Chapter 7
As we ate breakfast, the next grim morning, Jacques held a triumphant grin. Erik kept a concerned eye on me, and I just stayed quiet and within my mind. I thought it was sweet the way that Erik was worried about me, yet my business self was laughing heartily. Even though Jacques was acting triumphant, he was also pretty pissed. We'd been planning to stay only one night this time before getting the money. We were planning on going to Scotland next, and he wanted to hurry, so he could visit family. Jacques hadn't been able to find out anything, so it was up to me, and plans were changed. I'd get close to Erik, and thus be able to find out the location of money and valuables. Although Jacques thought he was in charge, I had a plan of my own. As soon as Jacques got his precious money, I wanted to leave, and escape from him. I could stand his horrors and mistreatment no longer. I planned on going back to Ireland, my homeland. I had no clue how I was going to win Erik's heart, but I was supposed to start today. I washed away feelings of regret and turned to Erik.
"So, what do you plan on doing today, Erik?' I asked as more guilt flooded my system.
"I have no plans for today. What would you propose we do about that?" he replied with a glimmer of mystery and worry. I quickly searched my brain for an idea that would exclude Jacques.
"What about a walk in the park and a picnic?" I suggested, glancing over at Jacques.
"What a wonderful idea, Lissie! Unfortunately, I must decline the offer of going. I have plans this afternoon," Jacques said, glancing at Erik.
"Elise, if it is still a plan you'd like to go through with, I'll have the chef prepare a lunch and a blanket. Do you like horseback riding? I have many finely bred horses, if you're interested in taking those, also."
"Yes, I do like horse-back riding. In fact, as a child, I'd often ride at my uncle's farm. I'm rather fond of it, but it's been a few years," I replied. I wasn't lying for once. It had been a while, and I missed it.
"Interesting. What would you like for lunch?" Erik asked with a slight grin on his face.
"Oh, how about finger foods? Something simple, like Colby cheese, varied fruits, ESPECIALLY strawberries, and chocolate fondue, and champagne and…and…yeah. I'm done. Can you tell I like to eat?" I said all in a blur, then chuckling. Erik raised an eyebrow, but complied by motioning for a maid to tell the chef the order. Jacques left the room as I gave him a look. As soon as he'd left, I went over to where Erik was seated. I grabbed his tie and straddled his lap. I pulled his tie toward me, and nibbled on his lower lip.
"Thanks," I whispered before shoving my tongue in between his moist lips and moaning deeply into his mouth. I got up and left, leaving him feeling bewildered. I rather enjoyed the deer-in-the-headlights look he had on his face as I left. I chuckled to myself, saying I had the upper hand, when in all honesty; I was as smitten as he.
I went into my room and grabbed a pair of khaki breeches, still pondering why I still had them. I donned a white tee shirt, and a dark aviator's jacket. I pulled the top half of my hair back with a beaded barrette, and scrunched the rest. To top off the outfit, I added tall dark-brown boots, and some sweet aviator's glasses. As I started down the stairs, I spotted Erik at the bottom, facing away from me with a picnic basket and a blanket slung over his arm. I crept down the stairs, intending to spook him.
"I trust you are ready then, mademoiselle?" Erik asked right as I arrived behind him.
"Dang it," I muttered under my breath before reaching my arms around his buff shoulders. I tugged on his earlobe with my teeth.
"You betcha. Let's go," I said in a low-pitched voice. I grabbed the blanket from his arm and ran out the door, dragging Erik behind me. I halted suddenly, and whipped around, causing Erik to slam into me. I fell painfully on my back with him on top of me. I opened my eyes to two gleaming orbs of emeralds gazing into my own with worry and lust.
"Sorry. I was just about to ask the location of the stables…" I muttered, flashing him a smile, and shifting underneath him. He groaned and quickly got up, placing the basket in front of him.
"It is of no matter. Are you alright?" he said in a rather husky voice. I tried to get up, but gasped in pain. I waved away his helping hands and got up with gritted teeth.
"I got this," I said, heaving myself up off the ground and stretching my sore muscles.
"I can see you're not alright, though…" I said with a chuckle and a downward glance. Poor guy seemed to get into that state quite easily with me. He blushed and hastily walked toward a building. I giggled and ran up to him.
"So that's the stable, then?" I asked, pointing to what was obviously the stable, and brushing my hand along his well-muscled arm.
