The Journey Forward- Courtesan & the Duke (closed)

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam was allowed to leave the King’s quarters… though Robert was somewhat displeased… Adam was walking on thin ice and he knew full well that fact. As he walked back toward his quarters, he saw the lass known as Shaden… for some of the members of the court had spoken of her… then he stopped in his tracks and got a wide smirk on his face…

Bess had told him to be careful, for what he wanted with Skye was very similar to what his father wanted with all of England and Scotland… though one differed from the other in reasoning…

As the lass curtsied deep as he passed, he stopped and looked around… then he looked to her. “Rise mae child… yae are Shaden, the courtesan are yae naet?” Then he stepped in the shadows of the corridor and motioned her within.

She had come round the corner in a swishing of silk and satin, french lace perfumed with the scent of feminity and desire; nothing about the courtesan proclaimed her of the more passionate of professions, except perhaps the twinkle in her glacial green hues. To many who didnt' know her well... she was looked upon as a noble… or lady... without distinction or proper title... but that was more than made up for... in the company she kept... and the way she comported herself. Maahes, the general had taken to teasingly calling her the Queen... for her regal bearing and frilly ways... but... even Maahes would find soon enough as Master Jack Trades already had... there was more to her than silk, satin and lace. There was an intelligence that was hidden beneath the exterior of the fun loving slighlty ditzy copper curled Miss... and that was what she portrayed for the masses… A deep curtsey… as she met the Duke... Bess's beloved in the long hallway and was ushered into the shadows. "Yes... I am Shaden Aramoire your Grace... and yes I am a Courtesan " she replied her tone soft and sultry, yet respectful... who else but an exlemperary Courtesan could pull that off. Dark lashes fanned downward demurly her eyes not meeting his, as proper to her station... "How may I serve thee... Milord"

Adam looked upon the thing of beauty and stature… as were the courtesan of Italia he had known in his younger days… From his past came an idea of using this cortigiana onesta… From what he had heard of this Shaden Aramoire, she well-educated and worldly, and was valiant performer or artist at what she does.

His course fingertips rubbed his chin in contemplation; his mind reflecting back to his mentors of youth… “Young Adam, be wary of courtesans, as they would betray one another in acts of political intrigue… merely to climb the ladder of power within royal courts. For they would just as soon discrediting the ruler's companion… divulging pillow secrets that could lead to her rival being ostrasized and replaced by herself...” the old man told him… Adam just looked her up and down, his looks apparent to require some physical service… but his thoughts were far from that.

Stature in grace perhaps but not in form... diminitive and deceiptively frail looking, fine boned... at a height of barely five feet she would be in shocking difference to the woman he called wife. Yet her shortcomings in height were duly made up for in a softly curved yet toned body. There was not an inch of her that did not bae a mans fingers to itch to explore... As he spoke, her eyes lifted marginally… intently watching him beneath veiled lashes... not of suberterfuge, but because she had not been given leave to address him in such an informal way as to gaze solidly into his eyes.

In a soft, low baritone voice, one able to soothe even the savage beast, or charm a lady… “Aye m’lady, Ah require yaer most discreet and loyal service tae mae and mae only… Ah am prepared tae pay handsomely of course… but speak aloud of what Ah ask, or bae disloyal and yae would lose yaer head post haste…” His hand would make a motion of sincerity then rub his chin once again… “Turn around slowly…” he commanded in a soft voice…

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

She felt his contemplation, the small war that was wageing withing the recesses of his mind over things that had been relayed to him in the past. The quirk of an eyebrow as she felt this... caution, her lips tipping upward... caution was a good sign in a leader. His words next were crafted carefully, a test perhaps to see if she was indeed one of the more licentious creatures that wore the name whore, harlot and rarely courtesan... or in fact a true example of the word. Shell like ears that held emerald stones surrounded by gold, dechipered every word and nuance, this Man was no common man, his cunning nature evident in his guise of words.

