An indecent offer

Christine watched as Merthin's eyes studied hers in silent consideration. He set down the napkin and turned to his guard.

"Jacob, take the boy to the kitchens and see if Marta can scrape together something to settle the lad's stomach." Erik glanced eagerly at Christine, and she nodded and sent him off with a careful smile. Once she was alone with Merthin, she couldn't even look at the grey-eyed man. Instead, she kept her eyes on the floor as she made her simple plea.

"Please, Master Merthin. I'm ****." She heard as the wealthy notary climbed to his feet and made his way around the table until he was standing so close that she was staring at the expensive gold chain that hung low on his chest. He lifted her chin with his hand until she had to crane her neck awkwardly to meet his gaze.

"It would be a shame to send someone as beautiful as you out onto those city streets ..." As he spoke Merthin stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers; it was a disquieting caress, but Christine knew that she could ill-afford to offend the man. "It would be an even greater tragedy if our heir-apparent got his hands on your sweet young body." This time she did shudder and try to step back but Merthin stopped her retreat with two fingers hooked into her bodice. It was an act so brazen and overtly sexual that Christine was stunned into silence. Her mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out.

"Just how **** are you, Lady Gerard?" Merthin's fingers slid sideways just enough that she could feel them rubbing against her left nipple. "If I am going to risk my life for you, I expect something quite special in return." For the second time in the past 12 hours Christine had a man feeling her sensitive breasts. Her response to Merthin's touch was nothing like how she melted against Master Werner, but she could feel her nipple tightening into a hard nub and she knew Merthin could feel it too.

"What would I have to do?" The timid whisper made Merthin smile like a wolf, this little doe knew he held all the cards; after all, what other choice did she have?

"Anything, and everything I want." Christine could sense the hunger in the man's eyes and when he pulled her even closer, she did not resist. "You would be my courtesan, my paramour, my lover ... my whore."

"And you'd protect me from Prince Henry, and help Erik get training?" Merthin's hand shifter again, this time rolling over so he could cup her whole breast against his palm. Christine could feel him weighing the soft flesh in his hand like a goodwife picking out a ripe melon.

"I'll do that and more to have a highborn beauty like you squirming under me as I plow your tight little pussy." Merthin's crude assessment of what he wanted made Christine's empty stomach turn, but the traitorous sensations of pleasure that radiated from where his hand cupped her made it hard to refuse his offer outright. Perhaps, this is the best course of action for her. Lay back and exchange her body for protection and assistance in her quest for ****.