RF: The chapter you've been waiting for this past year lol
Rating: T- does get rather racey.
On with the Story! Read and Review!
Enjoy! ;)
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Father Brown was sitting down to supper in the Presbytary when Mrs. McCarthy came barging in.
A week and a half had passed since Lydia's memorial service, and Felicity had improved so well that Dr. Sherwin had approved her returning back to work just that morning...
Nathan was both elated and displeased by this- elated since Felicity would return to what she loved doing, caring for others, while at the same time dreading it because he wanted more alone time with her.
In truth he knew he was being silly and selfish- they saw and spent time together almost nightly...
Nevertheless he would be satisfied with the time he did spend with his beloved and his growing family... the boys were growing so quickly and doing so well in their tutored lessons.
Nathan knew Felicity had had plans and wanted to teach them herself being a former governess, but needs being what they were, she (and Nathan) were able to put forth extra funds for a private tutor to teach the boys their basic lessons, reading writing and arithmetic.
Nathan, Bridgette and even Sid would help and care for the boys with assignments when Felicity was late coming home from the hospital.
Nathan turned to Mrs. McCarthy now, an eyebrow raised, yet said nothing. The boys were back with Lissie, Alan and Emily, though Lissie had hinted yesterday that she had a surprise for him...
Let her say her piece and she'll be gone that much sooner... he thought.
"Father, forgive me for disturbin you this late... erm, this was dropped off for you at the church."
Nathan eyed her with a disapproving frown.
"How do you know its mine, Mrs. McCarthy?"
Hoping against hope her nosey disposition didnt lead her to opening his post,he took a deep breath and smelled a pleasing scent.
Oh... He smiled, knowing the sender immediately. What did they want?
"Well, your initials for one thing... but i find it odd someone would send reference to two ships and their compartments..."
That did it. Father Brown rolled his eyes to heaven for her to see.
"Yes, thank you Mrs. McCarthy. If that will be all, I bid you goodnight!"
Sensing the ire in his tone, she huffed 'well' and muttered about some people never being grateful or satisfied about anything...
Nathan felt a twinge of guilt as he thanked her, ushered her out of the door, and then raced back to the table to find out the contents of the letter.
Opening it, he reveled in the light Jasmine scent, and knew instantly without having to scan the handwriting whom the letter was from.
Two ships and compartments? He looked at the contents of the note.
S.S. 2-4a, 7,12S.S. 2:1, 3-8
Nathan scratched his head until he saw the second notation.
Instantly he grabbed for his favorite reading volume, King James, instead of the traditional Catholic tome.
Nathan had an odd feeling about the latter version.(1)
Nevertheless, he turned to his contents, and skimmed down...
a ship...
"Gen, ex, lev, num, duet... psalm prov, Ecclesiastes...No thats not it..."
He rolled his eyes until he came upon the next book...
"Song of Solomon..." Nathan furrowed his eyebrows.
Wait... abbreviated, Song of Solomon was S.S.
Nathan chuckled, then blushed. Song of Songs was written in reference to lovers...
"Help me, Lord..." Nathan prayed as he continued, his heart pounding...
The first reference 2-4a was slightly confusing... until he realized the notation referred to the first chapter.
Naughty minx he grinned as he read.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you! Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Nathan felt uncomfortable heat, a strange, foreign, yet familiar desire consume him.
Felicity was waiting for him. But where?
why had she specifically written 4a?
He glanced down at 4b
Let the king bring me into his chambers...
Oh, right...
Nathan fought the blush and grin but was helpless to stop either...
Shaking his head, Nathan turned his attention to the second reference, S.S. 2.3-8.
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love. Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.
Ah ha!
Quickly thinking about the church estate, he remembered there was a hill about 7 yards away which led to the clearing and the old oak tree, known for giving its shade.
Nathan laughed to himself. He took naps out there all the time when weather permitted.
How had she known?!
He felt that familiar tightness in his fingers... He felt like a tiger on the prowl... wanting to hunt...
"Alright, steady on, lad... she brings out the stag in you alright, but you're also not as young as you once were..."
There were so many thoughts in his head at that moment.
He was a Catholic priest! She was a Protestant widow! He had responsibilities, to the Vatican, to the church, to his flock, one of which Felicia, his darling Felicity was an occasional attendee! Could he afford to give in to an organ so deceitful as his heart?
Or any other organ his mind sneered cynically.
Flushing, Nathan shook his head in prayer
The love of a man and woman is holy too...
Where had he heard that before?
He sighed.
He could at least go and see what she had to say...
Rising and standing before the mirror, he noticed himself tall, humble, in his cassok, but at this moment in time, he didn't feel like a priest.
He didnt feel like man with the weight of the world, and the church on his shoulders.
He felt like Nathan Alexander Brown, Leftenant Chaplain in Her Majesty's British Army.
