Jane noticed her distraction. “Is everything all right M’lady. I understand you must be very sad at the passing of Sir Reginald.”
“Yes, I’m fine Jane. Thank you I am fine. I will need some widow’s clothes. I do not believe I am well provided for in black.”
“Indeed M’lady. Unless you have refurbished your wardrobe since I was your lady’s maid, I do believe you only have the one suitable outfit that you wear to the occasional funeral.”
“You know me very well Jane. Could I impose on your good nature and ask you to accompany Anne to Tunbridge Wells this afternoon and purchase some suitable garments for me to wear until I can go there myself and be measured.”
“Of course M’lady. What about Michael?”
“Leave him with me. I shall enjoy his company at this sad time.”
***
Diana lay in bed thinking about the night before when her Lieutenant had made love to her there. She went over in her mind whether she had been wrong and wicked to have slept with him as her husband lay cold and dead waiting for her to collect his remains for burial. She thought about Richard somewhere in India. Would he be practising the Kama Sutra with a dusky maiden? Probably, was her answer. Did she feel guilty about her husband? No! Was she jealous of Richard? No. Did she love the Lieutenant? No. Did she love Richard? Not sure.
All these thoughts flitted in and out of her head until she finally came to a conclusion about herself. What I love, what I like and what I want is sex and lots of it with men who can handle me and my needs.
It didn’t shock her. She determined to enjoy the whole gamut of sexual practices to make up for the years she had put up with her husband’s pathetic and revolting efforts.
***
The Lieutenant arrived at Eylebourne Hall in a black coach with four horses and a driver at ten o’clock as arranged.
Diana saw the driver was a naval rating in a blue jacket, horizontal striped jersey and a tarred pigtail.
Lieutenant Phillips in his gallant Royal Navy uniform handed Diana up inside the coach. Jane had managed to buy a black silk dress and hat for the new widow.
Diana took her seat facing forward. She could smell the leather. Another seat alongside her accommodated the Lieutenant. The two seats opposite stood vacant.
“Drive on,” called the Lieutenant.
The driver took the coach along the drive at a sedate pace, out onto the road and then at a brisk trot.
Outside the sun shone on the warm summer’s day. Diana saw dandelion spores floating on the mild breeze. The steady rattle of the horses hooves and creaking of the gently swaying coach drowned out any birdsong that may have been there to hear.
“M’lady…”
“I think sir, now we have, as you may say been formally introduced,” she said with a laugh. “I think it appropriate when we are alone to address each other by our names.”
He smiled back at her. “Indeed so M’lady. Er indeed so Diana.”
“I would address you sir by your Christian name if I were to be informed as to what it is.”
“William. My name is William.”
“Splendid. How far is it to Maidstone, William?”
“About twenty miles.”
“And how long will it take us to arrive at the disagreeable destination?”
“A little over two hours. Perhaps two and a half.”
“I see. I wonder what we can do to pass the time?” She raised her eyebrow at him.
“I could think of something if the coach were stationary but with it swaying about like this… well… I think conversation is about all we could hope for.
“Initiative William! I thought the Navy relied on the initiative?”
“Indeed so Diana.”
“Pull down the blinds.”
He pulled down the blinds on both sides of the coach providing a dark and private place for what Diana had in mind. He returned to his seat next to her and kissed her softly on her lips.
Diana’s widow’s weeds were buttoned up to her neck. He undid the buttons one by one until he could reach inside, take hold of her breast and squeeze her nipple.
She unbuttoned his breeches and pulled out what she had been fantasizing about since last she had it inside her.
Holding it like a tennis racquet, she pulled up and down while he caressed her breasts.
“I don’t think this is going to be enough,” said Diana. She let go of him and in the dim light she could see it stood to attention like a Grenadier.
“I think Diana it will be too difficult to mount you in this seat.”
“I think so too. I have an idea.”
On each side of the seats opposite were brass handles to steady the passengers in case of rough terrain. Diana stood up, held the brass handles one in each hand with her back to him and said: “It’s up to you now William. Let’s see some of that Royal Navy initiative.”
He laughed and stood up with his erection still standing proud. She turned her head to look at it and felt a tingle go through her body, starting between her legs.
He lifted her black dress and saw she wore white pantaloons down to her knees. With one hand on the side of the coach to steady himself, he gripped the top of her underwear to pull them down.
“That won’t be necessary William.”
“What?”
“Think about it.”
He did, but he was confused. She wanted him to enter her, that was evident, but she didn’t want her pantaloons removed. How strange. And then it struck him. His hand went between her legs and he found what he suspected. The pantaloons were crotchless.
