Guests

The first thing she seemed to notice was the last thing she wished to see. The bed. This bed seemed to take up most of the room and was large enough to fit two people comfortably. The blankets and sheets were a menacing black and she had to look away before her nerves gave out and she fainted. A wardrobe that was larger than Erik stood in one corner with a mirror beside it and there was a massive window overlooking the city.

"I will have the servants bring your clothing up here and put it into the wardrobe. I am also having a large trunk moved so you can put it at the foot of the bed and keep your undergarments in it," he said from behind her. Christine nodded, not knowing what else to do.

"Y-your home is lovely," she whispered.

"Our home," he corrected. She said nothing. He took her hand, surprising her and almost making her flince.

"Come. Dinner should be ready and you can eat. I am sure it has been a trying day," he said slightly sarcastic. She followed him back downstairs and into one of the many doors. They entered a small dinning hall with a table that stretched the length of the room. Candles had already been lit and the silverware in place. Several windows were in this room as well, but all of their drapes were shut.

Erik sat at the head of the table after sitting Christine down closest to him. A young man, carrying several plates, came in, keeping his eyes on the floor after glancing at Christine briefly. He had a shock of carrot colored hair and deep green eyes and seemed rather long of arms and legs.

"Madam," the boy murmured, setting a bowl of stew down in front of her. The aroma was a welcoming smell and she smiled in delight.

"Thank you, it looks delicious," she said in earnest. The young man bobbed his head and went to give Erik his bowl. Christine noticed the way the boy was shaking under Erik's intense stare and as she watched the young man dropped the bowl of soup directly in Erik's lap. Erik got to his feet, muttering several curses that were not appropiate for a lady to hear.

The boy was staring in horror at what he had done and he began shaking. Christine bit her lip when she saw the way Erik tried to wipe some of the hot food off of his lap. Both males looked up when Christine began to laugh. It was the first time she had laughed for any reason since she had been told about this marriage. The young man looked at her nervously, glancing at his master to see what his reaction was.

Erik was staring at Christine in disbelief. Why the devil was she laughing? He did not find this very amuesing. She put her hand to her mouth, trying to contain her giggles but it was failing miserably. Erik glanced at the boy, Douglas, who was shaking like a leaf.

"Go back to the kitchen and make yourself useful!" he snapped. The boy scrambled to do as he was told.

"Your amuesment is ill placed, Christine," Erik informed her. Her happiness quickly fled at his tone. He was angry and it was evident.

"No, it is not, I believe it is about time someone laughed at you. You should try it, it might melt that ice that is around your heart."

Marriage Bed?

"The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly."

Christine clutched her robe close around her body, her hands shaking slightly no matter what she did to try and stop it. She had no idea where Erik was and she prayed it stay that way. She glanced over at the bed. The thought of exposing her body to him made her shiver in dread. Her mother had told her that when she married it was her duty as a wife to give herself to her husband, he would expect no less.

The thought of her mother made tears come to her eyes. What would she think if she knew where Christine was at that moment and how she had been forced to marry this stranger? If her mother had been living she would still be home with her family.

Her father would most likely be angry if he found out that she did not want to consumate the marriage. But how could she share something so precious with a man she knew nothing about? Her head snapped up when the door opened and Erik came in. He had changed his trousers earlier and had composed himself and now his eyes sought her in the candlelight.

"Remove your robe," he instructed, his tone slightly husky. Christine did not move for several long moments, staring at the man she had met mere hours ago. Swallowing the lump in her throat Christine's hands released the fabric and her robe pooled to her feet. She looked down at the floor, feeling her cheeks flush a crimson red.

She heard him approach and then could feel the heat radiating from his body as he studied her. Her nightgown was all but transparent and did little to keep anything hidden. His hand reached out and she could feel the feather light caress of his fingertip against her cheek. She was trembling, she knew that and she knew he was aware of it.

"Whatever you were told I will not hurt you," Erik said softly.

"I was told nothing," Christine replied. He frowned.

"Your mother told you nothing about what you are to expect in the marriage bed?" he demanded.