The Escape - From Fairy Tale to Reality - Closed for DanFS

[DanFS]

Edward nodded at Keesha’s comment; deciding not to comment about her Wedding Supper and what happened – it wasn’t really any of his business, If she chose to divulge it tomorrow that would be fine.

“I’ll ask Chef to buy some Pheasant, I don’t often have an excuse to eat it – and I seem to dine alone more often than not. It will be a pleasure to have some cooked for us tomorrow, and my Chef cooks a wonderful roast chicken!”He waved as he departed.

Keesha was left alone at the door, and found Dan trying to sit up on the sofa, and then giving it up as a bad idea.

“Sorry Keesha – I would have liked to introduce you to Edward in a more casual atmosphere. Thank you for calling him. That was very brave of you.”He took her hand and kissed it.

“Are you OK? I heard you both going upstairs – did you find anything interesting?”

Dan looked at her expectantly…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“I’ll ask Chef to buy some Pheasant, I don’t often have an excuse to eat it – and I seem to dine alone more often than not. It will be a pleasure to have some cooked for us tomorrow, and my Chef cooks a wonderful roast chicken!”

Keesha had no chance to ask Edward not to go to any trouble and hoped that the roast chicken would be on offer, after all, pheasant wasn't exactly her kind of food and if she didn't like it, she would feel even more awkward than she already did. She returned Edward's wave as he drove away not sure if she even liked the man, though not able to find any fault in the way he had looked after Dan or actually his treatment of her. Even so, she could not help feeling uncomfortable knowing this place was his and that they were required to have dinner with him the next day.

Securing the door, Keesha made her way back to the main room, giving a soft exclamation as she saw that Dan was trying to sit up. She flew to his side and eased him back down again attempting to make him comfortable.

“Sorry Keesha – I would have liked to introduce you to Edward in a more casual atmosphere. Thank you for calling him. That was very brave of you.”

She smiled as he took her hand, this kiss he dropped upon it much more welcome than when Edward had acted similarly.

"Don't worry about it, just rest, Dan ... "

She attempted to pacify him.

“Are you OK? I heard you both going upstairs – did you find anything interesting?”

She blushed hotly at his words. Even now going upstairs with a strange man felt wrong on every level and yet Dan only seemed curious rather than concerned.

"Edward was showing me some clothes he said I could wear if I wanted."

She told him briefly.

"... nothing really suitable though ..."

She added.

"I'll fetch you a blanket. I think it will be better if you sleep here tonight, Dan. You really shouldn't be walking about."

Before he could object she headed off to the bedrooms returning with pillows and blankets and carefully set abut making him comfortable.

"Do you want anymore water? ... or anything else...?"

She asked.

"If you're not well enough tomorrow, we don't have to go to dinner,"

She suggested hopefully.

 

[DanFS]

Dan was touched that Keesha returned to him so quickly, and her concern for his wellbeing swelled his heart.

Dan smiled as he knew Edward would have tried to make Keesha welcome and showing her his sister’s dresses would have been his way of trying to show her that she has full access to anything she ants in the Cottage, just as Dan does.

He felt really quite rough, and foolish, for banging his head on the corner of the table.
He gratefully accepted the offer of blankets and some water, hoping that if he kept warm and hydrated, he might feel better in the morning.

He did notice her reluctance to go to Dinner at Edward’s House, and sighed.
He had hoped he could introduce her in a way she would find non-threatening and Edward would want to impress, assuming they were ‘together’. It would be difficult to explain why they were staying together, if they weren’t a couple.
Perhaps Dan could call Edward in the morning and say he wasn’t feeling up to it, could they do it another night?

The only nagging thought was that Edward was their host, and it would be rude not to dine with him.
Dan was also sure Keesha would look great in any of the dresses they found upstairs, but she would probably not be comfortable in any of them.
Dan kissed her hand again, saying “Goodnight!” and laid back as sleep overtook him.
He slept soundly, and awoke feeling much better.
He made a pot of tea and sat in the armchair, looking out of the window, watching the birds fly around the garden, and the light drizzle fall against the windows. The mixed sounds of birdsong and rain quintessentially English and comforting.
He poured a cup of tea and savoured the sensations, still aware of the bump on his head, but wanting to be up and about.
He heard Keesha moving around upstairs and guessed she would appear soon, but he would leave her to descend the stairs in her own time.
It was the least he could do, given the concern she showed and care she had given him yesterday.

When Keesha appeared, he greeted her with a cheery “Good Morning, would you like some tea?”
He smiled and felt better.
As they sat and drank, he asked her:
“Keesha are you afraid of going to Dinner at Edward’s House. Shall I say I’m too ill to go today? We will have to go eventually – he will expect it.”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He didn't know, but she stayed with him well beyond the time that he fell asleep. She had made sure he was warm and comfortable and watched until she was sure that he was sleeping peacefully rather than having passed out again. He had given her a scare, as had the arrival of Edward, his friend. The obvious warmth between the two had impressed her, but with Dan all but unconscious, she hadn't really known what to say to him and obviously felt foolish for having called him over for what turned out to be a relatively minor injury.

