Sarah was accompanied to the dining hall by Henry and seated to her lord’s right. Fallon rose when the blonde entered, and waited until she was properly seated before she sat again.

"Good morning, milady." Fallon smiled, welcoming her bride to her table. Sarah smiled in turn.

"Morning, my lord. Did you sleep well?" The servants placed food in the center of the end of the table the couple used. Goblets of gold were filled with water, and food was placed on the plates before Fallon and Sarah.

"I did. And you?" Fallon grabbed her three-pronged fork, much like a tiny pitch fork, and began to stab a bit of venison.

"Indeed, my lord." Sarah smiled, full and bright.

"I thought perhaps we could take a walk today. Or perhaps a ride. Do you ride, Sarah?" the brunette asked.

"Oh, yes, my lord!" Sarah exclaimed, shining at the idea. "I quite enjoy riding. I would be very pleased to join you, husband." She smiled again, her spirit soaring. She so wanted to get to know her husband. He seemed like a gentle soul. And the fact that he wanted to spend time with her, other than that of trying to get an heir, meant so much to her. Almost as if he were trying to court her. She did not understand this. They were already married, after all.

The couple quickly ate, then changed into proper riding clothes. Fallon, in her tight breeches, and Sarah into a dress that was a bit looser, allowing her to mount.

Fallon assisted the blonde to her mount, a gentle gelding named Athena, then mounted her own beast of a horse, Thor.

Combining the two culture’s gods, and two households, Fallon led Sarah out into the pastures and fields around the manor. She pointed out different aspects of the land that she had discovered through her various adventures and explorations. She knew some of the history of the estate and shared her knowledge.

"You are very familiar with your estates, my lord," Sarah enthused. Her cheeks were rosy from the chill in the air and the excitement of being out with her husband. She had not strayed from the keep or the gardens since she’d arrived at Camden Castle.

"I try to know where I am, Sarah." Fallon smiled. She brought her horse to a stop, dismounting, and grabbing the reins of Athena. She met the questioning green eyes of her bride. "Care to walk, milady?" she asked, indicating the lake off to their left. The blonde nodded and allowed herself to be lifted from her gelding and placed on the green grass below her feet. Fingers grasping Fallon’s arms for balance, she looked up into the blue eyes of the incredibly handsome man before her.

"Thank you, Fallon," she said, her voice quiet, feeling she should speak in a hush. Those eyes quieted the voice and quickened the heart. The brunette smiled and extended her arm in invitation. Sarah wrapped her smaller hand around it, and they walked after tethering the horses to a tree.

They walked along the shores of Lake Camden. Sarah told Fallon of the birds that flew overhead, surprising the brunette. Her wife also held great knowledge, which she found most welcome.

"My lord?" Sarah asked, glancing up into the face of her husband. "May I speak plain?"

"Of course, Lady Sarah. You are my equal." Fallon smiled down at the surprised blonde, bringing the small woman’s hand further onto her arm.

"Equal? Indeed?"

"Yes, milady. I want not a slave. Please. Speak." Fallon directed them over to a large log, fallen many seasons before.

"Why do you wish to spend time with me?" Sarah asked. She straightened her skirts around her as she sat, sure to be proper.

"I wish to know you, milady."

Green eyes looked up in confusion. This sort of declaration was unheard of in her world. Certainly had she been no man’s equal. Most men would have beat her for the mere thought. She tried to sense treachery, but found none.

"What do you wish to know?" Sarah asked softly. She looked out over the lake, watching as birds swooped down to catch fish in their curved, sharp talons.

"What do you wish for, Sarah?" Fallon asked, readjusted the sword that hung at her side.

"In what way?"

"Well, in the way of our marriage. What do you wish from me?" Fallon turned slightly on the log to face the young woman next to her. She studied her face and the way the sun shone through her golden hair. Beautiful.

"I wish to be treated well, my lord," Sarah said simply.

"That is all? Do you not wish for happiness?"

"That would make me happy, Fallon. The rest I can find on my own." The two looked at each other, trying to read what the other was thinking.

"Alright. I will not press the issue. Will you dine with me later this eve?" Fallon asked, changing the subject.

The setting sun brought the couple into the castle, hungry and tired. But happy.

After a full day in the company of her husband, Sarah could only hope to end the day with a nighttime visit from Fallon. She felt so close to him and wished to spend more time with him. This was all to her surprise. Generally she was a person who needed her time alone. She craved it, watching the birds and sewing.

She smiled as she thought that perhaps she’d sew something for him.

Fallon sighed deeply, sated from a wonderful meal of roast duck and fresh vegetables and bread. Sarah had sat to her right, the firelight of the torches around the dining hall accentuating her fine features.

Lady of Aragon had gone to bed nearly an entire candle mark ago, and the brunette sat in her own chambers, drinking wine and staring into the flames in the fireplace. Her manservant, Charles, added wood to the fire as she watched, sending warmth spreading throughout the large room.

She thought back to the day they had shared. Sarah had been sweet and amusing. The blonde told her stories of her childhood and some of the antics she used to play. Youngest of four surviving children, she was often favored by adoring parents. Parents who had felt the match with Fallon of Aragon would be the most beneficial for their lands, but would also make their daughter the happiest.

Sarah told Fallon how she was pleased with the match herself. She was intrigued by the tall, dark-haired man who walked at her side, and wanted to know more of him. She had seen his efforts on the practice field with his men, and enjoyed watching his prowess with bladed weapons.

They had spent many hours walking, talking, and amazingly, laughing.

