The Duet.

[Tera Destre]

-=Continued from “Reading Tara’s Letter”=-

Des had just finished reading Tara’s letter and speaking of portals to Jean de La Fontaine when she surprised him by adding, "Umm.. well, I kind of, might have, sort of, took some liberties, Babe." The blush continued to turn a brighter color as she rushed on and blurted out. "I made reservations for us at this fancy place I had heard some of the ladies gossiping about."

She was full of surprises, and that was just another of the millions of things that he loved about his Des. He couldn't stop grinning. "We have a fancy place waiting for us and we're sitting in a horse stall? It is crazy! C'mon! Let's go! How do we get there?" His excitement was uncontainable.

A radiant smile broke free as she leapt to her feet and extended a hand toward him. She was full of excited anticipation too. From what she had heard of 'Duet' it was a haven for lovers and she was looking forward to enjoying every amenity they had to offer with her very own heart and soul at her side. "It is just a short ride outside of town! I can't believe I actually had the nerve to do it. I never did anything like this before!! And if anyone ever asks YOU made the reservations!!" She was grinning now.

He stood with her and took her into his arms. "Oui...I made the reservations! I am most certain of that! " He laughed, and not wanting to miss the romance of a horse stall, he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her deep and slowly, savoring her mouth, her taste, her breath.

When the kiss ended he asked, “And what is this fancy, romantic place that I made reservations with?”

“The Duet,” she replied with a sparkle in her eyes.

[Tera Destre]

Jean had heard of the Duet from some of the higher class passengers he would occasionally transport for some extra money in his account. It was a place of romance and fine food at a price that would match the quality.

The Duet was a mountain resort with a large stone fireplace in it's central room; romantic suites with large windows and spectacular views, each room having their own fireplace, large bed, and wool carpets. The restaurant is lit only by candles upon the tables. Most tables have views out over the countryside. So when Des mentioned that she had reservations there, the pirate was quite shocked - and anxious to get there to take the most advantage of their time. He gave Des another kiss of total love and passion. He could never get enough of her soft, delicious lips.

Reluctantly pulling back from his kiss, she ran the tip of her tongue over his lower lip then grinned. "We should get going if we are going to make it before dark Babe." She hated to end the kiss and leave his arms but daylight was leaving the sky and they had at least a mile to ride through the city street before open terrain and reaching the Inn.

"Mmm...kissing you is a pleasure I always wish would never end; but, you're right. We should be on our way." He picked up the gunny sacks and put Des' on her horse and his on his own. After a tip to the stable boy, he gave Des a leg up and ground mounted his horse, and they were on their way.

"I am most impressed, my love. I have heard of this place and it is most famous for young lovers. I think therefore it shall be well-suited for us!" He gave her a wink and a pirate smile, the kind that said 'I love you and you are so going to be ravished.'

Gathering her reins she easily controlled her prancing mount. Delighted laughter echoed throughout the stable yard as she winked and sent a wicked smile to the man who so effortlessly held her heart in his hands. "I have only heard rumors myself but I think it will be a perfect way to start out our trip to the ranch. I've booked us a room for two days! You don't really mind us riding out to the ranch instead of using the portal do you Babe?" She was a little worried about that because it would have been quicker, but then they wouldn't have been able to stop and try out this place.

She really was dying to get away from work and town and just have him all to herself for an entire forty-eight hours. She had made arrangements with the staff of the Duet to have fresh food waiting in the room for them that didn't need refrigeration - plenty of wine, candles, and of course water, coffee, as well as rum. The bartender was certain she had thought of everything but just in case she hadn't they could always ask at the desk when they checked in.

He didn't want to admit it to Des, but these portals still scared the crap out of this 17th century Frenchman. It was something he hadn't become used to and might never become used to. It was tolerated when he just had no other choice. A ship, or a horse, or a carriage were his preferred mode of transportation.

"I think riding out to the ranch would be a wonderful...er, how do you say...alternative! Oui, a wonderful alternative for the portal; just this time, of course. Because pirates such as myself are used to all modes of getting from place to place!"

He hoped he had hid his fear of portals well enough. "Besides, it is the good night for a ride." He reached over for her hand as they rode side by side, "Two days at the Duet you say? I hear they have wonderful private hot tubs that will allow us to be outside even on a night like this, and we can lie in the water with a glass of wine and enjoy the stars." He smiled, already picturing how wonderful this trip was going to be.