"Yes," was the only reply I received. I ran into the building, and threw open the doors to reveal rows upon rows of horses and oats and whinnies and straw and hay. As I entered, there was a silence, then a shrill whinny as I passed a BEAUTIFUL black mare. I turned to her and reached out to pet her nose. She whinnied again and shied away. I grabbed a handful of hay, and slowing moved my hand toward her while gently uttering sweet nothings. Her nostrils flared, as she smelled the contents of my hand. She warily started to chomp onto the hay.
"That's right. It's okay, sweetheart," I almost sang. I started to raise my hand up to pet her nose, but she shied away once again. I was not ready to give up. I began to sing a song from my childhood.
When I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head
The Angel of Music sings songs in my head
The stunning coal-colored mare slowly came forward as if in a trance. I reached out, and she nuzzled my hand. It was then that I noticed a silver streak running through her mane.
"She's not very partial to humans, or animals, either, for that matter. You must have an unusual way with animals," Erik said from behind, startling me and reminding me of his presence.
"Yes; I've always had a strange way with animals. I sing, and they come to me, almost as if it wasn't of their own will. Like they were in a trance." There was a silence as Erik contemplated what I'd just said. I don't know why I ever told him that. It was something that no one knew. Not even Jacques knew that. I'm sure that if he did, he'd use it to his own will and end up hurting animals, and I couldn't stand that. Sometimes I think I love animals more than I love myself. The silence was starting to get to me.
"What's this one's name?" I asked just to end the stillness. I scratched her behind the ear.
"That is Onyx, but you'll be riding Chet. He's the gentlest of the horses. This is Chet," he said, leading me away from my new friend and into a stall that held a chestnut-colored horse. As he saddled up Chet, I allowed my curiosity to take me to the next stall. There stood the tallest horse I'd ever seen. He was a beautiful chestnut mare with a white star on his nose and a dark brown mane and tail. I reached out to pet him, and he sniffed my hand, looking for food. I giggled and gave him a carrot from a bag that was off to the side.
"That's Charlie. I'll be riding him because he's faster and more wild," Erik said, startling me.
"I prefer larger, faster horses among other things. Do not underestimate me," I said jumping over the gate and onto Charlie bareback. Using my foot, in a swift motion, I'd kicked open the gate, and rode out of the stable.
"Come on, slow-poke!" I yelled behind me at Erik. We rode hard and fast through a wooded area. After a few moments, I glanced behind me to see Erik far behind. I quickly halted Charlie as we came upon a clearing with a stream and a small waterfall. By this time, I was rather warm from riding so hard, and Charlie's sides were heaving. I hopped off Charlie and threw my jacket over a low-hanging branch. There was some lovely grass that Charlie was happily grazing in, so I took off my boots and socks, and rolled up my breeches. I stood in the middle of the stream, and knelt down, sloshing water over my heated face and neck. Water ran all over my shirt, making it look like I'd just entered a wet-tee-shirt contest, but I didn't care. It felt great. I heard Erik finally catch up. I stood up, and walked out of the stream to see him dismount from Chet.
"Why did you run off like that? You easily could have gotten lost or hurt! Why are you wet; are you alright?" he said in an angry voice, then in a bewildered tone. He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me over. His eyes stopped when they reached my wet shirt, revealing my black lacy bra to him through my plastered white shirt. I laughed, but instantly regretted getting wet. A chilly wind bit through the wet material, and I shivered. My teeth started chattering as Erik got the blanket from Chet's saddle and prepared Charlie to follow Chet.
"You are cold and wet. We're going back home before you catch your death. He lifted me onto Chet and wrapped the blanket around my shoulders.
"No, Erik; Come on. Let's just stay," I pleaded, dismounting from Chet.
"That is not an option, mademoiselle. You've got to get out of those clothes," he replied. 1 smirked and stepped out of my sopping breeches.
"Okay then," I said to his shocked face. He turned around in modesty. I chuckled and attempted to get out of my shirt. It didn't work too well since I was shaking with cold and the shirt was plastered to my curves. I turned Erik around.
"I need a little bit of help please," I said in an innocent tone. He stood still. I took his hands and place them on the edges of my shirt. He lifted upward and threw the shirt to the ground. His lips crashed down upon my own, and he groaned, clasping me tightly in his arms. His warm embrace, and his strong arms was the last thing I remember before I lost consciousness.
(A/N-DUN DUN DUUUUN! What is going to happen next? Oh no! I hope it's not hypothermia! And when ARE Erik and Elise going to get it on...if they do...? Stay tuned to find out!)