The Sheriff was just closing the doors of the Council Quarters on Tuesday just before dusk when he saw Guy. Guy had just returned from his mission and was coming to report to his cousin. He knew he would find him there because the Sheriff always went to the Council Quarters at day's end religiously.
"Guy! How did the mission fare?" The Sheriff asked when he greeted him.
"I found nothing there to incriminate him. We didn't find him either." Guy said.
"Perfect. Did you do as I asked?" The Sheriff asked.
"Yes. I found the perfect place to conceal them." Guy replied.
"Good. I just have a few things I need to deal with here before we go back." The Sheriff said.
"What news, cousin? I can tell you have something to say." Guy guessed.
"My son is home. He is safe at your manor." The Sheriff smiled.
"You have a son." Guy said quietly.
"Yes, Guy. Isn't it marvelous?" The Sheriff exclaimed. "He is perfect. He looks like me. But he…has her eyes." The Sheriff said with his eyes downcast.
"Cousin?" Guy asked. Something was wrong.
The Sheriff sighed. "It's a long, drawn out story, Guy, but…Lady Rhiannon called off our wedding. I'm not even sure if I understand the reason anymore." The Sheriff said. His eyes remained downcast.
"What?" Guy asked, incredulous.
"It has to do with the man charged with kidnapping my child. Remember what I told you when we dined together with our ladies two days before your wedding? That – she knew the man who was wanted for it? Well…that was only my hunch." The Sheriff said. His eyebrow shot north while he continued. "Once again, my hunch, or gut instinct as I would prefer to call it – was right on target. Again! Because she does know him!" The Sheriff hissed. Then he turned around and opened the door to the Council Quarters again. He motioned for Guy to follow him inside so they could continue their conversation privately.
"And?" Guy probed him after the door was closed.
"You should have seen her face when she saw him! I stood right there in plain view of her, Guy, and it was as if I were invisible to her! The look she gave him – it was pure love and adulation! It made me sick!" The Sheriff spat.
"No. No…not Lady Rhiannon." Guy said in disbelief.
"You're damn right!" The Sheriff hissed. Then he began to pace. He was beside himself, Guy noted. The Sheriff began to speak rapidly as he recited some of the story: "And then I caught her, cousin – sneaking into the dungeon, straight into this cursed little ferret's cell so she could steal a visit with him!" The Sheriff spat in disgust.
"How on earth did she get past the sentry and your jailer?" Guy asked, incredulous.
"She was dressed in my clothes. She had some of them tailored to fit her! Alas, her plan was carefully masterminded by her…well, you tell me: am I wrong to think she must have loved him? Or more to the point… still loves him? God!" The Sheriff huffed.
"No. I can see your point." Guy agreed.
"And then, she acted like the victim, naturally. Now she wants me to arrest her, and sentence her to the same fate as the kidnapper! Curious, don't you agree?" The Sheriff asked as he narrowed his eyes.
Guy shook his head in amazement. He could not believe what he was hearing.
"And then, another very strange thing happened, apart from Rhiannon. Someone went to great lengths to try to trick me." The Sheriff hissed.
"What happened?" Guy asked.
"Last night, I had a visit from… I do not know her name! But…she was the most ravishing creature I have ever seen." The Sheriff said. He closed his eyes while remembering her.
"A courtesan." Guy guessed.
"The most beautiful, damned…Gah! Courtesan I've ever laid my eyes upon! Indeed, cousin." The Sheriff said.
"How beautiful?" Guy asked.
"Put it this way – she was so beautiful she almost succeeded in making me forget Lady Rhiannon." The Sheriff said with his eyebrow raised knowingly.
Guy swallowed.
"Well, it turns out someone sent her to me. She said it was one of my Knights. I don't believe it, though."
"How far did it go?" Guy prodded.
"It went far. But not far enough. I stopped her. I was just about to take her…" The Sheriff said.
"Oh." Guy muttered.
"If you could've seen her, Guy." The Sheriff whispered.
"She was unlike the others I take it? I've never heard you speak of a courtesan in terms of her beauty before?" Guy remarked.
"Indeed. It was like…she was handpicked." The Sheriff said as he narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin. "By someone who knows…me." The Sheriff swallowed. "Knows what I…like." The Sheriff mused. Funny… the woman just happened to be wearing a gown in the colour he liked best on… Rhiannon. His eyes widened. He felt sick.
"Cousin? What is it?" Guy asked.
"I think I just figured out who hired the wench to come to me. Well…if that was happiness, I guess I had it." The Sheriff lamented shaking his head.
"Are you going to go to her?" Guy asked.
"Of course I am. Even though I know it will be pointless. But I must try." The Sheriff said. "Oh, and one more thing. I had Luke take over your duty of overseeing the dungeon while you were gone. You are back in charge, but I want Luke to continue the interrogation with the lady tomorrow. He seems to be making some headway with it." The Sheriff said.
