Chapter 22 - Bad Sidi. Bad Bad Sidi.
Sidi was not happy. Jonathan had been gone such a long time and she jolly well knew he probably was not celibate the entire time away. She was starting to learn that more than likely it wasn't in his nature to be faithful. He had promised her that he would never betray her again but could she believe him? She did everything possible to not look into the cards or crystal to check up on him. She told herself it was because she trusted him. She was not going to give in to doubt and jealousy. But the truth was that she didn't want to have the truth confirmed. Like Courtney she wanted to pretend life was perfect. Now that she was again with child that could be her focus. She lit an incense and focused on the baby. She laid out the cards for herself. No real information. She knew they rarely supplied much unless it was for another person she was reading for. Long marriage, ups and downs, children, good but vague. ".And now Jonathan." She said aloud. She laid the cards out and was mystified by the plethora of strange messages that assaulted her including the fact that Jack would sire no children.. She re-shuffled the cards. I must have made a mistake she thought and redid the layout. But again the layout said no children. Sidi again reshuffled the bizarre layout and laid the cards down again. No children. Sidi was confused. Perhaps I'm too tired she thought as she put the cards away. "You ain't too tired. I'd be alookin' ta da crystal ifn I was you child." The elderly ghost said leaning back in a chair she suddenly occupied. "Beatrice you shouldn't be telling tales." Sidi scolded the ghost. "Honestly I do not know why you dislike him so." :Cheatin 'usbands aint got no appeal ' ta me missy. S'pose I be ole fashioned. Lookin' to dem crystals and cards an you be seein' what I mean thank you very much."
"Please Beatrice don't."
"Alright Miss. But you be doin' yeself a favor if ye be castin a healin' spell on the lyin' cad every time ye 'ear his foot upon the step.
Sidi didn't understand but promised Beatrice she would do just that, made excuses of being tired and laid down for a nap.
She tossed and turned and finally gave up. Looking in the shelves she grabbed a book of spells. She could find nothing for impotence. Love spells wouldn't work. She had no doubt he loved her. "Hmmmm, painful rash. That sounds promising. Boils on the buttocks. She wondered if both together would be overkill. Overpowering odor. No that wouldn't do. Whores had their own overpowering odor and it didn't seem to bother Jonathan. She put the book down and decided to think positively. Jonathan promised. Yes. He promised. She pulled the blankets up and plumped her pillow. "Painful rash" she murmured as she drifted off to sleep. Sidi woke and looked at the clock. "Oh my goodness! I've missed dinner!" It was 7pm. She ventured down the stairs and into the dining room to see if anyone remained. It was empty. She continued on to the kitchen where the slaves had just finished cleaning up. They were more than happy to fix her a plate. She took the plate and sat on the sun porch to eat. A noise caught her attention in the silent rooms. She went to see who shared the quiet house with her. She peeked around the corner to see if it were friend or foe. It was Charles. Hmmm friend or foe? she thought. I'm not sure.
"Hello Charles" she said.
Charles looked up.
"Oh! Uh, Good evening Sidi. I didn't know anyone was here or awake."
They stood looking at each other. Charles and Sidi had never had a conversation in the few years she had been married to his brother. They were virtual strangers.
She smiled. "Where are you going?"
"Going? Oh! Yes, Um. I am going to check the grounds."
"Why?" His response puzzled her. "Is something wrong?" The massive country estate was in the middle of nowhere. There was never trouble. She pulled her robe tighter around her.
"Oh no. No worries." Charles was so caught off guard by her that even Sidi could tell that he was trying to come up with a lie.
"I just want to make sure we are secure... no undesirables or pirates and the like..."
"There are never pirates here, well William Turner but he calls himself a Merchant Marine.." she was enjoying having the power to make Charles squirm. What on earth is he up to? It cannot be a woman. He'd have no issue informing me of that.. "Well, goodnight Charles. I hope no harm comes to you tonight if there is a pirate threat. Shall I call someone to accompany you?"
"Oh no!" Charles forced a laugh. "Goodness no, absolutely not necessary. I am sure all is well. Just precautionary you understand. Good night Sidi. Pleasant dreams." He smiled an honest smile.
Oh he is beautiful when he smiles. Sidi thought. She had never seen Charles as anything but a flesh-eating ogre before.
He watched her walk up the stairs and disappear down the hall. Only when he heard her door close did he continue the task Sidi had interrupted.
