#( I believe I shall retire for the night... [ooc.] ) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nymphl · 5 years

Text

In the General’s Bed - Regency!Hux x Reader - Ch. 5 - To misjudge a General

A/N - Hello, darlings! Here I am to update ITGB. I almost didn’t have enough time to come here and update this chapter. Anyways, I don’t really have much time now, so I’ll keep things short... I hope you like it and for the new readers, thank you for leaving notes :) I hope you like this chapter.

Story Summary: The General is cornered… Upon returning from a successful campaign in Battle of Waterloo, Armitage Hux knows he has no excuses left; he must produce the much-needed heir. The problem is, when the two of you parted five years ago, it was not in the best of terms. Now, he may not find his wife, you, so willing as he first expected, nor keen on taking part in any of his political games. [Hux x Reader – Hux x You – Regency AU].

Warnings for the entire story: Will contain at times; graphic violence, sex, drugs and manipulation, coarse language and OOCness.

AO3 Tags: Regency Era; Alternate Universe; Alternate Story; Alternate Universe - Historical; Arranged Marriage; Politics; War; Napoleonic Wars; England - 1815; Married Couple; OOCness; Smut

Wordcount: 7764

PREVIOUS CHAPTER *** NEXT CHAPTER

YOU WOKE UP STARTLED.

Subconsciously, your hands patted the side of the bed looking for Armitage. Empty. He was nowhere to be found.

With a disappointed sigh, you ran your hands through your tangled hair, all the while doing your best not to cry — from frustration or anger or whatever.

The ‘I’m giving you no heir whatsoever’ rule had gone to hell last night, as you could be very pregnant as of now.

A groan of utter despair left you.

A click on the door made you shift on the bed and adjust the blankets over your naked frame. You looked up to see Rae stretching the curtains open. She wore a serious expression — not that you had seen any other, but you thought she was even more I’m-all-business than usual.

“I am assuming you told him.”

You rolled your eyes and pulled the pillow to your face. You usually loved bright mornings, but specifically today you hated it; all you wanted was for the world to end in rain, so you could sleep to the next week till you forgot your miserable existence.

Why did you have to be so foolish? How could you just give in?

Instead, you tried to humor yourself by provoking Rae Sloane, “Oh, good morning to you too, milady.”

As expected, there was no answer on her part. Only silence. It forced you to remove the pillow from your face and sit on the mattress, clutching the blankets to your chin. She sat on the ottoman, not very keen on getting near the place where you and Hux had… well… had sex… made love? You did not know what to make out of it — it is the situation between you and your husband and not Rae’s antics.

If the circumstances were any different you would have laughed at her face and said you had used the ottoman, but aside the fact you would be telling a lie, you could not think of joking right now.

“I feel stupid,” you finally said, looking at her face. If you expected to find comfort there, you would have to look somewhere else. Her expression denounced nothing — not judgment, nor understanding.

“For doing what’s expected of you?” she retorted, not unkindly. If coming from anyone else, those words would have felt like a slap, but you understood what Rae meant. She only said what society expected of women like you.

For loving him, you could have said, but Rae, just like Hux, had no time to talk about love. You doubted she even believed in it.

“Is that why you never got married?”

She nodded.

You opened your mouth to say something, but she beat you to it, “You would. You didn’t want anything else.”

It was your time to nod. You felt the telltales of tears in your eyes. You rubbed your nose and swallowed hard.

“I wanted him to love me…” you commented quietly after a while.

You expected her to be keep her opinion to herself, as usual, but her answer came quick and this time her words were meant to hurt, “Get a grip of yourself, (Y/N). Love is not everything in a marriage.”

You could almost hear Hux’s words.

Marriage is not about love, you should know that by now.

“I married him because I love him.”

Rae snorted.

The sound was so much alike Hux it made you want to throw up.

“You married him because your father needed money and he married you because he needed a title. Feelings had nothing to do with it.”

You swallowed…

…and bit your bottom lip to prevent the need to cry. Her words stung — more than they should have, more than should be right.

Because… honestly, you knew they rang true.

Everything Rae Sloane ever said — to you, to anyone — was truthful. Even if they hurt — she knew how to hurt you, how to hurt people —, she never told a lie. It was against her code — whatever that was.

“And stop with these childish rules of yours and give him a damned heir.”

You even thought about opening your mouth to protest, but her serious eyes kept you silent. You bit your bottom lip.

“I know you want to be the wife of a Prime Minister. Adopting Lux won’t be enough to convince the King or the Ton of your aptitude as a couple to take such position.”

