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Courtesan	By : Shelindrea Category: Twilight Series > Het > Jacob/Renesmee Views: 4787 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

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Chapter 9

JPOV

I was not content to spend my time away from Nessie, so I scooped up my niece and nephew and announced that I was taking them on an adventure. I had the kitchen staff pack a large basket and loaded a wagon with Claire and Seth to enjoy the fields and streams of the surrounding countryside.

Emily was not pleased, but acquiesced and waved goodbye to us as we headed out. I had Nessie with me, and although I saw Emily in her chambers, I had not informed her of Nessie's accompanying her children and me. Although, I did inform her that Ness would remain at my side whether she liked it or not. She acquiesced saying that she would indulge me, but only because I visited so rarely.

I drove us out to a lovely meadow and took the wee ones down from the bed of the wagon and told them to feel free to play. I lifted Ness down and told her to watch them as I unloaded the picnic.

When I turned around I saw her sitting in the tall grass with Claire, weaving flowers into a crown for her head as she told Seth a story of a brave warrior and his battle to save his lady fair.

Seth sat enraptured by the tale, a look of pure admiration upon his face. Were he not a child, I might have felt jealousy at his obvious affection.

Claire sat upon her lap and leaned back into her arms. She fit there as if it were where she was meant to be. My heart swelled with pride and joy. My girl had a gift with children. She enthralled them, and they fell quickly beneath her spell, just as all others did.

The afternoon meandered by in a lazy and cozy fashion. The children danced about with Ness and ate lunch at her side. Claire had no interest in stepping more than an arm's length from Ness and held her hand without cease. Seth and I sword fought with sticks and wrestled on the grass until he cried for mercy as I tickled him.

After several enjoyable hours, the children fell into peaceful slumber upon Nessie's gentle lap. I sat and watched her and dreamed of a life like this for her. She was born to mother children, she was gifted with them. Almost as gifted as she was at pleasing me.

I too laid down and let my mind drift away as she sang soft songs of slumber to the children.

NPOV

I heard the horse before I saw anyone. When I looked up, it was upon us. Sitting upon its back was a beautiful woman. She wore a crimson dress and had a head of long black hair that hung well below her shoulders. She dismounted and came rushing over to us. I was concerned that something was wrong, so I called “Master!”

“I heard that you were here,” she said in a deep throaty voice. “Emily said you had gone out to enjoy the fine day. So, I thought to come out and greet you.”

Master sat up quickly, and his face was lit with joy. He smiled broadly and took the lady's hands in his own. “My God, Leah! Look at you.”

“Has it really been ten years? I cannot believe it.”

“They have certainly been kind to you,” Master said as he let his eyes slide over her curvaceous form.

“Why thank you. You too look well.”

“Please sit. Would you care for any food?”

The woman sank onto the blanket and arranged her skirts about her. Then she turned to me and snapped her fingers. “Girl, pour us some wine and cut some bread and cheese. Be quick about it, now.”

Her tone was clearly that of a free woman who had no patience with waiting for what she desired. I laid the little girl down upon the blanket and did as the dark woman bade. I made a plate for her and for my master. She snatched the wine goblet from my hand, and I made the mistake of raising my eyes to hers. “Insolent speck! How dare you look upon a free woman? I should strike you for that.”

I cowered away and sank to my knees with my head bowed. I had not meant to look at her. I knew better, and I did not wish to embarrass my master.

“Ness, take the children to the wagon and stay with them while they sleep,” Master ordered.

I did as I was told and carried the wee ones to the wagon bed. I sat and sang to them as they slumbered. Occasionally, I heard my master's laughter on the breeze as he and this lady sat and talked. I felt a strange emptiness as I sat there. Here I was tending to children that were not my own, and never could be, as the man I loved sat twenty feet away and enjoyed the companionship of a woman who was clearly better suited to him. I felt tears prick my eyes, and fear grip my heart. If he found himself a bride, then I would be spending much time on the outskirts of his life.

It was well known that Master Edward never meddled with the girls upon his chain. He only saw Mistress Bella and no other. Their love was renowned, and even the slaves found it beautiful. Master Jacob seemed to be a man of honor, like Master Edward. I could not imagine him giving anything less than his all to his wife. If he did choose a mate, it was likely that my role as his bed mate would end. Perhaps he would allow me to tend to his offspring. I could serve him in that way.

I must have been completely lost in my musings, because I did not hear Master come up to the wagon. He reached out and tipped my chin with his finger. “Do they still slumber, Ness?”

“Yes, Master.”

