Thank you for your lovely comments on the last chapter Jx
Chapter 10
The king of England strolled confidently into his wife's bedchamber; he took his robe off and flung it haphazardly over a chair by the great fireplace, seemingly unconcerned with his semi nakedness.
Isabella, from her place in the vast bed quickly averted her eyes and pulled the covers up over her nightgown clad chest. She watched as her husband slid into the warmth of the covers and then pulled them back over their bodies.
Isabella breathed deeply and willed herself to calm down.
The emotion that mad her heart hammer was neither fear nor desire, it was anticipation. She did not fear Edward because she knew him to be not a harsh man, but he was still a man and men had needs, she wasn't sure she understood them or how to participate in them.
Very much like their wedding night an awkward silence fell over them both, neither breaking through the fog.
With ever so slightly trembling hands Isabella pulled at the silk ribbons on her cuff.
"I know you must be wondering why I haven't visited your bed since our wedding night, and for that I must apologies." Edward said finally breaking the tension.
Isabella thought carefully on what to say, but the truth was she had wandered and she had worried.
"I thought first that you were displeased with me, though I realise your majesty must have more pressing matters." She turned to face him as she said this and could see a small smile form on his handsome face, it calmed her somewhat.
Edward laughed lowly and shook his head, "You know, we cannot go on addressing each other as 'Your Majesty' and 'Princess' when we are alone, I can imagine that would get tedious after a while."
Isabella laughed at his suggestion and felt her muscles relax, slowly the apprehension was disappearing.
"I think that is a very good idea, Edward."
Isabella shifted to sit fully upright and smoothed the bed sheet over her lap.
"I think that neither of were fully prepared for this marriage." Edward said suddenly and very profoundly.
Isabella couldn't help but chuckle slightly at this, "it was certainly a surprise at my end, a very hasty surprise."
Edward was surprised at this and looked at her in confusion. Isabella was not surprised at his reaction.
Not wanting him to think she was an awfully ignorant child she explained the events of the night before she arrived in England. Of course she missed out the parts about her uncle's cruel show in the great chamber. Neither Edward nor anyone else here needed to know about that part of her life and her uncle treatment of her.
By the end of her story Edwards face was almost red, his arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and Isabella was glad that they were for he looked right to punch something.
His expression was black, she let out a sigh and placed her hand steadily on his forearm, "Come now, Edward, things are different in Wales. Matters such as marriage are not perhaps treated with the care they are here. My family and kingdom are small; when decisions are made they are acted on promptly." She explained evenly.
The large man seemed to relax a little and ran his hand through his hair. "It should not have been that way, Isabella." He said, voice grave.
She merely shrugged her shoulders, "What's done is done, forget it happened. If you can forgive my family for that then I can forgive you for ignoring me all week."
It was best that he knew know before someone else told him.
Edward looked at her hesitantly, expecting to see anger in his new wife's face, something he had been dreading all week. Instead he spotted a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Oh don't look so worried, I fear that if I were to be angry at you then we shall get nowhere and carry on as perfect strangers."
Now he sat there in disbelief.
"I had not expected you to be so calm. This is indeed a weight off of my mind." He breathed a sigh of relief and slumped down in the bed as if all the weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.
Isabella couldn't help but laugh at how silly he looked.
"I must say I am very lucky to have a wife who is so forgiving." He said and shot her a rueful smile.
Though the mood had turned decidedly playful she wanted to say to him that her forgiveness only stretches so far.
"I think I need a drink." Edward exclaimed suddenly and climbed out of bed and poured two glasses of claret and carried them back to the bed.
He passed her a large class of claret, "Drink it, it make things easier." He said referring to the reason for his visit.
She took the class from his hand and drank down the rich liquid.
"I assume my sister told you about the hunt tomorrow?"
Isabella nodded and took another sip of her drink.
"It's going to be a great day, there is nothing quite like a hunt at my court." Edward exclaimed in excitement.
Isabella offered him a small smile and said "Yes, she did, I look forwards to it."
By now both of their classes were empty and Edward had had enough of talking. He took both of their glasses and placed them in the table by the bed.
With his large hand he stroked down the side of her face, his deep green eyes bore into her seeking something he wanted to hear.
"You are aware of why I have come to you tonight?" he asked carefully.
"Yes." With that he kissed her hard on the lips and pushed her gently back onto the bed, her head nestled into the plump pillows.
"I promise you I will not harm you." He told her and kissed her once more on the lips.
She merely nodded, not trusting her voice.
Not a word was said from then on in, just looks and half hidden shuddering breaths. A symphony of uncertainty and human urges.
Isabella felt Edward large hands stroke down her body, warming an awakening skin. His touch was so different from the last time; it felt as if he was taking his time, learning her body almost.
She didn't know what to do, so she let her husband lead the way.
When Edwards hands reached her the warmth in-between her legs, an involuntary shiver rippled through her. It was not entirely unpleasant.
Edwards breathing had hitched up; she could feel his heart pounding beneath his night shirt.
"You're so warm." He moaned into the crook of her neck.
His breathing had deepened and his hot breath fanned out across her chest. The sensation between her legs seamed to spread up and warm her body, Isabella's hands found their way to her husband broad shoulders and gripped on to them as her body started to hum.
"Christ." Edward groaned and then with very little ceremony he thrust his powerful hips forward connecting their bodies with a jolt.
"Ah!" Isabella gasped squeezing her eyes shut tight.
Edwards's body tensed as it writhed above hers. His exclamations of pleasure rough against her sensitive skin. A strange bubble of feeling, she couldn't quiet explain it, began to creep up her body and made her gasp her breath and cling tighter to Edwards shoulders.
"Dear God Isabella!" Edward ground out, then came shuddering to a stop. With his hand firmly pressed into her hip, collapsed sweaty and sated onto the bed next to her.
Isabella's lungs gasped for air now that his heavy body was gone from her, she realised surprised that that time was much less painful and as awkward than the first. Eventually her breathing evened out and she was able to pull the covers back over her body.
Edward had now composed himself and with a flushed face turned to her, his hazy eyes searching her face.
"Are you well? Did I hurt you?" he asked, referring to his not entirely gently treatment of her. Bella paused to take note of her body, her ribs hurt but that was mainly due to her corset and there was barely an ache between her legs.
"Aye, I am well husband." She replied and offered him a small smile.
Her husband satisfied with her answer leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek and bid her good night, then turned over and fell quickly asleep.
Isabella, either in a state of mild shock or extreme tiredness, or perhaps even both, turned to her lay on her side and slipped fast asleep.
Copulation was still very much a mystery to Isabella, but her new husband, however was now much less of one.
Thank you for reading. XJ
