Mariah passed Benjamin one plate after the other,serving the people waiting for lunch in Miss Claire's cabin. Most were unmarried men coming straight from their work on the fields,hungry and tired. Miss Claire was busying herself with the other elderly ladies and Mariah was left on her post. Thankfully,Benjamin showed up to assist. Strangely,he seemed to appear whenever Mariah needed some sort of help. She had growned fond of the man and he obviously had a soft spot for her as well.
''Your eyes are bruised. Did you not sleep again?'' Benjamin voiced his concern and Mariah nodded,handing him another plate filled with food.
''I've had trouble sleeping ever since I was a child. It is nothing new to me.'' She answered with a reassuring smile.
Benjamin shook his head. ''Still,you should visit the medical. Lack of sleep is not good for you. What does Uncas say about it?''
Mariah eyed him but made no personal comment about the question. Lately,Benjamin had been pressing her a lot about her relationship with Uncas. He was always wondering about his saying on various matters and conveyed the impression that he kept an eye on him. In all honesty,Mariah did not understand why he was so concerned.
''He stays awake until I fall asleep.'' She responded after several minutes of silence. Benjamin simply nodded,seemingly satisfied with the answer. Someone suddenly,cleared their throat and Mariah turned around to find Alice standing behind her.
''You need something Alice?'' Mariah asked and Alice rubbed her hands together. ''I was wondering if I could help. I have been sitting around all day.''
Mariah smiled apologetically. ''Benjamin is already assisting me. Sit down if you like,when this is over I will be free for the day. We can go for a walk.'' Alice nodded and quietly sat down in one of the chairs.
Alice walked next to her cousin as the two sat in the meadow right outside of the settlement. Long grass and flowers surrounded them while the sun shone brightly.
''I am most curious about him Alice. That man appeared out of nowhere and he already has become a dear friend. He seems to pay attention to everything...know everything. It is...strange.'' Mariah said reffering to Benjamin.
Alice leaned back on her arms and looked up at the sky. ''He seems to have taken a liking in you. Wherever you are,he seems to be as well. Do you think he has some sort of affection for you?'' At her words,Mariah's face scrunched up in dismay.
''He is old enough to be my father Alice. The thought alone makes me sick.'' Alice shrugs but offers no further explanation. Turning to face her cousin,Mariah could not help but ask.
''What about you and Christopher?'' He question caught Alice by surprise. ''What about us?''
''You have been avoiding him.'' Something that had been made obvious to everyone. For the last few days,Christopher had been making almost pathetic attempts to approach Alice and she always had some excuse to not talk to him.
''I have not.'' Alice denied. ''Yes you have.'' Mariah paused. ''He has feeling for you.'' At that,Alice said nothing and Mariah continued. ''Even a blind man could see it.''
At her words,a bitter feeling of jealousy rose inside Alice. Those were Uncas exact words. These two were now quoting each other. Their relationship was far too good. That,made Alice feel even more guilty and envious. The young warrior had been the main subject of her thoughts lately and that worried her. She had realized that she had come to have some feelings about him. Feelings that consumed her. Shaking her head,Alice drove away these thoughts.
''I do not feel the same way Mariah. I hope you all understand that.'' The coldness in her voice made Mariah feel uneasy.
''Do you have someone else in mind?'' She asked. Alice eyes her carefully. ''What makes you think that?''
''You have been distracted lately. You spend most of your time alone or with Miss Claire and whenever we all gather together you always leave early.'' Because the more I stay,the more I long for him. She thought and immedeatly flushed. Had she really just thought that? What in the world was wrong him her? Alice ran a hand through her hair,feeling more confused than she had ever felt in her entire life.
Uncas returned at his cabin late at night and found Mariah reading on the bed. He unhooked his tomahawk from his belt and placed it near the bed. Leaning down,he laid a hand on Mariah's neck and brought her face close to his,kissing her forehead. He whispered something in Indian and Mariah raised her eyebrows in question.
''What does that mean?'' She asked confused. Uncas sat down next to her and pulled off his moccasins.
