by Nancy Wells
Emily had never eaten food with a fork and knife before. She was bound to embarrass herself before him. Picking up the fork and knife with clumsy hands, she prayed to God. Her hands were shaking as she tried to cut the meat with the knife. The knife and fork left her fingers and she jumped when the utensils clanged against the plate. Feeling like a failure, she clutched her hands in her lap and bowed her head. Moisture gathered in her eyes when the emotions overwhelmed her.
Emily’s stomach grumbled when the aromas of the food reached her nose. Her tummy was in knots from hunger. She was feeling helpless. The food was so close to her and yet she could not touch it. Emily did not dare to lift the fork again. She was feeling humiliated. The maid snickered and a tear traveled down her nose and fell into her lap.
Elliot was taken aback when he saw the girl in her old dress. The opinion of others did not matter to him because he was already considered the worst of the worst but her attire was not acceptable to him. The girl was trying to make him look bad before his servants. He had purchased a quality dress for her and yet she was dressed in filthy clothes. She was deliberately painting him as a heartless cad before his household. His household would believe that he had abducted this girl from somewhere.
Elliot watched her closely as she approached the table. To his disappointment, she did not wait for the servant to offer her the chair. She dragged the chair like an ill-mannered person and picked up the utensils like a toddler. Elliot wanted to believe that the girl had never used a fork before, but he was not falling for her tricks until he was sure the girl was not faking all this to give the impression that she was a captive in this house. Her escape attempt in the carriage was still fresh in his mind. This girl was exactly as her aunt claimed, clumsy and stupid. She was in need of more discipline than he realized. She did not thank him for saving her life.
Elliot looked closely at the girl when the fork fell from her hands. She was obviously hungry but was stubborn. She was malnourished and was thin as a stick. Elliot preferred curves in a woman. When he took a woman to his bed, he wanted to hear the slap of skin against skin. He did not enjoy being poked by a boney cage.
Elliot’s heart softened a little when he saw tears on her rosy cheeks. The girl was crying silently without making a sound. Her back stiffened when the servant snickered. Elliot closed his eyes briefly when he realized the girl was being ridiculed by the servants while she stewed in silence. If she were to become the lady of this house, she had to learn how to put the servants in their places.
“Leave us,” Elliot said.
Emily stood up as the commanding voice of the duke boomed in the silence. Tears were flowing freely on her face as she dragged the chair back. A hand grabbed her elbow and she looked at the displeased face of her husband. She started to tremble when she saw the anger on his face. She wanted to beg for her life, but it was highly doubtful that he would listen to her. He thrashed her bottom in the carriage for opening the door; he would kill her for making a fool of him before his servants.
“I said, leave us.” He looked behind her at the maid.
The maid gave her a venomous look when she left. Emily’s elbow was still in his grasp. She was afraid to look at him. She did not want to see the disappointment on his face. She had humiliated him in front of his servants. Her heart started drumming in her chest when she realized she was alone with him. It did not look like a good sign.
“Why are you not eating your dinner?” he quietly asked.
Emily wished the earth would open and swallow her whole. Confessing to the duke that she had never used a fork before was humiliating for her. She wished there was a way she could save herself from explaining her reasons, but the duke had warned her against lying to him. Emily did not want a visit over his knees again. She could still feel the burn on her bottom when she sat on the chair.
“I…” She gulped. “I usually eat food with my hands or a wooden spoon, Your Grace. I… I… I have never used fine china or silverware.”
Releasing her hand, he stood up from his chair. Emily remained still as a statue when he came behind her chair. She was afraid of his intentions. If he found her offensive, he would strike her in a few moments. Emily’s heart nearly gave out when the duke gently pushed her down on her chair. He leaned to her side and picked up the knife and fork. Cutting a piece of meat with the knife, he brought the fork near her mouth.
“Open,” he whispered near her ear.
She opened her mouth and he fed her the meat. The food was so tasty; she closed her eyes and moaned. She had never experienced such a heavenly taste before. Realizing her mistake, she held a palm to her mouth and waited for his anger. He warned her of the consequences if she ever tricked him. He was going to beat her like her aunt used to do. He could do anything to her and no one will come to her aid. She had behaved in the most unladylike manner. He will be immensely displeased with her.
“The cook is good,” he said, kindly. “I enjoy his cooking too.”
She felt the tension leave her body at his words. He was not like the man she had heard of. He was neither cruel nor merciless. He was the kindest person she had ever met. He was giving her hope for a bright future. She was not afraid to be alone with him anymore. Emily opened her mouth when he brought the meat clad fork near her mouth again.
“Observe,” he said. “Learn the way I am using them. It is not hard to learn.”
When there was not even a single morsel left on her plate, he went back to his own chair. Putting half of his food on her plate, he resumed eating. She looked at him in shock. She was wondering why he just gave her his share of food. Her aunt never shared her own share of food with her, even if she had to go hungry for days. There was so much contrast between him and her aunt. She hoped he was as kind as he seemed in that moment.
“You need some flesh on your bones. Eat until your belly is full,” he said, pointing at her with his fork.
