by Tia Siren
''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 my 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 fact, 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.''
*****
''The river is remarkably high for this time of year,'' Emily pointed out.
''Yes, there has been so much rain recently. It is a delightful pathway we are walking. It is as if we have been whisked away to a planet of our own. It's so serene.''
''If we wanted to, we could walk all the way to York along it. I have never done so, I keep within an easy distance of home, but I do like to explore some of the smaller paths leading from it. But Charles, enough of paths. I want to know why your father saw fit to disinherit his only son. Tell me why.''
''It is a very private matter and one that I have not spoken of, to anyone but my mother.''
''Please forgive my intrusive nature, I really am intolerable sometimes.''
''I attacked my father in such an aggressive way, he was hospitalized for a short time,'' Charles blurted out.
Emily was shocked. ''You attacked your father? Why?''
''Because he is a scoundrel. He is continually unfaithful to my mother and one evening when she objected to his behavior, he beat her, brutally. When I saw her black eyes and busted lips, I was unable to control my anger.''
''What a horrible situation for you, my poor dear. I am quite shocked.'' She put her hand on his arm in a gesture of support, but he pulled it away from her.
''Emily, whatever you feel for me and, however, my situation came about, it is inappropriate for you and me to touch. You are compromised on two fronts. First by my stupidity in entering into this ridiculous auction and second by my financial situation. I am endangering you. As soon as the auction is finished, I will wish you well and leave your life forever.''
''Charles, stop walking and look at me.'' When he'd told her about the situation with his mother, Emily had stopped walking, hoping he would do the same. She'd wanted to comfort him, but he'd just carried on. ''Charles stop, damn you.''
He stopped. her harsh words ringing in his ears. When he turned to her, she could see more sorrow in his eyes, and it pained her greatly. ''You will not leave my life. I forbid it. I have never met a man like you. I don't care that you are the most handsome man I have ever seen. More important is that you are a man of principal and a man who cares passionately about people. Especially women. You will take those few steps back to me, take me in your arms and kiss me, this instant.''
''Oh Emily. I cannot do that. I vowed to myself that I would not touch you. You don't seem to understand. I have told you several times. I will repeat myself. I have no means to keep you. Do you want a life of poverty?''
''I don't care about money. It is you I want. If you will not love me, then I will never marry any man.''
''Then you will remain single. In the first months of our marriage, you would be happy, but as time went by, a life of poverty would eat away at that happiness. You don't know what you are asking me to do. You are asking me to take you down a path that will ultimately lead to misery, and I won't do that to you.''
''Mr. Carrington, you are quite the most frustrating man I believe it is possible to encounter. I know you are doing this for the right reasons. However, without you, what substance would my life have? I understand your point of view, but you must change it. I demand you do so.''
''I do not react kindly to ultimatums, Emily. You may follow me back to the house from where I will take my leave of you, or you may continue the walk alone. In either case, this is the very last time you will see me. I bid you farewell.”
*****
''Emily, please dry your tears. Here, take this,'' Beatrice passed her a handkerchief.
''Now tell me, what is so bad that you have held onto me and constantly cried for the last ten minutes?''
''Those three arrogant, cruel men.''
''What about them?''
''You know I want Charles, desperately?''
''Yes, I remember how upset you were when he left you. And if you want my opinion you should forget him.''
''I can't forget him. I am in love with him, and the worst of it is.......oh Beatrice.'' Emily began to sob again.
''Dear cousin, it pains me so much to see you like this. If Mr. Carrington has no means and refuses to be with you, what can you do? You have little choice but to accept it and carry on with your life.''
''To make matters worse. I have learned from the Duke that he is going to bid the sum of twenty thousand pounds for me, and I also know that Mr. Masters is unable to bid so much. I am going to be stuck with that arrogant, conceited man, and I can't stand the thought. The plans I had to manipulate the bidding in my favor have come to nothing. The Duke simply has too much money and has decided to outbid everyone regardless.''
''And what has Mr. Carrington been bidding.''
''A pittance. The other two have been laughing at him. But Beatrice, the man I love has no money and certainly not twenty thousand pounds. That is enough to keep a peasant family for a thousand years. I am trapped in a terrible situation.''
''No, you are not. You are an independent woman, and you are strong. Simply tell whoever wins the auction that you are not interested in courting them.''
''But how can I refuse the advances of a Duke. If I refuse, my mother and father will see me into a sanatorium.''
''No, they will not. You are being melodramatic now. Let the men have their fun and be done with them.'' Beatrice held Emily tightly and stroked her hair as Emily sobbed into her shou
lder.
*****
''Cabby, can you travel any faster?''
''It's the fog, Sir. I don't want to run anyone over.''
''Well go as fast as you can. We have no time to spare.'' Charles looked at his friend James. ''Thank you so much for doing this. It is a favor I will never be able to repay.''
''Not at all Charles. You are a dear friend, and it is I who will never be able to repay you. You remember how you fought off that prefect at school? The one who wanted to give me twenty lashes. Well, if it hadn't been for you knocking him unconscious, I would still have the scars across my backside.''
''Now remember what I told you. Just knock on the door and enter, don't wait for him to open it. We need to catch him in the act. Clear?''
''Clear as crystal.''
''Here we are, Sir, number twenty-one,'' the cabby said, relieved his horse hadn't killed anyone in the pea soup fog that had enveloped London earlier that afternoon.
Charles got out and paid the cabby. He looked at number twenty-one. It was a large house with black railings. The front door was black with a large brass door knocker at its center. The curtains were closed, and Charles knew why.
He knocked on the door. Mrs. Pearson answered. She looked at the two young gentlemen and smiled. ''Good evening, gentlemen. Please come inside, out of the damp air.''
''We have come on urgent business,'' Charles said. ''We are members of staff of the Earl of Rochester. We urgently need to speak to him. It is a matter of state and a matter of the highest urgency.''
''Well, he can't be interrupted now, he is busy.''
''Madam, tell me where in this house we can find him or I will have your tongue cut out,'' Charles said violently. Mrs. Pearson didn't like the threatening look in his eyes and believed he was actually capable of performing such a terrible act on her.
''Room sixteen, first floor, second door on the left.''