Page 20 of Curse of Immortality
“I see.” He nodded as they walked side by side back towards his tall horse. “May I at least see you again?”
When the horse pressed its muzzle against her hair and made sweet noises, Maeve smiled and caressed it back.
“That’s strange. My horse isn’t fond of people in general, but he seems completely smitten with you,” James looked on in fascination as the horse moved closer to Maeve. “I like animals and they like me,” Maeve said and caressed the large stallion.
“Will you meet me here tomorrow at noon?” James asked.
Maeve knew she should say no, but her strong longing for an adventure made her agree, “I’ll meet you then,” she promised and walked the other way with a beaming smile on her face.
That first meeting between Maeve and James became the first of many. James found her entertaining, and she always seemed so eager for him to tell her about his life. It suited his self-absorbed personality to brag about his travels, importance, and life in luxury and see her swallow it all up like the gullible country girl she was. Over the next fourteen months, Maeve and James met in the woods, but always in secret. She wasn’t proud of how she sneaked off to see him, but James made her feel alive in a way she’d never felt before. He made her heart flutter, and it seemed the world was a lovelier place to be when he was around. James knew about distant places like London and Paris and told her tales about grand balls and theatres. He promised to show her the world and Maeve fell deeply in love with him.
Maeve never spoke about James to Rose and Althea, but they still felt the change in her. And though they often asked her where she went on her hour-long excursions, she was quick to brush them off. People do incredible things for their first love, and for Maeve it included lying to those she loved most.
One summer afternoon, Maeve and James lay on a blanket that James had brought and talked about their future.
“I hope we have many children when we get married,” James said and caressed her shoulder.
Maeve smiled, as their dream of marrying was a recurrent topic between them. “I would particularly like a boy with your handsome face,” Maeve said in her angelic voice as her eyes glowed with love.
“Yes, we will have plenty of boys,” James agreed as he lay on his side propped up on his elbow with his head resting in his hand.
As she lay on her back looking up at the leaves on the swaying trees, Maeve’s mind took her far away from her dull life in the forest. She was visualizing her future with her and James enjoying the life he had promised her with an abundance of parties, experiences, and love.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on,” he repeated for the hundredth time since they’d met and leaned in to plant another kiss on her soft lips.
Maeve giggled as their kissing intensified. The melody of the birds chirping overhead felt like their personal ensemble of musicians and nothing could have made the moment better. She liked it when James ran his hands up her body and groaned into her ear, but when he pushed up her skirt and opened his pants, she laughed and pushed at him.
“Stop it, James.”
“Why?” he asked in a hoarse tone, nibbling at her earlobe.
“Because we’re not married yet, and you said yourself that a woman who lies with a man outside of marriage is a whore. You said you liked me because of how pure and innocent I am.”
“But darling, we might as well already be married, I’ve already committed to you, and you’ve committed to me. Now it’s just a matter of time before you become Mistress Lanchester. There’s no need for us to wait any longer.” James leaned back in and began to gently kiss her throat.
“When?”
“When what?” He looked into her large, beautiful eyes.
“When will we be married? You only ever say it’ll be soon, but you’ve been saying that for some time now, James.”
With a deep sigh, he tilted his head and pressed his lips together. “I just need to get a few practical details in order and then I’ll take you far away from this life of poverty that you live. Soon the rest of the world will see that the most beautiful woman in the world is mine. You will be the most stunning and best dressed lady at all the balls we attend. And I will cover your beautiful skin in gold and the finest jewelry. You will be happy, my love, I promise.” He picked up her hand and traced kisses up her arm. “Every man will hunger for you and every woman will be intimidated by your beauty. But you’ll be mine, Maeve. No, youaremine. So why should we wait till our wedding night? I’ve already promised you everything, and I’ll keep that promise.”
Eager for the life with him that he painted so clearly, Maeve trusted James’ every word and let him pull up her skirt and roll on top of her. She had seen plenty of animals breed over the years, but although she was deeply in love with James and his touch released butterflies in her stomach, she was surprised by how painful the act was. It didn’t last more than a minute or two before James rolled off her with a deep sigh and then looked over at her with a satisfied grin.
Maeve wasn’t disappointed because she’d had no expectations for sex. To her, all this act meant was that James had proven his love and commitment to her. Maeve didn’t give him much time to collect himself before she leaned over to him and began to kiss his lips.
They hadn’t been kissing very long before the sound of a gasp made Maeve sit up and turn her body to see Rose staring at her.
CHAPTER 7
Careful Who You Trust
Rose had sensed how Maeve’s mind often seemed to wander, and she’d suspected that Maeve was keeping secrets. But Rose knew her niece was a good girl. At least that’s what she told herselfevery time the mistrustful thoughts crept in.
Maeve had been gone for many hours and Rose was beginning to worry as she so often did. After sending two birds out to find her and receiving no reply, she grew more worried and headed into the forest to find Maeve herself. She tracked her footsteps and used her abilities to find her niece. When she turned the corner of three large moss-covered boulders, she came to a sudden halt and stared in disbelief. The sight of Maeve and a human man lying on the ground kissing was so unexpected that a loud gasp escaped Rose’s lips. Suddenly everything clicked into place, and Rose felt stupid for not catching on to Maeve’s strange behavior sooner. But then again, even her most suspicion-laden thoughts hadn’t predicted that Maeve would ever converse with a human let alone be intimate with one.
Stepping backward, Rose nearly lost her bearings as she tripped over a branch. Just then Maeve looked up at her and as their gazes locked, Rose felt the same overwhelming betrayal she had felt when she’d discovered Anne and John kissing. She realized now that Maeve had taken after her mother in more ways than just her looks because Anne too had lied and betrayed Rose’s trust.
