Surprisingly, yes.

It took Christine a few minutes to pull herself together once the Verderer left her. In part, because of how sore she was, but also because of the implications of her fall from grace. If she were ever in a position to take a husband, she would do so as damaged goods, but more important than that was the knowledge that she had crossed an important milestone. I'm a woman. She wondered if anyone would be able to tell. Would the Verderer's wife take one look at her and know that she was no longer a maid?

She climbed the dark steps to the small room in the loft slowly, still tingling all over. Every inch of her skin felt like she had just stepped out of a scalding hot bath, even the rough linen of her single garment made her nipple stiffen as surely as Master Werner's rasping tongue had. As she settled on the narrow bed next to Erik all she could think about was how glorious it had felt to be opened by the Verderer and wondered if and when she could expect him to find her again.

Morning came with the sound of the rooster in the stables below crowing loudly. Through the rafters, streams of early morning rays light the small room and Christine is able to see the streaks of dried blood on her inner thigh. She should feel shame, or at least embarrassment, at how she threw away the proof of her chastity, but she didn't. It felt almost like her maidenhead had been a heavy load that might slow her down and limit her actions, now she no longer had anything to lose.

Christine left Erik still sleeping on the small lumpy bed and made her way silently through the door to her room surveying the half-empty hayloft above the stables. There was another matter that had to be attended to, she would have done it last night but for the interruption that sidetracked her plan. From the pile of dried clothing by the bed Christine reverently retrieved her father's baronial ring and held the heavy gold band in her small hand and watched the early morning light gleam on the bright emeralds.

As pretty and valuable as the ring was, this was yet another burden that had to be safeguarded. Until she knew for sure that she and Erik would be safe with Merthin, she could not risk losing the only remaining piece of her brother's inheritance. "I swear, Father, Erik will have his chance to reclaim our family's honor." A second loud call from the boasting cockerel below reminded Christine that she needed to be quick. A crack in the back of one of the beams supporting the thatched roof overhead was just big enough to wedge the ring into. There is no reason why this stable with its thick beams wouldn't be standing here a hundred years from now; hopefully it will not be that long before she can return to retrieve this priceless heirloom.

Not long after, Christine was once again fully dressed in both her underclothes and dress when she climbed down the narrow steps to greet the Verderer who was saddling his patient horse.

"There you are girl." In spite of her attempt to be cool, Christine felt her heart flutter when she saw the handsome man's eyes admire her petite form. "You look a mite better with all that mud gone off your dress." Color flooded her cheeks and she nodded silently, unable to find any words after what they had shared last night. Did this man know how special he had made her feel? Would he, like her, remember that magical tryst for the rest of his days?

"I'm sorry I have to run." the Verderer's gaze met hers, "I had hoped to have a chance to be with you again before the others awoke, but I'm needed at the castle. These are troubled times." Christine's insides burned with an inner fire, and she crossed over to the Verderer side as he lifted the saddle.

"I would have liked that, Master Werner ..." If she had come down the narrow steps just a few minutes earlier ... maybe it there was still time if they were quiet? Even more than before, she knew her cheeks must be as red as roses and that the Verderer was experienced enough to realize why she was blushing so fiercely. As if he sensed her intentions, the Verderer shook his head and sighed.

"You'll have to find your Merthin on your own. If you head for the Cathedral spiral, you should find Gold Street easy enough."

"I don't know how to thank you..." She lay her small hand on the Verderer's arm, Christine wished she knew more about how to be pleasing to men. With a sudden boldness, she pressed herself against the Verderer's hard body and breathed in the smoky scent of his cloak.

"Girl, believe me." The Verderer cradled her gently before lifting her chin, so she was looking up into his clear eyes. "You gave me a gift I could never have dreamed of." Master Werner sighed softly, "I wish it were possible to keep you and your brother here, but that's not going to happen." I pushed her gently to the side and took his gelding's reins in his hand.

"I must away, Lass." Werner tried to hide his fondness for the maid with a gruff directness. "Best get Franklyn and be off before Mari awakes and remembers I showed you kindness."