Servitude or Taxes

[Perplexia]

Rising to her knees she reaches over grabbing the decanter with both hands. To fill his glass she has to move closer to him. As she finishes pouring his glass his fingers have her hair. She watches as he lets it fall slowly between his fingers and moves them to her shoulder. So gently he caresses her bare skin bringing them down to her breasts. Her heart beat once again soars as his eyes catch hers.

Before she could catch her breath his lips met hers. She finds that her mouth responds to his as he probes it open with his tongue. The kiss deepens and she finds herself lost in the caress of his tongue. The decanter starts to slip and she lets out a gasp breaking the kiss.

Some how she finds the energy to place it back on the table. Still she breaths heavily her eyes searching his before gaining some wits about her. "Thank You Mi Lord, I shall treasure that until the end of time." It was enough to save him any embarrassment for the error in judgement he made by kissing a simple servant girl. It was enough so he wouldn't have to apologize. Oh please don't apologize she begged him silently. She would blame the wine and let it be at that. But all she wanted to do was treasure that moment where their tongues danced and she felt that sweet caress of his lips on hers.

Still she remained close to him unable to move. What was it she could possibly think would happen if she stayed? He would have his way with her and she would be sullied without the possibility of a husband in the future. Could she lower herself to just being his mistress? Because becoming his wife was simply unrealistic.

"With Mi Lords permission I'd like to retire"

 

[Hard_Rom]

A slipping decanter of wine saves her. From what the vampire is yet undecided. Being immortal and seeing the end of time is one possibility. Would she still feel the same then? Would she treasure his kiss after she found out about the girl chained to the wall of his living tomb? He should have turned his old steward and then entombed him to starve for all time!

The volatile compunds in the wine mix with her scent and taste so his lungs fill with her essence that suffuces through his blood. To a vampire it is like an opiate of the east. One he could become addicted to. There are ways of making love that would prolong the inevitable taking of her maidenhood and allow him to partake of her virgin taste for awhile longer. And she taste so good!

Jonathon is not sorry he kissed her. It may all end up in tears. But he is not sorry. Though, for the first time in a long time, he has some thinking to do.

"You have my permission, my dear," he says.

She is an innocent girl and so probably does not realize when she curtsies so deeply it show off her breasts. She never looks more beautiful, he thinks. An icon of purity. His eyes never leave her as she leaves the room.

Jonathon drinks down to two large glasses of wine in sucession and then leaves the castle winging back to his mausoleum. Along the way, the large vampire bat takes a hare unawares, carrying it off with ease. Inside his tomb moves to the naked girl chained to the wall among her own filth. Who has awoken and now cowers in terror staring into the pitch black. She flinches at the sound of him rending the hare into pieces. With his hands he tears apart and skins sections of the large hare and strips some meat from it's bones.

The vampire reaches out a piece of raw meat towards the girl. She has not eaten in the days she has been here and he can see her nose twitch at the smell of the meat. Her hand comes up in the dark searching for the source of the smell but recoils on feeling the raw flesh as he moves it to her touch. She sniffs ate her fingers and extends her hand again. The vampire puts the raw hare flesh in her hand. The girl quivers in disgust but holds the meat and brings it to her nose and mouth. Then eagerly begins to pull and tear at it with her teeth.

Good girl, thinks the vampire. He feeds her a few more morsels while he contemplates Marybeth's future. He knows basically what his is. And he knows the fate of the naked girl eagerly chewing down raw hare. He wants Marybeth he knows that. Even if she was not a virgin, he knows he would still desire her. But would she still want him when she inevitably would find out what he was. What sort of life could they have? No children that's for sure. Her growing old and dying while he remained undying. And what of girls like the one before him and all the others to come? How could he ask her to be reconciled with his acts?

He tosses the hare's corpse at the girl's feet, who jumps back at the noise. Then extends her hand forward searching for the source. It is a look of disgust on her face she picks up the corpse and sinks her teath into it. The vampire leaves her to her meal and flies out of the tomb. Returning before dawn. Well south of the area, two lovers returning from a night of loving on the dales are going to be found torn apart by a very large dog.

