Sundial Summoning
“My little blossom, what is making the princess pout so?” he wrinkled his nose like a bunny as he knew she loved it. Whenever she rushed about the garden chasing butterflies, he used the endearment to describe her frolicking jaunts through the flowerbeds.
A Secret to Keep
Serenity was a beautiful child. Molly loved her sweet voice, her cultured manners and multilingual skills. The irony was Serenity was teaching her to speak Portuguese, Italian, Greek and English and this little girl was only seven years of age at the time.
She loved the princess with a passion. In her element whenever in the south of France, Serenity enjoyed the summer retreats with Aunt Molly, a redheaded girl who was not really her aunt, but that was what she liked to call her and Molly was chuffed to be a princess if only in her charge’s bejeweled azure eyes.
“Now come on, little one, the flowers can wait until tomorrow.”
“But I haven’t awakened them all yet Aunt Molly and I don’t like leaving them like this.”
Molly smiled. When Serenity started displaying these powers, they hadn’t told anyone, and agreed to keep this magic a secret. Molly was scared that some people might wish to hurt the little girl, even if she were a princess in exile. If they found her out to be a witch or something of that sort, nothing, not even her status would save her.
The French were a proud people, but could be harsh and attempt to destroy a child with such powers if they felt she were the spawn of the devil and that, Molly wouldn’t allow.
“Now, come on, Sere, don’t cry, I know you miss your mother and she will return.”
South of France 1778
Selena Estate
The vineyards were amazing this time of year. The pickers were already reaping the harvest and looked forward to the wines that would come forth from this year’s bumper crop. He licked his lips in anticipation of tasting the new vintages when they had matured, the merlots, cabinets and other blends would be the best in all France, of that he had no doubt. Sean-Melvin Morisot turned away from the sight of the busy workers with their claret colored hats and caps singing as they gathered the rich red grapes, placing these into huge baskets and sighed in contentment. He then smiled at the pretty redhead and his little niece, Serenity as they moved towards the house on the flagstone path that led to the portico where he stood waiting, hands in his jacket pockets.
Molly loved the wide Spanish styled verandas that surrounded the rambling house, she waved, as did Serenity. “Hello!” she called and the two girls quickened their step.
“Hello back!” he chuckled as he moved towards them.
Molly was, he observed, a comely young woman with the most bedazzling green eyes and hypnotic smile he’d ever seen. Yes, he was a case. He had lost his heart, and perhaps his mind. But he didn’t care, as she was so lovely.
“Good afternoon, Sean,” she said, still warming to this man whom had insisted they be on first name terms since she’d started running the estate for him almost two years ago now. Molly thought him a wonderful handsome man and blushed at the thought.
“Ah, two of the most enchanting of ladies I have seen in many a day. I am honored,” he said, brushing the golden hair from the nine-year-old girl’s eyes as he admired her sunbonnet, “You are very pretty, Sere.”
“Thank you, uncle,” she blushed.
Then, taking Molly’s hand, he kissed it and smiled. She too blushed, enjoying the sensation of his lips on her skin.
Serenity curtseyed, the action almost flawless. Sean was delighted. Though she stumbled a little, this was less pronounced this summer. Serenity had problems coordinating her body’s movements when she was younger. Some of the children on the estate had teased her. She would bite her lip, and run off to be alone and cry. Molly, as governess and friend to the little girl, had helped the princess overcome her klutziness.
“ And you, young lady keep growing more beautiful all the time and challenging your mother for that right.”
“Thank you, Uncle Sean, you are very handsome!”
“Why thank you, young lady. Kaori has some lemonade and ice-cream for each of you, so let us go treat ourselves, eh?”
“Oh yes, let’s!” Serenity gushed.
“That’s my girl!”
Initially he wasn’t so sure if he should hire Molly Baker, for his instant attraction to her was unprecedented and overrode his usual sensibilities in such matters, but Molly was a darling. After the death of his wife, the Lady Felicity, at the hands of the dreaded consumption, he had not looked at another woman. That was, until Molly came into his life.
He had been so bereft, somber all the time. His friends complained of his melancholy, his drunkenness, mood swings and argumentative disposition. They said he was destroying himself, and perhaps they’d been right at the time. He knew, not long after they’d all drifted away that he had to pull himself out of his self-imposed exile by his bootstraps or he would become bankrupt and push himself into an early grave. He’d pushed just about every friend and member of his family away but for Philippe and Marie Antoinette.
