It had been the most amazing night of her life. She and Tom had spend the best part of the darkened hours exploring and then re-exploring each other’s bodies, until her sore body had refused to take any more explicit torment. Afterwards, they had lain entwined beneath the branches of the ancient oak, feeling truly bonded and contentedly silent. They quietly watched the moonlight’s hypnotic dance across the clear waters of the crystal pool, neither wanting to spoil the moment with unnecessary words. Just before sunrise, as they had walked back toward Whitmore, Tom had turned her in his arms and said in a husky voice, “M, I am a tormented man and my heart aches from the want of being with you.” His eyes heavy with passion, he added, “I cannot do as they bid, for I have to see you.” Her skin was cold beneath his palms as he brought her willing mouth to merge with his own, sealing their silent understanding.
She smiled at her reflection, her eyes bright and shining, and her lips swollen and bruised. Her inner happiness shone through her skin. Her stomach turned over excitedly when she thought of their next encounter; and there would be one, she had never been more sure of herself than she was at this moment.
“Someone is in a good mood this morning,” Bella noted, as she placed the clean linen on the bed.
“Yes Bella, everything is wonderful,” Maria said animatedly.
“So what is the news?”
“News?” She looked puzzled.
“To make you so cheery this morning?”
Maria looked startled. Oh my, was she that obvious? “Err… news… Well I have just decided that I can no longer stay hidden in this room, when life has so many wonderful adventures to offer. I can’t wait to go out for a ride,” she said quickly, eager to leave the room and Bella’s watchful eyes, not wishing to be questioned any further.
She asked Joseph if he could have word sent to the stables for Blaze to be made ready, then she turned to the dining room to get a light breakfast. She had just finished when Sir John entered, his face all hot and flustered from drinking too much the evening before. He placed his large frame onto the seat at the far end of the table, rubbing his temples.
“Where are you off to this morning?” he asked her, as he filled his mouth with the freshly baked bread.
“I am taking Blaze out—he needs the exercise.”
“You cannot go out now; we are expecting guests within the hour.”
She looked at his chubby face with disgust, as he spat the crumbs out as he spoke.
“I am taking Blaze out; I need the exercise as well,” she said a little crossly.
With that, she got up from the table. As she turned to leave the room, crossing the great hall to the entrance, she heard his footsteps behind her. She found her horse waiting as instructed and thanked the stable hand as she took the reins.
“I forbid you to go Maria! We have guests arriving,” her uncle yelled behind her, his voice full of rage and frustration.
As she sat in the saddle, looking down at her Uncle, she felt a twinge of bitterness towards him and his need to rule her life.
“I am going for a ride. I will be back directly. I’m sure that our guests will understand and will be glad to wait.”
“Lady Bradley is to arrive shortly,” he said angrily.
Maria turned to face him, shouting, “In that case, you will have to give her my apologises.”
With that, she dug her heels into the stallion’s side and trotted off down the drive.
“Maria—you return here this instant! Maria! Do you hear me… this instant!”
She had set off at a slow canter as the Bradley coach came into view. She urged her ride faster as she passed, leaving Lady Bradley watching the trail of dust in her wake.
She needed to feel the wind on her face and the rush of adrenaline in her veins. On entering the flat plains, she took a firm hold of the reins and, with the kick of her heals and her soft words of encouragement, she urged Blaze into a fast canter.
*****
Thomas smiled contentedly at himself in the mirror as he tided the cravat beneath his chin. He had taken great care with the way he had dressed this morning, for he wanted to look his best when he met M later. At the thought of her, images of their night flooded his mind, bringing his body to life with a velocity that staggered him. It had been just a few hours, and he was already eager for the taste of her lips. He yearned to crush that oh-so soft body against his own. He sighed deeply. Today was not going to go fast enough for him, and already he was wishing his life away so that he could be with her. Still, what was another few hours when he had already waited six years? He repeated ‘I have always loved you’—her words that had already been lodged in his heart. Now that she had finally expressed her feelings openly, the wait was even more worth it.
