Page 54 of Enslaved
“Oh, Marcus, she’s beautiful,” Diana said, taking the reins and stroking the mare’s muzzle. “Let me show you that I can indeed manage a horse.”
He lifted her into the saddle and watched her sit sideways rather than straddle it. He was impressed when she cantered about the courtyard with total confidence. She trotted the mare back to him and held out her arms so he could lift her down. He brought her against him so he could whisper in her ear. “I didn’t get you a stallion because the only male I want you to ride is me.”
Diana blushed almost as deep a shade as her mantle. “Thank you for such a lovely, thoughtful gift, Marcus.”
“I’ve ordered one of the stable slaves to ride beside you at all times. Will you come to me this afternoon? We will be on the heights at the chariot track.”
She reached up and offered him her lips. When at last he found the strength to withdraw his mouth from hers, she murmured, “You know I cannot stay away from you for an entire day.” She watched as he mounted his own stallion in a running leap and rode off into the wind, his scarlet mantle billowing out behind him.
Marcus Magnus was such a vital force, she had sudden misgivings that she would not be enough woman for such an all-powerful man. He seemed enchanted with her at the moment, but was not that because of her virginity? Perhaps once he had performed the mystic hymenal rites, he would lose interest in her.
In that moment, she wished with all her heart that she had more knowledge of sexuality. Unmarried Georgian women were deliberately kept in ignorance about the intimate behavior of men and women. Perhaps that was the reason there were so many unhappy marriages. Most wealthy titled men kept a mistress and perhaps this was because of the marked distinction between good women and bad women, imposed by society. If ladies were taught how to behave wickedly once in a while, perhaps their husbands would remain faithful.
Diana sighed and went back into the villa. She had no choice; Marcus would have to teach her about her own sexuality. At the moment, he seemed happy enough to do so. A frisson of excitement ran down her spine. Tonight he would probably teach her all there was to know.
“Nola, I have a problem. I want to ride the horse Marcus just gave me, but all my stolae are too tight. Some do have slits up the skirts, but that would bare my legs and they would be cold.”
“When the weather turns very cold, some legionaries, especially the cavalry, wear leather trousers, but most of them, including Marcus, wear the short tunic with long fur boots. But women don’t ride horses, I’m afraid.”
“Well, I do. Leather trousers are a wonderful idea. Have some sewn up for me. It’s not too cold yet, but it will be in winter. How will I keep my legs warm today?”
“We have woolen stockings,” Nola suggested.
“Oh good! I’ll wear them with a short tunic and some boots, if you can find any small enough.”
Nola brought her the stockings and turned the problem of the boots over to Kell.
“She will look scandalous!” Kell said with marked disapproval.
Nola rolled her eyes. “Only a male would object to such an outfit while totally approving a gown that bared a female’s breasts.”
“You should not encourage her to ride about like a man. She should have a litter or let me take her in my chariot.”
“Oho, Briton, you don’t like the idea of being usurped by a strapping young stable slave.”
“Get your mind from the gutter, Woman of Gaul. I know most females are faithless bitches, probably including yourself, but the lady is different.” Kell looked down his long nose at Nola and said with great superiority, “I happen to know she is virgin.”
“After finding their clothes strewn about the villa, I doubt that very much, Briton.”
Kell smiled smugly. “I know what I know.” He did not tell her how carefully he had examined the sheets when he changed them that morning.
By the time Diana pulled on the woolen stockings and the short tunic, Kell arrived with a pair of soft leather boots that came to the ankle and had leather thongs that wound up the calves. But he also brought her some fur leggings that wrapped about her legs and were held in place by winding the thongs about them. When Diana looked in the mirror, she laughed. “Oh, I look like a Viking!”
“You look very fetching,” Nola said.
“Retching!” Kell retorted. “Lady, I will come to the stables and have a few words with the slave who escorts you.”
Diana threw on her mantle and preceded Kell, trying to keep from bursting into laughter at the faces Nola was making behind his back. When Diana entered the stables and saw the slave for herself, she thought wickedly,If my grooms had looked anything like this one, I might have been tempted to a roll in the hay!Then she realized how liberal her attitude toward men and sex were becoming. The slave wore a short leather tunic and leather wristbands. His brown hair came to his shoulders and was tied back with a thong. Tor had a merry face and laughing eyes.
“Wipe that damned smile off your face. You are being entrusted with the general’s personal favorite. If aught befalls her, I will personally castrate you!”
The young slave blanched white.
“Watch her every minute, but avert your eyes if the wind blows her mantle aside.”
Her young groom looked so confused, Diana felt sorry for him. “Kell, I’ll be just fine, but thank you. It feels good to know that you worry about me.”
“I worry only because you are the general’s property,” he informed her, but she knew better.
