Hello again all! I do hope everyone is doing well. Seems we're all a bit busy these days and the ship has slowed down a little. But it is still at full sail and I have every confidence that the posts will keep coming. Happy sailing! Oh, and I love to get happy comments and reviews, by the way ;)
Dinner was an informal affair with the guests having the choice of being served in the indoors dining room or outside on the veranda. Edith and Anthony chose the Veranda. It overlooked the lake and as the sun began its journey over the horizon, many different species of animals appeared at the lake for refreshment.
The couple noticed a sentry sitting on top of a nearby rise watching the area surrounding the lake. "He is watching for predators," Sarah said as she stood near the rail of the veranda and saw their interest. "So many animals come here at this time of day and predators, lions especially, see it as an opportunity. But we don't want them so close to the buildings, so Khosi stands watch. He'll fire into the air to frighten them away. Of course, it will scatter the animals at the lake too. But Khosi will only fire at an animal if it threatens humans."
"Khosi does this every evening?" Anthony asked.
"Unless he is late returning from a tour. In that case, Timothy will stand watch. But Khosi is much better. Timothy is a good lad but prone to laziness and consequently, not such a good eye for incoming predators. He's going to get caught napping one time and hopefully all he will lose is the job."
"Oh goodness, is it really that dangerous?" Edith wanted to know, her eyes slowing turning from the sentry on the hillside to Sarah.
Sarah turned to look at Edith. "Predators surround you here. If you do not keep watch, then they will take from you; food or perhaps your life…. Perhaps even," her eyes turned to survey Anthony, "your lover." She turned and left without another word.
Edith turned back to look at Anthony, who was watching Sarah walk away with a perplexed expression. "What the devil was that about?" he asked under his breath.
"Seems Sarah is warning us about predators," Edith replied. "And by the look she gave you, it would also seem she might be among them."
"Yes, but…."
"What my darling? You should be used to predatory women from what I saw in London."
"I rather got the impression she was telling me that ….." He shook his head. "No, why would she….?"
"Anthony?"
"Oh nothing, my sweet. It's just that I think she has her eyes on you?"
"As competition for the prize, which is you?" Edith chuckled.
Anthony grimaced. "No, I think she was warning me that she is coming after you."
"Oh," Edith said, slightly bemused. "Well, I'm not interested."
"I'm not the one who needs convincing," Anthony smiled.
"But I think I will do some convincing, in any case," she said, a lecherous smile lighting her face. "I do rather enjoy convincing you…."
"My darling wife, if this afternoon was a sample of your persuasive abilities, please feel free to convince me of anything, anything at all."
Later in the evening, they sat outside their cottage next to the pool. Each had a copy of a brochure listing all the adventure possibilities at the reserve, although Anthony was spending more time looking at his wife than at the brochure. "Well, I think we should go on one of the tours tomorrow," Edith told Anthony. "That seems to be the best way to take in the landscape and see everything."
"Yes, but which one. There seems to be two possibilities. Would you rather see a pride of lions and a herd of zebras or follow the water animals?"
"There are other animals besides lions and zebras," Edith chuckled.
"Yes, that's true. We saw some elephants on the way in."
"Stop watching me and read the brochure, Anthony." Edith smiled as she admonished him. "There are Springboks, and leopards, and oh…. Rhinoceros, they have Black Rhinos here. And Giraffes and Cape Buffalo and…"
"Yes, alright. That is the tour we will do then," Anthony interrupted.
"Are you certain? I want you to enjoy this to."
Anthony smiled at his bride. "My dear, I'm sure the animals will be fascinating but for me the pleasure will come from watching you enjoy watching them."
Edith sighed as she looked up at him. "I am so lucky," she said softly.
"Lucky?"
"Yes, no one had snatched you up before I was ready to snatch you for myself. How very sad my life would have been if you had already remarried.
A shy, hesitant smile worked across his features. "My dear, since Maud I had not looked, I mean really looked at another woman until you came along. You were so determined and yet so sweet, how could I not. But it is I who is the lucky one." He looked down at the brochure in his hand and took a deep breath. "Shall I inquire at the desk about the tour tomorrow then?"
"Oh yes, please do. And while you are doing that, I'll have a nice bath in that enormous tub inside."