She took a while to fall asleep and then her sleep was filled with troubled images of being chased; chased through woods the sound of voices getting closer as she ran desperately in an attempt to escape. On and on she seemed locked in that dream until she fell, much as she had before Dan had found her. Down and down she seemed to tumble until she awoke with a start to find herself in the massive double bed, staring upwards at the high ceiling, her breath rapid in the silence; but she was safe.

Belatedly she gathered her senses and slipped from beneath the covers heading worriedly down the stairs in the direction of the front room where she had left Dan in the early hours of that morning.

“Good Morning, would you like some tea?”

He greeted her from the armchair.

"You're up. You should have shouted me."

She responded.

"Should you be moving around?"

She stepped closer and took a look at his head.

"How do you feel?"

She asked all concern. Only reluctantly did she allow him to fetch her the tea he had offered making her take a seat on the sofa as he brought it for her. Sipping the brew she could not help but keep glancing at him in concern, but knew better than to attempt to caution him further.

“Keesha are you afraid of going to Dinner at Edward’s House?"

His question caught her off guard.

"Shall I say I’m too ill to go today? We will have to go eventually – he will expect it.”

She shook her head slowly.

"No ... why would I be..?"

She sipped at her tea using the activity to cover her lie.

"You're not too ill though are you? And if you don't go then he'll come here and check up on you."

Even given their short acquaintance, Keesha could second guess how Edward might react to the news that Dan was unwell.

"Besides, he's having chef prepare pheasant for me. I can't miss out on that can I?"

It was his look of surprise that made her laugh, the forced bravado turning to a relaxed chuckle.

"I can't say I'm not ... wary ... of him ... "

She confessed.

" ... but ... he was kind and friendly so ... it would be rude not to go and eat with him today..."

She concluded.

 

[DanFS]

The night’s rest had been good for Dan.
He was slightly surprised that she challenged him: "You're up. You should have shouted me."

”I didn’t want to wake you.” He replied simply offering a smile to soften what might have been otherwise taken as a rebuke.

When she asked him if he should be moving around, he just shrugged it off, especially when she stepped closer, and inspected the bandage around his head.
"How do you feel?" she asked.

“I’m fine, Keesha, really!” Dan smiled as he poured the tea.

She was perceptive enough to know that Dan was much better than yesterday and shrewd enough to guess that Edward would not be brushed off. He would come up to check Dan himself, as a concerned friend should be.

She and Edward had obviously had a conversation, as she confessed they were having pheasant tonight.
Dan could not hide the surprise on his face.
“Well, I never. I have known him for years, and eaten with him many times, but he has never offered me pheasant!”
Dan could hide his grin.
He was going to joke about her being a good looking woman and using her feminine wiles, but when she admitted being wary of Edward he bit that joke off before it started.

However, when she added:
" ... but ... he was kind and friendly so ... it would be rude not to go and eat with him today..."

Dan was elated. He could not have hoped for more. His best friend and a beautiful, if slightly strange woman, who seemed to have captured his heart. But did she know or even guess the effect she had on him?

As she was stroking his head, Dan laid his hand over her own.
“I need to choose what I will wear tonight. Do you want to come and help me choose?”

He changed the grip on her hand, although still gentle, and started to lead her upstairs

He walked into one of the other bedrooms, and opened a wardrobe door.
He took a couple of suits off the rail and hung them across the top of the door.

“Which would you prefer? Blue, or Light Grey?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“I’m fine, Keesha, really!”

Dan reassured her until she finally realised that he did not want or need her fussing over him anymore. As she was sure he would be, she seemed pleased that she and Edward had managed to have a conversation gotten on ok.

“Well, I never. I have known him for years, and eaten with him many times, but he has never offered me pheasant!”

She shrugged.

"He asked if there was anything I wanted to eat ... if I hadn't taken him up on his offer he might have been offended."

She explained.

“I need to choose what I will wear tonight. Do you want to come and help me choose?”

He gave her no time to refuse. Her hand in his, he drew her along with him and upstairs to the bedrooms. Intrigued she allowed him to head to a wardrobe and pull out two suits.

“Which would you prefer?

She laughed.

"Oh Dan, how do I know anything about men's clothes and men's clothes in your country ...?"

She questioned, her hand moving to the fabric of each one and admiring the quality and softness.

"This dinner ... it is so ... formal ... "

She began.

" ... your friend ... he always eats like this?"

She queried.

 

[DanFS]

Dan laughed and stroked her cheek, with a tender touch, he hoped to communicate he wasn’t laughing at her. To answer her questions he said:
“Edward just wants to impress you. He is all flash and show when he first meets someone new – don’t let him fool you. He loves an excuse to dress up. I bet he showed you lots of his sister’s things yesterday, didn’t he?”

After a pause he added:

“It will be fun to dress up for once, won’t it? If you don’t want to go too wild, we can pick something understated for you, but I’d like you to try, for me, if not Edward – would you do that for me, please?”

