"Agreed." Devin said. Devin went to get up. Marcus pulled her back down. "One more thing. You can keep your sword, but if you ever raise it to me again I will bare your bottom and spank you till you can't sit comfortably for a week." He said in a harsh voice. Devin pulled away from him. "You're nothing but a devil." She said. Marcus grinned. "Come M'Lady dinner awaits us downstairs." he said. Devin sighed and followed him.
Devin sat at the huge table in the dining hall picking at her food. She couldn't eat. She was too worried about what was going to happen when they retired for the night. Was he going to force her to bed him again? It hurt too much. She didn't want to have to do that again. "Eat child, stop picking at your food." Marcus snapped. "Are you also going to tell me when to walk and talk and when to wake up and to sleep? I'm not hungry." She said angrily. Marcus pushed back his chair. "Come here." He said. Devin sat there glaring at him. "NOW." His voice boomed through the dining hall. Devin knew she had better do what he said. She got up and slowly walked over to him. Marcus pulled her down to his lap. "Why must you defy me at every turn?' he asked sounding weary. Marcus reached over her and pulled the dome off a platter. "Maybe I can tempt you to eat some of this." He said. Devin's eyes widened. "What manner of food is this?" she asked. Marcus frowned. "It's chocolate cake. Have you never had chocolate before?" he asked. "No M'Lord, I know of it, but I've never had any." She replied. This child seemed to have missed out on many of life's pleasures he thought. He cut her a piece and put it on a small plate. He took a small amount on the fork and held it up for her. "Open." He said. She opened her mouth and he slid the cake in. Her eyes widened in surprise. "M' Lord, I have never tasted anything so good in all my life." She said smiling. Marcus smiled enjoying her childish pleasure. He sat and fed her the rest of the cake. "M'lord can I have this every night?" she asked. Marcus laughed. "I don't think I can let you make a steady diet of cake. It's a dessert, not a main course, little one." He said. Devin looked down embarrassed at her stupidity. "You must think me quite stupid." She said quietly. Marcus lifted her chin up to look at him. "No I don't think you're stupid. I think you have missed a lot of things in life. But were going to take care of that." He said gently. He kissed her cheek. Devin looked at him. How could he be so maddening one moment and so sweet the next? She giggled a bit. "You know your beard tickles when you kiss me." She said. "Does it now? Would you have me shave it off?" he asked. "Oh no M'Lord you look quite handsome with it." She said. "Well thank you M'Lady, I'm glad it pleases you." He said smiling. "Now go up stairs. Maggie has a hot bath waiting for you. She will help you get ready for bed." He said. "I'm not two years old I can bath and dress myself." She said. "Good Lord girl, are you going to argue with every sentence that comes out of my mouth?" Marcus asked. Devin realized she did do that. She got up. "I'm going M'Lord." She said. He nodded. 'I'll be up shortly." He said. Lord that girl tried his patience, but she also made him smile, something he didn't do much of. She also set his body on fire. This time when he bedded her though, she would very much enjoy it. He smiled as he drank his brandy.
Maggie pulled back the covers on their bed and fluffed the pillows. "Come M'Lady, get in the bed before you catch your death." Maggie said. Devin had just got out of the tub. She was still drying her hair. "You can go ahead Maggie, I'm going to dry my hair and brush it out. Then I will go to bed." Devin said. "M'Lady was M'Lord upset about your clothes?" Maggie asked. "Somewhat but we came to an agreement." Devin said. Maggie breathed a sigh of relief. "M'Lady I know you think Lord Marcus is a hard man, most people do. I have been with him since he was a babe. His mother died in birth with him and his father was a cruel spiteful man. M'Lord never had anyone to love him or treat him kind but me. He had a very hard upbringing, that's why he acts the way he does sometimes. But he is a good man." Maggie said. Devin nodded it sounded almost like a mirror of her life. "Be patient with him. He will make you a good husband." Maggie said. "I will try Maggie." Devin answered. "Goodnight M'Lady." Maggie said. "Goodnight." Devin said. Devin thought about what Maggie told her. She would have to try harder not to displease him. She brushed her hair till it was shining and free of tangles. She blew out the light and lay in the bed and tried to go to sleep.