“You are quite good with them, my diamond. Leah headed back to her house. She will join Emily, Sam, and me for dinner this evening. I had not seen her in an age.”

I smiled at him. He seemed glad to have become reacquainted with this lady.

“Come up front and sit with me, Ness. I would speak with you as we ride back.”

I climbed up on the front bench and sat at his side as we rode back. He was quiet for a time, but I could feel his eyes on me. “What goes on in that head of yours, Ness? You seem thoughtful.”

“That lady, she is an old friend?” I asked.

“Of Emily's, yes. We knew each other as children, although I must say, she was not nearly as beautiful then as she is now.”

I remained quiet at that. What was there to say? The woman was beautiful.

“I think Emily is scheming again,” Master said. “She would see me married off if she were able.”

“Your sister simply wishes to see you happy, Master,” I stated plainly, for I knew it to be true.

“What is it that makes women believe that a man cannot be happy without a wife and children?” He waited for my reply, but I had no answer for him. “Any insight?”

“None, Master. I know not how the minds of the free work.”

“Are not all women's minds alike? Do you not all scheme on behalf of those you love as if you know what is best for them?”

“I cannot speak for others, but I do not believe I scheme, Master. I have no one to scheme with. I have no influence, so it would be pointless to scheme.”

Master pulled back on the reins of the horse and turned to look at me. “Do you think if you had influence, if you were free...would you use it as these women do?”

I thought on it for a moment. “I cannot see myself doing so, Master. Especially not where you are concerned. I know you to be wise and thoughtful. Surely you could see to your own happiness. I would do all within my power to see that you had what you sought, but I would not presume that I knew better than you.”

He slid a finger softly down my cheek and smiled. “How does a man deserve so perfect a creature?” he said and pulled me to him, his lips capturing mine and his hands encompassing my cheeks. The kiss was heaven. It made me feel wanted and cared for. I opened my lips to him and he slid his tongue in, caressing mine with playful strokes. When he pulled back his eyes were boring deeply into my own. “You would not change, would you? You would be exactly as you are?”

“Why would I change? I will be exactly what you desire me to be, Master.”

He smiled and tucked me into his side as we rode back. He did not explain his question, and I did not ask him to. It was not my place, and I did not want him to think I did not remember who and what I was to him. I wanted him to continue to want me by his side, and I would do anything to ensure it continued.

When we arrived back at his sister’s, he sent me to his chamber. He told me he would send for me at dinner to serve him. The call came and I went to the dining hall. I walked to my master and sank to my knees before him. He petted my hair, and I shifted to his side.

“I am so very glad that you were able to see each other. Old friends are definitely the best,” Mistress Emily said.

“I have certainly always felt so,” said the beautiful dark lady.

“It is nice,” said Master Sam.

My master remained quiet, but he ran a finger over my exposed shoulder. I took comfort in his touch. I knew his sister did not want me near, but she would not gainsay her brother's preferences. “Ness, please fetch some sweet wine,” Master said.

I rose and got the wineskin. I filled master's goblet and made to return the wineskin to where I had fetched it, but Mistress Leah lifted her goblet in my direction. Master nodded almost imperceptibly, and I proceeded to fill the next goblet. Mistress Emily also raised a goblet. Finally, Master Sam indicated that he wished to have some wine. I filled his vessel and felt his hand reach out and caress my backside. I remained still, not wishing to embarrass my master, nor displease Master Sam. When he removed his hand, I made to return to my master's feet, but was stopped by Mistress Emily as she grabbed my arm. “You insolent slut!” she yelled as she struck me across the face.

I fell to the floor, and remained there unsure what to do. Master flew to my side and lifted me gently placing me beside his seat. Then he turned to his sister and spoke with such anger I trembled. “I have warned you not to touch what is mine!” he said to both Mistress Emily and Master Sam, shooting daggers from his eyes. “I pray for a safe delivery for your child and I wish you well, but we will be taking our leave. Do not think to contact me again until there is an apology upon your lips!”

He took my arm and helped me rise. “I am so sorry,” he whispered as he led me from the hall. We were almost to his chamber when I heard the soft husky voice call his name. “Jacob.”

He turned to see Mistress Leah approaching. “Where are you going?”

“I shall return to my home at Cullen Estates. I have had enough blatant disrespect to last me many a moon. I understand that she is with child and have let slide much of her moods, but this is the limit. Sam should control her better before he allows her in public,” Master growled. “Not to mention his gall. There is only so much a man can take.”

“All this over a little slap? Jacob, she is your sister. Please, send your girl away and rejoin your family,” the lady pleaded.

