by Tia Siren
''Calm yourself, Miss Charlotte. I think, we have come a long way. It won't be easy for anyone from Eaton Hall to find us.''
''I'm not worried about anybody from Eaton Hall. But I am worried the Duke will send some of his henchmen to find me.''
''Miss Charlotte, I hate to see you so upset. Please try to calm yourself. If you continue to worry, you'll make yourself ill.''
''Oh Mary, you're so kind. I really don't know what I would do without you. I am so thankful to you for accompanying me.''
''Not at all. I am your faithful servant. I will always do as you ask. It has pained me greatly to see you so unhappy since your betrothal to the Duke.''
''Forced betrothal, I may add. I hate that man, and my mother, for doing this to me. My mother just wanted me to marry him because he is a Duke. He's old, unpleasant and cruel. I'm afraid to say, my mother is so engulfed in status, that she knows nothing of love. She only married my father because he had a title. I don't believe she loved him. She just wanted to be Lady Melbourne. She bought my father with her vast wealth.''
Mary was concerned about Charlotte's welfare. Mary had come to Eaton Hall some five years earlier, when Charlotte had just celebrated her sixteenth birthday. She was Charlotte's first lady's maid. The two young women got on famously, from the very first day. On some occasions, they'd filled Eaton Hall with so much laughter and gaiety, even the servants began to smile again. That hadn't happened for many a year. Charlotte's mother had tried to dampen their spirits by telling her daughter, that Mary was just a servant and should be treated as one. Charlotte hadn't listened, and their relationship was more that of two friends, than mistress and servant.
''It looks like we're here,'' Mary said, as the coach lunged into a deep rut in the road. ''I'll wait, and get our bags, you go inside and warm yourself. It's a foul night, and I don't want you catching a cold.''
Charlotte nodded, and when the coach pulled into the Inn's courtyard, she accepted the coachman's arm, dismounted, and went inside.
The Innkeeper looked at Charlotte and raised his eyebrows at her beauty. When he studied her, he noticed her piercing green eyes and the fine features of her face. She was tall and delicately built, but he did notice her ample bust.
''Miss, please, take a seat by the fire. It's a dreadful night. I heard this storm is likely to last for two days. No point in frightening the horses. You might as well stay here until the weather improves.''
Charlotte was upset to hear they may be held up for longer than one evening. She wanted to put as much distance between her and the Duke as possible, in the least amount of time.
When Mary arrived at the bar with their bags, the Innkeeper took both ladies upstairs and showed them to their chambers. Charlotte was surprised that an ordinary coaching station had such beautiful rooms. Inside, there was a small four-poster bed, a fireplace, and a wash stand. Some kind person had lit the fire, and it was beautifully warm.
''I'll hang your dresses up, and put your things in the drawers. The coachman told me; we might be here for quite a while. I don't want to leave your things in the damp bag,'' Mary said.
''Yes, thank you. I'm really disappointed we are here at all. We were supposed to be in Newark by now. I don't think we have made even half that distance.''
''Don't worry about that. What's important is that we are safe. What use would it be, if we had to spend the night inside the coach, in the middle of nowhere? Here, it's warm, and the beds looks comfortable.''
''But I'm so afraid the Duke will find me. Our wedding is only three weeks away, and if I have to marry him, I will end my life.''
''Let's go to sleep now. We'll see what the weather's like in the morning.''
Chapter 2
''Oh Mary, when will this dreadful storm finally cease?'' Charlotte asked as she looked out of the breakfast room window.
''I have no idea. Before you came down this morning, I asked the coachman, and he thinks we'll be here for another day. He won't leave while there is so much thunder around. The loud bangs frighten the horses, and if they bolt when they're pulling the coach, there could be dreadful accident.''
''Yes, I understand. Then we'll just have to wait. I've finished eating now, come and sit with me in the bar. There is a large table, where we can play cards.'' The two women sat comfortably in front of the fire and played whist.
Then the gust threw open the front door.
And he stepped in.
