*Inferno* (open for dedicated storytellers)

[slippedhalo]

Inferno

Sister Mary Grace turned and moaned in her sleep. Her red hair spilling across the pillow, a sheen of fine sweat glistened on her pale skin and in the moonlight she appeared to glow. She looked the picture of vitality and beauty if her face had not been in such a disturbed expression of pain and sadness so much of the time...She was dreaming, she could feel the difference somehow. She'd had this dream before, moreover, she'd had this reality once before. It always happened the same way, which made Grace cringe even just looking up at the big mansion, a manner house in the Scottish wilds, where she had been born and raised, serving as a maid from the young age of seven years of age. Before that, she'd always just followed around her mother, literally a moppet hanging by the woman's apron strings. Mama had to work so Gracie had to come along or be left in their tiny attic room all alone all day.

Her Mama (Esme) had been an immigrant from the mainland, of German blood but uneducated and poor like generations before her had been. She'd met Grace's father ( a fifth generation Scottish butler in the same household ) when she'd come to work in the kitchens not very long after her sixteenth birthday and they fell in love rather quickly. They were married in a small ceremony in town during a rare period of time when both had been allowed a weekend away from their duties on the estate and, according to house rules, they each still had to stay in their own quarters with a roommate of the same sex. This gave them precious little time alone together and yet even still, in the month just before her mother's eighteenth birthday little Grace Adelle was born. As only one of two servant's children in the whole household Gracie got very good at being quiet and unnoticed from a very young age. Her survival depended upon it.

Grace approached the house in her dream, seeing herself as a young woman of just fourteen, returning from fulfilling an unusual order to check if the horses in the stables had enough grain to feed from for the rest of the week. She'd been a little perturbed by this order. Wasn't it the stable-boy's duty to keep track of these things? What did a house servant know about horses?

Liam worked in the stables. He was the other servant child, four years her senior. He was now a strapping man of eighteen and had very little interest in reliving their days as children when they used to chase each other around the kitchen pantry and play silent games of hide-and-seek. It was during one such game nearly a year before when she'd been kissed for the very first time. He wore a look on his face which made her think he regretted the move the instant he'd made it. She never questioned him about it since then. And, a year later he was very often spending his free hours at the town's tavern.

The rumour was that he was working up the nerve and the capitol to ask for the hand of the bartender's eldest daughter, Marina. Grace had never seen the girl but she knew the girl was known as a very comely lass and was a full two years older than Grace, much more of a marrying age. With a sigh, young Grace entered the stables and awkwardly engaged Liam in conversation about the horse's grain stocks. And, then a moment later they were both wondering what that smokey smell was.

When the two young people turned to look back at the house they saw flames licking at the windows from the inside and heard faint sounds like whistling....Oh no...screaming... coming from within the inferno. The great manor house was aflame, a burning inferno and even as they and the farmhands nearby rushed to the scene with bucket after bucket of water, it was obvious there would be no survival for those within. Liam burned his hands nearly to the bone just trying to open the jammed door which was so hot there was no way he'd gain access to anything but a wall of flame even if he were to be successful in opening it. The house had become an oven and it was making quick work of baking the inhabitants within.

A few managed to scramble to windows and jump but the fall killed most of them on impact. Except daddy. Sister Mary Grace cringed once more in horror, watching from outside herself as she relived the horror of seeing her father jump from one of the highest windows, her dear mama unconscious (or dead?) in his arms. He had burns all over his body but was moving with the mad strength of someone in full fight-for-your-life mode. As he hit the ground hard Grace could see all of the damage from the fall had done would do him in. Yet, his eyes were still open, blinking up at the burning house.

She ran to him and knelt by his unnaturally slumping form. One touch of her mama's forehead as she lay limply in his broken arms and she knew the woman was long gone from the world. "Daddy, daddy...what happened?" she felt the need to ask.

"So much fire...so hot..." he murmured. He turned his glassy gaze to her and his Scottish brogue was thick as he whispered, "Gracie, my dear, sweet, Gracie. You made it out! I love you so much."

She held back a sob with the back of her hand. He was fading fast. Quickly she replied in a shaking voice, "I love you too, daddy. Please don't leave me."

"I don't want to, my dear..." he muttered before coughing up blood, it looked nearly black in the darkness of night and she trembled with the impossible knowledge that this would be their last conversation ever. "...I, I'm sorry...I love you, Gracie...Be a good girl..." and the light left his eyes.

Grace had never been the same since.

...Awakening from the reoccurring dream, the reliving of the worst moments of her life, Sister Mary Grace sat up on her pallet and trembled in the night. She swung her long legs over the side of the bed and washed the sweat from her brow in the washbasin on her simple and modest dressing table in her small convent cell. That had been five years ago and the memories of her past life and how horribly it had ended still haunted her almost every night. Finding her knees on the hard wood flooring, she knelt by the side of her small bed and began to pray. As usual, she would pray the rest of the night into the dawn, "Please God, take away these horrors from my mind and let me learn to move on from my past. Please God, grant me peace. Please God, let me find my purpose in this world without having to relive my past every night. I beg of you, please...if I am to spend my life all alone in this world, please let me find some small solace in it."

