Chapter 1
(This story was originally written over 20 years ago when I started writing stories. My writing has changed since then. I got a negative comment at the end of this book and I want to state that if you don't like stories where there are dreams or the author makes the story go a different way or anything like that, this is not the one for you. Read if you wish but please don't bother commenting if you don't the story. I'm not the same in writing as I was when
Hayley walked into the castle of the Lord of Middleton, Nickolas Carter. She was a handmaiden to his wife, Lady Amanda. She had been out on the grounds for a walk while Amanda was resting. She had gone through a difficult time of her life. Lady Amanda had been carrying the heir of Lord Nickolas only for the baby to be stillborn. Hayley helped bury the baby in the cemetery and was there for Lady Amanda when Lord Nickolas shut himself in his study to mourn the loss of his child. Hayley headed up the stairs and looked up and saw Lord Nickolas standing at the top of the stairs.
“My lord, I’m sorry for your loss,” Hayley said bowing her head.
“My lady is waiting for you,” Nickolas said. Hayley bowed and went to the room where Lady Amanda was waiting with the doctor.
“Hayley, there you are, come here,” Amanda said. Hayley bowed and walked over to her and Amanda had her sit down and took her hand.
“You are my most trusted handmaiden, the doctor is going to tell me some news and I need you by my side for this, my lord had things to take care of with the country,” Amanda said.
“Yes, my lady,” Hayley said. They looked at the doctor.
“After examining you, my lady, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to bear any more children,” The doctor said.
“That is not possible, my husband wants children, he wants an heir,” Amanda said.
“I’m sorry, but that is what I have found out,” the doctor said.
“Oh no, my lord will be displeased,” Amanda said.
“Would you like me to inform him of this news, my lady?” Hayley asked.
“If you would, please, I need to be alone,” Amanda said. Hayley bowed her head and walked to the study and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Nickolas said. Hayley opened the door and saw the lord sitting at his desk. She went in and closed the door. He looked up and saw her.
“Miss Hayley, is my lady okay?” Nickolas asked.
“I’m afraid she isn’t, my lord, she has received some bad news from the doctor, I’m sorry, my lord, she is no longer able to bear any more children,” Hayley said. Nickolas sat back in the chair.
“Is that what the doctor said?” Nickolas asked.
“Yes, my lord, she was very sad about the news,” Hayley said.
“Thank you for informing me of the news,” Nickolas said. Hayley bowed and turned to the door. She put her hand on the doorknob.
“Miss Hayley,” Nickolas said as he walked up behind her. He put her hands on her shoulders.
“My lord,” Hayley said.
“Thank you for being there for my lady, she has told me that you are her most trusted handmaiden,” Nickolas said.
“Thank you, my lord,” Hayley said. There was a knock at the door. Nickolas went back to his desk. Hayley opened the door and saw Lady Amanda standing there.
“There you are,” Lady Amanda said coming in and closing the door.
“My lady,” Nickolas said. Lady Amanda walked to the desk.
“I am sure Hayley told you my news,” Lady Amanda said.
“Yes, she did, I’m sorry about that,” Nickolas said.
“I have an idea, you want an heir, right,” Lady Amanda said.
“Yes, I do,” Nickolas said.
“Hayley can give you a child, she can carry a child for us,” Lady Amanda said.
“My lady,” Hayley said.
“You want me to sleep with Hayley?” Nickolas asked.
“Yes, just until she gets pregnant,” Lady Amanda said.
“My lady, I couldn’t do that, it is wrong,” Hayley said.
“What you ask me to do is adultery, I will not do anything to ruin my reputation,” Nickolas said. Lady Amanda looked at Hayley and at her husband.
“I thought you wanted an heir,” Lady Amanda said.
“Yes I do, but I will not sleep with another woman to get one, I know you aren’t able to give me any more children, but it is something I’ll have to live with,” Nickolas said.
“If you will not do what I ask, then our marriage is to the point of destruction,” Lady Amanda said turning and walking out of the room. Hayley looked at Nickolas and bowed and followed Lady Amanda out of the room. Nickolas saw his most trusted servant, Howard, walk into the room.
“My lord,” Howard said.
“My lady wants to make sure I have an heir, and she wants me to bed her most trusted handmaiden, Hayley, I’m at lost, Howard, I can’t break my vows,” Nickolas said.
“My lord, you must do what you must,” Howard said. His other most trusted servant, Brian came into the room.
“What must he do?” Brian asked.
“Lady Amanda wants to make sure Lord Nickolas has his heir that he desires, that she wants him to bed Hayley,” Howard said.
“My lord, if Lady Amanda wishes you do that, then it must be done,” Brian said.
“I will not break my vows, Brian, Lady Amanda is my wife, I will not commit adultery,” Nickolas said.
“It isn’t adultery if your wife asked you to do that,” Brian said. Nickolas sat there thinking of everything and realized what he must do.
