Disclaimers ~ These characters belong to me. If they have a passing resemblance to you or share your name, it's purely coincidental.
Violence/ bad language ~ Spousal abuse, and some fighting scenes. Some bad language.
Love/sex ~ Romance between consenting women. Relations between a man & woman. If this offends you, you won't like this story. Well...maybe you will, but you'll just be tutting a lot at what my imagination conjured up. Am I ashamed? Nah, not really.
Author's note ~ Questions, comments & thoughts all welcome. Loves_to_write_fic@yahoo.co.uk
Copyright © December 2008
Chapter Eight
Lindsey hummed as she washed clothes outside in the early afternoon sun. It was a glorious day. The sky above was blue and cloudless, a slight ruffling breeze keeping the day refreshing.
Because of the heat of the day, she hadn't cooked a hot meal for the workers, instead, Lindsey had simply supplied cold meats and cheeses, warm freshly made bread with butter melted on top, currants, figs, wild cherries and roasted pears. Not allowed to drink whilst working, Lindsey had drawn water from the well and sweetened it with some honey. She had thought it was a good idea. Ackerley hadn't been happy, calling it paupers food. He expected a proper cooked meal in the evening, a fine meal at that, or else. Lindsey knew what or else meant and shivered at the thought.
Just after her sister's wedding, Lindsey had once again gotten her monthly courses, much to her disappointment. Ackerley had been furious and had taken his mood out on her. He had once again done serious damage to her and the day after, when she couldn't move without whimpering, he had called for the doctor. Frustrated at her inability to get pregnant, his true colours had well and truly come out, he drank heavily and he became forceful and nasty with her, taking her almost every night, if he didn't pass out.
At the sound of an approaching horse, Lindsey looked up from her washboard and waited for the rider to come around the house to the back courtyard.
Bringing her horse to a stop near to where Lindsey was crouched, Hudson smiled and dismounted swiftly. "Mrs. Meadows," she greeted, bowing her head as Lindsey stood and wiped dry her hands on her apron. "I don't know if you remember me..."
"Hudson Darnley," Lindsey broke in. "A soldier for Prince Ripley. I remember you to be a gentleman," she smiled. "Is something wrong at the castle? My...sister?"
"Everyone is well, milady," Hudson reassured. She looked around the courtyard and saw nobody else about. "I have been sent to look after you."
"Look after me?"
"Yes, milady. Your husband's temper is well known and with your sister now being wed to His Royal Highness, he is concerned for your safety. And in a position to do something about it, he sent me to you."
"The prince is concerned for me!" Lindsey exclaimed, bewildered.
"Yes, milady." Hudson took out the letter the King had written to Ackerley. "Your husband doesn't know me, so King Edward has written asking that he give me a job."
"But...you are a soldier. What can you do on a farm?"
"Ackerley doesn't know I am a soldier," Hudson replied. "And I was a squire to a knight, my main job was looking after his war horse."
"Oh, Mr. Darnley! You can't give up your life to come out here and watch over me!" Lindsey exclaimed, a hand reaching out to rest on the brunette's arm.
"Who the hell are you?" Ackerley's gruff voice demanded, before Hudson could offer Lindsey a response. "Lindsey, get in the house," he growled at his wife, bringing his horse to a stop in front of Hudson.
Looking fearfully from her husband to Hudson, the strawberry-blonde slowly retreated inside the house. She stood at the kitchen window, watching as the two men talked, though unable to hear what was said. She saw Hudson hand Ackerley the letter from the King and wondered if her husband would hire the young soldier.
Turning, Ackerley stormed towards the house. Inside, he backhanded Lindsey hard across the face, blazing brown eyes watching as she crumpled to the stone floor. "What did you think you were doing talking to him!" he barked. "Acting like a whore! Touching him intimately!"
"No, husband. I..."
"I saw you, harlot!" Ackerley bellowed, spit flying from his mouth in his rage. "Talking intimately, touching his arm, flirting! It looked like you were close to me!" He hit her again.
