You have right to say no

Writers: Kaysea, Paula
Date Posted: 12th March 2008

Characters: Corowal, Fairlee
Description: Corowal finds a new playmate
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 4

Fairlee slipped into the Lord Holders rooms and quickly laid the fire, setting light to the kindling, before making her way towards the windows and pulling the draperies closed.

She had been newly promoted to the above stairs duties and wanted to make sure she performed them well. Part of her new duties were that she ensure every occupied bedroom had a fire at night and the drapes be drawn closed, before the occupants retire for the evening.

Most nights it was easy since she only had Corowal and the children to worry about, but tonight the Lord Holder had visitors so she needed to prepare two other rooms, as well as lay out his night attire before he retired for the evening.

She was running late tonight since two of the children were ill, and a change of bedding had been needed twice already. She hoped to have the rooms finished before the visitors and Corowal came up to their rooms.

She was busy folding his bedclothes and turning down the bedcover when the door opened, she looked towards the doorway with a worried frown.

Corowal entered his room to find a drudge working there. Well, that wasn't uncommon. "Hi there," he greeted in his friendly fashion.

"Oh Sir, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be here, I was just..." she became flustered in his presence.

"Are you running a bit late?" Corowal asked. He kicked his boots to the corner.

"Er, yes Sir." she became even more flustered when it looked like Corowal cared whether she was there or not, and began to disrobe. "I, I'm new up here Sir. Just been promoted, I'm so sorry I didn't work faster."

"That's all right," Corowal said amiably. He spared her studying, long look. Not a bad looking one.

"I can leave now, if you'd like to draw the water for your..." she began then stopped, thoroughly appalled that she was about to suggest the Lord Holder pour the water for his own ablutions. "I'm sorry, Sir." she said, dropping a curtsey as she finished at the bedside. She walked across the bedroom floor towards the chest of drawers, near enough to be afraid of offending Corowal further.

Corowal pulled off his shirt and tossed it carelessly to the bed. Then he looked around. "Where's my green gather-tunic? I specially asked it to be aired, ironed and ready for me?" his voice was filled with general annoyance.

"Oh..." she hesitated, a look of confusion marring her face as her eyes searched the room. She had thought he was retiring for the night, but it seemed he had other plans. "I can...erm, I can look for it Sir?" she walked towards his wardrobe and opened it wide, her hands running across the fine fabrics held within. Towards the end of the row was a finely spun fabric of dark, emerald green. "This one Sir?" she asked, pulling if out of the robe.

"Yes, exactly," Corowal said. He took the cloth and flashed the girl a warm smile. "What is your name by the way?"

"Fairlee, Sir. I'm - just up from the kitchens, a promotion Sir." she bobbed another curtsey, while handing over the garments. "Did you want anything else Sir?" she asked, taking a step back.

"Fairlee, that's a pretty name. I just want this to be ready first thing in the morning. I hate last minute scuffling. Everything must be ready well before. You might want to remember that, if you're working around me," Corowal said, hanging the tunic to the hook on the wall.

"Yes, Sir." she nodded, "I..I could have it pressed fresh for you in the morning, Sir, if you wanted it to look .. erm, sharp? Before you awake, that is?"

"That would be so kind of you, thank you dear," Corowal replied with a wide smile and moved closer to her.

"Er, your welcome Sir." she smiled nervously, tempted to take a step back as he stepped closer. "Is - is there anything else I can do for you, before... before you retire Sir?"

"I could figure out something," Corowal said suggestively, eyeing her body up and down.

She felt the colour flood her face. He wasn't exactly unattractive - a fact many of the hold women had commented on - but for him to come out so brazenly with his request, left her flustered. "And ... and that would be?" she asked, her eyes meeting his again, this time she was becoming a little more brazen herself.

"I'm a widower, my bed it is terribly cold and lonely..." Corowal said, letting his finger stroke her arm.

"She hadn't been wrong in her assumption, the man had a way with him, but she wasn't sure whether she appreciated his advances. "You want me to..." she didn't know what to say, or how to say it. "Surely you have someone more suited?" she asked finally.

"I have no one," Corowal said sadly. "Of course, you do have right to say no," he continued.

** ... and be banished back to below stairs?** she wondered to herself, at his offer, but his whole demeanour was one she wasn't used to seeing from the Lord Holder. Even from a distance he had always looked sure of himself, self possessed - but now - now he looked bereft. She reached out a hand, and cupped his face, "I am your loyal servant, Sir." she smiled tremulously up at him, her eyes meeting his, seeing only the loneliness and need in him.

Corowal pulled her to his arms. "I can make you a very happy woman,"
he promised.

Last updated on the March 12th 2008

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