Everyone in the bar looked at him. The man was tall, muscular and rugged. As he closed the door behind him, he glanced around. He noticed two beautiful young women playing cards by the fire, an old man enjoying his first pint of the day, two coachmen, and the innkeeper.
''Good day to you all. Innkeeper, a brandy please,'' he said, his voice booming across the room. ''A fire, excellent. Ladies, do you mind if I sit next to you? I have been out in this storm for hours, and I'm afraid I'm rather cold.''
Charlotte and Mary shuffled along the settle as the man took off his sodden cape and hat and sat down next to them.''
The Innkeeper brought him a brandy, and Charlotte studied him, nervously. Had the Duke sent him to find her, she asked herself? He looked as though he had had a hard life. He wasn't old, perhaps just three or four years older than Charlotte, but his rugged features made him look older. Charlotte found him attractive. It was his deep blue eyes and angular jaw. She wondered how he had got the scar on his cheek.
''Tell me, Sir, what made you ride through such inclement weather for so long that you are soaked to the skin?'' Charlotte asked.
“'I have to be in London by tomorrow, at the latest. But I fear the weather will prevent me. I have an important engagement there.''
''How interesting. I hope you don't think me too curious to ask you, but what is your line of business?''
''I'm an engineer. Tomorrow, I am to meet with the Duke of Westminster. He wants me to plan a new bridge over the Thames.''
Charlotte was suspicious. She hadn't liked him using the word Duke. It seemed to be a little too coincidental to her predicament. She also found it rather implausible, that the Duke of Westminster would choose a man from the North of England to build a bridge in London. Surely there were enough engineers in London, she thought.
''Are you two ladies waiting for the storm to pass before traveling further?''
''Yes, Sir. It's too dangerous for the horses to be out. We are going to wait here until it clears up,'' Charlotte said.
''Splendid. Then perhaps you will allow me to sit with you. I'll get some sherry.''
''It is really quite early for sherry. Perhaps tea?'' Mary said.
''No, Sherry will be fine. If we are to sit here all day, we may as well make merriment,'' Charlotte added.
''I'm am Ralph Bellington. I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance,'' he said as they each raised a glass.
''I am Georgina, and this is my maid Milly,'' Charlotte lied.
****
''Oh, you are so funny Ralph. That's a lovely story,'' Charlotte laughed. They had spent three hours sitting by the fire, drinking sherry and relating stories. Charlotte had been quite brilliant at making up a completely new life for her and Mary. They weren't from Eaton Hall but from Westfield Lodge. They weren't running away from the Duke but on their way to her cousin's wedding in London. Charlotte had lied perfectly throughout the whole afternoon, and she had enjoyed it enormously.
''Milly are you feeling alright?'' Charlotte asked as Mary's head sank to the table.
''I believe she is drunk, Miss Georgina,'' Ralph said.
''Oh dear, please help me. We have had rather a lot to drink. Will you help me to take her to her room?''
Charlotte and Ralph helped Mary to her feet and supported her, as they climbed the narrow staircase. They took off Mary's shoes and lay her on the bed.
''She'll be alright tomorrow. There's plenty of time for her to sleep it off,'' Ralph concluded.
''Yes, I hope so. Oops,'' Charlotte said, as she almost lost her footing and f
ell into Ralph's arms. ''I too have had a bit too much sherry. I think I should lie down. My room is next door.''
Ralph picked her up and carried her into the corridor. ''This way,'' Charlotte said. ''Please come inside with me.”
He put her down when they were in the room. As he was about to leave, there was a huge rumble of thunder. Charlotte jumped. ''I really don't like thunder, it scares me so. Would you mind if I asked you to stay with me?'' She wasn't really afraid, she just wanted to feel his strong arms around her. She wanted him to make her feel special. She'd had to spend so much time recently with the hateful Duke that she was now prepared to offer herself, without delay, to the handsome stranger. Albeit under the influence of several glasses of sherry.
''Of course. If you don't find it indelicate having a gentleman in your bedchamber in the middle of the afternoon.''
She took his hand and led him to the bed. She sat down on the edge and held his hands as he stood before her. ''Sir, I want you to make love to me. You are the most handsome man, I have ever met.''