She rose from the ottoman and opened the door for the drawing room. From the bed, you could see a bathtub in the center of the room and your lady’s maid throwing some perfumed lotions in it.

“Now get up,” she said, her lips pursed into a harsh line. “We shall take Lux to Hyde Park and I need your help with a few decisions concerning the brewery in Ireland.”

You wanted to say she could go to hell together with that brewery of Hux, but you bit your tongue. She said that with the best of intentions in mind. Although she knew she hurt you — she wanted to hurt you —, she had only your best interests at heart.

“Fine.” You clutched the blankets to your frame as you strolled out of the bedroom. “But for the record, whatever decision we make together, I don’t want Hux to know.”

The sides of her lips tilted into a small, barely noticeable smile. You caught yourself mimicking her even before her answer came to fruition in her mouth, “He won’t even dream of it, milady.”

“Mama!”

You shrugged from your thoughts and looked at him. He had his doe, chestnut eyes totally focused on you, his ginger brows arched in confusion. You had been playing quoits for the past half-hour — Lux did not leave any room for you and Rae to have a decent conversation, which frustrated you —, but you have spaced out more than once.

“I’m sorry, Little Lord, I got carried out,” you replied, patting his hair lovingly. He giggled a bit, before putting on a serious façade. He held your hands between his, much smaller and chubby ones, getting you away from his head, “Oh, right!” You smiled. “You’re a grown up and grown-ups don’t have their hair messed up by another grown-up.”

He nodded, very much focused on your fingers. You tilted your head a little, recalling how he used to hold onto them for dear life when he was but a few days old. It was still weird to think four years had gone by since you first held him in your arms and lulled him to sleep.

“And neither they call someone their mama.” Rae stated, her dark eyes thoroughly focused on you. Her hawk-like attention made you shiver and drop Lux’s hands immediately.

“They… don’t?” he asked in confusion. His brows shot up, his eyes were very much widened. He knew that depending on Rae’s answer, he would have to let go of his first — and favorite — word in the world. “Why not?”

“Because it not part of an adult��s vocabulary.” Another voice — different and so foreign —, with a melodious and almost sugary accent, made the three of you look up. A few meters from you, casting a shadow over the glorious, warm sun, stood the figure of someone you did not expect to see anytime soon.

Before you could help yourself, your hand shot to your womb.

Your action did not go unnoticed by neither Rae, nor Hux. He narrowed his eyes at you; his face growing somber at your gesture. The first, however, was the one to clear her throat, dragging your attention to the matter at hand. Your hand fell to your sides immediately.

“Lady Sindian,” you greeted in a low voice. You bowed your head, but did not give her the curtesy of a proper bow.

She pursed her lips into a thin line. It was crystal clear she simply hated when someone did not follow the proper etiquette, even if this someone was above her social status. As a Marquise, you held more power in your hands than she did with her Countess title.

You could almost say she was seething inside, dying to correct you in your antics. Hux’s eyes were still on you, intense and unreadable.

“Marchioness, what a pleasure meeting you after such lengthy retirement.” She performed an almost dramatic bow. “I hope you found the countryside to your liking.”

You exhaled long and deeply. She was playing a dangerous game and you did not know how long you would be able to control yourself, before you gave the answer she so deserved. You cast an accusatory glance at Hux, not at all surprised to find his face blank and expressionless.

He offered his hand for you to take, helping you to your feet. His hand stationed at the small of your back was no more than a warning for you to think through your next words.

You almost snorted.

He still cared about her opinion.

The need to put Lady Carise Sindian back in her place grew stronger. You swallowed. You really did not care about his past lovers — you knew that contrary to you, he had had others before your marriage —, but this woman could be as hateful as your own father. If not worse.

Perhaps she was hateful because your father was hateful to her in the first place, but at the moment, all rationality had left you.

The sound of Lux clicking his tongue in a childish manner to distract himself of your tiring and boring grown-up interaction made the three of you look at him. Your eyes grew softer at the sight of him making noises with his mouth.

“Lady Sindian, I want you to know Lux Dameron,” you said, placing both hands on his small shoulders. He stopped making those noises altogether and cast an adoringly glance at you. “Lux, this is Lady Carise Sindian.”

He looked at you, and then at Rae. At her nod, he bowed dutifully — an imitation of a perfect, even if diminutive, Lord. Still shy and conscious of his missing front tooth, he did not say anything. Rae offered her hand to him and he accepted it readily.

“He’s…” She looked at you and then her attention shifted to Hux; her eyes took her time analyzing his face, “got a very remarkable red hair.”

