Maeva was woken up by the baby babbling away and moving, trying to turn towards her father.

 

“Good morning, Nevie.”, said Maeva. “Did you have a good sleep?”, she was not talking loudly. She knew he had come in not long ago and didn’t seem well. She turned her head towards the windows, light was coming through the sides of the blinds, so she knew it must be over 7 o’clock. She looked around for a clock but didn’t see one. Neve was just happy moving around and playing with her toes and Maeva’s breasts, so she stayed resting a little before getting up. She looked at her husband’s back, wanting to touch him. She wondered about last night. She remembered he seemed frustrated to find his clothes in disarray. He must have drank way too much.

 

 

Sky was awake. He was hearing his daughter babbling and was smiling even though he was not feeling good at all. He remembered telling Maeva he would not be long and he also remembered only taking one beer. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t remember anything else. He didn’t even remember how he got to the room. He did remember part of the conversation he had with Charles. The gentlemen’s club. He couldn’t not remember what Charles called it. The Bat Club? No that wasn’t it. His head was hurting badly. He heard his wife’s voice whispering something to Neve. He would have to face her. He felt so bad. He couldn’t believe he had done it again. How could she ever trust him? He decided he might as well face her now. He turned to his other side, wincing. His head was just throbbing.

 

“Good morning Babe.”, he said opening his eyes. “Hey Neve, good morning, Princess.”, the baby turned her body towards her dad and dragged herself with her arms towards him. He picked her up and sat her upright. He could see Maeva looking at him, worried.

 

“You don’t look so good. What happened?”, she asked. Sky was kissing neve’s toes and the baby was giggling finding this so funny.

 

“Search me!”, he exclaimed. “I have no idea. I took one beer, and I don’t remember anything. I know you won’t believe me. I don’t believe it myself. It is all I remember. I don’t even remember how I got to the room.”, he said looking at her. Maeva knew him enough to know when he was saying the truth and when he evaded the question. He had actually never downright lied to her. There was no reason for her not to believe him now. And he did look terrible. She also had seen him drunk, very drunk. This time, his whole face was swollen. It almost looked like he had taken a beating, but there was no bruising, no wounds.

 

“Do you hurt anywhere?”, she asked looking at his chest, but it was still dark I the room.

 

“My head, my eyes and for some reason, my jaw and mouth hurt.”, he said moving his jaw and mouth. Then, he tried to get up and looked at her. “Yea. I kind of hurt all over.”, he said wincing. He did get up and went into the bathroom.

 

Maeva watched him and noticed his was limping and had to hold the wall getting there.

 

“I’m really dizzy. I have never felt dizzy. This is so weird.”, he called from the bathroom. Maeva heard the shower going and got up taking Neve with her. She went to their luggage and retrieved what she needed to change the baby, which she proceeded to do on the bed. All the while her mind was thinking Sky had been drugged. Once done with Neve, she went to the bathroom, hearing the shower stop. She was leaning on the side of the door when he opened the shower door, smiled when he saw Neve putting her hands up trying to touch the clouds of steam.

 

“Feel any better?”, Maeva asked really observing his body, making him turn around in front of her. She couldn’t tell if some red areas were from the hot water or something else. He approached her and kissed her, rubbing his wet body on her. “Hey, we will be all wet.”, she said laughing. Neve started clapping her hands.

 

“See, she is proud of her dad’s kissing. I have missed you, you know?”, he said and kissed her again. He started to dry himself off and she caught a glimpse of his swollen penis. “He will have to wait for later. My head is pounding.”, he said pouting, looking at his wife. “I need some painkiller. Maybe I’ll be fine by the time this little princess is ready for her nap?”.

 

“I have such a horny husband.”, Maeva said, joking, going to the luggage to retrieve some medication she brought. “Seriously Sky, I want to get out of here. And after last night, you, coming back in this state, I think we need to leave, now.”. Sky went back to sit on the bed, took the pills she gave him and swallowed them dry. She then brought him a glass of water. He took his daughter from her arms, hugged her.

 

“You took them already? I will never understand how you do that. Anyway, just drink some water for me, ok?”, he did as he was told. Holding the baby with one arm, he wrapped the other around her hip and brought her to him. She took his face in both her hands and kissed him tenderly at first and the more she stayed there, the more passionate the kissed got. They could both sense Neve looking at them. He was at full attention, so he gave her back to baby.