OOC: Seeking a Liam for the story and perhaps some other characters. PM if interested in joining.

 

[slippedhalo]

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[YoungLisa]

OOC Please be patient with me. I may be a Tomboy but I am writing as a man for the first time.​

Liam could not believe what he was hearing and had to check with Ernest a second time. The old ruined manor house had at last had its probate sorted out. It seemed the young lass he had been brought up with, Gracie had some sort of family link to the Lord and Lady McIntosh and was now being sort by solicitors because she was to be the sole beneficiary of the will. The whole place had been destroyed. There had been rumours in the village that Esme had once been over familiar with his Lordship but they had been dismissed as gossip generated by jealous servants and busy bodies who had nothing better to do with their time.

“It’s rubbish” he said to Ernest the bartender whose daughter he had married eighteen months before. “I grew up with Gracie, her parents worshipped the very ground that girl walked on. There has to be another explanation, or the probate officers got it wrong.”

“Whether they got it wrong or not there is a reward of ten guineas for anyone who can place the entitlement document in Grace’s hands.” Ernest smiled grimly “Just think what you could do with that money, maybe you could at last lay Marina and wee Jamie to rest properly.”

Liam felt the tears well in his eyes. Just two years ago he and Marina had got carried away in the ruins of the old stables. One thing had led to another, and encouraged by drink their bodies had found union implanting a seed that had produced Jamie. Liam knew he was not Marina’s first lover but he took his responsibilities seriously and married her three months before she was due to give birth. Evicted from the bedroom he waited outside as the women of the village attended to his wife. He remembered one of the young women shouting from a window for a doctor to come as soon as possible. Soon that plea was changed and a call went out for a Priest as both mother and baby died.

How he had argued with the Priest demanding his wife and baby be buried together, but the Priest was adamant that unbaptized children could not receive a Christian burial. 1911 was close enough to the Victorian world and the Priest wouldn’t budge. Liam lied that he had baptised the child himself just before the little life ended and after promising some money to the church the burial went ahead. Ten guineas would more than pay for the grave and a simple headstone. He had to earn it, he had to contact Grace.
Liam’s mind went back to his childhood and life in the Manor House. How he had played childhood games with Grace, teased her for her red hair and how when he had trapped her into kissing him. Looking back he was ashamed of himself for doing such a thing but they were both young and they never mentioned it again.

That night Liam went for walk into the old ruins where he felt closer to Marina. Locals had said it was haunted and there could be many ghosts. The land had a rich history. It was on that site where legend had it the survivors from the Roman Ninth Legion made their final stand against the Picts. It was there the Dutch invaders were repelled some four hundred years later and on that site the Scottish Armies repelled Henry VIII’s invaders before he returned with over four thousand men to massacre the survivors.
Feeling Marina near him he promised to ensure she would rest in peace. He felt sure he felt her not only promising to guide him, but he felt her release him to move on with his life once the grave issue had been concluded.

****************​

The next day Liam set out for the Abbey of St Agnes the Martyr where Grace was a Postulant. So many thoughts were going through his mind as he boarded the canal barge that would take him to within a mile of the Convent’s gates. He asked the Ferryman for a receipt so he could claim that back from the Executors of the Estate. His mind went back to that terrible day when death had come sweeping through the house. How he had fought with Grace to stop her running headlong to her death. How he had terribly burnt his hands that still bore the scars. How he had supported the young orphan after her parents had perished.

He wondered if Grace had changed and if she would even be willing to travel back with him. Did she still recall that clumsy kiss following their game of hide and seek? Would she even mention it? Would she even see him?

The barge was tied at the stop and Liam alighted. He checked with the Ferryman what time the barge returned and worked out he had five hours to get to the abbey, speak to Grace and then convince her to return with him.
After a brisk walk Liam found himself at the entrance to the Abbey gates and pulled the rod which rang the bell. The Gatekeeper, an ex-soldier charged with being a sort of inner guard protecting the women answered the door. Liam explained his business and was invited into the guest waiting area. He noticed bars separated guests from the Nuns ensuring protection of both their person and their innocence. Shortly an old Nun came to the bars and introduced herself as Sister Mary John. After Liam told her why he was there she agreed to go and tell Grace the purpose of Liam’s visit.

 

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It was one of her favorite chores in the abbey and she was pleased today was a day for gardening. Grace was helping the arthritic, elderly, Sister Mary James dig holes to plant the new bulbs, listening to a tale about the older woman's childhood in Ireland when her concentration was broken by the sound of the creaky garden gate and the elfin footfalls of the petite, animated, form of Sister Mary John hurrying their way up the path.

"Mary Grace, Sister Mary Grace, you need to come with me."

Grace rose from her knees, helping her companion to rise as well before brushing off her robes and asking in a bewildered yet soft tone, "What is it, Sister?"

"There's a young man to see you. A Mr....oh, I forgot his name but he is from your hometown. It seems there's news from family there. You have an inheritance to claim."

If Grace was bewildered before she was totally confused now. She nodded a small acknowledgment to Sister Mary James before heading off with Sister Mary John mumbling, "Inheritance? Family? But, I haven't got any..."

"He's waiting in the visitor's area. He can explain better than I." said the quick little nun as she led the way.