Master hesitated a moment, then he sighed and shook his head. “I appreciate your wishing to smooth things over, Leah, but I believe it is best that I go before anything happens between my sister and me that may prove irreparable.”

“Jacob,” she said placing a hand to his cheek, “I have just begun to get reacquainted with you, I am not ready to say farewell.”

“I am certain that our paths will again cross, Leah,” he soothed.

“I travel to Seattle soon. Perhaps I should plan a visit to your home. Would you like that?”

“You are of course welcome, although the home is not mine alone. I live as a guest of Bella and Edward's hospitality myself. I am not free to offer you shelter beneath their roof. Though I am certain we could arrange a meal together,” Master said. That did not seem right to me, Master Edward and Mistress Bella always said my master was an equal in their house.

“Then I shall see you soon,” she said as she leaned in and pressed her lips to my master's.

I felt a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as I saw them kissing. The lady deepened the kiss and pressed her form to my master's. I dug my nails into the palms of my hands to stop myself from screaming. I hated it. I think at that moment, I hated her. I had never felt such revulsion toward a member of the free society. I wished to slip away so I did not have to bear witness to this, but the door was closed, and I was not free to leave without my master's blessing.

After another moment, Master broke the kiss and stepped away from the lady holding her with stiff arms. “Be thee well,” he said and then he opened the door to his chamber and shooed me in, closing the door behind him.

Master walked to the chair by the fire and sank into it, rubbing his hand over his face. “Damnation,” he growled. “Is there something you need or desire, Master?” I asked from my place at his feet.

“Yes,” he said decisively. I felt his hands upon my elbows and he lifted me to his lap. He kissed me fiercely. His hands roamed my shoulders until he slipped my garment from me. His lips attached themselves to my nipple, and I arched against him reveling in the feeling of his touch. Then suddenly, he held me close to him and buried his face in my neck. Words spilled from his lips in rapid succession.

“I am so sorry. No one will ever touch you like that again. She is lucky she is my sister.... Could have killed her.... never, never again, I swear!” he said nuzzling my neck and soothing my spirit. “God Nessie, forgive me.”

I held him tightly not knowing why he, my master, would ever have need to beg for my forgiveness. “There is nothing to forgive. She has every right to treat me as she chooses, Master. Be at ease, I am fine.”

“No one has a right to treat you so. And I swear no one ever shall again. Come, we must pack. We leave tonight. I shall not have you beneath this roof for one moment more than necessary.”

We were packed and ready within the hour. We loaded our effects into Rabbit's saddle bags and headed out to gather the rest of the men from where they were staying. Master rallied them and we left immediately. I clung to his back as we rode into the night. Neither of us spoke, but my mind refused to rest. I felt terrible, I felt responsible for this rift with his family, and I had no idea how to mend the breach.

JPOV

I stormed out of the dining hall as fast as I could without causing Nessie harm, nor increasing her fear. I was seething, but I did not want her to think I was angry with her at all. I wanted to dismember my own sister for her behavior, and Sam... He was lucky he still breathed. It took everything within me not to call him out right there in the hall. How dare he touch my Ness. No man should ever touch her with such blatant disrespect.

I was incensed! Yet, I realized that I was almost as angry at myself as I was with my family. As disgusted as I was with their treatment of my girl, I was more repulsed with the fact that her station meant that their behavior was acceptable and even common place. As a man, I wanted to defend and protect her. As her master, I wanted to exact justice on her behalf. Yet as a free born man, I knew my reacting in that manner would have been seen as both weak and unusual. I would have put not only her, but myself at risk if I had allowed my natural feelings to show.

That was why I knew I needed to escape this situation before I exposed us to ridicule and derision. I needed to get Ness away and see to her well-being.

We had almost reached my chamber when I heard Leah's voice behind me. I turned, knowing that I could not depart quite yet.

I remembered Leah from my childhood. She and Em had been good friends for years. She was pleasant enough company, and after arguing with Emily earlier, I had sought the sense of nostalgia that conversing with Leah gave me this afternoon. She had grown into quite a handsome woman. As a man I could not help but notice. Still, she paled in comparison to the perfection of Nessie cradling the children to her soft bosom.

I had sent Ness off with the children because I did not wish her to be subjected to Leah's derision. Leah treated Ness just as she treated all slaves. She did not see them as deserving of kindness and civility, and she was not alone in this thought. I had taken the coward's way out, protecting Ness, but silently accepting the behavior I hated. I had, in fact, tacitly approved it by not demanding better.