You even opened your mouth to reply, but his hand running soothingly over your arm shut you for once. He took the opportunity to entwine your fingers with his, squeezing them lightly. It made you freeze in place, but conscious of her rapt attention, you did not move away.

Lady Carise narrowed her eyes at the gesture. A small smile lifted the corner of her lips. She knew you were nervous, so you tried to relax in his arms, aware of her curious and so very cunning eyes on you.

“I admire your attitude,” she started, wetting her lips. “It’s a very touching and beautiful gesture.”

You swallowed, not very keen on giving her any reply, but as Hux squeezed your fingers harder, you forced yourself to speak, “Thank you, Countess.”

She made a perfect curtsy, even though her astute eyes remained focused on your husband. You pursed your lips into a thin line.

“I assume I will be seeing the two of you in two days’ time.”

When she was far away, you yanked your arm from his grasp and turned to face him; your lavender dress floated around you.

“You should have let me give her the answer she deserved.”

He moved his hand to remove a strand of hair from your face, but you took a step back, broadening the distance between you. His arms fell to his sides.

“I would rather not give her any reasons to keep pestering you or Lux.”

“Or Rae,” you replied. “She acted as if Rae didn’t even exist. Just because she doesn’t have a nobiliary title, it doesn’t mean she’s a servant. Or a slave. She treated Rae as if she were a slave, Armitage!”

Actually, she was a servant. She has always been and you knew that. However, you considered her family and you wanted her to be treated as such. Not a lowly servant who became instantly invisible in the company of people such as Lady Carise or even the — ugh, how you hated him — disgusting Agent Terex.

“Rae can take care of herself,” Hux replied quietly.

It irked you.

His apparent concern for your well-being.

You did not need that.

You did not want that.

“I can take care of myself very well, thank you.” You turned on your heels to follow Rae and Lux to the carriage, only to find them already gone. You grimaced. Rae Sloane would pay for that. “That’s what I have been doing for the last five years.”

It was barely an hour after you returned from the park when you found yourself in front of his study room. You raised your hand to knock at the double doors, but held yourself.

You were still angry with him.

You did not want to see his face.

You did not want to be in his presence.

You did not want to talk to him.

However, he had politely asked for your presence.

Not demanded.

But asked.

He knew that otherwise you would just ignore him and mind your own business — which, at the time, involved picking a dress for the upcoming Ball at Lady Sindian’s manor in couple of days. You had no intention of accepting her invitation, but Lady Organa’s small note had you changing your mind and besides, after today’s event, you knew that hiding from her would do your image — Hux’s image — no good.

Breathing through your nose, you knocked on the wooden doors. His voice came shortly after, welcoming you with a firm, even if low, Enter.

You placed your hand on the doorknob and slowly poked your head in. Focused on a series of reports, he did not raise his eyes to face you. And even after you closed the door quietly after yourself and stopped in front of his desk, he merely ordered you to take your seat.

After a few seconds passed in silence, you cleared your throat, “Listen, can we make this quick?” You breathed deeply. You could distinguish the smell of tobacco in the air. “I have somewhere else to be.”

You even turned around, but before you could go far, his voice was finally heard, “I never allowed you to leave.” You looked back at him, your eyes narrowed. “Now, sit.”

“I said I have somewhere else to be,” you replied, doing your best not to snap at him.

“I already asked Rae to take Lux to the eatery in Mayfair.”

You raised your chin, keen on saying that was not where you had to be, but decided against it. It would be a waste of precious time. He already knew the truth. And if he sent Rae away with Lux, it was because he had an important matter to discuss with you.

“Now sit.”

Begrudgingly, you did as he said, taking your seat in front of him. He had a bottle of brandy in his desk, which he opened and poured some into a glass for him. You waited for him to fill a second glass, which did not happen.

You arched a brow...

…and reached for the glass yourself. He held your wrist between his hands a bit more forcefully than usual, making you gasp.

His impossibly blue eyes were narrowed.

“We won’t know until a few weeks later…” you commented quietly, gazing into his orbs. He let go of your wrist and you quickly recoiled it, cradling it with your other hand, your fingers rubbing soothing circles over your pulse.

“We shouldn’t take any risks,” he replied. His voice not giving away any indication of excitement nor hope. It seemed like any other chore he had to perform.

It made you bit your bottom lip to suppress the need to cry in frustration. It had been a while since you last felt this humiliated. You wondered if this day could go any worse.

And as much as Rae Sloane’s words rang true — they always did —, you could not help but regret last night.

…give him a damned heir…

You rose to your feet.

