Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

Jacqueline's head snapped up when Friderick addressed her. She had just been removing her second boot and froze halfway pulling it off. Green eyes wide at the sudden, snide remarks. Surprise melted to confusion which turned into a mild revulsion. Who did this man think he was talking to? He certainly had his own preconceptions about who he was dealing with. Yes she and her brother had led a very comfortable life, that didn't mean they were some puffed up parrots like some courtiers. Granted they were Franks and many of her fellow nobles were...very soft. She had damn near grown up in a stable, much to her mother's displeasure. Friderick's attempt at humor didn't elicit even a smile. Jacqueline would admit it pleasantly softened his already handsome features. But good lols did not make up for such rudeness. She eased the boot off her foot and let it fall to the floor with a clatter. His questions after his horse and movement made her look up just as he pulled his tunic off. Jacqueline's entire being froze. Good Lord...Good Lord...Over and over in her mind. She couldn't help staring. Jacqueline had seen her fair share of shirtless men. Of course most were quick to put their shirts back on if she appeared. She had never seen...such a naked chest before. Every inch was sculpted and chiseled. She had to stop staring. She was a boy. Boys didn't stare a other boys. Friderick began talking again. It was just enough to jar her back to motion. He lectured her about horses. Right back to surprised revulsion. Ignore the chest. Actually his lecture was infuriating enough for her to keep her eyes focused on his face. Annoyance clearly written across her face. I know how to handle horses, she said between her teeth. Slowly she managed to unclench her jaw and lean back on the cot. Wingfoot was snippy but we were quick to settle our differences. Jacqueline folded her arms across her chest as she stared up at the ceiling. Her mind reeled at this strange situation. How different men were when not around ladies. The bar maids were...clearly a different breed of woman. Jacqueline thought herself brash and impetuous, being called that enough by her mother, but these women...she couldn't even think of a proper word. She gave a short nod at Friderick's plans for the morning. Something she felt a little more capable at dealing with. She glanced over at Friderick laid down on the cot. He was handsome, laying on the cot, shirt off, toned and hard body stretched out. The thought of what it might be like to be able to curl up to that crossed her mind but she quickly shooed it away. She had to think like a man if she was going to remain undetected and deal with these strange, two-faced creatures. Sir Friderick was handsome alright but Jacqueline decided he was a little unpleasant to deal with. She wondered just how differently he might act if he knew who she really was. I look forward to this place of decay and rotten fish, she said with a snarky smile before rolling over with her back to Friderick, curling up some making the breeches stretch across her hindquarters. Are bar women always so...strange? She asked suddenly after a few minutes of quiet. The one who took our order...I...might have accidentally knocked her down when she tried to grab...my ah...ya know... Bluster and confidence utterly disappeared. The territory was far too new to talk about and Jacqueline certainly wasn't about to throw the words cock or balls around.