She looked down at herself and noticed the bones protruding from her chest. She was sickly thin. She was wondering what he saw in her when he brought her into his house. Emily did not consider herself worthy of him. She had neither beauty nor wealth. Her hands had become coarse from hard labors. There was nothing special about her. The duke was not in need of a maid either, so why was she here?
Picking up the fork and knife as he had taught her, she took a bite of the food. She was feeling confident. There was no one to hurt her if she made a mistake. For the first time in her life, she enjoyed a meal. She ate even when there was no more space left in her stomach.
Elliot smiled when he saw a radiant glow on her face as she successfully used the silverware. When the girl mentioned that she had never touched silverware, he was conflicted about his decision. His mind believed her to be a liar, but his heart believed her words. Taking side with his heart, he taught her how to eat properly. The eagerness with which she learned from him made him proud about listening to his heart. The girl did not lie to him. It was a good sign for his future.
“I never asked your name.”
Emily discreetly looked at his face. There was no malice on his face. He was smiling at her. She felt at ease with him. He was waiting patiently for her answer. If it were someone else, she would be nursing a stinging face for taking so long in answering a simple question.
“Emily,” she said, softly.
“Emily.” He tested her name on his lips. “You have a very beautiful name.”
She blushed at his words. Putting a finger under her chin, he lifted her head and she met his eyes. The same eyes that seemed soulless to her before were now the most captivating. She kept looking into his eyes, without blinking. She wanted to drown in the depth of those black orbs.
She watched in wonder as a smile cracked across his face. His features transformed into the most handsome face she had ever laid her eyes on. He seemed less dangerous and more approachable at that moment. Involuntarily, she lifted a finger to his lips. He did not move a muscle as she touched his lips. Emily’s heart skipped
a beat when she felt the smoothness and warmth of his lips. She was exploring his lips with her finger, enchanted by his spell when he bit her finger. She yelped, retracted her hand and flushed deeply. Throwing his head back, the duke laughed at her reaction. She looked back at him and smiled. His laughter was the most musical noise she had ever heard. His Adam’s apple was beckoning her to touch it, but she controlled her urges.
Chuckling softly, he held her hand in his palms. “Emily, do not let the servants treat you with disdain. You are the lady of this house. Use your position to subdue them. You cannot let them treat you like a stray.” Emily flinched, feeling ashamed of herself. “No. No, do not look away. I want you to understand the importance of all this. Emily… if you trust me and speak from your heart, then I will have no reason to become upset with you. Last night, you tried to commit suicide. It hurts me that you would judge my character based on what you hear from others and not give me a chance to explain my reasons. I am… I have done things that are considered immoral, but I am not a madman. I will never harm someone who has done me no wrong. All I ask is you never lie to me and remain honest with me.”
Elliot wanted to put the girl at ease. She was making him feel guilty, sitting there all frightened. Despite what her aunt claimed about her, he wanted to give her a chance. It would be particularly hard for him, considering his first wife’s betrayal. His wife was dishonest with him. She kept illicit affairs with strangers behind his back. He loved her and she made a fool out of him.
He waited for her to make up her mind. He did not want to push her to answer him. He waited patiently as the girl tried to speak to him. She was hesitating and seemed agitated. Elliot wished his efforts were not wasted and the girl could gather the courage to utter a complete sentence instead of monosyllables.
“I will try, Your Grace,” she said, timidly. “I will do as you asked me.”
He was silent for a long while. When she looked up at him, he was looking at her lips, with a glint in his eyes. Emily looked away, frightened and excited at the same time. She was not a dimwit. She recognized the desire in his intent gaze. He was having inappropriate thoughts about her. Oddly, it made her feel wanted and special.
“Are you finished with your food?” he asked.
Pushing the plate to the side, she nodded her head. The duke offered her his hand as they stood up from their seats. Taking her upstairs, he turned in the opposite direction of her room.
Her heart started to beat faster as she realized his intent. He wanted to consummate their marriage at this very moment. All her fears came rushing back as she recalled everything her aunt had told her. She would be in a lot of pain every time he joined her in bed. She was losing her nerve when she thought about what he was going to do to her. Her aunt said he had every right to touch her body and will want to see her naked. Without the support of his hand, she might have stumbled when her legs started to shake. She could not say no to him. He had a right to take her to his bed. He would be angry if she expressed her fears.
Opening a door, he waited for her to enter his room. She looked in fear at a huge four-poster bed that was dominating most of the room. The blue linen sheets on the bed and the burgundy drapes looked sinister to her. She gulped when she heard the lock of the door. Standing alone behind a locked door with him was making her nervous. When he turned around and looked at her from head to toe, she started to tremble. He came towards her like a hawk stalking its prey. Holding her hands in his own, he massaged her knuckles with his thumbs.
“I will be gentle,” he said. “The pain will not last forever.”
Elliot saw the maiden fear in the girl. It was natural for all girls to be afraid on the first night. He wished there was a way he could take the pain away from the act. Elliot was trying to alleviate her fears and calm her nerves but his words had the opposite effect on her. She started to shake like a leaf. Holding her head in his hands, he looked into her eyes. Moisture was gathering on her lashes while she trembled with fear. Leaning his head, he tentatively touched her lips with his mouth.
