Adam lay back on the pillows, one hand behind his head and the other slung across Vanessa's body as she snuggled into his shoulder. The ceremony could wait another hour or two, he could tell she was exhausted. He looked down at her, hair spread across the pillows and her shoulders, shielding her from the world. The blanket was only drawn high enough to cover her hip, leaving her torso exposed.
There came a soft knock to the door, and Adam looked up as Maria entered the room, closing the door behind her back. She watched Adam carefully, and smiled as she recalled Vanessa's description of him, "He's built like those sailors you love so much,with arms that look like they could fell a tree and legs that would make you weep. Tall as a Ponderosa pine, with dark hair and eyes that can cut to your soul, and a wit sharp enough to cut steel. I swear Maria, Adam could talk a croc out of eating meat." And now that she'd seen the man, she knew that Vanessa's description hadn't nearly been enough to prepare her. His chest was covered with hair, but even so Maria could see the hard cut of his pectorals and upper abdomen as he lay on the bed watching her. The thickness of his bicep, even relaxed, made the life-weary whore shudder. She'd hate to see that arm tense with a swing against anything, especially human flesh. His voice startled her, "I don't recall letting you in here." Maria took a breath, realizing that she'd been holding it, and tried to smile, "I don't recall giving you free reign of my rooms, either, Mr. Cartwright." she glanced at Vanessa who still slept near Adam, "Besides, you're in my bed with one of my friends." He was quick to pull the blanket up over Vanessa's shoulder, but never took his his eyes from Maria's face.
Maria shook her head and went to her wardrobe, "Vanessa's dress was all but ruined from the birthing, so I'm going to lend her some of my older clothing." Pulling the door open, she removed a blue split skirt and tan top, with a wide black belt and matching boots. Maria had second thoughts about the boots, and removed a second pair. "I'm not quite sure of her size, so let her know..." Vanessa shifted in her sleep, but didn't wake. Maria put the clothes on the bed and made to leave the room. Her foot crackled on a sheet of paper on the floor, and she bent to pick it up. Once straight, she realized that he hadn't taken his eyes from her, and sighed heavily, "You know Mr. Cartwright, you're going to have to trust me at some point." She raised her eyebrow at him, and left the room, folding the slip of paper into her pocket.
Adam waited for her footsteps to disappear, then gently put a hand on Vanessa's shoulder, "Vanessa...Nessa darling," he whispered, "Supper's ready..." She shifted again, rolling away from him and frowning, "Ugh. You go and tell me if it's worth it." He smiled and leaned in close to her, "Vanessa Cartwright, if you don't get out of this bed I'm going to..." Her frown flipped as he kept talking, laughing aloud as his hands came in contact with her hips, tickling her. "Adam, you keep talking like that and I'm not leaving." He chuckled and slipped out of the bed, grabbing his pants and shirt, "I'll let you dress, Nessa. When you're ready, come downstairs." Vanessa stared at the ceiling, a contented sigh releasing her lungs.
Adam had called her Vanessa Cartwright.
She sat up in the bed, holding the blankets over her chest and looked at the clothes Maria had laid out for her. She'd been awake when the woman had come in, an old habit from the many trails she'd had to ride with her father. At least Maria was a good judge of size, the clothes looked as though they'd fit perfectly. Shrugging into the shirt, she buttoned it to just below her throat, then threw on the skirt. It was slightly longer than she was used to for a split style, but that didn't matter too much. Tucking the shirt into the skirt, she turned to the mirror to make sure she was set. All she needed was...a belt. Once it was slung around her hips, she bobbed her head once at herself, happy with the way she looked.
The kitchen in the house was down the side hall, more easily reached via the servants staircase at the back of the house. She'd barely made it down the steps when she heard the shouts. Vanessa crept outside the doorway and watched in shock as a male body was flung backwards into the wall. The man got to his feet and lunged forward, and she could hear the sounds of flesh being pummeled, the hidden grunts and groans as fists connected with their targets. Then came the sound of breaking glass, wood splintering against wood...then all was silent except for someone's heavy breathing. Cautiously, she pressed the door open, and the sight before her stopped her heart. Adam lay on the floor, his face turning black and blue from taking hits, his nose was bleeding. But the man he was glaring at scared her even that much more.
He stood with the pride of his forefathers, bare chested and sweating heavily, his hands splayed against his hips and face staring down at both her and Adam. Vanessa only gave him a quick glance before kneeling to see to Adam, who gripped her arm tightly and used her to get to his feet. "Get out of here, Nessa." he growled, gently putting himself between her and his attacker. She shook her head, "I'm not leaving, Adam." she whispered, tightening her grip on his belt. The man across from them chuckled, "That's one thing you'll have to learn, Mr. Cartwright. Once my sister has made up her mind, well, there's really no changing it." Vanessa felt her stomach drop out from under her. Adam risked a glance back at her and frowned, "Sister?" She was shaking, but he couldn't tell if it was from fear or something else. The newcomer was nodding, his face breaking out into a smile, "Yes. Vanessa Warrick is my sister."
Vanessa swallowed, "Nice to see you too, Black Arrow."