"No, Ackerley! He...rode up and asked for you, husband," Lindsey explained, wiping away blood from her mouth and nose. "I told him you were up in the fields." 'Tis a small lie, she thought. "Mr. Darnley told me King Edward had sent him and I...I feared something had happened to my sister."
A flash of understanding passed across Ackerley's ruddy face before quickly disappearing. Even if he were wrong, he would never admit it. "He told me he was here for a job."
Lindsey nodded, blue eyes on the blood that covered her hand. "That's what he told me. I...I must have reached out in relief."
Seemingly satisfied with her explanation, Ackerley nodded. "Get back to your chores, woman," he said dismissively, taking a seat at the table to read the letter from the King. "Perhaps start the evening meal. I want something proper, Lindsey, none of that cold food you served this afternoon."
"Uhm...husband?"
"What?"
"You've just...left him standing out there in the courtyard," Lindsey reminded the brown-haired man.
Ackerley sighed heavily. "Go tell him where to house his horse and invite him in for some food, while I decide whether to take him on or not."
Lindsey wiped her face as best she could, remembering Hudson's words about being there to protect her. She wondered what he would do if he caught Ackerley hitting her, she was Ackerley's wife, no man should step in. But the prince wouldn't have sent him if he couldn't do something, surely? She walked back outside, hoping against hope that Ackerley hadn't left a hand print on her cheek and that the soldier wouldn't notice her swollen lip or cut nose. She smiled as best she could as she approached the handsome brunette. "I am to show you where to put your horse whilst my husband decides whether to give you a job or not."
Hudson grinned, hiding her anger at the state of the beautiful woman's face. "He will. No one of sound mind turns down a request from the King."
Lindsey pointed at the stable over on the left and together they started walking that way. "Have you ever worked with cattle?" she asked, walking next to the taller soldier.
"No, but I have worked with horses. As I said, I was a squire." Hudson followed Lindsey inside the large stable and walked her horse to an empty stall. She felt blue eyes on her as she took care of her horse, getting the large beast settled for the night. Finished, Hudson closed the stall door behind her as she walked out, leaning back against it and crossing strong arms across her chest. "He hit you," she stated unhappily.
Lindsey ducked her head in embarrassment, a hand rising to press against her stinging cheek.
Hudson took out a handkerchief and gently lifted the woman's chin with her fingertips. "Why?" she asked, softly wiping away blood from the cuts on Lindsey's mouth and nose.
"'Twas my fault really," Lindsey started. "He saw me touching you and...thought I was flirting with you."
"That is no excuse, Lindsey! You are his wife." Unfortunately! "You are not property, he should have trust in you."
Lost in dark green eyes, Lindsey flinched in surprise when soft fingers touched her cheek. "Uhm," she stepped back, confused by what she was feeling. "We should get back. You have been invited inside for some lunch, if...if you are interested?"
Hudson smiled and put away her handkerchief. "Then let's not keep him waiting. Lead on, milady."
* * * * *
Hudson sat at the kitchen table opposite Ackerley, who was pretending to be intently reading the King's letter. "Thank you for the offer of some lunch, Mr. Meadows. My journey was long and I have worked up quite an appetite."
Lindsey glanced over at the brunette. "You left from the castle I take it, Mr. Darnley?"
Hudson smiled at the young woman. "Yes, Mrs. Meadows. I left early this morn. 'Twas quite a ride getting here."
Irked at the easygoing conversation between Hudson and his wife, Ackerley put the letter down with a heavy slap of his hand. "It was worth the journey, boy. I shall give you a job."
Like you really had a choice, Hudson thought, while thanking the generous man before her. "May I ask to be put to work in the stables, sir? I have been around horses all my life. My only dealings with cattle is when eating it."
Lindsey noticed her husband's reluctance and wondered if it was because Hudson would be working so close to the house, near her, while Ackerley was up in the fields all day.