"I would give thee such personal service... to you and you alone… save for one service Milord...” dark sooty lashes lifted then to meet his, without regard for his permission or not, "I would not grace your bed or anything of the matter... for I have met your wife and offered her my friendship. If that is your wish I regrettfully have to decline. " within the glacial green hues shown a silent morality, perhaps an honor that was rarely seen in female kind much less of her profession, it almost spoke of a challenge, but not quite... yet… "Though in other matters I will serve thee well… and proper... and only thee "

It was then as she spoke that made him stifle a laugh with his hand… “Och, mae child, tis yer special favors that I dae nae seek… Ah seek yer talents of mind, eyes, ears, and silence…” he pauses, his course hand, weathered by wielding a sword, unconsciously going to her rose colored cheeks… his gentle touch more of a father than a suitor… able to soothe her slightest embaressment of his laugh…

The serious expression upon his face turned to a smile… “Yae are a handsome woman… built well… educated I am told…” the smile continued… “Dae yae have references?”

She stepped forward and turned slowly allowing him to gaze upon her from all angles then stopped facing him directly once again… "Milord, I am sure I have many references... but in the pursuit of being discreet... would turn my face from it to dilvulge to you those names." …discretion, morality, honor... were those things of a whore...? no... They were hallmarks of a true courtesan.

He waved his hand negating her offer to divulge names to him… “Nae mae child, nae need tae… we shall see how well yae dae mae bidding up’n mae own judgement…” Just then Adam heard someone walking down the corridor, boots thudding heavy upon the stone… a guard he presumed, he quickly covered her mouth and pulled her deeper into the shadows…

Backing into the shadows quickly… his hand over her mouth, her beautiful form pulled in close to him, her back to his waist, as she was small in comparison to his 6 foot 2… In her ear, he whispers softly… “We must nae be found taegether… for wot Ah have yae tae dae is most hazardous… Ah need someone tae bae mae eyes and ears in places Ah cannae gae…” Oh he could smell the wonderful scent of the courtesan and inhaled slowly… and still reluctantly, he maintained his wits about him…

Her eyes widened for a moment as she was captured, her voice stifled against the roughness of his hand as it covered her lips... into the darkness of an alcove... her heart beat faster... was this some kind of ruse... to lure her into a false sense of security, and then haul her bodily out of sight... alarms set off in her skull but she didn't' struggle... hearing the thudding footsteps, and his holding her tightly yet without pain... she remained still... in his arms, pressed intimately to him… Exotic perfume wafted upward warmed by her flushed skin... aromatic orchid, jasmine and spices that were mostly unknown to the western world… perhaps and expensive gift from a suitor... who knew.

The thuds of the boots came louder and louder and the pair snugged tight against the wall… soon a guard would pass on by… rounding a corner and continuing away from them… As the boots got softer, Adam released her… “Mae truest apologies… Ah knaew yae dun wish to portray this part, but Ah need yae… Skye needs yae… Naet many ‘ere knaew yae came with us… and of those that dae, dun care… sae yae are the best prospect to get inside the castle as King Robert daes like ‘is women…” He turns her to look at him fully… his strong hands upon her arms… “Ah need yae tae find a Lord Thomas Statham… he is an Ainglish advisor tae King Robert… woo him… get him trusting yae… and when Ah tell yae, yu shall lure him to a place of mae choosing… Kin yae dae that mae child?”