He walked over to another wardrobe and opened the door to reveal several crisply pressed shirts, all on hangers. He flipped through until he found a pure white, textured shirt with a starched collar and double-cuffs, which he took out and hung on a rail on the side.

He turned and opened a drawer, to reveal several sets of cufflinks, and picked out a couple of sets, one a simple gold oval, the other a circle split into equal halves of haematite & onyx.
“We’ll decide later, on which of these and also which tie to wear too.”

“Shall we look through the dresses, and choose one for you?”

Dan didn’t even wait for an answer, and waked through to another bedroom, the same one, Edward had led Keesha into the day before. He saw a couple of the dresses still out on the bed, and then turned toward the wardrobe and opened both doors.

“There must be something in here you like, Keesha?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Dan seemed amused by her question and she smiled as he answered.

“Edward just wants to impress you. He is all flash and show when he first meets someone new – don’t let him fool you. He loves an excuse to dress up.
I bet he showed you lots of his sister’s things yesterday, didn’t he?”

She had no idea why such a man would want to impress her, but it seemed that Dan knew him well and understood him.

"Yes, he did ... "

She confirmed.

“It will be fun to dress up for once, won’t it?"

He prompted persuasively. The idea that it might be 'fun' was new to Keesha. She had been made to dress up, to be someone she wasn't leading up to her wedding and would have been doomed to do so as a wife. If she had a choice, then perhaps she might enjoy it, she considered.

"If you don’t want to go too wild, we can pick something understated for you, but I’d like you to try, for me, if not Edward – would you do that for me, please?”

She didn't know why it meant so much to Dan, but she could hardly refuse him such a thing given that he had taken such care of her. And so it seemed she would be obliged to dress up again, she realised. She watched as he moved around the room taking out items for that evening. His head injury seemed to have been forgotten she noticed with relief.


“We’ll decide later, on which of these and also which tie to wear too.
Shall we look through the dresses, and choose one for you?”

She wasn't given any choice. He walked through to the bedroom and began to look through the dresses on the bed and in the wardrobe whilst Keesha hung back to watch.

“There must be something in here you like, Keesha?”

She stepped forward and glanced through the items.

"They're not like anything I've ever worn before... "

She countered.

" ... such styles ... "

There seemed a lack of layers and a lack of fabric on many of them. Even the longer gowns seemed much more fitted than she had expected to see in formal attire...

"... how can our traditions be so different...?"

She questioned.

"If it means so much to you, I will find something to suit Dan."

She assured him.

"... something will be sure to fit ... "

 

[DanFS]

Dan sympathised with Keesha. She seemed quite overwhelmed by it all.
“Our traditions differ from those of people in other towns, not just where you come from, Keesha. Please try not to worry about it.”

He lifted several dresses out of the Wardrobe and laid them on the bed, to make it easier for her to choose one.

The styles he picked out were:

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He also discovered some boxes with shoes, and reached up to retrieved some of them from the top of the Wardrobes for Keesha to choose from. there was a variety of heels, flats, pumps & ankle boots for her to choose from.

“Is there anything you like here?” He asked her.

Dan liked the look of the knee-length black dress with the sheer shoulder panels and sleeves, and the simple black three inch heels, but wasn't sure if Keesha would like them.
He pointed them out and waited for her reaction.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“Our traditions differ from those of people in other towns, not just where you come from, Keesha. Please try not to worry about it.”

It was easy for Dan to say, Keesha reflected as she watched him select several dresses and lay them on the bed for her to consider. As Edward had done the evening before he showed her where there was an array of shoes and for her to choose from.

“Is there anything you like here?”

The dresses were beautiful of course, but Keesha doubted that she would feel comfortable wearing them. Even so, she considered each in turn. It was easy to dismiss the yellow dress; it was far too open, as was the short black dress. She could tell that Dan favoured the other black dress, but it was knee length and shorter than she was used to, especially given that the dinner was to be formal.
She liked the styles of the remaining two, but each seemed to be the opposite of the other. The red was bold and striking; a colour she wasn't sure she would have the confidence to wear, whilst the other grey-silver dress seemed ... subdued ... somehow in comparison to the others.

"They are beautiful,"

Keesha told him rather than voice her reservations about the garments which were now laid across the bed.

"I think I actually need to try some of these on to really know how I feel in them,"

She told him with a shy smile. She would choose one of the dresses offered her, but she would try to find one which she felt comfortable in, well, as much as possible.

"I'm sure Edward would not object to that ... "

She dared to suggest.

"... and perhaps ... I want to surprise you?"

Her voice had turned playful.

"I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to play the 'fine lady' again after running out on my wedding,"

She confessed, hesitating before sitting on the end of the bed and looking up at him to offer an explanation.

"My family, they're just simple people, but for some reason I was Lord Kairnford's choice as bride. And he is not a man you can say 'no' to."

She blushed as she continued.