"I suppose," Ackerley finally agreed. "I won't be giving you a great wage. You can sleep in the stable and you can eat here at the house," he said, thinking about saving on some money. "You'll be provided with enough expense to buy necessities."
Once Hudson finished eating, she went out to the stable to get a start on her work. Lindsey went back outside to continue washing clothes, while Ackerley decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at the house, claiming the sun had made him weak and light-headed.
The stable had two levels, Hudson found on closer inspection. Entering the double doors, on your left and right were three sets of stalls to hold six horses. Down the back was another set of double doors and above those was a hayloft. The soldier thought that the best place to set up a bed. On the right side of the back doors, was the tack room and on the left a feed room.
Climbing up the ladder, Hudson looked around the stable from her new position and nodded. Whoever had been running the stable had done a good job, the horses were well tended to, the stable and each stall was clean and the hayloft was in a fairly neat state. With a plan in mind, Hudson climbed back down the ladder and set about her work.
Whilst furiously scrubbing one of Ackerley's shirts against the washboard, Lindsey watched Hudson open the heavy, double wooden stable doors. She noticed his shirt was untucked, his sleeves rolled up to reveal tanned forearms. He disappeared back into the stable only to appear again leading one of the horses out to the nearby field, where he set it free to run loose. She watched him go back and forth until all the equines were taken care of, then he returned back inside the stable and started clearing out the manure and old hay.
Taking in a basket of dried clothes and leaving the newly washed lot drying in the sun, Lindsey went inside and found her husband still seated at the kitchen table. Setting her basket down, she started to fold the clean laundry, blue eyes drifting from her task and out the open back door, where occasionally she would see Hudson walking in to or out of the stable. Finishing her folding, the clothes neatly put back in her basket ready to be taken upstairs, Lindsey poured a mug of water and stirred in some honey, before heading for the back door.
"Where are you going with that?" Ackerley asked gruffly.
"I thought perhaps Mr. Darnley would like some water, seeing how he is working so hard on this hot day."
* * * * *
Lindsey squeezed her eyes shut. Her husband's heavy body on top of her, Ackerley grunting and sweating as he took his pleasure. Tears trailed from the corners of her eyes as each hard thrust jarred her small aching body. Ackerley finally stiffened and let out a strangled groan before rolling swiftly off her. This was Ackerley's response to her getting on so well with Hudson. To forcibly take her, forcing himself on her and in her, and not stopping until he had left behind his seed.
Perhaps that was what irked Ackerley so? she wondered, remembering the look on his face when she had headed for the back door with a drink for Hudson. She rolled her eyes as Ackerley started snoring loudly beside her. She sighed, knowing it would be a long while until she fell asleep. Hudson's image filled her head, followed by the echoing words, "I have been sent to look after you." Lindsey smiled in the dark. It will be nice having someone on my side so close, looking after me, caring. 'Tis especially nice having Mr. Darnley, who is quite dashing!
* * * * *
Hudson sighed as she rolled onto her back and stared out at the night sky. She had set up her bed near the hay door, the door open, as the day had been so hot. Her thin woollen blanket was scratchy and irritating her and kicked down to her feet in frustration. Her thoughts were on Lindsey. The strawberry-blonde had been nothing but nice. Ackerley had noticed. Hudson was worried about Lindsey; she knew of the brown-haired man's temper, he had hit Lindsey earlier just because he thought she had been flirting. Why is it that men like Ackerley get such beautiful, intelligent girls to marry them? Hudson thought, tucking her hands beneath her head.
She remembered a knight she had served with a few years before. He had been a bully, a mean man who took great delight in making fun out of everyone else and belittling them. Hudson had been talking with a pretty girl one evening in town when the big man had entered the tavern and immediately started on Hudson. The brunette had watched, dripping with ale, as the man walked out the tavern with the girl.