"Very well." Guy agreed.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
An hour later the Sheriff was standing at the door of Rhiannon's estate.
Lady Rebecca opened the door. She was startled when she looked up and saw who had been knocking.
The Sheriff ignored her and let himself in. Lady Rebeccah tried to block his access.
"I shall wait for her if I have to. Move out of my way!" The Sheriff demanded.
"Rebeccah? Who is here?" Lady Rhiannon called. She walked down the hallway in his direction. She looked up and gasped, and stopped dead in her tracks.
"Leave us, Rebeccah." She said, never taking her eyes off the Sheriff.
Rebeccah obeyed.
"Are you here to take me as your prisoner?" Rhiannon asked.
"What? No! Of course not." The Sheriff said.
"Then what do you want with me?" Rhiannon asked.
The Sheriff walked toward her slowly. "What do you think, Rhiannon." He asked, quietly.
"I don't really know anymore. I think you and my – " She stopped herself from saying 'brother'. "My friend are only interested in tormenting me!" She exclaimed.
The Sheriff rolled his eyes. "Why can't either of you just say it?" He snapped.
"You're very wrong with your assumption. And you shall feel like a fool when – " She blurted but stopped herself just in time. She was saying too much. Robert asked her not to, and now she was beginning to wonder if Robert's guess about what would happen if they revealed the truth was right?
"When…what?" The Sheriff asked pointedly.
"When you know the truth."
"Right. Speaking of honesty…" The Sheriff began. "I know about your little gift you sent me." The Sheriff said with his eyebrow raised.
Rhiannon swallowed. The colour left her face.
"Why would you do this? If you loved me so much, why would you wish to tempt me?" the Sheriff asked gruffly. "Let me guess – so I could fail? So it would be a perfect excuse to run into the arms of Whitfield? He is doomed, Rhiannon! You're a fool! You're consorting with a man who will be sentenced to die!" The Sheriff barked.
"Yes…my gift to you." Rhiannon mused. She folded her arms and her eyes began to glisten with tears. She looked into his eyes praying that he could look her in the eye and say he never touched the courtesan. "I heard all about it. Every ugly, graphic detail." Rhiannon said as she glared at him.
The Sheriff drew in a breath. He knew it! The courtesan must have lied. Damn the wench!
"You heard wrong whatever you heard." The Sheriff muttered.
"No I didn't! You fucked her!" Rhiannon shrieked.
"What! I did not – "
"Everything she said – sounded exactly like you! Let me see… What did she say you said to her?" Rhiannon taunted. "Yes…she was 'wet' and… 'so tight.' God! How could you?" Rhiannon demanded.
"I did not take her. I pushed her off of me! Yes it's true – I came close because I was furious with you. But I stopped her. I wanted her to be you! God, Rhiannon! What has gotten into you? Why are you trying so hard to keep us apart?" The Sheriff demanded as he put his hands upon her shoulders.
"Because…I have no choice! I have never lied to you – not about anything consequential anyway. If you want to know more, ask my friend in the dungeon. Because frankly… I'm sick to death of covering for him!" Rhiannon shouted.
The Sheriff regarded her strangely.
"The two of you are so alike! Both of you opinionated…obstinate, and insufferable creatures!" Rhiannon exclaimed.
"Really?" The Sheriff remarked sarcastically.
"And you and I might have had a chance, but you destroyed it when you took the courtesan into your bed!" Rhiannon seethed.
"I did not take her in the – I did not take her to my bed!" The Sheriff stammered. Curses!
"See? You just admitted it!" Rhiannon challenged.
"Shut up!" The Sheriff barked. "You're wrong. You couldn't be more wrong." He said with his arms folded.
"Oh, I'm wrong alright. I am wrong for ever bothering to speak to you in the first place! Now go!" Rhiannon demanded.
No. Don't go. I love you. Do not listen to my words. Look into my eyes and you shall know the truth. George!
He turned and left her. After the door closed behind him she collapsed on a nearby chair and sobbed relentlessly until she finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Later the Sheriff was sitting in the den drinking a few goblets of brandy in quick succession. How did it all come to this? Now – of all times! His son was home, but now it looked like Rhiannon was terminating their entire affair. She wouldn't listen to anything he had to say. She refused to answer his questions. She refused to admit she was Whitfield's lover, even though it was bloody obvious! And she was the one who hired…
The courtesan. The beautiful courtesan. What was her name? The Sheriff wished he knew. He got up and staggered to his desk. He found his quill and dipped it into the ink jar and quickly penned a note. Then he opened the door and asked the sentry to send for the Scribe.
Twenty minutes later the Scribe answered the summons.
"Yes, my lord." The Scribe asked.
"Get in here. I have a task for you." The Sheriff said as he grabbed him by the arm to lead him inside.