He was just running his fingers through his blond locks when his valley entered.
“Miss Cartland is awaiting you in the sitting room,” he said as he brushed a speck of dust from the back of Thomas’s jacket.
Thomas closed his eyes tightly. He had forgotten about Miss Cartland and their plans for riding together this morning. She was a complication he would gladly avoid. Given that, in her presence, all he felt was anger, how was he to endure more than a few minutes in her company now that his mind would be elsewhere? There had to be a way out of this situation, but for the life of him, he could think of nothing at this moment in time. Thus, he made the decision that he would conduct himself in the proper manner until such a plan presented itself.
“I suppose, I’d better get this over with then,” he said to his valley through tight lips.
Thomas sat upon his mare, having been forced into taking a ride with Miss Cartland, which was just about taking its toll on his patience. She had moaned excessively since they had left Nedgely. “My hands are cold,” she would keep repeating until she finally put her gloves on. Next came “my hands are too hot,” which prompted her to take them off again. “What am I to do? The wind will surely ruin my hair.” Her rants went on and on and Tom swore that, if he heard one more complaint, he was going to quietly throttle her. Did the woman never find an end to the pathetic words that came out of her mouth? How did her family suffer it, or was she behaving the way she was because they had encouraged it?
They had just topped the ridge of Upper Bank when he had finally decided that enough was enough. He couldn’t stand to be in the woman’s presence another minute. Suddenly, he spotted the horse and a rider that came into view below them, going at a dangerous speed.
“Well I never,” Miss Cartland exclaimed, “who, I pray, is that?”
Thomas knew the answer instantly, for he would have recognised the black stallion and its rider with her golden hair flowing behind anywhere. As he perceived the wildness of the woman he loved, a smile played on his lips. His body responded even from this distance.
“Well, I do believe that it is Miss Austin,” Miss Cartland continued. “Sir John needs to keep her under better control. It is obvious that school of hers did not improve her manners.”
Thomas, who was still entranced by Maria’s image, suddenly felt anger welling up towards the woman at his side. That was it; he’d taken as much as any sane man could, to hell with ‘I’m going to conduct myself properly.’ He turned towards her and said in a controlled voice, “Do you like Nedgely Hall, Miss Cartland?”
She turned her big eyes on him, fluttering her eyelashes, “Oh yes, Mr Bradley.”
“Good, because I would just like to say…”
“Yes, Mr Bradley?” she cut in, causing his anger to flare even more.
“You may have manipulated yourself into marriage with me, but I would like to inform you that, should we go ahead with this façade, it will be a marriage in name only.”
Miss Cartland listened opened-mouthed as his stern words penetrated her ears.
“I will NEVER consummate our relationship, and I can assure you I will NEVER be tempted to enter your bed chamber under any circumstances.”
“Mr Bradley… I…”
<
br /> “And if you might think by some slim chance, that you might try and use your womanly charms, let me point out that you will NEVER own my heart, for I gave that to another many years ago.”
Miss Cartland looked at the figure of horse and rider disappearing out of sight. “Miss Austin?”
“And may I make myself absolutely clear: I shall spend most of my days at Whitmore Manor—so, Miss Cartland, I do hope for your sake that you enjoy your own company.”
With that, he swung Cleara round and headed off down the bank.
“You are planning to set her up as your mistress?” Miss Cartland flung the words out at his departing back, “Mr Bradley?”
Although he had heard her words, he chose not to answer. He didn’t have to justify himself to her or anybody else. He was a Lord, for Christ’s sakes!
Thomas and Miss Cartland were not the only people to have noticed Maria as she sped Blaze on. Mr Grainger and his long time friend, Mr Garth Lewis, a tall dark-headed gentleman of fine birth, were on their way to Whitmore Manor to call on Sir John.
