The Lady and Her Secret Lover

by Jenn LeBlanc

  She heard her name ground out through his teeth in a way she’d never thought to hear it, so deep and violent as he rose above her, his arms stiff and thready, his hips tight against her, his cock pulsing. Then she felt it, the sudden warm fullness of his seed. It filled her, spilled through her, before he collapsed on top of her, his arms giving out for a moment before he lifted himself on his elbows and rested his forehead against her shoulder. She ran her fingers over the big slab muscles on his back for a moment as she waited for him to compose himself.

  He lifted his chin and gazed at her. “Are you well?” he asked, smoothing the errant curls from her face again.

  She nodded, then took his wrists in her hands. “Is that all?”

  “That’s…the most of it, yes. I suppose. And hopefully, we’ve done this,” he said with a smile.

  “I hope too,” she said then. “I hope.” She took his face between her hands and kissed him once more. Sweetly. “Though it wouldn’t be such a hardship should we need to…should it come to that.”

  Hugh laughed silently, his shoulders shaking under her fingers. “No, Maitland, it would be no hardship.” He kissed her again though it was the sweeter, friendlier sort of kiss and much less the passionate throes of ecstasy kiss of before. “It was mostly nerves. I suppose many wedding nights are much the same.”

  She nodded. “I was taught that it would be uncomfortable, and painful, and frightening, but hopefully over rather quickly.”

  He held her gaze a pinch of concern between his eyebrows. She shied but didn’t look away. “I hope it was not too uncomfortable or painful or frightening, and it was over rather more quick than I’m familiar with, if that helps.”

  “There was a bit in the middle…but other than that…thank you,” she said, then she patted his shoulders, expecting him to move.

  “I’m just— Won’t you give me a moment? Amelia said to wait after, for a time until my seed would have time to make its way…you know…”

  “Ahhh,” she said, not knowing what to do with her legs since Hugh was still between them. She looked everywhere but at him. Reaching out and playing with the velvet curtains on the bed. “Beautiful fabric,” she whispered, which sent him to laughing once more, which shifted something else inside her and the warmth of his spend leaked past his barrier and dribbled down to the bed.

  He lifted, his brow crinkled in concern.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “You’ve bled a bit. It’s normal. I wasn’t expecting it, as you and Louisa had said—”

  “Yes, well, you’re a bit bigger than all that.”

  He nodded, then shrugged. “I’ll get you a towel. And a robe, so you won’t need to dress again. Do you feel well? Beyond…beyond?” He waved a hand at her nethers, which she realized were well and truly uncovered as he moved from the bed rather expediently.

  “Yes, actually, quite well.”

  He came back with a towel wrapped around his middle, and handed her another, laying a robe on the bed. As she managed herself and dressed he turned to give her privacy. It all seemed so odd and disconnected from what they’d just done, but Ellie appreciated it nonetheless.

  When she stood, putting her hand on his shoulder, he turned and pulled her close, wrapping his big arms around her and holding her tight. “Thank you, Maitland, for being stubborn and sure of what you wanted. Thank you for being the one missing piece to our puzzle. Thank you for being my wife.”

  She sobbed at the unexpected words, holding his gaze. “Thank you for taking such good care of my Louisa when I was unable. I’m eternally grateful she had you in her life, and now, always will.”

  They kissed once more, somewhere beyond sweet but not a trespass, and Ellie turned and left him there.

  Ellie opened the door to her bedroom, and Louisa jumped from their bed, rushing over and taking her in her arms. “I’ve missed you. Are you— How are you?” she asked, pulling back to look in Ellie’s eyes.

  “I’m well. You were correct in that Hugh is a perfect gentleman. He was so lovely it broke my heart a bit, but then I remembered he has Amelia. But we managed, the two of us. We managed,” she whispered then smiled, nervous. They’d more than managed. What they’d done had been beautiful in a surprising way. She thought marriage to a man wouldn’t have been a hardship if he’d been as wonderful as her Louisa, or Hugh.