 

 “Do you think she would be happy in that crib for awhile? I miss you, I miss touching and kissing you.”, he said laying down, tightening the towel around him, not too comfortable in front of the baby. Maeva put the baby in the crib with some of her toys. Neve sat down and started to munch on the ear of a bunny. Maeva laid down near him.

 

“I’m so sorry but I have not had the privilege of a shower, yet.”, she said putting her face into his chest and taking a big breath. Sky realized what she was saying. When they were traveling, she couldn’t just leave the baby with anyone to take her shower. He was her only help. He hadn’t been much help last night.

 

“I am so sorry Baby. I don’t know what got over me. I don’t seem to learn.”, he said caressing her hair, kissing her head. He put his finger underneath her chin and lifter her to him. He kissed her forehead, her nose and then, her mouth gently at first, harder with every mouthful, darting his tongue in her mouth. She felt his arousal again and slid her hand down. She pulled at the towel, and it came undone easily. She caressed his belly reveling in the softness of the skin and hair in that area. She reached a little lower and was met with more wiry curls. She went to the bottom of his shaft, circled it with her hand. She felt his breathing quicken, his kissed getting more forceful. He started to caress her neck, went down to breasts which were leaking, and he dropped down to lick the milk, sucking on them softly. He then slid his hand to caress her softly, making her moan. In turn, she started to slide her hand up and down his member, played around with the tip to tease and went back to big deep strokes. She knew men needed a rapid stimulation to come which was opposite to women who liked it slow and tender. They made each other reach orgasm and stayed in each other’s arms while listening to their daughter babbling away still playing with her toys.

 

Maeva woke up startled. It was so quiet. She looked at Neve. She had fallen asleep in the crib, was breathing normally, making sucking sounds. She noticed she had the towel on her breasts and Sky was asleep on his back close to her. She guessed she had leaked a lot during her orgasm and made him and herself all wet and sticky.

 

“Neve is ok. I checked on her.”, he said keeping his eyes closed. He turned on his side and looked at her. “Oh, yes. And I wiped us. We are still sticky, but at least we are dry.”, he chuckled. Maeva smiled and went back into his arms. “So, shall we leave? We can stop by some place for breaskfast.”, he asked.

 

“Yes, I would that. I’ll take a shower, get the luggage ready. Maybe you can use the intercom to inform one of the girls that we are leaving and to get the valet to get our car?”, she said on her way to the shower.

 

‘What intercom?”, he said looking about. He looked about and saw it on the side table. “Hello?”, he said putting the switch on.

 

“Good morning Mr. Hawthorne. Mrs. Rahel wanted me to tell you to join them in the dining area when you woke up.”

 

“Good morning to you also Nan. Actually, we will be leaving before breakfast. Could you ask to bring the car around for us, please.”, he said.

 

“Is something wrong Sir? Was the room not to your liking? Do you need anything I can help you with?”, the girl asked concerned.

 

“No. All is good. We just realized we had to arrive sooner than we thought to our destination. We will get breakfast on the road.”, he said and switched of the intercom.

 

Maeva came back into the room with a towel around her. Neve had woken up and Sky was playing with her on the bed. She noticed that she was changes and dressed comfortably in a on- piece romper. Sky was also dressed in comfortable gray woolen pants with a Welsh style blue cashmere sweater. He has combed his hair back and to the side, the style she loved the best for him. She went to the luggage and noticed everything was packed but for some clothes he set aside for her. He knew her wardrobe perfectly well as they always shopped for their clothes together at the tailor shop. British houses were damp and sometimes chilly in the winter. He had asked Yvonne to consider this in her choice of clothes for this trip. Maeva looks at what he had laid out for her. Black straight legged pants with a high-low white buttoned wool V-neck blouse with a red Welsh style shawl that was worn like a criss-cross bolero. She smiled

 

“I like your style, Mr. Hawthorne.”, and she started to get dressed. He had also chosen her lingerie; white bra and black tong panties. She looks at him. He winked at her.

 

They left after saying a quick word the effect that his mother had misunderstood and was waiting for them earlier than they expected. Their car was in the front ready to go. They hoped in and were on their way.

