“I'm not really safe yet, am I, Christopher?”
He turned sharply to regard her, eyebrows drawing together, and shook his head. “You're not ready.”
“It hardly matters,” Katerina insisted.
“You're too badly injured,” he said, not finished arguing.
“And if he finds me? Can he not take me away, have the marriage annulled?”
she pointed out. “I'm young, Christopher. It would be easy for him to convince…
someone that you manipulated me and remove me to his care until everything could be straightened out.”
“He could,” Christopher agreed reluctantly. Does she have to be right? I don't want to hurt her more.
“And then I would die,” she stated in a hard, flat voice.
Christopher broke eye contact, tracing the pattern of vines across the
upholstery of the sofa.
“Then there's nothing more to be said, is there? Let's go.” She tugged on his
hand.
“Kat, you don't know what you're asking,” Christopher protested.
“You're right. You promised to explain it to me.” She regarded him with an
unruffled expression that demonstrated her powerful innocence.
“Do you have any idea what is involved in consummating a marriage?” he
demanded.
“My mother died when I was nine. I have no idea.”
“Oh, Lord.” He sighed, steeled himself, and proceeded “Very well. This is going to be a difficult conversation. Are you ready?”
She nodded.
“All right, you know your woman's time?”
“Yes.” She was already blushing.
“There's an opening there… between your legs.”
“Yes.” The pink in her cheeks darkened.
“I have to fill it,” he said. He swallowed hard. Making love is so much easier
to do than to explain.
She blanched and then looked at him, bewildered. “With what?”
“With my… my… let me show you.” He took her hand and guided it to the
front of his trousers. Her eyes widened.
“Do you feel that?” he asked.
“Yes. Of course.” But her eyes still asked so many questions.
“It fits right in. And then, well, there's… a substance that comes out. I put it
inside you, and, if the timing is right, and the Lord wills it, a baby is created.”
“That's the consummation?” He was pleased to note she appeared curious
rather than revolted.
“Yes.”
“And it causes bleeding?” she asked.
Now you look worried, do you, love? Well rightly so. It's not a joke. “The first time,” he replied. There's a little… blockage inside you. Your maidenhead. I
break it when I enter you.”