Mary Grace accepted the answer for the moment and nodded. But, she was still quite confused. As she approached the bars and looked at the form through it she gasped more audibly than she'd meant to. "Liam!" she breathed, her hand to her heart before she realized how silly she looked and immediately forced herself to appear more cool and collected. "Well, this is indeed a surprise, hello." she said with a small smile forming on her lips.

With a nod to Sister Mary John that it was alright she watched the other woman walk away before returning her attention to Liam again. He looked older, yes, still strapping, maybe a little more muscular and a bit taller but his face had almost not changed at all. Except, around the eyes...There was a new intensity in them and a sadness hidden there if one stared into them for too long. She wondered if the fire was the cause of his sadness as it was the cause of hers' or did he have even more to lament in the years which followed since losing touch?...

"Liam, what are you doing here? You know I have...I have...no family."

 

[YoungLisa]

“That’s a fine welcome for someone who has gone out of his way to bring you some news. I wish I hadn’t bothered.” Liam looked and felt hurt, yet it was good to see his childhood friend again even if she was in the working habit of the Benedictine Order that displayed just a hint of the red locks he remembered so well. But how she had changed, gone was the puppy fat that filled her face together with the almost boyish looks. In their place was a very good looking young woman, a face reddened by working outside and beads of slight perspiration caused by her rushing to meet him. Her full lips, the lips Liam had tasted back in those innocent days between childhood and puberty, looked inviting. And looking down he noticed that the flat chest he remembered had developed into two firm round breasts that had no doubt never been touched by a man. Liam felt ashamed of the thoughts going through his mind. Grace was a nun, a prospective Bride of Christ and he had no right to think those thoughts as he looked at her.

Clearing his throat and composing himself Liam said slowly, “I’m sorry Gracie; I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. It’s been a difficult few years since the fire. I … “He felt ashamed “… got Marina into … TR … I married her, we had a baby, young Jamie but I … lost … them … them both.”

Composing himself with a deep breath he continued “but that’s not why I’m here. The solicitors acting for the MacIintosh family have been looking for you because you are the sole beneficiary of the will. I know it’s short notice but I have come to bring you back with me to sort this out. Even if you don’t want it you need to sign it over to a charity or something.” He held her gaze before lowering his eyes and admitted “I’ll come clean; I will get ten guineas for bringing you back. That will pay for Marina and Jamie to have a proper headstone”.

Liam stood and handed the legal papers through the bars separating him and Grace and waited for her response.

 

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Grace looked at the papers, reading and then re-reading. Yes, it appeared to be true. Garth Grady had inherited the burned down property from his 2nd cousin through marriage, the family who'd died in it. Then, he'd died just two years later and it had passed on to his wife, who'd sold it to her cousin Charles...and now, it seemed, upon his death the house passed from the heirless, Charles Rowling, to his next of kin, and apparently Grace was it. Her father's maternal grandmother had indeed been a Rowling.

She nodded, "I can't believe it. I own something. When I finally have no need for material wealth I own something." she said, laughing a little at the irony of the situation and at a God who seemed determined to make her the punchline of all of his jokes. She tried very much to make the most of it, though, and hoped one day her patience and devotion to her faith would be rewarded.

She looked up at Liam, opening a small door to allow herself through the bars and into his space despite convention. Her mind was more busy with this new bit of information from her old life than with social niceties. "I wonder...It hasn't been rebuilt? No one has even tried to do anything with it since? Or, have there been many changes?" She asked. A hope of perhaps reselling the home and using the profit to give to her church before her inception into it's service would begin was shaping itself in her mind despite knowing nothing at all about construction or decorating, she hoped she could make something good from this strange gift life was offering her.

 

[YoungLisa]

Liam stood out of respect for Grace as she unlocked the barrier and moved into the pub-lic area. He heard her remark "I wonder...It hasn't been rebuilt? No one has even tried to do anything with it since? Or, have there been many changes?"

“Gracie …” Liam hesitated at his word “Grace … er Sister … I can’t get used to this, you will always be ‘Gracie’ to me.” He looked into her eyes and held her gaze “It has changed, people are scared … there are rumours the place is haunted. People have heard noises, seen things, felt things. No one wants to go there.” Suddenly he realised how stupid he must sound, especially to a nun. “I … I mean that’s … that’s what people are saying.”

Liam felt he was digging himself deeper into a hole and needed to change the subject quickly. “But, that’s not the point. The important thing is that it is yours now, but you have to get to the solicitors to prove the probate. A barge leaves in less than four hours. I’ll escort you back to town, ensure you are looked after and then tomorrow I’ll take you to the solicitors. After that I’ll bring you back here. But you must be ready to leave in an hour, two at the outside. It’s a long walk. Now … who do you have to ask permission from? And …” He smiled and hesitated not knowing if he could joke with a nun “And I realise you are a woman. You’ll need time to get ready.”

 

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Grace almost burst into laughter at the sound of anyone calling her Gracie again, although, from Liam it sounded more appropriate somehow...She focused on the matter at hand and nodded, "Yes, I need perhaps an hour, maybe less. I must ask the Reverend Mother for leave to take care of this. She's having office hours now so I know where to find her. After that, I shall pack a bag of belongings I'll need...I haven't much so it won't be too long..."

