by J. E. Clymer
“To be sure.” The Earl added. “The deed must still be done with the Loomcroft girl, though.”
Carl nodded. “Yes, but as she pointed out. If I bed her at all in the first two months we'll always question who fathered the brats. It is no sacrifice to wait.”
His father nodded again. “To be sure. George solved the problem of her virginity.” Taking another swig of his brandy he waved Carl off. “Off with you then, warm your loins and enjoy yourself.”
Carl smiled rakishly and sauntered off to the room where Allana was waiting. The beautiful blond had a slight, limber body that she regular put to good use for him. She laid herself out seductively on the bed provided for her by the establishment.
He had his tastes and Allana knew them intimately. She approached him slowly and asked, “May I service you, Lord Livery?”
Yes, he like his women docile and well put in their place. His wife just took it to the extreme. “You may, Alanna.”
The woman dropped to her knees and released his member from the confines of his trousers. She took him in her mouth and massaged him with her fingers. Carl had always been a man to quick satisfaction, but it took almost a full turn of the clock to prepare him for her.
He blushed in embarrassment. “Allana, I know not what has come over me. I am sure once the deed is being done I will do better.” He did not sound the least bit confident, but he had never failed to pay her his blunt so she continued.
She laid back on the bed and spread herself wide. “Please, Lord Livery, do as you will with me.” Allana hated pretending to be at his will, but he did pay well.
Carl entered her and soon went flaccid inside her. In embarrassment he scrambled off of the bed and dressed quickly. As he made for the door Allana called after him. “Carl Livery, you have forgotten to pay!”
He had the decency not to accuse her of her failings, but only just. Carl walked out of the gentleman's club and made for home. Once thru the door he found his wife in the library reading. Belladonna immediately got up and curtsied to him. “Welcome home, husband.”
Belladonna bit back a sick feeling as she laid her hand gently on his forehead. “Are you ill? Perhaps I could get you a spot of tea, it may make you feel better.” Her actions and words would indicate concern, but the infuriatingly neutral tone of her voice was like salt in Carl's wounds.
Carl snarled at her, but not sound emerged from his twisted face for a few moments. “All of my ills could be cured by bedding my wife.”
She pouted her lips and patted his arm, but her tone did not change. “I do wish we could do such a thing, but would you really risk raising George's son as your own?”
“No!” Carl almost yelled. She stood expectantly awaiting his order—the kind of wife he had always wanted. He hated it. “Get the damn tea, Belladonna.”
Belladonna smiled as she made the tea in the kitchen. A full week of chasteberry in the tea seemed to be having an effect. Each day he returned from his club earlier than the last. By the time the two months were up he'd be fully impotent.
After emptying more of the substance in the pot she went to pick up the carrier and take it upstairs. Before she could raise the tray off of the table a sudden attack of nausea came over her. She rushed out of the kitchen and emptied the contents of her stomach on the ground.
Wiping the back of her mouth with her hand she straightened with as much dignity as she could. Belladonna could not think of what she had eaten that had not agreed with her, but she hoped the illness would pass with only one attack. She walked back in and picked up the tray.
She carried it upstairs and stood by demurely as Carl drank each cup she poured. Taking a deep breath she spoke as softly as she could in her neutral tone. “Husband, I would like to invite a number of duchesses to tea. I fear I only have a few dresses though. Could...could I possibly have a few more made?”
Carl looked her up and down. She was right, she didn't have even enough dresses to go to town more than once a week. That suited Carl fine, but the social connections that having duchesses for friends would bring would be worth it. Carl nodded. “I will instruct our carriage driver to take you to the modiste tomorrow.”
“Thank you, husband.” She mumbled. There was a small sparkle in her eyes despite her tone. Carl felt warm just from the look. He hoped it would always be so easy to please her.
“Just be sure to get what you need.” Carl chided her. “I do not wish to speak of dresses again for some time.”
“Of course, husband.” She actually smiled at him and his heart almost stopped. For once, Carl could see what George saw in the woman. She could be impassible in her cold, but when she chose to show her warm side it was as blinding as daylight.
Carl sipped the tea for the next hour, praying she would smiled at him again.
###
Martin Loomcroft worked fast for a man not actually in the House of Lords. By the time a week had passed he had already expressed his daughter's plight to nearly have of the members of the House of Lords. Their stance generally was the same. The men pitied their situation, but felt nothing could be done.
Martin continually pressed them, but they would not budge. George was not so settle. He made it clear to each man he spoke that his fortune was of little consequence and their fortunes were of even less value in comparison to regaining his bride.
On the afternoon of the seventh day he sat with Martin at a table in White's. No less than six Lords surrounded the card table. Martin tried as diplomatically as he could to explain the situation.