Released she stepped from him turning still in close proximity... "I understand... the need to be discreet Milord " she had calmed considerably in the few minutes he had embraced her... he was not the only one affected by the nearness... He was a strong and hard man, his body chisled beneath his courtly clothes… the intimate hold he had on her making that obvious… his smell was clean masculine… unfamiliar, and the heat that radiated from him was soothing… but the control he exerted over her smaller frame was almost frightening... suddenly she had felt very small and vulnerable in his clutches. "I will seek out this Lord Statham... and have him at the appointed place and time..." she nodded softy, not even asking the why or what would happen to the Lord when she delivered him to the Duke. "But there is the matter of recompense" it was a business like tone, and look that met his eyes and ears from the last statement... "I have... a condition of terms, upon serving you.. and only you Milord "

A glance left, a look right… then his sea-greens eyes looked at her directly… “Speak mae child… faer yae are now in mae employ… faer bet’r ‘n worse… wot shall my instructions cost me…?” Despite the lure of intimacy, these two opposite now were attracted toward a single goal… though each different reasonings… Adam needed the Advisor… who was constantly guarded by Ainglish troops on Scottish soil… The thoughts began to run thru his mind… Why was an Ainglish advisor doing in the royal court of King Robert, the Bruce o’Scotland? Who did the advisor work for…King Edward, the pawn, or Lord William Maubrey, the devious force behind the King…? Adam would show his hand, so the courtesan would assist him in this endeavor… His course hand lifts her chin… “Yaer are a beautiful woman, soft and with scent that fares well… Ah ‘ave nae doubt that nae man kin resist yae…”

Her chin was lifted so her eyes met his… "I want an Place in Skye, In Turas Lan… a place to open a Courtesan house… with the Dukes… approval... and patronage..." what she wanted was respectability and the appearance of nobility. "I need to be... independent, I would want the deed… compleate and legal.." she raised her chin up a bit, it was a brave gamble… "For that... you will have my services… and my discretion… for the term of two years" it was a bargin. God knows what she could accomplish in two years.

She smiled up at him as his tone softened, his words on her beauty and scent revealing not even the Duke was immune to her more carnal charms… "And yet you do…" she teased him with a soft chuckle.. "Do we have a deal Milord... am I in your service… "

He chuckled at her request… his course hand, worn by years of the sword, rubbed his chin…again contemplating… Sea-green eyes looked upon her and they seemed to twinkle… “Approval aye… An just how shall Ah give patronage tae the house o’a courtesan?” he smirks wickedly… then his demeanor changes slightly… “Tis nae much tae ask faer, with yaer life and limb at stake… for this naet a game of tit for tat, but a game o’life ‘n death Ah play…” the smile dissipates… “Ah would nae on purpose tae place yae in harm’s way… but this game can be serious if’n we are found out… and in the bigger scheme o’ thins… we both are expendable faer Skye… yae sae more’n me… dae yae understand the significance o’ wot Ah speak of?”

His baritone voice was soothing… and charming… he was thirty and five, almost six, but looked not over 20-25… firm stature and curly brown hair… “Aye, Ah am the rock’o Gibralta… tis hard faer a man to fight off demons…” he chuckled… His sea-green eyes then watched her for expression as he asked a very important question of the game of espionage… “How shall Ah knaew yae wunt gae tae another for a higher price? Lord Maubrey has deep pockets… and he wishes tae bring daewn Skye in one fell swoop… All Ah offer is a place tae live as yae wish… free o’ religious pursuit… where women o’all classes can own land, vote as a man, and get a days wages for a days work…”

“I understand what you speak of… and that should I be discovered my life would be forefiet… I know the stakes of the game.. I am not... newly come to Court... only this Court..." her face now changed mercurically from that of a temptress to a serious and deadly calm... "perhaps you should not trust one newly come to your Court… for all you know I am here already at someones bidding... to do much the same to you... and any assuances I could give you... you would find suspect and without demonstration... they would be hallow... until proven. Yet conversly I could ask the same of you... if you were not just baiting a trap with a sacrificial lamb... this is the crossroads upon which we stand… I have nothing to offer you but my word and honor that I will serve you and you alone.. and for that I take your word as well that you are not placing me in anymore harm than nessecary… and will indeed keep your word... once we have returned to Skye's Shores. As for what you have to offer... Freedom... Milord... and Independance... those are things far more valuable than coin... coin I can make for myself… Freedom is at Your Grace's offering. " So she was not... the piece of fluff some thought... more than a beautiful distraction... she was a woman of substance and ambition... the ambition of Freedom.