  Ellie wasn’t sure how Louisa would react to her having been with another person, with a man, but she wanted to tell her everything. It was fine to discuss matters in theory, but in reality, everything could still change. In reality, either one of them could have difficulty reconciling what could be considered a cuckold in several different ways. For her part, Ellie didn’t think she could love Louisa any more than she already did, but she’d been proven wrong in that thought tonight, with Hugh. Because of Hugh.

  He’d been so careful, so cautious, so loving with her. He had shown her what true love is, beyond that of passion and sex. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Louisa, but that because she didn’t love him in that way, and she still felt this incredible connection to him, that she was able to be with him intimately and not feel violated in any way…and what a gift it was. If she were to be blessed with a child from their union, she knew the babe had been borne of love, pure and simple, and that thought alone overwhelmed her—brought tears to her eyes.

  Louisa took her by the hand and led her to the bed. “You should lie down,” she said, “so as not to spill his seed. Remove your dressing gown, and let me care for you.”

  Louisa left her side and went to their bathing room. She seemed fine if a little discomfited, but Ellie hoped that any discomfort was from concern for her and not some sort of jealousy or distaste.

  Ellie rested her hand against her belly. Dear God, give us this child. Bless us with this gift.

  Louisa returned, holding a steaming basin with fresh linens draped over her arms, and Ellie sighed in the warmth it promised. Louisa sat next to her, wringing out a linen and bringing it to Ellie’s face. When she leaned closer, Louisa froze, her pupils expanding. Then she took a deep breath. “You smell of Hugh,” she said.

  Ellie stilled. “I’m sorry, I—” Ellie shook her head and tried to move away, but Louisa stayed her with a bare hand against Ellie’s now wet chest.

  “No, I didn’t mean… He’s dear to me. He…saved me. If anything, he’s the only family I’ve had for a long time. It was an observation.” Louisa leaned over her and ran her nose up her neck, calling forth goosebumps from the depths of Ellie’s body as Louisa inhaled and her voice dropped low. “I meant that the scent of him on you is intoxicating. Powerful. I feel powerful. I’m not at all upset, or disturbed, and though perhaps I should be…I’m not. I’m grateful and I’m more in love with you than I’ve ever been.”

  Ellie was shocked, but the pure erotic sight of Louisa inhaling her scent, mixed with that of her husband, made her arch off the bed. “Oh God, Lou, don’t stop, don’t stop.” All the pent-up arousal her mind had managed to stifle when she was with Hugh flooded her system. Her nipples hardened, her breasts became heavy and sensitive, and that tight knot that had coiled in her belly began to unfurl. She let out the breath she’d been holding all day.

  Ellie pulled Louisa to the bed as she shifted to make room next to her. Louisa kissed her way back down Ellie’s neck, undoing the chemise and pushing it from her shoulders. Her hand found and tweaked one nipple, then the other, before chasing the twinge with her mouth to soothe the burn, and Maitland came off the bed once again.

  “I’ve never been so…so… I don’t have the words for this, Louisa. Oh God, I’ve never felt so…” Ellie stopped, furrowing her brow in concentration. “I’ve never— Oh God, Louisa.” She took her face between her palms and pulled her up to look into her eyes. “I couldn’t wait to come back to you, my love. I couldn’t wait to return, to share these things with you. He spoke to my emotions, he aroused my body, but my mind—it wouldn’t answer him. But now, with you touching me, everything is co
ming. I feel so open, so… What he brought forth, the pure love, the pure gentility of it, Louisa.” Her lover dragged her name from her on a moan. Ellie took Louisa’s shoulders and turned her to her back, but just as quick, Louisa tangled her legs and flipped back over Ellie.

  “No. You will lay here and suffer my ministrations. You will lay here and make our babe while I pleasure you. Let me do this for you. Let my love carry his seed deep into your womb.” Louisa covered her head to toe, her hands everywhere, then she shifted to her side, and Ellie saw Louisa’s hand hover above her mons, unsure, and Ellie wondered if Louisa’s concern was more about disturbing the work she and Hugh had labored for, or if she didn’t want to touch her there—where he had—or… “You can make me come with your mouth on my tits and you know it. Save that for another night,” Ellie said, stopping her maundering.