Des threaded her fingers through his with a little happy sigh as she glanced from the still busy streets to his handsome face for a moment, a nudge to the mare's flank sent her closer to his horse and away from the street sweeper who was busily stirring up a small tornado of debris from the day. "Yes they do.”

She paused and added, “I have a confession to make Babe. I lied and told them that we had just gotten married and reserved the honeymoon suite. I must confess that if you weren't so set on visiting the ranch this week I would have reserved it for the entire week!"

Another little grin was darted his way, this one that of a co-conspirator as though she had been hatching some ‘conquer the entire world of Rhydin’ plot instead of a two day get-away with the charming rogue at her side.

He raised a brow and gave that gorgeous woman next to him a mocked shock look. "You lied to them? Well, I am most impressed. I believe you shall some day be a most excellent pirate. Yes, I can't wait to see you in your pirate clothes and swearing and drinking and lying like the rest of us." He pursed his lips as if blowing her a kiss and then released her hand and nudged his horse into a canter.

It took a moment for her to close the mouth that had fallen open in shocked surprise at his pronouncement. Navy eyes twinkled merrily as she decided he had just paid her a very high compliment indeed in considering her worthy of one day becoming worthy of being a Pirate too. Loosening the reins she gave the mare her head and leaned slightly forward in the stirrups to better balance her weight.

She raised her voice to her best bar room holler. "I can already swear just as well as you can and I bet I can drink right along with ya too!! I look better in your shirts and you know it Babe!!"

His long, dark hair bounced on his shoulders as they cantered. He looked to his side as she caught up with his playful run ahead of her. "Ahhh...I believe my love is already a pirate! That is a good thing, yes?" He laughed, "And you are correct about my shirts; they never look better than when they are on your luscious body."

He loved her more and more with each passing minute and wondered how his heart could hold so much love. He had never felt this way before - not even close. The ride out of town was enjoyable, and soon they were on the road that led away from the coast and up into the wooded region that slowly gained altitude as they rode up hills and around the side of a mountain.

[Tera Destre]

The last rays of the sun had slowly disappeared in the west when Jean and Des rode their horses up the circular drive of The Duet, and with the sun no longer providing its early spring warmth, the cold quickly descended upon the two lovers. The road was hard and icy, and at this elevation snow still occupied the ground and tree limbs. They pulled up in front of the doors and dismounted. Jean gave the gunny sacks to one attendant who had emerged from the Inn, and the horses were taken by another to be bedded down in the Inn's stables.

"It is beautiful here!" Jean exclaimed as he took Des by the hand and they walked up the steps of the front entrance and onto the wide porch that was covered in unused lounge chairs and swings which undoubtedly got plenty of use during the warmer months. They stepped inside The Duet and the warmth of the great fireplace was appreciated. Jean gave Des a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I'll be right back." He went to the desk, checked in and came back with a key to their room. "Okay Mrs. La Fontaine, we may go to our honeymoon suite!"

The Bartender was turning her head this way and that trying to get a glimpse of everything there was to be seen of the magnificent views as they rode up the drive. It only got worse as they strode into the foyer. There was so much to see and all of it beautiful down to the last tiny detail.

Everything had been carefully overseen by loving hands or at the very least a harsh taskmaster for certain. Not a spec of dust or dull spot could be seen, only brightly shining surfaces and places that glowed in the radiant light of what looked to Des like thousands of candles.

She blushed as the man that held her heart returned with the key and called her by his last name, it sure sounded good in that accent he had and her heart skipped a beat as it occurred to her that now that they were engaged all she had to do was say the word and that would really be her last name. Des couldn't help but wish it already was. "Did they give you directions to where it is Babe?"

He gave her a mock look of worry, then burst into a smile, "But of course! We just follow that porter." He pointed to a porter who stood silently off to the side with their belongings. They went up two flights of stairs and down a carpeted hall, past numbered doors until they came to the end of the hall. There was the honeymoon suite.

The porter opened the door put their belongings next to the bed, and asked if he could do anything else. The fire was already blazing nicely in the fireplace, so Jean told him no and gave him a coin for his services. When the porter left and the outside door closed and locked, Jean turned to Des and opened his arms. "We are here, and it is like heaven."

Des was very proud of herself as the porter closed the door. She had behaved herself with proper decorum through the entire procedure right up until that latch clicked. The moment it did she threw her hat off and let out a little low primitive growl then with a leap pounced her French Pirate love. "I love you very, very much!" Both arms went around his neck as her eager lips sought his while slender yet strong legs wrapped around his trim waist.

