CHAPTER TEN

The Pearl of Brittany stretched herself to her full luxurious length. She shivered slightly but smiled one of her more mischievous smiles as she flexed her quite divine toes. Eleanor truly looked a princess, regal in every detail, every inch sheer feminine perfection. The expensive clothing that she may or may not persuade her royal uncle to provide might enhance her charms. On the other hand she seemed angelic already without those human accoutrements. For now she laid totally uninhibited and au natural without any adornments hiding her bodily beauty.

“Your Uncle the King has much going for him, Lady Eleanor but in you he truly possesses a Pearl of magical quality. I will never be the same after having known your soft and perfectly formed.....”

“Mind. I trust you will say that my Lord de Mauléon, and not ‘my perfectly formed body’. On the other hand my mind is not soft and neither is my body. I feel, for a woman, that I have developed my body to be strong yet essentially female.”

“I will support that, dear Lady. You do me great honour by calling me Lord. Many regard me as a shameless routier, a land pirate by all accounts, a ruthless mercenary. Aye, for sure that’s what they call Savary de Mauléon.”

“You do yourself down by even countenancing such thoughts, Savary, you are a prop and support of our King. In these difficult times hardened warriors such as yourself are as precious as gold.

De Mauléon laughed broadly. He wondered what John Lackland would say if he could see him now as naked as Eleanor having enjoyed the latter’s favours to the full. He moved closer to the Princess and tilting her head back he gently kissed her lovely nose. What a mischievous face she had, that curl of the lips, or was it the stylish cheekbones, such a distinctive appearance. The eyes brown and piercing but, oh God, the body so athletic so mobile and the long silky legs, the beautifully sculptured toes and elegantly cuticulled toe-nails. Well it was certainly worth the diversion. It was all due to the King as well! He had given instructions to Savary to stop off at Corfe Castle on the way to Winchester to ensure that the royal niece was safe. De Mauléon had been stationed in Ireland with his Poitevin mercenaries close at hand. John, sensible fellow, did not want to be provocative even to his
enemies and therefore had kept the routiers away from the English mainland initially. Now was the time for action, however, de Mauléon had been instructed to move to Winchester to guard the South Coast. Meanwhile William Longsword would occupy London with a band of Flemish mercenaries under his command. The rebellious barons would know what real leadership was now, they would regret every false move that they had made.

De Mauléon moved alongside Eleanor and quickly grasped her closely to him, the sheer pulsating warmth of her body set him on fire, took control of his soul and spirit, made him seem unreal but gloriously so. He felt his legs wrap round those of the Princess as if they had a life of their own. The strength and power of his body grew and grew, it seemed barely minutes ago that he had mingled his whole being with that of the Pearl. The savage ferocity of his love making had been channelled quickly into a thing of beauty a slow-moving tenderness had grown inside him, and made him a better person. Gentleness possessed him now under the hypnotic influence of this beauteous woman from Brittany. He moaned ever so softly again as his World swirled into the realms of the Gods. Was this what Mount Olympus was like, could even the spectral beings and supermen and women combine together to produce such grandeur?

“My Lady”, a voice from outside Eleanor’s room called firmly but politely.

“Do you want me to go, your highness?” enquired de Mauléon “I infer that there is someone to see you and I would not wish to be an embarrassment.”

“No, no, don’t let’s be over-formal and full of prissy behaviour. Just put a robe on and I will do the same. We enjoyed our sojourn together, no need to be ashamed of it, or regret it for that matter.”

“My Lady” resumed the voice outside “our young squire Guy de Buissant has returned with news for you”.

“Ah!” smiled Eleanor “our trusted friend. Send him in immediately.” Eleanor made no attempt to pull her garment round her any further. After all the squire had seen all her attributes and had gloried in them. He was no prude.

“My dear Guy” beamed the Pearl “what have you to say to us?” The Princess winked ever so slightly at the squire as he turned to see de Mauléon leaning
negligently on the arm of a chair.

“Oh yes, of course” she added “this is Savary de Mauléon a great support to our realm and estate - or rather Uncle John’s realm and estate!”

“Sir, I know you by reputation” responded Guy “a fierce and indeed mighty warrior. We all appreciate the swords you bring with your poitevan soldiers. The King is beholden to brave men such as yourself!”

“And I, de Buissant, have recently heard of your exploits. You have somewhat tamed Eustace de Vesci - indeed brought him down very much to size.”

“Thank-you for that, my Lord. I am touched that an eminent commander such as yourself has heard of my small achievements.”

“Good, good” rejoiced Eleanor “I like nothing better than my men agreeing with each other and getting on so well. I hope that you will become firm friends - after all you have at least one thing in common.”

The two paladins looked at each other smiling wryly, it was difficult not to fall in with the wishes of the beautiful Pearl.

“My hand on it, certainly” voiced de Mauléon “to eternal comradeship come what may” and with that he grasped de Buissant’s already extended arm.

“I feel privileged to be enjoined in such a noble enterprise” responded Guy “victory to King John, and above all life, health, and prosperity to our lovely princess here.”

“I’ll say amen to that” smiled Savary “my lady is worth a thousand well trained soldiers any day. To her eternal glory.”

“Could I take this opportunity to offer my services whenever you may find them helpful” promised de Buissant “provided that they do not clash with royal demands. I will certainly help to hold Corfe Castle against any rebel incursions.”

“I know that we can all rely on that, my dear Guy. However, I am now to Winchester to protect the South Coast for the King.”

“As you probably know, my Lord, Longsword is making for London.”

“Yes I am aware of that part of the strategy.”

“I have some concerns there because the good Earl was somewhat dilatory in organising his forces.”

“He has a strong band of Flemings under him nonetheless sirrah. Mayhap not as good as your average Poitevan but reliable enough under most circumstances. Still, you talk of delays let me not be similarly condemned. I must bid you good people farewell and make speed for Winchester.”

“Do not forget to arm yourself for the days ahead” interrupted the Princess Eleanor “you needed relatively little protection against me I am a gentle person - and do not smile so my Lord - but these rebel barons....”

“Have no fear, my lady I will bring you back a specimen or two, nay I will have them brought to you in a cage to eat out of your hand. Better still when you grow waspish you can beat them with light feathers.”

“Enough of this jocularity Savary” admonished the Princess with mock seriousness “we would see your sword in action against the King’s enemies. I have been impressed with what I have seen so far!”

The two soldiers left the regal presence laughing and blushing simultaneously. This was a princess the like they had never encountered before, nor would again, a lady totally unique, of a determined mind but of a free-living, friendly disposition. With her on their side where indeed was there need for any other support? Truly a Pearl indeed!

Go to Chapter 11 | Back to Chapter 9 | Index

Front Page | Home Page for individuals | Business Services Index | Site contents & internal links | Email the Author