  The look she was met with, the white-hot passion in Louisa’s eyes, the thick, heaviness of love was something Ellie wanted to wade and lavish in for the rest of her days.

  Lou leaned over her then, her fingers digging into her hip as she pulled her body closer before she kissed her, and she knew then that Lou could taste Hugh as well, because Louisa groaned and pushed against her tongue harder before sucking it into her own mouth.

  Ellie pulled Louisa’s hands to her breasts then bent one knee until it found its way between her lover’s legs and she pushed into her hard. Louisa gasped against the contact and her mouth once again found Ellie’s breasts. Lou’s gentle touch and soft skin against hers, the sweet voice, her wet mouth, the way she would hum as she licked and teased her…Ellie was lost, so lost…so very lost.

  Ellie’s release came fast, as she knew it would, and wave upon wave of shudders wracked her physical form as her soul dug deeper into Louisa, the claws of it sinking in further with each pulse, the solid, complete permanence resting heavily, releasing some pent-up intensity she’d no idea existed within her.

  Louisa softened upon her, caressing her skin, smoothing her hair, like Hugh had.

  “I love you, my Louisa. With all my heart, I love you.” They lay there breathing against one another for a while. “I’m not done with you yet, though, my love.”

  “No? And I’m not done with you. I’ll never be done with you,” Louisa said.

  Ellie grabbed her chin and brought their lips together in a searing kiss as Louisa straddled her, her mouth crashing against hers in an almost violent clash of teeth as they pulled, pushed, grabbed and held onto each other as they never had before.

  Ellie put her hands on Louisa’s ribcage, pulling hard, moving her up her body as she slid lower in the bed, until she heard Louisa’s hands slap the wall above her head hard to keep her balance and her mons skimmed over Ellie’s chin before hovering over her where she wanted her. Ellie put both of her hands on Louisa’s hips and pulled her down to her mouth, licking, savoring, and exploring. She hummed against her, then brought one hand up to play against her breasts as she drank of Louisa’s sweet, honeyed folds, then she lifted her other hand, threading it between her legs and holding her arse, pulling her down to her face. Ellie tweaked her breasts and slid her fingers into her, searching, as Hugh had, for something she thought perhaps she found when she heard her lover scream into the night and hoped the household would believe it her own wedding night’s passion.

  Louisa

  Not long after the first wedding, they removed to Castleberry Keep in Beryshire, the seat of the Duke of Castleberry, Charles. Charles had made all the arrangements: the packing, the shipping, the travel, and Louisa had naught to do but accompany them. They were starting to leave her out of Amelia’s day-to-day arrangements, even going so far as to hire a ladies maid to manage Amelia’s wardrobe. But she wasn’t doing a very good job of it.

  Louisa fussed with Amelia’s wedding gown, wanting it to be perfect for this day. It had been nearly a month since the first wedding, with the lot of them waiting for the Banns to be read both in Beryshire and London. Today Amelia was to marry Castleberry and Hugh, and Ellie would serve as witness.

  It was bound to be a long day, a difficult day, what with all the family and acquaintances in attendance when all they wanted at this point was to be left alone. Charles regretted not obtaining a second special license from the Archbishop and having both ceremonies that day. But it was better this way. He’d been determined to keep this wedding small. Ceremony, tradition, and his own status determined otherwise, however.

  So far the move from London had been easy and seamless, and of course nobody gave a second thought to her traveling with Amelia, with Hugh and Ellie joining them since his estate was close to Castleberry’s. It was difficult for her to see Ellie so close to Hugh at times, in the public eye, but ever since the wedding night it had become easier. They’d spent their moments together early in the night then Ellie would come to her and they would make love until they passed out from exhaustion. He’d become an extension of them as he was necessary to the family she and Ellie wanted, of course. Not to mention the alternative being never seeing her again. She would take these temporary painful moments in lieu of that forever, and she would do it happily.