Sidi so wanted to see what he was doing but had she made another trip downstairs he would know that she were suspicious. She knew his thinking she was spying on him would instantly cause him to become angry. How silly she would feel if he indeed were making rounds tonight.
She sat in the big comfy chair by the fire her crystal in her hands. She pulled the silk cloth from it tossing it on the side table. Sidi leaned back and cleared her mind. She listened to the quietness of the house and let the sound of the waves lull her into a peaceful state. She gazed into the crystal and instantly saw a crisp clear actual image of Charles in the sitting room stuffing his pockets with sweets. When she giggled the image faded. What on earth is he doing? Charles taking sweets to a woman perhaps? No, not Charles. Sidi hurried her shoes on and quietly tiptoed to the hall. She listened on the stairs until she was sure she heard the front door close. She quietly hurried down the stairs and out the door. She walked as fast as she could until she caught up to him at a safe distance. He was heading toward the slave houses. She could hear the sounds of night-life. Someone was singing. A couple was fighting and at least 20 children played. Charles walked through the area with purpose. His face was a stone mask of superiority. Sidi scoffed. If that face doesn't scare the little ones running to mummy nothing will. The children looked up and spotted Charles. "Master Charles! Master Charles! They laughed and sang as they encircled him and started digging through his pockets with Charles laughing and protesting all along. Sidi wasn't sure of what she was seeing. Not an adult was in sight now. They had all fled upon his arrival. She could see nervous faces peering from windows as their children greeted their master with joyful laughter. This man who beat their fathers and abused their mothers obviously adored the children. Briefly she wondered if they were all his. It was also apparent that the children felt the same and that this wasn't his first visit to their complex. She was so taken aback by the scene playing out before her she had forgotten that she was supposed to be hiding. When Charles' face turned to anger she realized she had been spotted. He bid goodbye to the children and strode quickly over to her.
"What the blazes do you think you are doing? How dare you spy on me! How dare you!" He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her away.
She felt like he was going to drag her all the way back to the house. He pulled her into the woods and stopped, making sure they were hidden.
"Pirates indeed" she said. "Charles I never knew you loved children."
"I need not explain myself to you." Charles sputtered. His embarrassment was charming. "Beat the bloody hell out of you is what I should do. How dare you! How dare you!"
Sidi smiled up at him. "Oh Charles. I think you are wonderful." She kissed his cheek.
Charles was surprised. He allowed her a small smile. "Why thank you Sidi." He said rather matter-of-factly not knowing at all what to say, unsure if he could take back the remark about the beating. "I, I appreciate that." There was an awkward silence until his mouth came down on hers.. His fingers laced though her hair causing the long black curls to escape their bondage.. His tongue sought hers. His hands discovered the smoothness of her neck and shoulders and lingered at the generous cleavage. Thoughts of Jack with other women danced through her head and Sidi kissed him back. She stood on her toes and strained to put her arms his neck pulling his coat from his shoulders. Charles got to his knees. Sidi did the same. His kisses were hard. His touch was not gentle like Jonathan's. He excited her. His hands traveled up her bodice then to her skirts freeing her from the restrictive prison. She relieved him of his vest and shirt and greedily kissed the powerfully built torso so unlike that of her husband. Her hands drank in every muscle. He pulled the undergarments from her allowing his hands to memorize the impressive bosom now so available to him and his mouth to explore her further. She lay naked on her back his hands caressing her, his tongue making love to hers. He quickly removed his trousers. "Oh Charles" she moaned wanting him. Her obvious desire for and appreciation of his body was rewarded with a dazzling smile. "Sidi luv" he whispered as he parted her legs, his breathing quickened. "Oh luv you deserve so much better..so much more." Again her mouth was enslaved to his. Her eyes clamped shut, her heart sped as her body reacted to the hardness of his body against hers, his breath on her ear, his kisses on her neck. Only then did she admit to herself what was happening. It was all about Jonathan. She meant nothing to him. He meant nothing to her. He was making Jonathan's wife his whore. And she, she was getting even by whoring with her cheating husband's brother.
"Oh God Charles , no!" He protested and kissed her harder wanting desperately to make her, his. "Please no!" She pushed him away. Stunned and angry but not willing to force himself on her, he relented. Sidi grabbed her clothing and started to cry, ashamed of behaving like a harlot, an adulteress. She ran all the way home ignoring him as he called after her.