The Scribe obeyed. After the door was closed the Sheriff turned to the Scribe.
"I need you to deliver a message for me. I don't wish to send my page. It is a delicate matter and I do not trust that mouthy little runt to do this!" A beat. "And you know better than to question me." The Sheriff said with his eyebrow raised.
"Indeed, my lord. Whom is the recipient then?" The Scribe asked.
"You are to give it to Madam Birghiva." The Sheriff said.
"The uhm…Madam of the brothel, sire?" The Scribe asked.
"The one and only. But… tell her to give this to the consort who came to see me last night." The Sheriff instructed as he held out the scroll to the Scribe.
"Shouldn't I just give it to her then?" The Scribe asked, bewildered.
"No. Because…I do not know her name. But Madam Birghiva will know." The Sheriff said.
"You wish to see a courtesan, my lord?" The Scribe asked, rather astonished. This had not been a habit of his master's for at least two years!
"Don't look at me like that! Do not question me – just do it!" The Sheriff barked as he swatted the Scribe on the head with the scroll. "Oh…and not one word of this to anyone. Not one blessed soul! Do I make myself perfectly clear?" The Sheriff demanded as he leaned in toward him and bore his steely gaze into the Scribe's eyes.
"Yes, sire. Very clear." The Scribe nodded.
'Now – make haste at once!" The Sheriff ordered. The Scribe took the scroll and departed from the den.
Nothing had been going right lately, except that his child had come home. His affair with Rhiannon seemed to have fallen apart. He was angry, and then a beautiful courtesan appeared. Even though she was sent by Rhiannon the first time, this time she would work for the Sheriff. She had wanted him.
No, Rhiannon, the Sheriff thought. I did not take her, but I think I just will now. The Sheriff grinned.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. This time it was Guy.
"I thought you might still be awake. Just came to ask if it's alright for Madam Oberon to remain here at the castle. I shall be paying her of course – to serve my lady." Guy explained.
"Yes, of course." The Sheriff said. His eyes were glassy. He was also having trouble removing the smirk off his face at the thought of his next session with the beautiful consort who called herself his 'fantasy'. Hmm…maybe she was?
"You seem preoccupied, cousin?" Guy said.
"Come and share a goblet of brandy with me." The Sheriff said beckoning for him to come inside.
Guy entered into the den. The Sheriff poured a measure of brandy in a goblet and gave it to him.
"Did you see her?" Guy asked.
"Yes. It appears to be over." The Sheriff said as he took a sip of his brandy.
"It can't be!" Guy exclaimed.
"Indeed. It appears she thinks the worst of me. She heard about my visit last night." The Sheriff sighed.
"But you didn't actually take the consort." Guy pointed out.
"I know that! But she doesn't believe it! She thinks I had a very merry time over here! Oh, if she only knew…" The Sheriff sighed.
"Cousin?"
"We were this close, cousin!" The Sheriff exclaimed as he formed his thumb and forefinger into a small 'c' to punctuate it. "I actually just touched her! I was on the brink of plunging into her, and then I stopped – fool!" The Sheriff spat.
"I have not seen this side of you in years, and especially not since you met Lady Rhiannon." Guy lamented while he shook his head.
"I expected there was a perfect woman for me. But I learned there is no such thing. There are all alike, Guy. They are all only interested in one thing. And I don't mean the same thing we'd be interested in! They don't want me. They want my wealth! I'm not marriage material. I finally see that now." The Sheriff said.
"You must remember: that maiden is only a courtesan. She cannot keep you happy…not like Lady Rhiannon." Guy pointed out.
"True. None of them can keep me happy. But that pretty little consort will surely keep me happy where it counts. The only place it counts – I've found: in the bed chamber. And that is all I want from her. She wanted me, and she shall have me. She shall have my full attention." The Sheriff said as he narrowed his eyes. He took another sip from his goblet.
"You've sent for her." Guy said quietly.
"Yes, if you must know it. But do not breathe a word of this to anyone!" The Sheriff demanded.
"But you love Lady Rhiannon? Your wedding… it was to be in three days!"
"If you had only seen my lady that day, cousin. The way she looked at him! And then… I find her stealing a visit with him in the dungeon! She was standing close to him. She looked as if she was going to touch him!" The Sheriff spat in disgust. "I'm telling you – it does not matter anymore. She loves another, and I'm going mad! A sensual, blue eyed maiden strolled in here last night and she almost made me forget her. I was ready for her. She wanted me. She shall indeed have her wishes granted." The Sheriff winked.
Guy took a sip from the goblet and stared at his cousin. He couldn't believe the change in him in only four days since Guy set out on the mission to Portsmouth.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mistress Celestria came down the stairs to answer Madam Birghiva's summons.
"It seems you indeed made an impression on the Sheriff of Nottingham, Missy! This arrived for you." The Madam said as she handed the scroll to Celestria.
