Chapter 24

"Catherine!", he shouted again and bitted Demon to search the area more closely. On his left side he noticed stirred soil that had already turned into a small mud hole. Stephane jumped off his horse to inspect the tracks more closely. A few meters away he saw hoofprints leading down a steep bank. He got on his stallion once again and goated him down the slope as well. The moment he spotted a jadegreen piece of fabric that dangled from one of the thorn hedges at the foot of the bank, his heart contracted painfully at first and then sank into his boots.
"Catherine," he shouted again at top of his lungs but he didn't received an answer. So he continued to hurry along the narrow abundandly path covered with vegetation that hopefully led him to his wife. He did not notice the sodden rain, nor the unpleasant coldness that slowly crept up his spine.
Again and again he called her name and sent a silent prayer to heaven each time she didn't answer.

"I'm here!" Stephane yanked on Demons reins the moment he heard her soft, almost unnoticeable voice. He stopped to pinpoint her position, then he put his spurrs to Demon and galloped off towards her voice at breakneck speed and despite the slippery ground.
"Catherine!" He yelled breathlessly as he finally spotted the rainsoaked but intact looking figure that came running at his direction. Even before his horse came to a halt, Narcisse already jumped off and ran towards his wife. He locked her into a bear hug and pressed her small form tightly against his chest. "Oh my god, you're okay. Tell me you're alright, ma Belle!?", he pressed emotionally charged and put her at arm's length a few seconds later to take in her appearance. "Are you hurt?" Because even though she seemed unharmed, he still had to hear her say it.

"Only my pride is hurt," Catherine said, her lips quivering from the cold while her whole body shivered slightly.
"I was so worried about you. Oh my god, don't you ever scare me like that again."
He pulled his wife into his arms once again. The unbearable tension that suddenly dropped off, shook his entire body. On the spur of the moment Stephane kissed Catherine with an intensity that gave her a stagger.
"Never again, do you hear me?!", he whispered against her lips.
He noticed how surprised she was by his desperate reaction. To his amazement she did not elude herself but rather returned his kisses - no less passionate. Stephane only released her lips when he realized that she was trembling due to the cold and not with desire. He stripped off his wet coat and put it over Catherine's shoulders. Although the garment was already a bit clammy from the inside it would still protect her from the icy wind. At least better than her own dress that was not only thin but dripping wet.

"The thunderstorm surprised me and in addition Liberté escaped my grasp. How very foolish. We have to find her, Stephane," Catherine explained after he had lifted her on Demon and climbed up right behind her.
"We already found her. That's why I was so terribly worried about you. I don't want to think about what could have happend!" Stephane reached around his wife. He took the reins and urged his stallion on. Without hesitation Catherine slumped back against his chest and closed her eyes. She obviously entrusted him to bring her home - safe and unharmed. An idea that pleased Stephane Narcisse to no end.

When they reached the main path, Stephane called off the search. With his wife in his arms he galloped off to their home on the fastest route. He let Demon come to a halt in front of the stairs that led to the main house. Then he swung himself off the animal's back and helped her down as well. He handed the reins to one of the lads and led Catherine up the steps. She was shivering from cold and exhaustion.
As soon as they entered the chateau, he summoned their servants.
"Light a fire in our chambers. Prepare a light meal as well as a cup of tea with rum."
Stephane stepped around his wife and freed her from his heavy coat, wherein she look small and lost.
"And prepare a hot bath," he added after a brief pause while giving Catherine a look of scrutiny. "Any objections?"
His question took her by surprise and she needed a moment before she realized the reach of his behavior. Quite obviously Stephane respected her wishes and sensitivities. Even at a moment when he seemed to be dominated by his concern for her well-being. "No objections. Thank you, "she whispered, gratefully taking the hand he held out for her to escort her upstairs.

The experiences of the last few hours had demanded more from her than she wanted to admit. Every fiber of her body ached and burned with cold and overstraining. As they entered their chambers, a young lad was already kneeling by the fireplace and tending to the fire. When he was satisfied with his efforts the boy arose, bowed slightly and scurried out. Not much later crackling flames shot up and spread a pleasant warmth. Catherine still shivered with cold and her wet dress clung to her body in an uncomfortable way. She did not even want to think about the desolate state of her hairdo.

A clutch of servants ran past them to the adjoining room where they prepared a steaming bath for them. Stephane closed the door to protect her from prying eyes and began to untie the wet lacing of her dress that her shaky and cold fingers had previously struggled with in vain.
"Let me help you," he murmured against her ear and the warmth of his words flushed her body with heat to the core of her heart. Catherine nodded and her husband made short work of her dress as well of her soaked underdress. Then he wrapped her in her robe and ran his strong hands over her upper arms for a few seconds.
Stephane pulled Catherine over to the fireplace and placed her in one of the comfortable armchairs to wait there until their servants finished with their preparations. With an affectionate look he spread a warm blanket over her.

Here we go - I don't want to spoil you (okay, that's a lie), but smut alert ahead for the next chapter... now it's out.

Thank you all for reading and posting reviews. This means the world to me.

at G: you know, as it takes me so long to translate this fanfic I prefere to stick with shorter chapters to be able to update more frequently. Does this make sense?

at CallmeCordelia1: I'm happy that you like the direction where this is going. :-) I was afraid that it would seem a bit lame going for the "damsel in distress" plot. That's why I didn't want Catherine to get injured or feel completely helpless. Does this make sense as well?

at LaurenBelgium: Thank you, my Dear. I'm glad you like my fanfiction and took some time to write a nice rewiew as well. Welcome on board.