by A. R. Rend
“Allie didn’t realize what she’d done until it was too late,” Mim said hesitantly. “I think she only now knows just how much you were offering.”
“That’s nice,” Phillip said, blinking slowly.
“She said you left her room last night after barely saying a handful of words. That you avoided her at dinner. Refused to have lunch with her. Didn’t send her off as you usually had done,” said Mim, listing out everything that really had happened.
“Yes. That all happened,” agreed Phillip. “No denying that.”
“Then you went and helped Lenore today at the office. Had lunch with her. Met with her clients. Hosted it for her. Then went to dinner with her,” continued Mim.
“Also, all true. We even made a few business deals that she wanted me there for,” Phillip conceded with a cold smile. “Why? I wasn’t stroking her face like someone else we both know.”
“Allie, what the hell did you think would happen?” said Mim almost to herself. “Whatever. It really does sound a mess of her own making.”
“Indeed. So why are you asking about it at all? I thought your goal was to get a ‘bun’ from me, and steal me away,” Phillip muttered. “Or am I no longer interesting because Alice doesn’t hold my heart capt-”
“No! That’s not it,” Mim said interrupting him. “No, no. Still very interesting, and very interested in you. Still want that ‘bun’ of yours, very much. I’m just… doing what a best friend should. Asking questions, learning the situation. I’ll go tell her everything that I think she should know and my opinions. Likely tell her that I think she already managed to ruin her marriage. That you’d be better off with me.”
Phillip let out a slow sigh, his anger draining away at Mim’s professed interest.
“I would be, yeah,” Phillip professed.
Mim opened her mouth and then closed it.
“Then get in the bed and give me a ‘bun’. I can use that to get you out,” Mim said, lifting her chin. “We’d both suffer a bit on our reputations but… it’d be worth it. Wouldn’t it?”
Smirking, Phillip nodded his head.
“I want to. I actually truly do want to try putting a bun in that oven of yours. But I’m… bound by my duty. And besides, if I did give in that easily, you wouldn’t respect me as much,” Phillip said. Then he started to undress right then and there. “Now, I’m going to get into my bed, and sleep. I’m exhausted. Whether you leave or not, I don’t care. It’s your reputation that’ll be impugned, not mine in my guards’ eyes, and the Rias family. I’ll make sure to tell them you ravaged me.”
Dropping his clothes to the floor and being quite naked, Phillip started to crawl into his bed.
“Ah… uh… m-maybe… maybe you shouldn’t-”
Phillip pulled the covers back, exposing a very lovely and naked Mim.
Blushing furiously, but determined not to care, Phillip moved into the covers, and pulled them back up over both of them.
Deciding to press the issue, he grinned at his bed partner.
Then he reached out under the covers. Laying his hand to her stomach, he patted gently several times.
Then he got comfortable in the bed, his hand still resting on her abdomen.
Her skin was warm and soft. He could also feel the goosebumps running across her flesh under his fingers.
“You really are beautiful by the way. That’s an amazing body,” Phillip said softly, looking at the wide-eyed, red-faced, and shocked-looking Mim.
“Errr, thank you,” she mumbled.
I wonder if… part of it is a bluff.
Feeling tired, angry, and spent of patience, Phillip decided to do something out of character.
“On second thought, come here, Mim. Let’s get you that ‘bun’. You’re far too lovely to say no to,” Phillip said, rolling his hand across her stomach and over to her hip. Grabbing onto her, he moved over to her. He was partway over the top of her in only a second.
“Ah!” squeaked Mim, who grabbed him by the shoulders, holding him in place. She didn’t look it, but she had a decent amount of strength to her. Certainly more than Phillip had. “M-maybe I’m not quite ready yet, after all.”
“I dunno, you look pretty ready,” argued Phillip. “Especially those hips. You have yourself a solid frame for that oven.”
Taking in a slow breath, Mim gave him a weak smile.
“I’m flattered at your praise. Consider me beaten for the evening? May I retreat, Phil, my love? Let your Mim go?” she asked, her smile growing a bit firmer. “If you really want to give me that ‘bun’ I’ll let you but… I’m not quite ready. Not yet, at least. I just need a day or two.”
Then she released his shoulders, and gave him a soft pull on his side, easing him over atop her completely. With the way his hips ended up between her thighs, it was a clear invitation to do what she’d offered.
Staring down at the interesting and beautiful woman, Phillip was actually considering going for her. She was unique and fascinating.
And showed him a great deal of attention.
“If you want it… you can have it. Have me, that is. Let me retreat, though, Phil?” Mim asked again, not fighting him at all. Staring up at him for several seconds she finally continued, reaching up with her hands to lightly caress his cheeks and jaw. “I’m beaten, tonight. You called my bluff. I surrender. That makes me your Mim. Your captive. No one else’s. May I retreat? Or am I getting that ‘bun’ in the end after all?”
“I should give it to you, shouldn’t I?” Phillip mused.
“Probably. Good time for it. Got approval to be here from Allie and everything,” Mim said, grinning up at him, wrinkling her nose. “I promise I’m yours though. No reason to rush it. And now that I’ve seen how forward you can be… I’m going to really run you down after this. You’re so interesting and unique. Just… not tonight. I have to report back to Allie.”