He wanted to applaud… though his hand simply touched her face… “Yae mae child… can be more devastating than an army… more subtle than a housecat… baet Ah like yae… and mae gut tells mae tae trust yae… and sae Ah shall…”

[Lady Shaden Aramoire]

TO her credit it hadn’t taken more than a few hours of idle gossip within the halls and chambers of the Castle of Robert the Bruce to find out which wing, and where most likely to come in contact with.. Lord Stratham.. To this end.. She also talked to some of the ladies and servants finding out his likes and dislikes.. Certain things that would likely catch the eye of the man if displayed.. His favorite color for example.. Royal blue… his favorite drink.. Cognac… he had an affinity for Horses and dogs… but not the hunt, he also had a younger sister whom he adored that played the harpsichord.. His favorite food was salmon, besides a predilection for plum pudding.. He disdained most of the castle whores.. Retiring to bed alone most nights.. Though there was a nasty rumor about.. A poor girl in England.. A maid who found herself comely to his eye.. There was talk of odd predilections… her disappearance.. .. She was never found…all of this Shaden Cataloged and combined .. Plotting and planning the perfect meeting with Lord Statham.

Now she was in the market place.. Purchasing a few things she would need to gain his attention.. A beautiful yet demure.. Gown of Royal blue.. No artifice and deceptively plain.. It would stand out like a thistle in a world of roses… Next ribbons of the same shade.. Little sisters tended toward bows in their hair.. And the effect would make her seem young.. Naïve.. Innocent.. Two more stops and her shopping list would be complete… first.. To a musician shop.. To find a suitable used harpsichord.. Of course she knew how to play one passably well.. It was in her training as a courtesan.. But she didn’t own one herself.. A used on however would complete the ruse that she.. Enjoyed playing it on a routine basis.. The last stop.. The last item was perhaps the most important…it took a while to find exactly what she was looking for… after all it was Scotland and something English was not always… handy. But… after a diligent search and much idle chatter she found someone who indeed had the item.. She was looking for… a Yorki… Yorkshire Terrier… she had learned that Statham.. Had indeed owned several in his day. And had a proclivity for them.. And now she was the proud Owner of a small Yorki.. Named… what else… London.. It was a perfect foil for capturing his attention…

Let the game begin

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Let the game begin…

Lord Thomas Statham left the Church, the scroll still in hand… he had now registered the deeds with the clergy in preparation for the next phase of Lord Maubrey’s plan. He was a loner, though he did love the sweet smell and soft caresses of the upper class females…

Thomas would meet with the messenger that evening… the hand-off of deeds for Lod Maubrey… the scroll contained landholdings to estates in northern Scotland… thus establishing footholds in the highlands for Lord William. He put the scroll in his vest pocket and started to the rendevous place.

Adam met with Shaden that afternoon in the gardens of Robert the Bruce… the gardens were secluded, and Adam made sure Robert was in counsel… it was the proper place and the proper time to be alone… Standing in the late afternoon shadows he waited for Shaden…

Then as the bell tower struck seven, the lovely girl, dressed in blue and carrying a small dog, entered the garden alcove… Staying in the shadows he watched her wander aimlessly… until he was sure she was not followed… then he made a sound… “Pppsssttt… here m’lady…” two fingers on the hand that beckoned her nearer, wiggled.

