The Princess's Bride Page 2

  Chelsey snorted. "Thank you for keeping my ribbon safe. It's my favorite one."

  Daisy beamed, overjoyed that she could put Chelsey at ease by taking care of something close to her heart, even if it was only a piece of fabric.

  When Chelsey grabbed the ribbon from Daisy’s hand, her thumb pressed gently against the inside of the princess’s palm. Daisy held her other hand over her churning stomach, her inner thighs clenched, and her woman’s dew formed a moist pocket once again.

  “I thank you kindly, princess,” Chelsey spoke in a soft whisper and moved closer. Her breath grazed Daisy’s forehead, and Daisy held back a sigh of longing.

  “Y-you are v-very welcome, Chel-lsey. Um, I best be going now,” Daisy muttered and looked up at the other woman, who stood at least five inches taller then her. The dark-haired beauty stood so close that if Daisy rose onto her tiptoes, she would be able to touch those precious lips.

  “Whatever you desire, your ladyship.” Chelsey’s voice came out as a purr.

  Daisy’s eyes grew wide, and she nodded again before rushing away, cursing silently for making a fool of herself once again.

  A glance over her shoulder confirmed that Chelsey had remained standing there, rubbing her ribbon over her mouth. This time Daisy did not blame her fanciful imagination when Chelsey winked at her.

  ****

  “Thank you, Wilda, for another lovely meal.” Thomas complimented the cook as she took the breakfast plates away.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Master Thomas.” Wilda flashed him a bight smile, and another one to Daisy, which was returned in kind. Daisy preferred to eat in the kitchen rather than in the dining room. Then, not only could she be near Chelsey, but she could also listen to Wilda as she told her the most interesting stories.

  “Yes, Wilda. Another well-cooked meal. Glad to have you here.” Daisy’s father, Conrad, burped and patted his full stomach.

  Daisy and Thomas shared a look and grinned. Their father enjoyed Wilda’s cooking too much, and his stomach bulged slightly over his breeches.

  Wilda nodded and left with the empty plates. Daisy’s eyes followed her, hoping to catch sight of Chelsey through the open door. She glanced back at her father, who was looking at her expectantly.

  “I’m sorry Papa. Did you say something to me?”

  “Daisy, you must pay closer attention. You are no longer a little girl, but a young woman of noble birth.” He took a sip of his coffee and sat back, folding his hands over his protruding stomach. “Next week is Lord Humphrey’s annual summer celebration ball. I expect you to allow his lordship to have two dances with you, one of them a waltz.”

  “Oh, Papa, you know I don’t care very much for balls. They are too stuffy and overheated. I can barely breathe because of the lack of hygiene our neighbors have.”

  Thomas stifled a laugh and looked down at his coffee when his father gave him a pointed stare.

  Conrad scratched his graying beard. “Young lady, a woman of your breeding does not make mention of a person’s bathing habits. Nevertheless, you will attend, and, if Humphrey gives you his permission, you will engage his attentions.”

  “But—”

  He held up his hand. “Enough. It is about time you think about marriage and giving me grandchildren. Your mother, god rest her soul, was eighteen when we married. I thank the Lord every single day for our fifteen wonderful years together, ruling in harmony, before she succumbed to the fever.” Her father paused before adding: “Humphrey is worthy of your consideration and quite the catch! He is twenty-seven and a much-respected naval captain with his own shipping company. You need to stop your silly daydreaming and this nonsense of always having your nose in some book.”

  Daisy stared down at her lap, fighting the urge to run from the room in tears. She knew that, if she acted out, her father might punish her and take away her precious books.

  “Oh, my child,” Conrad sighed and dropped a hand on her shoulder. “I only want the best for you and Thomas. You do realize this, don’t you?” He swallowed hard. “Ever since your mother left us to go to the great beyond, I have tried to be a good parent, but it hasn't been easy without a mother to guide you.”

  Daisy gave her father a small smile. She knew he had done his best with a daughter who had lost her mother when she was so young. Not to mention dealing with the anxiety of exile and the task of setting up residence in a strange country. “Papa, you have done quite well with Thomas and I. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. Please forgive me.”

  Daisy’s father smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “That’s a good girl. Thomas, let us go into my study and work on those ledgers we have been neglecting.”

