Love In The New World ( MissKitty19&Mister Wanderer)

[MissKitty19]

They were so eager to step foot on shore. After months at sea eating salt pork and rock hard bread with weevils in it, after watching half the young woman who travelled with them die of illness. Watching them lower the bodies into the sea, The bodies of young woman, hopeful for a new world, a new life. Had been a harrowing experience.

She hadn't spoken much with the other girl's The chaperones had insisted that she be kept separate from them, because she had something they did not. A title. Not that it had done her much good when illness ravaged through her home. One by one she'd watched her happy family vanish. Her aunt and Uncle, who'd shown up to " take care of things" Had seized ownership of the family estate. She was left with a sizable dowry, Plus there was the additional funds promised by the crown, should she wed in the new land.

" No need to sully your hands with the common folk Miss Rolande." Madam Gurtrude had said as she guided her back to the tiny cabin she had all to herself. When the illnesses got bad she'd been so glad for that solitude, but for a child from a very large family, the months long trip wore on.

When they had stepped foot on shore They'd been met with cheers and jeers alike from the men assembled. She didn't blame them, even the heartiest of girls had withered on the journey. And their licences to trade were being put at risk should they not marry.

Many of the girls hadn't waited, They'd married within days of their arrival. To the first man who'd asked. Many men had asked her and she'd declined being able to spot a fortune hunter well enough. It was becoming all to much, every day another man, seeking a pretty face or money that asked for her hand.

She was lovely, large, almost too large green eyes, fair skin and long dark curly hair. Short, about 5 foot tall with a sizable bust,a few months of being better fed since the boat over, she'd filled out nicely. While she wasn't the fashion in France, Most preferring blond hair and blue eyes and small breasts. Her quiet countenance most agreeable. Educated enough to be able to read and write. A pretty, young, godly woman who could help with business ledgers and had a sizable dowery, all made her very popular among the local men looking for a bride. Pressure from the Nuns whispering that this man wasn't so bad and she could do worse had her entertaining a few, chaperoned promenades through the late spring muddy streets had all come to naught. She was one of the last girls left to wed. Her and a group of lovely young ladies all named Marie.

The Nuns had tasked her with the rather grim task of sitting with one of the patients, reading to them, when his son had visited. It had warmed her heart a little. To see how much he cared for the old man that barely seemed alive.

Another month, He'd come at least once a week sit and listen to her as she read verses from her old family bible to his sick father. One day he asked her to wed and she agreed. The Nuns had celebrated. Insisted that they have a grand celebration. Though she'd asked for a simple. Private affair. The Nuns had relented so long as she continue her visits to the Hospital,

Reine Renee Rolande. Her Family name meaning fame and land. Her given names meaning queen, and reborn, it was clear her parents had intended for her to do great things. She wondered as she set down the heavy pen. If she was betraying the confidence of them in this moment. Of course once he signed, her family name would change. She would take his. Her meagre trousseau had been sent ahead to his residence. Her 5 thousand Livre dowery held in trust until morning, the additional 3 thousand to be gifted by the king should she be with child before a year had passed.

She blushed when the priest instructed them to kiss. Her hands in his, the second time they had held hands. She'd never kissed a man before, other then her father and brothers, but she knew that more then a peck on the cheek was expected here.

 

[Mister Wanderer]

He could have sworn the sky was much cloudier a couple of hours ago. That would have been easier than the position he was currently in. He was set to marry some girl. The girl was of course of fame and fortune. It a name that if he had, he may have lived an easier life. He didn't want to accept this. Not so easily at least. He was reluctant to ask, maybe if he hid his reluctance he wouldn't have had hours of lectures from elders about his job as a man.

For the longest time, he did not view himself as a person anyone wanted to marry. Maybe he hoped the right girl would walk in and he could have some charm. Maybe he hoped that women would feel what he secretly felt.

Henri Leclair. The shop local shop owner. He inherited the shop his father worked hard to gain. But due to his father's illness leaving him in a state where he is bed ridden, Henri took over. Even then he knew he needed to marry, maybe secretly Henri wanted to marry anyone who would accept to marry before his father was lost. That's when he met her, Reine.

"Monseiur Leclair," the priest said as Henri around, "it is time, my son." He bowed before heading to the altar.

Henri sighed before nodding. He passed a few decorated flowers before seeing the empty chairs. He expected maybe the occasional group of people he would recognize as families of Reine, but they weren't there. He could only smile briefly for the privacy before standing on the altar. Awaiting his bride. He only needed to wait a little longer before

Maybe it was seeing her in a different light, but seeing her wedding dress made his heart race. She looked beautiful and quite elegant. It was clearly a dress meant for ceremony. He almost blushed when he realized his attire, he only had a buttoned shirt and a pants with boots. His best attire, his father had a particular difficult week and it made him forget. It didn't matter, the small ceremony allowed for him to be a bit comfortable about his attire.

