Part II: The Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 51 The Midwife

mild sexually explicit content

Maria's pov

March came with some much needed warmer weather. There was still snow on the ground and it was still considerably cold. But the days were sunnier and the snow was only boot deep with even the occasional bare patch in which the earth below could be seen.

Weeks have gone by since Robin was returned to me nearly fatally injured. I sat by his bedside for many days whilst he recovered. Becoming overjoyed as he regained his strength and healed. I encouraged him to push himself when needed and insisted he rest when I felt he pushed himself too far. He was up and about now but not quite back to how he was before. He kept an arm wrapped around his ribs as if securing himself in place, bracing himself against the pain that lingered and grew with exertion.

They were few casualties on our side but many were wounded. The guards and clansmen began training again, drafting boys as young as the age of twelve. The promise of their ability to contribute when they became of age to the small De Noir army a solace. Lord De Noir vowing to never allow such weakness to penetrate their forces again.

Lord Killian arrived by invitation of my father-in-law. He was attended by an entourage of his own crimson clad guards, meek looking servants, a somber, harsh looking right hand man and a young beautiful girl with rich chocolate brown hair that fell in shiny waves to her small waist. She was adorned in crimson and gold. With shimmery gold ribbons weaved through the plaits in her hair at her temples. She had a flawless olive complexion and large doe-like eyes that matched the rich color of her hair. She was Lord Killian's only daughter, Lady Anastasia.

Why Lord Killian brought his young daughter, I did not understand. Not until I watched as Mr. Bagsley summoned Catcher and escorted him into his Uncle's study after our ominous guests.

"This is an outrage!" Catcher cried the following day at supper, shoving his plate away from him in a huff and turning to scowl at his father. "She is too bloody young and I don't want to wait around for her to come of age, I am already twenty-one I won't let my youth beguile me. And I don't want to marry her. Dare you sell me off like a pig for slaughter!"

I looked to Robin and back to Lord De Noir and Sir Henry and then back to Robin again. I could see by his reaction that Robin already knew. Of course he knew. Robin had suffered the most by Lord Killian's dispulsion of the treaty that led to a war between the two enemy clans.

Now I knew why Lord Killian had presented his young beautiful daughter yesterday. Now I understood why he was invited here at all after what he had done. It was a move known all to well throughout history as we all know it. A betrothal made to settle a dispute between two wealthy, rivaling families.

Lord Killian desired for his daughter the wealth and status that Catcher could provide second to Robin. That, I had learnt prior, was what Lord Killian loathed most about the De Noirs. Not the land dispute, not the revenues from the warf but the fact that Robin was purposed to Lady Anastasia many years ago. But it was I who was the cause for breaking that promise. Another reason why Lord De Noir had been so against me in the beginning.

"Nonsense, son. You will do as you are told. There is no say on the matter. You will marry the Lady Anastasia as soon as she comes of age. And in the mean time you may continue the company of your women." Sir Henry admonished.

"I will be an old man before I can bare children with her. I won't stand for it!"

"Rubbish! She is not nearly as young as you believe. Surely you don't believe you will age so in just three years time?"

"Catcher, Lady Anastasia is a very beautiful and noble girl. Who would be better suited for you?" Emmeline urged, leaning forward and placing a small hand over her son's fist atop the table. He jerked his hand out form under hers and his eyes landed on mine. I struggled to breath at the implication of this action, praying that no one else read into as I. He continued to hold my gaze, almost looking straight through me.

"Does she not please you, son?"

Catcher tore away from me and his gaze narrowing in at his father as he pondered. He creased his brow as if he had no understanding of the words Sir Henry spoke. "She is but a child, I hardly took notice if she pleased me or not." He spat the words with disgust, appalled that his family could suggest such a thing. "For who could look upon a child and think of her as a wife?"

"Surely you could see her beauty and grace. And her purity will be reserved for you of course." Sir Henry offered in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

With that Catcher snatched his wine goblet from the table, tipped his head back and swallowed the last of it's contents in one gulp. Then he shoved off from the table and trudged out of the dining hall, kicking open the door and letting it slam with an echoing bang. I heard Robin chuckling beside me and Sir Henry shot him a warning look.

