I know it has been a while but things got crazy around here. Hope you enjoy this super overdue update.
Kathryn put on the dress Elderon gave her, she was at least grateful that it covered everything it should. It was a simple dark blue dress that had wide shoulders and long skirt. It was obvious that although Elderon wanted to show Kathryn off, he only wanted to show off some of her.
As they arrived in the city Kathryn was for a moment taken aback by the grandeur of it. Several buildings rose off the sky line so high Kathryn almost couldn't see the tops of them. The market street they were walking down was quaint and modern at the same time. Several vendors called to Elderon, but he walked passed them without a second thought. Kathryn turned her head to get a look at what items they were selling. Most of them were simple traders, dealing in fruit, flowers and trinkets. The shops that lined the market place however looked far more expensive and it was these to which Elderon was headed. Kathryn had no choice but to follow him, he was holding on to her hand tightly. Although Kathryn was sure to onlookers they were simply holding hands. The truth however was that Elderon had a far tighter grip on Kathryn than was strictly necessary, his huge hand almost completely encompassing hers and pressing almost to the point of pain.
On the one hand Kathryn could hardly blame him, it wasn't like she hadn't already tried to escape, but with Tom back at the house and still at Elderon's mercy, Kathryn had no intention of trying anything. They stood looking in at a shop window, it was filled with dresses of all different types. Elderon was peering through the glass and glancing down at Kathryn like he was imagining each one of them on her. Kathryn however was looking at their combined reflection, her small figure next to Elderon's, for the first time she saw the true extent of the size difference. Kathryn barely came up to Elderon's' broad shoulders, his frame was almost twice the width of her own, and even the size of his hand in hers suddenly became dwarfing. Looking away quickly for fear that she may lose her nerve, Kathryn spotted a shop a few doors down that may have potential. Now it was just a question of if she could get there, and purchase what she needed.
"Come on I want to buy you a new dress, one that you can wear to the ball at the end of the week." Elderon said stunning Kathryn out of her thoughts as he pulled her in to the shop. Kathryn followed him, but she had not forgotten about what she had decided to do, now all she had to do was find a window of opportunity.
As Elderon approached the desk a clerk came out from behind it and greeted Elderon by name, shaking his hand and giving Kathryn a quick once over.
"So this is the woman you have been telling me about, I do wish you had brought her in sooner, look this dress is far too long. Too tight in the bust and ill-fitting at the waist." The clerk flitted around Kathryn like a bee round a honey pot. To her horror the man then took out what looked like a tape measure and pulled it out to arms width. Kathryn immediately tried to back away, moving towards the door as Elderon took hold of her elbow.
"It's not going to hurt." He chided at her as Kathryn held off giving him an icy glare. She knew perfectly well that it wasn't going to hurt, she just didn't like being touched by people she didn't know. It seemed however that she had little choice as Elderon held her still whilst the clerk started taking measurements. Kathryn didn't like the feel of his hands on her body, it was bringing back memories of the day pervious and the incident in the basement. She knew rationally that this situation was entirely different, that this man was not going to be doing anything except getting her size. But it was somehow worse than what Tom had done, and Kathryn knew that was because she trusted Tom, even now, even with the tiniest doubt still nagging her at the back of her mind, she knew she still trusted him. As the clerk measured her waist and moved on to her bust Kathryn involuntarily tightened her hand in to a fist, as though she was going to strike the man. Elderon's cough made her blink and relax the muscles in her right arm and fingers, he was glaring down at her as she looked back at him and gave him a sweet smile. If Elderon saw the insincerity of it he did not show it, for he smiled right along back at her as the clerk finished.
"Well I think I have something for you, I will have to make some adjustments, but I know when I am done you will be the envy of every other man at that ball." The clerk said and Elderon's smile only grew bigger. Kathryn was beginning to see a way in, if she wanted Elderon to trust her, she would have to play along with his requirements of her. The dress was a good a starting point as any and now as the clerk walked to the rear of the shop Kathryn turned to look at Elderon who was examining another dress on a hanger beside them.
"You know I am going to require some new under garments, I only have one pair with me." Kathryn said feeling her face colour at the topic of conversation, but also knowing that it had to be done.
"Of course we shall buy some today, I was unsure of your size you see." Elderon said taking an obvious look at Kathryn's chest but she ignored it and held the smile on her face.