"You can imagine there is much to learn to take on the role of fiancé and wife to such a man. But somehow I never imagined having to be 'trained' to meet the requirements of a prospective husband. Whenever we met, he would 'assess my progress'. To me, sitting down to a formal meal was just another trial, knowing that my performance was being evaluated ... feeling that I fell short of his expectations. As a fiancé he was never very ... approving ... "

She hoped that Dan would not assume she was drawing comparisons between Kairnford and Edward.

"This is totally different, I know, and I know that Edward intends this as a treat, but ... I cannot help but feel ... nervous ... not of disapproval ... he has been very kind ... I simply do not want to ... disappoint either of you ... "

 

[DanFS]

Dan wasn’t surprised that Kesha wanted to try a couple of them on. If he were a girl, he reasoned, he would be tempted too!

Dan was surprised at Keesha’s playful tone, when she hinted at wanting to surprise him.
The dresses were beautiful and she had picked out two of the ones he expected her to.
When she mentioned playing at being a fine lady, Dan smiled.

“You are a fine lady, Keesha.” He stated.

She reaffirmed that her family were simple people and he felt a touch of sorrow as she suspected they were no more, and by Kairnford’s hand.

The fact of the matter was - that Edward wasn’t Kairnford. He guessed it was only natural she would draw a parallel between the two as they both obviously had money and owned land, but there the comparison stopped.
Dan knew Keesha would not have made any comparison intentionally as Edward had already demonstrated his qualities as a friend and host.
When she said: "This is totally different, I know, and I know that Edward intends this as a treat, but ... I cannot help but feel ... nervous ... not of disapproval ... he has been very kind ... I simply do not want to ... disappoint either of you ... "
He knew she understood the situation, and had not drawn any comparisons.

“You won’t disappoint us Keesha, so don’t worry. Edward accepts you as my friend, even my girlfriend. I am pleased to have you by my side in this. Try to enjoy this evening. He just wants you to enjoy yourself. After this evening, he will probably leave us alone, once he has invited you for dinner.”

He stepped in to kiss her on the cheek, and said:
“I’ll leave you alone to try these on. I’ll be downstairs. I think there are some items of underwear in those drawers over there.” He pointed to a chest of drawers standing to the side of the wardrobes.

He walked over to the drawer and opened one, pulling out a packet of stockings, with a picture on the front, showing a glamourous model wearing them, as well as some bra & panty sets, which he paced on top of the unit.

He left the room, closing the door to grant her the privacy she would need.

Dan made himself comfortable hearing various movements from upstairs as Keesha moved around.
He flicked on the Entertainment Centre, selecting the track ‘Ave Maria’ being sung by Josh Groban.
He then laid down on the Sofa – where he had lain not 24 hours before in pain, and hummed along to the tune.

He was sure eventually Keesha would want his opinion and come downstairs, or call for him to go up and see which dress she had chosen.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“You are a fine lady, Keesha.”

He had told her and though she shook her head briefly, Keesha did not comment to the contrary; it was enough that he thought of her in that way.

“You won’t disappoint us Keesha, so don’t worry. Edward accepts you as my friend, even my girlfriend. I am pleased to have you by my side in this. Try to enjoy this evening. He just wants you to enjoy yourself. After this evening, he will probably leave us alone, once he has invited you for dinner.”

She blushed as he referred to her as his girlfriend. She had never been so intimate with a man, yet it seemed that such behaviour was commonplace in Dan’s world. She knew Dan was protective of her, cared for her even. The idea of being regarded as his girlfriend was far from worrying, even if she did feel that they might be deceiving Edward at least to some extent.

“I’ll leave you alone to try these on. I’ll be downstairs.”

The kiss on her cheek was casual on his part, Keesha knew, but she had yet to become accustomed to considering such intimacy as being of no real significance.

” I think there are some items of underwear in those drawers over there.”

She nodded wordlessly, unused to men being so interested in clothes, much less undergarments. As soon as he left, Keesha set about considering the wealth of clothing that she had been allowed to help herself to. The underwear was like nothing she had ever worn before, as were the shoes. Despite her misgivings, she tried on every dress, shocked to see just how even the dresses she had thought too risqué for her to wear did actually set off her body to advantage. She had never imagined that she could look like that! And then she went back to the wardrobe, browsing through the other outfits hanging there and taking out a couple further dresses to try on. Never had she had so much choice! She wanted to do this properly, wanted to ensure that she could fully co-ordinate her outfit from underwear, to gown to shoes and finally she worked out just what it was that she would wear. Yet she did not go downstairs to seek Dan’s approval. Instead she hung all the gowns back up and neatly put away the other items so that he would have no idea as to what choice she had made. Heading downstairs, still dressed in her white gown, Keesha found him in the living room, looking around amazed as music seemed to come from all round the room.

”It sounds as if the musicians, the singer was in the room.”

She commented incredulously.

”Will I ever get used to the wonderful things in your world?”

She queried, then realised that he had expected her to share her choice of outfit with him.

”You can wait until this evening,”

She told him teasingly.

”… after lunch I will need to work on my hair … so perhaps you can rest then?”

She suggested.

”That was a nasty bang on the head. It would not do to collapse during dinner, now would it?”