"He'll come off it." Robin shrugged and continued on with his meal unfazed by the outburst.

"Perhaps we should inform him that he will inherit the manor?" Emmeline whispered to Sir Henry. Her words causing the wine Robin just drank to catch in his throat. He coughed and sputtered.

"What's this? Father, is this true?" Robin demanded. My heart sped up as I comprehended the possibility. If Catcher would inherit the manor by this marriage then surely we would rid ourselves of him for good. I squeezed Robin's arm, a silent reprimand, telling him to control his anger.

"It is so, son." Lord De Noir replied emotionlessly.

"Very well. But Maria and I get the summerhouse. Exclusively."

"It is already yours."

"Good." Replied Robin arrogantly. His father scoffed and then returned to his meal appearing bored again. I glanced at Emmeline and she ever so slightly shook her head and hid a smile behind a deep red serviette.

As Robin regained his strength he and I had begun to spend much more time outside the walls of the castle. I craved the time we spent together. Just as we had before winter had come. In the forest again. Although this time brought more company, and it was more than welcoming.

I came to greatly enjoy Robin's closest friends and feeling my age again. And I had enjoyed becoming acquainted with most of the castle guards and the laughing at the foolish banter they shared with Robin and the other boys.

I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. And I started to greatly enjoy my new life again. I had expressed my concerns to Robin about his cousin, although rather cryptically. We had never retouched on the conversation we started on the night Lord Killian's men attacked but I felt better about it. And now that there was more a possibility of getting rid of Catcher than there was before, I felt I could really relax.

It was a Monday morning. I was finally meeting with the midwife. I was on my back in my bed in my own private chambers with the skirts of my black velvet gown pushed up to my breasts. The Midwife's plump, warm hands had been busily palpating my round belly and recording measurements in a small journal that was sat in her lap.

"You appear to be the right size for your seventh month. And how often are you experiencing these pains?"

"Several times each day, I'd say..."

She nodded and scribbled into her journal.

"Now if you would just bare with me for a moment, I am going to exam you internally." The Midwife began, casting her eyes over to Robin who had stopped pacing as her words registered in his mind. Standing frozen at the opposite side of the bed and staring down at the midwife. He had insisted on staying in the room against the Midwife's wishes. She paused awaiting Robin's approval or disapproval. When Robin only stared back at her blankly she continued. My knee was propped up and I flinched at the feel of her invasive fingers.

I glanced over at Robin who looked as if he regretted his decision to stay. His eyes were wide and he was still frozen in place, brows raised and lips parted. I looked away and focused on one of the paintings on the far wall, wincing as her fingers pressed in further and then were removed abruptly. She quickly rinsed her hands in a small basin of water that she had placed on the bedside table.

"Just as I suspected, dear. What you have been experiencing is not to be of concern. You are having what we call 'practice labour', merely contractions that are not progressing into labour. I have examined your cervix and it is as it should be. The contractions you are having are not causing you to dilate." She paused allowing her words to sink in. I looked to Robin again who now wore a grimace and had wrapped a hand around the back of his neck.

"Now if the pains become more than bothersome and if you have any amount of bleeding contact me immediately. Day or night!"

"Yes, of course Mrs. Abbot. Thank you."

"I shall return in three weeks. Normally four but seeing as you have already been experiencing practice labour, and this being your first pregnancy, I'd prefer to keep a closer watch on you. Good luck to you both. It was a pleasure meeting you. Gooday!" She called from the door and Corrine escorted her out through the castle.

"Well that was awkward." Robin chuckled, moving around the bed and sitting beside me. He rested his hand over my stomach and rubbed it in slow circles.

"I kind of enjoyed the fact that I've been the only person inside you..." He teased.

"Honestly Robin, that mind of yours! Besides if you think on it this baby is the only person inside me."

Robin flinched, "Hmm...now that sounds rather peculiar, doesn't it? Hard to imagine a real little person in there."

