by Tia Siren
At dinner, there were four other people. The Duke introduced them. There were his first cousin and his wife and his best school friend and his wife. The dining room was large and uninviting, and Emily felt cold. The dining table was too long for six, and the guests seemed to be a long way apart. So far, in fact, it was almost necessary to shout at each other.
''What did you do with those troublesome tenants,'' the school friend asked the Duke, as they tucked into a roast pheasant.
''Do you know, they hadn't paid the rent for two months. They kept complaining that their child was ill, and they had to use their rent money to pay the doctor’s bills. I've never heard such nonsense. Got them evicted.''
''Do you mean the family whose little girl had tuberculosis?'' the first cousin's wife asked.
''I haven't got a clue what ailed the child,'' the Duke said.
''But surely it is cruel to put a family with such woes onto the streets? Wouldn't it have been kinder to allow them some more time or assist them monetarily,'' Emily asked, quite horrified at the Duke's attitude.
''Assist them with money? Good grief, Emily. If I was to do that, all my tenants would start to expect favors of that kind, and I have over five hundred of them. I would be bankrupt in no time.''
''While there is some merit in what you say, I still believe it is important to be humane in exceptional circumstances,'' Emily retorted.
The Duke looked at her. Contrary as well as beautiful, he thought. Another wave of desire rose from his groin. ''My dear, you are young and have yet to experience the harsh realities of the world. I am afraid it is simply not possible to help everyone. The people with a lower status than we should be subservient and pay their rent on time. Now let's change the subject, I can see Emily is a little inexperienced in business. Perhaps we should talk about ladies fashion,'' he said patronizingly.
Emily looked down to her hands as they played nervously in her lap. She felt the Duke had belittled her. At the end of the evening, Emily was cold and more than ready for bed. She stood up, thanked the Duke for his hospitality and wished the other guests good night.
Rose had made a fire in Emily's room, and she gratefully pulled the armchair to it and warmed herself. Rose knocked on the door. ''I'll help you get ready for bed, Miss Emily,'' she said eager to help.
''Thank you, Rose. You really are superb at your job. You have made me feel most at home here.'' I hope I don't speak out of turn, but are you happy here, in this position?''
Rose didn't know what to say. ''Well......Miss Emily I........'' She brushed Emily's hair with increased vigor and suddenly found the courage to speak. ''Honestly, no I am not happy here, but I am just a maid and where could I find other work? I don't want to go to a factory, and if I left, I am sure the Duke wouldn't give me a reference. He can be...........let's say awkward sometimes.''
Rose saw Emily to bed and closed the door behind her. The room was filled with the red glow of the fire's last burning embers as Emily began to think about the Duke. No sooner had her thoughts turned to him, there was a soft tap on the door. Emily sat up and listened. She heard it again. She got out of bed and opened the door slightly. It was the Duke.
''Miss Emily would you allow me to come in?''
She could smell port on his breath. “Please do,'' she said opening the door further.
He stepped inside, closed the door and grabbed her. ''Duke really, calm yourself. I am a defenseless lady. Please let us........''
''I want you. I have wanted you since the minute I saw you this evening. Emily, take me to your bed. Let me show you my desire.''
''Slowly, my Lord. Slowly. I am taken with you, and I do feel your desire for me. I am flattered, but I hope you appreciate, a lady needs time before she is fully able to give herself. Come and sit with me.''
The Duke was delighted to see Emily sit on the edge of the bed, not the armchair. Perhaps he still had a chance. Emily noticed his manhood straining against the material of his trousers. She smiled to herself.
''Now, my Lord, we will do this gently and at a pace, I am comfortable with. Do you agree?''
The Duke nodded.
''You may kiss me.''
He took her in his arms and kissed her. Emily felt his tongue trying to open her lips, but she managed to keep them tightly shut.
''Now, that was nice wasn't it?'' she asked him.
Again he nodded. He was racked with desire and couldn't speak. His member was harder than it had ever been and he wanted to plunge it into her, without delay.
Emily took his hand and placed it to her breast. He felt her nipples stiffen under the thin nightgown. ''My Lord, please forgive me. I am inexperienced in the ways of the bedroom. I have never had a man before.'' The Duke's breath quickened at the thought of taking this virginal beauty. ''I ask you to have patience with me. I will give myself entirely to you, in time. For the moment, I am comfortable letting you kiss me and touch certain parts of my body.''
The Duke listened in dismay. All he was going to get was a kiss and a feel of her breasts. It wasn't enough, but other than raping her, he concluded he had little choice but to wait.
Emily pushed him down so that he was lying on the bed. She lay next to him and propped herself up on one elbow. She kissed him. ''My Lord. Please be assured of my firm interest in you, but one thing is troubling me. One thing that may come between us and ruin any chance we have of happiness together.''
The Duke looked up at her. He had accepted that his sexual desire wasn't going to be quenched this evening. ''What on earth could possibly come between us?''
''A process of bidding,'' Emily said boldly. She looked at the Duke. She knew that look. It was the same guilty look she'd used when her mother had caught her using her pearls.