Like a bucket of cold water, the mention of his wife put his brain back in place.
Nodding his head, he lay down back into the bed.
Mim turned toward him and snuggled her bare self up against him.
“I want to snuggle for a little first, then I’ll go back. And I’m sorry but… I’m going to just take a small loan on a future possession here,” Mim said, a warm hand coming up to wrap itself around Phillip’s privates. Then she boldly gave him a squeeze. “Our future. Just a little bit. Never felt one before this and… well… I think we’ll be together in the end. I might as well get a little practice in with it.”
She wasn’t quite all false bravado and bluff. Just mostly.
Thirteen
Walking in a slow circle, Phillip walked the perimeter of the modest-sized building.
It wasn’t as big as he wanted it to be, but it would be more than enough to satisfy their purposes. To put Madeline into business and back her up accordingly.
Manufacturing new spinning wheels that would very likely speed up cloth making.
And in the middle of a war… cloth will get used up.
Bandages, clothing, blankets, base for padding armor. Everyone needs what we produce, and we don’t have to worry about the end product.
If we can get ahead of it… ahead of the demand, we can measure our output to their coin purse.
Smiling, Phillip walked back toward Lenore at the front of the building.
“Lenore, you’re as intelligent as you are beautiful. This is the perfect starting point,” Phillip said honestly. They could always move to a bigger building, or rent another, if this went as well as he thought it would.
“Well aren’t you full of flattery,” Lenore said with a chuckle, putting her left hand on her hip and watching him.
In the short time he’d known her, she was practically growing up before his eyes.
Whatever childlike bits of her that’d remained since his arrival were quite gone now. She dressed in the current fashion, wore things that flattered her, always had her hair styled, and wore just enough makeup to give her a refined yet old
er look.
“Honesty, my dearest Lenore, honesty. Absolute honesty,” Phillip said, walking up to his partner. “Makes me feel like I’m not pulling my weight.”
“That’s just stupid, Phil. We probably wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t pushed so hard to do this,” Lenore countered.
“Oh, putting the blame on me already?” asked Phillip with a laugh. “You sure I’m not married to you? Cause that sounds like something my mother would do to Father.”
Over the last three days Lenore and he had visited a few buildings, gone over contracts with Madeline, and generally spent a lot of time around one another.
In that period they’d grown close. Close to the point that Phillip felt safe enough to be a bit more honest with his humor.
“Har-har. Definitely certain I’m not married to you,” said Lenore. He felt like there was more to her statement, doubly so since her cheeks turned a deep and dark red. But she didn’t add anything more to the comment.
“Quite the shame. At least for me. You head of the household yet? I’m still a chair I’m afraid. Still waiting,” Phillip said, holding Lenore’s gaze with a smirk.
He enjoyed teasing her, likely as much as Mim enjoyed teasing him.
Now the young Rias daughter became a scarlet sheet. From ear to ear.
“Ahh. Uh. Almost? Maybe?” Lenore said in a choked voice. To Phillip it was obvious she was forcing the words out. “Just… a few more-few more deals like the last one. Then, yes.”
Caught by his own words, Phillip stared at Lenore.
Who stared back at him.
“I understand,” said Phillip finally. “I… understand. Can… I help? If I gave you coin or-”
“No. I have to earn it myself. I have to show Mother my books and my investments,” Lenore said, her voice firming up with every word. Apparently him offering to help had just trounced whatever fears or doubts she had. She idly waved her right hand to the side. “I’m… I’m almost there. I know it. This will put me over the top, I don’t doubt it. We just have to make it to the end of the year.”
Realizing they were alone, in a secluded place, with no-one around, Phillip considered his next words.
“You’d want to buy me away from Alice?” he asked, getting straight to the point. “It’d… been somewhat in jest previously. But… if you’re serious, we should talk about that. Shouldn’t we?”
Lenore’s neck flexed as she took in a sharp breath.
“Yes,” Lenore said in a rushed breath.
“Yes… ?” Phillip asked, legitimately confused.
“Yes. I want you for myself,” Lenore said, her chin raising up partially. “You have an amazing mind, business sense, and you complement my personality and skills very well. We… we will fit together perfectly, you and I.
“And if Alice is too… too stupid to have realized how wonderful you are, I will happily benefit from her loss. And make you my husband and partner. To that end I’ve already told my mother of my intention to take your contract for myself.”
Now that was surprising to Phillip. He hadn’t actually expected Lenore to act so quickly and so determinedly on it. If he was being completely honest with himself, the flirting back and forth between he and her had mostly been in fun.
That he’d never really considered her being absolutely serious about the situation.
It also left him feeling slightly guilty.
He had nearly plunged straight into Mim not more than three days previous, and was now talking to Lenore about becoming her husband.
“I of course don’t fault you at all for having lost your virginity to my sister,” Lenore said, her back straightening and her hands moving behind her back. “It was only right and correct for her to treat you as her husband and take what was hers. I… you’re worth far more to me than such an outdated notion of worth in your first sexual encounter.”