"Yes and one that we created." I said seductively, leaning into him more closely.

"A right fun night that was too. I was a lucky bloke that night..." Robin teased and kissed my neck. I shoved him off of me and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

"Robin, Don't be such a prat!"

"What? I didn't think you as easy or anything like that. I promise." He picked up my hand in his and kissed the back of it. His eyes twinkled playfully. "But I sure was miffed that it wasn't for nearly four months before I could have you again. Had to take matters into my own hands every night as the sound of your voice moaning my name echoed through my head." His other hand curled around the back of my neck and he pulled me against him, pressing his lips against mine and then moving down to nip and kiss at my neck.

"And I bet you did too..." He mumbled against my skin. "Tell me what these little hands did, where they travelled beneath your linens in that time before I could touch you again." His next kiss came so fervently we fell back and Robin moved over me as best he could despite my belly. His hand curled around my breast and he moaned.

"I did no such thing..." I whispered and he chuckled lustfully. "No worries, Maria. You can tell me. Or perhaps, you'd prefer to show me." He gingerly grabbed my wrist and slid my hand down between my legs, pressing his fingers over mine to push them against myself. He chuckled again as I fought back a moan.

"Like this?" He inquired, his eyes smoldering darkly and his voice heavy and low. He moved my hand in a circular motion. "Tell me, did you touch yourself like this and think of me?"

He brushed my hand away and took over with his. Fingers circling and penetrating, eliciting moans from my lips. I writhed beneath him and gasped when he pressed up and stroked his fingers against me, "Did you?" He whispered.

"...Yes..." I whispered, pressing my hips up to meet his fingers. Desiring for release. Aching for the feel of his lips against mine. He pressed in deeper and I moaned into the crook of his neck.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes I brought my hands down beneath the linens whilst I thought of you. Whilst I dreamed of the way you touched me for the first time. The pleasures you showed me. I whispered your name into the darkness of the night as I longed for the feel of you inside me again."

"Bloody hell..." Robin whispered into my ear. He pulled me up and shed me of my clothes, working ferociously to remove his. His lips came crashing down against mine and his warm, rough hands covered my breasts. He groaned and pulled me to the edge of the bed. Glancing up at me for reassurance but by the look on my face he received his answer wordlessly. He thrust into me and I was flooded with pleasure.

His fingers dug into my thighs as he gripped them at his sides. And we shared a flash lust in our eyes. I threw my hand over my mouth in an attempt to silence my cries. An ache built in the pit of my stomach as we collided and I clutched the duvet and writhed.

Robin reached down and yanked my hand from my mouth, "I want to hear you..." He panted darkly, "Let go and come for me, Maria." His words were my undoing, I let the friction and the deep ache of him invading me overcome me and I cried out his name as the pleasure came crashing down like waves over me. And Robin followed after.

I propped up onto my elbows and stroked Robin's hair as he collapsed forward as best as he could over my firm, rounded belly. "You never cease to amaze me..." He whispered before sitting up and catching my mouth for a kiss. "Can't believe we've been married for three months and this was the first time we've shagged in here."

"Robin!"

"What? It's true. I just shagged the life out of you and you know it." Robin laughed, pressing his lips to my neck and then looking at me with his brows raised suggestively. Awaiting my admittance.

I gave a wistful sigh, sitting up to look for my dress. Robin snatched it from the floor and handed it to me. Then I gave a sly smile, "And I loved every minute of it."

"Ah, now that's my woman. No shame in enjoying a good shag from your husband." Robin smirked, triumphantly. Pleased that he got what he wanted from me. To drop my prudishness and admit.

"It appears you are succeeding at shaping me into a true De Noir." I smiled and bit my lip. I arranged my dress over my breasts and stood up to straighten the skirts.

"Next I will get you to start cursing! I will!" Robin teased. He flopped down onto his back on my bed, not bothering to dress. I flipped the duvet over him, covering him from the waist down.

"Ah, now see, I thought I got you past your prudishness?"