He felt thirty-five again, meeting a girl, fighting to near death for her honor... that girl having been the daughter of his mentor at Oxford.
Had he not pledged his life as a priest, what could he have been?
A minister, perhaps. Still loving and caring for souls for the Kingdom, and yet... there would be changes, changes he couldn't begin to comprehend...
He would actually be married to his beloved instead of hiding and pretending there was nothing between them!
They would have a home of their own with the children, and perhaps a friend for Gillespie.
As if the dog understood his thoughts, he raised his head.
These thoughts made Nathan smile.
What if he started now, those changes?
Reaching up to his neck, he unfastened one, then another, and then another of the buttons, untill all thirty-three were unfastened...
Nathan felt as if a chainmail had been lifted from his body.
"Lord, if I am not to do this, tell me now... close the door..."
Nothing, just the continual pounding in his heart, and stomach...
Taking a deep breath, he walked to the door, grabbing the black woolen cloak he'd found as well as the walking stick Sid had made for him.
He took one last look around his home, after this evening, things wouldn't be the same...
Felicia blinked, trying not to yawn, and yet, her heart pounded into her stomach, preventing her from thinking about sleep.
She had had a long tiring day at the hospital- it was time to turn in according to her watch, but she had promised her beloved fiancée a surprise...
Her stomach in knots, Felicity went back and forth with herself if she was to continue on with this surprise or not.
If Fanny or Robert found out about this they would certainly not be amused...
"Father, if I'm to pack this lot up, and head home, tell me now"
Nothing, except the pouding in her heart and stomach...
"Well, I tried." Felicia muttered as she shrugged.
She looked at the spread again, hoping things were just right... after all, it hadn't been easy getting everything up here without the car...
An extra blanket or two for stargazing, and the lantern, along with the food spread that she had enjoyed making.
Raisins, apples, a chicken curry over rice her mother's maid Jewel had taught her how to make.
Chocolate fondue with grapes, apples, biscuits, and a new bottle of the La Ponté wine Nathan had loved as an inheritance after the loss of a dear friend...
Glancing at the chicken dish, she remembered making it for Xander at the beginning of their marriage.
He'd spat it out at her, slapped her saying it was "too damn spicy" and "why cant you learn to cook a decent meal", then turned over the whole table.
Felicia had never been more humiliated...She sniffled, then gasped as she heard someone behind her.
"A rose among thorns is my love among the many maidens."
Felicia gasped and jumped suddenly when Nathan touched her shoulder gently.
"Oh! Father Brown! what are you doing out here this late?"
Frowning at her, he stooped to her level.
"Felicity...now is not a time to play games... I know it was you who sent that note." he purred.
Felicia blushed when he called her 'Felicity', especially in such a tone...
She felt guilty for playing coy.
"How did you like it?" she smiled.
"I thought it was pure genius" he grinned cheekily, kissing her forehead.
Felicia blushed.
-Nathan, I...
-Felicity, dearest...
He saw the pain and fear in her eyes as she looked up at him.
He tried not to allow anger and possessiveness overtake him as he put down his stick and brought her into his arms.
"Tonight we shall discover what could have been- what soon will be!" he half whispered, half growled in her ear.
"I love you, Felicity, and I always have!"
"Nathan..." she sighed quietly as he claimed her lips as his own, roughly and gently, intense and serenely.
She gasped then giggled as he pushed her down, moving from her lips, to her cheek, down to her neck, her skirt rising higher on her leg as she began to wrap herself around him...
Forget...
Tonight, together... they would forget everything about their past, the issues and problems that had plagued them the last two years...
They would forget about Talbot, St. Mary's, the Vatican, Lydia's death, the priesthood, worries about the children...
They would forget about Thomas' death... Xander Montegue...
Nathan growled then and nuzzled Felicity's neck... replacing kisses and light nips to her skin with each cause, each source of worry...
He held her gently, smoothing his large hands on her petite frame, rubbing gently up and down her hips, sides and back where Xander had beaten and harmed her...
Even atop him she was shivering and shaking...
She was scared to let go... she remembered what the past had been like...
Nathan had been her first love and they had been denied the chance of that love growing and blossoming...
"Let go, my love... I'm right here, sweetness...shhh..."
He leaned up again to bring her to his lips, determined to help her overcome her fears...
"I will not harm you my darling... I. love. you..." he hissed.
Felicity sobbed as she finally jumped off the precipice into her lover's arms... metaphorically and physically collapsing into his form reading and willing to catch her when she fell.
Nathan stifled a grunt as she leaned into him harshly, causing him to fall on his back. He wanted her to feel free to kiss him; feel free to wrap herself around him, holding him as tightly as he was holding her...
There... she squeezed tighter and squealed when their tongues collided, their bodies melding together as one...
Good thing Robert and Fanny weren't there at the moment...
