Chapter 84: The Virgin´s Summer, Part 35, Reconciliation

I lie in my Master´s arms, warm and comfortable in our new-found understanding.

"Master?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why did you push me into agreeing to marry Michael?"

"Did I?"

"You know you did."

He flips over to face me, frowning. "You´re not regretting it? You do love him?"

"Yes, of course I do. You must surely know that, even if he has trouble believing me... But you and me..."

He sighs. "Charlotte...." He holds me close, his face pressed against mine. "Charlotte, I´m so much older than you. If we´d met twenty years ago... Michael will always be there for you. He loves you. He´s utterly trustworthy. I know that you will always be safe with him."

"How did you and Michael meet?"

He looks startled at the question. "Why do you ask that, now?"

"Mmm... not sure... Perhaps because this is at least as much about you and Michael, as it is about you and me, or me and him..."

"True enough..." He rolls onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "We met at the clubs..."

There is a long si