[Lady Shaden Aramoire]

The gardens where she met Adam, were beautiful.. Well kept and flourishing with botanical wonders, A perfect foil for her supposed aimless wanderings.. The smallish dog pattering along behind her on a thin gold leash.. A late blooming rose of pinkish hue twirled in delicate hands. At his persistent….. “ psssstttttt-ing “ she laughed and headed his way.. At the entrance of the mouth of the maze… passing him in the shadows to push deeper into the twilight darkened twist and turns.. It was almost.. Iconic.. She stopped when she reached a dead end and awaited him.. Lifting the yorki.. And nuzzling it…lovingly…

“Your Grace “ she dipped lowly as he approached.. Waiting for his salutation before she rose… once given she would rise and offer him a quick smile “ We don’t have much time to speak.. Even now.. Statham.. Is on his way to the Cathedral.. My sources say.. He is on and important errand.. I plan to attend.. Mass and pray for our Lords aid.. “ Copper curls were upswept in an almost girlish fashion decorated with ribbons of the same royal blue as her gown.. No sign of jewelry made her appear even younger.. Beneath the skirts flat slippers, not her usual heels.. The effect was perhaps a glimpse into what a teenaged Shaden had appeared.. Perfectly constructed…to lure Statham.. “ I’m sure that I will be shown the way “ …

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam nodded… “Aye… tis something dat we must bae concerned with… Lord Statham has some deeds tae the Highlands… King Robert has made a deal wit de Ainglish… Yae must divert Statham until we meet wit the King…” his course hand goes to her soft face… “Lass, Ah knaew Ah ask much o’yae… but Ah feel yae capable… and none kin get close enough in such a short time… Try tae retrieve wet tis in the satchel… tis most important tae git the deeds… they ca nae fall inta hands that bae agin us… tis prime land faer an attack… or to form a blockade…” his sea-greens eyes catches hers…

The pair had now formed a sort of bond… a platonic bond of subversion - he had what she wanted… and she had what he needed – a means to an end… Were he single, never to have met Bess, she might have interested him more, but he was in love… though at this very moment, his wife was angry at him for his actions… he was dedicated to his wife… Some say that danger is an aphrodisiac… and they needed to be careful !!

"Consider it done…" she murmured already planning the lure for Statham.. "I will contact you when I have… what you wish " was she arrogant…? cokey…? that she could do what here to for no one else had been able too… not really... it was more a single minded ambition to secure the things she needed for her future... one that would eventually lead to her... retirement from the active phase of a courtesan’s life into a more benevolent steward… but that was neither here nor there for the moment… A quick smile for him, as she brushed by... the act in itself... innocent enough, but couple with the softness he knew her to hold, the scent that no other woman in Scotland had held... and his on frustrations... she would be a tempting morsel… to any man… even the Rock of Gibraltar.

Later: At the Cathedral

She arrived by coach... the small dog on a thin gold chain parading before her... like a marionette… it's jeweled collar gleaming in the candle lit sanctuary… slowly she looked about the ancient place of worship taking it in... He was here... she had followed him in… watching from the shadows as he disappeared into the confessional with a Priest… Kneeling penitently on a prayer bench, the small dog beside her appeared almost to pray as well at her side... Copper curl covered with a modest lace cloth... as she gazed upon the icons and alter, lips moving in silent prayer... this however was no act... she was in fact praying... praying that she could deliver on her promise to the Duke...

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Lord Statham would confess sins to the Priest, but included the deeds, nor the massacre that would soon be accomplished… He dared not even mention Lord Maubrey… not even to the Clergy… for Thomas feared what Lord Maubrey could do in this life worse than what Lucifer could do to him in the afterlife… for all Thomas knew, Maubrey was Lucifer in the flesh…

“Father, forgive my sins… I have committed adultery with four… no five women since my last confession… and I have lied thrice…” the meek man went on to say… and after receiving pentance, he asked the Priest to meet him in the actuary… to register some land for a benefactor…

The man slowly rose, his knees creaked from lack of exercise… Thomas was a comely man, short, and balding… he was younger than his looks, and his squint of beady eyes made him appear older… As he opened the confessional door, he looked around… then as he made his way toward the actuary… he saw the lass (Shaden) and smiled… the missing front tooth glared at her… His arms cluthing a satchel made of leather and finely tooled designs… as she looked at him, he blushed… Oh yes, it was his money… and political stature as a King’s advisor that wrought him feminine companionship… and this lass with the Yorki was delicious… but he had a task at hand…