She scolded finding that she was actually looking forward to surprising Dan with her selection of outfit that evening…

 

[DanFS]

Dan had been enjoying the music and became aware of Keesha's return only when she spoke.

The look of wonder on her face would never get old to Dan.
On the one hand, she was so innocent, and on the other, she had seen and experienced so much! Her exclamation just added to the fondness he felt for her.

Her tease about not showing him her choice of attire was tantalising, and her playful nature shone through. He could wait until this evening. He knew the wait would be worth it!

Her suggestion of rest sounded tempting, as he as still recovering from the previous day’s exertions, and he smiled at the mental image she conjured when mentioning him collapsing during dinner.

He rose from the sofa and guided her over to the PC-based music centre and showed her how to select the track on the screen, either by name, artist, or genre, or any other of a multitude of options.

Dan was impressed. He couldn’t remember Edward’s music collection being so extensive on his last visit, although in his defence, they had both sat in the lounge with a fine dinner in their bellies and a bottle of port being slowly demolished between them.
Dan did, however, recall the hangover he suffered the following day. That was not a so pleasant memory!

Dan looked out of the window and commented – “It looks like a lovely morning, shall we walk in the garden for a while, or shall we have breakfast first? I know of a little Café in the Village that does a great breakfast, or we could just stay here?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Keesha was amazed by the machine Dan showed her. It seemed that just be the press of buttons and by guiding an arrow around the screen as he showed her to do she could bring forth all manner of sounds, of music which instantly filled the room. She laughed in excitement, amazed at how just a picture on the screen could switch on instruments and voices.

"Your world is filled with magic boxes of sounds and pictures."

She told him shaking her head.

"Such impossibility. It must be a special kind of magic at least?"

She surmised as she continued to explore the list of words and pictures as she scrolled down the icons.

“It looks like a lovely morning, shall we walk in the garden for a while, or shall we have breakfast first? I know of a little Café in the Village that does a great breakfast, or we could just stay here?”

She looked around towards the window as he spoke. It did indeed seem to be a nice day.

" ... a walk would be wonderful ... if you're up to it."

She responded with a soft smile.

"I was always used to being out of doors."

She confided.

"It was one of many worries about getting married to Lord Kainford.
I doubt he would have wanted his wife to go wandering around the countryside.
The idea of being confined to big stuffy houses and all that formality ... "

She halted realising that she had perhaps said too much.

"I never wanted him as husband, so there were many things about married life that ... concerned ... me."

She explained.

" ... even now I cannot think why he wanted to take me as his wife."

She was of modest background, unsophisticated and could only see how unsuitable she would have been for the role.

"I will go and change ... you can decide about breakfast Dan."

She told him before heading off to put on her more practical clothes which Dan had found for her when they left the morning before.

 

[DanFS]

Keesha’s explanation of the music appearing ‘like magic’ made Dan smile, and brought home to him how different things still seemed to her here.

“Not magic, Keesha,” Dan explained gently, he hoped. “but this entertainment system is expensive. Edward enjoys good music, and wanted no less for his guests.”
Dan knew she was an outdoors-girl. She had told him as much soon after they met and made no secret of her preference to be out in fresh air.
Dan smiled again at her ‘confession’, that she would have felt imprisoned in a big house all the time, and would rather roam the countryside, exploring and tending as she saw fit.

He recalled playing Dungeons & Dragons as a youngster, and decided that Keesha would have been a perfect female ranger, with the Forest her domain. He pictured her clad all in green, with a bow & arrows, fighting evil wherever she found it.
Well, that might be fantasy, but she would have the heart for it, he was certain!

As she turned to go and change, saying about how unsuitable she would have been for Kairnford, Dan felt no sorrow for that ‘man’, if he could be called such. Dan was just happy Keesha was with him.
Dan then remembered the small hunting estate owned by some local gentry and wondered if Keesha would like to hunt there? He would ask her first, how she felt about it, and then Edward how difficult it may be to organise, as he knew the owners.
Dan usually used a rifle, when he shot, but in his mind, saw this as an archery-only affair to maintain its ‘purity’.

Dan decided that breakfast would wait. He went to change as well, finding his walking boots, and a pair which Edward’s sister used to wear.
He pulled on a pair of jeans and a check-shirt, and decided a light sweater might also be in order.
As he looked out of the window, there was barely a cloud in sight.

Dan could hear Keesha moving about in her room, and decided it would be prudent to wait downstairs. He would dig out another fleece-top for her, in case it clouded over.
After a few moments she reappeared having dressed much more appropriately, in the clothes she wore before and also having teased a brush through her long blonde tresses, it seemed.
He held out the fleece & boots to her and opened the door, allowing the fresh air to waft into the Kitchen.

"Well, milady. A fine morning awaits. Shall we build up an appetite and return her to eat, or walk a little further and let the lady in the Village Café cook for us?"
Dan swept his arm out towards the garden, and ushered her into the morning sun.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Keesha returned dressed in jeans and a tshirt beneath a shirt on top. She wore trainers, her only practical footwear and smiled at Dan finding she liked the sight of him in a similar outfit to herself. She had brushed her hair, but it still hung loose about her shoulders. She had no sweater and so gratefully accepted the fleece he held out to her and eyed the boots with interest before moving to change out of her trainers and fasten the heavier footwear in place.

