Carl Grose

“We have the same nightgown: loose and easily lifted. And when the deed is done, the King will be satiated with sleep And I shall slip out from beneath him and she shall slip in. Easy! I have asked the cook for advice, pretending I am soon to be wed. She said I must grit my teeth and pant with pleasure, even if it not be there. I’m used to pretending so that shouldn’t be a problem. But what if I do enjoy it? What then? The cook just raised her eyebrows and gave me a cloth for the blood. Blood? What blood? BRANGIAN turns to the LOVE SPOTTERS for advice but they haven’t a clue.”
― Carl Grose, Kneehigh Anthology: Volume 1: Tristan & Yseult; The Bacchae; The Wooden Frock; The Red Shoes

“BRANGIAN collects the sheets to wash. BRANGIAN: I shook like a leaf. He whispered, ‘Be calm, sweet one’ – But of course I could not speak. He inhaled the scent of my flesh As if he wanted to remember it. And then… and then I felt the weight of him, Oh Lord! My knees quaked, my hands trembled, My stomach turned somersaults. And – servant though I am – I did not want to leave, To slip out from under him and be replaced: Bugger duty! This morning, with rings under my eyes I took the wedding breakfast in And removed the sheets with my own blood on them. What of my wedding night? Will a queen take my place for me? Not likely. Not bloody likely. But last night it was me who was the beloved.”
― Carl Grose, Kneehigh Anthology: Volume 1: Tristan & Yseult; The Bacchae; The Wooden Frock; The Red Shoes