Marcus gently shook Devin awake. "Wake up Devin." He said in her ear. Devin opened her eyes. When she seen Marcus bending over her she shoved him as hard as she could. It didn't even budge him. Marcus grinned. "You're a feisty wench that's for sure." He said. "Get the hell away from me." She yelled at him. Marcus picked her up and took her over to the tub. "I thought M'Lady might want a bath." He said. She quit struggling. The thought of a hot bath was very appealing. Marcus set her down. He begin to take her gown off. She slapped his hands away. "I've been bathing myself for some years now, I don't need any help." She snapped. "Nevertheless I'm going to help you bathe." He said in a stern tone. "I hate you!" she snapped. Marcus just smiled. He pulled the gown over her head and turned her around so she could step in the tub. Marcus's breath caught when he saw her back and shoulders. She was covered with welts from a whip. Some were bleeding. God she must be in terrible pain. "Who did this to you child?" he asked. "Who do you think? My father did this when I refused to marry you and again the other day when you visited." She said quietly. Marcus wanted to go beat that old bastard to death. Marcus lifted her and set her in the tub of steaming water. Devin sighed. It felt like pure heaven. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Marcus went to the door and opened it. "Maggie, Bring me some liniment." He yelled. "Yes M'Lord" Devin heard someone answer. "Devin, this is Maggie, she will be your maid." Marcus said. Devin opened her eyes. Maggie was a gray haired plump lady with twinkling blue eyes. "Hello Maggie." Devin said. "M'Lady." Maggie said smiling at her. She turned and left. Devin closed her eyes again. Devin felt hands on her. She looked up to see Marcus rubbing a soapy cloth over her arms. Devin knew she should protest, but it felt too good, so she let him continue. He washed her face and neck, then lifted each leg and rubbed the cloth over them. God it felt good Devin thought. He then rubbed the soapy cloth over her breasts. Devin let out a small moan. "Feel good?" Marcus asked. She opened her eyes and looked into to his. "Yes." She said. It still amazed Marcus that she was so direct. No blushing or simpering words just a direct answer. Marcus told her to sit forward. She sat up. "This is probably going to hurt some." He said. As gently as he could he washed her back. He saw that her knuckles were white as she gripped the sides of the tub. "I know this hurts child." He said. "It doesn't hurt so badly, really." She said. He heard the pain in her voice; she was trying to put on a brave front. He should go horsewhip her father. Hell Marcus you are no better than him, you hurt her just as bad he thought. He gently washed her hair and rinsed the soap out. He sat back and watched her as she lay back with her eyes closed. "I regret my actions last night." He said. Devin opened her eyes and looked at him. She didn't think Marcus had probably ever apologized for anything in his life. She nodded at him and closed her eyes again. Marcus went and got a bath sheet and lifted her from the tub and gently dried her off. He then sat her on his lap and rubbed her hair till it was dry. He took the liniment and applied it to her back. Marcus stood her up and pulled a chemise over her head and placed her on the bed. Just then Maggie came in with a breakfast tray. "M'Lord your breakfast." She said. Maggie set it on the table and left. Marcus set down. "Come here and eat Devin." Marcus said. Devin walked over and sat down. Marcus handed her a platter. Devin watched him as they ate. He was so confusing, cruel one minute and kind and gentle the next. She didn't understand him. "We will be traveling to my country home tomorrow. I think you will be happier there, than in this drafty old castle. Do you think you will be up to traveling?" he asked. "yes." She said. "I have some business to attend today, I will be back this evening." He said. "M'Lord." She called to him as he went to leave. "Yes, Devin." Marcus said walking back to her. "I have no clothes, except my wedding gown, can you send the tailor to make me a few things today?" she asked. "Of course M'Lady, I'll send him to you immediately." She wasn't that different from other females, she was already thinking about pretty clothes that should take her mind off that unpleasantness last night. Devin smiled up at him. Marcus caught his breath. She was beautiful. He would have to try to keep a smile on that pretty face.
Maggie came in. "M"Lady the tailor is here." She said. Devin smiled at Maggie. "Send him in." The tailor came in and introduced himself. "I'm Tailor Jones M'Lady." He said. He brought in bolts of cloth and he and Maggie set about taking Devin's measurements. "Now M'Lady do you want simple dresses or something more sophisticated?" He asked. Devin was going through the cloth. She pulled out blue, gray, black and white. "These will do." She said. "But M'Lady, don't you want brighter colors, flowers?" the Tailor asked. "No these will do and I don't want dresses, I want pants and shirts." She said. Maggie gasped. The tailor's mouth hung open. "Am I not Lady of this castle, my husband said I could have what I wanted, that's what I want." She said firmly. "Yes M'Lady." The tailor said. He set to work
Devin looked in the mirror, she loved her news clothes, they fit and the cloth was so soft. Maggie stood behind her ringing her hands. "M'Lady, You Know M'Lord is going to have a fit." She said. Devin shrugged "He said I could have what I wanted. Will you pack my things for the trip tomorrow?" Devin asked. "Yes M"Lady." Maggie said. Lord Marcus was going to be mad as the devil him self when he saw the Lady's new clothes. She shook her head and started packing the Lady's belongings.