"Well, milady. A fine morning awaits. Shall we build up an appetite and return her to eat, or walk a little further and let the lady in the Village Café cook for us?"

She laughed, just happy to be outside and happy to feel safe to walk around freely for the first time in so long.

"You choose,"

She told him with a grin.

"... I could walk for miles so don't worry about me."

She giggled and turned around slowly breathing in the fresh air.

"This is wonderful, Dan!"

She moved to his side and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you for rescuing me ... for taking care of me ... "

She told him sincerely.

"Without you ... "

She shook her head dismissing the thoughts of what could have been.

"Race you to the woods!"

Her change of mood was unforeseen as she turned and tore off across the garden heading towards the trees, her blonde hair streaming behind her, the sound of her laughter carrying back to him as she ran at full pace in the direction of the woodland beyond Edwards tended gardens.

 

[DanFS]

Dan smiled as Keesha obviously relished being out in the fresh air.

He grinned as she thanked him for saving her and was about to utter a comment about saving each other, when she took off across the garden, her blonde tresses fluttering behind her.

“Hey!” he called after her fleeing form. “I’ll catch you, you’ll see!”

He laughed as Keesha laughed, just enjoying the simple pleasure of childish fun, of a race, as they ran towards the trees, his head injury from yesterday all but forgotten.

Her head-start was fading as Dan’s more powerful legs pistoned him forwards, and but he knew she was going to make the tree-line before him.

Her joy was infectious, and as they both ran into the forest, gales of laughter could be heard. He felt as light as a feather, and for a moment it didn’t register that he wasn’t carrying a pack, or rifle, so he was unencumbered.
He loved the feeling of freedom, and knew that Keesha felt it too.

Dan was gaining on her, and took a moment to appreciate the sight of her, clad as she was in the jeans and boots. The denim had clad itself to her behind and Dan thought it looked very shapely.
She was obviously a child of the wilderness, as she dodged trees and hurdled small tree roots with ease.
Dan was almost within reach, when she seemed to know he was close (although his breathing had become more laboured now) and would suddenly change direction.
She did this a few times, before he managed to just grasp the sleeve of her fleece in his fingertips. If he could hold on, he’d catch her…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“Hey! I’ll catch you, you’ll see!”

Keesha laughed at his threat, undeterred even as she knew Dan was racing after her.
She got to the trees first and did not falter as she moved at an angle to head into their depths. She was used to woods, trees and being out of doors, but the fact that she was unencumbered by skirts made it so much easier to negotiate the branches and shrubs, even as the boots gave her a solid foundation from which to jump over roots and get a firm grasp upon the uneven ground.

Time and again she evaded Dan's grasp. He was gaining on her, or at least he seemed to be until she darted to the side and put a distance between them once more. Her laughter taunting him as she grew in confidence realising that his breath was becoming as ragged as her own.

And then, inexplicably he advanced just enough to get a tenuous hold on her, she felt his fingers grace the sleeve of her jacket. She attempted to dart to the right as deftly as she had before, but inexplicably her foot caught at a tree foot, causing a hesitation as she had to rebalance giving him just enough time to get a firmer hold on her.

"Nooooo...!"

She squealed in protest, not giving up yet, her unexpected attempt to break his grasp sending them both tumbling to the woodland floor. Somehow she landed half on him, half in the pile of leaves and foliage beneath. She was breathless and all she could do is lay there laughing in pure enjoyment of their 'game'.

 

[DanFS]

At last, Dan managed to catch up to Keesha, and just as he grasped her, she tried to elude him again, and tripped on a tree root, and as she tried to change direction, overbalanced, and they both tumbled into the leaves and foliage, with them coming to rest with Keesha half-on and off Dan, her lying laughing with pure joy, and after Dan was reassured she wasn’t hurt, he joined in with her laughter.

After a moment, he looked over and turning her toward him, looked up into her eyes, sparkling with youthful joy and exuberance. He reached up and stroked her cheek, brushing a loose strand of her hair away from her face, allowing him to gaze upon her, and fully appreciate her beauty.

He relished her warmth against him, the soft firmness of her body draped across his. It just felt......right.

“Keesha – I love being with you. You make me so happy!” he exclaimed, before leaning up and kissing her, lightly upon the lips, before dropping back to the ground, and looking at Keesha with barely concealed laughter in his eyes.
“I have never felt so happy, than I do right now. Isn’t this great?” He asked her.
He could not remember another time where he had felt so happy, and it was all due to Keesha.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She lay there breathless and laughing. Dan too joined her in her mirth. It was a long time since she had felt carefree and although the reality of her situation was far from ideal, Keesha was able to just enjoy being out in the open and being free. A smile on her face she turned her head towards Dan as he reached to stroke the cheek that now held a naturally pinked hue. Her smile broadening as his fingers captured a stray strand of hair and brush it back, her eyes widening as she registered the intimacy of that simple act. She became aware of the increase in the pace of her pulses and of course the close proximity of their bodies as they lay on the woodland floor, but made no move to put a distance between them.