Easier said than done.

If after your first night together you hoped for a child to be growing up in your womb, this time you hoped for his seed to be as weak as your legs right now. You did not want for it to take root in your body.

“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice genuinely curious.

You did not look at him as you headed to the exit. You even touched the doorknob, but before you could leave, he was behind you, both hands firmly placed on the wood, caging you between the door and his arms.

It took him a while to say any words, which only made your heart sped at the proximity of your bodies. He lowered his head to yours, his warm breath against your ear as he twirled a strand of your hair in his index finger.

“What is wrong with you?”

Aware you could not break free from his grasp — even if your bodies were quite not touching —, you shifted, facing him. You placed both hands on his chest, to keep him at bay, but that only served to remind you how you sank your short, polished nails in that very same spot last night.

As if burned, you let your hands fall to your sides.

“There is nothing wrong with me,” you finally said, your whispered tone made him inch a bit closer to hear you better. “I am just not in the mood for any games today.”

He arched a ginger eyebrow at your words.

You did not know if he was genuinely confused or…

…if he was playing you.

“I thought that after last night, you would be more pliant to a conversation—

You did not let him finish his sentence, hitting him square in the face. It tilted to the side abruptly. Your eyes widened as he shifted his attention back to you; a fillet of blood tinted his lip. You looked back at your left hand, finding the same crimson color smeared over your wedding band.

“Because of course I would be pliant after I woke up alone in the bed for the second time after you have your way with me!”

His nostrils flared visibly, but he did not express in words how offended he was at your words or your slap. A perfect gentleman, he stepped away from you and returned to his desk. He placed both hands over the wooden surface, his back facing you.

“I trust you had a good morning with Lady Sindian. Thanks to you, mine was unforgettable.”

He did not give you an answer.

Of course he did not.

So you pressed him, keen on yanking at least a loud reaction from him. A sharp intake of breath and nostrils flaring would simply not do. You wanted to make him feel guilty, to make him understand your disappointment and anger. Pain. He had to know what he did to you with his dismissive posture yet again.

“…Perhaps reviving the glorious days of your past with her.”

He squared his shoulders…

…and that was all.

You wanted to take off your shoes and throw it at his head. Perhaps after a concussion he would consider you worthy of his attention.

Instead, you just watched as he lit his cigar and brought it to his lips, inhaling the smoke sharply.

“Your jealousy is flattering, however misplaced.” He exhaled the smoke this time, creating circles in the air. “Now, leave.” His toneless voice was more than enough to make you legs go weak and the tears prick the corner of your eyes.

You wanted him to feel guilty, but all you accomplished was to stroke his ego.

Before he could see you cry — because of him, because you hated him, hated to feel anything for him —, you left the study, closing the door forcefully behind yourself. You had barely taken two steps away in the corridor when you heard a loud noise. It was not needed to be a genius to know he had thrown everything from his desk in anger.

With tears in your eyes, you felt your lips curving into a small, but victorious smile.

At least you managed to yank some fucking reaction from him.

You woke up a good couple of hours later. After that ridiculous fight — which you lost, you were perfectly aware of that —, you felt spent. Exhausted, really.

Heading back to your room, you did not even remove your clothes before you fell on the mattress. You missed lunch and given the darkness of your chambers you realized you missed supper as well.

And even if you felt famished, you were glad you were not there to see his hateful face or endure Rae’s analytical dark eyes over the two of you.

There was a light knock on your door and the whispered voices of Lux and his tutoress made you straighten your dress and your messed hair.

“Come in.” Your voice was still heavy with sleep as you walked towards the anteroom. Behind the preceptress, Rae Sloane stared at you with raised eyebrows. She held a folder closer to her chest, making you wonder if she had some Aesop fables stored there to read for you out loud.

You swallowed, but decided not to give her much attention. You kneeled in front of Lux and adjusted his pajamas.

“I brought him to say goodnight, Your Ladyship,” the tutoress said. “He was worried about you.”

“Aww, were you, Little Lord?” You tapped his small nose, making him giggle. He put both arms around your neck and gave you a tight — or as tight as possible for his diminutive and chubby frame — hug.

You embraced him back, holding him flush against your frame. You kissed his temples lovingly. The moment between you did not last, however, for Rae cleared her throat, dragging your attention to her.

“Your soup will get cold,” she said, motioning for the preceptress to take Lux away. Your lady’s maid entered the anteroom fully, placing the tray with your soup over the coffee table. The young girl excused herself shortly after.

