Regency Romance: Duchess In Distress (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance)

by Sarah Thorn

  It was the first time Megan had felt a penis, and she was surprised how hard it was. She ran her hand, sensually, up and down the length of him and smiled at the effect it was having on him. William wanted more, and he quickly opened his trousers and allowed Megan to release him. When she touched his naked member, she felt her own desire beginning to flow.

  William wanted to see more of her, and he began to open the buttons on her dress. When her undergarments were exposed, he reached inside and took her breasts in his hand. At his touch, a wave of desire enveloped her, and she began to rub him faster. He played with her, teasing her, willing her to cry out with delight. Now Megan became proactive; she wanted him, and she wanted him fast. She stood back and took off her dress.

  ''Now you,'' she said brazenly.

  William began to take off his clothes as she watched. When his shirt came off, she gasped at how well-defined he was. He had a flat rigid stomach with powerful biceps and a bulging chest. When he lowered his trousers, his thighs came into view and the size and power of them send a wave of arousal over her, the strength of which she had never in her life experienced. She hurriedly rid herself of the rest of her garments and stood ready for him.

  ''You are so beautiful,'' he said, his eyes raking from her breasts to the soft curls below. He pulled her to him and kissed her, this time, more gently. With lips still locked they lowered themselves to the ground. Megan gasped at the feel of the cool grass on her back as she lay down and opened her legs, willing him to lay between them and enter her. But he didn't. He wanted to taste her. When his mouth began to place soft kisses on her womanhood, she grabbed his hair and let out a moan that spurred him on to pleasure her more. It took only seconds before William felt the spasms of Megan's orgasm on his mouth, and as she covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming, he hungrily lapped up the juices of her desire.

  Giving her no respite, she pulled himself up and began to kiss her. She put her arms around his back, her hands feeling the hard muscles. ''Gently,'' she said when she felt his penis pushing against her. He placed himself at her entrance and pushed, slowly. When Megan's body stiffened, he stopped and waited until the expression of pain on her face subsided. He pushed some more and stopped again. Slowly Megan began to relax, no longer a virgin, but the object of William's intense desire.

  When William was sure his lover was ready, he began to thrust harder. He put his head to the nape of her neck and inhaled the scent of her. It was too much for him, and he had to close his eyes and think of something irrelevant to prevent himself from coming too soon. When he opened his eyes again, the sight of her beautiful face staring up in admiration at him made the situation worse. He stopped.

  Megan was worried something was wrong. ''William, what..?''

  ''Sssh,'' he said. He kissed her and looked deep into her eyes. ''You are so lovely. I need to go slowly for a while.''

  Megan understood and lay still until he was ready again. When he began to move again, she felt more intense pleasure, and as he increased the strength of his thrusts, another orgasm crashed over her. The feeling of her pleasure flowed into him, and he soon felt himself on the edge. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

  ''I love you, William,'' she whispered. As soon as she said it, she felt his thrusts become shallower and suddenly stop altogether as the warmth of him enveloped her inside.

  ''I love you too, he muttered, between gasps. You are a dream.'' They kissed again. She felt his erection subsiding and laughed as he suddenly fell from her. He rolled from her and lay on his back. She lay on her side and put her head into his neck.

  ''Thank you,'' she said.

  ''For what?''

  ''That was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. You were kind and considerate, and you made me feel wanted.''

  ''I do want you, Megan. I want you always.''

  Megan closed her eyes savoring the moment. But it was spoiled by a sudden blanket of guilt. When would she tell him who she really was? How could she lie to him? Is that what people who loved each other did? She didn't think so.

  William pulled some clothes over their naked bodies, and it felt as if they were in bed together. Megan tried to imagine a grand bedroom at Hamilton Hall and waking in the morning next to her husband. She would make love to him twice daily, as soon as they woke up, and just before they went to sleep.

  ''I want to know more about you,'' he said.

  The question she had been dreading. ''There's not much to know.''

  ''We have just made love, I know you intimately, but I don't know you at all. Except I know, you're the goddaughter of some Earl or other.''

