BlerBlerBler- yes it is and it's only getting stronger here. Just wait till next time!
lovelytroublemaker - thank you so much! I loooove everyone's reviews so please keep it going with any story of mine you read! Reviews are what I thrive on to write more and more!
elder441 - Thank you! It is my pleasure ;) and I am going to continue for as long as I can and don't worry about Louis he's about to get a taste of his own medicine by someone I never considered bringing in to this story because of not knowing much about them, but now I have a perfect place for them. I also hope no one minds that this one is totally not following the show at all.
A few hours later they ventured out to the first of the surrounding lands and Francis explained to Louis what he had in mind for the crop growers there and answered any questions he had. Mary enjoyed the time in between destinations when her and Francis rode side by side and just talked about anything and everything. She felt Conde watching them often and was a little unsure what he meant by it. She hoped it was just because he wished for what they had and not because of something else. She knew Francis would easily send him back if he found out he wasn't there on good terms.
A few more hours passed, and they were finally reaching the castle the sun starting to set behind them. Mary just wanted to take a bath, but she really needed to visit Adi in the nursery. She hoped she was hungry because she was sure she had enough milk for two babies. She excused herself once Francis helped her dismount and headed for the nursery straightaway. She found the nurse holding Adi who seemed calm until she caught sight of Mary. Then she held out her hands and started to fuss a little. "I will send for you when we're finished." she smiled at the nanny and took Adi into her arms. "Alright your majesty. She took the goat's milk earlier, but she really wanted her momma's." The nanny chuckled and went to tend to what she needed to. "I missed you too." Mary said as Adi latched on. She kissed her head and sat on the settee closing her eyes and letting the tension drain from her body.
Bash gladly left the advisors to Francis when he returned from their ride. They didn't have anything that Bash needed to stay and hear so he decided to tend to his other duties, so he could actually eat supper with Kenna and Alexander. He was almost a month old and Bash couldn't get enough of him. He met with Leith to discuss the sheriffing matters and then tended to his gelding before heading to his chambers. He noticed Kenna and the baby were absent, so he had one of the servants prepare a bath for him. She was most likely visiting with her friends and would return shortly so she wouldn't miss supper. He soaked in the bath for a while and then got dressed into fresh clothes before inquiring about supper.
Kenna returned to her chambers when Alexander grew hungry and found Bash had already inquired about their supper. She gave him a kiss before settling in to feed Alex. Bash shared the news from his time in court and she told him about her activities with Lola and Greer as they planned Lola's wedding and started on Greer's. She let Bash take Alex while she freshened up and then as Alex slept in his cradle they ate their supper and then settled in for a quiet night just to themselves.
A few days later and it was the eve of the Lady Lola's wedding. She would be married on the morrow and Conde hoped he could find someone to distract him for a little while. He was growing tired of playing messenger to his uncle and he was growing short of information to feed Francis about England. He knew his uncle would be pleased that Francis was proving himself to be a worthy King. Conde knew he hadn't faced a hard decision yet, so he would try his best to wait until that happened to actually throw his lot in with him. He just needed someone to occupy him and he didn't dare try for Mary. She was still too infatuated with her husband he feared if he tried something Francis would have him beheaded.
Lola's anticipation was growing as the hours ticked by until she was married. So far, she'd kept Julien out of her bed, but the more they were together the harder it was becoming. The idea of having people at their consummation wasn't on the top of her list as something to look forward too, but Julien was a Noble and close to the King. She was just about to begin preparing for bed when there was a knock on her door. She opened it and her stomach flipped when Julien stood there smiling and looking as handsome as ever. Against her better judgement she let him in and closed the door behind him. "You really shouldn't be here Julien." she said. He turned to her and took her hands in his. "I know, but we are getting married tomorrow, and no one knows or has to know I was here." he said. Lola drew her eyebrows together in a questioning look. She realized what he was implying when he pulled her against him and placed his lips on hers. She was taken aback and tried to pull away, but his hand slid around her neck and the other below her waist. The touch seemed to light a passion she didn't know she was had, and she stopped resisting. He was right. They were getting married tomorrow what did it matter?