“Keesha – I love being with you. You make me so happy!”

His words pleased her. He was a kind man and she was pleased that he was happy. The kiss on her lips was undemanding, yet again sent her pulses racing..

“I have never felt so happy, than I do right now. Isn’t this great?”

She laughed despite herself and knew she had to remember that in this culture a kiss, even being so close, touching meant nothing significant ... and this was just ... 'happy fun' ...

"Yes Dan. It's great. I'm happy too. Being free ... doing what I want ... it's not what I'm used to at all ... "

She told him softly.

"And I can even be 'unladylike' and get away with it ..."

She dimpled him a mischievous grin recalling how she had been 'trained' into more 'seemly' behaviour ... the girl who ran roughshod through the forest had been schooled to stroll sedately ... a repression of her natural instincts which Keesha had resented from the first.

"... perhaps I'm more of a match for a solider than you thought?"

She challenged mischievously, the playful provocation deliberate.

 

[DanFS]

Dan was overjoyed that Keesha was enjoying herself too.
"Yes Dan. It's great. I'm happy too. Being free ... doing what I want ... it's not what I'm used to at all ... "
Dan’s smile grew even wider at that comment, and wider still – when she added:
"And I can even be 'unladylike' and get away with it ..."

He stroked her cheek again and replied:
“You shall always be a lady in my eyes, no matter what we’re doing!”

After a short pause, he saw the mischievous grin on her face and heard her challenge that she as more of a match for him than he thought.
He laughed then, and took the bait, knowingly and willingly.
“Oh yes? You’re a match for me? You mean you loving running through the Forest too?
And, not to mention - I think you, fair maiden, have captured my heart.”

He reached up again and kissed her again, deeper this time, stroking her cheek as he did so.

He broke the kiss, and said:
“Here, we can do whatever we want. There’s no-one else around to bother us, and Edward rarely ventures in this direction when he has guests, as he knows they value their privacy Isn't that great?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“You shall always be a lady in my eyes, no matter what we’re doing!”

Dan told her as he stroked her cheek. Her eyes caught his, their gazes holding. Whatever she did it seemed he accepted and liked her just as she was. It was such a revelation after having gone through the training in an attempt to become worthy of a bride groom she had not even wanted to accept.

“Oh yes? You’re a match for me? You mean you loving running through the Forest too?"

She giggled as he matched her playfulness.

"And, not to mention - I think you, fair maiden, have captured my heart.”

Keesha had no time to comment as he took her by surprise, the kiss this time was so much deeper, the touch of his hand on her cheek still calming and reassuring even though her pulses raced. She remained wide eyed as he told her softly.

“Here, we can do whatever we want. There’s no-one else around to bother us, and Edward rarely ventures in this direction when he has guests, as he knows they value their privacy Isn't that great?”

She nodded mutely. She had hardly ever been kissed before she met Dan. The intensity and the responding heat in her body took her totally by surprise. Her cheeks she was sure were flaming.

"Yes ... it's ... great .. "

She echoed uncertainly as she slowly sat upright. The action was an attempt to gather her senses rather than to distance herself from Dan.

"Doesn't your head still hurt...?"

She asked him, seizing upon something, anything to buy her time before continuing their banter.

"I've never been ... private ... with a man before ... you do know that?"

She asked him finally her eyes moving to his then darting away shyly.

"And ... no one has ever kissed me ... like that ... before ... "

She confessed blushing hotly as her long upbringing of what was 'right' and 'decent' conflicted with her natural instinct. Then forcing herself to meet his eyes once more she asked breathlessly;

"Dan ... will you kiss me like that again...?"

 

[DanFS]

When Keesha said "Yes ... it's ... great .. " Dan was sure his feelings were reciprocated.

She looked a little worried as she asked if his head still hurt.
Dan smiled, seeing the question for what it was, she was still concerned at the turn of events and was looking for more time.

In reply, Dan took her hand and placed it over his ‘bump’, smiling as he did so.
“See, all better now. I always feel good when you’re with me!” He grinned.
Yes, it was a corny line, but he felt no pain and he wanted to reassure her at the same time.

Although he had guessed as much, her admission "I've never been ... private ... with a man before ... you do know that?" was heart-rending, and refreshing in it’s honesty.

He could only reply with equal honesty:
“I know, Keesha, don’t worry – I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

He looked into her eyes, searching for hesitation, or fear, but all he saw was an innocent longing…

Then she uttered the words he wanted to hear - "Dan ... will you kiss me like that again...?"

He didn’t reply, but leant in closer and lightly grasping her chin, pulled her to him, and gently kissed her lips, tentatively sweeping his tongue across them, tasting the sweetness of her skin.
He felt her tense for a moment, and was conscious he had done the same. It had never felt like this with any other woman. But then, Keesha was like no other woman he had ever met.
He just held her, sweeping her lips with soft butterfly kisses. He moaned as she felt himself begin to harden, but he didn't want to rush her.