A soft innocent smile was gifted to the Lord as he left the confessional… and disappeared into the actuary… as soon as the door was closed behind them… she followed… poised just down the marble columned hall... the Yorki now unleashed… held under one arm while she snapped the thin gold leash in half, leaving part attached to the Yorki's collar…

The mans physical appearance made her stomach roll with distaste… and the rumors of the poor girl that went missing... and his more… perverted predilections made her palms sweat… she paced in nervous agitation before staking a claim behind a column to watch the door to the actuary room. How anyone so obviously... well... ugly and unkept could rise to such a position was beyond her… but such were the doings of men... Women would have never promoted such an… unattractive fellow.

She waited patiently for the conclusion of the business... watching the Priest as he shook the man’s hand... and then Lord Statham... turn... satchel in hand... and start off in the direction of the sanctuary... That was her cue... the puppy was let loose… and as Statham strolled off happy with his deeds... the small dog bounded down the hall yipping as the remnants of the chain whipped at his backside with every step increasing the dogs commotion to where it could not be missed...

Shaden now artfully primed for the performance... bosom heaving over the modest neckline of the gown, cheeks flushed by some vivid pinching of her own fingers... and skirts held up to give flashes of sweet silk stockings with little blue bows, riding atop even sweeter peeks of flesh... she was a blurring vision in blue silk… copper curls "London... London come back you naughty girl... London!" she came flying around a column in view of Lord Statham... just as London the Yorki... scooted between his feet... and into the sanctuary.

Lord Statham sat down with the Priest… as the Priest looked at the documents and the seal attached thereof dipped his quill and began annotating the deeds in the register… the thick book with ornate markings of the King of Scotland… the deeds now registered with the clergy as property sold by the McKinnon’s to one Lord William Maubrey… With a shake of hands, the go-between for King Robert the Bruce, and Lord William Maubrey, inserted the deeds and the pouch of coins in the satchel… then turned to leave the actuary…

The commotion distracted Thomas from his destination and he froze, the dog settling between short legs at the foot of the man… looking up at the lass running after the dog, Thomas smiled at the bounce the lady had… “Seems I have found something yu be looking for Lass…” then he picks up the dog and holds them with his satchel… “Got away did she?”

She skidded to a halt… the marble floor was a bit slippery in the satin slippers she had worn.. and she was never actually known for her grace anyway.. or acute sense of balance… but in truth this particular fall was planned for optimum exposure… and to gain Statham's attention on every conceivable level…

It was like some lovely slow motion fantasy... her feet went out from beneath her… a surprised cry hung in the air suspended, as royal blue skirts fanned upward, white petticoats and layers of slips and frilly under things parted… as her body thumped softy on the floor before him… God had answered his prayers certainly… when the sweet sight of silken hose… garters, smooth creamy flesh… and beyond the soft curve of womanhood hidden behind the tiniest scrap of lace masquerading as under ware ever seen was revealed to his eyes… a moan… that was almost sinful... came from under the layers of fabric... as she pushed upward... to sit... now taking away his cherished heavenly view…

"Ohhhh goodness" she gasped as the little dog pounced her licking her face… distracting her long enough to leave the skirt hiked up upon one stocking bedecked thigh… it had lept from his arms during the commotion… or perhaps he had dropped the tiny critter… in shock of the display either way. "There you are!" she nuzzled the little dog a rain of laughter… joyous and soft… "You naughty Naughty girl…" it was then the winsome face would turn up to the man who spoke to her… "Yes... she's quite the escape artist…" as he offered his hand she took it... standing... her body so close to his upon rising they may as well been dance partners... "Thank you… so much.. Sir..?"