Celestria smiled and took it from her. She practically tore the paper while she hastily pried the seal from it. She unfurled it and quickly scanned the document. She couldn't hide the satisfied grin that spread across her face.
"Indeed. I must have. He has summoned for me!" Celestria exclaimed.
"Interesting." Madam Birghiva remarked as her eyebrow shot north suspiciously.
"Oh, what shall I wear? He refers to the gown I shall choose in this letter! I think he wants me to look special. Oh, I'm glad I have time to decide!" Celestria said as she closed her eyes and held the letter from the Sheriff to her bosom.
"May I remind you that you are his courtesan? You shall never be his lady, my dear." Madam Birghiva cautioned. "And this is why I've always warned you about getting too close! It never yields a happily ever after." The Madam reminded her.
"Indeed. I know. But – he wants me. He has asked for me to come to him. And we'll see what else he wants from me after that." Mistress Celestria mused.
"Mmm hmm?" Madam Birghiva muttered.
"I shall please him so completely I'll have him begging for more!" Celestria said as she turned back to retire to her room.
Madam Birghiva reached out and gently grabbed Celestria's arm.
"What are you doing?" Celestria demanded, rather startled.
"Do not do this." Madam Birghiva warned.
"Do…what?"
"You know exactly what! Do not fall in love with him. He shall never love you. You know this. You are clever! You will only get hurt. Trust me. I know how this story ends… all too well." Madam Birghiva voiced in regret.
"You speak as if you know." Celestria said.
"I do know. I fell hard once. Just as you are falling for the Sheriff now. But my lover rejected me. I'm certain he loved me, but it is never appropriate for a man to take his courtesan to be his lady, nor his wife! And you know it will be most inappropriate for the Sheriff. He must conduct himself properly in public. He must maintain decorum! He'll never take you as his lady because he knows that nobody will accept you as such!" Madam Birghiva exclaimed. Had she not taught this maiden anything?
"No." Celestria said. "He wanted me. You should have seen him. I'm going to make him love me." Celestria smiled while she exhaled a sigh.
"No. You shall never make him love you. It is time you accepted it." Madam Birghiva said.
Celestria nodded and tried to appear intent on listening but the truth of it was she chose to ignore everything that the Madam just said to her. Celestria's spirits were soaring and she wouldn't let Madam Birghiva spoil her mood. He sent for her!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Wednesday afternoon Isabelle looked up. One of the Sheriff's men had just entered into her cell to visit her. It appeared the Sheriff's Scribe accompanied him. She knew exactly why the man was here.
Just after the peculiar exchange between Robert and the maiden in the hallway on Saturday afternoon, they were finally granted a moment to speak to each other when they arrived to the dungeon. When the Sheriff's men stopped to ask the jailer where they could put the prisoners, Robert stole a glance at Isabelle. He only had a moment so he kept it brief.
"That maiden you saw staring at me in the hallway… that was my sister." Robert whispered.
"What? Robert! No!" Isabelle exclaimed still managing to keep her voice down.
"I think she is the Sheriff's lady. But remember: she is not my sister. If anyone should ask, you must deny it!" Robert instructed her.
"Yes." Isabelle said.
"You will be questioned, so be on your guard." Robert warned.
"It is time for you to speak, my lady." Luke said.
"I have nothing to say." Isabelle said.
"State your name." Luke prompted her.
"Lady Isabelle Whitfield."
"How long was the child in your care?" Luke asked.
"Three months. If you questioned my husband you would know this to be true." Isabelle remarked indignantly.
"Indeed. I did question your husband. Now I just need to make certain you both have your stories straight." Luke winked.
"This is pointless. Listen – that child was placed on our doorstep. We did not take the child from the Sheriff!"
"But you did not relinquish the boy when two of the Sheriff's Knights came knocking on your door, did you? You knew then that your charge belonged to the Sheriff and his lady, yet still you said nothing!" Luke demanded.
"Yes. Well…the child was better off with us. I believed that then." Isabelle muttered weakly.
"But…do you now?" Luke asked.
"Yes. I still do. I think…" Isabelle said shaking her head. She was so confused.
"Whose idea was it to take the babe and keep running then?" Luke asked pointedly.
"It was a decision we came to together." Isabelle replied.
"That's good you're choosing to cooperate. The Sheriff may issue you a lesser sentence." Luke said.
"No! You can tell your master that whatever judgement my husband receives he must administer to me. I don't expect him to understand. For surely he doesn't know what it is to love someone so much you'd be willing to die for them. But I am willing! I am nothing without my husband!" Isabelle cried. She turned to the Scribe. "Make sure you get that down!" She shouted.
"The Scribe nodded and rolled his eyes as he wrote it.
Luke shook his head and sighed.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While the interrogation was taking place, the Sheriff made another attempt to speak to Lady Rhiannon. One last time he wanted to see if she had changed her mind. He had to know. Because if she would have him, he would ask the consort not to come, and he would bring his lady home. This time it was Rhiannon who opened the door.