Sidi was not happy. Jonathan had been gone such a long time and she jolly well knew he probably was not celibate the entire time away. She was starting to learn that more than likely it wasn't in his nature to be faithful. He had promised her that he would never betray her again but could she believe him? She did everything possible to not look into the cards or crystal to check up on him. She told herself it was because she trusted him. She was not going to give in to doubt and jealousy. But the truth was that she didn't want to have the truth confirmed. Like Courtney she wanted to pretend life was perfect. Now that she was again with child that could be her focus. She lit an incense and focused on the baby. She laid out the cards for herself. No real information. She knew they rarely supplied much unless it was for another person she was reading for. Long marriage, ups and downs, children, good but vague. ".And now Jonathan." She said aloud. She laid the cards out and was mystified by the plethora of strange messages that assaulted her including the fact that Jack would sire no children.. She re-shuffled the cards. I must have made a mistake she thought and redid the layout. But again the layout said no children. Sidi again reshuffled the bizarre layout and laid the cards down again. No children. Sidi was confused. Perhaps I'm too tired she thought as she put the cards away. "You ain't too tired. I'd be alookin' ta da crystal ifn I was you child." The elderly ghost said leaning back in a chair she suddenly occupied. "Beatrice you shouldn't be telling tales." Sidi scolded the ghost. "Honestly I do not know why you dislike him so." :Cheatin 'usbands aint got no appeal ' ta me missy. S'pose I be ole fashioned. Lookin' to dem crystals and cards an you be seein' what I mean thank you very much."
"Please Beatrice don't."
"Alright Miss. But you be doin' yeself a favor if ye be castin a healin' spell on the lyin' cad every time ye 'ear his foot upon the step.
Sidi didn't understand but promised Beatrice she would do just that, made excuses of being tired and laid down for a nap.
She tossed and turned and finally gave up. Looking in the shelves she grabbed a book of spells. She could find nothing for impotence. Love spells wouldn't work. She had no doubt he loved her. "Hmmmm, painful rash. That sounds promising. Boils on the buttocks. She wondered if both together would be overkill. Overpowering odor. No that wouldn't do. Whores had their own overpowering odor and it didn't seem to bother Jonathan. She put the book down and decided to think positively. Jonathan promised. Yes. He promised. She pulled the blankets up and plumped her pillow. "Painful rash" she murmured as she drifted off to sleep. Sidi woke and looked at the clock. "Oh my goodness! I've missed dinner!" It was 7pm. She ventured down the stairs and into the dining room to see if anyone remained. It was empty. She continued on to the kitchen where the slaves had just finished cleaning up. They were more than happy to fix her a plate. She took the plate and sat on the sun porch to eat. A noise caught her attention in the silent rooms. She went to see who shared the quiet house with her. She peeked around the corner to see if it were friend or foe. It was Charles. Hmmm friend or foe? she thought. I'm not sure.
"Hello Charles" she said.
Charles looked up.
"Oh! Uh, Good evening Sidi. I didn't know anyone was here or awake."
They stood looking at each other. Charles and Sidi had never had a conversation in the few years she had been married to his brother. They were virtual strangers.
She smiled. "Where are you going?"
"Going? Oh! Yes, Um. I am going to check the grounds."
"Why?" His response puzzled her. "Is something wrong?" The massive country estate was in the middle of nowhere. There was never trouble. She pulled her robe tighter around her.
"Oh no. No worries." Charles was so caught off guard by her that even Sidi could tell that he was trying to come up with a lie.
"I just want to make sure we are secure... no undesirables or pirates and the like..."
"There are never pirates here, well William Turner but he calls himself a Merchant Marine.." she was enjoying having the power to make Charles squirm. What on earth is he up to? It cannot be a woman. He'd have no issue informing me of that.. "Well, goodnight Charles. I hope no harm comes to you tonight if there is a pirate threat. Shall I call someone to accompany you?"
"Oh no!" Charles forced a laugh. "Goodness no, absolutely not necessary. I am sure all is well. Just precautionary you understand. Good night Sidi. Pleasant dreams." He smiled an honest smile.
Oh he is beautiful when he smiles. Sidi thought. She had never seen Charles as anything but a flesh-eating ogre before.
He watched her walk up the stairs and disappear down the hall. Only when he heard her door close did he continue the task Sidi had interrupted.
