. Now best be on your way before you're late for your meeting." I told him kindly, though secretly wishing he would go so I could end this whole uncomfortable mess. Such fidgety clients always tired me out. Mr. Filbrook nodded and made his way towards the door. He stopped, turned, and tipped his hat to me.
"I wish you and your husband a good day, Mrs. Evelyn." He said before scurrying out. My brows furrowed at the comment. Husband? I looked at Connor, realizing the man must have thought I was married to him. I blushed at the implication and looked away. If only. Connor didn't feel that way about me.
"I did not know you sold such remedies." He said politely, though still sounding uncomfortable with the subject. I busied myself with replacing the box of medicine in the cabinet and putting away my cloak. "Why is it that you make it?"
"Because there are many men out there who need it. Even if they are too embarrassed to admit it." I replied as I closed the cabinet. There was a moment of silence before I heard him sigh quietly. I turned to him to find out the reason, but when I looked at his face, it had returned to his usual stoic expression.
"Come, it is getting late. We should get some supper." He said before quickly walking out. I had a feeling he was displeased in someway, but I could not gather the reason why. It had seemed a fairly normal business transaction. Had I done something wrong? I wonder what was bothering him.
So I hurried after him out the door, leaving the seemingly harmless encounter behind me.
Alright, I hope you guys enjoyed that. I certainly enjoyed rewriting it. I can't wait till we get to the real romance. And let me tell you, it's not going to come easily. I've got something big planned. And the next chapter is going to kick it off. Hello drama. I hate drama in real life, but writing it is so much fun. So remember to tell me what you think in the comments, because I'm serious when I tell you it's the only thing that keeps me going. Love ya!