Caught

Writers: Clancey, Paula
Date Posted: 30th October 2009

Characters: Corowal, Felyna
Description: Felyna returns from visiting her family to news that Corowal had had a party for Erassa while she was gone, and without telling her.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 5, day 14 of Turn 5

Felyna

She had returned from visiting her family's Hold, Hidyn, late last evening. Tired, but pleased with the time spent surrounded by her family, and their obvious approval of her husband, Felyna had simply slipped into bed, oblivious to much around her. Corowal had returned to find her asleep, and had, oddly, left her alone. When she had awoken early this morning, he was already gone, as usual. In fact, it had been unusually quiet in their suite.

A bit bothered that her husband had not woken her this morning to say "hello" and have a little fun in the bedfurs - she had been gone 3 days after all - she had nonetheless gone on about her day as normally as ever, visiting with the Headwoman and some of the other ladies in the Hold to find what had happened in her absence, planning to change his mind this evening with a new piece of clothing she'd found while shopping with her sisters. She'd also visited the drudges - they were very useful to have on your side
- and brought them various treats from her shopping trip.

Now, it was nearly time for the evening meal and she had _definitely_ found out what had happened while she had been gone. The new piece of clothing - suitable only for bed - was laying, still wrapped, in a corner. She was definitely keeping that to herself, tonight.

Did he think she wouldn't know? That the women of the Hold - needing her good will now more than ever - would not _tell_ her? One of the youngest, Panni, had in fact been all too eager to tell the good, nice Lady (see, it paid to make friends of everyone you came across, even those who did not wish you well, or those below your station) about the cake she had delivered to the Lord's rooms just one day after the good Lady had left.

Panni had wondered at the cake without the Lady present, but it was not her place to question, so she had left the cake with a curtsy. In fact, Panni had begun innocently enough, "Oh! I'm sure you'll want to know Lady, that the cake turned out lovely."

But the scene Panni described - presents, the children dressed nice - combined with the knowledge that Erassa had asked for that morning off told her very much all she needed to know.

She was _angry_. For the first time, nearly, in her entire life, she was _angry_.

The door opened behind her and she felt him step up behind her, no doubt reaching for her waist. He loved to pull her close to him at her waist, and she normally loved it, too.

Instead, she whirled on her husband, green eyes dark with an unfamiliar emotion to the normally even-tempered Lady. "Its bad enough that she has to live right in the suite with us, Corowal. And that you drop everything to go the Weyr with your _Foster-mother_, when the children and I have a hard time getting you to leave your work for _any_ reason. And call it an emergency. But to throw her a party when I am NOT HOME? Do you have any idea what the drudges are saying? How that makes me _look_? I am the Lady who's husband waits until his wife is gone to entertain another woman."

It would have been fine to have a party for her, with Felyna present as well
- and truthfully, she would have liked to come. But to wait until everyone knew the Lady Holder was gone to have it then - never mind that that was her actual birthingday - that was the part that had set tongues to wagging, and of course, that Felyna had not known anything about the party when she returned. Echoes of "Oh, didn't you know Lady?" tramped through her mind as she glared at her too-handsome husband.

She was not really _certain_ it had been a party for Erassa, though Panni had certainly believed it to be. One of Panni's cousins had been called in to clean the mess after, and had seen Erassa and Corowal - and Corowal's children - quite cozy, like any normal family. Nor had the servants said all of what she had just said, but if he _was_ sleeping with Erassa, it was best he learn now that she would permit it, but not if the entire HOLD knew about it. She would _never_ permit such a scandal to be proven - rumored, yes - but never proven.

Her blue fire lizard chittered angrily from a nearby chair. He was angry too.

Except this was _Felyna's_ family. Not Erassa's. But.. it wasn't even "her" family. She had simply married into it. She sighed, and some of her emotion left, but she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at her husband. "Talk fast, husband. There _must_ be a good reason for something so improper." She was glad the children.. and Erassa... had not returned to the suite yet from their day. This would not be appropriate if they had not been alone.