  ''Who told you that?'' she asked stunned.

  ''I asked Maria, my sister-in-law, who you were. As soon as you came into the ballroom I knew you were the one for me.''

  She decided to divert his attention. She reached down under the clothes and cupped his manhood. ''I want you again. I can feel you do to,'' she said cheekily.

  *****

  Fred heaved another sack from the bottom of another ship and sat down exhausted. ''You know I won't be able to do this job in another five years, it's bloody exhausting.''

  ''Of course, you will. All you have to do is think about Megan. The thought of bending her over one of those sacks and having her beg you for it will keep you going till you're well over sixty.''

  ''I heard that you crude man,'' Megan bellowed from up on the quay. Her father had sent her to count how many sacks the May Blossom had bough from Indonesia. ''Is that what you two talk about all day?'' Fred looked horrified, and Philip grinned.

  ''Sorry miss, it won't happen again,'' Fred shouted up at her. Then he had an idea. His mother had told him, on her death bed, that women love being told they're beautiful. Her last words were, 'it's the way to a woman's heart.''

  ''Miss Megan, sorry, but it's very hard for two red-blooded men, who work hard all day, not to think of you. We work up an appetite down here, and you're extremely beautiful.''

  Megan turned away and smiled. She liked Fred; he was simple, but a good man, and she didn't want to get him into trouble. ''Fred would you come up here something isn't right,'' she shouted. In a flash, Fred was up on the quay. Megan looked around to see nobody was looking and kissed him, one on each cheek. ''You're a very dear man Fred. I like you, but it's time you found a wife to satisfy.....you know......your urges.'' Megan had never seen Fred blush.

  ''To have a good woman to come home to would be heaven,'' he said.

  ''Then I'll help you. I know a few ladies who I think would be just right.'' Megan knew the manager at the local fish market, and there was a multitude of single women who gutted fish and dreamed of the perfect man.

  When Megan had finished counting and gone back to the office, Fred slugged Philip a proper blow to the jaw. ''No more talk like that, do you hear?'' Philip looked up from the floor and nodded.

  ''It's a terrible situation,'' Megan complained. ''You two, with your cunning plans and deceitful scheming, have put me in an unbearable situation.''

  Jeffrey and Michael looked at each other. ''How?'' Jeffery asked.

  ''Do you mean to tell me you don't know?''

  ''No.''

  ''By telling the Thurlington family that I'm the goddaughter of the Earl of Wells.''

  ''You're in love,'' Michael said mockingly. ''You've fallen in love with young William, and he thinks you're aristocracy.'' Michael began to laugh.

  Jeffery looked at his daughter who bowed her head. ''Have you found someone you love?'' he asked.

  ''Yes, against all that I wanted for myself, I have. And thanks to you two, I'm trapped. I should never have gone to that ball, and certainly not masquerading as someone I'm not.''

  Jeffrey was excited. His plan seemed to be working. He imagined himself standing in his best suit at Hamilton Hall, conversing with the Duke and his wife. That would be just the beginning, from there he would meet and greet the British aristocracy at will. ''What do you think she should do Michael?''
he asked.

  ''It's difficult. I suppose the best thing to do is tell him the truth. If he loves you, he will still want you whoever you are.''

  ''Father, I have always done everything you have asked of me, but going to that ball to make connections for you has turned my life upside down. I will tell William who I am, and face the consequences.''

  ''Can't you string him along a bit more, get him to propose to you, marry him and then tell him,'' Jeffrey said. There was a glass of water on Megan's desk. She took it and poured it over his head. When she slammed the door behind her, the whole building shook.

  ''She's a feisty one, just like her mother,'' Michael concluded.

  ''Yes indeed she is. And I'm a rotten father, I've just realized that.''

  *****

  William cried out like a Wild Indian, as he and Megan raced their horses across the newly harvested field. The wind in her hair and the feeling of power below her made Megan feel free. It was a perfect day, no clouds, except the one in Megan's heart. Today, she was going to tell him. Come what may.