"Oooh... Lissie..." groaned Nathan hoarsely into her ear.
"Darling, if only you knew the depth of my love for you..." He kissed her lips violently, rubbing her ribs, up to her arms, tangling his hands in her hair as she squirmed and wiggled under him...
"N-nathan, hehe... Nathan... darling, mmm dearest... ahh the food will get cold..."
He moved, looking directly, hungrily into her eyes.
"That's why God created man, and man created ovens! Now hold still..."
Felicity laughed out loud, then squeaked when he did something to her ear with his teeth...
"Alright...alright, love..." she sighed as she half-heartedly pushed him off so she could get up... with little success.
He took that as a sign to continue kissing her hair, face, lips and neck... daring to go lower.
Felicia gulped, horrible memories entering her mind, memories of Xander doing this, because he could, and her getting no pleasure from it at all...
Felicity knew Nathan was no Xander. He would never harm her, but her scarred mind and spirit felt otherwise.
She made a half hearted attempt to push him off again, but also didnt want him to stop tickling her ribs...
She moved again; dreading he'd stop and dreading he'd continue.
"We'll get arrested if we continue..."
As if by magic, he ended their romantic "roll in the grass", knowing that to get caught doing such things in public would land them both in jail...
Grumpily, Nathan relented, sat up, and frowned at her.
He hadn't wanted to stop, and he had a feeling she too was enjoying herself before she tensed up.
Mentally he cursed himself for his not listening to her movements.
She had enjoyed his attentions at first and then must have had memories back during another time...
He growled and cursed her dead husband in his head.
Something bright orange caught Nathan's eye before he could address the issue; he looked around with awe at the spread, as it caught his eye.
"Felicity... dearest, did you do all of this?"
Blushing, Felicia nodded. "Almost word for word"
He grinned wickedly, popping a grape into his mouth.
Glancing at him, Felicia blushed, shook her head, and continued unravelling their supper.
Nathan noticed her blush, and got the feeling she'd been ill-at-ease with his ravishment...
Had he hurt her, or frightened her?
Sensing his thoughts, Felicia smiled at Nathan, determined not to let memories of the past haunt her.
She was determined to be happy... to be free to love Nathan, the way he deserved, the same way he loved and cherished her.
"Lissie, I need to know Darling... Are you alright? Did I frighten you?"
Tears welled in her eyes.
"You could never frighten me, Nathan. I love you! I just remember..." she shivered.
He wrapped his arms strong and protective around her, breathing in her scent.
"Did he... force...himself on you?"
Silence
Nathan took that to mean yes.
"He never told me he loved me. He just wanted, that... always... no connection, no sweetness as what you and I share..."
If ever the former priest loathed his enemy more, it was in that moment.
Had not Xander during their duel illuded to his and Felicia's union in carnal relation only?
Love your enemies... Bless those who curse you...
He's dead, Lord!
All the more reason that My Grace is all sufficient for you to obey Me, My son...
He hurt her!
There is a time for everything under Heaven...
Nathan flushed ruefully as he knew what seasons his Heavenly Father referred to.
A time to heal
A time to love
A time to uproot what was once planted...
It had not been time for Nathan and Felicity to marry so young.
If they had married young they wouldn't have Sid, Mrs. McCarthy, the boys, they wouldn't have the precious memory of their little Lyddie...
They wouldn't have gotten to know Robert and Fanny, Marshal, the Sherwins, Alan, Emily, Faith Crabshaw among so many others...
What was more, Nathan likely wouldn't have come to a better understanding in his faith and walk with God...
For everything has its season...
Nathan's eyes filled with tears as he brought Felicity into his arms again and kissed her lips...
Thank you, Heavenly Father... he prayed.
An hour or so later, the two had finished eating, Nathan complimenting on a well cooked meal...
if only Mrs. McCarthy could learn to make dishes like this...
Felicia felt like bursting with pride... both kinds. Poor man probably went hungry most of the time...
The two also experimented feeding each other by tossing grapes, rasains, and blueberries. That had been extremely funny on both ends.
Nathan noticed she had also packed a chocolate spread, but found his thought betraying him into dangerous territory... he'd save those thoughts for after the wedding...
Now as they lay down, he in his reverend attire, she in her shift and a blue skirt, they cuddled, spooning under the blankets and his cloak, gazing at the stars.
"Mmm I could do this forever" she smiled, her head lay halfway on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. (1)
In Nathan's arms she felt warm, loved, and protected.
"Hmm" he smiled, tightening his grip around her, bringing her head closer to his neck.
He loved the feel of her hair; it was like silk...
"What if we only have tonight?" he asked.
Me and my big mouth he admonished to himself later as he noticed Felicity's look of resigned sadness.
Felicia nodded. He was right... after tonight he would resume his priestly duties.
She would probably get a knock on the door from Inspector Sullivan...