“My daughter is a bit headstrong, but she made a good choice. George Livery is a man I would wish for a son, but his brother is detestable. The man actually forged marriage documents. Now he has my daughter and is doing who knows what with her. I was hoping one of you fine gentlemen would have an idea as to how to resolve the situation.”
Lord Pemberly piped up from behind his cards. “Seems to me there is naught to resolve, Martin. You wanted the chit married and now she's married.”
Lord Weselton also leaned back against the chair. “It has been over a week, has it not? Getting an annulment would require the moving of heaven and earth.”
Martin sighed. “Yes, but does not the House of Lords have some pull with the church?”
“None that we would use to free a woman from a lawful marriage.” Lord Camden said harshly.
“Why not?” George asked flatly.
“It is just not done. The girl is properly wed.” Another lord piped in.
“Yes, she is—to me.” George emphasized with a scowl. “You are all cowards who do not give a bloody care about this since it does not harm you directly.”
Lord Camden shifted uncomfortably behind his cards. “Now, that's not the case...”
George slammed his cards down on the table and stood. “You all have interests in the new railroads and in shipping. Not one of your companies will receive even one more board from my lumberyards until my wife is safely at home! Now, gentlemen, decide. Is the future of your businesses worth crossing a money strapped lord like my father?”
He did not wait for a reply, but simply stormed out of White's. George knew he'd never be welcomed in the establishment again. He really could not care if he would ever be welcomed in London again. He wanted his wife and he would have her, one way or another.
Chapter 7
Belladonna woke the next morning before daylight to a soft tapping on the window. She crawled out from under the warm covers and opened the window to find her husband—her real husband—hanging from the terrace outside her window.
“What are you doing?” She hissed and grabbed him and started pulling him in the window.
He climbed in quietly and kissed her quickly. “I had to get you.” He whispered.
“I...” She started before another attack of stomach upset hit her. She just made it to her chamber pot before emptying her stomach. George patiently held her hair as the sickness passed.
“It is making you ill being here. Let m
e take you home. We can be on a ship home within the hour.” He pleaded.
“No, we have to do this right, George. If we do not, then we will never be able to step foot in London again.” She said firmly.
He pulled her into a tight embrace, as if he could shield her from the world. “Bella, what if he lays hands on you? I would never be able to bear it.”
“He will not. I have taken steps to ensure it.” She said quietly.
He raised his eyebrows. “Steps? What steps can keep a man's hands off a woman as beautiful as you.”
“Chasteberry.”
“What the hell is chasteberry?” He whispered.
Belladonna blushed down to her toes. “It is known to...umm...prevent the male anatomy from...standing straight?”
“You've made the man impotent?” George fought back laughter as he asked.
“Close enough.” She said with a sly smile. “Plus, he has given me permission to go to the modiste today.”
Understanding dawned on George's face. “You are are going to drain his purse dry.”
She smiled seductively a her husband and kissed his cheek. “Of course not, George. I'm going to drain it far more than that.”
“When all of this is over, remind me to never make you angry, Bella.” He kissed her soundly despite the sour smell and taste of her breath.
“I will, but you need to go now. Our plans will be destroyed if you do not go.” She pushed him towards the window.
George went, but he stopped and looked back at Belladonna. “Another week, wife, no more. Past that we flee to our island home and forget London. I can not live without you longer than that.”
“Alright, just go!”
Belladonna closed the drapes as soon as George was thru the window. She let out a sigh of relief as she dressed and walked to the door. A week. Belladonna hoped that she didn't have to wait that long to be free of Carl, but she could survive another week.
Belladonna squared her shoulders and walked down the stairs. “Good morning, husband.”
“You will be going to the dressmaker directly, Belladonna.” Carl scowled as he made the statement.
“I will try not to be long, husband.” Belladonna responded.
Carl rubbed his brow. “Did George enjoy your frigid disposition, wife?”
Belladonna's eyebrows raised in surprise at the question. “George did not have the same desires as you do in a wife, husband. He had no need of manners or my dowry's blunt. I daresay he was not the same quality of husband as you are, Carl.”
Belladonna didn't elaborate that she felt Carl was of such a low quality of person in comparison to George that she could walk thru a well used pig sty and feel cleaner. Let him think it a compliment. It would soon be clear to him that it was anything but.
Carl smiled at her words. “Feel free to spend the afternoon shopping, Belladonna. Just remember, your father has not released your dowry as of yet. Spend blunt sparingly.”
“Of course, husband.” She smiled. “I would also like leave to wander the shops. I wish to buy you a gift, husband.”
Carl smiled widely. “Of course, Belladonna. I look forward to seeing what you buy me.”