"I should hurry then. Perhaps you'll still be soaking when I return," he quipped with a suggestive grin as he stood to leave. "Won't be long, my sweet one," Anthony said as he leaned down to peck Edith on the cheek.
Anthony headed out of the door at the front as Edith watched him go. Then taking a last glance at the landscape for the evening, Edith headed inside as well. She turned on the tap in the tub in the bathroom and went into the bedroom to look for a gown in her bag, when she realized someone was standing in the doorway between the bedroom and the lounge.
Turned to fully face the surprise visitor, Edith felt uncomfortable. "Is there something you need?" she asked the intruder.
Sarah took a step forward. "I thought I'd check on you to be sure everything is alright." Glancing around the room, she took another step. "Your husband isn't here?"
"No, he stepped out for a moment. But he'll be back. Just arranging a tour for tomorrow."
"A tour? Yes, right… I… I could show you some things, some things I know you'd love." Sarah took another step.
"Thank you but…. Anthony and I… we are looking forward to the tour tomorrow."
"You could still do that tour. I wasn't talking about that. But since he's not here, maybe I can show you something now; you know, sort of an introduction to… other adventures."
Edith realized that Sarah was only a few steps away now. And suddenly she was frightened. "I ummm…. The water in the tub…. I should…." She immediately realized it was the wrong thing to say. Sarah was smiling now, and it wasn't a nice smile. "Yes, let's see about the tub," Sarah said.
"I really think you should leave now," Edith said nervously. "Anthony will be back any minute and…. And besides, I… I'm really not interested."
Sarah took the space between them in quick strides and grabbed Edith by the arm. "Oh, but you are. You were flirting with me; don't think I didn't see the way you looked at me earlier."
"I don't know what you are talking about. I am not interested in you, in that way."
"Then why were you…. You were flirting with me. I don't like it when someone flirts and then shuts me off like that."
"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. But I'm really not interested. I…. Anthony and I are married and I love him very much."
"That old man?" Sarah's chuckle had a sinister sound to it. "I thought he was your father at first. He can't be much fun. Probably has to be in bed early. Old people need their rest, you know."
"Anthony isn't old and he is quite a lot of fun, not that it is any of your business. And right now, half the women in London are in a state of depression since I took him off the market. I had to fight for him and I'm quite happy with my prize," Edith boasted.
"Prize?" Sarah laughed.
"I quite agree," Anthony's voice sounded from behind Sarah. "I am no prize. It is I who have won the prize in Edith. And Sarah, I don't share what is most valuable to me." His voice had taken on a menacing tone that Edith hadn't heard before.
Sarah's eyes narrowed and she turned to face Anthony. "I can show her things…" She paused and her demeanor changed. "Perhaps we could…. Together we could show her…"
"As I said, I don't share," Anthony growled, straightening to his full height. "And I heard my wife tell you that she isn't interested anyway. Perhaps you should leave."
Sarah glared at him for a moment, glanced over her shoulder to look back at Edith, and then headed for the door. Anthony watched her move across the room and just as she reached the door, he told her in a hostile snarl, "And Sarah, you will not come near my wife again. Do you understand?"
Sarah looked back over her shoulder at him and nodded, then quietly left the cottage. Anthony turned to Edith, worriedly. "Are you alright?"
Edith, astonished by the last few minutes, ran into his embrace. "I was…. She was… frightening."
"Yes, she was," he agreed. "But you are alright?"
"Yes, my darling man. You came to my rescue just in time."
"Yes, well…. I shan't leave you on your own again while we are here."
"I think I might be quite happy with that arrangement," Edith said as she suddenly remembered the bath that was still running. Dashing into the bathroom, she turned off the tap just as Anthony grabbed her around her waist, and swooped her into his arms. Edith squealed, "Anthony," before giggling.
"My lady wishes a bath?"
"She does," Edith replied, laughing at his silliness. "Perhaps my knight should join me, protect me from anyone who might take advantage."
Easing her to stand on the floor again, Anthony grinned down at her. "And who will protect you from your knight?"
"Who said I desired protection from him." Edith replied saucily and she began to unbutton his shirt. Within a few short minutes both the knight and his lady were ensconced in the warmth of the water and each other.