“I am not hungry.” You tightened your hold around him. What you last wanted right now was another sort of lecture from her.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, he broke away from you and placed a toffee in your hand. You furrowed your brows, unable to understand his action.

“It’s for Lord Hux.” He leaned into you and whispered in your ear — even if it sounded too loud for everyone to hear — “He is in a bad mood.”

You smiled in spite of yourself.

Bestowing a brief kiss upon his cheeks — which he wiped with his chubby hand —, you prompted him towards his tutoress. He took her hand, and together they left the anteroom.

Rae Sloane closed the door behind herself. You gulped as her words reached your ears.

“We have to talk.”

It was with some sort of surprise that you found yourself sitting on the bed with Rae behind you, her hands working swiftly in your hair. You even thought about telling her to stay away from you, but decided against it.

She had yet to say anything, and the way her fingers combed your strands into a loose braid made you sleepy all over again. You had just eaten, and the hot soup made you more compliant to get some more rest.

You even dozed off a few times, but a firm tug in your hair made you yelp in pain.

“What was that for?” You turned to face her, snapping her hands away from you.

She glared at you, her face hiding nothing of her discontentment. “I asked you a question.”

“You could have asked nicely again,” you replied. “And if you are going to tell me I was childish earlier, I know that. You don’t have to lecture me nor defend your precious Armitage.”

It was clear she would have rolled her eyes if she were any other woman. If that was not an act bellow her.

“I don’t have time to defend that moron,” she replied, her hands falling to her lap. “But my heart is swelled with pride that you know you were stupid and childish.”

Your mouth opened in a big O.

You did not know if you should feel flattered that she agreed with you — more than a moron, Hux was a jerk and you hated him — or offended that she thought you stupid and childish.

Closing you lips into a thin line, you took the hairclip from the mattress and put it in your tresses yourself.

“And what do you want?” you asked after a few seconds in silence.

“To talk about the brewery.”

You furrowed your brows.

And the next words to leave her lips left you completely flabbergasted, “I need your help.”

What?

“And how could I help you?” You reached for her forehead. She was surely sick. She snapped your hands away harshly. You let out a breathy ouch at her action. “I thought Armitage had Lord Mitaka to oversee his business personally in Ireland.”

You hesitantly accepted the folder she offered. Opening the files, you were startled to see the numbers. In the last two years, the brewery showed a decline in almost every important aspect of production. The sales were compromised and even the production was below average for this time of the year.

“That’s…” You wetted your lips. “Worse than I expected.” You took a few minutes analyzing the reports she had in her possession, humming here and there as you came across a decline in numbers. The percentage of dismissed employees was astounding, even for a business as large as that. “I was led to believe the brewery was the second most important in the Kingdom.”

“It was,” she replied quietly. “But it was mismanaged the time he spent away in the War.”

You pursed your lips.

Well, he would know if he ever came back, you felt like saying. Instead, you asked, “And what does he intend to do with this scenery?”

Her answer came quicker than you expected, “I am showing you this, so you could ask him.”

You threw your head back and laughed.

“He won’t listen to a word I have to say. You know that.”

This time, Rae Sloane rolled her eyes. She really rolled her eyes. You stared at her agape, letting go of the reports easily as she snatched them away from you.

“You underestimate your importance in his life.”

“You underestimate your importance in his life… As if!” You repeated her words mockingly. Not even her narrowed eyes made you stop. “He doesn’t care about me, Rae! If he cared, he would not have left me this morning to confabulate and gods-know-what with that… Old rag.”

She breathed deeply through her nose. It was clear she lost her patience with you centuries ago.

“That old rag is my age, (Y/N).”

Oops.

You even opened your mouth to apologize. To say she was different, classy and very much young for her age, but you knew that one could not buy Rae Sloane with sweet, fake words. You clamped your mouth shut.

Crap.

“Your jealousy will lead you nowhere.”

“I am not jealous!” You snorted. “Why does everyone think I am jealous?”

“Because you are,” she replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. She looked at you and with a calmer tone, she added, “listen, he was with her this morning because he needed a loan.”

You gasped.

“You are too quick to judge him.”

You bit the inside of your cheeks.

“I am—

“I am not done yet.” Her icy tone made you swallow. You nodded, giving her permission to continue — as if she needed it, “You’re insufferable. You say you want him to love you, but do you love him, (Y/N)?”

You opened your mouth, ready to come up with a reply, but she raised her finger, silencing you immediately.

“I don’t think you do.”

Not knowing what to say, you pursed your lips into a thin line. You did not want to hear her words. She simply did not understand. It was not like she could understand — she did not even believe in love, for God’s sake!