''How do you.....?
''My cousin heard you and the other two gentlemen talking about holding an auction for my hand.''
''Emily please, that was just......''
''I am flattered. Don't think me angry in any way. It is just that I am worried in the extreme that you will be outbid and that any chance of happiness I may have with you will be destroyed. I have a proposal to make.''
''Please go on,'' the Duke said.
''I understand the agreement is for five rounds of bidding. You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower than it is and you will win me, and we can follow our hearts at last.''
She kissed him again. This time longer and with her mouth slightly open. ''Any other outcome would break my heart,'' she said as her forefinger traced a path over his stomach and down to his belt.
''Oh, Miss Emily. You are so beautiful, and I desire you like I have no other woman on this earth. I will tell you, of course, I will.''
*****
''How many of the men have you met with?'' asked Beatrice, as she walked with her cousin over the freshly cut lawn at Priory Manor.
''So far, only the Duke,'' Emily replied.
''And what are you feelings for him?''
''He is the most objectionable man I have ever met. Do you know he evicted a tenant family when their daughter was ill with tuberculosis? He is conceited and arrogant. He has untold wealth, and I could become a Duchess, but he is quite intolerable.''
''Then there are just two,'' Beatrice added.
''I don't know. Mr. Carrington was adamant that his position made it impossible for us to meet. He has been disinherited and has no money. He rather charmingly told me that he wants the best for me, and as he can't offer it, he won't consider meeting with me. Of that, he left me in no doubt whatsoever.''
''Then you must make him fall in love with you. You must make him desire you, so much that he will do anything to have you. Only then will he give up his notion that he must have money to court you.''
''And how do I do that when he won't even see me.''
''I will attend to that. Don't worry.''
*****
''Come to m
y room when you are finished,'' Emily whispered. Masters looked at her and swallowed hard. Emily said goodnight to the guests, with whom she had shared a pleasant evening at the dinner table and left the room. Masters hadn't provided her with a maid. He wasn't as wealthy as the Duke, but he was wealthy enough to move in the circles Emily's mother found acceptable.
In her room, she took off her clothes and put on a nightdress. She arranged it in such a way that Masters would see her breasts. She'd enjoyed his company at the dinner table. He had proven amiable and witty. He had told the guests of his trips to the Far East. Emily had been mightily impressed by his recollections of the evening he'd fought off a tiger that had entered the camp he'd been staying in.
The bed was large and much more comfortable that the Queen Elizabeth bed she had slept in at the Duke's residence. Emily lay under the covers and waited for him. As she had anticipated, it wasn't long before he knocked on her door.
When she'd let him in, Emily stood before him, in her nightgown. She'd left the top few buttons undone, and Master's looked at her breasts. He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. She held onto him pulling him against her. She could feel his desire touching her hip through their clothing. She gasped as he threw her onto the bed. Her nightgown slid up as she fell, allowing him a glimpse of her silky legs.
He stood at the side of the bed and took off his waistcoat and shirt. Emily marveled at his muscular physique and let out a little scream when he pulled her up to him. He kissed her again. This time, she felt his tongue inside her mouth, prodding, searching. As they kissed, Masters took hold of her nightdress at the hem. He pulled it up over her buttocks. She lifted her arms and in one swift movement, she was naked.
He pushed her back down and began to unfasten his trousers. Emily looked at him, fascinated. When he slipped the material down over his legs, she gasped as his penis sprang out. It was the first time she'd seen an erect member. She began to feel warmth between her legs and realized she was now a woman with desires.
When he was naked, he got onto the bed and gently parted her legs. He lay between them and kissed her on the mouth. He lowered his mouth to her nipples and sucked. Emily let out an involuntary cry, and as she did so, he entered her. She cried out again, this time, louder. He felt her body stiffen, and her arms tighten around his back.
He remained inside her but didn't move until he felt her soften under him. When her breathing returned to something like normal, he began to move his hips. Emily felt his hardness filling her and she liked it. As he moved in and out of her, she felt it increasingly difficult to catch her breath.
Suddenly he stopped and pulled out of her. She grabbed him and tried to pull him back to her. She liked it and didn't want him to stop. She didn't realize he wanted to change positions. It took him several tries to get her to put her bottom in the air in just the right manner. On her hands and knees with him behind her, she felt open, vulnerable and quite uneasy. When he entered her again and began to thrust hard into her, her opinion of this position changed.
After fifteen minutes, Emily was exhausted. Masters had moved her at regular intervals and taken her in as many positions as he had in his repertoire. Back in the missionary position, Emily felt more comfortable, and she could again concentrate on the pleasure of their lovemaking.
As he pushed into her, she felt herself beginning to shake. Wave after wave of delight had started to flow from her wet center. Masters put his hands under her, raised her buttocks thrust into her harder. Now he was taking her like a man, and she loved it. He felt her nails dig into his arms as she pushed her pelvis up to meet him, her body willing him on. Her moans sped him forward, and she felt the muscles in his back begin to tighten. She realized he was at the peak, and the thought of him coming inside her pushed her over the edge. She rolled her eyes, arched her back and let out a low moan as she felt a jet of warm semen flowing into her.