I am here to do a duty. My duty is to watch over Lindsey, that is all. It doesn't matter how beautiful, intelligent, or witty she is. She is married, that is that. With a heavy heart and a deep sigh, Hudson closed her eyes, willing the strawberry-blonde out of her thoughts.
* * * * *
Lindsey woke early as she usually did and allowed herself a small smile as she slipped out of her bed. It had been three weeks since Hudson's arrival and his presence calmed and relaxed her. She knew if Ackerley got out of hand, the soldier would be there for her. There would be no more severe beatings for her and no more desperate calls for the town doctor.
Washed and dressed for the day, she left her husband snoring and made her way downstairs and through to the kitchen to start breakfast.
Ackerley appeared and sat down at the table just as she was putting his usual breakfast foods onto a plate. Her husband seen to, Lindsey picked up the wooden bucket that sat by the back door and walked outside to fill it from the well, needing to clean the many pans she had used before she made Hudson's and her own breakfast.
"Good morrow, Mrs. Meadows," Hudson greeted.
Lindsey turned and smiled brightly at the approaching brunette. "Good morrow, Mr. Darnley. Would you like some breakfast?"
"That sounds wonderful, thank you," Hudson replied, smiling warmly. Despite telling herself again and again to keep her distance from the pretty woman, Hudson found she couldn't. She was drawn to Lindsey and enjoyed her company. "May I carry that for you?" she asked, pointing at the bucket.
"That's very kind of you, thank you."
Taking the now heavy bucket, Hudson followed Lindsey back to the house. Walking through the back door, Hudson saw Ackerley inhaling his food at the kitchen table. "Good morrow, Mr. Meadows," she greeted, getting a grunt in response. Biting back a growl, Hudson turned her attention to Lindsey. "Mrs. Meadows, where would you like this bucket placed?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! There on the counter, please, Mr. Darnley." Lindsey smiled as she watched the soldier do as she asked. "Would you like bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast? Or perhaps a bowl of frumenty?"
Hudson took a seat at the table, opposite Ackerley. "Whatever you are having is fine."
"Would you like some almond milk? Or your usual honey water?"
"Honey water, please, thank you."
Ackerley pushed back his seat and slid his empty plate forward, scowling at his wife's back as she quickly scrubbed a couple of pans. "I'm going into town for supplies," he said suddenly. "Write me a list of things you need and I'll see what I can pick up." Brown eyes turned to Hudson, flashing in annoyance. "I can trust you with my wife, I hope?"
"Of course, Mr. Meadows," Hudson nodded. "The King was kind enough to give me this opportunity and you were generous enough to take me on. Whilst your wife is incredibly beautiful, she is your wife, sir, and I am a gentleman."
"Hmm," Ackerley sniffed, unconvinced. "After you've finished your food, hook up two horses to the cart."
"I could do it now if you like?" Hudson offered, rising from her seat.
"Eager to be rid of me, Mr. Darnley?" Ackerley asked in a dangerous tone.
"Not at all, sir. I just assumed you would want to be on your way as soon as possible." The sooner you're drinking, the happier you'll be.
"Well don't assume, 'tis not your place, boy."
* * * * *
After finishing her breakfast, Lindsey quickly wrote down a list of things she needed from town before hurrying outside to feed the chickens. Once that was done, she was back inside to start the washing-up. Standing at the sink, she could hear Ackerley upstairs cursing and complaining as he stomped about. She assumed he was packing and any minute he would bellow for her and strike her for not helping him in the first place. She looked out the window in front of her, not realising she was smiling as she watched Hudson prepare a couple of horses for Ackerley's travel into town.
Lindsey wasn't stupid. She knew Ackerley wasn't only going into town for supplies. He had disappeared before and always returned smelling of cheap perfume. She knew he spent his time away in the company of whores and found herself not caring. She had dropped the hint to him that as long as he was checked over by the doctor before returning to her bed, she couldn't care less what he got up to. All that mattered was that she got some peaceful time to herself, where she didn't have to worry about upsetting him or have to dread going to bed at night.