His warm and soft lips calmed her agitated nerves. He was teasing her time and again with feather light touches to her lips. When she stopped shaking, he kept his lips a few inches from her mouth. He was asking her permission by letting her initiate the kiss. She met his lips on her own and he deepened the kiss. Emily gasped when she felt his hand on her chest. Taking advantage of her open mouth, his tongue entered.
Emily moaned when his tongue started dancing with her own. She could feel her body coming alive under his ministrations. His tongue felt magical as he woke up desire in her. She wondered what she was so afraid of. It felt right. It was meant to be.
Looking down at her chest, he kissed the top of her breasts. He slid the dress from her shoulders and down her arms, pulling her hands from the sleeves, slowly and carefully. He did not want to spook her with his urgency.
Her hands shot out to her dress when it pooled at her waist. If she did not hold it then it would slip to her feet. He pulled her stays away in one smooth motion and looked at the rosy buds of her breasts. In her quest to hold her dress in place, she had forgotten about her stays. He touched the tips of her nipples with his thumbs and rubbed in a circular motion.
Emily’s face was getting flushed when she felt a tingling sensation in her nether regions. He was staring at her breasts with a hooded gaze. He seemed as if he wanted to devour her. Becoming shy, she folded her arms over her chest.
Elliot smiled in a devilish way when her dress slipped from her waist. She left it unguarded when she was shielding her chest. Not giving her a chance to get cold feet, he swept her up in his arms.
Emily gasped when her dress was left behind and the floor was snatched from her feet. Her heart was racing as the duke deposited her on his bed. Scooting back until she hit the headboard, Emily held her knees close to her chest. The duke disrobed, all the while keeping his eyes on her face. Emily watched with curiosity as his chest became bare to her sight. The urge to touch him was getting stronger with every passing moment.
He did not want to scare her with his manhood, so he did not lower his breeches. When he sat on his knees at the end of the bed, he was dying to bury himself deep inside her, but he did not want to make her afraid of coming to his bed in the future. Pulling her by her ankles, he laid her flat on her back. Removing her drawers in one sweep, he bent over her and held her hands above her head.
“Your body belongs to me,” he said, possessively. “I will be gentle with you tonight, but after that, I cannot make any promises.”
Her face was getting heated at his crude words. She could feel moisture gathering at her cunny when he looked at her naked breasts and wet his lips. He leaned his head towards her breasts and licked the tip of her nipple. She moaned when he blew over the wet bud of her breast. To her utter shame, the tip hardened. He looked at her face when he gave the same attention to her other breast. A tremor went through her body when he sucked deeply at her nipples, and she felt the most exquisite feeling in the world when he twirled his tongue around them.
His ministrations had made her wild. She moaned and thrashed beneath him. She needed him to scratch the itch in her nether regions. Shifting both her arms to one hand, he kept sucking at one breast while his hand kneaded the other. He pinched her nipple and she arched her back. His hand was keeping her captive while he continuously sucked and pinched at her breasts. He was combining both pain and pleasure for her. If he did not do something about the discomfort in her nether regions, she would pass out from frustration.
“Your Grace,” she begged. “Please, it is too much.”
She had no clue what she was asking for. No one mentioned to her that she would lose control of her body when her husband touched her. She was rubbing herself shamelessly against his breeches when all of a sudden his mouth went away. She opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion. He was smiling down at her.
“Do you want me, Emily?” he asked.
“Yes, Your Grace
,” she nodded her head in urgency.
Bending his head, he inhaled near her neck and she got goosebumps on her entire body. He kissed her neck and kept kissing in a downward path, releasing her arms. She watched in excitement as he trailed downward towards her nether regions. He kissed her folds and she jumped as a feeling of intense pleasure coursed through her body. He looked up at her as she mewed when his tongue flicked her clitoris. His thumbs started rubbing her nipples while his mouth was licking at her cunny. The more he teased her, the wilder she was becoming.
“Your Grace, please,” she begged.
Pinching both her nipples hard, he sucked her womanly folds into his mouth. Emily closed her eyes shut, arched her body upward and moaned loudly. Her body started to tremble from an intense feeling of pleasure. She saw constellations behind her closed eyes when an exquisite sensation curled her toes. She clutched the sheets beside her head while she rode the sensations.
Elliot sat back to the side and looked down at his wife as she experienced the pleasure of flesh for the first time. The girl might be lacking manners, but she would keep him occupied in his bed. It had been a long time since he enjoyed having a woman in his bed.
When she came back to her senses, she looked at him, breathing hard. He looked at the juncture between her thighs and she put her palms on her cunny, shielding herself from his gaze.
“Close your eyes if you trust me, Emily,” he said, smiling down at her.
Elliot had gained her trust with hard efforts. His manhood had been throbbing to get inside her from the moment she had rubbed herself against him, but she needed to experience the pleasure to loosen her muscles. She was wound tight when she entered his room but now she seemed relaxed. His efforts had paid off.