Fallon smiled at the memory when she heard soft knocking at her doors. She dismissed Charles as she got to her feet, and opened one side of the double doors. Sarah stood at the stoop of her raised rooms, shyly smiling up at the brunette.

"My lord," she said softly.

"Milady. Are you alright?" Fallon leaned against the frame of the door, studying the young woman.

"Oh yes, for certain," Sarah quickly assured. "I just wanted to thank you for a most wonderful day." She smiled. "It was immensely enjoyable."

Fallon smiled and took a step back, inviting her wife inside. "Please, join me." The blonde stepped inside, looking around. She had never been in her husband’s rooms before, and was curious.

She noted the door that probably led to her manservant’s quarters, and another that opened up to Fallon’s dressing chambers. There was also a short hall that led to the bathing chambers. The sitting room was large, nearly as large as Sarah’s entire chamber, and was furnished with beautiful, lavish furnishings. The large fireplace was ablaze.

"Sit, milady." Fallon indicated one of the two chairs that sat in front of the fireplace. The blonde did, arranging her skirts around her. "Care for some wine?" Fallon tapped the pottery jug that held the warm beverage.

"No thank you, my lord, if it’s all the same."

"Suit yourself." Fallon sat in her abandoned chair, sipping from her goblet. She pondered what her wife had said of their day and smiled. "I’m pleased that you enjoyed your day so, Sarah. I also enjoyed my time with you." She smiled, raising her glass in toast to her young bride. "You made the day special."

Sarah blushed at such words, not sure what to do with them. "Oh. Thank you, Fallon." She near whispered, feeling shy, her face burning with her blush. "I dare say ’twas you." She smiled, her look slightly coy as she studied her husband. Fallon could feel her loins beginning to stir once more. She noted the way the flames’ shadows licked Sarah’s face and body, even if it was buried in the plentiful material of her dress.

"You charm me," the brunette said, a coy smile of her own. She set the wine goblet down, looking back into the flames. She heard the rustle of material as Sarah stood from her seat and came to stand before her lord. Fallon looked up into her face, obscured by shadow as the flames were at her back.

"My lord?" she said, her voice low and soft. She reached down and placed a hand gently on the shoulder of her husband. "I wish to tell you that you are a most welcome husband."

Fallon heard the soft words and wondered just what was meant by them.

"I do not understand," she said, bringing a hand of her own up to gently trace the delicate pattern on Sarah’s dress.

"I mean . . ." The blonde could feel her heart pounding. "I mean that if it pleases you, you may have me." She looked down, feeling foolish. Fallon smiled, bringing her hand up to cup the blonde’s flushed cheek. "I’m sorry, my lord," Sarah whispered. "That was inappropriate."

In answer, the brunette took Sarah’s hand and tugged gently. The smaller woman looked into blue eyes, not understanding. She let out a gasp of surprise when she was pulled down to sit cross-wise on Fallon’s lap.

"My lord!" she exclaimed, her hands resting upon his shoulders to steady herself. The brunette grinned, wrapping an arm around her wife’s back, the other stroking her cheek.

"Yes, milady?" she asked, teasing in her voice.

"I . . ." Sarah’s words were lost as she stared at the handsome face before her.

Fallon leaned in, pressing her lips to Sarah’s. The blonde closed her eyes and pursed her lips. She felt the hand on her back move until it was stroking warm circles over her corset and the material of her dress.

Soft lips slid neatly against their match, eliciting a small sigh from Sarah. Fallon found that she enjoyed this kissing immensely, and began to move her lips. She had been listening even closer to the soldier’s stories of kissing and love making. She tilted her head slightly, using the hand against Sarah’s cheek to gently nudge her to follow suit. She did, and their lips were a perfect fit.

Sarah could feel her body begin to boil. She hoped that Fallon was willing to participate in coupling this night. She knew it wouldn’t take long for her to be ready. She remembered Fallon’s encouragement for her to touch him, so she brought her hands up from his shoulders, resting one against the side of a warm, smooth neck. She had no idea that a man’s skin could be so soft. Her father’s cheeks had always been rough and covered with hair.

The kiss steadily deepened, earning Sarah a soft moan from Fallon. She felt her body slowly being turned until she was urged to bring a leg across the brunette’s lap. Now facing her husband, she looked into his eyes, seeing the desire for her reflected there. She brought both hands up to either side of his face, and brought her lips to his again.

Fallon was lost in a haze of desire as she placed her hands on Sarah’s hips. Feeling their lips move against each other – the softness and sweetness – was driving her crazy. The feel of the blonde’s warm body on her lap didn’t help things, either. She knew with the way things were progressing that she would be hard pressed to get Sarah all the way to her bedroom chamber and on the bed before she devoured her.

Sarah could feel her sex responding to the kisses and close proximity. She shifted slightly on Fallon’s lap, feeling the wetness already begin to gather. It was one time in her life when she wished she didn’t have all the layers under her dress. Normally it kept her warm, but tonight it was smothering the fire.

Fallon was having the same problem. She wanted so badly for all the layers to be gone. Once more kissing Sarah, she reached her hands down the blonde’s sides, spreading her fingers out to feel as much as possible. Her touch meandered down to the full skirts, pulling them up, layer after layer.

"Sarah, take these off," she panted against Sarah’s lips. Her wife nodded, breaking the kiss only to stand. She quickly pulled off the extra layers, leaving only her corset and outer dress on. She stepped out of the pile of billowy material, and returned to Fallon’s lap.