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth thanks him and curtsies before turning to leave. Her legs feel like jelly as she walks around the corner to her room. Softly she shuts the door and leans against it sliding down to the floor. He didn't push her further, nor did he apologize, he let her leave with civility and no remorse.

Her fingers went to her lips and traced over where his had touched hers. Closing her eyes she felt his tongue dancing with hers in a passionate dance. Her heart rate increased again as she thought about his gentle touch. The question rose in her mind was this the only time or would he kiss her again.

Slowly she undressed and crawled into bed wrapping the covers around her. Closing her eyes all she could imagine was his arms around her like the were when he caught her from stumbling. The feeling of his fingers as they ran through her hair and over her shoulder and the top of her breasts. Never had she this type of intimacy before. It was new and yet felt natural with him. Perhaps because of the feelings she had for him. She knew she didn't throw herself at him. So he must have wanted the kiss as well.

Eventually she drifted off to sleep.

The next mid day when she awoke she sought out the house keeper and advised of his lords request that she have a fine dress appropriate for an auction house. She also instructed how to read the thermometer and what temp she wanted the library kept at while she was away.

In the library she picked up the bear pelt and cushions and placed things back where they went along with the decanter and their glasses. Eventually she started logging books pouring herself into work so she wouldn't think too much about last night.

Her lunch and dinner had been brought in with dishes taken away as she worked. She tried to eat some, but found herself daydreaming about him. Shaking it off she just went back to work. She sat at his large desk entering in information when he came in. "Good evening Sir" she said softly as she rose and curtsied "would you like me to fetch you some wine?

 

[Hard_Rom]

"No, I will pour the wine and you can read these," he says.

The first is a simple employment agreement. Marybeth Miller is to be employed by Baronet Johnathon Percival for the period of one year as his cataloguer and book buying agent. The salary noted one hundred and fifty pounds, one third more than what her father has indentured her for. The amount is adequate to the position. One that would allow a person to live a middle class existence, even in London. Perhaps to even employ a servant part-time if that person temporized on luxuries. Room and board provided. With expenses incurred on the Baronet's business receipt able.

The second is a bank draft notice, signed and sealed with a bank addressed as in York, for fifty pounds, the balance of the salary minus the amount of indenture. A common labourer would be lucky to make thirty five pounds in a year and still have to pay food, board and clothing from that.

The third document is the indentureship document. Like a mortgage possession of indicates full payment.

"An indentured servant girl might not even be allowed to bid at auction. Whether she possesses my bona fides or not," he says, moving to pour two glasses of wine, "It occurred to me also, you might need some monies of your own while in York." "Your coach driver will handle inn accommodations but you will need to receipt your own meals for repayment."

He delivers his rehearsed lines in a matter-of-fact business like voice.

"It would also be inappropriate of me to continue kissing you if you were to remain just a servant girl."

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth looked over the papers and listened to what he had to say. "this is too gracious of you Mi Lord." she said with true astonishment. "I am utterly grateful, but this is too much. It's more then anyone in my position would make in a year. You've given me so much already." she knew better then to refuse it by the look on his face. "Thank you Mi Lord" she said with a curtsy.

With a stroke of the quill and Ink he had official upgraded her station in life to one that she could make a living at. She wouldn't need to return to the farm or be forced into marriage.

He then stated the last part and it took her off guard. "you wish to continue to kiss me?" she questioned. Her heart beat quickened once again. Handing him back the signed papers she sat down and took her glass of wine taking a deep sip. Her mind was flustered with questions of what it meant without being able to ask.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The Baronet kneels before Marybeth's chair, places her documents and her wine glass on the side table. Taking her living hands in his undead ones, he looks her in the eye.

"Yes, I wish to continue kissing you," the vampire says, "Whenever I can." "Whenever you wish."

