Chapter Two: Moonlit Azure

I lay back against the reclining chair, resting my embroidery against my skirts wearily. The sun has been beating heavily upon my brow all of the day, as I have sat and watched Sue tend her garden busily. My heart quickens as I remember how beautiful she looked, bathed in the sun's last evening rays, and I sigh, resting my head against the arm rest. I feel myself growing drowsy, and drop the embroidery to the floor, feeling suddenly tired.

The last of the sun's light fades from the sky, and the room grows darker, as I fall into a half drowse. Residing in London has done little for my sleeping pattern, and as such, I often find it difficult to sleep at night, only content on the nights when Sue deigns to join me in the bedchamber. Often times, she choose to fall asleep by the fire, falling susceptible to the effects of exhaustion far easier than I.

I pull myself up reluctantly from the comfort of the seat, drawing my skirts about me as I step up. The material folds around my hands, and yet again, I marvel at the beauty of the silk. Despite my having been gone for so long from the country, the high fashion of London's ladies still astounds me. I had gotten so used to wearing fashion meant for children, formed from the softest cottons, and wools, that the silks are alien to me, cool and light against my skin.

I tread lightly across the room, glancing out of the doors at the figure still stood outside, now perched against the wall of a small pond that resides in the corner. I pause, and as I watched, I see her lift her head, her eyes searching the skies for the first of the oncoming stars. Smiling, I watch as her face lights up, screwing up in a fashion that I know means she is wishing. Wishing for what, however, is a different matter, and I shrug the thoughts off, slipping silently through the doors to the bedchamber, my head feeling light, buoyant.

As I remove a necklace from about my neck, I hear her enter the room behind me, and I stiffen slightly as pale hands slip gently around my waist, breath tickling against my ear as Sue leans in to me, brushing a finger against my collarbone as she pulls me closer. I smile, kissing her jaw tenderly before pulling away, placing the golden chain carefully upon its stand. She laughs softly, and I feel the skin on the back of my neck rise slightly at the sound, its cadence sweet, mysterious.

As I move to remove my chemise, a light, coral coloured thing, a pair of hands rests on my own, and I flush slightly as my hands are pushed away, moving to finish the job I started. My tight lacing is loosened, and the corset removed gently. The pale slip of material follows, and as I watch my chemise land lightly upon the floor at my feet, my skin flushes. Hands brush against my throat once more, this time removing my brassiere, which follows the corset and chemise to the rug.

I aid Sue in her attempts, pushing my petticoats and bustle down, to step out of them, feeling suddenly very vulnerable as I stand before her, my back exposed fully as light hands stroke against my skin, trailing fingers against my shoulder blades gently.

My breath catches in my throat as I hear her removing her own clothing, but as I turn to help her, she pushes me away, laughing softly under her breath as I growl in protest. The soft sound of cloth landing on the floor catches my attention, and I cast my eye down to see how far she has reached. Her clothes lay on the floor beside mine, and I smile softly, before turning, slowly so as to avoid being pushed once more, to gaze at her, stood finally before me, her own vulnerability evident.

"Sue…" I breathe softly, and move closer, trailing my fingertips across her shoulders in wonder. Sue's skin never ceases to amaze me; it is so pale, so soft. I look momentarily sadly at the faint scars from her time in the mental asylum, and place a kiss gently to them as I wrap my arms around her, placing my palms against her back carefully. She follows suit, and I lean to her neck, kissing playfully up the skin, tongue darting out to the sensitive points; her jugular, and where her earlobe meets the side of her neck.

Her breath hitches as I nip lightly at her ear, and she turns to face me, catching my jaw in her fingers, pushing me to face her. Leaning in, her lips lands softly on my own, and my eyes close automatically as I breathe in her scent; lilies surround her, mixed with the slightest hint of soil, and ink.

Lips moving together, she pushes me backwards, until the backs of my knees hit the edge of the bed. Her lips are soft, slightly open as she leans me backwards, placing herself above me, her knees straddled either side of my waist. I feel my heart quicken as she presses against me, her bosom soft against my own. Her warmth presses against me, and I shift beneath her so that I am laid fully on the bed, our legs entangled as she falls beside me, her hair shining in the rising moonlight. She kisses my cheek softly, suddenly shy, and I rest my hand gently against hers. She smiles slowly, and takes my hand between her own, kissing it gently, and I feel my heart fluttering madly. Her skin is so smooth in the light filtering through the windows, I long to kiss her again. Looking at her for the easiest option, I observe her pale neck, flowing, strangely unmarked, to her chest. I incline my face, and press soft kisses to her breasts, feeling her own heart beating beneath my lips. She gasps, and sinks back to the bed as I flip us over, trailing my fingers delicately down her rib cage, her sides, as I tug at her breasts with my tongue and my teeth, teasing her as I feel her purring beneath me.

"Maud…" She whispers, hissing as I brush my tongue lightly against her. I blink, looking up at her as she lays, at my perfect mercy, upon the soft down pillows. Her eyes are half closed, lips parted and slightly damn. Her hair has fallen from its pins, and falls in front of her eyes. My heart beats quickly, and I fear that it will run from my breast is I do not calm in.

Instead, however, I lean down, kissing further and further, the soft hair covering her body tickling my lips slightly. I smile, and brush my nose across her abdomen, drawing a gasp from her quietly.

I look at her, and she mutters something unintelligible, and I strain to hear her.

"I love you." She mutters again, and I close my eyes, feeling so at peace, it is almost strange.

I pull myself back up to her, drawing her lips to my own. My heart quickens as I kiss her, nipping lightly at her lips, and my breath follows suit. As my hand trails downwards towards her commodity, she sighs, and I tongue her lips gently, pushing them apart to explore within.

As I move my hand, splaying my fingers, she gasps, her eyes still in their half closed daze. Her expression merely causes me to move quicker, my fingers quickening at her core. As I lean in to kiss her once more, she mewls slightly, and I take it as a sign to abate my movements. As she leans back against the bed, she sighs, her breaths escaping her in short pants.

She opens her eyes, almost lazily, staring at me in a strangely innocent way.

"Did I ever tell you, Miss Maud, that you are beautiful?"