Rae rose to her feet, folder under one arm, and walked towards the doors; gray dress swinging behind herself. Before she could leave, however, she looked at you over her shoulders, “You believe you love him, but you don’t.” She placed her hand on the doorknob. “What you love is this romanticized and distorted image of Armitage you created when you were a child.”

And just like that, she left.

You stared at the closed double doors agape. Not knowing what to do with her sudden — and unusual — outburst.

Falling back on the bed, you brought the pillow to your face and hit the mattress several times with your legs. How you wished for a torrential rainy day since morning, you would not even leave the comfort of your room in the first place.

Could this day get any worse?

You had no idea what time it was when you woke up startled.

Once more you reached for the bed, only to find it empty. It filled you with… both relief and disappointment. It was paradoxical, you knew, but you wanted him away and closer at the same time.

Rae’s words would not leave your mind.

Plaguing you with their rawness. She was rude. She meant to be. But she did not want to hurt you unnecessarily. She never did anything without some purpose — even if you could not comprehend where she was headed to with that crudity of hers.

You loved Hux.

Of course you did.

You worshiped the very ground he walked on since you were a child. How could this not be love? Besides, Rae Sloane did not love anyone — except for Lux and Hux himself, but that was different. It was not the same kind of love. They were intrinsically different.

As day and night.

As water and fire.

As earth and air.

Of course you romanticized him — which kind of person would not? Reality was not as beautiful as the fantasy. Any sane person fantasized at least a little.

You bit your bottom lip.

You were giving Rae’s words more attention than they deserved. There were far more pressing matters, such as Hux’s loan. Why in hell would he get a loan from Lady Sindian when he was wealthier than she was?

He was like the wealthier person you had ever met.

It simply made no sense.

You understood that the situation in the brewery was not looking good. Your father always said that desperate times call for desperate measures, but this was a bit too much. Certainly the numbers were not that bad, right? Not to the point he had to align himself to that hideous, greedy creature.

Grabbing your dressing gown from over your ottoman you set to find him. He was probably in his study room — drinking, or smoking — working on his paperwork. He has always been such a workaholic!

You opened the door to your anteroom and stepped outside, careful not to wake up anyone. Tiptoeing, you approached one of the windows in the long corridor of the third floor and saw some movement in the stables.

The light was very scarce. It took you a while to identify who was adjusting a saddle on a horse. You squinted your eyes and…

Fuck!

He was leaving.

You quickly ran across the corridor — the thoughts of not awaking anybody left your mind completely — and climbed down the stairs, two steps at a time, sometimes three — or as much as your legs allowed you.

It was only when you reached the outside that you realized your improper clothes and your lack of shoes. You almost yelped as your feet met the cold paving stones of the yard. Yet, you persisted, running towards the stable. Towards him.

Breathless, and with your heart on the verge of escaping your mouth, you reached him. Mounting his black mare, he was about to cross the gates. You stopped in front of him, holding the animal’s rein with all your might.

Actually, you did not know if you did it to hold yourself on your feet — you were definitely not used to such intense exercise; running after something, whatever it was, was bellow women of your social status — or to stop him.

In any way, the animal got scared and reared. He yanked the reins from your hands and held onto its large neck to remain seated. He looked at one of the guards, and one of them pulled you backwards, moving you away from the entrance. Other two closed the gates in a hurry.

It took him a while and some soothing words to calm the mare. The animal trotted a few times, neighing loudly. The General patted its neck twice, in a comforting gesture. Then, he shifted his attention to you.

“Have you gone insane?”

You twisted your wrist, breaking free from the servant. He took two steps away from you and bowed his head in an apologetic gesture. Neither you, nor the General paid him any attention.

Walking back towards the mare, you caressed her muzzle slightly, letting her smell you. When the animal neighed appreciatively, you muttered a low, “Sorry, big girl. It was never my intention to scare you.” To your husband, you merely said under your breath, “Also I am not insane.”

He narrowed his eyes at you, moving the animal aside. He gestured for the guards to open the gates once again, but you held his wrist.

Not keen on causing a scene, he broke free from your grasp — using the same technique you used on the guard; he had been the one to teach you that after all — and merely said, “Go back to sleep. Whatever you want to say can wait till tomorrow morning.”

You bit the inside of your cheeks.

“If you leave, I swear to God, Amirtage, I will get another horse and follow you. Dressed. Like. This.”

He glared at you…

…but did nothing else. He did not leave. He did not say he agreed to talk to you. He knew you fairly well by now to know you would follow him, unclothed as you were.