A vision of beauty… sheer enjoyment with the bounce of breasts as she ran after the canine… then he stepped out from behind the column in front of her and she fell… vivions of beauty and desireability… the sight of fluff, lace and bare skin sent the throes of excitement to the old man… He wanted her… right now… right here… but it would be sacrilege… he just confessed his sins… and hopefully he would be able to confess more… the wicked smirk the man had was evident what he wanted… though his words would say differently…

When she fell, he dropped the dog to assist her… but all that accomplished was to gain an imaginary sight of sheer pleasure, naked and animalistic… “Yes here she is… and yu are a naughty girl…” the smirk upon his face… “…to have lost her…” his words meaning all except to mean the dog…

He slings the satchel over his shoulder… and extends both hands down to assist her, both fingers playing soft against bare skin of her arms… as he pulls her up the closeness reveals more to her than his ugliness… he pulled her close enough for their forms to touch… to hear him inhale her scent… “yer welcome lass… most welcome…” he whispered… then as she attempted to right herself, his hands clinched her waist… “Are yu a naughty girl?”

She felt his interest acutely... like a sickness... his perversion flowed over her... well that part had been accomplished, nausea settled in the pit of her stomach... while... she canted her head up at him... allowing the closness to last... her sent to tantalize.. Glacial green hues lifted beneath a fanning of dark lashes... it seemed to still time... "I can be..." a whisper, a blush... then she looked down coy... teasingly... to the side... as if she were shy and shamed for what she spoke. It was perfected... crafted just for this moment… "My carriage is waiting outside.."

Oh yes… he was interested… and this beloved beauty was willing… the small balding man, with the rotund belly and aroma that could be left behind smiled… Oh the things he could do with this lass… her screams of ecstacy filled his ears as she said… "I can be..." … His business at hand had now changed directions as he would not pass up such an evening with such a… disposable lass… as this one… Maubrey could wait one evening… as he would ravage this lass until she could no longer walk… "My carriage is waiting outside.." echoed in his ears… his hand grasping her elbow and guiding her to the front doors of the Church… with one last glance back at the Church’s interior… “I can come to confessional again when I am done with this one… yes sir…I surely can…” he thought, his weathered face contained a wicked smirk…

Assisting her in the carriage, he could not resist slipping one hand under her dress… a growl emitted as stubby fingers caressed the soft material covering her nether region… settling in the carriage next to her… he leaned up and lowered the covers of the windows… then as the carriage jolted to a start, the destination unknown, nor cared for, he fell against her… hence he began to fondle her busoms with eagerness… “Ever mixed pleasure with business?” he said in a growled voice.

The feel of his stub like fingers upon her flesh made her skin crawl and nausea erupt in her gut… bile in her throat but it was a necessary evil… her ringed hand splayed across his chest… fondling the gold chains that proclaimed him as ambassador.., As he lowered the window covers… asking his ridiculous question… "All the time… " she smiled wickedly and leaned into him… hands moving upward... fingers moving to twist the silvered ring on her right about… flip the hidden latch… and a needle protruded from the underside of her palm… toxin of the blowfish... not enough to kill merely to incapacitate… a soft purr as she leaned into him... her hands sliding up his neck... she cared not what his fingers did in their quest to pull her breast from her corseted gown... the needle slipped into the fleshy jowl finding his artery... he almost didn't notice the sting in his excitement... as his lips... found the soft curve of her breast... the carriage jolted along the rutted roads toward the docks.

Moments later it would stop and the Lady in Blue would step out unencumbered by her amorous guest… little Dog under one arm… the satchel of deeds in the other… "What a Naughty Girl I am " she chuckled to the dog… with a glance up to the Pirate Carriage drivers.. "Chain and gag him in the Hold of the Shadow Storm... he may still be of use... a bag of coin was tossed to the both... as she headed for her Dinner with The General and then her meeting with the Duke.

Warm soft skin, massaged by hard hands, fingers calloused in writer’s focus… the balding Lord Thomas Statham expected the screams of a lass under his weight… fat lips surrounded the mass of soft skin of her busom... then all of a sudden, a prick to the neck… and then darkness….