With a laugh, he thrust and went in.
Diana was fully ready to receive him and it slid inside without any resistance.
He had some difficulty staying on his feet but with one hand on the side of the coach and the other round her body with his hand gripping her breast, he managed.
Diana grasped the handles hard as the force pushed her forward each time he drove in.
The swaying of the coach, the thrusting in and out and the thought of the wickedness of fornicating on the open road excited both of them far more than was conducive to a prolonged sexual encounter.
She felt him fire and she reciprocated immediately.
Chapter Five
All the local gentry turned out at the village church for the funeral of Sir Reginald. Though rumours had abounded that he had been in trouble, his death had cleared the family name and there was no disgrace.
Diana watched as the coffin was lowered into its final resting place and she wondered what the future would hold for her and her son Michael. Would Richard, Michael’s father come back from India? If he did, would she tell him that Michael was his? Did she want him to come back?
For now she knew her sexual needs would be satisfied by Lieutenant William Phillips.
She looked across at William standing discreetly at the back of the mourners. There had been no opportunity to speak to him since she collected her husband’s body from Maidstone. The last time they had the chance to make love was in the coach on the way to collect him. Diana hoped that when everyone had gone later in the day she could lie with William.
The mourners took refreshments in the garden of Eylebourne Hall. Diana played her widow’s role well, gratefully accepting the condolences but all the while hoping to be with William.
At last she found herself alone with him near the silver birch tree that held such fond memories for both of them.
“Do you think you can stay when everyone has left?” she said.
“Diana, I have been trying to get you alone all day to tell you my news.”
“And what news is that?” She didn’t like the sound of it at all.
“I’ve been given command of a ship due to sail for the South Pacific on a scientific survey. The captain assigned has been taken ill and is unlikely to survive. I have therefore been given his command. We sail on the tide tomorrow.”
“How long will you be away,” said Diana, rath
er crossly.
“Two, maybe three years.”
“I see.” She flicked her fan, turned her back and walked away.
***
Diana sat in her drawing-room embroidering a country scene. It still irked her that William had sailed off three months previously just like Richard had sailed away earlier. She knew she didn’t miss either of them. What she missed was what they could provide. This country life did not throw up many men who were able to meet the needs of Diana’s voracious appetite and she was a little choosy. The man had to be young, strong, intelligent, connected to avoid mercenary advances and full of vitality. There were few of those who could fit the job description around Tunbridge Wells. Strutting Peacocks were ten a penny.
Miller came to the door. “M’lady, are you at home to Lady Isabelle Fitzsimmons?”
“Indeed I am. Show her in.”
Isabelle breezed into the drawing-room. Diana put down her embroidery and stood up. The two women kissed cheek to cheek.
“How good of you to call Isabelle. I haven’t seen anyone for ages. This widowhood seems to scare people away.”
“That’s why I have come Diana. I know you may still be in mourning, but there is a masked ball in two weeks at Shire House, the Fortescue’s. I’ve been invited and they asked me to see if you could come out of mourning and attend. Everyone would love to see you there.”
Diana thought about it. Masked Balls were few and they attracted people from far and wide. Maybe, just maybe, there could be someone there who would take care of my needs.
“Please thank the Fortescue's for me and tell them I would love to come.”
CAPTIVATED BY THE SCOUNDREL
A Regency Romance
By Passion Books
Chapter One
Diana closed the heavy church door behind her and looked down the aisle towards the altar. A stained glass window behind it let in light sending rainbow shards of luminescence on to engraved flagstones that covered the important but long dead. The hood of her black cloak covered her ringlets and the rest of the garment made sure her décolletage did not offend the surroundings. It was almost as if she was floating on air.
Autumn flowers bedecked the aisles and around the altar.
“Lock the door,” a voice resounded throughout the building.
She looked up at the stone pulpit with its carved relief standing about eight feet from the floor of the church at the end of the aisle. In it waited Reverend Montague Chivers, an intense looking man of about thirty years. This new vicar had recently replaced the geriatric Reverend Molineux. His long black hair was not tied up in the usual fashion at the back. Instead, it hung loose about his shoulders giving him an almost gypsy look. To go with that image were his dark eyes and swarthy complexion. Dressed in a black frock coat with a white shirt and cravat he looked down at Diana from his eyrie.
She looked to see a huge key in the lock of the church door. As she turned it, she heard the mechanism slam into place.
“Come forward,” demanded the vicar.
Diana stepped down the aisle with her heart beating so loudly she was sure the Reverend would hear it. She still felt she was floating on air.