“Where are you going?” you asked, only to receive no answer. You arched your brows and pressed the matter, “I want to go with you.”

“You are not going (Y/N),” he replied, his patience wearing thin. “Now, move.”

You glared at him.

“Give me your coat,” you said to the same guard who had moved you away from the gates. He looked at you and then at the General, not knowing what to do. “That’s an order!” He started peeling his coat slowly, as if too stunned to act more quickly. “Now, remove your trousers as well.”

“Y-Your Ladyship!” His voice was no more than a shocked shriek. He continued to look frantically between you and the General, at loss for words.

Hux’s nostrils flared.

“Go get dressed,” he told you. “You have ten minutes.” A small smile curved your lips. You had won this battle at least. “I will leave you behind if you don’t return in this timeframe.”

To the scared guard — you would have to make it up to him one of these days —, you said, “Keep an eye on him. If he leaves before I return, you can shoot him.”

The General did not say where you were headed to. He simply set a quick pace over his black mare, forcing you to hold onto his arms around you more forcefully.

Although you could ride as easily as you could breath, you decided not to get a horse for yourself. Instead, you decided to ride with your husband. Your back was to his chest and his breath was directly to your ears.

Needless to say, he was rather displeased when you decided to sit astride the mare, like he did — like a man, what a scandal! — but he did nothing to stop you. Instead, he set a punishing pace over his old companion, expecting you to beg him to go slower.

It only made you laugh.

The wind messed your unkept hair and castigated your face — the ear that was not on the receiving end of his warm breath was about to falling off —, but you would be damned before you begged him to stop.

The faster his mare went, the harder you laughed.

After a while, he brought the animal to a stop. You heard the water running before you saw it. It took you a few seconds to realize he had brought you to Hyde Park. You were currently in a far corner of the park. The moon high up in the sky was reflected over the Serpentine lake, shyly illuminating the scenery.

He dismounted and offered you one of his hands, the other moved to your waist, helping you down. Armitage even tried to break apart at the same moment, but you tightened your hold onto his shoulders, keeping your body close to his.

His warm breath fanned your face, but he said nothing. You could smell both tobacco and whisky. It was not that strong; more of a lingering scent.

“I am sorry,” you whispered after a while.

Now — after being lectured by Rae and thinking your earlier fight through — you knew that besides having had only a business reunion with Lady Sindian — he could not blame you for keep thinking… —, you knew what he meant when he said the words pliant and last night in the same sentence.

He never meant it in a… sexual way. It was about your conversation and the fact you had opened up to each other last night.

Your heart was heavy with guilty. If only you had thought before snapping at him. If only he had left you a note...

“I am sorry I snapped at you,” you said quietly. “But you have to understand it’s highly traumatizing for me to wake up alone in our bed.”

Hux took the opportunity to break apart and put a few steps between you. He walked towards the lake, watching the calm water with his arms folded at his chest. The mare, called Millicent — a homage to his old tabby cat that died a few days before your wedding —, far too well trained, merely grazed the grass and occasionally neighed happily.

Stepping towards him, you took your time to stare at the moon through the lake. But before you could get closer, you stopped on your tracks as his bluish eyes set on you, “Care to explain your childish behavior?”

You rolled your eyes, which made him inhale sharply.

Clearly, if you were a child, he was far from the fun adult stereotype.

“Why didn’t you tell me about getting a loan with Lady Sindian?”

He snorted.

“I am impressed Rae did not tell you sooner.”

You felt highly offended at his cruel words. Not for yourself, but for Rae. She did not deserve such harsh treatment from him.

This time, his cold stare was not sufficient to make you stop. You walked to him, stopping right in front of him, invading his personal space. If he stepped back, he would only prove he was intimidated by someone smaller than him, younger than him, more of a child than him.

“Believe it or not, she is very loyal to you.”

He did not say anything to that.

He knew the truth.

He may not want to acknowledge it, but he knew.

Deep down, he knew.

“She came to me about the brewery…” you started, folding your arms at your chest as well. It was a chilly night, and in your hurry to get to him before his ten-minute mark, you forgot to get a mantle.

Always the gentleman, he removed his own and placed it over your shoulders. This time, he did not retreat. He held onto the lapels of his mantle, keeping you close as he whispered, “I wasn’t aware you were an expert.”

You glared at him, but instead of removing his hands from you, you directed yours to his face. If he wanted to intimidate you, he would have to try harder.

“You underestimate me, my Lord.”

When he did not give you a reply, you continued, “You said I am someone entirely different since you left.” You wetted your bottom lip. “You’re right. I have changed, but you have changed as well.”