“Who in heaven’s name is that?” Garth Lewis questioned as he watched the magnificent beast and enthralling rider pass close by.
Mr Grainger studied them, and then came to say, “Why, it is Miss Austin. I did not know that she could ride so well!”
Garth carried on watching until they turned onto the drive, which led to the Manor house.
“Miss Austin?” he questioned his friend.
“Yes, I have told you about her, remember, in my letters?”
“Your letters?” He spoke the words slowly. “This is the woman you mentioned—the lady of Whitmore Manor?”
Mr Grainger smiled at his friend. “You know, I have mentioned her.”
Garth looked back over his shoulder, but the horse and rider had disappeared from view. “How can such an unruly woman be the lady you have mentioned?”
“Ah, she is as genteel as they come, Garth. I trust that you will come to realise that when you meet her in person when we arrive.”
Garth Lewis smiled snidely, his interest building for the wild woman he had just seen. “That I shall, Alfred. That I shall.”
Soon, Maria was back at the stables. As she was helped by the groom to dismount Blaze, she laughed her thanks at him. She entered the house, still smiling happily to herself, as she removed her gloves and made her way towards the staircase. Her skin was flushed and perspiration wet her brow, making the small curls in front of her ears cling to her face.
“Maria?” Sir John’s voice halted her steps.
She swung herself round, her smile still playing on her lips, as she faced her uncle and his guests.
Garth Lewis’ mouth dropped at the beauty that stood before him. His friend had written to him regarding this lady, but never in his wildest dreams did he believe for one minute that his description of her would have been true. Was this really the lady they had just seen—the Lady of Whitmore Manor? She was a prize that even he would consider fighting for!
Maria stepped forward to greet the new acquaintance in Mr Grainger’s company.
“Miss Austin, if you would allow me to introduce Mr Lewis,” her uncle said.
“Miss Austin, it is a pleasure,” Garth said, bowing.
“Mr Lewis,” she spoke his name.
He was a handsome man and very well dressed. She noticed he had dark eyes similar to Mr Grainger’s, but whereas Alfred’s were warm and smiling, this gentleman’s were not. He held an air about him that made her feel uncomfortable.
Desperate to avoid the steady stare of this man, she excused herself. Lady Bradley, who had entered from the drawing room, now stood with the small group on the brown patterned carpet of the great hall.
“Was that Miss Austin returning?” she asked Sir John with a quizzical look.
Garth answered for him. “Yes it was and what a pleasure it was to make her acquaintance.”
Lady Bradley studied the young man’s face and immediately recognized his admiration for the young lady that had just left reflecting in his dark eyes.
“Then, I do hope, Mr Lewis, that you will honour us with your company the night after tomorrow, at Nedgely Hall?” she invited.
“I would be honoured, Lady Bradley.”
* * * * *
The air was warm as Maria walked towards the old folly that stood on the boundary where the Nedgely estate joined Whitmore. Its crumbling white stone showed that it had not been used for a number of years. A flock of doves took flight on her approach, filling the air with their angry cries at being disturbed. She entered into the shade that the walls provided, where the dappled light filtered through the array of cracks and broken bricks; a fine dust hung in the air and danced in the light streams. She heard his approaching footsteps before she saw his strong form coming towards her, as he climbed the tumbled side that faced his lands.
His face instantly brightened at the sight of her; the blueness of his eyes reflecting his inner happiness. It had only been a few hours since he had held her in his arms, but he could not wait a second longer to feel the touch of her soft lips against his.
She laughed at his keenness. “Tom, you are insatiable!”
He looked her in the eye and smiled lovingly.
“With you, I shall never be satisfied,” he informed her huskily.
She turned herself away from him and looked out at the sun-soaked field with its scattering of red poppies.
“It is a dangerous game we embarked upon, Tom. What will we do if we get caught?” she asked, worry evident in her quiet voice.