  They stopped at a fence which bordered a wood. When they dismounted, William attended to the horses and Megan rehearsed what she was going to say. William put his arms around her and kissed her.

  ''What is it?'' he asked when she didn't respond.

  ''You have asked me several times to tell you something about my background. Well, I think the time has come.''

  ''Later, I want you. Come on. Let's climb over the fence and go into the wood, nobody will be able to see us. Can you feel how much I need you?'' He took her hand and put it to his groin; she pulled away. ''Megan, what is it?''

  ''I'm not who you think I am.'' She looked at him for a reaction; there wasn't one. ''I'm not an Earl's goddaughter.''

  ''Who the hell cares.''

  ''I'm not a member of high society or the aristocracy, I'm the daughter of a merchant trader.''

  William's face turned white. He was in love with her, and he didn't care where she was from, or even if she had any money or not. If it was Megan versus the estate, there was only one winner, Megan. But he thought of his family. He'd promised to find a woman of wealth and pedigree.

  ''William, say something,'' Megan said anxiously. ''If you don't want me now, just tell me, and I will leave.''

  ''Would you leave me so easily?'' he asked bitterly.

  ''No, I don't mean it like that. I have deceived you. What I mean is I would understand if you no longer wanted to....''

  ''Stop. Stop talking now. I want you like I have never wanted anyone or anything in my entire life.'' He threw his crop against the fence in frustration and one of the horses jumped nervously. ''Give me a moment to think.'' He leaned against the fence and stared across the empty field. Megan didn't know whether to touch him or keep her distance. She could see he was shocked. She decided to keep her distance and fight back her tears.

  ''Why did you lead us to believe you were from the upper classes?'' he asked after an age.

  ''My father. He's a snob, a social climber. I mean he's really a very nice man, but he thinks he deserves to mix with the upper classes. I suppose he thinks that because he is so enormously wealthy.''

  ''And he was using you to get his foot in the door.''

  ''Yes.'' She rubbed a hand over her golden hair and decided to take his hand. ''William, I'm sorry. I didn't know I would fall in love with you. I thought I would perhaps meet a few gentlemen who would invite my father and me to tea and leave the rest to my father. I never wanted to hurt you.''

  ''I'm sure you didn't. But you have,'' he said sending an arrow through her heart. There is only one saving grace, he thought. She is extremely rich. ''Megan I love you, and this won't diminish my love for you. But you must know that members of my class can't marry beneath them.''

  ''Yes,'' Megan said as her tears began to flow.

  ''Please, don't cry,'' he said handing her his handkerchief. ''I will talk to my brother. All is not lost.'' She took his words and clung to them. There was still a glimmer of hope.

  They rode slowly back to Hamilton Hall. When they arrived, Megan had hoped that William would invite her inside, but he turned to her. ''I think it's best if you return home. I'll arrange a carriage.''

  *****

  Francis and Maria sat in the library and drank tea. ''I wonder what he wants to talk to us about?'' Francis said.

  ''I think he's found a young lady he desires. I know he was very interested in one particular woman at the ball. I believe she's the goddaughter of the Earl of Wells.''

  ''The Earl of Wells? Is there an Earl of Wells?'' Francis looked bemused. ''Ah at last William, where have you been?''

  ''Thinking,'' he replied.

  ''Then tell us your news,'' Maria said enthusiastically.

  ''I am in love.''

  Maria jumped up and clapped. ''I knew it. I knew the ball was a good idea.''

  ''Sit down my dear, let's hear the whole story,'' Francis said.

  ''I am in love with a very fine lady from an extremely rich family.'' William had decided to tell Francis the positive points first, in the hope the effect of the bad news he was going to deliver would be diminished.

  ''Splendid,'' Francis said looking at Maria warmly.

  ''But.....''

  ''Ah, of course, there's a problem,'' Francis interjected. ''You know William where you're concerned, there's always a problem. Nothing in your life is simple.''

  William was surprised at Francis' tone. He knew Francis was under enormous pressure, but he'd never spoken to him like that before. ''She's a merchant’s daughter,'' he said as quickly as possible to get it out of the way.