Julien almost regretted not telling Lola what he had originally come to tell her. He'd gotten the news that his father was dying, and he had to return to home to receive his father's estates. He knew things weren't going well there and the trip itself was perilous. They would have their wedding night, but he had to leave after that. He wanted to remember as much about her as he could because there was no way he would put her in harm's way. So, when he saw her and imagined being apart from her longer than they could be together he decided to throw caution to the wind. He was afraid she would pull away and be angry with him, but from the moment he placed his lips on hers and slid his hand down her waist he knew she was his. He wanted to be sure she wouldn't stop him when he continued so he kept convincing her with his kisses and teasing her with his touch. His stomach did a little flip when he felt her inhale sharply as he ran his hands up and down her back and across her stomach and across her hips. He wanted to touch her skin, but he didn't want to scare her. She had only just begun to let her instincts take over and really kiss him back.
Lola felt a heat pool low in her belly as Julien kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She closed her eyes and held her breath realizing where this would go and not wanting it to stop. His hands trailed to her waist and slipped behind her back pulling her tighter against him. "Julien." She breathed as his lips traced a path from her jaw to just below her ear. It seemed to be all the permission he needed for he turned her around and began working at the laces of her corset.
Julien felt his breath leave him when he saw Lola completely unveiled. Rushing to be hers in every way he pounced on her as soon as she had reached the bed and got very busy in doing just that.
Lola couldn't imagine doing something so private and lovely in front of witnesses, but she was easily distracted when Julien kissed her r hat she hoped it would be enough. When they both lay beside each other breathlessly she wondered what would happen now. She now realized what kept Mary and Kenna's minds so occupied whenever they had tea together and smiled knowingly. "Now what?" she finally said turning to look at her husband-to-be. He rolled to face her and pulled her against him intertwining his legs with hers. "I just hold you until we both fall asleep." Lola placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him again. "I love you."
Julian kissed her back and then placing a kiss on her forehead he tucked her head under his chin and slid his fingers across her back in a soothing rhythm. "I love you too." he replied. He pushed his worries back and just held her close until she fell asleep. When he knew she was deeply sleeping he pulled away and raised the blankets over her. "I'll marry you tomorrow." he whispered and then putting his clothes back on he left the room and headed to his chambers hoping if he wasn't successful in giving her a child he would tomorrow. He just wanted to give her something to remember him by if something were to happen to him on his travels.
Lola's wedding day came and went in a flurry of excitement and happiness for all involved. She was grateful for all who had helped make it possible and thankful to have found someone like Julian. They talked and danced and ate the day away till it was time for their consummation. Julian squeezed her hand as they walked to their chambers followed by those who were chosen as witnesses. She was still slightly uncomfortable at others watching, but since their coming together the night before she was sure her mind would be far away. As soon as Julian pulled her close and kissed her she knew her assumption was right, and her mind was on nothing else but loving her husband. Thankfully he wasted no time in giving the witnesses what they wanted and soon they were alone to finish the rest of the night the way they wanted to.
Mary was really happy for her friend and glad they had something to lift everyone's spirits. Tensions were growing higher the longer they waited to act on Elizabeth's post-poned abdication. Conde was starting to give her a bad feeling the way he seemed to suddenly watch only her. Whatever his true mission for coming to them was she felt as though he were drawing closer to the starting point. She met Francis in their chambers after the wedding and once she tended to Adi and sent her with her nanny she turned to Francis who was watching her curiously. "What?" she asked. "There must be something on your mind. We usually spend more time with Adi before she goes to bed." She walked over to where he was sitting on the settee and took his hands pulling him up. "Really it's nothing. I just need to be reminded how my husband makes me feel." she said. Then she placed a soft kiss on his lips and waited as his hands slowly came up to cup her face as he began returning her kisses. She stopped herself from almost laughing out loud when she remembered that Lola was probably finally understanding why Mary was sometimes late to appear in the mornings. She really just wanted to forget the way Conde had eyed her all night and reminding herself how much her and Francis loved each other was her treatment. And it worked. Francis wasted no time in ridding both of their clothes and lifting her up he carried her to the bed and she didn't remember a thing the rest of the night.