Afterward, as they lay in each other’s arms, Emily began to cry. ''My love what on earth can be wrong? Did I hurt you?''
''No I liked it very much. It's just, I am afraid.''
''Why be afraid, I am here?''
''I am afraid I may lose you?''
''Dear Emily, please tell me why you would think that, especially after we have confirmed our need for one another, here in this bedchamber tonight.''
''I know about the auction you and the others are holding for the right to my hand. The thought you may not win is one that is too abominable to contemplate.''
He looked at her sheepishly. ''Emily I wasn't thinking correctly when we made that stupid agreement. I hardly knew you. Now I am mortified I had anything to do with it. If I could change it, I would but I made an agreement, and I am bound by it.''
''Of course, Dear, and I wouldn't want you to go back on it. You have your reputation to think of. I have a proposal if you may allow me?”
''Please, anything to get us out of this terrible predicament.''
''You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower that it is. You will win me, and we can follow our hearts at last.''
''That is a splendid solution,'' he said.
*****
''Dear Mr. Carrington, please accept my apologies for interrupting your day, but I have some urgent business to attend to concerning Miss Emily Ashington.''
''She isn't ill is she?'' he asked, a genuine look of worry on his face.
''No, but she is very concerned for her reputation.''
''Why would she be that? She has an excellent reputation; everyone thinks her divine.''
''The auction Mr. Carrington,'' Beatrice said, looking at him sternly.
''Oh,'' he replied, not quite knowing what to say.
''She knows about your scheme with the other two, and she is desperately worried that if it becomes common knowledge, her reputation will suffer. After all, I think you may understand if you give it some thought, that men, wagering money over a lady, is hardly good for her reputation. It is marginally akin to prostitution. ''
''Oh, what a terrible situation. It was a silly agreement. I hardly knew Miss Emily then. We were in high spirits, and it all happened so quickly. I don't know what I am able to do about it. I cannot change it now. A gentleman's agreement is final.''
''Of course, Sir. Miss Emily fully understands your predicament. It is just; she needs your assistance. Of the three, she is most drawn toward you. She does understand, however, that because of your circumstances, there could never be a liaison between you. However, your actions have caused a danger to her reputation, and I must ask you to make amends.''
''Amends? How may I do that?''
''By stepping out with her until the whole sordid business is finished. If society sees her courting with a single man in a steady, proper manner, it will be much less inclined to call her reputation into dispute should your sordid agreement become public. They will think it a rumor when they look at the two of you.''
''But I am pauper and no use to her at all.''
''It is not common knowledge that you are a pauper. Indeed, it is only in your honesty toward Miss Emily, that you have revealed it to anyone. Society thinks you are the well to do son of the Earl of Rochester. You must make amends for you actions and step out with her until you and the others have concluded your actions.''
*****
Emily removed her bonnet as the sun beat down on the two cousins. ''This garden is the nicest I have ever seen,'' Beatrice said. ''Your mother is the perfect gardener.''
''And you, my dear cousin, are the most perfect schemer?''
Beatrice looked at her with a humorous look on her face. ''Why Emily, how on earth could you think that?''
''Because I have noticed that Charles Carrington will visit me tomorrow. What on earth did you say to him.''
''He is a man of honor and I just called upon that honor. What of Mr. Masters? How did you find him?''
''Quite agreeable. In fa
ct, he is handsome, witty and knowledgeable.''
''That is marvelous. Then you want him to win the auction?''
''I am not sure. He is let's say, a little too well versed in activities of the bedroom for my liking. I believe he has, in all probability, had a lot of women, and I am not certain I would ever be able to fully trust him to be faithful to me. Thus far, dear cousin, Mr. Carrington has made the best impression on me, and his circumstances won't allow us to be any more than friendly toward each other.''
*****
Charles looked at Emily as the maid placed the tea tray on the delicate table. He waited until she was finished and had left the room before he spoke.
''Miss Emily, how can you ever forgive me? Miss Beatrice told me you have knowledge of our silly wager and that you are desperately worried about your reputation.''
''Yes, Mr. Carrington, she was correct, I am apprehensive indeed.''
''Please call me Charles. Miss Beatrice rightly pointed out that such activities have a habit of becoming common knowledge. She also stated that should that happened, you would be protected if society believed you to be in a courtship of substance. I am prepared to make that pretense, to protect you. But I must tell you that my circumstances have not changed since the last time we met, and I cannot allow you and I to become any more than friends.''
''Charles, you have put my mind at ease. I have been desperately worried during the past few days. I cannot thank you enough for having the courage stand by me in this difficult time.''
''You do of course realize that I am unable to take part in this auction with any significant sums and that one of the other two will win? Are you prepared for that?''
''Yes entirely. Once a winner has been declared, I shall accept his advances in good faith. I must add Charles, that it is such a shame that you have no chance of winning.''