He came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms about her slim waist, so that he could rest his head against the side of her cheek.
“I did not choose this fate that has been forced upon us. If I had control, then I would have quite willingly chosen my path with you,” he said regretfully.
Feeling the sigh that escaped her, he ached for her—for himself, knowing that she was everything to him and he would rather die than lose her. He knew that it was morally wrong for them to continue on this path, but he could not, would not stop it. An idea formed in his head and quickly took shape. Why not, he thought, he had nothing else to lose.
“Let us run away, M! We could go to the coast and live our life in that small cottage you so wanted, raising chickens.”
She was laughing, as she turned to face him.
“Chickens?”
“Yes, chickens.”
“Why chickens?”
He cupped her face in his strong smooth hands, responding, “I have absolutely no idea!” As he spoke softly, his lips met hers.
Once again, she felt the inner heat that threatened to swamp her, causing her legs to become weak. How was she to stop the wondrous feeling that she felt every time he touched her? How would she find strength to control the raw emotions that consumed her whenever he was near? She knew that there was nowhere else she would rather be than here, with him.
She felt the rough stone against her back, as he leaned his body into hers. His one hand moved gently down her neck, sending little pulses of excitement under her skin as it passed. Her heart picked up speed, drumming against her ribs, as his deft fingers eased inside her bodice. The material that shielded her wanton body slipped, exposing the soft mounds of her breasts and he brushed the rose-coloured bud. She arched into him, as liquid fire seeped through her. His tongue danced erotically against hers, as he rolled the erect nipple between his fingers.
Hastily, she undid the bondage of his clothes in order to seek the warmth of his naked skin. There was no thought, no reason to what she felt,
only desire for his touch and passion that engulfed her body. She let her fingers brush the length of his swollen manhood; she heard his sharp intake of air and smiled against his chest. As her hand enclosed around him, he moaned his pleasure.
Suddenly, she found her hand brushed aside, and he lifted her light frame, so that her legs wrapped around his waist. The thin fabric of her skirts slipped to expose her
naked thighs. She caught her breath and gripped his shoulders, as he adjusted himself so that the heat of his desire could penetrate the soft wetness between her inner thighs. As he drove his hips against her, their growing ache for fulfilment rose wildly. She dug her fingers in his hair and their ecstatic cries were lost as again their lips met.
* * * * *
“Maria, what on earth are you doing?” The familiar voice rang out from the French doors of the sitting room. She looked up at the figure of the old lady, her grey eyes staring out from under her silver hair.
“Gran?” she said, confused.
She looked behind her at the path she had just trod. Had she not been returning from the old folly, where she and Tom had just made love? She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed the switch between the two times.
She climbed the small wall onto the neatly cut grass, and came to stand in front of her grandmother. As she looked up, she could see a concerned look that marked her face.
“What is it Gran?”
“Oh M, I think we need to talk,” Bertie said.
They came to sit upon the soft sofa and her grandmother took her cold hands in hers.
“Why child, you’re freezing.”
“I’m fine honestly; please tell me what is bothering you.”
Bertie thought for a few minutes before answering, “Margaret and I were wondering how you have been,” she paused, “It’s… Well it’s just that you seem to be keeping to your room a lot since we spoke last.”
“Gran…”
“Please Maria let me finish. I worry that we parted on such estranged words and I believe that I might have upset you.”
“No, no Gran, you haven’t upset me,” Maria tried to cut in.
“I know that we haven’t spent a lot of time together since you arrived and that you came to us in the time of need. I just want you to know that I do understand that you are going through a difficult patch. If there is anything Margaret and I can help you with, you only have to ask.”
“Please Gran, I can assure you that I am quite well. I would not want you to think that you have driven me to my room, because you haven’t. Yes, I will admit that I have had a lot on my mind lately, but that’s just me.” She knew that she would not speak of her time with Tom, given that her gran had already expressed her disbelief when they had last spoken.
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