She bit her lip as she imagined instantly what she would take. It was easy, actually. Since her fourteenth year of life, well, likely her whole life, everything she owned had been able to fit into one simple bag. Her life was simple. It always had been. First, out of poverty and the child's natural absence of vanity or want. One can't want what they don't know exists and in her mind she would never have reason to want more than the hand me downs given to her from the Master's children. And, later, it was out of her devotion to faith. It felt good to never feel the prickle of materialism.

But, this was different, a house, even if it was a wreck and only good for the land on it, a house was a big deal for someone who'd never owned more than three days' wardrobe and a few personal items. She would not let some silly superstitions scare her off of it until she had done something special with it.

Grace had to shake herself from daydreaming and blushed at her silliness showing in front of this man's eyes. She smiled shyly for a moment and then addressed him, "If you'll follow me I can take you to the kitchen. Sister Mary Abraham is cleaning up from breakfast and starting lunch and she likely has some broth and buttered rolls left over from this morning. Your welcome to eat something while you wait for me. I will meet you back there when I have gotten permission from Reverend Mother and when I am ready to go."

Turning on her heels, she led the way, not even checking to see if he followed. She knew he would. He needed the money. His poor wife and child needed a proper burial...Thinking of Marina now dead made her feel so deeply ashamed for her adolescent jealousy of the young woman. Marina had not deserved Gracie's resentment. It wasn't her fault that young Liam had fallen in love with her and not his younger housemate. After all, nothing could have really happened between Gracie and Liam back then, she realized now, she had been too young and he had already given his heart to another...

With these thoughts in her mind she travelled silently through the halls of the convent and turned to face Liam only to usher him down into the kitchen, "Here it is." her hand rested on his arm for a brief moment as she introduced him to the day's cook, Sister Mary Abraham who greeted him politely and showed him to a small table and chairs near to the only window where she placed the bowl of bread before him, offered him a glass of goat's milk and began ladling soup. Grace bowed out of the room, thanking the other nun and promising Liam she would return as soon as possible.

 

[YoungLisa]

The smell of incense permeated the whole building, yet there was another smell that brought back so many memories. It was Gracie! The girl had a smell all of her own, a clean, crisp, pure, adolescent, feminine smell. The smell brought memories of her bright, rugged, and fresh un-made up face. Liam remembered how he often thought her face was so pure that any form of makeup would have been almost desecration. He recalled how when his hormones were rushing round his body that smell and that face caused all sorts of desires he tried to suppress then, and would struggle to keep under control even more now. Again his mind went back to the day his desire had got the better of him and he had crushed those pure lips to his own. How she had responded briefly before being overtaken with shock and both had fallen into stunned silence before he made a silly excuse to get away from her. He wondered what would have happened if she had been older. But Gracie was only fourteen at the time and Liam was no child molester.

Liam’s mind went back to how he had to be content with thinking of Gracie while he released his desires when alone in his bed. Then he had met Marina and knew that he had only really been attracted to her because of her reputation. Almost the opposite of Gracie she was in every sense a woman of the world and yet she was so kind to him when he was recovering from the injuries he suffered in the fire. Liam looked down at the scars on his hands, and remembered how he was regarded almost as a hero that night for trying to save Gracie’s family. Truth was he really did it to impress her hoping that once she was old enough she might show her gratitude in a physical way. It wasn’t to be, Gracie went off to join the convent and Liam remained in the village where he was nursed by Marina.

Again his mind went back to that night when Marina had helped him become a man in the ruins of the old estate. How he had lost control and spilled his seed deep within her and how, a few weeks later she took him to one side to tell him she was with child. He married her and learned to love her yet he kept one dark secret from her, that often when making love to her he imagined he was in the arms of Gracie. And yet he learned to love her and was totally heartbroken when both she and his child perished. Shame again flooded his thoughts and he looked up just in time to see Gracie blush. For one awful second he thought she could read his thoughts and he felt ashamed. Through the haze of memory and guilt Liam heard Gracie’s voice "If you'll follow me I can take you to the kitchen. Sister Mary Abraham is cleaning up from breakfast and starting lunch and she likely has some broth and buttered rolls left over from this morning. You’re welcome to eat something while you wait for me. I will meet you back there when I have gotten permission from Reverend Mother and when I am ready to go."

Liam meekly followed Gracie into the kitchen and for one moment he thought he caught a glimpse of her beautiful seductive red hair. The hair he had longed to release from the bun she used to keep it in and send tumbling down her back. All these emotions were made worse when Gracie innocently rested her arm on his. It was just for a second but it seemed like an eternity and he felt something like a shock surge through his body as though he had played with the new invention of electricity. For a second he gasped but realising it was inappropriate he pretended he was enthusiastic about the soup “WOW! Homemade vegetable soup. My favourite!” He lied. In truth he didn’t like it much but it solved two problems. His hunger and his desires, both of which were running amok in his body.

The kind expression on the face of the old nun brought Liam back to reality and he thanked her for her hospitality. After he had eaten he waited for Gracie and wondered how on earth he would be able to control himself during the long journey home.