She curtsied and walked out to the carriage. Upon climbing in she could not help but laugh. The bloke had no idea what was coming. Somehow that would make it all the sweeter when he finally realized the true folly of his actions.
###
George arrived at his lumberyards around mid-morning. He had every intent of shutting production down and making it clear to his workers that they could thank the House of Lords for their loss of honest work. He wasn't happy about the idea, but he was prepared to do it.
He couldn't help but smile when his carriage rolled up to the gates of the yard. No less than seven Lords had carriages waiting upon him. Only one stood out waiting for him.
Lord Camden looked positively livid as he waited outside the entrance to the busy lumberyard. He did not wait for George to greet him. “Here is your bloody annulment.” He shoved the paper into George's face.
George looked it over and smiled at him. “Thank you, Lord Camden. Do I have these other titled gentlemen to thank.”
“Yes.” He huffed. “I take it that the lumber supply will not be interrupted to the railroads...not that I have anything to do with the railroads.”
“I will be sure it arrives early this month.” George said softly.
Lord Camden pulled another sheet of paper out of his pocket and started to hand it to George. George eyed it as he held it tight. “I take it if I give you this I will also see a ten percent discount on my order.”
George eyed the sheet and made out only the first world and a few of the second in the title: SPECIAL LI. George didn't need more. He nodded and Lord Camden released the paper. “Twenty-five percent off.” He choked out.
Lord Camden nodded. “Good. Do not ever consider pulling such a trick again, Mr. Livery. We will not be played the fool a second time, especially over a woman.”
George shook his head. “You have not been played the fool. Quite the contrary. I owe every man here a favor. I do not give out my favors lightly and I honor my word. You have no idea what you have given me.”
Lord Camden abruptly turned. “Get it right, Livery. There has been far too much trouble caused over this matter as it is.”
George quickly got in his carriage and ordered his man to drive it to the most expensive dressmaker in town. He knew that was where he would find Belladonna. True to form, his father's carriage was parked out front.
He got out of his carriage and walked into the shop. A young seamstress immediately came over to help him. “May I help you, gov'ner?”
He nodded. “I need to see my...Mrs. Livery.”
“Of course, sir. I will go tell her you are here.”
He waited only until the girl was out of the room until he followed her quietly. The door was left ajar to one of the small fitting rooms.
Mrs. Murdock could be heard tutting. “First, you have me come all the way here just so you can pay more money for dresses than what they're worth. Now, you tell me not to make the style I choose. Miss Belladonna, I daresay you know better.”
“I do not need that style Mrs. Murdock, I assure you. My husband and I were very careful to avoid such a thing.” Bella chided.
“You have lost your crumpets twice since you have been here. If you are not with child, then you are seriously ill. I should know, I have had my fair share of children. Belladonna, you should know! You have had your fair share of sisters.”
He did not hear an answer from Belladonna. A child. George knew she did not want one, but he could not help but be filled with joy over the prospect. Quietly he slipped into the room and shut the door.
Both women's gazes immediately locked on to him. “George! You can not be here.”
“Bella, I have the annulment and a special license. Just leave with me now.” He said softly.
“No.” She said as she smoothed the dress.
“No?” Both George and Mrs. Murdock echoed.
“Your brother has not learned his lesson yet. You may pick me up at his home this evening at five o'clock.” She said matter of factually.
“Belladonna, be reasonable.” He chided.
“I am being perfectly reasonable. He meant to steal my life away. I will merely steal his pride away. He deserves no less.”
Turning to Mrs. Murdock she said. “I bid you to make the most expensive wardrobe you ever have and bill it to Mr. Carl Livery.” Then she eyed George with a soft smile. “If you will go now, George. I still have to buy my husband a parting gift.”
George gave her a soft kiss before he turned to leave. “Bella, you are going to be my death one of these days. Now that I have the legal standing if you are not at the front door at five o'clock I will storm the thing without delay.”
He walked back to his carriage in a sour mood. He wanted his wife now, not later. He most certainly did not want her going back in that house if sh
e may be with child, but he knew she would not tolerate him coddling her. George did the only thing he could do in the circumstances; he went to go talk to her father.
###
Belladonna stepped down from the fitting stand and after thanking Mrs. Murdock went outside to the waiting carriage. She didn't get in. Instead she walked up to the driver.
“Do you normally drive my husband, sir?” She asked him as sweetly as possible.
“That I do, mum.” He answered gruffly.
She batted her eyelashes at the man. “I wish to get my husband a gift. I fear my husband lusts after a...” She lowered her voice and tried to look as sad as possible. “...slimmer womanly form. I can think of no better gift than one he has already enjoyed. Do you think you can find such a woman?”