Laila part 10
10
Lord and Lady De Bretagne were very pleased to see John back and with his bride at last.
Lady Ermina took Laila off to arrange the preparation of some of the castle's married quarters; and to find her something to wear for dinner that evening.
Tomorrow Ermina would send for her dress maker to get the new Lady Porter fitted out with a wardrobe of her own.
Invitations were sent out for a wedding feast to be held at Chester Castle in a week's time in celebration of the nuptials of the Master at Arms and his lady.
Ermina insisted that Laila must have an extra special gown for the occasion; seeing as she had not had one for her wedding ceremony.
She also informed her new friend that John should not be allowed to see it until he came to escort her to the feast.
When the evening came and it was time to get ready; Lord De Bretagne swept John away with a good natural chuckle.
“ You're dressing with me my friend, “ he said.
“ Ladies like to surround these occasions with a veil of secrecy. I believe we'll be told when your beloved bride is ready for you. “
Sure enough Lady Ermina's maid did come to let them know that Lady De Bretagne and Lady Porter were waiting for them.
Dark haired and eyed Ermina looked stunning with her bold beauty set off perfectly in rich scarlet and gold.
Laila an inch or so taller than her new friend was entrancing in pastel blue and silver.
Her big eyes shone like smoky topaz and the cream of her complexion becomingly contrasted with the rose of her cheeks and lips.
Lord De Bretagne gave Laila an approving smile and nod before offering an arm to his wife.
John made his reverence to Lady De Bretagne, then his smouldering eyes devoured every inch of his own ravishing lady.
He offered her his arm. She returned his unspoken adoration with a luminous, lingering look of her own.
The evening was a great success; despite the guest list not being large.
Sheriff De Bretagne had had the influence of his noble in laws to ease his way into the upper echelons of society.
John Porter on the other hand had been alone in the world since the age of 25.
So as an ordinary man at arms rising to be a knight and then Master At Arms he was bound to court controversy.
Some members of the local nobility were never going to accept him amongst their ranks, regardless of how much he distinguished himself and Sheriff De Bretagne sang his praises.
His answer to this had from the start been to regard these narrow minded doubters with the contempt they deserved.
He had simply got on with his job and behaved with every bit of the chivalry he had vowed to.
Non of his doubters had been won over by the news that his bride was the daughter of a lowly craftsman; not someone who would bring him status, money and land.
This again had not worried him in the least; although he'd been obliged to give a lengthy explanation to Laila.
The poor girl had been mortified with guilt that she'd let him down in some way by coming to him with nothing but the clothes on her back.
He'd kissed her and informed her that he'd fallen in love with her knowing full well that she had nothing. It had never mattered to him before and it didn't matter to him now.
Tonight he motioned round the great hall at the thirty people who'd accepted the invitation to celebrate their marriage; and to Olivier and Ermina who'd offered it.
“ These are the only other people besides ourselves whose opinion we need care about, “ he told her.
“ They respect me for working hard, being a good Master At Arms and a proper knight. They're happy for us because we love each other. “
Laila agreed with a misty eyed smile.
They managed to escape outside and grabbed at their first chance to embrace all evening. Their kisses were intense, hard and urgent.
John groaned into his wife's hair. Her skin still held the faintest scent of Lavender from her bath water and it intoxicated him more than any wine.
“ Laila, “ he murmured hoarsely into her ear.
“ G*d help me love I want you so badly. “
Laila looked into his mesmerising eyes and they were almost black.
She felt the hunger pouring from him. A craving was rising in her own body and she knew that the time was right at last.
She whispered into her husband's ear and he responded with a wicked, lustful smirk that threatened to make her swoon.
They delayed for no longer than it took to bid goodnight to their host, hostess and guests; then away they sped to their chambers to set the final unbreakable seal on their future together.
**THE END**