 

[slippedhalo]

The Reverend Mother wasn't difficult to convince. She also saw the potential profit for the convent in the possible venture of restoring and selling this property and if one of her flock was willing to do this for their church and convent who was she to protest such a generous gift? She gave permission for the young postulant to go with the man who'd brought the papers under assurances he was a childhood friend and neighbor and not someone who would harm her in any way.

"I have the clothing you arrived wearing in the closet there. You will be out dressed as a secular woman while on this mission. I do not want there to be any confusion or prejudice against you because of your association with the church. In this situation you are a woman of business who is to find out if there is any potential for profit in this property and if so, to do what you can to make it profitable for yourself and later, if you still see fit to be so generous, for the church you will hopefully serve under in the near future. Go child, and be careful of tricksters and hustlers. May God's love keep you safe and see you returned unharmed."

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Grace was back at the kitchen within less than three quarters of an hour. Her bag was packed with her meagre essentials and she now wore her old orphanage school dress. Her hair was plaited the same way it had been when she had left the horrors of the orphanage and girls school she'd spent only a few months at because of the harsh treatment and unwanted attentions of the headmaster who frequently compared the crimson locked, shy beauty to Mary Magdalene, eager to make her temper flare to prove to her contemporaries how deserving she was of abuse despite her deeper desire to simply dissappear in the sea of plain faces and blonde and brunette locked girls who seemed so content in their anonymity as they watched her suffer his peculiar sermonizing over the sinfulness of the color red...

Grace blushed, almost fearing anyone could read those memories from her mind as clearly as if a book of her life were printed upon her forehead. She was glad to be past that sad part of life, running away to stumble upon the Sisters was the best thing she'd ever done for herself. But, wearing the clothes she'd worn back then brought all of those painful memories rushing back again and she felt fifteen again for a moment. She looked over to see Liam standing politely and she nodded to him, trying to shake off her self consciousness, "I'm ready to go whenever you want to." she said.

 

[YoungLisa]

Liam rose from his seat, turned and smiled at Sister Mary Abraham “Thank you for your hospitality Sister, please allow me to wash up before we go.”
“Get away with you!” The old Irish nun said with a kindly laugh “Whatever next? You are my guest, it’s my vocation to take care of you”. She hesitated and said cheerfully but seriously “Just as it’s your vocation to care for Sister Mary Grace on your journey.”

“O I will Sister, I promise …”

Liam never finished the sentence because Grace appeared and said slowly “I’m ready to go whenever you want to.” Liam couldn’t believe his eyes as he looked at the young woman dressed now in her secular clothing, carrying her bag of meagre worldly possessions. There was something about her innocence that attracted him, stirred him to think unhealthy thoughts. The old school blouse which, he remembered, fitted her so well in the past now strained to contain her ample yet graceful breasts. Her skirt, which would have been quite modest three years ago now barely covered her knees, and her blushing expression, whatever the cause, lit something deeply passionate within him.

“Gracie … I mean … Sister, you look … look …” He was going to say ‘beautiful’ but then wanted to change it to ‘ravishing’ “B … Rav … you look just as I remembered you.” Liam approached the young woman and reached out his hand to take Grace’s bag from her “Here, let me carry it.” The two young people turned and said their farewells to Sister Mary Abraham and then set out to the canal to catch the barge.

Little was said on the way as both seemed lost in thought. Liam had heard about the disrespect shown to Grace by her old headmaster and felt anger that he could do nothing about it to avenge her pain. The headmaster was now beyond the justice of the world having been found dead in what could only be described as mysterious circumstances some six months ago. Rumour had it that he had taken advantage of another young girl and had fallen off the bridge over the canal one frosty night. The police and authorities were satisfied there had been no foul play but they didn’t go out of their way to investigate very deeply. Liam remembered how in the bar one night the conversation came round to the headmaster and all agreed the world was a sweeter place with one less child abuser in its population.

The barge arrived on time and Liam helped Grace board the third class compartment. In doing so his right hand accidently brushed against her left breast causing a bolt of excitement to surge through the young man’s body “I’m sorry” Liam said quickly, but he wasn’t really sorry. He enjoyed the soft sensuous feel enhanced by the knowledge that very likely no man had ever been anywhere near that mysterious area before. He wondered if that thought crossed Grace’s mind but immediately dismissed it as being tantamount to blasphemy. Yet, was she blushing? Or was it the sun catching the reflection of the red locks in her hair?

Eventually the barge docked back home and as Liam prepared to help Grace disembark the Ferryman winked at him and whispered “You lucky bastard, she’s up for it alright. First time for her?” He chuckled “Just take it gently son and enjoy.”

Unsure as to whether Gracie had overheard or not Liam rounded on the man “I’d be obliged if you’d keep your dirty littlethoughts to yourself.” Yet Liam couldn’t help wishing it were different, that he could have at least got to know Gracie beyond that one kiss they had shared so long ago.

Liam led Gracie to the guest house the solicitors had arranged for her and rang the bell. After introducing her he handed back her bag to her. “Tomorrow I’ll meet you here shortly after nine in the morning. If you wish I’ll take you to the ruins before we go to the solicitors. Then after you have signed the various papers I’ll escort you back to the convent when you want to go. Or … “ He hesitated, ”Would you … would you come with me afterwards to the grave and say a prayer for Marina and wee Jamie? I … I need to move on and can’t until I know they are at rest.”