"Is it time?" She asked when she looked up at him.
"No. You are not going to be arrested." The Sheriff said.
"Then what do you want?" Rhiannon asked coolly.
"Take a guess." He said.
"You must be jesting! After all of the hateful things you said to me? Please!" Rhiannon sighed.
"This is a misunderstanding, my lady. You know I love you. But you're behaving insufferably! I don't know what I'm to believe!" The Sheriff whispered gruffly.
"The courtesan…" Rhiannon whispered.
"I almost took her because I saw you with him in my mind's eye - in the dungeon! But I stopped. I told you this already!" The Sheriff spat.
"I know that's what you told me, but I don't know if I can believe it." Rhiannon said, her eyes downcast.
The Sheriff let out an audible sigh. Just as he thought! This was another waste of his time.
"This would all be right again if you could just look me in the eye and say to me…you do not love him." The Sheriff said.
"Well I can never say that! I shall always love Robert! Till my dying breath. I cannot explain why." Rhiannon said. She was starting to almost wish that Robert had never been captured. She wished she hadn't seen him. She wished she could just admit that Robert was her brother. But the Sheriff would never believe it, because Robert would deny it! Curses! The Sheriff was making her angry with his far fetched accusations, yet she was trying to toss out clues to him that she loved him. Why wouldn't he take the bait? He was not getting it!
"Right. Well I suppose there's nothing more to say then." The Sheriff said. He searched her eyes with his. She was in fact, pleading with him to understand her. To keep looking until he had his answer, but not to give up. But he didn't perceive it that way. He saw the look in her eyes as fear. The Sheriff sighed. No doubt afraid because she knew the Whitfield character shall hang one of these days!
"Yes." Rhiannon said.
No, George! Don't give up on me! Don't stop searching for the truth. It shall present itself and you will understand. And you shall see – I love you…deeply.
She closed her eyes tightly to stop the tears that would issue forth. He brought his hand up to her face and caressed her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked upon his a last time. The Sheriff shook his head and gave her a halfhearted smile that hinted of regret. Then he turned and took his leave.
When she closed the door she leaned back into it and began to silently weep. This couldn't be happening! Why had she been put in this situation?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Sheriff had thought of taking a detour to Nettlestone before he went back to the castle but thought better of it. He couldn't look at his son. Not now of all times.
When he arrived at the castle he saw Guy outside of the Council Quarters.
"Oh, good. There you are! Listen. You're in charge now. I'm retiring to my chambers. I plan to get very. Very. Drunk." The Sheriff smirked with his eyebrow raised.
"I uh…take it it didn't go very well?" Guy guessed.
"As I said: I plan to get very…drunk." The Sheriff repeated as he rolled his eyes.
Guy stood staring, shaking his head, as he watched his cousin head toward the stairwell that would take him to his rooms.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Celestria looked upon her reflection, pleased with how it all came together. She had stained her lips a neutral shade and glistened them with oil. Her hair was curled and danced upon her shoulders. She was satisfied with the gown. It made her seem to glow like the orb of the moon. She picked up the note on the table nearby and smiled. She read it again…
"Tuesday 23rd September, 1197 Anno Domini
To My 'Fantasy';
I do not know your name, but I know I must see you again.
Come to my chambers tomorrow at moonrise. Do not wear a gown the same colour as the one you wore last night. Otherwise I leave it to you to choose. Whatever you choose, just make sure that it can be easily removed.
You and I have some unfinished business we need to take care of.
You are instructed now to burn this letter. Do not fail me on this.
- Nottingham
SHERIFF & CHIEF CONSTABLE"
"Not yet, Sheriff." She whispered. "I shall cherish this letter instead. Just for a little while." She picked it up and kissed it, then she concealed it under her mattress.
She glanced out of her window. She sighed. The moon was just peaking over the dark silhouette of trees against the purple sky on the horizon. It was time…
She picked up a vial of a potion she had taken from a northern outlaw she had been with. He had shown it to her one night when he was showing off about how he managed to pull off his robberies. He had confessed he used this drug to control his victim's minds. Once they were given it, they would never put up a fight while he robbed them! Radulphus was his name. She liked him because he was dangerous and exciting. She always did have a propensity for the villainous types. He was tall, dark, and gorgeous just like the Sheriff of Nottingham. But one night, Radulphus handled her quite roughly. She didn't like it. So later while Radulphus lay sleeping, when Celestria found the vial which fell out of his coat pocket when she moved his coat off the chair to sit down – she had an idea. She would taint his ale with it next time he came to see her. Because deep down, she wanted him to come back. But he never did. And now…it would serve a greater purpose! Because next to the Sheriff of Nottingham, Radulphus didn't even measure the amount of a rat's backside! And up until now, Radulphus was the one she pined for. I was such a fool! Celestria thought. And then she thought of the night ahead of her, and she smiled warmly.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Sheriff was in the den pacing. He was on his third libation of brandy now and he was drunk. He already had a goblet waiting for her. Should I have done this? He thought. Yes. Rhiannon loves your prisoner. She rejected you. But this maiden… this beautiful consort wants –
There was a knock on the door. He put his goblet to his lips, took a long draught, then walked slowly toward it.
