Post by Berenice Pangbourn on Jan 8, 2013 18:29:25 GMT -8
Her ribs were definitely going to need icing. Renn had hoped that with sleep the dark purple bruising and tender swelling would have faded, but now it was working even worse in the light of day.
The first thing she became aware of (after Elise's cries which had originally awoken her) was the dull stiff ache of her ribs and muscles. Eric sure could leave his mark when wanted.
Renn winced as she slipped from the bed (allowing Eric to continue sleeping) slipped into the adjoining room where her daughter slept.
Her feet padded silently on the carpeted floor, dressed only in in a silky night dress she'd put on the night before in the hope of distracted Eric from his anger. It hadn't worked. As Renn reached the crib she looked and and smiled. There was her blond beauty. The 6 month old was sitting up, holding onto the bars and crying. It was an "I'm scared," or worse "I'm in pain" crying which would have had Renn springing out of bed no matter what the pain. No it was rather an "I'm alone and want attention", which wasn't quite so unnerving.
"Good morning, Beautiful." Renn smiled despite her painful ribs and bent to retreve the little girl. She stroked back the tufty blond curls away from Elise's forehand and pressed a kiss on her forehead. " ... Are you hungry?"
Normally Renn would settle the baby against her chest, but her ribs had other ideas, so instead she settled for her hip. The pair excited the nursery, just to put a little more space between them and the sleeping man. Instead Renn settled down in the living room and slipped down one strap of her nightdress to allow Elise to nurse.
Of course Renn would have to thing about weening soon, most medi-witches suggested introducing foods between 5 and 7 months but honestly? Renn loved this time. It was something only she could do for her daughter: not Eric, not any of the slaves. She was the one Elise needed, the one Elise looked to for comfort. She wasn't sure if she was ready to let that go yet.
"Mistress Pangbourne?" Renn jumped out of her skin, though immediately regretted it as Elise jostled her ribs. The pain shot through her chest, making her moan and flinch in pain.
"What?!"
The blond slave girl flinched back, nervous despite knowing her Mistress had never once laid a hand on a slave.
"I'm... I'm sorry Mistress - I shouldn't have - I'll just -" Renn couldn't hep but feel bad. The slave was a tiny girl. She was nineteen according to Eric, but was barely 5ft. Her brown eyes looked at her Mistress, suddenly nervous she'd done something wrong. Mistakes were dealt with harshly in the Pangbourne Manor, especially if their Master was in a bad mood.
Renn frowned and immiedietly felt bad, " Caliana... Sorry... You startled me. Do you have a question?"
Caliana's eyes flicked down to the feeding baby before back to her Mistress' face, clearly still unsure of her saftey.
" I wondered if Mistress wished breakfast now or if you wait for Master..."
Aahhh... Of course that was what the girl wanted! Renn should have guessed.
"I will wait for my husband, Caliana. However could I have some tea? And ice? I fell last night..."
Oh course Caliana knew Renn hadn't simply fallen, the woman never simply "fell", but it was unspoken of within the manor. They call kept up the lie if only to keep their life as easy as possible.
"Of course Mistress, let me get that for you..."
A few minutes later Renn settled Elise down on the sofa next to her as she lent back settled the ice-pack just under her breast and against her ribs. The cold felt so good against her angry ribs. Her eyes fluttered closed as her body relaxed slightly. That relaxation would likely be sort lived the moment Eric resurfaced but she could enjoy it for the moment... If only it would last.
Caliana