When it all was said and priest instructed a kiss, he could feel her nervous. He may have been staring at her beauty, but he wouldn't ignore her shyness. He put his hand on his cheek, "just follow me..." he said before pressing his lips against hers. It was soft, like he imagined. It was soft enough that he lost control and leaned into the kiss. He could hear the priest cough and that made him break the kiss, he turned away, embarrassed from enjoying it a bit too much. "Sorry," he whispered to her.

This was it. She was now Reine Leclair.

 

[MissKitty19]

The kiss had been her first and, not horrible. She'd attended the weddings of the other Fille du marriage and had watched plenty an awkward and uncomfortable kiss take place and her first with her now husband was not like that. He pulled back and apologized and her blush deepened and she responded to his whispered apology with a small shake of her head. There was no need for him to be sorry.

" Congratulations dear." The single nun that watched up by the priest, said to her and nodding at her new husband as they left the church. The weather was mild enough and the streets dry enough that they could walk to his shop and the small home attached to it. She took it in slowly as he let go of her arm and moved to open the door. Above which was a hanging sign with ' Leclair's general store' and a picture of a sack of flour. She stepped inside, smelling the warn wood floor and shelves.

It was clean, and tidy, Products neatly displayed on shelves and in the back room. She watched from the door as he locked the door behind them moved to the register and the sound of more keys jingling as a door behind it was opened. He beckoned her over and lead her inside, up the stairs to and apartment with three rooms, a full kitchen and water closet.

He lead her around and she asked where the privy was ( out back) and a few other questions that seemed of import, What he would like for breakfast and where she could find the things she needed, She had very little experience cooking, but knew that was part of what was expected of wives, especially in this new land. She figured the room with the closed door was his fathers?

The blush from earlier returning to her face when she spotted her chest at the end of his bed. It had been sent ahead for convenience but something about her whole world, being encompassed in his home made it much more real. It also made her cheeks flush with the realization of what was also expected of her this evening.

After all, She and the other woman were brought to this new land to help grow his majesty's colony and the only way to do that was. She felt like the naïve young girl who had sat and listened to her weary, obviously ill Mother explain the birds and bees, once more, Except now she couldn't giggle and ask her mother to stop discussing such things.

Her wedding garb had been her nicest skirt and chemise It had fit her well before the boat over, but was still just a bit ill fitting now, even after months of recovery from the perilous journey. She opened her trunk to pull out a nightgown, not really sure where he was, but knowing that in the simple home it was unlikely he'd gone so far that he couldn't hear her.

" Should we visit Father at the hospital tomorrow? Let him know the news? After business hours of course." Closing the trunk. The rest of it to be unpacked and find the items homes in the cabinets and cupboards tomorrow. She began undressing , moving to the window as she pulled the nightdress on, the moonlight making the thin fabric seem almost sheer.

 

[Mister Wanderer]

As she asked questions, he answered. He loved eggs and bread in the morning. He told her where everything was, essentially telling her this was her home as much as it was his.

When they arrived to the room, Henri could breath a sigh of relief. The ceremony was now over. It meant he could go on with his life. Well, he thought he could. He was almost stunned when Reine began to remove the clothing she was wearing. He turned away, trying to not stare. Though he glanced back to see when she was done changing. He didn't know if he should comment or keep his mouth shut. He wanted to comment, but what if it came off as insulting.

He took off his clothes quite easily. He could thank the gods how easy it was for him to remove a shirt and put a new much more casual one. He turned to see her wearing her night dress.

It was almost like a song as he noticed all the features of her gown. He almost sang all the features under his breath before smiling, almost joyed from how beautiful she seemed to look.

"We an see him tomorrow. Hopefully he has a good rest," Henri sat on the bed, his eyes widening when he realize he was not going to be sharing a bed. He prepared for this, but never expected it actually happen. He was almost unsure how to respond or what to say. He almost offered to sleep in the living room, he had done it before. He didn't know if she was ready on her first night to be 'his wife'. Maybe he wasn't ready yet, no he was. Every man was. But why was his heart racing? Maybe he wanted to confirm to allow himself to delve into their 'passion'.

 

[MissKitty19]

He was nice to look at, she thought to herself with a small grin as she moved to the bed, not knowing much about the passions between husband and wife but knowing that was where most of them must take place. She sat on the edge of the bed, realizing with a horrified expression that she knew so little about the man, she had no inkling about what side of the bed he favored. The feather mattress dipped under her weight just a bit as she bravely lifted her gaze to her husband. Her hand reaching to the side of his face to pull him in close with a gentle kiss. She was nervous, that much was betrayed by the way her bottom lip trembled as she pulled back to look at the man.

The man she had chosen.

Her heart wasn't in this, at least not yet, neither was his. They were here to do their duty as citizens of their king and cement his hold on land in this new, wild world.

For that he needed people, babies, and this was how babies were made.

The nuns had pulled her and the other arriving young woman aside one by one and instructed them of the mechanics of it all. But not one of them had advised her on how to overcome this hurdle, how to still her hands from shaking as they found the ties of his britches. He stood before , back bent as he collected her face, cupping each side in his hands as he bent to kiss her again, distracting her so she could not watch as his britches fell to the floor. The heat radiating off of him as he sprang forth was enough to tell her he was ready, but was she?