TALKING IN YOUR SLEEP

2002 #1 TRIO CHALLENGE: - white lace, a lamp, violin

Thanks Maril for hashing this concept out a bit on IM even though you may not have realized it. <g>

~~~~~

Vera awoke to hear Grisham mumbling in his sleep as he held her. This was the first overnight visit they enjoyed during their affair, and Vera couldn't help but wonder if it was wise to allow the Captain to stay until sunrise. But then again, Marcus had been so happy by the thought of spending the whole night with her, and spending it in a nice, big, soft bed. For some reason, she did like to make him happy. Gaspar was out of town the rest of the week and she had given the servants time off with pay, saying that she would be spending the long, lonely week without Gaspar with Tessa.

Not long before this early morning, Tessa and Vera had met in the town square while Grisham was marching new recruits. Vera was aware that there were times when she couldn't shield the gaze to her lover for bystanders, and that afternoon, Tessa didn't let it pass without mentioning it when they were alone. At first, Vera had denied any such impropriety, even viewing such a thought nonsense. It was soon clear that Tessa wasn't going to allow being lied to, and didn't seem to instantly judge Vera or label her a gold-digging slut. Once that was established, Vera was happy to be able to talk to someone about the juggling act she had been handling adeptly at for so long. During the course of their conversation, Vera had confessed to Tessa that she had been quite jealous of Grisham escorting Tessa to various functions. Tessa had laughed. "It is not hearts and violins, Vera. I am just keeping him at bay."

"Why are you doing that?"

Tessa's face had darkened, in such a way that Vera had no hope to understand at the time. Then she said, "It is best to keep your enemies your friends. Once they discover that you are not what they appear, they scrutinize you differently."

Vera had chuckled at the statement that was so unusually out of context at the time, and asked good-naturedly, "And what are you really, Tessa?"

Vera had thought that Tessa hadn't meant anything more than what she had replied, "A woman who does not want to have a man chosen for her, but who will chose her own man. My uncle and Colonel Montoya can both take a flying leap with their suggested suitors. But, I must keep them happy."

Looking back on it now, Vera realized that Tessa had covered very well. It wasn't long after those words were spoken that Vera asked her dearest friend a favor, to be a cover for the first overnight tryst with Grisham. Tessa had covered Vera's hand with her own and asked, "Are you sure you want to continue seeing him?"

"I have no choice, Tessa," Vera said.

Tessa's face had darkened again. "Why? Is he blackmailing you?"

Vera had laughed. "No. He is a fantastic lover that I cannot do without."

With those words, Vera saw Tessa blush and turn away. Even though Tessa Alvarado had spent a year at the Spanish Court, Vera had wondered if she was as inexperienced with men as she seemed. But then again, there could be many things about her friend Vera didn't know. When you got right down to it, Vera realized that she didn't know Tessa well at all. It wasn't long before Tessa had recovered whatever embarrassment she had and just wished Vera all the best.

It was too weird being in bed for so long with Marcus. Who would have ever thought he was a cuddler? She would have assumed that Gaspar would be, but as soon as all business was taken care of, he usually retreated to his side of the bed faster than Vera could readjust her nightgown. Heaven forbid they retired for the night without wearing an article of clothing.

The white lace curtains billowed out to indicate that the soft breeze that she and Grisham had gone to sleep with was now a full fledged wind. It had to be a sandstorm outside as the air in the bedroom had thickened. Vera sat up carefully, slowly, as to not awaken Marcus, and went to shut the window. She sat on her vanity table seat and watched as Marcus had moved his body over to her side of the bed in her absence. He was now holding her pillow, still mumbling something.

Vera put on her robe and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning down close to not disturb him, but to hear what he was saying. All she could make out was `Vera'. She smiled and brushed the hair back behind his ear; it was getting long again. "Don't worry, babe," he said and then resorted to grumbles and moans. In his sleep, he took her hand and stated very clearly, "I'll kill anyone who finds out about us. Just like Alvarado."

"Just like what, Marcu?" Vera asked him, poking him to awaken him. "What did you say?"

"What?" Grisham groggily said, rubbing his chest were her fingernail had made marks. He turned over and seemed to go back to sleep.

Vera leaned over his back and asked, "What do you mean? What about Alvarado? Tessa?"

"I killed him before he could tell Gaspar about us, Vera," Grisham said, his eyes still closed.

"Raphael?" Vera asked filled with awe.

To her surprise, Grisham sat up and faced her. He was definitely awake when he said, with a touch of pride, "Yes."

More to come