"Not quite, apparently." I giggled, "But I wouldn't want the chamber maid to walk in and feast her eyes on what is mine...Unless of course, she has already been given that pleasure?" I raised a brow and felt a twinge of jealously flow through me.

"Oh blimey, Maria," Robin admonished, sitting up and rummaging for his shirt, "I've never slept with any of the maids. Ever. Come now, who do you take me for? Catcher?"

I flinched at the mention of his cousin. Robin laughed. He stood up and I let my eyes wander over his nakedness. I turned away to hide my blush. Then Robin's words finally sank in.

"You mean...?"

"Oh yes. Started when he was about fifteen. Came straight to me gloating how he got one of the young maids to blow him for the first time." Robin laughed again, seemingly unfazed. He raked his fingers through his mussed hair and then placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You're looking a bit peaky. I can see you're not De Noir enough yet for this conversation. So let's leave it at that."

I gave an uneasy laugh and then pulled Robin's shirt closed for him and fastened the buttons. "No more...er...odd conversations with that wank of a cousin of mine, right?"

"No, nothing of the sort."

"Should I be worried?" Robin asked, tilting his head to the side as he studied me. I sat back down on the side of the bed and blew out a breath. Part of me wondered if I should even bother going into detail. Especially now, with the promise of doing away with Catcher with his marriage to Lady Anastasia Killian. Although that wouldn't be for three years time...

Robin sighed and slid into his trousers. He fumbled with the buckle of his belt, "Maria, I know you are holding something back from me. And it angers me that you feel you cannot trust me. What ever have I done to make you to not trust me?"

"I trust you Robin. Of course I do. I-"

"Then tell me. Tell me what exactly has been going on with Catcher. I see the effect he has on you. I am not daft, Maria. Has he threatened you?"

"He frightens me..." I admitted just barely above a whisper. Robin stood rooted before me, eyes boring into me deeply, locking me into place. "I saw him...with Caudalie once. He was nasty, vile. He hurt her, had her by the arms and threw her against a door, shook her and called her awful names. I witnessed him punishing his best mate...he-he-"

"Maria-I wish you would have told me this straightaway-"

"There's more." I interrupted feeling encouraged yet vulnerable. "I have reason to believe that he...that Catcher is dabbling into something he doesn't understand. That he's wielding Moonacre Magic. Or atleast, attempting to do so. Although why, I haven't the slightest."

"What makes you assume?"

"He has told me things. Described things that only one who has truly wielded magic would know. He once described the way I had felt exactly when-when I had harnessed the power of the Moon Pearls."

My hand rose up to cover my mouth. Astonished by the words I had allowed to slip off my tongue. A truth that had been buried so deeply within me. Robin stared back at me. He opened and then closed his mouth, brow creased. Finally he stood and paced the floor before me. I instantly regretted my confession.

"How could not tell me this?"

"Well, I am telling you now!"

"Maria, do you think it could be possible? I mean...the pearls...they were at the bottom of the sea. You jumped...I-I." Robin stopped pacing. His words came out jumbled. Finally he sat beside me. We both stared at the wall in front of us.

"What should we do?"

"Might you have any inclination as to what Catcher intends to do with such power?"

"What anyone might, really. What would anyone do with such power?"

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AN: I am not expecting to have another update for you until next week. Not because I don't have material (I have 4 chapters almost ready, a diamond in the rough) and I know exactly where this story is going. But mostly because my husband will be on Holiday the rest of this week. ( And Here's a dirty little secret: No one in my life knows I have a passion for writing & am currently writing this fanfic. Although everyone does know that I am in love with The Secret of Moonacre).

It provides to be a challenge, writing in secret :) And trying to write with a 2yr old and 4 yr old at home with me. Haha. But this story gives me life. I love it. I love this dirty little secret of mine.

A note for my fan "E.F" I forgot to mention that I am unable to PM you or reply to you on . So I wanted to assure you I am not ignoring your inquiries! Perhaps I should have been anwsering questions in my Author's Notes? Ha epiphany.