  ''She's what?'' Francis cried. ''I thought you told me she was the daughter of an Earl,'' he said, glaring at Maria.

  ''That's what they told me,'' Maria complained.

  ''There is a story to it,'' William said.

  ''Then tell us, we're very anxious to know what it could possibly be,'' Francis said sarcastically.

  ''Megan, that's the lady in question, has a father who aspires to the drawing rooms of the aristocracy, even though he is middle class. Apparently, he thinks his wealth places him adequately to do so.''

  ''It's not only about money, it's about breeding. When will these blessed people learn? If it was about money I wouldn't have married Maria, would I?'' Francis scoffed. Maria didn't know whether to feel pleased or upset.

  ''He was using his daughter to gain entry to the upper class. But she didn't know she would fall in love with me. It's not her fault.''

  ''No William, no a hundred times,'' Francis said

  ''What no?'' William replied.

  ''I know what you want me to say. You want me to agree. But I will never accept a woman from a lower class into this family.'' Maria now knew she could be pleased.

  ''Even though we need money, and she has that in abundance?''

  ''Find somebody else. There were plenty of eligible women at that ball. Why did you have to go and fall for one so unsuitable.''

  Francis got up and marched out of the room; Maria scampered after him. William remained where he was, too devastated to move. He thought back to his mother and what she would think of the situation. He loved Megan, but he had to think of his family. He would be fine if he married her, she was rich, but he knew he would have to cut all ties with Francis, and the estate would be lost.

  *****

  When Ellen didn't hear from William for more than a week, she feared the worst. A week later she was sitting with her father at the breakfast table when he put down the newspaper and looked at his daughter. It was the look on his face that caught her attention.

  ''What father?'' she said.

  He didn't speak. He sat open-mouthed, as if he'd been stung into unconsciousness. He didn't know what to do. How could he have been so cruel? So demanding. Such a bad father. His selfishness had brought this upon his daughter, and he would never be able to forgive himself. He was ashamed to think what his wife would think of him.

  ''Father,
what on earth has happened?''

  ''Here,'' he said, passing her the newspaper.

  He'd been reading the announcements page. Megan began to read. As her eyes scanned the page, she found what her father had seen. Each word made her shake more uncontrollably than the last. At the end, she passed out and slipped onto the floor.

  *****

  It was five o'clock and the end of Fred and Philip's shift. They were looking forward to a pint of beer in the Steam Packet. When they got out of the ship and onto the quay, a woman was waiting for them.

  ''Which one of you is Fred?'' she asked. She was around twenty and pretty.

  ''I am,'' Fred admitted.

  ''I want to talk to you,'' she said. ''Tell him to sling his hook,'' she added, referring to Philip.

  ''See you later,'' Fred said to Philip, who idled off, more curious than he had ever been. ''What can I do for you?'' Fred asked the woman.

  ''Someone told me you haven't got a girl.''

  Fred liked the look of her, very much, but he was slightly anxious. She seemed very forthright, and the last thing he wanted was to be an oppressed husband. ''Er....yes, that's right.''

  She took a deep breath. ''I know it's not proper for a lady to ask a man, but there are a lot of girls after you, and I wanted to be the first to talk to you. I hope you don't mind me being so.........direct. I'm not usually like that.''

  Fred was calmer now she'd explained herself. He liked the sound of being chased by a lot of women, but to be fair to her she'd taken the trouble to come and speak to him, he'd give her a chance, and if she turned out to be no good he would pick one of the others. ''Thank you for coming to see me. I hope you're not disappointed,'' he said.

  ''No I'm not. You're very handsome.''

  ''If you like we can sit on the bench, over there,'' he pointed to the seat overlooking the harbor.

  ''Yes, that would be nice.''

  He was bowled over when he began to talk to her. She was really very pretty indeed. He learned her name was Mary, she gutted fish for a living and had her own house. They talked for an hour until it was almost dark. Fred liked her, and he decided he would see over the next few weeks whether she would be a good wife or not. He thought she would.