She was a vision. Her gown was crushed velvet in a silver colour. The sheen of it made the gown, indeed, all of her – glow. As with the other one, it laced all the way down in front with black leather strings. It had a low scoop neckline and her breasts peaked above the edges of the bodice. Her hair was curled and the shiny waves danced upon her shoulders. She fluttered her dark lashes and made obeisance to him.
"Come." The Sheriff said as he held the door open for her. She had her head bent down. He licked his lips. She looked up briefly and smiled then followed him.
He picked up the goblet he had waiting for her and gave it to her. She took it and looked up at him.
"So… what are the rules?" She asked right on cue.
The Sheriff gave her a piercing gaze as he spoke. "This is what it is, nothing more. Just so you don't have any illusions about this little arrangement. You work for me now. I trust you won't reveal anything of what goes on here to anyone?" He said with his eyebrow raised.
Celestria shook her head. "I won't." She said.
"That's good, because you see, I'm very good at covering my tracks. So if I found out you told anyone, well – that wouldn't be good for you." The Sheriff said as he stroked her cheek.
"Yes." She murmured.
"Did you burn the letter?" He asked.
"Indeed." She lied.
"And whatever you do, do not love me. I'll break your heart like it was a toy." He whispered.
She leaned in and kissed his neck, then his ear. "Absolutely, my lord." She breathed in his ear. "You have my word."
He put his hand on the back of her neck and looked into her vivid blue eyes.
"What is your name?" The Sheriff asked.
"It doesn't really matter. In these rooms you and I are the same." She whispered.
He sighed. "I must know your name."
"It is…Celestria." She said.
"Like a star…" The Sheriff mused.
"No, not really." Celestria replied modestly.
"It doesn't matter, because you look celestial to me right now." The Sheriff breathed. He pulled her in close to him as if to kiss her.
"Wait. I thought you said – "
"To hell with what I told you before!" the Sheriff whispered gruffly.
Why couldn't he get this maiden out of his mind since he first met her? Why was he doing this? And then he felt the brandy warm him. He thought he could see two of her. He shook his head. "I was foolishly misguided last time. But now I know what I need. I need to taste your lips." The Sheriff whispered. He pulled her in toward him roughly and kissed her hungrily. They stayed like that a few moments and then she stopped. They were both breathless.
"Why don't you take a seat, my lord? Make yourself comfortable." She winked. She took his goblet from him. He looked at her curiously.
"You need a refill." She said.
The Sheriff smiled. He backed away from her but started to falter. So he turned around and continued slowly to the sofa.
When his back was turned she quickly set the goblets on the table and pulled the vial from out of her bodice. She opened it and drained the contents of it into one of the goblets. Then she picked up the goblet and swirled it in her hand. She tucked the vial into her gown pocket. She topped up the goblets with more brandy then returned to him.
She handed him the goblet of tainted brandy. He took it and smiled. He leaned back against the cushions and stared at her. She came toward him and sat down beside him.
"A toast." Celestria said, holding her goblet up in front of him.
"Indeed." The Sheriff said. "What are we toasting to?" He asked.
"Our… arrangement." She winked.
He smirked then made contact with her goblet with his. "To our arrangement." He said.
They each sipped from their goblet. He couldn't take his eyes from her.
"You are indeed a vision." The Sheriff said.
"Drink, my lord." Celestria said. "You need to relax."
"No. You drink. You have a lot of catching up to do and it might be more interesting if you are in the same place I am in." He grinned knowingly.
She smiled. She raised the goblet to her lips and downed the contents. Then she put it down on the table in front of him.
"Turn your back to me, then lean back against me." She said. "You're so tense. I know exactly how to fix that." Celestria purred.
"I'm sure you do." The Sheriff winked. He turned his back to her and leaned into her. She slowly eased his robe from his shoulders then applied her hands to his neck and shoulders and began to massage his aching muscles.
"That feels marvelous…" The Sheriff murmured.
"Drink…" Celestria said.
The Sheriff closed his eyes as he continued to sip the brandy. He smiled and leaned his head back. Everything felt so… light. Like he was outside of his own body. He couldn't will himself to move. Not now. He felt like he was floating. She leaned down over him, her hair swept over his face. Roses. It smelled so much like roses…
"Rhiannon." The Sheriff sighed.
"She is not here, my lord. It is I, Celestria."
"Oh, Rhiannon." He murmured.
