April 13, 2013

Gwynneth lay abed, but sat up when Fitz came into the dim lit room. “Good evening.” He had a cup of brandy, still mostly filled, and he swirled it as he walked over to the bed. She watched him, he could feel it, though her eyes were merely darker shadows in her pale face. “You disappoint me.”

“Duh-duh--” she closed her eyes and grimaced. “Duh-disappoint you?”

“Yes.” he put down the drink and took her hand, tugging lightly on it to help her stand. “I didn't expect that when I sent for you.” He gestured to her swollen belly. “Good God, we've not even been wed a year.”

She looked down, stroked it, then shot a startled look up at him again. “Aay-aay--” again, closed eyes, again, the grimace, as though she had to fight to get the words out. “Aay-eight m-months.” She looked up at him, “we have been wed eight months,” the words spilled out, almost atop each other. “Yuh-you said a word.”

“I have said many words.” He picked up his glass, led her to where the fire glowed sullen red, warming the room, but not giving enough in the way of light to do much. Someone, Gwynneth's maid perhaps, had set a chair and a stool before it, doubtless so she could toast her toes if she wished. “Which one in particular?”

He took the chair for himself, and hooked the stool closer. There was no table near enough, so he put the glass down on the carpet, and tugged on her hand, pointing at the stool with his other hand. She sat, and he put a knee to either side of her, watching her with hooded eyes. She glanced at him, then looked away, at the fire. “Fuh-fuh--.”

“Fuck?” He leaned forward, grasping her chin and forcing her to turn and look at him. “That is what I'd been planning on doing with you, my dear, if you hadn't turned up so roundly fecund.”

“N-n-n-no.” she shook her head, tearing free of his hold. “That word, thu-thu-the last one. Ay-ay-I don't know what it means. Pu-pu-plu-pluh-hease.”

He took pity on her, stroking her swollen gut. “It means this, my dreadfully fertile bride, I'll be terrified to couple with you in the normal fashion, if this is what happens with only a month of making the beast with two backs with you.”