Chapter Eleven

Answers Always lead to more questions...

"There will not be any discussion in here," Erik said with a sigh. Christine was more then glad to get out of that room. She followed him into the library after he barked at Douglas to get some men to clean up that mess. He went to the window to stare outside while he gathered his thoughts, thinking about what he could and could not tell Christine just now.

"I am telling you the truth when I say I do not know who did this," he said. Christine said nothing.

"I have done many things in my life that I am not fond of, Christine," he continued. She did not know if she wanted to hear all of this right now. With the attack and then the rats there was only so much she could take.

"I have many enemies, any one of them could have done such a thing," he said. It was hard for Christine to understand a life such as this because she had been raised with love and care, and she had certainly never done anything in her life to cause someone to become an enemy.

"Erik...I am frightened."

Erik's body tensed and the room became quiet from Christine's statement. Erik did not know much about his wife but the one thing he did know was that she was strong. He had seen that every time she talked back to him, but the voice that spoke those words was small and frightened. He turned to look at her and could see that she was not lying, she was frightened. He sighed and did not know what to say. Most of his life he had never had to comfort anyone and he did not know how to do so now.

He realized that being a husband entitled certain responsibilities. The first being to always protect his wife. Christine had just seemed so strong that he had not thought about this. But even the strongest women got scared sometimes, and tonight had certainly not been ideal. It must be worse for Christine when she had no idea about anything and she was not used to living this way. She had had to deal with too many things recently and it was not fair to her. So he went to her and wrapped her in his arms, hoping she would not pull away from him. She didn't.

He rested his head on top of her curls and for the first time marveled at how nice it was to hold a woman in his arms. He had had women in his arms before, true enough, but they had been crying out in ecstasy of his touch...it was simply nice to hold someone to give them comfort, to make them feel safe. No matter what he said to the contrary he wanted Christine to be safe.

"Erik?" she whispered. He looked down at her.

"Yes?"

"I know you do not want to answer any of my questions...but can I just ask one?" she whispered. Her eyes were pleading and Erik could not refuse, what harm would one question pose?

"Alright, but just one," he said. She nodded.

"How were you involved with my mother?" she whispered. Erik stiffened and pulled away from her, beginning to walk towards the door.

"You said you would answer one question!" she cried. He turned to face her, angry.

"The answer to that question will only lead to more questions!" he snapped. Christine said nothing, but her eyes continued to plead. When Erik reached the door he turned to her. His answer was soft and sad.

"She took me in when I was a small child. In many ways she was like my elder sister," he said before disappearing out the door. He had been right. That answer had only given her more questions.

xXx

"Susannah?"

The older woman looked up from the bed she was currently making to see Madam Desslar standing in the doorway. Susannah smiled at the young woman and nodded for her to come in. It had been a few days since the rat incident and everyone had settled down relatively well. Susannah studied the beautiful woman in front of him and noticed that she was nervous about something.

"Is there something I can help you with?" she asked her. Christine hesitated.

"Yes...actually...oh, this is so embarrassing!" Christine gasped, instantly becoming flush. Susannah could only imagine what Christine wanted. She took her hand and set her down on the newly made bed.

"Tell me what is on your mind, dear," Susannah said, trying to sound reassuring and motherly.

"You are the only woman I know that I could possibly ask about this...but I hope you are not disgusted with my question," Christine whispered.

"Of course not, just ask me," Susannah urged. Christine had no idea what had possessed her to come to this woman and ask her a question that she might never act upon. But she was curious and she had to know.

"I...need to know about the marital bed..." Christine whispered. Susannah was taken by surprise.

"Madam, forgive me, but should your mother not have told you such things?" she asked. Christine shook her head.

"No, my mother died before we were able to have such a talk," Christine answered.

"You have been married a couple of weeks, Madam...should you not know of such things?" Susannah asked. Christine flushed crimson. Oh, she had to be insane to ask about such a thing! God would surely think her wanton! She shook her head slowly, not being able to look the other woman in the eyes.

"Then I will be more then happy to tell you everything..."

xXx

Christine left that room a couple hours later, her cheeks stained red and far too many thoughts going through her mind. She could not imagine her sweet mother telling her such things! She knew she had lost a certain innocence in all that she now knew and some of those things she could not imagine doing with Erik!

Although the few times Erik had kissed her and touched her she had felt like she would do anything if only he would continue, and she knew she should be punished for having such feelings! They were shameful.

"Christine!"

She jumped at the way Erik barked her name before turning to him with a frown. She truly hated it when he spoke to her in such a tone. His face was angry and he was scowling deeply.

"Pack your things," he commanded. Christine's frown deepened.

"Why?" she demanded, hands on hips.

"Dammit, Christine, I am not in the mood for one of our lovely arguments, get your things packed and make it quick, the carriage is waiting!" he growled. He gave her little choice because he took her hand and dragged her to their room. When he released her she held her ground.

"Where are we going?" Christine asked.

"On holiday," he answered, and she knew he was lying. He began shoving her things into a satchel and Christine grabbed his arm.

"Tell me what is going on!" she demanded. He turned to her and took her chin roughly in his hands.

"You are the only wife I know that does not listen when her wife tells her something...and so help me if I find it arousing!" he growled. Her eyes went wide when he pressed a hard, passionate kiss on her mouth. Christine's mind was flooded with images of what Susannah had told her about and she moaned against his mouth. His tongue invaded and explored and Christine allowed it, wishing she could explore these feelings more closely.

Christine was the only woman he knew who would dare defy him in any way. He was used to women giving him anything he wanted and doing whatever he wanted. The way Christine was so brave in talking back to him made his whole body go up in flames. Sometimes when they were arguing all he could think about was throwing her to the ground and ravishing her in every way he knew how until they were both sore and exhausted.

He pulled away just as quickly as he had moved in.

"Perhaps on this holiday I can show you what it feels like to be wanted by a man?" he murmured huskily. Christine could only nod mutely. Erik told her again to pack her things and then he was gone. He knew she was going to be angry when she found out that he was not taking her on holiday...they were running, and from something far more dangerous then Erik would like to think about.