Celestria frowned. This wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but maybe she could make this work?
"Yes?" Celestria whispered.
"I want you… now." The Sheriff breathed.
"Patience, my lord." Celestria whispered. "You're not quite relaxed enough…yet. Drink your brandy, it will help." She said.
The Sheriff smiled serenely with his eyes half closed and obeyed. She continued to expertly knead the muscles of his shoulders and strong arms. His muscles were taut, but soon she had loosened the knots with her expert touch. He sighed. He felt so… awakened, yet relaxed all in the same moment. He liked how this tincture of rapture was making him feel. Or was it the massage from… Rhiannon? Why did the brandy never make me feel like this before? He wondered. Oh, yes – because this is the most I've sampled of the new one at one time! He looked across the room. He truly felt like he was in a dream, because everything became blurred just like in his dreams. Like he was looking at everything through a thick fog.
He leaned his head back and looked up. He stared into the mistress' eyes.
"Who are you?" The Sheriff asked faintly.
"You summoned for me, my lord. Remember?" Celestria said.
"Oh. Right." The Sheriff said.
Did I really do that, Rhiannon? I meant to. Oh, I'm glad I thought of it! He lifted the goblet to his lips and sighed. No. It wasn't Rhiannon. He remembered. He straightened up and turned around to face the courtesan. Everything around her started moving. Her hair looked to be moving. The light from the candles on the candelabra nearby reflected on her silver gown, which made it appear as if sparks were dancing from it. He studied her. Her hair… it was dark and wavy like… his. Her lips were full, and she had high cheekbones and a long neck. They reminded him of Rhiannon. And her eyes contrasted to her hair. He sighed. If I were given a daughter instead of a son… would she look like that in the future? He shook his head slightly to bring himself back to reality. He wasn't drunk enough for this… apparently. As he narrowed his eyes while regarding the beautiful mistress, he quickly brought the goblet to his lips and took a long draught until he finished it. He handed it to her.
"Why don't you get us a refill? I'm not drunk enough, and neither are you." The Sheriff winked.
"As you wish." Celestria purred. She reached over and ran her hand softly down his arm and to his hand before she took it from him.
She walked over to the table where the flask of brandy was waiting. Then she took the goblet back to him but remained standing.
"Mistress Celestria…the star." The Sheriff murmured.
"No. Not a star. True I've been undressed by Kings, but I have witnessed things a maiden should never see." Celestria said.
The Sheriff's eyebrow shot north as he stared into her eyes. No. This isn't right. I need to get rid of her. I don't want her, I want my lady! But then everything became blurred again, and he couldn't will himself to speak. Rhiannon! I knew it was you... She set her goblet down and then Mistress Celestria began to slowly unlace the laces that held her gown closed. Then she had it opened completely but she chose to keep the gown on. She leaned forward and placed her finger into the wine. Then she brought it to her lips and began to slowly lick it and then suck on it. The Sheriff swallowed as he watched her. Mistress Celestria stopped a moment and stared intently into his eyes, then she slowly lowered her hand until she was at the level of the top of her thighs, and she began to touch herself intimately, moaning as she began to please herself in front of him.
The Sheriff let out a gasp. He quickly put his goblet down and went to her. He flew to her fast as lightening.
"Do you want me this time?" Mistress Celestria asked as she cast him a smoldering gaze when he was just inches from her.
He was breathing rapidly as he stared into her blue eyes. Or were they green? Everything became foggy again.
"Oh, my lady, you know I do. I never stopped wanting you…my… Rhiannon." He breathed.
"I know…" Celestria said. She swallowed.
He moved in closer and pulled her toward him. He began to kiss her and ran his hand down her body until he found the place between her thighs. She was ready for him.
"Oh, my angel." The Sheriff breathed.
Celestria was unlacing his breeches. She quickly pried them open. The Sheriff was backing her up toward the wall behind her as he kept kissing her. Finally her back touched it. He pushed her against it. His left hand was exploring her breasts, and hastily pulling the gown from her. His right hand was continuing to please her. He bent down and took her nipple into his mouth. He was hard for her. He wanted her.
"Rhiannon…" The Sheriff breathed.
Celestria sighed. Curses! She wanted him so damned much! She would have him. He would get over the cursed wretch! He would have to when he realized that it was not his lady he took, it was his courtesan!
"I want you… my…" Hmm. What would Lady Rhiannon call the Sheriff in a moment like this? Celestria wondered. "I want you, my love." Celestria purred.
"Rhiannon." The Sheriff whispered as he kissed her.
Celestria raised one of her legs and twined it around his thigh. She used it to bring him in close to her and glided it slowly up and down his leg.
"Take me now." Celestria demanded.