"I would very much like to surprise you by buying them myself." Kathryn said her voice dropping slightly as she placed her hand over his and rubbed the pad of her thumb across his tough skin. The feel of it was making her want to swallow the bile that was threatening to rise in her throat, but again she held in the emotion and held her smile.
"Umm a surprise, I have to say I am tempted, but I cannot risk you running off again." Elderon said holding Kathryn's eyes and his smile faltering slightly at the edges.
"I promise I won't, how will I survive, with no money, no transport, someone will just sell me off again, and they might not be as good to me as you." Kathryn replied knowing it was what Elderon had been waiting to hear for a long time now. The slipping smile on his face suddenly broadened and he ran his hands up Kathryn's shoulders and rested them lightly either side of her neck.
"I do have some business to take care of at the bank, I will only be a short while, and you may go then. But be warned if you do not return I will have a warrant issued for your arrest, and I will still have Tom." Elderon's words weren't simply threats they were promises and Kathryn nodded her head. She understood perfectly well, but she had every intention of coming back, for her plan to work it was a must. Before she could further elaborate on a reply however the clerk came back with a beautiful blood red dress over his arm. Kathryn couldn't help but admire it as he held it up for them to examine. The halter neck plunged low, but not as far as the black one she had to wear the other night. The skirt was light and full and would hang all the way to the floor.
"Perfect when will it be ready?" Elderon asked as he ran his hand across it and felt the softness of the material.
"Two days, I can have it delivered to your house." The clerk replied and Elderon patted the man on the shoulder.
"That would be wonderful and I will make sure there is a little something extra for you when I send payment." Elderon smiled at the man and Kathryn could do nothing but roll her eyes at the exchange. She had basically been a tailor's dummy through this entire procedure, and as they left Kathryn couldn't help but smile, a small one meant only for herself at how easy it was to fool people into thinking you were as dumb as the next slave.
Tom had spent the day cleaning out the bathroom where he and Kathryn had taken their shower. It seemed like such a long time ago now, but it in reality had been less than a week. As Tom scrubbed the glass surrounding the shower clean, his thoughts drifted back to that day. To Kathryn's face just as he had been about to kiss her. How her eyes had softened then almost closed as he drew nearer. Her hands wrapped around his neck, encouraging him forward. As Tom's eyes slipped closed now trying to conjure the image once more he found it replaced with the cold dark of the basement. Kathryn's pained face and her grunts of pain, the ones she had tried to hide but he had heard as loud and as clear as though they were being shouted in a deserted room. Those cries echoed in his ears now as he snapped his eyes open and found that he had been scrubbing the same part of the glass door for ages.
Shaking his head and moving on to the base of the shower Tom rid himself of the images and sounds of the previous day and thought back on breakfast. Kathryn had not looked mad, or hurt or broken, she had looked worried for him, and almost happy when he had finally looked her in the eyes. But it wasn't that that had peaked his interest, it had been the look she had given him as Elderon spoke about having a drink together in the evening. Tom thought back on that look, then at the times he had seen it before. He couldn't help but come to the conclusion that Kathryn had a plan, for the first time in what seemed like forever Tom allowed a small smile to grace his lips before it fell back in to a grimace.
Standing up having completed his task of cleaning the bathroom, Tom gathered up his things and walked out of the door. Moving back towards the kitchen knowing that Kaylore would be in there preparing dinner Tom paused for a moment before entering the room. He had a sinking feeling that Kathryn's plan had something to do with not being around for those drinks, to whilst she was out with Elderon make good her escape. As Tom stood there looking at the dark wood of the kitchen door, he couldn't in all good faith blame her if she did.
Elderon has been as good as his word, he had gone off to the bank leaving Kathryn with plenty of money to purchase what she needed. Coming out of the shop she had spotted earlier, Kathryn's heart was going ten to the dozen inside her chest. She knew she had a while before Elderon was due to meet her, but until she was away from the shop and browsing at clothes in a shop window her pulse had a mind of its own. Looking at the prices Kathryn realised that she didn't have enough money left to buy the things in this particular shop. Moving towards the market Kathryn spotted a stall that was carrying just what she needed. Having no intention of letting Elderon seeing what she was buying, and knowing that the promise of special viewing later would put him off examining her purchases. Kathryn brought some nice but practical set of underwear. Looking up at the giant clock that hung in view of the entire square Kathryn realised that she had better get a move on if she didn't want to be late. Moving through the square she was stopped suddenly by a hand on her arm. Pulling back sharply she turned to glare at the person who had grabbed her. As she recognised the person who had dropped their hand to the side and was now looking at her with a broad smile on their face Kathryn looked around the market.
