Lady Jane: A Time For Us

Hiding Place

Pierre fetched a ladder and, leaning it against the wall, climbed several steps and moved part of the roof away.

"Follow me," Suzanne said to Jane and Guilford. They followed her up the ladder and found themselves in a tiny but spotless room. As the sides of the roof slanted down on each side, there was not much room to walk around. There were a number of pillows scattered about, and stacked in the corner were several folded blankets, a number of candles, and what appeared to be a Bible and a hymnbook. There were no windows.

"This is where our weekly church services are held," Suzanne explained. "We meet at midnight so that there's less chance of our being discovered. If the authorities knew this room existed, we would all be imprisoned and possibly executed. It's of utmost importance that you remain as quiet as possible, especially during the daylight hours. We will bring your meals to you."

"I can't begin to tell you how truly grateful I am to you for saving our lives," Jane said. "I only regret that your own lives were put at risk to do so."

"Your deaths would have meant one more victory for the heretics. We were determined not to let that happen," Pierre said. "The more they oppress us, the harder we will fight to overcome and trust that God will allow the true believers to prevail."

Pierre and Suzanne went back down the ladder and replaced the section of roof, and Jane and Guilford were left alone for the first time since before they had been arrested.

"Oh my love, I was so worried," Guilford said. "Did they harm you in any way?"

Jane shook her head. "The only harm they did me was in keeping me from you, my darling."

"I thought that the next time I would see your face would be in the presence of God," Guilford said huskily as he reached for her.

"My Guilford," she breathed, allowing herself to be engulfed in his arms.

He began to kiss her, softly at first, then more passionately, and she responded with equal passion. Guilford broke away from her embrace only long enough to arrange the pillows so that they could lie on them, then resumed kissing her and fondling her breasts. After a while, he fetched a blanket to cover them, and they struggled out of their clothing. She gasped with pleasure as she felt him enter her, and they began to move together eagerly, hungrily, desperately. Mindful of the house's occupants below them, they remembered not to cry out as their passion was sated. Afterwards, Guilford held her as they both almost instantly fell into an exhausted sleep that lasted until the early afternoon.