Love at Twin Oaks Pt. 5
#6 of Love at Twin Oaks
Before either of them could move they heard a loud creak as the door t...
Before either of them could move they heard a loud creak as the door to Dirk's room began to open.
Dirk quickly flipped the blankets over Therese and lunged for his breeches. The door swung all the way open revealing the two lovers to the curious eyes of Therese's horse, Tullia.
"Oh, thanks goodness!" Dirk heard from behind him. He realized that they had forgotten to close the door to the horse's stall and the animal had been drawn to the sounds coming from the small room.
A quick look out the door of the stable confirmed Dirk's suspicion: it was getting close to dinner-time, and soon the people at the main house would be wondering where their young mistress was at. As he slipped back into his room he was greeted with the tantalizing sight of Therese's pert white bottom disappearing into her dress. The strong buck re-strung the laces and began to tighten them, his dexterity sorely tested by the slippery silk fabric.
"Now we'll have to do something with that hair, it has..... adventure," he decided, "written all over it."
Dirk sat her down on his only chair and stood behind her. He slowly ran the long blonde strands through his fingers, gently sorting out the snarls and knots. The feel of Therese's soft hair was almost as sensuous as the silk of her gown and Dirk found himself becoming aroused again. Sooner than he wished, the task was done and Therese was ready to head up to the house. She stood on her tip-toes and delivered a small kiss to his cheek before whirling around and hurrying out the door.
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Therese sat at the side of a long table with her mother across from her and her father at the head. They sat silently, the only sounds echoing in the cavernous dining hall were the bumps of the silver on the bone china plates and the swishes of the servants' skirts as they moved through the room. Suddenly she turned to her father and blurted out, "How was your meeting today, Papa?"
Jacob Parridge had spent the day meeting with the owner of a particularly fine Arabian stallion called Kellison's King. The bloodlines this horse represented would improve the stock at Twin Oaks even further and the strong-willed buck was not going to let this opportunity pass him by. His breeding program had been producing some of the finest mounts in the state and suppliers were beginning to know his name. If this deal went through the Parridge family, and all at Twin Oaks, would prosper for a long time to come.
"Well, darling," he finally replied, "I should think that with a few more details arranged this place will have a new king. All that's left is to make the offer, and I've an appointment with Mr. Rhoen on Tuesday. Speaking of horses, how are you getting along with that filly I gave you?"
Therese blushed and looked down at the folded hands in her lap. "To be honest Papa, I've been spending so much time with Florien lately that I have neglected her dreadfully. But that's going to change you see! That silly boy is going off to the city, but see if I care. I shall try to put more effort into her now that I am free of such other... petty... distractions."
"See that you do!" her father harrumphed, while making the mental note to speak with his wife later about what was going on between his little princess and the judge's son.
Therese nodded, then perked up. "Papa, may I have your permission to go riding on the range tomorrow afternoon?" she asked.
Jacob nodded in agreement, for he loved to grant his girl any wish, but amended with: "But don't forget to bring Dirk with you. If you've been neglecting your horse as much as you say, you may need a little help keeping her under control."
"Why, of course, Papa." Therese agreed with a smile.
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Lost in thought, Dirk swept the walkway of the stable with an ancient corn husk broom. So far away was his mind that he didn't notice the footsteps approaching him until they were right behind him. The large buck whirled, prepared to challenge he who would dare intrude at such a late hour. Dirk was shocked to see a small figure in the shadow of the hayloft, just standing and waiting.
"Show yourself!" he challenged.
As the figure slowly stepped forward the question of "who" was answered, but many others were born. The old floorboards of the barn creaked as Florien Burdell shifted his weight from one hoof to the other.
TO BE CONTINUED