"Can't wait for us to get home Gianna." He said smirking as he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.
Was he trying to scare her, about the wedding consummation?
Gianna froze in her seat.She knew exactly what he meant.Fear flooded through her being and her mouth open in a silent scream. Her hands became cold to his touch.
" So that we can rest." He completed his statement with a faint smile. Did he think he was funny?
He had scared her.
Gianna raised her eyebrows trying to determine whether or not to trust his words.
"That would be nice. I am exhausted." She managed to say.
"And so am I."
Phew!She was safe now; for tonight at least.
They arrived at the manor to a warm welcome by Lady Vana, Ferdinand's wife and her daughter Delilah.
"What a thing of beauty you've brought here as a wife Kyler." Said Delilah eyeing Gianna. Gianna could tell they didn't have any true admiration for her from the hostility in their eyes.
Thing? Gianna wasn't a thing, but a living thing, a human being. She felt offended by Delilah's remark.
"Her name is Gianna Kent." Kyler explained before grabbing her hand and leading her upstairs.
"My my, but she's a dirty beauty. Were you playing in the mud like a little girl?" Delilah shouted behind them.
Gianna stopped in her tracks, it had been an accident and now Delilah was making fun of her.She had the sudden urge to go back and slap her across the face.
"Anything wrong?" It was Kyler who startled her.
Anything wrong? Everything was wrong! She had just been married to him without her consent, humiliated herself on her wedding day and now Delilah was making fun of her, and he didn't seem the least bothered.
She resumed her walk without giving him an answer.
Immediately they entered their quarters a maid ran to her.
"Welcome. My name's Yasmeen and I'll be serving Your Ladyship."
"Well met Yasmeen.I am Gianna."
"It's an honor to be of service to you My Lady." She said with a smile.
"Are you hungry?"
Hungry, no she wasn't hungry at all. All she felt was queer nervousness.
"Just prepare me for bed."
Yasmeen got to work. She helped her out of her dress and removed the golden hairpins holding her dark hair.
"You have very beautiful hair My Lady."
Gianna forced a smile.
Yasmeen noticed her discomfort.
"If I may be so bold My Lady, His Lordship is a good man. He isn't usually rough with his women."
Women? Wait, did that mean that he had other wives and even concubines perhaps? Gianna was curious.
"Does that mean he has other wives?" If he did, why did he wish to make her his Countess yet he hardly knew her? She wasn't of noble descent and so if he had other wives they probably would make better Countesses given the chance.It couldn't be because of her good looks, could it be so?
Yasmeen let go of her smooth silky dark hair momentarily. She seemed to be distracted for a short moment and contemplating on her next words.
"I... I don't know My Lady. Have a good night." She said putting the hairbrush on the table as she blew the some candles on her way out.
Gianna didn't know what to believe. And Yasmeen was surely hiding something from her.
Princess Fiona had warned her to be mindful of her husband. Yet Yasmeen had told her that he was a good man.
What if Princess Fiona lied to her? But why? The cold princess rarely opened her mouth to speak and whenever she did she spoke with dignity and truthfulness. Yasmeen on the other hand was a maid here, she probably knew more about Kyler than Princess Fiona did.
Suddenly the door opened and Kyler entered and lit a few more candles.
"You're still awake?" He was expecting to find her long asleep.
"You said you are exhausted." He reminded.
Oh yes, she was then. But know she was only nervous.
"It takes time to get used to a new environment." Answered Gianna.
"Is that so?" He wasn't entirely convinced.
Gianna froze, she didn't have any more lies to tell, she wasn't used to lying.
But Kyler wasn't waiting for her reply.
"I have some work to do before I join you in bed." He said sitting at his desk perusing through some documents.
Gianna's eyelids were heavy, but she couldn't bring herself to close them and rest. She just didn't trust this man yet. But would she ever truly trust him?
Gianna felt like Kyler had been sitting at his desk for the whole night, but it was probably an hour or so. Her anxiety made her believe many hours had passed.
After what seemed like an eternity Kyler stood up and dimmed the lights. Gianna froze as his weight sank into the mattress. Fear flooded through her being and her hands and feet turned cold. She feared to close her eyes.
Kyler suddenly got out of bed sending Gianna squirming in apprehension.
He started undressing himself, a cloth at a time.
Gianna stiffened. What would he do once he was completely undressed?