Corowal took a surprised step backwards at her vehement reaction. And he had so waited for this evening! He had not disturbed her at the morning, presuming she was tired from the trip and instead sneaked off quietly. "It was Erassa's birthday party. The children thought she could use some cheering up after her ex-weyrmate's death. I fail to see what was improper in it," Corowal said, trying to keep the irritation from his voice.

Her voice had lost some of its heat, but not her eyes. And her arms remained crossed. "That sounds about as good as the "emergency" it was to go with her to the Weyr. I realize you were single for a time after your wife's death, husband, and I know you must feel some understanding of Erassa's pain. But _you_ are a Lord Holder. Lord Holders, especially married ones, don't run off to the Weyr with the foster-mother, nor do they have parties for that same foster-mother when their wife is out, especially without telling the wife about it!"

"If you had only mentioned it to me first, Corowal, I might have been able to fend off the comments from the kitchen girls and the other women in the Hold today. I did my best, and I don't think I confirmed any suspicions, but I didn't _know_. It makes it all look very.... secretive ..especially combined with the well-known fact she lives here with us - unusual enough on its own - and that you just went to the Weyr with her not too long ago. ." She chose the word ..secretive..particularly and uncrossed her arms.

"Why didn't you tell me? You must trust me, husband." She finished quietly, looking into his eyes for something, some sign of what she suspected was true. She was not so much mad about the party. Just that he had done it behind her back, but in front of the whole hold. Their marriage should be seen to be perfect and beautiful. No scandals. She could deal with the behind the scenes _not_ being perfect - but in front of the Hold, she could not.

"I am truly sorry I didn't tell you about the party," Corowal said with honest regret. After all there hadn't been any particular reason to keep it from her. "It was thoughtless from me. I haven't used to share my life with you yet. I'll be more open from now on." He had a feeling he might have to move Erassa to new quarters, just to appease Felyna.

Felyna paused, surprised by the tone of his voice. Perhaps he was sorry. If he was sorry, then perhaps it wasn't too late, and he hadn't yet taken Erassa to his bed.

She sighed again and all the heat of anger left her eyes, though her gaze, intense enough, lingered on his face. "I know... I know it must be hard for you, for all of you, to get used to having me in your lives all the time. I know I am not Ofelia." She had lived in the hold for turns, though, even before Ofelia had been killed. She had known his children.. and Corowal.. for quite long enough for it not to be completely strange. But still.. he had dearly loved Ofelia and he must miss her.

A thoughtful frown pulled her lips. Or perhaps he had replaced Ofelia... but not with Felyna...

She let that thought go, despite the startling pain it caused her. "I am sorry for yelling, Corowal." She reached one hand toward his cheek and then dropped it, telling herself that if he wasn't going to love _her_, why should she let herself love _him_.

Then after a moment, she reconsidered and she did reach up and trace a finger down his cheek. "I did not expect to be so angry that I missed such a lovely family time. I enjoy your family..and I want it to be _our_ family." Now was not the time to bring up Erassa moving out....again. What she wanted out of this ..confrontation... was her husband sorry and remembering he did have a wife. A lovely, smart, kind wife, who could grow angry... but also forgive.

"You will be part of this family. Just forgive me, if it takes a little longer than anticipated," Corowal said and now wrapped his arms around her waist.

Felyna breathed in a sigh then let herself be comforted in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. Perhaps she would show him the new...outfit... she had purchased. But maybe tomorrow. "Thank you, my husband. I will try
to be worthy of you..and your family." She raised her head to look him in the eyes, searching again for that elusive sign that his heart was already given... to a foster-mother... and that she would never have _love_, just _stability.

She smiled, though, warmly and brightly, and hoped she had done the right thing in showing the emotions she had shown him tonight.

"Oh, Felyna," he sighed, and gently stroked her face. He was caught between two strong-willed women, who demanded his attention, and part of him just loved it.

At those faint words, Felyna raised her chin and looked at him, her eyes narrowed. It was only for a moment, and she debated taking issue with his tone... after all, she wasn't some young girl he needed to _cosset_. She was his wife, and he had been wrong. But... no. This moment could also be turned to her advantage, so she let that thought go and kissed him, promising him a night of passion he would not soon forget, without using one single word.

Last updated on the November 3rd 2009

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Caught