[D9, EE] Rest & Recuperation (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine &
Ben walk quietly from Lord Kriegar's tent to Corrine's, and she flops down onto her bed as delicately as she can muster, letting out a heavy, tired exhalation.

"
I just need to rest a bit, after all that,"
she explains, patting a space next to her, inviting him to sit on the bed beside her.

"
I feel like I haven't stopped at all today. And that last meeting was... difficult. I thought I was about to be eaten alive."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben eases his sore body onto the soft bed. He pauses and looks over his shoulder before falling back with a sigh.

"
You think that was bad. You may not want to be around when I inform Ellie of the deal."
He laughs light-heartedly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Perhaps I should save my lady-in-waiting invitation until after that then, though I can be around for the rest, if it would help."


She strokes his chest slowly, taking deep breaths to soothe herself.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
It may be best if you are present. It may help if you express to her that it is an important task for House Marsten. Besides we know how your charm can bring the grumpiest person around."


He lightly places his hand on her stomach making small circles. His eyes staring off and a big grin growing on his face.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You make a good point. We will speak with her together,"
Corrine agrees, nodding slowly. "
I don't really want to send her away, but it was a fair compromise that will achieve more in the long run. And I think having time away from us and bonding with Gillian more will be good for her. Perhaps we can send Pudgey along too, so she has someone she trusts with her."


In the midst of her thinking out loud, she notices Ben stroking her stomach and grinning. Her own expression becomes a warm smile, and she gently places a hand over his;


"
I know what you are grinning about,"
she comments, a little teasingly.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I was hesitant to believe... and then when I heard it last night in the midst of all that turmoil, I just had to believe."


He looks at her his eyes full of joy. His hand continues to circle feeling the warmth of her belly below and her hand above his.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Me too,"
Corrine agrees, her voice soft, but with joy shining through in her eyes, despite her weariness. "
I don't know how she does it, but I believe her gift is real. I feel in my heart that she speaks truly, even so soon, and I am certsin that time will confirm it."


She looks into Ben's face lovingly;


"
I'm excited. And scared. How do you feel about it?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
There is always fear with children, but the ... excitement far outweighs that fear. How long will it be until we can ... know for sure? This is far from area of expertise."


He chuckles. "
Perhaps I should have been searching for a book on that."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have no idea. I suppose we cannot even safely ask until after the public wedding. After that, we will have justification to ask. I'm afraid I'm not terribly knowledgable myself, but I understand that there will be some subtle signs over the next few weeks, and less subtle ones over the subsequent months. I will keep you informed,"
she adds, with an embarrassed little laugh.

"
I'm suddenly reminded of when I met you and Ellie by chance at the seamstress, and you said then, during our conversation, that I would make a good mother someday."

[Benedict Marsten]

A smile of fond remembrance plays across his face. "
Of course I do and I meant it. You are patient and kind, with the heart of the Mother. Some maesters say a man is instinctually drawn to a healthy woman with good hips and motherly instinct."


Rolling onto his side he gives her a mischievous grin. "
Maybe that is why the men swoon about you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine cannot help but laugh in amusement;


"
I don't believe I have spotted any swooning men recently. But I am pleased that some have found me charming. I cannot speak much for my hips, but I hope they will be adequate."


What if they are not?

She inhales and exhales deeply at that thought.

"
I suppose much of it is out of our hands now. We just have to do our best."


She snuggles into him, burrowing her head under his chin, burying her face in the warm curve of his neck.

"
Do you think we should tell Ellie? I didn't know if she heard what Alys said, and she hasn't mentioned it."

[Benedict Marsten]

He wraps his arm around her, holding her close. Breathing in the smell of her hair.

"
Your hips are perfect, like every part of you. They are one of my favorite parts. A close second to those three freckles."


"
After the wedding. Otherwise we would be letting her know that we have already been ... "
He blushes lightly while searching for a courteous term for their couplings.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
She knows already,"
Corrine replies, blushing. "
In a slightly oblique way, she asked me during the melée if we'd lain together. I got a bit flustered because it was unexpected, and eventually said yes. She seemed alright about it. She said she knew it was a thing married people do, and that she would be happy about having nieces and nephews."


She lets out a little chuckle;


"
I don't think she is aware of the frequency though."

[Benedict Marsten]

He returns to a similar red complexion, his eyes wide.

"
Well. Then perhaps we could say something. She may already know the, little lark."


Frequency He laughs.

"
I guess we have been at it like hares. I believe our injuries will put a hamper on that though."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I'm afraid so,"
Corrine replies, a little regretfully. "
Even walking around is quite painful for me at the moment. But, injuries heal."


She looks at him with some measure of doubt;


"
Will you still want me? I mean, when we know that it won't... do anything?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben appears confused at first. Understanding slowly coming to him. He can not help but smile.

"
I have to be honest. The thought of getting you with child was not what instinctively drove me at first. So I think it is safe to say you will always be desired. It is up to you whether you except that desire."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I'm glad to hear that. I still desire you, despite my current incapacitated state. I am told I should be alright by the wedding. Do you think we can manage until then?"
she teases, kissing the tip of his nose.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Certainly... I think... I hope... maybe."
He rumbles in laughter with a look of mock confusion.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She gives him a gentle, lingering kiss, holding him close.

"
I hope my mother doesn't take it badly. I intend to wait at least until a few weeks after the wedding to tell her, but I still have a fear that she might be unhappy about it. Am I being silly?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I think so. An heir secures the Marsten name and its claim to Hartshorn. This should ease some of her worries."


He returns her kiss. Then lays his forehead against hers.

"
Lets take this time to rest not worry. You deserve it. You have accomplished a great deal in a short time, Lady Marsten."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You are right. I'm worrying myself too much. The past week has been increasingly intense. At least many people are leaving today, so there will be less business to deal with for a short while."


She inhales and exhales slowly, closing her eyes, letting their foreheads rest against one another.

"
Just being with you helps."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
That makes me happy to know. I hope to always be here to ease your worry. It will be hard to be away from you since you carry my heart."


He winks, referring again to the bastard girls words.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes. I need to look after both of them,"
she agrees, smiling happily. "
I intend to keep you by my side. It is one of the reasons I made Kevan Keeper of the Gate, rather than you. It would mean a lot of time apart. I wouldn't want us to be deprived,"
she adds, with a brief mischievous glance, which then became more serious.

"
My father had to be away from us often. I don't feel that he missed me growing up, but there was much more I'd have liked to share with him."


Her expression became a little sorrowful, remembering the departed Lord Corben.

[Benedict Marsten]

He tilts her chin up with his fingers. "
You do him proud. I am sure of it."


"
We will do what we must to all stay together as much as possible."
He smiles reassuringly, stroking her soft cheek.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
If I can lead as well as him, we'll be alright,"
Corrine says softly, though resist the urge to start worrying out loud about living up to that standard.

"
If you don't have anywhere to be right now, will you hold me a little longer? I didn't get much sleep after what happened last night. I should perhaps try to sleep a bit before tonight. I still want to go to the Huntsman later."

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