He moaned as he closed his eyes and plunged into her. She felt so good. She was so ready for him. He smiled. His lady had been wanting him too. She loved him. Rhiannon loved him…
Celestria clung unto him as he took her wildly and passionately against the wall of the den of his private chambers. He kissed her neck and kept breathing the name of his lady repeatedly. She blinked away tears. She wanted him, and even though he was indeed pleasuring her, the Sheriff thought he was making love to Lady Rhiannon. The drug worked on him in a most unexpected manner. His lips moved toward her cheek.
"Do not cry, my angel. We are together now. Always…" The Sheriff said. And then he began to kiss her lips as he continued to thrust inside of her.
"My love…" Celestria moaned. "Give me all of your love."
He stopped and led her into the bed chamber. Then he took her to the bed. He threw her on the bed and turned her over. He came up from behind her and took her again.
"I knew you would come back to me." He whispered into her ear.
"My lord!" Celestria cried out. He was just as she imagined he would be – a perfect lover. There was only one thing that was ruining everything…
"Rhiannon." The Sheriff whispered.
It was sometime near the witching hour that the Sheriff woke up. He smiled when he opened his eyes. He turned on his side to face her.
"My lady, Rhi – "
What the hell? This wasn't Rhiannon! Oh... no. He thought. I didn't just do what I think I did? He remembered summoning the courtesan. He remembered inviting her in. He remembered her saying her name. Then he heard her voice echoing – the last words he remembered her saying: "… I've been undressed by Kings, but I have witnessed things a maiden should never see." But he couldn't remember a damn thing after that! How the hell much did I drink? He cursed himself.
The Sheriff's jaw flew agape. It appeared as if he took the courtesan. They were both lying naked in his bed! He touched her shoulder and began to shake her.
"Celestria." The Sheriff said.
She opened her eyes and looked into his. She smiled.
"You must go." The Sheriff said sternly.
"Look, I didn't expect champagne and promises, or even a bouquet of roses from you. But is it really necessary for you to cast me outside in the dead of night?" Celestria demanded as she sat up.
The Sheriff's left eyebrow shot north. "I'm sure it won't be your first time. You should be used to this by now… shouldn't you?" He remarked coldly.
"Well at least I got further than I did with you the last time. Perhaps next time you will permit me to stay until dawn." Celestria said as she began to dress.
"I wouldn't hold your breath." The Sheriff huffed. He grabbed his robe from the foot of the bed and threw it on, then he got out of the bed.
"You'll summon for me again. I know you will." Celestria smirked. She was tying the laces on her gown and walking toward him. She stopped when her breasts were still visible and reached out to him. She moved in closer and pressed her breasts into his smooth chest and looked up into his eyes as she embraced him. She ran his hands up and down his back.
"I pleased you, my lord. I know you will want more." Celestria whispered.
"We shall see about that." The Sheriff said. "You remember what I said about keeping this confidential?"
"Yes."
"I told you I was very good at covering my tracks – do you remember?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.
"Yes." Celestria said.
"The general rule of thumb with me is that… the punishment for betrayal is death." He said calmly.
Celestria swallowed.
"I do not like doubt. I don't want to doubt that you will open your mouth for whatever self serving reason and disclose what we just did in this chamber. If I find out that you told anyone, that shall be the last time you speak. In fact the last time you breathe. Do I make myself clear?" The Sheriff demanded as he bore his eyes into hers with a piercing gaze.
"Crystal clear, my lord." Celestria said.
"And if I find out you lied to me about burning my letter – "
"No, my lord. I did not lie to you… about anything." She said with her eyebrow raised knowingly.
"Good. Because if I ever find you tried to trick me, you shall die. I can't promise you anything, but I can promise you that" The Sheriff said evenly.
Celestria nodded then took her leave.
He began to pace around his chambers. He didn't think he would do it. Once again, after the courtesan was inside his rooms, he wished for his lady to be there instead. He wanted Rhiannon. He truly loved her and couldn't get over her. But why? Why did he take the consort? He remembered feeling very strange. More strange than he ever felt before from overindulging on brandy.
Suddenly he heard a noise. He kicked something on the floor with his boot while he was pacing. His eyes caught light reflecting from a shiny object on the floor. He bent down to it. It was a vial. It must have fallen out of Celestria's gown! He carefully uncapped it, then sniffed it. He tilted his head back and brought one of the last remaining drops onto his tongue. He spat.
"That bitch!" He exclaimed aloud. "She bloody well tricked me!" He threw the vial angrily against the wall.
He doubted she would be so bold as to report this to Lady Rhiannon. Not after his warning. It was too late anyway because Rhiannon already believed he had been intimate with Celestria! Celestria would pay for tricking him. But, whether or not he did so willingly, he now knew he was unfaithful to his lady. He didn't know if he would ever be able to look her in the eye?
He groaned like a wounded animal and kicked a chair that was placed near the bed. He threw his head back then and sighed. Oh, my Lady Rhiannon. What have I done? What I have I done to you? What have I done to…us?