My mind was busy chastising itself when I heard her invite herself for a visit. I used Edward and Bella as an excuse to dissuade her and felt guilty for it the moment the words passed my lips. I was berating myself in my head when I felt her press her lips to mine. I felt myself stiffen and placed my hands at her shoulders to hold her at bay, but she did not relent. I was not returning the kiss; in fact, I was astonished at the absurdity of it. She snaked out her tongue and tried to deepen the kiss, but I pulled back. I felt ill, especially when I saw her smirk over my shoulder at Nessie who sat before the chamber door with her head bowed.

“Be thee well,” I all but spat turning away and guiding Nessie away from this debacle. I shut the door and immediately wanted to rage, but I turned and saw Nessie. She looked pained and almost broken. I needed to regain some control before I vented my spleen in her direction; she was the only true innocent in all of this nonsense.

I sank into the chair by the fire and scrubbed my hand over my face wishing to rid myself of the invasion of Leah's lips upon my own. “Damnation!” I growled, more at myself than anyone.

“Is there something you need or desire, Master?” Nessie asked, as always concerned for my comfort.

I looked down into her perfect face and knew that what I needed more than anything was to know that she was unharmed. I desired her to wipe away my sin; yet again I wanted her to make my life balanced and right.

“Yes,” I said lifting her from her place at my feet and kissing her with all the emotion I held within me. The moment our lips met I felt awash in her. She filled my senses with a cleansing joy, and I needed more. I pulled her closer as my hands stripped her of her shift and I buried myself against her fragrant skin. The softness of her skin and the sweetness of her scent overpowered me, and I needed to be closer. I attached myself to her nipple and suckled her sweetness into my mouth. God, how I needed her. Yet her sweetness only served to remind me of how unworthy of her I was.

I suddenly felt the need to hold her and let her know how badly I felt. I needed her forgiveness. I needed her to know that she meant more to me than anyone else. I needed absolution. In a moment, I had her laid out before me on the rug by the fire. Her hair pooled about her head, and I was helpless to resist her. I did not even shed my clothes before taking her; I simply released myself and buried myself deep within her warmth. I was like a man possessed. All the fear and anger I had at seeing her in danger poured from me, as I again made her mine and tried to erase any trace of another's hands upon her. The passion burned bright, hot, and fast. I kissed her again and again, needing her to feel my sorrow. Words tumbled from my lips before I could censure them

“I am so sorry. No one will ever touch you like that again. She is lucky she is my sister.... Could have killed her.... never, never again, I swear!” I promised both her and myself. Then I felt her arch against me and her warmth caress me as she found her release. I followed a moment later pouring myself into her willing body I cried, “God Nessie, forgive me.”

As always, she let me off the hook. She told me that she was fine, and reminded me that Emily had every right to treat her as she had. That thought stabbed deep into my already aching heart. She was right, of course, but that did not mean I would ever allow it again. In fact I swore to myself that I never would.

“No one has a right to treat you so. And I swear no one ever shall again. Come, we must pack. We leave tonight. I shall not have you beneath this roof for one moment more than necessary.”

We packed in tandem, even though it was not something we had done before. Together, we made light work of it and departed in less than an hour.

We traveled to the Inn where the other three men were staying. I was so keyed up that staying at the Inn seemed like confining myself to a jail cell. The other men did not know what to make of my mood, but none of them balked at me when I told them to gather their things and meet us at camp.

I rode away with Ness clinging to my back. She held me about my waist, and I covered her tiny hands in one of my own. It was hours before we stopped for the night, but I could feel her leaning more closely and feared her ability to remain on Rabbit's back.

I jumped down and lifted her off his back. She looked up at me in the moonlight, and I saw the shadow of a bruise upon her cheek. All I wanted was to take care of her, so I sat her on a fallen log and told her to stay. I pitched the tent in an instant and set up the brazier in its center. I lit the fire within and then went to Ness, scooping her up in my arms and carrying her into the tent.

I laid her down upon the furs and smoother my palm against her cheek. I kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks, her nose, and finally her lips. “Ness?”

“Yes, Master?”

I longed to tell her of the truth my heart held, but looking into her guileless eyes I knew that I could not burden her with my love. Not until I could find a way to ease her lot and raise her to the position I knew she deserved.

“Sleep, my angel. Sleep and know that you lie safe in my arms,” I said cradling her against me. This was home, here in Nessie's embrace, I was home and there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

A/N: please feel free to share your thoughts with me. Shelindreaire@aol.com
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Courtesan