He awaited her answer.

 

[slippedhalo]

Grace colored deeply at the overheard whisper of the bargeman. She was about to turn with a biting retort but Liam had come to the aide of her honor more quickly. She smiled softly to herself and sighed, trying not to let the realization that people would likely continue to assume they were a pair do her head in too much. She knew it was just so very unusual for a man and woman to travel together as an unmarried or unrelated couple. She had to learn to shake these idle curiosities off. Who cares what people say? She had to remind herself that it didn't matter. Soon she would be a Sister, bound forever to the Lord and that calmed her nerves considerably. Acting as if nothing had occurred, she walked on, leading the way now that she was beginning to recognize their surroundings some. Towns as small as the one they grew up in rarely changed much. Liam matched her pace as she mused, looking all around and taking in the scenery of a place she had never thought she'd see again. Soon, he had the lead and she felt content to let him.

Liam led Gracie to the guest house the solicitors had arranged for her and rang the bell. After introducing her he handed back her bag to her. “Tomorrow I’ll meet you here shortly after nine in the morning. If you wish I’ll take you to the ruins before we go to the solicitors. Then after you have signed the various papers I’ll escort you back to the convent when you want to go. Or … “ He hesitated, ”Would you … would you come with me afterwards to the grave and say a prayer for Marina and wee Jamie? I … I need to move on and can’t until I know they are at rest.”

He awaited her answer.

Grace didn't need more than half a second to consider his request. She was deeply moved that he had asked, "Yes, Liam, of course I will come and pray with you. I...I'm touched that you'd ask me to. Thank you for the honor."

Bidding him farewell for the evening she watched as he walked away and then she entered the establishment as the door was opened to her. A kindly elderly couple owned the bed and breakfast and showed her to her room with very little ceremony beyond polite greetings and the information she needed about mealtimes.

She thanked them and closed the door to her modest but clean and charming little room. With yet another sigh, she leaned on the door and thought about her traveling companion. Was he at his own home yet? Would he be in his own bedroom thinking about her now, reflecting on their journey and their childhood as she did now? Her thoughts began to wander to his muscular arms bulging through his shirtsleeves whenever he reached to grab onto something or help her along. He was a true gentleman and a good man at that... As she drifted off to sleep that evening it was with dreams unlike any she'd ever had. Liam dominated the dreams and in every scenario he was holding her in his strong arms, bared with a torn, tattered, singed off shirt, his chest was warm as she leaned against him and he carried her from the burning ruins of what looked like it had once been the house they'd grown up in together as servants. He laid her in the tall grass, long abandoned by any flocks or herds, and began to kiss her, hot, passionate, fiery kisses which burned her inside with a heat more intense than any of the fires consuming the building nearby for this was the fire of emotion and longing...She would reach up to touch him, taking firm grip of his hair in her fingers and bringing his searching lips to her own...

...and she'd awaken, covered in sweat, panting, her heart a racing menace in her breast as she looked around the room she was renting in bewilderment and slowly dawning awareness of the current day and time..."It was only a dream." she promised herself in whisper, ashamed that there was more disappointment in her at not being able to dream more than the start of that passionate embrace than disappointment in her having even had such a dirty image in her unconscious mind at all. Stirrings of heat between her thighs made her slippery and achy but she ignored it, refusing to compound her dirty, sinful thoughts with a sinful act like pleasuring herself for relief. No. As punishment for her sinful dreams she would endure the aching throbbing in her unused sexual organs until sleep could reclaim her and she would somehow have to learn to discipline herself never to dream such un-nun-like thoughts again, somehow...

 

[YoungLisa]

Liam waved goodbye to Grace and waited until he was sure she had entered the guest house and the door was shut. On his way back home he thought of what the bargeman had said and smiled to him. His young play mate had indeed moved on from the days of her pig tail hair and baggy socks. She was now a beautiful woman and any man would find her attractive. He was truly honoured that someone actually believed she could be his wife.

Arriving home Liam drank a pint of ale before retiring to his bed. On his bedside was a photograph of his Marina and he reached out and touched it. Deep down he knew she was only his second choice and he felt guilty about it. “Sorry” he said in a whisper “I did … do … love you and wee Jamie. But I can’t help my thoughts.” He was even more annoyed with himself when he felt his manhood harden, not because of Marina but because he remembered how ravishing Grace had looked.

Liam cleared his throat, poured some water from the enamel jug in the corner of his room into a bowl and washed himself in the cold water before retiring to the large bed, the bed he once shared with Marina. That night his dreams were filled with visions of Gracie and the way she looked that afternoon. Next he was back in the home they once shared and he was chasing her down the corridors and finally they were back in the building on the night of the fire as Liam fought hard to save her father’s life. Waking with a start he lit a candle and looked down at his scarred hands. Drifting back to sleep he found himself in his own bed but with Marina snuggled beside him. His mouth exploring hers, his hands seducing her nipples and her hands touching him on the edge of his manhood causing uncontrollable desires to sweep through his body.