She gulped and shivered, tousling her head further in Nathan's chest.
"Whats the matter?" he asked, concerned, left hand tightening on her shoulder.
"I just dont want this night to end..."
"Mmm it doesnt have to, at least for now..."
She grinned as he switched their positions...
"What was that you said about celibacy, Father?"
The look in his eyes startled her. He looked like a tiger...
"Celibacy is for priests, my child" he hissed, grinning impishly
"Tonight I am a man of God loving the wife of my youth..."
Felicia giggled again.
"I guess we both learned something from the Rose of Virginia, then...
He laughed, then resumed their necking, which got much closer to...
"Coooeee!"
"Oh God, not now!" Felicia groaned, then yelped when Nathan bit her... somewhere...
"Father Brown! Is that you?!"
Nathan literally growled just then, as Felicity's wriggling stopped cold. He'd found her very ticklish...
"What in Heaven's Name?!" he hissed.
Felicia sat up and shrugged.
"Youd better go see before she gets over here"
By the look in Nathan's eyes, Felicia was tempted to rid the woman herself... then again, shed always been taught that men take the lead role...
Nathan got up, muttering furiously to himself, dousing the lantern three-quarters of the way, before walking over to the parish secretary.
"Mrs. McCarthy!" Father Brown grinned as he stopped twenty feet away, at the edge of the hill.
Felicity couldn't see him, but he was positively feral...
"Oh! Ah, father... I saw the lantern from the church study, and thought I should come and see what's what..."
She looked around him, and he looked too.
In the shadow she couldnt see much, the food having been packed and hidden away, Felicity nowhere in sight.
All that remained was his KJV he hadnt remembered he brought along, opened to Psalms, he presumed with a grin.
"Well, what are you doing out here? it's a bit nippy..." Nathan smiled, trying to remind himself to be gracious. In the dark of the shadows, she didn't notice his touseled appearance.
"Just settling in for a bit of reading by candlelight."Mrs. McCarthy looked as if she didn't quite believe him, but shrugged.
"To each his own, then... goodnight, Father." With a pat to his arm, she turned heading down the mountain, back to her residence.
Nathan turned back to Felicity's general area and smirked.
"You can come out now."
He heard some rustling by the tree.
Felicia came over and grinned.
"Well that was close..."
"Rather... Are you alright?"
Felicia frown as she started to scratch, especially on her back, left arm, and lower left leg.
"I'll be al-right... Just a small sp-ot of Ow... Damn these mudbugs!"
More surprised at her thought of mudbugs than her language, Nathan looked at her in alarm.
"Lissie... please don't get upset, or be afraid, darling ... on what side of the tree were you hiding?"
"The right one, why? It was farthest away from Mrs. McCarthy, so she couldn't see me..."
Nathan winced berating himself for not warning her to stay away from that area.
"I'm very sorry, my love, but im afraid you've had a brush with Toxicodendron radicans.."
Felicia looked frightened. "Poison Ivy?! Oh no!"
Unfortunately, Father Brown was at a loss of what to do... until he thought of something...
"Right, I have to insist, you do not scratch..."
Felicia looked as if she were in agony."Whyever not?!"
This caused Nathan's surprise since she was a nurse. "Because, my dear, scratching can cause the oil to spread, now, I can't lift you, but I can take your arm... we'll come back for everything later."
Felicia looked cross as she pouted. "What a way to end an affair;" she smirked at him. "though it did get pretty heated in the end..."
Nathan blushed and grinned as he picked up the bible and blankets, and rejoined her.
"I can promise you it certainly won't be our last." he purred.
She giggled.
"And it's not over just yet, Darling"Felicia raised an eyebrow.
"what do you mean by that, Father?" she purred
He looked positively wicked.
"Well, my child, after your bath, lukewarm and bubbly mind you, I do believe I have some calamine lotion to heal your... ailment"
Felicia blushed.
"And here I tried to do my best... not to arouse or awaken love until it so desires"
Nathan laughed as they got into the house.
Felicia soon set about getting herself settled for the night, with an overnight velise she'd packed... just how had she gotten past Sid?
Nathan shook his head as he found what he was looking for in the medicine chest.
"Nathan? I'm ready..."
Nathan grinned as he walked slowly to his room, Lady Felicia a vision of beauty...
Clearing his throat, Felicia looked up, smiling in a cream thin strapped gown, easy enough to see where shed gotten scratched.
Ouch he thought, then felt heated again as he thought of S.S. 1:4b
"Let the king bring me into his chambers..."
Father Nathan Brown gulped as he shut and bolted his bedroom door, he and the Countess of Guildhall the only residents within...(2)
This was going to be a long night...
1- Inspiration gained from Spare the Rod by a rabbit's shadow
2- Damien Lewis who played Soames Forsyte, graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Arts- this is in reference more to the Character and not the Actor