One day however, he decided that enough was well and truly enough and had made the decision to change all that. He grew tired of being a recluse. After going for a long walk through the forest that he loved so well, he allowed the past to return full-force. Felicity was such a pretty woman, alabaster skin, like moonlight, blonde locks flowing to the backs of her legs, and she possessed a fabulous figure. They had one daughter. Felicity was so refine and artistic. Her paintings were vivid reproductions of the French countryside and her portraits, were exquisite. She was his anchor, his rock, and the most accomplished of lovers. Her body, smooth, sculpted and her kisses sweeter than the finest wines in his cellar. Her support, her unwavering love of life and passion completed him. She enjoyed riding, walking her Corgis was another of many simple pleasures of which she indulged.
He knelt down on the soft earth, picked up an acorn, and examined it before throwing it into a brook. He looked up then, taking in the sights and the smells of the foliage, brushed the strands of hair from his eyes and took in another deep breath. His hair was shoulder-length and tied back with a leather thong. Sean loved the songbirds and sat on the edge of a lake to listen while casting pieces of dried bread to the graceful swans. He yawned and then lay back on the grass staring up at the sky. He let all his cares dissolve.
After he’d woken from a brief nap, he smiled at the peaceful setting and continued his journey through the scenic hills that wound their way around the huge chateaux. Sean did a lot of thinking that day.
The house manager, the Lady Kaori, an exotic beauty from Japan gasped and rushed toward him wringing her hands, chastising him, “I have been so worried about you, my lord! What possessed you to run off like that? I had my daughters looking for you on horseback, Minako, Ami and Rei had just returned with Makoto, you had us all worried and the Lady Luna and Lord Artemis are in your study, they wish to speak with you after you bathe and eat, they’ve brought the princess Serenity with them.”
He raised his hand and smiled, “Oh Lady Kaori, I apologize, have you prepared her room?”
“Yes, my lord, but she wants to see you and only you.”
“I know, I will read her a story before she goes to sleep,” he smiled and sat on the porch loveseat and pulled off his boots with a little help from Kaori and she smiled as he slipped into a pair of slippers and stretched. “Thank you for worrying about me, I am sorry for the fuss and trouble I caused.”
“It is all right, you’re forgiven.” She smiled.
“I know I have been irresponsible and gauche. But please forgive me, Kaori. I have had somewhat of an epiphany!” he said to the startled woman as he pulled her into a chased hug. “Thank you for worrying about me. I know I have been impossible over the last two years after Felicity’s death, but no more.”
She blushed, smiled, bowed, then helped him inside the house, as he was so tired, she thought he might fall asleep on his feet if he didn’t eat and retire for the evening.
Footsore, hungry and longing for his bed he might have been, but Sean felt more alive than he had been in years.
Soon thereafter, Molly had joined the staff and learning of her business acumen he’d appointed her to the position of estate manager and personal secretary. It was working out very well for him, for both of them in fact.
He began to write his case study on flora and fauna in the southern lands of France, and he was once more doing what he loved and it was all thanks to Molly. She edited and proofed his manuscript and when he took her and Serenity to Paris to celebrate its publication and success, he realized he was falling in love with the savioress of his estate and if truth were known, his life.
After two memorable summers, the friendship with Molly was poised to become something else, and he knew this summer that he might win her heart. The furtive glances, accidental brushing of hands and the long looks each chanced upon the other always resulted in a series of blushes, coughs and racing hearts.
Sean was so glad for the tales Molly would share with him as they sat on the patio talking long into the night, and this evening was no exception.
But as he looked at her now, he felt a fire burning deep inside. Molly’s burgundy dress with pink and white ruffles, sleeves rolled up, the little cleavage of the tight-fitting bodice not lost on him in that moment, her wild abundance of vermillion and her tanned arms that he imagined gave way to a statuesque splendor beneath her attire made his heart skip a beat. But this night, he would speak his heart and she must have sensed it too as her voice became gentle and husky as they stood, “Sean?” she breathed.
He took her hands and pulled her to him. “I’m sorry, but I cannot let you go without telling you,” he swallowed as she looked at him with a look that spoke of so much love, and yes, desire for him. It was all he could do to continue his declaration, “Molly, I cannot say how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I must tell you before I burst… I love you, and I want to share the remainder of my life with you, will-“
“Oh Sean-Melvin, yes, Oh yes, I love you too!”
He felt her yield to his kiss. His touch, the warmth between their bodies spoke of a great need. He cupped her face in his hands, she pushed her breasts against his chest, and they deepened the kiss.
They soon walked hand in hand to his bedroom. She allowed him to peel off her clothing and Sean rained kisses all over her sumptuous body. Lying back, she drew him to her bloom, wrapping her legs around him. His lips, tongue and hands caressing all the shrines to her womanhood as he paid her due homage. Molly delighted in the power of him as he ran his fingers through her hair and she pulled him deeper inside her. Their lovemaking was the sweetest either had ever known. She the naked bronzed Aphrodite, and he her loving knight. She arched her back and as he reached his climax, she too had began the recurring orgasms that rose and fell until each grew tired and slipped into a deep restful sleep.
