"I'm telling you Royce, one week, and I was done with it. I don't know how you men can stand it."
"Well, there are amusements in town." He replied thoughtfully.
"Oh, what? Pray, do tell."
"Oh, well, at least for men there are"
"Do you have a mistress, Royce" Elis asked out of a sudden, and Royce almost choked. What was she asking?
"Elis... I am sure this is not a subject for a lady's ears." He did not know what else to say. He didn't have a mistress. How could he turn his attentions to another woman when the only one he'd ever wanted was in front of him? But that didn’t mean that men of his station did not have mistresses. He was aware that even his own father was keeping a separate house in London for such purposes.
"Oh, come on, Royce, we're friends. You can tell me. Besides, I am curious. I know Francis has lady friends and that he is a rake, but I am curious about you." She said and turned her face so that she was looking directly into her eyes.
"No, I do not have one. I do not care for mistresses," he replied tersely after a moment of hesitation.
"Hmm," Elis said. "That is unusual. I could have sworn all men had mistresses, but..." she was biting her lip in concentration, and he found the gesture highly erotic. But as his mind registered what she had said, he realized that she was a complete innocent.
"Elis, what is it exactly that you wanted to know" he found himself asking.
"Now that you mention," she grinned and continued," I was wondering if one does things differently with a mistress. I mean different from what one does with a wife. Or the other way around?"
Royce's eyes widened, and he was speechless for a moment.
"Ah...no." he shook his head." I mean, no, one does not do things differently with one’s wife than with one that isn't one's spouse."
"Good Lord, then pray tell me, why do they search for it in other places?" She asked, horrified. Her reaction seemed genuine; she really looked taken aback by what she had found out.
"Boredom?" He offered. "I don't know, lack of love?" He framed it as a question but without intending for an answer.
"Oh, I will tell you what kind of lack it is, and it's not of love. It's of principles. Everyone marries for convenience, so it stands to reason that most marriages aren't built on love. But you do take a vow, for God's sake. A vow of honor, love, and most of all of faithfulness. It clearly shows what type of person they are if they are willing to go looking for the same thing outside of marriage."
Royce had certainly not expected her outburst. He wondered briefly what had caused both her curiosity and indignation, but as he thought about what she said, he had to admit she was right. He had never really thought about it this way, but yes. Marriage was essentially a vow before State and God, and whether you respected the vow or not showed precisely what type of person you were. His Elis was quite a wise little thing, and he bristled in admiration at the thought.
"I acquiesce. You are right." He said and kissed the top of her head
"Promise me then!" She suddenly turned him again.
"Promise me that you will never be the type of person to renege on a vow." She whispered pleadingly.
"I promise Elis. I do"
"Good. Thank you. I promise, as well. Here" she said as she gave him her pinky finger.
"Let's make the promise together." she smiled brightly at him, and he laughed. But he did give her his pinky finger and swore to never renege on a vow.
Well, Royce thought, now he had to doubly keep his promise to make her his.
CHAPTER 7
"Have you heard? That man who saved his platoon has been decorated. He's an Earl now."
"I always thought he was good looking. I wonder if he's in search of a wife."
"Oh, he must be; he isn't even that old. I think he must be in his early twenties."
"Really?"
"Yes, indeed. He does seem more mature, doesn't he? The war, dear... I have heard terrible things..."
Elis couldn't stand it any longer. Her mother had dragged her to this party, and now she had to listen to those wussies talk about Royce. So what if he was an Earl now? For her, he was the same, Royce. Fun, loving, and loyal. He had matured while he was away, she was aware of that. Nevertheless, he was still her friend, and could not hear him being talked of in such a manner. He was not just a prize on the marriage mart. Augh! She was pissed. She quietly retreated towards the veranda while picturing how she would have rebuffed those ladies if it had been permitted. She saw herself loudly proclaiming that they were some phony women looking just after wealth and titles. She would then proceed to belittle their intellect and...
"Oh Elis," her thoughts were interrupted by Francis, who was casually leaning against a pillar.
"Hullo, Francis." She replied tersely, not really wishing to talk to him.
"Can we talk?" He asked, and she was surprised by the tonality of his voice. Had he been drinking?
"Fine." She replied, and he gestured towards the maze. She followed him, and they soon reached a small bench inside the labyrinth.
"What did you want?" She asked him, not really looking into his eyes.
"You've been avoiding me," he said quietly.
"I have done no such thing." She quickly answered.
"Really?" He asked with half a smile, almost mockingly.
"Really," Elis turned herself to face him, and she assured him again that she had not indeed been avoiding him.
"I am glad then."
"Why?"
"Because I missed you," he whispered.
"Missed me?" Elis was horrified. Was this really Francis?
"Of course!" He said, and he brought his hand up to caress her cheek.
"Ah...What are you…?"
"Shh..." he whispered and leaned in until he was only