Ackerley walked into the kitchen and grunted a goodbye at her before leaving the house.
Lindsey blinked in surprise as she watched him leave, having expected his cry for help. Well, it doesn't matter. 'Tis about time he did something for himself!
After her husband's departure, Lindsey cheerfully went about her tasks. She felt the mood on the farm lighten, as it always did when Ackerley was absent. Having free rein and with no need to worry about pleasing her husband, Lindsey took her time doing her many chores. For lunch, she decided to treat the workers Ackerley was always horrid to. She asked Hudson to kill two chickens for a roast she planned to make.
At lunch time, Lindsey joined the men outside, much to their surprise. She sat next to Hudson, who didn't treat her any differently and soon all the men relaxed in her company and were quickly laughing and joking along with her and talking comfortably. Hudson remained behind after the meal to help Lindsey gather the dirty dishes, having nothing pressing to do in the stable.
"So, Mr. Darnley, how did you and His Royal Highness become friends?" Lindsey asked curious. "If you don't mind me asking, sir."
Hudson smiled at the obviously nervous woman, knowing she was fearful after her life with Ackerley. "Not at all, Mrs. Meadows, you may ask me anything. I am, after all, a guest at your home."
Lindsey blushed and ducked her head shyly.
"Before I answer your question, may I make a request, milady?"
"O-...okay."
"Please call me, Hudson. I feel we are friends now and friends call each other by their birth name."
Lindsey offered the brunette a bright smile that instantly made Hudson smile. "And you must call me Lindsey."
Hudson nodded her head in acceptance. "As you wish, Lindsey." She smiled. "Prince Ripley and I must have been around...six, maybe seven summers old. I was seated in the forest when Ripley came along."
"Where were your parents?" Lindsey asked as she led the way into the kitchen, both with an armful of dirty dishes. "Did they work at the castle?"
"I...was all alone in the world," Hudson explained. "That is why I was in the forest. My father died after years of heavy drinking when I was barely able to walk. My mother was...trampled by a runaway horse in the middle of our town. A tragic accident."
Lindsey gasped, blue eyes wide, as she looked at the soldier. "Oh, Hudson! That is terrible! I am so sorry."
"Thank you, but 'twas an accident. It could just as easily been someone else."
Lindsey nodded. She remembered a time when she was a girl. She had been in town with her mother and Kelsey, when a horse had been spooked. The frightened animal had run madly through the square causing a lot of damage to the stalls set up.
"Anyway," Hudson said smiling. "Prince Ripley found me and after a day of playing together in the field, he took me home with him. After hearing I was alone in the world and seeing that his son and I had bonded, King Edward let me stay."
"So you grew up in the castle!" Lindsey exclaimed in amazement.
"Mmm-hmm. I was given a room in the servants' quarters and was mothered by the women of the castle."
"Then, perhaps you are more than a friend to the prince," Lindsey considered. "You must almost seem like brothers."
"We are...close."
Honey avoided Ripley for the duration of Lord Green's stay, watching from afar as her dearest friend entertained the Lord's daughter, a flirtatious and bold redhead. Whilst smiling and acting like the prince she was supposed to be, Honey could see the misery Ripley was in that no one else could.
A week after the guests left, Honey secretly made her way to Ripley's chambers one night, something they had both done back and forth over the years.
Ripley was seated in front of her fireplace, surrounded by burning candles as she read some thick book she had purchased during a trip to a nearby town. The light-haired prince looked up in surprise as her door opened and Honey walked in. "Honey? Is everything all right?"
The brunette walked over to the seated prince, stopping in front of her and searching questioning cerulean eyes. "I have come to realise that I am quite in love with you, Ripley," she admitted softly. "I have grown up knowing your secret and still I love you."
"Honey..."
"And, I think...you care for me also," Honey said, eyes searching surprised blue. "The tragic thing is..." she licked her lips, watching as Ripley mirrored the action, "...we can never be together, for I am not of noble blood." She lifted her nightgown up her body and pulled it off, baring her naked body to Ripley. "Though we can never be, I can give you a very special gift. A memory neither of us will ever forget."