''Nuttah..My heart.'' He responded and Mariah felt her chest swell with pride and love. Love for the man she chose to be with and pride for the fact that he thought so highly of her. Leaving her book,she rose to her knees and pulled Uncas down for a proper kiss. His lips molded with hers and heat pooled between her legs. Reaching inside his loincloth,she removed that masculine part of him from the clothing and he allowed himself to moan in satisfaction at her touch. Mariah pulled away and slowly reached for her gown. Unlacing the strings that held it together,she let the dress fall from her body. The white almost see through shift of hers,caused a shiver of passion to run through Uncas,shaking his entire body. He reached his hand and cupped the swell of her breast,fumbling with the soft cotton before removing it. Mariah got a hold of Uncas' shirt and lifted it off of him. Taking off the loincloth,they both stood naked infront of each other. Mariah was not sure who reached out first but they ended up pressed against each other,with her laying on the matress.
Uncas held her hands,placing them above her head. Holding them with only one hand,he reached with the other and with gentle motions moved inside her. He dropped his head on her shoulder and she burried her face in his long hair. His thrusts drove her down to a path of lust,desire and utter completion. She felt whole. She felt as if she was one with him,the man she loved. Pushing him back,she held on to his shoulders,looking him straight in his eyes. Uncas let out sounds of pure pleasure. ''Nuttah...'' His words pushed her towards the edge and they both reached their peak. Uncas removed himself and lay next to her with one arm draped over her waist,holding Mariah close. She was about to turn around in his arms,when suddenly someone knocked on the door. Before Mariah could respond,Alice walked in. The young girl stood frozen on the doorstep as she took in the scene infront of her.
''Alice!'' Mariah shouted as she tried to cover herself. The calling of her name seemed to trigger her,because the trance she was in broke and a gasp escaped her lips. Tears ran down her cheeks and her hand covered her mouth. Mariah grabbed her clothes and was about to move when her cousin turned around and ran as fast as she could. ''Alice wait!'' Mariah called out again and rose from the bed,dressing herself as quickly as possible. When she was decent,she ran after her cousin. Mariah easily caught up with her and pulled Alice by her arm.
''I am sorry you had to see that,I should have locked the door. God,Alice I apologize.'' Mariah hang her head in shame. Alice sobbed loudly and removed herself from her cousin's hold.
''You do not understand.'' Alice said in a broken voice and Mariah stood confused. ''I do not...'' Dead silence followed and Mariah watched Alice cry her heart out but made no movements towards the girl.
''I am the one who should apologize.'' Alice finally said in a quiet tone. Mariah furrowed her eyebrows. ''Apologize for-''
''I have feelings for him.'' Alice cut her off and Mariah stood still. Her brain refused to process the words that were just voiced.
''I have feelings for Uncas.'' Alice clarified and Mariah backed away. ''No..'' She dragged the word out but the seer pain and regret in her cousin's eyes told her that what she was telling was the truth.
''I did not mean for it to happen. It just did. I tried to burry it,I did you have to believe me. I just...I just cannot hold it back any longer Mariah.'' Said girl,remained absolutely quiet. Benjamin had been right all along. Tears welled in her eyes. Not wanting to have Alice see her cry she turned her back on her and walked away.
When she arrived outside of Miss Claire's cabin Mariah had tears running down her face and loud sobs were escaping her mouth. She was about to open the door when suddenly she heard voices.
''She will find out Benjamin. You cannot keep it from her forever.'' Miss Claire said and Benjamin was heard sighing.
''I know Claire,I know but we have made such progress. She talks to me. Opens up to me. You want me to risk all that?'' He questioned in anger.
''Yes Benjamin! She deserves to know the truth.'' Claire said her voicing rising.
''I know she does Claire. I do not imply otherwise. I will tell her everything but not now. Not now. She is not ready.'' The man responded his voice calm once again. Words of agreement were spoken and the cabin was quiet once more.
Mariah decided it was best to leave these two alone. Whatever and whoever they were talking about seemed important. Yet,million of question run through Mariah's mind. How could any of this happen? What was Benjamin hiding? And most important of all...How was all this going to end?
Well,things are about to get ugly. What do you think Benjamin is hiding and from who? Please review,it means a lot to me. Also,major thank you to all of you who are reading the sequel. :) you guys are awesome