He did not give you an answer. He removed both hands from his mantle, letting them fall to his sides. You even thought about mimicking him, but you wanted his complete attention. You brushed your fingers against his cheeks, removing a strand of ginger hair from his eyes.

“After you left, I began taking lessons to understand more of your business, in case… you know, I became a widow.”

He nodded, prompting you to continue.

“However, I learned you left someone to take care of the brewery in your pla—

“Rae had total—

“Rae understand about Wars, not about business,” you cut him off, receiving a glare from him. He removed your hand from his face. “At any rate, she was busy taking care of Lux. Like I said, his mother died a few hours after his birth and I didn’t know what to do with a child. Besides, I had to return to my father. We didn’t want him to suspect Lux was well and alive.”

Hux remained in silence for a moment. Calmer now, he brought your hand to his lips, bestowing upon it the briefest of kisses.

His small gesture had your heart accelerating.

“How did Poe come to be Lux’s father?”

You tried to pull your hand away from him, but he held onto you firmly. A gasp left you when he brought his lips to the inside of your wrist, kissing it softly.

“I will tell if you tell why you asked for that old rag’s money.”

His eyes darkened at your words. His caresses stopped instantly.

He let go of your wrist, letting it fall limply to your sides.

A sigh left you. You were back to square one.

Way to go, (Y/N)!

“I just don’t understand. It simply makes no sense,” you started, holding his hands between yours. You shook your head, as if to indicate your confusion, “You have more money than she has, that’s why my father married me off to you instead of taking her as his wife.”

He arched his brows.

It was as if he did not expect such reasoning from you. Whenever you talked about your marriage, you always spoke of it as a union of love — even when he clearly said that love had no space in a marriage. It was probably a surprise to see you talking about it like a reasonable adult.

Being grown-up sucks, you thought to yourself. If only Lux knew, he wouldn’t trade his childhood for nothing in this world.

Recalling his words, you reached out for the toffee you kept inside your corset. Hux’s eyes darkened at your action. You placed in his hand, closing his fingers around it.

“Lux said you were in a bad mood.”

He snorted, but tightened his hold over it all the same.

“Anyways,” you began again, dragging his attention back to the topic at hand, “she won’t leave you alone if you allow her to lend you any money. Besides, you know she believes you’re still pining after her.” You bit the inside of your cheeks, unsure where to go after that. You had not planned that far.

He tilted your chin upwards, his thumb eased your bottom lip.

“I am not pining after her.” His words, coupled with how his warm breath caressed your face, sent a shiver down your spine. He pulled your closer, and you stood on your toes so you could brush your lips against his. He broke apart before you could manage that. A defeated sigh left you.

“I’m sure we can find another way,” you whispered, holding tightly onto his hand. If he would not let you kiss him…

“We?” he asked; brows arched in surprise. He brushed his nose against yours, his lips skimming against your jaw with purpose, but he never placed them over yours. It was getting increasingly difficult to have a straight conversation with him at this point. He took your earlobe between his teeth, applying some pressure. A moan of both pleasure and frustration left you. “What do you mean by we?”

You swallowed.

“We’re married, Armitage. It’s time we start acting as such.” You pursed your lips into a thin line. It was time you started acting like the adult you were. If Rae and even he himself always accused you of being childish, it was probably because you behave like that most of times. “We won’t accomplish nothing if we keep fighting every second.”

He broke apart from you.

You were a bit dizzy after his ministrations.

“You are right,” he conceded. “But I have to take her offer.”

“Why?” Your eyes were widened. “Goddammit, Amirtage, haven’t you heard a word of what I just said?”

Holding onto your chin, he brushed his lips against yours. Finally giving you the kiss you yearned so much for since this conversation took a flirtatious turn. He did not linger more than a few seconds, but it was sufficient to make you hum in contentment.

“I did, my dear wife,” he said, placing a strand of your hair behind your ear. You sighed. He ran the back of this forefinger over the side of your neck, making you shiver. You bit your bottom lip when he enclosed his hand around your throat — just like he did last night, while making love to you. The mere remembrance made you weak on the knees, “but my damned father made sure I will only have access to the total sum of my inheritance only when I have an heir of my own.”

A/N - And that will be all for today! I’ll see you next Thursday!

#hux x you #hux x reader #in the general's bed #in the generals bed #itgb #general hux #armitage hux #hux #armitage hux x reader #armitage hux x you #general hux x you #general hux x reader #regency!hux #regency story #regency #regency hux #sequels #fanfic

24 notes · View notes