"It has only been a short time but you have become very important to me."

He wants her, needs her and lusts for her. His life would be empty without her. To come back to the castle and know she would never return would leave him bereft of feelings again.

"I could not imagine coming home and not finding you here at your work." "And I can not bear to think I may never kiss you again."

 

[Perplexia]

Tears fell from Marybeths eyes as he knelt before her telling her he couldn't bare the thought of not kissing her again. His hands were so cool and soothing against his warm ones.

"I don't wish to be anywhere but here" she said softly looking in his eyes. "But one day you'll need to take a wife, and that will break my heart." Tears still fell down her face as he stroked her hands with his thumb. "I didn't mean to fall in love with you, I know that it's wrong. But you are unlike anyone i've ever met. Unlike anyone I'll ever meet in my entire life. Please don't make me leave you."

She had spilled her heart out and the tears still fell. No thought had stopped her from admitting the way her heart knew all along that she felt. Now he knew. Her fate once again laid in his hands.

Marybeth wasn't clear what he was asking from her. She simply assumed he wanted her to be his mistress. Before she had come here she would have never thought she was capable of such a feat. But things were different now. He had raised her station in life. She could gain employment as a respectable cataloger and never have to marry. Whatever time they had together before he married would be something she could treasure always.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The vampire knows a little bit of joy in his cold heart when Marybeth says she wishes to be nowhere else but here. His cock stirs when she pleads that he not make her leave.

"I do not intend to marry... again," Jonathon says, "There is nothing in marriage for me." "I have a confession to make. It is rather delicate."

'I cannot sire children. It is something which arises within my family. Many times an heir has been chosen from a distant line of cousins. Eventually I will choose a deserving heir but he will not be a son of mine."

And that is how the vampire keeps control of the Percival estate.

"I fear it will be you who wishes to marry," Jonathon says holding her hands tight, "Some handsome young gentleman will see you in the light of day. Strike up a conversation and sweep you of your feet." "He will be able to offer you a far better life than what I can."

"A family of your own. Picnics on sunny days with children running about. Not just a drab library full of books."

Send her out in to the world in a pretty dress and surround her with book buying bourgeois. They will be throwing themselves at her feet and showering her with gifts. Some might even have honourable intentions.

"I may have to chain you to a wall to have you all to myself."

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth smiled softly at his idea of how one day she'd be swept off her feet and given the life with children and such.

"I will be yours all you need to do is ask" she said softly. "I have no desire for children or sunday picnics. I have raised my siblings. I care not for my reputation if i can have your love an devotion. I would marry you or be your mistress all you need to do is ask and I will stay devoted to you for the rest of my life."

Pulling one of her hands from his she raised it to his face and stroked is cool skin softly. She smiled as he said he might have to chain her to a wall instead of reiterating she simply brought her lips to his kissing him softly.

Slowly breaking the kiss her face blushed and her eyes caught his searching for him to ask her formally so she may accept him.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Jonathon's head is swimming with the proximity and scent of Marybeth. She is so close she fills his vision. She is so beautiful she commands his fantasies. And her purity makes it so hard to think clearly!

"I want you, Marybeth," the vampire says, "I'm asking that you be mine." "I will cherish any time together for the rest of my life."

Once she has surrendered her virginity to him, being chained to a wall is not really an option anymore. Her value as a source of nourishment would be gone. A good thing, he thinks. Does he bask in the scent of her purity for awhile, sating his more violent desires in nocturnal attacks by the werewolf. If he truly cared about her, he would make it a slow seduction into his bed. Even with her stated interest in being his mistress. Can he be that strong? Does he wish to be? Jonathon is monstrously hard in his breeches.

Jonathon goes back to kissing Marybeth with passion. His free hand goes to the back of her head and holds her while he partakes of her taste.

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth reveled in his kiss. Their tongues dancing as he held her head to his. His lips massaging hers causing her breathing to go ragged. A soft moan escaped into his mouth as their passionate embrace over took her.

