Walter had left with Lady Steinhouse; both entering the lady"s carriage and leaving. Walter was silent for a while before asking her to go into the upper town."You are annoyed I talked to her that way?" Lady Steinhouse frowned. Walter only glanced at her silently. All he wanted was some quiet. He felt as though he had just escaped a war; the only thing left was to leave this hot iron sitting beside him behind, before he gets burnt.
"I just saved you from that situation and you are angry with me? Or did you really want to show that girl around the city; I spoilt your happy plans?" she continued to ask in annoyance.
"What has come over you?" Walter asked at last. He wanted to know if she had forgotten who she is. Why would she be pushing him around? What was her purpose?
"What has come over me? So you really wanted to show her around town? I saw the way she was pushed unto you and wanted to help, but it seems I had done something unnecessary." she said feeling very wronged.
"Help? You behaved as though you would eat her raw. If we didn"t leave, were you going to bully her till she begged?"
"Why not? Why are you so angry because of how I treated her?" Lady Steinhouse seemed to burst in fury.
"It"s not how you treated her that is the problem. What is wrong with you?" he asked.
"How can you scold me over another girl?" she asked and Walter could see the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and sighed, he was officially lost.
"Another girl?" he asked as he moved closer to her. He was close enough for her to feel his breathe on her face. He was very aware of his actions. In fact, it was intentional. She always seemed too fl.u.s.tered at this distance; this was how he intended to get answers.
"Who is the rightful girl, then." he asked and she turned red.
"You? Is that why you are so angry?" he asked and she nodded before she could register her actions.
"So, you feel as though I"m your property that someone is trying to steal, is that it? That"s why you are crying? You are sad I scolded you because of some woman?" he asked and she nodded. He was not stupid, he understood this from the beginning. But, that was not what bothered him.
"Why? Do you think we will marry some day? Do you think the king will give away his niece to me? Can you already see that day?" he asked dangerously. Only then did she come to her senses. She pushed him away and turned a deeper shade of red.
"I..." she started. Walter returned to a safe distance while still staring at her. He had gotten to where he was because of Lady Wickshire. Though his mother had started to think this was where they were born to be, he had not forgotten that this was just part of the job and the lady may have other plans for him.
"You what? You have not thought that far ahead? Or are you saying you were hoping I"d one day marry you?" he asked and she bit the inside of her lip.
"Are you saying you don"t like me?" she asked and Walter frowned. Did she hear anything he just said? Does she think this is a game?
"You said you don"t like the make-up and the dresses and I changed it. What is wrong with me, now?" she asked.
"Did you even hear a word I said? I"m not in the habit of playing. You don"t take into account the consequence of your actions. What is with this att.i.tude?" he asked as he felt himself grow angry.
"Answer me first!" she insisted. Walter let down the window drapes by his side and the coach descended into darkness. Though dark, he could still see her clearly. He reached out and grabbed her chin, before lowering himself to kiss her lips.
Lady Steinhouse descended into stupor. It happened so fast she could only realize what was happening when she felt his warm lips. The way he kissed her, she was sure he had done this before. There was no way he would be this good. Given the fact that she had nothing to compare the experience with, she just had to conclude; it was a very good kiss. She only knew one thing; she did not want it to end, she wanted him to do more. She could feel her lower body drumming and heat up, but it was over sooner than she wanted. She moaned as he withdrew.
Walter did not think himself a saint. At his age, he could be described as hot blooded. When he was in the village, he had messed with a lot of the village girls; even spending some time in the brothels of the lower town with his then friends, so knew well how to please a woman. He knew, if he did not stop, it was going to get too far. This woman had been seducing him for a long time; so, as far as he was concerned, she wanted it. If he had not reminded himself that she was out of his league, he would have gone all the way.
The coach had stopped, there was silence, so he could still hear her heavy breathing. The sound was tearing down all his restraints.
"Lady Steinhouse, you are a princess. Don"t forget that." he said before leaving quickly.