Home Is Where The Girl Is
Chapter 8 – Fires That Burn
Unsure if the girl was crying or it was the rain pouring down her cheeks, the ancient lizard silently guided the maiden back into the house. With every step the well educated woman felt as if this impossible walk would never end, as her brilliant mind ran through every scenario possible of what she thought she had just heard.
Over and over she reminded her self of the multiple reasons why a relationship would never work between a Silurian and Human. And when she exhausted those, she moved on to why she barely tolerated the mammals. However as she compiled her excuses, the list grew larger and larger of detailed information on the young maiden. The lizard lady was pleased with herself by how detailed to compilation was, very detective like, she mused.
Rehearsing the checklist, she recalled the way unrefined woman moved, spoke, and assisted her. Vastra's mind spun as she began to take pleasure in narrating each item off the list: the way her maid smiled, dressed, and the smelt. The terrific smell caught the reptilian off guard as she found herself licking her own lips at the imagery. For nearly thirty steps, the entitled Silurian had been depicting everything she had come to adore about her companion until she realized, that only her own stubbornness kept her true feelings hidden.
Before long, the skilled fighter had the cottage fireplace roaring as the stunned girl remained silent and staring only at the floor. As the flames, unlike those from earlier, soothed and crackled in the still room, the reptilian prepared the shivering girl a cup of warm milk. Attempting to calm her own shaky nerves, she handed the young maiden the cup. "Here my dear, drink this."
Devilishly yearningly, the prestigious Victorian watched as Jenny's lips seductively wrapped around the brim of the cup. The well educated woman had to pull herself away before allowing the provocative thought to go any further. Thankful the dark hair beauty could not see her flushed complication, the woman returned to the fire place and stirred the flames to produce more heat in the living room. She then flipped a blanket she had placed in front of the fire to help warm her young servant.
When the prestigious Victorian felt she had regained her composure, she soothingly suggested, "Come, let's get you out of those wet clothes."
Jenny's numb fingers fumbled for the tie at her throat, but when they didn't work, her mentor stepped in and untied the cloak. Placing it to the side, Vastra slowly went down on bended knee and gently unlaced her boots, then removed them. With hands of silk, she gingerly took off her stockings as well. When only the maiden's cream chemise was left, the prehistoric woman went to the fire place to retrieve the warm blanket.
It was hard to shock the illustrious detective, but when she turned back around and saw Jenny's bare skin, it took all the warrior had to keep breathing. In her short absents, the former match girl had untied her lite chemise and allowed it to fall around her ankles. Standing before the lady of the house was an entirely naked woman, with all her graces on proud display.
Taking in the beautiful figure before her, the green woman quickly noticed what little color remained in maid's face was rapidly disappearing. In a flash, Vastra had the warm blanket wrapped around her female companion. Floating in and out of consciousness, the young match girl managed to utter, "I…"
Caressing her face, the well educated woman soothed the girl as she drug her limp body closer to the fireplace. "Hush now child." As a bit of fear overcame her, Vastra petted the human, coddling her like a child. Wiping stray pieces of hair out of her face, the skilled fighter's voice trembled. "I've got you dear. I won't let anything happened to you."
Jenny's eyes opened once more and looked up at her personal caretaker and friend. Expelling what little energy she had left, she locked eyes with Silurian and proclaimed, "I meant what I said miss." With her next breath, the exhausted woman slipped away.
Sure the young woman in her arms had pasted out, from exhaustion, shock or both, the reptilian cupped her own mouth and stared up at the ceiling. What was she to do with this new information?
In the cozy living room of the cottage, the diligent investigator watched over the drained human all night. Gently placing her on the couch next to the fire, Madame Vastra retreated to the wing back chair; she swore she would not sit in again for quite some time after staying there all night. Mentally repeating the conversation several times throughout the night to occupy the time, she proclaimed that the chair was comfortable for sitting in, but not spending the entire evening in; worried about someone she cared a great deal for.
The next morning, the acting nurse maid came to life when she heard her patient moan. Coming too, the maiden stirred, nearly knocking off the fine quilt Vastra used to keep her warm. When Jenny's eyes finally opened all the way, a pair of greatly concerned blue pupils stared back at her. "Blimy miss, wat happened?"
When it occurred to the matriarch that the young girl might not remember the things she said the night before, the Silurian backed away from the couch to give her some room to recuperate. Unsure if she was relieved or sadden by the idea, the lady of the house paced as the maiden got her bearings. Trying to make herself scarce, the matriarch headed to the kitchen. "I will make you some tea."
Overwhelmed by the imagery that was crushing down on her all at once, Jenny's mind suddenly slowed when she realized the blanket covering her was Madame Vastra's quilt; her favorite one in fact. The cockney girl's fingers languidly caressed the fine embroidery; countless times had she imagined herself under that exact comfortable. Without hesitation, as if she were gripping onto a dream, she pulled the cover up to her face and inhaled deeply. She could smell the Silurian's scent all over it. Enthralled by the fragrance, the brown eyed girl moaned, "Oh Gawd".
Rounding the couch, Vastra carried in a tray. Concerned by the buried girl, her mentor questioned, "Is everything alright Jenny?"
Wanting to crawl further under the luxurious bed linen, the girl answered in her thick accent, "Yes ma'am."
Making the final preparations for tea, the prestigious Victorian proclaimed, "I thought we should rest today…." Vastra's eyes immediately searched for any protest but when there was none, she continued, "It seems we both had a frightful night."
Jenny had taken several sips from her warm cup before she realized what her mistress said. "Excuse me miss fer sayin' but yew didn't look very scared puttin' aaht that fire."
"It wasn't the fire that worried me my dear."
Sitting up a bit more, the young maiden prodded, "Then what was it?"
Causing the human's heart to skip a beat or two, Madame Vastra replied, "Loosing you Jenny. It has always frightened me to death to lose you."
The former match girl nearly split her drink as she sat up to respond but was cut short by the ancient warrior's stern voice. "Not now. I would like you to go upstairs and take a warm bath. You need to get some of the pastiness back in those cheeks."
Again the girl tried to spill the thoughts that filled her soul, and was again interrupted, "Then I want you to eat something and take a long nap." When Jenny waited patiently, that is when Vastra told her what she wanted to hear. "Then we will talk. There seems to be much to discuss my dear." Unsure of what to do next, the reptilian was pleased that she had just bought herself more time to evaluate what Jenny said the night before. Not allowing the weak human to reply, the reptilian woman quickly shuffled out of the room.
Even as the prestigious Victorian exited the living room, the match girl's eyes followed and were beaming with delight. She recounted the numerous times the two of them would be breathing in the same air, and last night they shared it all evening. Although unconscious, it did not matter to the woman who had been crushing on her mentor for weeks. Burying her face in the mistress's bedspread, she imagined touching it as if it were Vastra's skin directly. Briefly glancing back over her shoulder, Jenny grabbed the blanket out of sheer joy; thankful the warrior was no longer in the room. Sucking in one last breath before she got up, the eager student confessed, "Even if she eats me for supper tonight. I will always have last night with her…" The dark haired beauty exhaled, "…and this glorious smell."