 

 

They passed a few other villages and stopped in the village of Blue Maiden.  The place was so charming as well as such an heirloom of a town. Full of historic meaning and the whole town had been a shire in the past all catering to the Blue Maiden Castle Master. A beautiful legend was tied to the castle who was now in ruins. They ate in a little Inn by the Blue Maiden lake. It was surrounded by balsam tress and old cedars. They were told by the Inn keeper that the lake was covered by water lilies in the spring and summer. He also suggested that they go visit this farm at the end of the road going around the lake. He said the owner had passed and his wife wanted to go live with their daughter in London. She had animals and had to hire staff to take care of them and keep the installation in good order. It was located on a huge parcel of land and was located at the point, so they had the ocean as a neighbour. The rest was just tress and bushes.

 

After a hearty breakfast where Neve stuffed herself with homemade bread and creamy butter that was to die for, eggs and custard, they decided to go and take a look. Afterall, they did have extra time to spend and Neve was in good spirits, as always.

 

The place was quite a way from the main village road, and the state of the path was rocky and bumpy. What got Maeva’s attention was the canopy of the trees’ branches meeting each other over the road, making a tunnel once they got closer to the farmhouse. It wasn’t manmade or forced. It was a simple natural arch that lasted for a good five-hundred meters. It was like entering another dimension. The path ended in front of an old stone wall. These stones were flat gray grass rocks piled up one over the other. It almost looked as if the would tumble if you gave a little shove to them. Sky stopped the car. He looked at Maeva.

 

“Should we go explore?”, he opened the car door. She did also and went in back to pick up Neve brightening up and ready to go out of the car. Maeva approached the stone wall and did, as she sensed, push on it. I didn’t budge. She pushed harder, and then Neve was trying to imitate her mom’s gesture. The wall was solid. Sky looked at her over his sunglasses with an inquisitive look.

 

“You are right. They are only piled up, but they will never move you know? It’s physics.”, he said in his know-it-all kind of way. It was cute, but also quite innerving at times. The stone wall seemed to go on forever and it was quite high. Sky could see Maeva directly near it and it was probably three meters. The path continues on both ways.

 

“Wish way should we try going? Left, or right?”, he asked her. At the same time, Neve pointed to the left. They all laughed and went left. Sky took the girl in his arms for the walk, but it wasn’t that far after all. A few meters from where they had stopped was an iron gate as high as the stone wall. Maeva noticed the beautiful work of the forged iron. It had curlicues and in the middle was a mermaid, surrounded by water lilies.

 

“Is that the Blue…”, Maeva started to ask.

 

“Yea. The Blue Maiden. She’s a mermaid? We have to find that legend.”, Sky said. The gate was unlocked. So they went into this long path that ended in the trees, or so it seemed. The path was mostly compacted sand and gravel. The line of trees in front of them were, in most part coniferous, with some birches and large leaf trees that were bare this time of year. The skies were still gray, so Sky knew he wasn’t seeing this in its full glory, but what he was seeing, he loved. When they reached the tree line, and entered the forest, they got their first look of the farmhouse that was huge and located more to their right. On the right, they could see the path widening and that some other paths stemming from the original one went in different directions on the property. Sky thought he saw what looked like a barn further back on the left. There were no doors on this frontage of the house, so they continued walking around the left of the building. The more they walked in, the livelier the place appeared. They started hearing chickens, saw cats and rabbits jumping around. Then, Sky heard a horse snorting and another whining. So, the building they saw was a barn, a big barn. As they turned the corner, they saw a little old lady walking in their direction. She was followed by a small white goat.

 

“Hello there! Can I help you?”, she asked. She seemed concerned but the fact that they were a family with a baby made things easier.

 

“Good morning, Lady”, said Sky quite formally. “My wife and I, and our daughter Neve, are curious about your property. We broke our fast at the Inn and they told us you wanted to sell this magnificent shire.”.

 

“Well, yes, dear Sir. I would. I am way too old to still do honors by the inanimate and living beings that live and depend on this land. So, you are looking for a lot of work, Sir?”, she seemed to be asking who he was.

 

“Sir Skylord F. Hawthorne, at your service, my Lady. This is my wife Lady Maeva Hawthorne and our daughter, Lady Neve Skye Hawthorne.”

 

“Are you really a Lord or are you just humouring me?”, asked the woman.