Although they were in the Forest, on soft ground, Dan wasn't sure this was the right place to make love to her for the first time. He wanted to prolong the moment, he wanted her to enjoy it more.

He broke the kiss, reluctantly, and asked her "Shall we stay here, or go back to the Cottage?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He had promised her that he would be gentle, told her not to worry. And it had given her the courage to ask for him to kiss her again. She quivered as his fingers captured her chin, turning her face towards him as his lips and tongue moved so skilfully. The intensity of her own reaction was something Keesha had not counted on. It was that, rather than any fear or regret of what she was allowing Dan to do which made her tense momentarily. His reaction was to pause, to allow her to relax, the change his kissing to the softest brushes of his lips as he pressed them against hers causing her to gasp softly in response.

"Shall we stay here, or go back to the Cottage?"

His words broke through the spell his kisses had woven.

"Here is good ... I love being outdoors ... "

She responded breathlessly.

"Wh-why would we go back to the cottage...?"

Keesha flushed hotly belatedly aware of the hardness that was pressing against her supple body. Her own breath caught at the reaction she had brought in him.
She should be shocked, should remain true to her upbringing and not allow herself to behave in such a way, but her land, her people and their values were so far away now. And she was feeling emotions and reactions with Dan that she had never imagined could be possible. She was finding it harder and harder to consider that responding to the intensity between them was 'wrong'.

"We ... can go back if you want ... "

She told him shyly. If his intention was to become more 'familiar' then the security of the cottage would be preferable to the outdoors, but if he had fun and kisses in mind then the woods was ideal.

"This is your territory Dan, you decide... "

She told him trustingly as she consciously put herself in his hands. It was clear that she was giving him the choice as to just how far they would go that day ... and not just in terms of how far they would walk.

 

[DanFS]

Dan loved the fact that Keesha had opened up to him more and become more willing to become intimate.
He was anxious she should enjoy being ‘wooed’, before he made love to her, and so he was in no rush to ‘get to it’.

“Lets enjoy the morning, and get some breakfast.” He suggested, leaning in to kiss her again.
He looked into her eyes, the sparkle of mischief and yearning there. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but sensed she was in no hurry to sleep with him.
He leaned back & stood before holding out his hands to help her to her feet.

“We can walk through the woods and come out on the High Street near the Café.” He explained, as he pulled her to her feet, and into him for another kiss. He took a deep breath, revelling in the damp smell of the forest, and the dappled sunlight coming through the trees.
“Isn’t this great? We should take a walk in the Forest more often!” He exclaimed.
He smiled, as he took one hand and led her back onto the trail which led through the trees. After a minute or two’s walking, enjoying the morning sights & sounds, he felt comfortable resting his hand on her far hip, pulling her closer to him.
A rabbit dashed across the path ahead of them, making them both jump slightly and then laugh. When they had recovered they carried on walking, and soon reached the sight of the high street beyond the gate in the wall.
They paused in the tree-line and Dan once again kissed Keesha, his light butterfly pecks, becoming more insistent as he moved from her ear, down her neck to her mouth. His tongue again snaked just inside her mouth, and teased her own, before retreating again. He moved back to take a breath, and smiled, more so as he could see the same joy in her eyes. He reached up and picked a small twig out of her hair, and swept it back into place, to frame her face, her blonde hair shining in the sunlight.

They walked quickly to the gate, and Dan opened the latch and held it open for Keesha to walk through into the High Street.
It was already becoming busy and they walked the short distance to ‘Amy’s Café’.
He pushed the door open and the small bell above it tinkled, announcing their arrival to the rosy-faced, middle aged lady stood behind the counter.
She smiled warmly in welcome, and gave a cherry “Good Morning!” Her voice had a musical quality to it, giving an impression that she was genuinely happy this morning.
Dan smiled back and waved Keesha inside. The smells of cooking food enticing already.
“Good Morning!” Dan replied.
“Take a seat, I’ll be with you in just a minute.” The lady said simply, still smiling.

He guided Keesha to a table, offering her a seat, and handing her the laminated paper menu to peruse, whilst he sat opposite her.
Fortunately, the menu had several pictures alongside some of the dishes, which would help in explaining to Keesha what everything was.

“Would you like a cup of tea, or coffee, or juice Keesha?” He asked her, as he perused the menu. He already liked the look of the Specials Board, and the ‘Number 6’ which listed two eggs, two bacon, black pudding, baked beans, toast and tea.
He pointed the Specials Board out to Keesha, and smiled, amused that she seemed a little overwhelmed by the abundance of choices confronting her.
He wanted to advise her, but didn’t want to smother her, instead opting to wait until she asked. He hoped the didn’t take his amusement as condescending but he could understand her hesitation, as he cast his mind back to the first time his Father took him to Café, and bought him breakfast. It seemed to him back then, that all the food in the world was available to eat!

The lady approached the table, and asked “Are you ready to order?”
Dan looked across at Keesha to gauge her reaction.