Waking with a start Liam sat up in bed and found his shaft was already leaking as it formed a tent in the bed clothes. He resisted the temptation to relieve himself feeling a mixture of disgust for his thoughts about a nun and a feeling of treachery towards his late wife.

After a hurried breakfast, a bath and a shave Liam made his way to the guest house. The elderly couple invited him in and asked him to wait in the lounge for Gracie. As soon as she entered the room Liam stood to greet her and felt the old desires coming back. Seeking for words to deflect his thoughts he said “I … I hope you slept well Gracie … We have a busy … a busy day. Do … do you still want to go to … to the ruins?” Liam had mixed feelings. He wanted to spend as much time in her presence as he could before he lost her for ever. But he also feared how he would react when they went to the only part of the estate still standing. The stables where he had enticed her into that kiss.

 

[slippedhalo]

Grace was a tad early for her meeting with Liam. She'd washed, dressed, and breakfasted quickly, and had decided to take a walk around the property as she waited for her company. The sound of horse-hooves on the beaten path through the wood drew her ear's attention and Grace turned toward the main gate, wondering if it was Liam or if he was to be late for their appointment.

 

[YoungLisa]

“You remember Old Dobbin?” Liam asked as he led Grace out to the horse. “He survived the fire but no one wanted him and he was going to be destroyed. I took him and hid him until a decision could be made and I was allowed to keep him in the brewery stables until his true owner was found. He will take us to the ruins.” Then with a smile he said “He’s yours now, but if you allow me I’ll buy him from you but I’ll need time to raise the money.”

Liam helped Grace onto the back of the saddle and climbed up in front. “You’ll have to hold on tight” he said as he pulled her hands round his waist and soon they were riding together. The ride was torture for Liam feeling Grace’s breasts squeeze up against his back. How many times had he dreamed of releasing them from their bounds and now here they were as close to his body as they would ever be. He felt a definite response from his manhood and he dreamed of her hands going just that little lower yet dreaded her response if she felt the effect she was having on him.

Eventually they arrived at the ruins and Liam dismounted before helping Grace off of Old Dobbin. As he did his right hand accidently brushed her left breast and as her right thigh met his front he felt the pressure on his shaft and prayed she had not felt his hardness. Their eyes met in a pregnant pause in which for a second he felt she would move her face forward to meet his in a kiss.

“The … the stables are the only part of the ruins still intact” Liam said in a desperate at-tempt to divert Grace’s attention. He reached out his hand to guide her over the uneven ground and as he did his mind went back to that kiss and he so wished he had moved things forward on that day and had allowed nature to take its course.

 

[slippedhalo]

Grace smiled and patted Dobbin gently before Liam helped her up onto his back. Indeed, she did remember the old horse fondly and it was a pleasant surprise to hear she owned the beautiful beast even if she had no true intention of holding onto such a possession in her future with the church. She sighed and shook her head, "It's no problem, Liam. You've taken such good care of him all through these hard years...keep him. A gift for your assistance in these matters."

Once he'd climbed on in front of her she found herself in the awkward position of having no choice but to hang onto his firm body or else risk falling off of the trotting, then gently galloping horse beneath them. A few swift leaps over rocky ground left her near breathless and caused her to hang onto her guide even tighter at times. His heartbeat was strong and steady and she could feel it beating against his ribcage... It took so many cleansing breaths and quiet prayers for strength to avoid more errant thoughts or lingering feelings from her crazy dreams the night before.

He was so big, so very muscled and solid. It was difficult not to dissappear in his arms when he helped her down and her body had a slight instinct to draw closer to him and embrace, though she fought it...'What was that?' she inwardly mused at the tap of a sudden new firmness of Liam's pressed against her. Given that it had been her thigh as she'd accidentally brushed against his groin when being led down from the horse's saddle, she gasped softly at the realization that she'd caused some inappropriate excitement to rise in her old friend. This made her blush and look instantly toward the horizon where she saw the burnt remains of the manor house and some crumbling remains of a tower and it's adjoining staircase, the catacombs beneath now buried in rubble, and the stables, remarkably well preserved in comparison to the rest of the property. Her sexual thoughts turned to the chilling awareness of fate's hand. Had she been anywhere but those stables that night...

"There, but for the grace of God..." Grace whispered softly, turning toward the horrible tableau.

“The … the stables are the only part of the ruins still intact.” Liam said, taking her hand to lead her closer to the chaiotic mess which she hoped to sort out for the benefit of her convent and church.

"That tower...has anyone tried to go up into it? And, what of the cellars and catacombs? The underground chambers look to be still pretty well intact. Have they been pillaged at all?" asked Grace, trying hard to be more business than feeling since this place seriously had her feeling a sense of foreboding and a prickly, odd, sort of electric current of fear tinged the air like a scent. It was nothing anyone in their right mind would normally do anything but run away from. Yet, she forced herself to shove those silly superstitions aside and move ever forward until...