Phillip didn’t see a reason to correct her thoughts on him losing anything to Alice. His shame was already quite deep enough considering his actions with Mim the other night.
And… let’s not forget Milly.
I’m a cad… aren’t I? I’m some sort of loose man just… running around and pulling on the hearts of women.
Unfortunately, he just didn’t know how he felt.
He had wanted to love Alice. Wanted to love her deeply and with a mountain of affection. To have the type of marriage his parents did.
In the end, that wasn’t something available to him with Alice.
He’d sought emotional comfort in Lenore, Mim, and Milly. Each of them a victim of his wounded heart.
But… Milly… she knows that I couldn’t be with her without forsaking everything. And that’d mean not being married to anyone in the nobility.
With Mim and Lenore, that’d mean being a bought husband. That’d certainly be a stain I would have to carry.
A bought husband who didn’t even last a year. As if there were something wrong with me. On top of Alice not becoming pregnant.
But it’d be better than being her forgotten chair.
One that she only worries over because she might lose it.
“I understand,” Phillip said, nodding his head. “If you and Alice put a contract in front of me to sign, granting the purchase of my hand in marriage to you, I would sign. I would sign and consider myself lucky to have you as my wife, Lenore. Regardless of what others might think of me being a bought husband, it would be worth it.”
Lenore’s shoulders softened, her spine losing some of its stiffness. The smile that blossomed on her face and the way she leaned toward him told him all he needed to know.
Lenore had been terrified he would say no.
“I forced my mother to review my finances. The day after we talked about Alice and… Sophia,” admitted Lenore. “She said that I’m actually… I’m actually leading in both the younger family members, Alice’s grouping, and the one above hers. I-I forced Mother to concede to pushing for your marriage to be mine if I can maintain this lead till the end of the year. She wants to double check them when she gets back from the branch family, but if anything, it’s only better now. I was able to sell those hammers to the same buyer from the barrels since she looked.”
I see.
In other words, Alice likely heard from her mother that Lenore was attempting to take me away. The next day Mim is pushing on her.
Then she met with Jay and I… gave up.
And that’s where Alice asked Mim to look into it.
In other words… everything Alice is trying now, is because she knows she’s likely going to lose me. One way, or another.
The grim feeling Phillip had only got worse with that thought.
“I know… I know that Sophia is pushing you hard. Both on you and Alice. And that I’m in somewhat of a race with Sophia to earn you for myself,” Lenore stated. She looked like she wanted to turn her head away. To not make eye contact with him. Her chin even fractionally turned away but she managed to maintain eye contact. “I’m the better candidate though. I’m younger than both of them, smarter than both, and I… I think I could easily fall in love with you. Am… falling in love with you.”
If Lenore hadn’t already been blushing, he imagined she would be now.
Phillip couldn’t argue her point, however.
He could see himself falling in love with Lenore as well. He paired up well with her so far in their business dealings. Conversation flowed easily.
That in some ways, he already was indeed falling in love with her. As she herself just mentioned.
The problem was for him, that he felt the same way about Milly and Mim. But that wasn’t something he could really speak about.
“As am I,” said Phillip with a smile.
Lenore nodded her head slightly at that, the smile on her face growing till her face looked like it might split apart.
“I’m really glad to hear that,” she murmured. “Really glad.”
Giving her head a small shake, Lenore reached up and smacked her c
heeks twice.
“Okay!” she said suddenly. “We’re done here. So let’s go get lunch and… talk some more. I’d like to learn some more about your family. Well, really your mother, if that’s okay?”
“Of course, of course,” Phillip said.
***
Looking up from the notes he had written for himself on Madeline, Phillip wasn’t quite sure what the servant had said.
“I’m sorry, repeat that for me? I deeply apologize, I was in the middle of finishing a thought,” Phillip admitted with a smile, setting down his quill.
“Ah… of course, Master Rias,” said the female servant with a smile in return for him. “Mistress Rias has returned. Their carriages were spotted heading this way. They should be here very soon.”
Damn. I suppose I do have to be there. Being gone that long means that I’m duty bound to receive her.
Was rather nice not having to worry about Alice’s comings and goings.
Though… haven’t seen Mim in a while either.
Has she been staying away while Alice is gone?
That’d be the smart thing to do, I suppose. That way you don’t end up looking too aggressive. Lenore gets a pass because she’s family.
Even if she’s the most dangerous to Alice.
Setting his quill aside after cleaning the nib, he stoppered his ink bottle, and then stood up quickly.
The servant had actually waited for him. Apparently the expectation was he would indeed be there to welcome her home.
Thank you for paying for etiquette lessons, Grandmere. I’ll send you a letter as soon as I get back to my desk.
Reaching the front of the home ,Phillip took his place at the bottom of the step. All of Alice’s younger sisters that were home were all arranged to his right. The servants to his left.
Lenore wasn’t here, as she was currently working to get Madeline completely situated in the new building.
Taking his place and then putting his hands behind his back, Phillip wasn’t concerned with his place in society. That was his lot in life.
And it wasn’t even a bad lot at all if he was honest with himself. It all came down to the people he associated with.