  Thomas rolled his eyes, and Daisy smothered a laugh. All three stood up from the table and walked out into the hall.

  “Daisy, I expect you to help Martha today. She mentioned something about airing the bed sheets.” He shuddered. “Since that is women’s work, I know you will be more than willing to help. Thomas, come.”

  Daisy’s father walked away, and Thomas gave Daisy a look of exasperation before following him. She waved back. She did feel sorry for her brother. For the next few hours, he would be stuck inside a small room going over numbers while she would be outside reading on this beautiful day.

  “Miss Daisy?” Martha called from above the steps, and Daisy moaned.

  “Coming, Martha!” she yelled as she walked up the stairs.

  She would spend a few hours in the morning doing 'women’s work,' and then she would get to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. She would read and dream about living on a deserted island where she could sleep as late as she wanted and sit under shady trees eating coconuts.

  ****

  “Oh, Lord Ramsey. You evil, nasty man,” Daisy muttered as she reached the final scene where he would fight against the hero to the death.

  “Who is Lord Ramsey?”

  Daisy sat up and pressed a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “Dear heavens, you gave me a fright.”

  Daisy looked up. Chelsey stood at the edge of the blanket, watching her. Her head blocked the rays of the sun, creating a halo around her face.

  “He’s a character f-from my book. But why would you care? I have never seen you read,”

  Daisy said without thinking and covered her mouth. “That was very rude of me. I apologize.”

  Chelsey crossed her arms, and Daisy couldn’t help but stare at the well-rounded bodice.

  Chelsey's dress was laced up in the front, but Daisy appreciated it for more than just the style.

  “No need. I can see why you may think I'm uneducated, princess, given that I dust your woodwork, muck your stalls and clean out your chamber pots.”

  Daisy's lip trembled, and she looked down at her book in shame. “Again, my prejudice is showing. Please, w-won’t you join me?”

  She glanced up at Chelsey, and a thrill coursed through her at seeing the black ribbon tying her hair back. Chelsey knelt down and sighed as she sat back against the tree. Her arm brushed Daisy’s, and she closed her eyes for a moment to savor the feeling.

  “It is very nice out here.” Chelsey crossed her arms and gazed out at the lake.

  Daisy nodded in agreement. This forest wonderland was her favorite spot to escape to.

  Here, she could read or nap the afternoon away without being caught.

  “I spend most of my time here. I suppose that will all have to end soon.”

  Chelsey turned and frowned. “Why? You have an incredible life of luxury.”

  “Oh Ch-chelsey, you must think I'm a terrible snob. Yes, I have a wonderful life, even after everything that occurred on Ilgeria. But right now my father’s plans for my future are not the ones I want for myself.”

  “What plans?”

  Daisy sighed and rubbed a finger lovingly across the spine of her book. “He wants me to get married, as girls of my station must, and give him grandchildren.” She sniffed and tapped her book.

  “And you don’t want that, your highness?�
�� She moved closer until her lips brushed Daisy’s ear.

  Daisy inhaled softly, enjoying the aroma of herbs and cloves that she recognized from the kitchen. When Chelsey placed a hand on top of her own, Daisy almost leaped up from the blanket. This was one of the few times she had ever been this close to the older woman.

  “Y-you can call me D-Daisy. Every time you c-call me 'princess' or 'your h-highness', it makes me uncomfortable.”

  “Whatever you desire… prin-Daisy,” Chelsey whispered and blew into Daisy’s ear.

  Daisy closed her eyes and smiled when Chelsey squeezed her fingers.

  “Go on,” Chelsey prompted her.

  Daisy opened her eyes and gave Chelsey a confused look. "Wha – oh! Well, Papa wants me to dance at the ball with Lord Humphrey, this very handsome and rich gentleman. I’ve met him a few times, and he seems nice and proper, but…I just don’t think he is the one for me.”

  “And who is the one for you, Daisy?”

  Daisy turned her head, and her nose brushed against Chelsey’s. She looked deeply into Chelsey's eyes and was overcome with need.

  Her feelings increased tenfold when she noticed the intense look in Chelsey’s eyes.

  Without warning, more dew covered her womanly core.

  “Um… no one.” She swallowed hard to cover the lie.