"AHH!!" before she knew it Grace was without gravity and she fell clumsily into one of the very chambers she'd just asked about. A room, overgrown with weeds, walls charred black with old soot...it looked like it had perhaps been..."Was there a laboratory down in the basement?" she wondered aloud. Shaking her head, she tried to get herself in the moment, and brushed off her dress, standing gingerly on a leg with a now very sore right shin, "Liam!"'she called up at the hole her body had made when she'd fallen through the room's ceiling. "Liam, are you up there? I didn't realize I was walking right atop the below-levels of the house! I'm alright, just feeling a bit foolish. Can you come down?"

 

[YoungLisa]

Liam smiled a smile of relief when Grace said he could keep Dobbin. He and the horse had become more like friends than master and beast and he now knew he would be able to ensure the animal enjoyed what remained of his life.

When he helped Grace down from her mount and she engaged his manhood he got the feeling from her reaction that she knew what she had touched. He tried to help her take her mind off it by responding to her other words, yet he didn’t really concentrate because his mind was obsessed with what, in different circumstances, he would share with her.

"That tower...has anyone tried to go up into it? And, what of the cellars and catacombs? The underground chambers look to be still pretty well intact. Have they been pillaged at all?" Liam believed Grace was trying not only to take her mind off the testosterone she might be sensing was oozing from every pour of Liam’s body. Or maybe she was trying to ignore the ‘silly and sinister’ stories that circulated around every derelict building. Before Liam could respond he heard her cry out and saw her vanish from sight.

Liam heard Grace mutter something about a laboratory before she shouted “LIAM! … Liam, are you up there? I didn't realize I was walking right atop the below-levels of the house! I'm alright, just feeling a bit foolish. Can you come down?"

“HOLD ON!” Liam shouted down to Grace. I’ll be down in a moment, just keep calm.” He ran to Dobbin and took a rope he kept in the saddle bag. Tying one end to the horse and the other round his waist he approached the hole. “OK!” He shouted down to Grace “I’m coming down to you.” Hanging on to the edge of the hole he lowered himself down but knew there still another four feet between his feet and the bottom of the pit. Releasing himself he landed next to Grace.

“Are you alright?” He asked but before she could even answer Liam continued to talk “I … couldn’t bare it if anything happened to you.” Suddenly realising what he had said he quickly tried to get himself out a tricky situation “I gave my word to Reverend Mother I’d care for you. Now let me get you out of here. Raise your arms.”

One of Liam’s weaknesses was that when he was embarrassed he just kept talking. “Now I need to tie ourselves together” he said as loosened the rope round himself and placed it round Grace before tightening it round his back. His chest was pulled firmly against Ruth’s breasts and he couldn’t help feeling the excitement go straight to his manhood.

Looking round Liam recognised the area they were in. They were standing on the exact site where he had stolen that kiss all those years ago. Once again their faces were pressed near to each other and Liam had to use every bit of his self-control to stop himself from assaulting her lips. He knew if he gave in to the temptation it would have two possible results. Either it would destroy their friendship for ever or Grace would respond and if she did he knew there would only be one result. A result that would mean Grace could never seek to become a nun. “H … hold t … t … tight” he stammered out “w … while … while I p … pull on Old Dobbin.”

Liam closed his eyes tight and prayed, yet he was uncertain what he was praying for.

 

[slippedhalo]

So, here they were, pressed firmly together in a tight rope's grip and Grace couldn't stop thinking about the firmness pressed against her body through Liam's and her clothing. "...Uh...Liam..." she breathed, not even sure what she was about to say. All of her throughts raced through her head and jumbled together into one image; Those emotion-laden eyes staring down at her in the dusty room, a face full of confusion and awe. And, coming so temptingly close to her own...closer...closer...

Is he going to kiss me? she thought, and felt barely enough distress at the thought for propiety's sake when compared to the anticipation her body seemed to ache to display to both herself and Liam and as if moving in a dream, her whole form shifted forward, her face uplifting, her gaze directed right back at Liam's...

What am I doing? Grace wondered in bewildered dismay but nonetheless her lips found his and her eyes fluttered shut in enjoyment of the welcoming warmth of his returning the favor.

 

[YoungLisa]

Liam was undone by Grace’s kiss. He was already fighting a losing battle with his feelings and sex drive before her eyes locked with his and he felt his manhood acting against his will by hardening against Grace’s tummy. Then he heard her sigh “… Uh … Liam …” as her mouth met his in a frantic kiss as he groaned back.

Liam found himself taking control of the situation as he pulled Grace even tighter to him expelling the sweet breath from her lungs. His tongue gently opened her lips as it began to explore her virgin mouth and he felt her innocent attempts to follow his lead.

Moving slightly he allowed his right hand to cup Grace’s right breast causing a whimper to escape from her mouth that drove even more hardness into his shaft. Suddenly Liam realised what he was doing and broke the kiss “I’m … I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happ …” But before he could complete his sentence he pulled Grace back to him and crushed her lips against his in an even more passionate kiss.

Using his right hand he Liam began to loosen the top buttons of Grace’s top as he whispered “You have no idea how many nights I have laid in bed imagining this moment. … but … but … I have to control myself or we will …”

A noise sounded from the area that was once the laboratory and the air suddenly felt colder “What was … WHAT WAS THAT?” Liam said urgently as he felt he and Grace were not alone. Pulling the rope free he grabbed her hand and said with authority RUN!”