"I am surprised to see you here, and alone." Kopeck said shifting his eyes across Kathryn's body as she backed away from him slightly and continued to scan the area for Elderon. This was one of the few times when she wished he was here. Not that she didn't think she could handle Kopeck under different circumstances. But Kathryn was pretty sure injuring one of Darfur's noblemen was a serious offence.
"Just doing some shopping." Kathryn said as sweetly as she could as Kopeck moved even closer to her, until he was basically standing over her. Causing Kathryn to almost have to bend over backwards to look up at his face.
"May I see what you brought, the stall you were looking at carries some interesting items." Kopeck said with an obvious leer in his voice. Before Kathryn could tell him to go to hell however Elderon had pulled the lecherous man away from her.
"Whatever she brought is not for your eyes Kopeck so I suggest you continue on with your own business." Elderon said keeping his voice low and threatening. It was the tone he had use when he had pinned Kathryn to the bed. Now it had the same effect at subduing its recipient, as Kopeck backed away with a small incline of his head. Elderon turned around and smiled down at Kathryn as she looked up at him and clutched her bag tight to her chest.
"Well what's say we get home then you can show me what you brought." Elderon said with a sight raise of his eyebrow and Kathryn felt that murderous feeling return once more.
Tom was sat in the study cleaning glasses when the front door opened and he heard voices. One of them was clearly Kathryn and he beamed with happiness. Over the past few hours he had convinced himself that Kathryn would not be returning that evening. Finishing his last glass quickly Tom rushed out of the door and as his eyes fell upon Kathryn it seemed like she sensed his presence. Her head turned slowly until their eyes met across the expanse of hallway between them. Tom could almost feel the air crackle with tension as for a second there was just the two of them in the room. It was not long enough however for either of them to convey the many emotions that needed to be explained and as Kathryn turned her head at the call of her name Tom found himself routed to the spot. When he thought she was not coming back Tom would have given everything he had to see her again, but now Kathryn was back he didn't know if he could face her. Finally his own name was being called and he had no option but to move.
Entering the kitchen Tom saw that Kathryn was already seated and he went over to his usual seat opposite her. Sitting down Tom picked up his utensils and began picking at his food, the pressure on his leg made him snap his eyes up and they immediately connected with Kathryn's. Tom glanced at Elderon, but he was not looking, he was too busy wolfing down his meal to notice and Tom was sure that Kathryn was well aware of this fact.
"We need to talk." She mouthed and Tom nodded knowing that this conversation was inevitable. He was at least looking forward to explaining himself, but he did worry about her reaction. Nodding in response Tom wondered just how they were going to have a conversation with Kaylore and Elderon in the room with them. Deciding that until the meal was over there was no way they were going to be able to pull it off, Tom went back to eating, or at least attempting to eat. Glancing up at Kathryn now and again Tom noticed that she was not really enjoying her meal either. She was pushing it around her plate and only taking meagre bites.
"Well as usual that was excellent Kaylore, now I am going to have a shower and change out of these clothes. Will you make sure that the study has a full complement of liquor, I would like Tom and Kathryn to try everything we have to offer." Elderon said getting up and giving them both a nod. His eyes lingered on Kathryn, and she smiled at him in return. Tom was confused by the pleasant response from her, and he wondered if something had happened on their trip out that had changed Kathryn's opinion of their jailor. Tom's thoughts then flashed back to what Elderon had said last night. How Kathryn had been upset with him, how she had felt betrayed, was it Tom's own actions that had pushed her closer to Elderon? Tom wondered for a moment as the door closed behind Elderon and Kaylore stood up.
"You two can clear the dinner things away, I will be in the study." Kaylore said and suddenly they were alone, the time to talk had come, and Tom didn't know if he had ever been more afraid in his life.
Again apologies for the late update, I will endeavour to bring you more soon. Thank you for reading XxX