He bent down and kissed her, and as he did so, Charlotte put her hands to his groin and felt the weight of his manhood.
He laughed. ''Madam is in high spirits, isn't she?''
''Yes, madam is,'' she said as she squeezed gently. ''Kiss me,'' she commanded. As their mouths locked, there was another clash of thunder. She felt its rumble throughout her entire body.
Charlotte suddenly remembered his reference to the Duke of Wellington. It made her nervous, but she was passed caring, she just wanted the handsome man to take her. She felt his fingers unfastening the buttons at the back of her dress. When they were open, he slipped the dress from her shoulders and kissed her neck. Charlotte put her hands behind his neck and pulled him into her. His lips played hungrily over her sensitive skin, and she loved it. He began to kiss lower and lower until he reached the top of her breasts. When she felt him there, she let out a little moan.
Now she wanted to feel him on her nipples, and she lowered her undergarments. He looked and saw her turgid buds staring at him, waiting to be licked. When his tongue glanced over them, Charlotte felt a sudden ache seer through her womanhood. That made her impatient. She reached for his belt, and when it was open, his buttons. She pulled his trousers and underpants down, in one fluid movement.
Lightening illuminated the room, and Ralph’s penis sprang up. Charlotte bent her head and opened her mouth. He stopped sucking her breasts and stood upright. As Charlotte's head bobbed up and down, he sank his head back and closed his eyes. He was enchanted by her, and the feel of her dainty mouth on his hardness drove him perilously close to orgasm.
Instead of coming in her mouth, he pulled out of her and lifted her to her feet. He spun her around and pulled all her garments down past her calves. As she stepped out of them, he looked at the beauty of her naked body, graced by the light of the storm. Her shoulders were dainty, almost fragile looking. Her back was unimaginably sensual. It was long, and her muscles were well defined, in the most feminine of senses. When his eyes looked at her bottom, he was overcome with desire and passion. She gasped as he lifted her up, walked across the room and bent her, face first, to the window, the rain pounding against the glass.
''No Ralph, people will see us.''
''That's the fun. The danger.''
Charlotte didn't complain anymore, the sherry had numbed her inhibitions. All she wanted was to feel him fill her aching vagina. As he looked down, he saw her pubic hair glistening with desire. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her onto him. Charlotte gasped when she felt him inside her. Thunder shook the bedroom.
As the intensity of his strokes increased, Charlotte's breathing became shallower and shallower. When she felt him reach around her, and start to rub her clitoris, it was too much. Thunder. Lightening. She moaned, shoved herself back against his hardness, and came.
Afterwards, her legs were like jelly. She would have collapsed had he not caught her. He carried her away from the window and tossed her onto the bed. He turned her around and took her from behind.
To Charlotte, it was the act of a man who knew what he wanted. The sight of her bottom as her plunged himself into her, and the scent of her womanly arousal brought him closer and closer to orgasm. When he saw her clench her fists and begin to shake again, he shouted out and emptied himself into her. He collapsed on top of her, and she reached behind herself and pulled his head down to kiss her.
''That was beautiful,'' she said.
''You are beautiful,'' he replied.
Charlotte pulled the bedclothes up over them as they held each other. Still naked, they drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter 3
When Charlotte woke up, Ralph wasn't lying beside her. He was standing at the end of the bed, pointing a pistol at her.
''Charlotte Melbourne, I am charged by the Duke of Eddington to take you and your maid Mary back to his estate. Please get dressed and come with me.''
Charlotte looked at him through her sleepy eyes, but she soon came fully to her senses. ''Sir, would you do that to the lady you bedded just last evening? To the lady whose arms you lay in? Would you take her back, to the man that makes her more miserable, than misery itself? Are you so cruel and heartless?''
''Madam, I am an employee of the Duke, and it is my duty to do as he asks. Please, do not make this harder for me than it already is.''
''Harder for you? Sir, if you do this to me, you will sink in my estimation to that of the ugliest toad. Last evening, I gave myself wholeheartedly to you. Please do not talk of it being hard for you. It is far harder for Mary and me. I beg you. Do not ruin our lives.''