A lot had been said this evening, and new boundaries left opened but without direction. She had promised to be his, and he had offered her his devotion. That was all she could ever ask for.

Slowly breaking the kiss she looked into his eye catching her breath. "I have to be up early tomorrow I have a long trip" she said with regret hating to leave this moment. Her eyes danced in his with love and admiration. "Do you know if you'll be able to join me tomorrow evening?"

The idea of spending an evening without him didn't sit well. But it was a long trip and if he couldn't make it she would have to endure the separation painfully.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"No, I won't be able to join you for the journey," Jonathon replies, "I can be in York but not until evening after the auction." "I am afraid we will have to be seperated for the two nights and three days it will take for you to get to York."

"And I will be leaving before dawn as usual. So this is a bit of a good bye until we meet in York."

There is no way to explain day time absences. A long daily commute to the city of Carlisle and back is the best excuse he has for normal times. Baronet Percival does indeed have some business interest in Carlisle.

"My coachmen will arrange accomodations at inns during the journey and I will give him monies to cover food while on the road. I will give him the name of a suitable hotel in York for us to stay. And I will provide you with a letter of introduction to the auction house and a letter of credit which will enable you to bid on lots. Also the list of books we wish to purchase and our limits on what we wish to spend."

The Baronet goes back to kissing his mistress for a few moments.

"In three days we shall have a lovely suite in York. I will be doing business during the day but perhaps at night we can go to the theater. I'm hoping we can spend a night or two in York together before we have to return home."

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth smiled. "I shall miss you on my journey and count the time down until we can be together in York in our suite." Rising up with him she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly not ever wanting to be torn from his embrace.

An idea struck her as she moved over to his desk and took the letter opener sawing off a lock of her hair. Returning to him she placed it in his hand. "This way i'll always be with you. If i had time i would have put in in a watch or something that you could carry it in." she frowned at her lack of fore thought.

Kissing him once again softly on the lips she bid him goodnight and returned to her room. Crawling into bed she fell asleep smiling. Her heart was full and she was now his.

The next morning she packed her bag and headed out on the coach. She looked over the list he had given her and traced his writing on the letter of introduction. It seemed like forever until they reached their first stop. Then they were once again on the road to where she'd spend her first night without him.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The inn at the end of the first days journey is modest, to say the least. While clean, the local occupants and customers reflect the generally poorer northern shires. Local farmers and storekeepers form the main body of customers. Three wenches carry platters of ale and food to the tables. Against a back wall, four slightly better dressed men drink with a couple of local 'girls'. Two hearths keep the place warm.

The Baronet's coachmen acts quite deferentially towards Marybeth. He has since the morning when he loaded her bag and helped her aboard, arranging a large pelt over her legs to warm her. He talks with the innkeeper and gets a private room for Marybeth, while he will sleep in the commons with most of the other male guests. The innkeeper is profuse with his greetings of her. Marybeth's dress, the one Jonathon gifted her, sets her apart and above the rest of the rooms occupants.

While deferential, the coachman is somewhat dour and uncommunicative towards Marybeth. The other occupants all tip their hats to one who appears to be a proper lady. The four men in the back give her long appreciative looks.

A long plaintive howl can be heard from somewhere outside.

"A wolf?" asks a travelling merchant, "I hear tales of a beast that roams the hills of Cumbria."

"No wolves been seen about here in an 'undred years," says the innkeep, "More like a large dog." "Probably some Lord's wolfhound's got loose."

Later on of the inn's wenches approaches Marybeth.

"I've lit a fire in your room, m'Lady" she says, "And put some hot stones between the sheets to warm your bed for you."

 

[Perplexia]

The journey ha worn her out. She dismissed the attitude of the coachman, he probably knew what she was. Or what she would become. The dress she wore took her above her class.. even the one her love had given her. It was beautiful and classy and made her feel like a princess.