He was so waiting for this moment when he and Des would be alone in their honeymoon suite. His arms embraced her and he held her against himself as they kissed that deep, passionate kiss that is birthed in the hearts of those who are truly in love. The kiss ended with Jean giving a gentle pull on her lower lip. He looked into her navy blue eyes and smiled. "And I love you, very, very, much, Des. My heart...it is about to explode like a cannon I think!"

She could feel his heart pounding against her breasts as they molded to his muscular chest. Hers was pounding just as frantically. A heady mixture of love and lust along with a touch of the forbidden at being in a place like this were all building up inside her. "It is just going to have to explode because I refuse to slow down this time!"

That said she buried her face against the side of his neck and trailed nibbling kisses just beneath the line of his jaw. Both hands skimmed upward to thread though his hair giving a slight tug before settling there to cradle his head at just the right angle.

The feel of her soft lips on his neck was enough to make his legs as weak as some land lubber's after a day at sea. He slowly lowered her down onto the carpet in front of the fireplace and rested his body on top of hers, looking down into those eyes which were deeper than any ocean he had ever sailed.

"I think it just exploded," he said as he looked upon her face in the soft yellow glow of the fire. They had yet to notice the table with food and wine and candles that had been prepared for them in accordance with Des' instructions.

The petite female sighed with bliss as at last she had her beloved right where she wanted him. Husky laughter was the only sound in the room other than the merry crackling of the fire in the grate. Des ran a hand slowly through his hair to brush it back over his broad shoulder in a tender gesture. Navy eyes holding fast to his chestnut brown ones she smiled lovingly to him.

"As long as it didn't break, Love. Now I really think that we need to do something about these clothes of yours. I'm really not happy with them in the least. They are in my way." She grinned as she set about relieving herself of that misery.

Oh how he loved this woman - everything about her. "You must be reading my mind, obviously a bartender trait, no?" he teased. He then sat on the floor and removed his boots as she was working on his shirt and pants. With his boots off, he then went to work on hers, pulling each one off and putting all their clothes in one place.

"Definitely a bartender trait Love." Des laughed again. He made her so very happy. Happier than she had ever dreamed she could be. They were getting married just as soon as she could find someone that would do it. Come hell or high water she was NOT letting this one get away. Des decided right then that lust could wait. They had things to talk about and there was no time like the present. Setting about a little female persuasion she cuddled up against him in front of the toasty warmth of the hearth. "I've been thinking Love... "

Now that they were naked, flesh to flesh, wrapped up in each other's arms and he being thoroughly aroused, she began with those famous three words that would put fear and trepidation into the heart of any man - 'I've been thinking. . .' He wrapped her in his arms and snuggled his face into her neck. "Yes, mon cheri? What have you been thinking?"

Being who and how she was Des didn't keep him in suspense for even a moment. Her Beloved no sooner had voiced the question then she blurted it right out for him. "I want to get married and I want to get married right now! As soon as possible. I do not want to wait. I do not want a big wedding. I just want you!"

That pronouncement had him on his elbows and looking down into her eyes, with his own being as big as sea dollars! "You want to get married...now?" Her words were beginning to sink in. "Right this moment?" His mind was racing in typical male problem-solver mode. "If we were on my ship and out at sea, I could arrange for our marriage immediately!" He thought for a bit, "Perhaps the Inn has someone who can..."

His words trailed off, the impact set in, he looked into her beautiful eyes and exploded again, this time in joy. "Yes! I want that too, my love...my darling! I want to marry you now and not wait a moment longer than we have to. A big wedding...it is but nothing! You are my everything, and I want you, Des. I want only you, forever and always and those two days also!" He laughed and began placing kisses all over her face.

The cowgirl had been a ready to employ drastic measures if need be like batting her eyelashes and perhaps even kisses and if all else failed there was always rum to get him to see things from her point of view but her TDMF male was on the very same page she was and had her smile growing with each and every word he spoke.

It was no wonder she loved him more than life itself. He was already figuring out a way they could get married as soon as possible and she had just now expressed her desire for that very thing to him. "I don't know if they have anyone here or not but now that we have that settled I am hungry and not for food!" Both arms wrapped around his neck as her lips tracked his in an attempt to capture them for a passionate kiss.