Burning for Love by Evangeline Anderson
11
If James was honest with himself, he was glad of the interruption. He had been enjoying talking to Princess Ka’rissa much more than he probably should. And before that, he had been touching her soft, warm skin and long, silky hair, which he also, should not have enjoyed.
But I only enjoyed it because of the pleasurable sensations I got from the textures of her skin and hair, he tried to tell himself. However, he had touched soft things in the past. The material of his own uniform shirt was made of a soft, heavy, silky fabric that was pleasant to feel, and yet he had never had the urge to go on stroking it over and over, in the same way he had wanted to keep massaging Ka’rissa’s soft skin and playing with her long, curly hair.
He had also never undressed a female before—not even the single Pairing Puppet he had been with aboard the Mother Ship, who had undressed herself with mechanical, jerky motions. He liked the feeling of helping the Princess—of easing her pain and releasing her from the bondage of her clothing.
Why in the universe did the people of Regalia Five insist on constricting themselves with torturous items like the corset and weighing themselves down with heavy clothing and wigs, James wondered? The petite, curvy Princess had been wearing an outfit and wig that was nearly a quarter to a third of her own body weight and she had been forced to dance all night in it, which amounted to fairly vigorous exercise. Why did they put themselves through it?
Ka’rissa’s explanation of it being “Court fashion” didn’t sit well with James. He himself had worn a heavy, metal exoskeleton for years, but it—like his enhancements—had been made of smart metal, which molded to his body and moved with him. The Princess’s dress and wig lacked any kind of helpful electrodes or sensors that might make them anything other than a burden.
Also, the idea of females being weaker and more fragile than males was patently ridiculous. Yes, they were not as strong physically as males but that didn’t make them less intelligent or less able to think. How was it that Ka’rissa had been kept ignorant of her own biology? There must be some way to control her Heat Cycle, other than some mysterious function her future mate might serve, whatever that might be.
His thoughts were full of such ideas as he put his eye to the peep hole in the door and looked around…and then down to see a sour-faced Lady Mildew standing there, tapping her foot. Once more, James thought the female looked like she had been sucking on sour citrus. Why was she so unhappy all the time?
Since he had no emotions himself, he had a hard time analyzing the cause of others’ emotions. But he didn’t really care about the Princess’s old Companion enough to try, anyway.
He opened the door and nodded at her.
“Lady Mildew.”
“Get out of my way!” the older female declared, brushing past him. “Where is that girl? I’ll not be kept waiting all night. Ka’rissa?” she called impatiently. “Where are you?”
“I’m here, Lady Mildew.” Ka’rissa stepped out from behind James and bobbed a little curtsy to the other female.
“There you are—and not a moment too soon! I’ve been kept waiting outside for ages!” Lady Mildew complained.
“I will go and draw the bath,” James said to the Princess.
“What? The bath’s not even ready yet?” Lady Mildew exclaimed.
“It will be in a moment,” James assured her. He went into the bathing chamber and began to run cold water into the large, oval tub. But his Kindred hearing was still sharp enough to hear the two females talking, even over the rushing water. He looked through the crack in the door, observing them quietly.
“Thank you for coming, Lady Mildew,” Ka’rissa said politely. “I’m ready for my bath.”
“No, you’re not! Look at you—you still have on your chemise and pantalettes!” Lady Mildew exclaimed. “Can’t this new Companion of yours even manage to undress you?”
“He was, er, undressing me.” For some reason, Ka’rissa’s cheeks went rosy in a blush of apparent embarrassment. “But we started talking and, well, we rather lost track of time.”
“Talking, were you?” Lady Mildew gave her a skeptical look. “Are you sure that’s all you were doing, girl?”
“What else would I have been doing?” Ka’rissa protested, still blushing.
“Things you’re not supposed to!” Lady Mildew snapped.
“James is a robot—a cyborg with no emotions,” Ka’rissa protested, defending him. “He doesn’t want to do any wrong things like that with me.”
“That’s what he says—that’s what all males say,” Lady Mildew said ominously. “But you mark my words, my girl, they all want the same thing!”
“What is that? What do they want?” Ka’rissa looked honestly confused. “You always say such things but then you never explain them.”
“Never you mind—an unmarried girl doesn’t need to know,” the other female snapped. “Just you be careful he doesn’t take any liberties with you.”
“I wouldn’t let him kiss me, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Ka’rissa looked shocked.
“You’d better not!” Lady Mildew said sternly. “Now come on, girl—let’s get you in and out of the bath. I don’t have all night!”
“Yes, Lady Mildew,” Ka’rissa murmured.
The two women approached the bathing chamber and James stepped quickly away from the door. He supposed what he had been doing might be what some people considered “eavesdropping,” though he preferred to think of it as reconnaissance. The conversation between Princess Ka’rissa and her former chaperone had given him much to process and ponder, but for now, he must see to the Princess’s bath.