  Louisa turned Amelia toward the long cheval mirror and finished bustling the skirts of the soft pink gown. It was beautiful, perfect, and Amelia looked like a princess. Today she would be a duchess in truth as the wife of The Castleberry. Such a lofty position, and Louisa knew Amelia could manage it with the help of her men. How odd it seemed now, all that had happened in the last month or so. She never would have believed any of this possible. Yet here it was.

  “Louisa, thank you for your help today, even though you’re no longer my ladies maid.”

  “Oh, but I am, Amelia. I am, for all intents and purposes. To the world out there, I’m your ladies maid, and in truth I am happy to be so as well.”

  “You are so much more than a maid. You’re family, and you’re a lady once again as you once were. You know that even if you refuse to accept it. Your father can do nothing and you’re my chosen sister. Louisa. Truly you’re more family to me than anyone ever has been. Even before all of this.”

  Louisa looked up from the bustle to see Amelia wave her hand in a circle. “I can hardly believe this is happening. It’s a bit terrifying,” Louisa said as she stood tall, settling into the posture that had been beaten into her with a ruler as a child. A posture she’d ignored for quite some time. A posture that denoted her birth.

  “Yes,” Amelia agreed with her. She knew she did, and she knew why. If anyone outside their new family were to find out about them… Louisa turned for Amelia’s dressing table and shook off the thought. They would be safe out here…out here at the ends of the earth, as Amelia always called it. Louisa picked up the jeweled combs Castleberry had sent for Amelia to wear, then turned back to find her staring at her.

  “Louisa, I—” She let out a breath, and Louisa watched her for the signs that she was becoming overwhelmed. The little ticks and twitches that warned of a coming episode. Louisa had been well-trained to care for this beautiful, special woman, and care for her she did, and would, until the end of her days. She saw no evidence of distress, so she looked up to Amelia’s warm eyes with a smile. “I’m so incredibly nervous. It seemed so simple when Hugh and Maitland did this.”

  Louisa took her hands and squeezed. “It will be the same for you and Castleberry.”

  “You know he told you to call him Charles,” Amelia said.

  “I know…and perhaps someday I’ll be used to it.”

  “I understand. You’ll be there with me. You’ll stand with me as Maitland and Hugh will stand with us.”

  “Amelia, I’m not sure that’s—”

  “Louisa, that wasn’t posed to be a question. You will stand with me. I need you next to me. My mother will have to understand that it’s important and Hugh cannot stand by my side, so she’ll allow it.”

  “I… Yes, if you think it necessary.”

  “I do, so we’ve bought you a gown to wear. You cannot stand for
a wedding wearing your black house uniform.”

  “Amelia—”

  “It’s done. I gave the dress to Maitland, so if you’re finished fussing with me, you should go to her.”

  Louisa smiled at the very thought of seeing her love. Ellie. She thought about the night they’d first met. Everyone knew her as Maitland, but she…she never had. To her she’d always been Ellie, and she always would. Her darling Ellie.

  “Louisa…”

  So perhaps it was to be the official end of Louisa being a servant in the house and becoming a member of the family. Of course, it was all in theory, never on paper, but they had all been insistent that she accept the fact that she was no longer a ladies maid, but once again a lady. The confrontation with her father had allowed for that, but Louisa continued to ignore it. It was so much easier to hide. She appreciated the familiar.

  Louisa shook off her thoughts. “Apologies, I was…” She sighed and took Amelia’s shoulders and turned her back toward the mirror, sliding the combs into her upswept hair.

  “There. Louisa, it’s perfect.” Amelia turned and wrapped her arms about her, then pushed her to the door. “You need to change. Hurry now, they’ll be expecting us soon.”

  Louisa curtseyed when Amelia released her. “Yes, milady.”

  “Louisa.”

  She grinned at her. “Yes. Amelia.” Louisa winked and rushed from the room.