  “Be truthful, Daisy”

  You! It is you, Daisy wanted to say but didn’t. “I have my head in the clouds, and dream of someone I can never have.”

  Daisy moved her face in closer, but Chelsey pulled away. Suddenly, Daisy was embarrassed once more. She moved her hand out from under Chelsey’s and placed her palms against her flushed cheeks.

  “Oh my, it is a bit warm out here. I should go—”

  “—have you ever tried to find animals in the clouds?” Chelsey reached up and pushed a loose curl behind Daisy's ear.

  Daisy clapped her hands in excitement. “Yes! I have. But only by myself. It’s considered to be a child’s game.”

  Chelsey lay down, put her hands behind her head and looked up at the sky. “Let’s act like children for a short time and see if we can spot some animals. What do you say?”

  Daisy glanced up at the sky; it was the perfect day to play this game. The sky was a glorious, clear blue canvas covered with puffy white clouds floating near the horizon. She set her book off to the side and lay down, shoulder to shoulder, with Chelsey and enjoyed the shade of a nearby tree. She rested her hand on her stomach, ignoring the corset's whalebone that poked her in her side, and stared up. The sun’s rays forced her to cover her brow with her other hand and squint so that she could make out the clouds.

  “I see a cow,” Daisy said and looked over at Chelsey when she heard her laugh. It was a husky sounding chuckle, very different from Daisy’s own high-pitched giggles.

  “I don’t see it. But I do see a horse.”

  Daisy titled her head. “Where? I don’t.”

  “There.” Chelsey pointed up in the sky and indicated a grouping of clouds.

  “Ah, I think I see it,” Daisy responded.

  Chelsey grasped her hand again and twined their fingers together.

  Minutes passed, and Daisy grew drowsy. She felt a shadow over her face and opened her eyes. She was expecting to see a large cloud above, but instead she found Chelsey leaning over her.

  “I noticed you ceased your stuttering a while ago. Why do you only stutter with me?”

  Daisy pursed her lips together and tried to think of a plausible reason. Chelsey gave her a wide smile and shook her head as if she found something amusing.

  Meanwhile, Daisy grew nervous under Chelsey’s gaze. Was this cheeky woman enjoying her unease? “I would rather not talk about it,” Daisy finally said. “Why don’t we continue to look at the clouds?”

  “Daisy.” Chelsey let go of Daisy’s hand and gently cupped her cheek. Daisy opened her mouth, but then closed it, as Chelsey pressed her lips against hers.

  Daisy lay there, trembling, as Chelsey slowly brushed her mouth over her never-been-kissed lips. After what felt like an eternity of bliss, Chelsey lifted her mouth away, breaking the kiss, and licked her lips. She looked down at Daisy in a way that made her hot with wanting and eager to undo the top of her dress.

  How lovely it would be to feel the cool air upon her naked skin and sense Chelsey’s hot gaze upon her breasts. Heat rushed between her legs at the idea. But did Chelsey mean it? What was her purpose in kissing…? “Why did you kiss me?” Daisy asked softly.

  Chelsey placed her thumb across Daisy’s lips. “I have wanted to do that for so long. I dreamt of you at night, wondering what it would be like to slip my tongue inside your mouth…

  and taste other parts of your body.”

  Daisy felt the heat building again at Chelsey’s intense look. "Oth-other parts of my b-body?" Her voice came out in a squeak, and she closed her eyes, releasing a pant as Chelsey pressed her mouth down again, this time against Daisy’s flushed throat.

  “And I think you feel the same way, Daisy,” Chelsey breathed between delicate kisses.

  “Please tell me it's true.”

  This time, Chelsey grabbed Daisy’s arms, and the kiss she delivered was far more powerful than the last. Daisy opened her mouth, but when Chelsey slipped her tongue inside, Daisy pulled away and placed her arm over her forehead, overcome with heat.

  “Daisy?” Chelsey whispered. “Please don’t be frightened. I just want to show you how much you mean to me.”

  Daisy peeked over her arm. “And what do I mean to you?”

  Chelsey pushed Daisy’s arm away from her face. She cupped her cheek again, rubbing her thumbs across Daisy’s dimples.

  “You are very special to me. You have been, ever since my mum and I came to work here. I would love to show you how much.”