She smiled to the girl who got her fire ready and her bed warmed. She'd never had anyone wait on her before. "Thank you, for your service," she said sincerely "It's most appreciated. Dipping into her purse she gave the girl a small coin. It was probably equal to what the girl made in a week.

With the girl gone and the room to herself she looked out the window. She was already longing for his lips to be against hers once again. She had heard a howl like the one the others had talked about near home. So it didn't frighten her as it did them.

Undressing she removed the rocks and crawled into the warm bed and tried to sleep. Her dreams brought her back into her lovers arms where she felt safe and loved.

The next morning she ate the meal that had been brought up to her and boarded the coach. The coachman again placed the blanket over her and shut the door testing to be sure it was securely closed. One more day of travel and she would be in York, the auction and then his arms. They started again upon the journey.

 

[Hard_Rom]

An hour down the road, the coachman suddenly yells and uses the whip on the horse team. For a few minutes the ride becomes very rough as the horses and carriage bolt down the rough road. The carriage coming to a quick halt is just as rough a transition. Horsemen appear at the windows of the carriage and there is the sound of a body hitting the ground. The coachman is down and a horseman, wearing a mask over his lower face dismounts. Three other masked men join him.

One of them points to another and tells him to take the horses. That man objects and is promptly threatened by the first.

"You're the new man," he says, "So you do as you is told." "Don't worry you will get a turn or two."

A third man is commanded to get up top and drive the carriage. They all split up and move out of sight of the carriage windows. Suddenly a masked man appears at each door and wrenches them open. Quickly they board the carriage as it suddenly starts off again at a high rate of speed. The two men drop their masks. A bad sign! Highwaymen do fine until recognized and then are usually promptly hung. Having a witness to identify them does not seem to be an issue. Both are from the group of men from the inn.

"Good morning your Ladyship," says the first man, who appears to be the leader.

The second man in the carriage reaches for Marybeth, grabs the bodice of her dress and rips it violently. Marybeth's heavy breasts spring forth no longer confined by the dress. Both men sit back to admire the view.

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth starts gripping the carriage as it springs to life with racing horses as she's tossed from side to side. She's jerked forward as it comes to a stop and two men enter.

She's utterly terrified as they rip her dress freeing her breasts from its confine an the carriage starts moving again. With all of her might she starts flaying like a banshee kicking screaming and scratching her would be assailants.

Marybeth isn't a spoiled lady, she's a farm girl that had to raise brothers and although somewhat useless has a bit of strength to her. She knows she's as good as dead from the stories she's read. But she will not go down without a fight for the loss of her virtue and for the love she will have soon lost.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Marybeth's two assailants are taken aback when she launches herself at them like a mad woman. They had expected a simpering noble lady. But in the confines of the carriage, two men can easily overpower a woman. One holds her down, while the other lifts her skirts and rips her drawers off violently. The man between her legs has to press himself up against her to avoid flailing and kicking legs, while his partner tries to avoid being badly bitten.

It takes a vicious slap to the side of Marybeth's head to momentarily stun her, long enough for the man to open his breeches. His cock is hard and ready for the raping when the carriage is rocked by what seems a heavy blow. The thin carriage roof bows and splinters. Both men look to the roof as riverlets of blood drip down through the thin broken wooden slats.

"What in hell...!" exclaims the highwayman with the exposed penis.

Not bothering to put his cock away, he leans out the window and looks up. Immediately he begins screaming and a second later he is dragged up and out the window. His screams suddenly cease and what appears to be his body falls down and under the carriage wheels. The carraige jumps violently over his body as the horses gallop at their full speed. The remaining highwayman violently pushes Marybeth away and draws a pistol from his belt.

The roof of the carriage is suddenly assaulted by heavy hammer blows. Within seconds it collapses and the body of the robber who was driving tumbles down inside. Half his face has been torn away. A dark shape fills the hole in the roof. The armed man discharges his flintlock pistol at close range and the figure grunts heavily and disappears. Ignoring the stunned girl, he begins to reload his pistol.