''Get dressed. I will wait for you at the door,'' he said.
****
''At last, Madam. You have finally dared to grace me with your presence. Not after I sent my good man here to fetch you, I might add. I must congratulate you, Ralph, you have done an excellent job in bringing my fiancée back to me. For that, I shall be forever grateful. You may leave us now.''
The Duke looked at the two women as Ralph walked across the marble floor to the door. Charlotte and Mary were standing in front of him, in the reception room at Anthorpe Castle. It was a cold room. Built entirely of white marble with columns down each side. There were no statues or paintings. The room had an eerie echo. Mary hadn't seen the Duke very often, and when she looked at him, she was thankful. He was small and an odd shape. His nose was crooked, and his teeth were blackened by years of pipe smoking. She thought him to be just slightly younger than Charlotte's father.
''I ought to have you both thrashed for daring to run away.” The Duke’s voice was eerily low. “Charlotte, your mother has been worried beyond belief. You could have been attacked or worse. For all we knew, you were lying dead in a gutter.” He paused. “You have disappointed me greatly. You will remain in the gatehouse, under house arrest until the day of our marriage.” He was shouting now. “As for you Mary, you are a low life. I assume, it was you, who put my fiancée up to this. For that, you will go to work as my lowest kitchen maid. You will live here without pay. If you dare to leave, I will have you arrested.”
The Duke yelled, and a sickly looking footman appeared. ''See to it that Miss Charlotte is taken to the gatehouse. Make sure she is guarded day and night. If she escapes, I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?''
''Yes, my Lord, perfectly. Please come with me, Miss Charlotte.''
''If you think I am going to marry you, you are sorely mistaken. Hell will freeze over first,'' Charlotte said, just before she spat at the Duke.
''You have no choice,'' he said as he wiped the fluid from his face. ''Your father has given his consent. It is out of your hands. I must warn you, if you continue to resist, it will do your health no good whatsoever. It would be much better for you to accept your situation and make the best of it. Now take her out of my sight.''
When Charlotte had gone, the Duke turned to Mary. ''Do you know what you have done? You have de
fied me. The Duke of Eddington. I would ask you, who you think you are, but it is of no importance to me.''
He stepped towards her and slapped her. Mary held her head up, not wanting him to see how hurt she was. He took hold of her, and pushed her to the only piece of furniture in the room, a mahogany table. When he bent her forwards over it and lifted her skirts. She knew what was about to befall her. Her screams could be heard in the scullery deep below. The staff knew what was happening, but it was such a regular occurrence at Anthorpe castle, none of them paid much attention.''
****
''Charlotte, Charlotte. Please, open the window.'' Charlotte listened to the voice as another pebble bounced off the windowpane.
She went to the window, opened it, and looked down to the garden below. It was dark, and she couldn't see anyone. ''Charlotte, it's me. I'm over here.''
She looked to the left and saw him. He was standing tight against the wall of the house in which Charlotte was being held against her will.
''What do you want, you disgrace of a man?'' she asked.
''Please. I am so sorry. You will never forgive me, I know, but after some days thinking about it, I am wracked with guilt for having brought you back to this place,” Ralph pleaded. “Listen to me, please. I don't know how best to put this, but I am in love with you. If you will let me, I will take you from here, to a safe place where we can begin to know each other better. I would never force you to do anything against your will.''
''If you think I'm falling for that trick, you are sadly mistaken. I have a low opinion of you, and I have no interest in what you are saying to me.'' Charlotte slammed the window shut. “Goodnight.” She walked to the bed, curled herself into a ball, and cried.
Chapter 4
Charlotte awoke with a start as the Duke's hand slipped over her mouth. She smelt his alcoholic breath as he hissed at her.
“'Now, my dear, before you run away from me again, it is time for you to be taught a lesson. I am going to teach you to respect me. You will get up, take off your gown and kneel before me with your mouth open. Do you understand?'' The knife at her neck persuaded Charlotte it was a good idea to comply.