 

“I am a Lord, do you know about the Hawthorne Castle?”, he asked.

 

“You are the Skylord Hawthorne? Do you have your armory somewhere on you?”, she asked. This is how shire masters proved their identity in the medieval times. Sky approached her slowly and lifted his hand to her. His wedding ring was clearly showing the armory. Sky wondered how the old lady would know his armory. The lady took his hand and brought it closer to her face.

 

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”, she said smiling. “Where did you get this ring, it is exquisite craftmanship.”

 

“My wife, Maeva is a silversmith. May I ask how you can recognize the Hawthorne armory? I know that in the past, all the different shires, and the people in them would easily recognize them, but now? No one knows unless you are from the family or a descendant…Oh, you are a descendant?”, Sky had answeres his own question.

 

“Yes, I am. I believe I am a twice removed cousin of your father. Or thrice?”, she lifted her shoulder. “I can never quite remember.”, she chucked.

 

“May I ask your name?”, asked Sky.

 

“Mrs. Liliann Finley-Colby. My grandmother lost the Hawthorne name and so, it was not part of my lifetime. Well, would you like to visit?”, she asked. Sky looked at his watch, and looked at Maeva who seemed to think as he did. It was too late. They needed a few hours to get to his parents’.

 

“We would love to and are greatly interested. We are expected at my family’s home soon and have some hours of travel to get there. I would like to make an appointment after the Holidays, if you think that could be appropriate?”, he asked.

 

“My dear Lord, I am 80 years old and I need to move in at my daughter’s as soon as I can. Also, I am afraid you could lose this place as I will take any reasonable offer if I do receive one. I am sorry.”, said Mrs. Finley-Colby.

 

“OK. How much are you asking for?”, he asked, thinking.

 

“The county evaluated the land at two million pounds. That is without the buildings. There is the farmhouse, the barn, the carports, the woodshed, the guest house and the changing house at the beach, and the stables and all the equipment, 4-wheelers, golf carts and a lot more I forget about. Oh, and the farmhouse had 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a huge attic. The barn also has an attic, so do the stables. The guest cottage has two storeys and an attic. It also has a garage and a shed. The Beach House could be lived in but only has a compost toilet and exterior shower. It has the most beautiful view of the ocean As you have a little one, you need to know that the west and northern sides of the property is on extremely high and dangerous cliffs. The whole property is gated. Oh, and the horses also have a grazing gated spot and a round exercise spot that is also gated. This property is state of the art although, very old. Nest time you come, we can go over its history.”, the old lady said. Sky looked at Maeva who was smiling. Neve was playing with her mom’s hair

 

“Can I make a lordly promise? Would you accept it? Or, do you have an email address? A cell phone or a computer?”, Sky asked but doubted she would possess or know how to use them.

 

“Oh, no. Not my generation. I still write letters. But, my daughter does. In cases like this, she has left me her card, and you can contact her. I have some in the pockets of my apron here.”, she was searching. There were many things in those pockets of hers. She fished out a card and some chicken feed.

 

“Great, thank you. We are enthralled by your shire, Mrs. Finley-Colby. We will call your daughter. Thank you”, Sky said and they took their leave. The lady looked at them walk back out until they were out of site.

 

As they were walking, towards the gate, they both turns to look at the farmhouse. They were both thinking they would have loved to see the interior of the place.

 

“Do you think it is well kept, or needs extensive renovations?”, Maeva asked him.

 

“I don’t know, but I’ll tell you a secret. I don’t care. How about you? What do you think?”, asked Sky, walking briskly kissing his daughter’s forehead.

 

“Well, if it wouldn’t be for the money needed, I would not care either.”, she said.

 

“What do you mean? We have more money than we know what to do with.”, Sky said.

 

“But didn’t you recently place everything in some bank and bought some actions?, she asked.

 

“I did and, I didn’t.”, I always put some aside for emergencies and, you had talked about getting a bigger place, so I anticipated the need for a good sum of money that I have put aside.

 

“Oh.”, she was surprised and not surprised. He had a cartesian mind and a mathematical brain making wise financial decisions, easy and always wise. “My intelligent man. It makes you so attractive.”, she said taking his arm in hers and getting closer to him. Had she been able to see his face, she would seen the proudest smile. Being told, you are beautiful was one thing, being told you are intelligent was vastly different.