Lady Scarlett lets her know

An hour or so later, Christine and Erik were bathed, fed and shown to two small adjacent rooms so high in the building that the ceilings were sloped from the roof above. Christine didn't mind that the rooms were clearly intended for servants and judging by how fast Erik fell asleep, she knew that her little brother cared even less.

A pretty blonde woman perhaps a year or two older than Christine showed her the bath house that had a set of three large tubs and plenty of hot water in steaming brass kettles that hung over a hearth. In truth, the facilities were better than what she was used to in Castle Gerard and Christine didn't mind when Alice stayed in the room and helped pour hot water and scented oils into the bathwater as she chattered away.

To her surprise, Christine learned that Alice liked her role here under Lady Scarlett's care. Yes, she had to pleasure men for money, but Alice seemed to think that the price to pay was well worth the benefit of this kind of life. She made it sound exciting and fun ...

By the time the bath ended, the Verderer's cloak and the awful rag she discarded had been whisked away, and when she climbed from the tub, Alice toweled her off with a towel warmed by the fire. She was handed a long-sleeved linen tunic to wear, the garment hung almost to her knees and had a deep 'V' in the front. It was hardly the kind of clothing she was used to, but she assumed that Lady Scarlett would be able to find a dress for her tomorrow. She was as tired as Erik, but she wandered around the small room saying her prayers, grateful for the kindness of the Verderer and Lady Scarlett. The soft knock at her door was accompanied by Lady Scarlet's warm voice.

"Evelyn? Are you awake?" Christine hesitated for just a second before opening the door. It would be easier to just pretend she hadn't heard the knock, but there was no point in putting off this conversation.

"Well look at how pretty you are under all that dirt." Lady Scarlett laughed gayly as she stepped through the narrow doorway into the small room. "A good figure too with a fine healthy bosom for such a tiny girl, it really is a shame I can't put you to work." Christine felt uncomfortable with such a personal assessment of her assets but was relieved to hear the last bit.

"I won't have to work serving your customers?" After her chat with Alice, she had started to think that it was only a matter of time before she'd have to start 'paying' her way. Scarlett smiled gently and took her hand in hers. "I don't know the details of how you caught our licentious bishop's attention, but as long as he is looking for you, I cannot let my regulars get a good look at you." Christine nodded silently, thinking to herself that it was the Bastard Prince who she really had to worry about.

"I'll still find something for you to do, can you sew?" Scarlett asked gently and Christine nodded again. "I don't doubt it, Werner wouldn't say, but it's clear you are highborne. I can tell." Christine felt a moment of relief to learn that Warner had protected her identity, although it wouldn't take long for this worldly woman to put two and two together.

Once again Christine found herself staring mutely at her hands. After what felt like a very long, uncomfortable silence she looked up. "I don't know how to thank you, Lady Scarlett, but I will do what I can, I promise." Lady Scarlett's tone sharpened slightly with undisguised interest. "Are you still a virgin, Evelyn? Alice said you were a little skittish when she first took you to the bath house." Christine looked away surprised by the directness of the intimate question.

"Yes." Christine's shy reply came out slowly after what felt like a very long pause, "I don't know anything about what men want, but Bishop Anthryl did things ... I hated it, but when he touched me, my insides started ... I don't know, melting?"

"That's not a bad way to put it, Honey." Scarlett hugged her gently, "a woman's body is capable of great pleasure, Evelyn. Unfortunately, some men take pride in their ability to use this against them." Christine was slightly reassured by Lady Scarlett's words, but she was still troubled by knowing that even a man she despised could evoke that kind of response from her core.

"It's not all bad, Evelyn." Scarlett's voice became soft and seductive. "Imagine what it would be like to have a man like Werner stroking you that same way." Christine blushed fiercely; it was like Lady Scarlett could see into her soul. "When your body gets wet and slippery like that it makes it possible for a man to enter you without damage. Although no matter how ready you are the first time, as small as you are it might hurt the first time or two., especially with a big man like the Verderer."

"But the Verderer's married." Christine protested fiercely doing her best not to think about Master Werner spreading her legs and claiming her as his own. "He can't lie with another woman ..." Even as naïve as she was Christine knew that married men often took lovers, but she had such faith in the Verderer that she refused to believe he would cheat on his wife.

"Oh, I know, Sweetie." Scarlett laughed softly, "Mari was one of my girls before Werner wooed her away from here; I think I know her well enough to say she wouldn't mind if Werner wanted to pay you a visit."

"I didn't know..."

"How could you?" Scarlett dismissed her doubts with a wave of her hand. "It's not something that comes up in a normal conversation and you were in no condition to talk when Werner found you." She smiled and took Chrstine's hand in hers and squeezed it firmly. "Trust me, that man's got the hots for you something bad. He may want to help you but he's a man just like any other." Christine could feel her face getting hot and a tingling in her private parts too that she didn't quite understand.

"What about Erik, will he have to work?" Christine asked, the bishop wasn't looking for him, but Prince Henry certainly was.

"I was told he wants to be a squire. I think I know a knight who might take him on," Scarlett met Christines eyes steadily, "but I might need you to help me convince the man."

Christine felt a tiny bit of hope, the last place she thought to look for a knight to train Erik was a whore house, but Lady Scarlett seemed to have contacts in high places. Could this be the way to keep her promise to her father?

Her head nodded somberly, not trusting herself to speak.