Sidi so wanted to see what he was doing but had she made another trip downstairs he would know that she were suspicious. She knew his thinking she was spying on him would instantly cause him to become angry. How silly she would feel if he indeed were making rounds tonight.
She sat in the big comfy chair by the fire her crystal in her hands. She pulled the silk cloth from it tossing it on the side table. Sidi leaned back and cleared her mind. She listened to the quietness of the house and let the sound of the waves lull her into a peaceful state. She gazed into the crystal and instantly saw a crisp clear actual image of Charles in the sitting room stuffing his pockets with sweets. When she giggled the image faded. What on earth is he doing? Charles taking sweets to a woman perhaps? No, not Charles. Sidi hurried her shoes on and quietly tiptoed to the hall. She listened on the stairs until she was sure she heard the front door close. She quietly hurried down the stairs and out the door. She walked as fast as she could until she caught up to him at a safe distance. He was heading toward the slave houses. She could hear the sounds of night-life. Someone was singing. A couple was fighting and at least 20 children played. Charles walked through the area with purpose. His face was a stone mask of superiority. Sidi scoffed. If that face doesn't scare the little ones running to mummy nothing will. The children looked up and spotted Charles. "Master Charles! Master Charles! They laughed and sang as they encircled him and started digging through his pockets with Charles laughing and protesting all along. Sidi wasn't sure of what she was seeing. Not an adult was in sight now. They had all fled upon his arrival. She could see nervous faces peering from windows as their children greeted their master with joyful laughter. This man who beat their fathers and abused their mothers obviously adored the children. Briefly she wondered if they were all his. It was also apparent that the children felt the same and that this wasn't his first visit to their complex. She was so taken aback by the scene playing out before her she had forgotten that she was supposed to be hiding. When Charles' face turned to anger she realized she had been spotted. He bid goodbye to the children and strode quickly over to her.
"What the blazes do you think you are doing? How dare you spy on me! How dare you!" He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her away.
She felt like he was going to drag her all the way back to the house. He pulled her into the woods and stopped, making sure they were hidden.
"Pirates indeed" she said. "Charles I never knew you loved children."
"I need not explain myself to you." Charles sputtered. His embarrassment was charming. "Beat the bloody hell out of you is what I should do. How dare you! How dare you!"
Sidi smiled up at him. "Oh Charles. I think you are wonderful." She kissed his cheek.
Charles was surprised. He allowed her a small smile. "Why thank you Sidi." He said rather matter-of-factly not knowing at all what to say, unsure if he could take back the remark about the beating. "I, I appreciate that." There was an awkward silence until his mouth came down on hers.. His fingers laced though her hair causing the long black curls to escape their bondage.. His tongue sought hers. His hands discovered the smoothness of her neck and shoulders and lingered at the generous cleavage. Thoughts of Jack with other women danced through her head and Sidi kissed him back. She stood on her toes and strained to put her arms his neck pulling his coat from his shoulders. Charles got to his knees. Sidi did the same. His kisses were hard. His touch was not gentle like Jonathan's. He excited her. His hands traveled up her bodice then to her skirts freeing her from the restrictive prison. She relieved him of his vest and shirt and greedily kissed the powerfully built torso so unlike that of her husband. Her hands drank in every muscle. He pulled the undergarments from her allowing his hands to memorize the impressive bosom now so available to him and his mouth to explore her further. She lay naked on her back his hands caressing her, his tongue making love to hers. He quickly removed his trousers. "Oh Charles" she moaned wanting him. Her obvious desire for and appreciation of his body was rewarded with a dazzling smile. "Sidi luv" he whispered as he parted her legs, his breathing quickened. "Oh luv you deserve so much better..so much more." Again her mouth was enslaved to his. Her eyes clamped shut, her heart sped as her body reacted to the hardness of his body against hers, his breath on her ear, his kisses on her neck. Only then did she admit to herself what was happening. It was all about Jonathan. She meant nothing to him. He meant nothing to her. He was making Jonathan's wife his whore. And she, she was getting even by whoring with her cheating husband's brother.
"Oh God Charles , no!" He protested and kissed her harder wanting desperately to make her, his. "Please no!" She pushed him away. Stunned and angry but not willing to force himself on her, he relented. Sidi grabbed her clothing and started to cry, ashamed of behaving like a harlot, an adulteress. She ran all the way home ignoring him as he called after her.