Then with an animal roar the figure on the roof reappears. Before he can finish reloading two long dark furred limbs with clawed hands grab him by the head and easliy pull him up through the hole. A scream and a wash of blood enter the ruined interior of the carriage. And then suddenly the hole in the roof is clear and except for the sound of the galloping horse team and the creaking of the carriage all is silent.

Eventually tiring the horses come to a halt themselves sometime later.

 

[Perplexia]

'This is it' she thought as the man pulled out his cock and she started to regain her senses after the hard blow across her face.

Hell broke loose upon the carriage it was all a chaotic rush of screaming, yelling, thumps, and blood. Her mind couldn't piece together what happened. Just that the horses were racing and her would be assailants where gone.

She shook and shivered trying to regain some sort of control. Her face swollen from the hard blow. The horses came to a stop. It took her a moment or two to find her legs when she found she could move. She grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her covering her bare breasts.

Slowly she made her way out of the carriage and retrieved her bag fishing out a different dress. Getting back in the carriage she changed. She had to get to the inn before night fall. That meant she would have to drive the carriage herself.

Exiting the carrage she climbed up to the driver seat. The box the coachman had still firmly under the seat and in tact.

Picking up the reins she urged them forward. When she reached the town eyes were upon her. She looked like a beaten woman in a fine dress. The inn wasn't too busy and for that she was thankful. The last thing she needed was eyes upon her. She already felt like she was holding it together with a thread.

She got a single room and made her way to it. With the door shut she collapsed to the floor allowing the fear and tears to finally flow free from her ordeal.

 

[Hard_Rom]

It's the middle of the night when there is loud knocking at Marybeth's door. A male voice announces he is an officer of the King. Without waiting for Marybeth to open the door, a group of men enter her room. A few are indeed dressed in military uniform. Amongst the group is the Baronet's coachman with a heavily bandaged head. A young man with a hangdog expression appears under guard by a couple of rank and file soldiers.

"Miss Marybeth Miller?" a middle-aged man in officers clothing addresses her, "Pardon the interruption but we are investigating the attack on your carriage earlier today."

"Your coachman says that four men attacked you and knocked him down before absconding with the carriage and you within it. Searching along the road, we found three bodies that look for all the world like they have been savaged by a wild animal."

"This man," he says indicating the prisoner, "Was found in the area. He is a known robber." "He claims that some sort of beast attacked the carriage and slaughtered the others of his party."

" 'ang me if you will," says the young prisoner, "But I saw what I saw." "It was a great beast 'alf wolf and 'alf 'umnan."

"And it attacked to save 'er. I says she's a witch and conjured up the beast to save 'er."

"Nonsense!" says the officer, "No such thing as witches and half human beasts." "But we did find three deadmen and your carriage is soaked in blood as well as badly damaged."

"You've been through a terrifying ordeal, Miss Miller. But I was hoping you could perhaps give us your statement."

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth jumped at the rapping upon her door. When they barged in she held the blanket which covered her in the chair tightly against her. Her eyes went back and forth between all of the men present.

"Forgive me" she said grasping the blanket tightly against her. "I am still quite rattled over todays events. You say four men attacked I only remember three the two that were in the carriage and the one driving. I remember them fighting over who had the right to assault me first. I am afraid that some of the scratches and bite marks are from my reaction to their barbaric attempt to assault me. The rest I am uncertain of other then I was struck hard upon the face." She turned her head so they could witness her swollen bruised jaw.

"When I came to my senses the horses were running and the carriage was empty with the exception of myself. When they came to a halt i managed to regain enough composure to get me here. That is all i remember." Tears began to well in her eyes and she began to tremble speaking of the ordeal.

"Please gentleman, I am quite shaken and tired. Coachman i am grateful that you are well I shall see you in the morning"

 

[Hard_Rom]

"I would hazard, Gentleman, that there was a falling out amongst the highwayman. We know one of them discharged his firearm. I suspect that feral dogs did the rest. There was a report of a young couple killed by a pack of dogs north of here a few days ago."