  Daisy swallowed a yelp as Chelsey kissed her again. These kisses were much longer and deeper and had her squirming. She grew warm all over.

  “H-have you kissed many women before?” she asked as Chelsey lifted her mouth and, with one hand, unbuttoned the front of Daisy’s dress.

  “I’ve kissed men, but never a woman before. You are my first. We are each other’s first.

  But know this: for me there will be no other.”

  Daisy bit down on her knuckles in fear and anticipation as she watched Chelsey pull open the front of her dress. The fabric fell down to her wait. She looked back up at the sky, closed her eyes and bit her lip in a mixture of embarrassment and desire. When Chelsey brushed her knuckles over Daisy’s chemise-covered breasts, it sent a rush of molten liquid to her inner core.

  Daisy let out a whimper as Chelsey kissed the top of one of her breasts. She pulled apart her chemise and unlaced the front of the blue frilly corset Daisy's hated wearing.

  Chelsey spread open the restricting garment and squeezed one globe. Daisy swallowed a squeak.

  “You won’t do anything I don’t want you to do, will you, Chelsey?” Daisy asked meekly.

  Chelsey laid her palm on Daisy’s stomach and kissed her again with such longing that Daisy could feel it down to the tips of her toes. “I will do whatever you desire, my innocent little Daisy.”

  Daisy gave Chelsey a small frown. “I-I'm not that innocent!” she exclaimed. Chelsey snickered. “Oh really?” She lifted an eyebrow and moved her arm down until she reached the hem of Daisy’s dress and slipped her hand underneath. Daisy swallowed a moan as Chelsey groped under her skirt.

  Chelsey gave her a surprised look. "Why Daisy, only two petticoats? Whatever would your father say?"

  Daisy giggled, and Chelsey joined in. The tension that had been growing steadily between them now evaporated into joyous yearning. She sighed in delight as Chelsey's hand gently squeezed her knee.

  Gazing up at Daisy, Chelsey gave her a wicked-looking grin. "That's the spirit, princess!"

  Daisy smiled and opened her mouth to respond, but she lost all powers of speech as Chelsey moved up to caress her inner thighs. And then, with a gentl
e press, she reached up to touch her needy core.

  “P-please don’t be disgusted, but I have a tendency to make too much dew.”

  Chelsey halted her movement. She dropped her face down on Daisy’s chest and let out a deep laugh. Daisy wanted to stroke Chelsey's thick locks, but held back as shame filled her. She looked off to the side.

  “Dew?” Chelsey looked up, and Daisy nodded and blushed.

  “That is what I call it when I… you know.” She shrugged and glanced away.

  Chelsey rose up on her elbow and put her chin in her palm. She snickered again. “I suppose late at night when you’re in bed you have touched yourself, making ‘dew?’”

  “I have never done that!” Daisy’s cheeks grew an even darker shade of red. Chelsey gave her a look that implied she knew a lie when she heard one. “Well, maybe once or twice, but only when I was dreaming of you.”

  Daisy covered her mouth, shy over her admission. Chelsey stopped smiling and, before Daisy could respond, Chelsey moved her hand up higher and trailed her fingers along Daisy’s mound through the layers of fabric.

  “Uh.” Daisy moaned and tilted back her head as Chelsey circled her fingers over Daisy’s moist center.

  “Do you like that, my Daisy?” Chelsey asked as bent down to kiss her again.

  Daisy nodded as she bravely slipped her tongue into Chelsey’s mouth. Their tongues moved against one another. This time Chelsey moaned.

  Daisy followed the way Chelsey kissed her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, fisting her hands into the lapels of Chelsey's dress as desire flooded her. Chelsey rested her torso against Daisy's hip and pushed her hand inside the open slit in Daisy's drawers. She cupped Daisy’s nether curls and inserted two fingers slowly into her moist center.

  “Oh…” Daisy exhaled loudly and lifted her face away from Chelsey’s in shock. Chelsey feathered kisses across Daisy’s cheeks, chin and neck as her fingers rubbed over Daisy’s inner lips. And when she pressed against a spongy spot Daisy had only found once before, Daisy sobbed with excitement and bit down on her arm to suppress a loud, passionate scream. She shifted against Chelsey’s hand and panted hard as Chelsey pushed a third finger in.