"I...you...what about when...you marry?" Ripley stuttered. "Your husband will know you have been busted."
Honey laughed sadly and shook her head. "I have nothing, Ripley! I can offer no dowry! And besides, you are the one I love and want to be with. If I can't have you, no one else will do." Stepping forward, she kissed the lips she had been dreaming of many a night. Holding on to Ripley's hands, she helped her fair-haired friend stand, then stepped back and started leading the prince towards the waiting bed.
"I fear I have upset you?" Lindsey's voice broke through the soldier's thoughts.
"No," Hudson smiled. "Not at all. You...invoked a...pleasant memory. Uhm," she cleared her throat. "If you are not too busy today, would you like to join me for a horse ride, Lindsey? I have to exercise the horses, so..."
Lindsey smiled and nodded her agreement. "What a wonderful idea. Thank you for inviting me."
* * * * *
The couple rode side by side on two chestnut-coloured mares through one of Ackerley's fields. The horses trotted along, the two riders in no particular hurry to go anywhere or get back soon. The day was pleasant, the company was to be enjoyed; Hudson and Lindsey both wanted to take the opportunity to get to know each other better while they had the chance.
"So, milady, how are you?" Hudson asked. "Well and without bruises, I hope."
"I am well, Hudson. Ackerley hasn't..." she trailed off, not wanting to ruin the mood with talk of her husband's treatment of her.
Seeing the pretty, young woman was reluctant to talk, Hudson opted to drop it and changed the subject. "Tell me of your childhood, Lindsey. Life with your sister and such," she smiled.
Lindsey smiled brightly, directing a thankful look Hudson's way. "As twins we are incredibly close. Kelsey is not only my sister, but my best friend also. We used to have such fun as children, pretending to be the other and confusing everyone."
"Does it ever bother you? Being confused for your sister?"
Lindsey chuckled. "Not really, and now that we are both married 'tis unlikely to happen often."
"It must have been nice having a sibling," Hudson said wistfully. "I was an only child."
"Until you met the prince, then you gained a brother."
Hudson smiled. If only you knew the truth!
"Did you see much of my sister, Hudson?" Lindsey asked suddenly, her face thoughtful.
"Not too much, no. I was kept busy with training drills. But I did talk with Ripley a bit and they both seem very happy."
"He is kind and gentle then?" she asked quietly. "A good man, like I told her he would be?"
Hudson reached out for the reins on Lindsey's horse and pulled them both to a stop. "I assure you, milady, Ripley is a good man," she said, looking into sad blue eyes. "He would never hurt your sister. He is not the type of man to raise his fist to a woman, nor the type to lose his temper easily." The soldier smiled. "He keeps all his anger pent up and releases it on the training field."
Lindsey offered the brunette a small smile, relieved her sister hadn't married a brute like she herself had. "Good, I am pleased to hear it." They moved onwards. "Tell me, Hudson, are the rumours that there is to be a civil war true?"
"I don't know about that, milady. There is a lot of talk about upset nobles, perhaps talk of war has come from that."
"So the prince hasn't mentioned anything. It must be talk then, surely he would have told you, his closest friend."
Hudson nodded. "I made him promise to call me home if there was any trouble. My place is by his side in battle, of that I am sure."
"Do you...regret being sent here, Hudson?" Lindsey asked quietly, fearing the answer.
"No, milady, not at all. I...I like to think I have found a friend," she smiled. "I don't want to see you hurt, Lindsey. You are an amazing young woman. Beautiful, intelligent, strong. If I could...take you away from all this I would in a heartbeat."
Lindsey's mouth opened in surprise, blue eyes on the handsome soldier. "Th-...thank you, sir."
Blushing and feeling incredibly embarrassed by her statement, Hudson nodded. "Come on, let's head back and bring out the next two horses."