Laila part 4
4
True to his word and impatient to be with her again John arrived at the tower at the promised time. Laila stood at her window and her overjoyed smile of greeting took his breath away.
He made short work of the door locks this time and was soon standing in Laila's chamber.
She offered him a seat, a drink of water and an apple again. He raised the simple cup of water in a toast to her as though it were a jewel encrusted goblet of wine.
He dropped the apple into his scrip with a grin. He told her that last week his horse had been most put out at only being given an apple core for his trouble.
“ It'll need to be a full one this time to make up for it; or he'll sulk like mad and might even refuse to take me home, “ he said.
His eyes crinkled and twinkled and Laila giggled with the shared joy.
She blushed as she handed him a second apple. “ As a gift to him from me for bringing you here again. “
John murmured his thanks. He met her eyes with a searching look that made her knees feel weak and her insides soften as though melted by the sun.
“ As we're handing out gifts, “ he said; “ I've brought one for you. I saw it in the market and thought it would suit you. “
Laila gasped as he opened his hand to show her a comb made from mother of pearl.
It had been delicately carved and set with a row of tiny garnets red as drops of blood.
“ Thank you, “ she breathed reverently as she took it from him. “ I've never been given anything so lovely before. I'll think of you whenever I use it. “
She began to unfasten her plait so eager was she to try it. John realised what she'd meant and put out a hand to stop her.
“ It's not that sort of comb, “ he said kindly. “ It's to wear in your hair . Let me show you. “
He stood up and moved to her side slowly; the way he'd approach a green, unbroken mare.
“ Turn your head a bit so I can reach the back, “ he whispered. He felt her shiver as he slotted the comb into where the plait met her head; but she did not pull away from him.
“ Brave girl, “ he said reassuringly and she gave him a contented smile.
“ It looks perfect, “ he said. Laila thanked him and unconsciously batted her eye lashes in a way that any experienced coquette would be proud of.
John took a calming breath. The girl was too sheltered to know how such gestures could affect a man after all.
He was pleased to note that when they sat down to chat and learn more about each other; Laila sat a little closer to him than last time.
She was gradually losing her fear of him. That was good, very good.
When it was time for John to leave he promised yet again to visit in a week's time.
Laila waved him goodbye from her window; and then sat down with the new comb in her hand studying it intently. She closed her eyes and relived the heady, sensual feeling of Sir John's rough but elegant hands fixing it into her hair.
At bed time she took care not to place it anywhere too conspicuous on her bedside table. It wouldn't do for her mother or aunt to see it.
When Enid and Edith made their visit the next morning Laila tried hard not to give any sign that her life was changing; but it was not easy. There was a glow about her that could not be hidden.
Edith was most definitely suspicious.
When Enid took her daughter out onto the terrace for some morning sunshine
her sister began to search the chamber.
Somewhere there had to be a clue as to why the girl had developed a mysterious inner sparkle.
She found it on the bed side table. A pretty, frivolous hair ornament. She wouldn't have noticed it just in in passing. The girl was most definitely hiding something.
Edith left the comb as she'd found it and decided that a little spying was in order.
Again for a generous financial inducement she got men from the village to watch the tower and see if anyone but herself and Dame Enid went inside.
“ Do nothing though, “ she told them. “ Just come and tell me. I'll do the rest. “
TBC
True to his word and impatient to be with her again John arrived at the tower at the promised time. Laila stood at her window and her overjoyed smile of greeting took his breath away.
He made short work of the door locks this time and was soon standing in Laila's chamber.
She offered him a seat, a drink of water and an apple again. He raised the simple cup of water in a toast to her as though it were a jewel encrusted goblet of wine.
He dropped the apple into his scrip with a grin. He told her that last week his horse had been most put out at only being given an apple core for his trouble.
“ It'll need to be a full one this time to make up for it; or he'll sulk like mad and might even refuse to take me home, “ he said.
His eyes crinkled and twinkled and Laila giggled with the shared joy.
She blushed as she handed him a second apple. “ As a gift to him from me for bringing you here again. “
John murmured his thanks. He met her eyes with a searching look that made her knees feel weak and her insides soften as though melted by the sun.
“ As we're handing out gifts, “ he said; “ I've brought one for you. I saw it in the market and thought it would suit you. “
Laila gasped as he opened his hand to show her a comb made from mother of pearl.
It had been delicately carved and set with a row of tiny garnets red as drops of blood.
“ Thank you, “ she breathed reverently as she took it from him. “ I've never been given anything so lovely before. I'll think of you whenever I use it. “
She began to unfasten her plait so eager was she to try it. John realised what she'd meant and put out a hand to stop her.
“ It's not that sort of comb, “ he said kindly. “ It's to wear in your hair . Let me show you. “
He stood up and moved to her side slowly; the way he'd approach a green, unbroken mare.
“ Turn your head a bit so I can reach the back, “ he whispered. He felt her shiver as he slotted the comb into where the plait met her head; but she did not pull away from him.
“ Brave girl, “ he said reassuringly and she gave him a contented smile.
“ It looks perfect, “ he said. Laila thanked him and unconsciously batted her eye lashes in a way that any experienced coquette would be proud of.
John took a calming breath. The girl was too sheltered to know how such gestures could affect a man after all.
He was pleased to note that when they sat down to chat and learn more about each other; Laila sat a little closer to him than last time.
She was gradually losing her fear of him. That was good, very good.
When it was time for John to leave he promised yet again to visit in a week's time.
Laila waved him goodbye from her window; and then sat down with the new comb in her hand studying it intently. She closed her eyes and relived the heady, sensual feeling of Sir John's rough but elegant hands fixing it into her hair.
At bed time she took care not to place it anywhere too conspicuous on her bedside table. It wouldn't do for her mother or aunt to see it.
When Enid and Edith made their visit the next morning Laila tried hard not to give any sign that her life was changing; but it was not easy. There was a glow about her that could not be hidden.
Edith was most definitely suspicious.
When Enid took her daughter out onto the terrace for some morning sunshine
her sister began to search the chamber.
Somewhere there had to be a clue as to why the girl had developed a mysterious inner sparkle.
She found it on the bed side table. A pretty, frivolous hair ornament. She wouldn't have noticed it just in in passing. The girl was most definitely hiding something.
Edith left the comb as she'd found it and decided that a little spying was in order.
Again for a generous financial inducement she got men from the village to watch the tower and see if anyone but herself and Dame Enid went inside.
“ Do nothing though, “ she told them. “ Just come and tell me. I'll do the rest. “
TBC