"It was a beast, I say," exclaims the surviving highwayman, "A great beast, a werewolf. And it came to save her." "She's in league with it, I tell you."

The officer laughs, "You think that will save you from a date with the hangman?"

"You've done enough to be hung three times over. I see no reason to detain the lady from her travels."

With a tip of his hat, he leads his party out.

"I'll have the coach cleaned and repaired by morning, Miss," says the coachman and follows them out.

A moon cast shadow flutters past the window.

 

[Perplexia]

"Thank you" she responded to the coachman as him and the officers left. The trip had definitely taken its toll on her. Turning and facing the window she placed her hand on it looking at the moon. She longed for her Lords safe arms and for this whole ordeal to be over with. With a sigh she turned and carried the chair to the door placing it under the handle to add a measure of safety. Tomorrow was as far as she had to make it and all would be well she tried to convince herself.

Undressing and crawling into bed she blew out her candle clinging to to her blanket tightly. This night she got little rest as the day kept playing over and over in her mind. She woke several times gasping for air with fresh tears rolling down her face. Finally morning arrived. The coachman true to his word had the carriage cleaned and repaired almost back to its original condition. There weren't any signs of the ordeal unless one looked closely.

With a small amount to eat they were on their way again arriving to York around noon. Her eyes lit up upon seeing the city. Taken to her suite she was allotted time for a hot bath before the auction. With one of the dress' Jonathon had commissioned for her she got dressed and did up her hair so she once again looked like a vision.

The coachman took her to the auction house around three where there was barely a woman in sight. She received several glances and the tips of hats from gentleman as she made her way to her seat with her newly assigned paddle. With the list on her lap the auction began.

Marybeth found it invigorating as she bid for and won nearly every title that Jonathon requested. She was certain to not go above his price he set on anything and even was able to intimidate some of the other bidders with her tenacity.

A gentleman stopped her as she was getting ready to leave. "Name is Lord Calbot, tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Miller"

"Pardon me Lord Calbot, I have another engagement" The attention that she seemed to be drawing made her extremely uncomfortable and reminded her of the looks the highway men had given her.

The sun was starting to go down when she made it back to the hotel, there were no messages from him. So she went to her room and waited.

 

[Hard_Rom]

As the sun goes down the werewolf emerges from a shallow cave in the Yorkshire Dales north of York. Hunting parties had been active in the area and any stray dog of large size had been hunted down and shot. Even dead highwaymen were a reason to shoot down suspected man eaters. As soon as the sun is safely below the horizon, it changes and becomes the eagle sized vampire bat and swiftly wings it's way south to the great medieval city of York.

His flight ends in the bell tower of the York Cathedral. From there he quickly hails a hansom cab and within a few minutes is at Marybeth's hotel. He is delayed in seeing her only long enough to see his coachman and receive the tickets to the Theater Royal's production of Macbeth which begins in two hours. The coachman tries to launch onto a profuse explanation and apologies for the attack by the highwaymen but the Baronet just waves him off and assures him he does not fault the man.

Jonathon mounts the steps to Marybeth's floor and room swiftly. While aware of her physical safety, he worries greatly about her state of mind after the near rape and possibly witnessing the horrific slaughter of the men. He does not knock at her door but immediately opens the door and enters her chambers. Not unexpectedly, his sudden appearance startles her but he quickly moves to her and takes her in his arms.

"My love," he says, "the coach driver has told me all." "Are you alright?"

 

[Perplexia]

Marybeth turns from the window when the door opens. As he starts to speak she runs to him wrapping her arms around him tightly tears falling freely at her ordeal. "I was so scared I would never see you again. I fought, scratched and bit them trying to get free. But they were too strong and one punched me which made my thoughts all jumbled. Then this arm reached in ..I don't know how i was spared. I am just so grateful that i was. But other then the bruise to my face and my nerves I'm okay"

She clung to him tightly needing his embrace. Somehow being in his arms made her calm.