“Come up here.”
Diana climbed the well-worn stone steps, one at a time until she reached the top. There was little room for two people in the pulpit and her body pressed up hard against his. She could almost taste the manly smell that emanated from his strong body. And with the proximity of his body she felt his swelling.
“You have sinned woman. You shall be punished.”
The vicar took hold of Diana’s waist and lowered her to her knees. The tight space meant that her face was almost in his crotch.
“Do you accept that you are a sinner, woman?”
“Yes, Reverend. I do.”
“And do you accept the punishment you are about to receive to cleanse your soul?”
“I do Reverend.”
“Then prepare to receive your punishment.”
He unbuckled his belt, undid the buttons and out fell his solid manhood. He pushed it towards her lips. She opened her mouth and let him enter. It touched the back of her throat nearly making her gag.
Subservience was not in Diana’s repertoire. She took hold of him in her hand and pulled him out of her mouth.
“No, you have been the sinner and you shall be punished,” she said.
She stood up, turned her back and gripped the side of the pulpit.
She felt her dress being lifted at the back and her pantaloons pulled down. Her fingers gripped the pulpit edge harder until the whites of her knuckles showed.
“Are you ready sinner?”
“I am, are you?”
She decided she didn’t want him to do it that way. She turned around to face him. With her pantaloons around her ankles and holding up her dress, she hoisted herself onto his erect penis pushing him back against the pulpit.
There was no resistance as he slid into her. Diana was well lubricated in that place in anticipation of what was to come.
He drove hard into her again and again as she came down on him with all her force. For a moment, she thought they would topple over out of the pulpit but she gripped the edge of it to keep her balance while his arms wrapped around her back to give him more manoeuvrability.
As he shoved in and out, she cast her gaze around the church over his quivering shoulder. A church she knew so well and had attended every Sunday for many years looked so different from up here.
She could hear his panting as he slowed with exhaustion. Diana had not even broken into a sweat and forced herself down harder and harder until he let out a deep breath, a guttural sound and then his whole body seemed to relax. She felt him shrink as it lost its tension, it slid out.
Chapter Two
Diana lay in her four poster bed looking at the fading darkness outside as the autumn day roused itself from its overnight damp slumber. Why on earth was she dreaming about the vicar? And in such a way? It troubled her. He was indeed an attractive man, but she had no intention of acting out her dream.
Soon it would be light. In the distance, the church clock chimed six. This was a day she was not looking forward to. She pulled the white silk sheet up over her face. Perhaps I can hide in here.
The creaking sound of the great house waking seemed louder today. A murder of crows outside on the lawn were awake and having a family dispute.
Her mind went over the options again. The simplest was to go out and not be home at three o’clock when Richard and William would both arrive, separately, to claim her. Diana knew this would only put off the inevitable. Sooner or later she would have to face both men and make a decision. The trouble was; she didn’t know who she wanted or indeed if she wanted either of them.
If I choose Richard, will I have to go to India with him? I don’t think I want to take my son, Michael, there. I hear there are a great many diseases and dangers in that country. And it is too hot.
If I choose William, we will have to move to Devon for him to run his estate which means leaving Eylebourne Hall in the hands of an Estate Manager. It’s better than India, but I don’t want to go.
I could choose neither. That may be the best option. But Richard is my son’s father though he does not know. At least I don’t think he knows.
As each minute ticked by it seemed like a lifetime. Eventually, the October sun crept over the windowsill.
A knock on the door was followed by its opening and Ann, her lady’s maid, came in with a teapot and cup and saucer. Ann poured out the tea as Diana sat up in bed and pulled the linen nightdress up around her shoulders. It wasn’t the most elegant of nightdresses, the silk one remained in the wardrobe. With no man to excite, what is the point of wearing it out? That was Diana’s opinion. Though wealthy she was careful with expenses.
“Thank you,” said Diana taking the China teacup from her.
Ann bobbed a curtsey. “Should I draw your bath M’Lady?”
“Yes, please.”
> Ann scurried off into the bathroom.
Diana still mused over her options but found she could not make a final decision on the man who would benefit from her favours. She did manage to decide that she would stay and face both of them at three o’clock.
Ann came back into the bedroom and busied herself getting her Mistress’s clothes ready for the day. “M’Lady, would you like the blue or the burgundy dress today?”
Diana thought about impact. The burgundy would have an element of risqué in it; not quite the ‘scarlet woman’ but something along those lines. She decided on the pale blue; it would give her a cooler look. She would wear the darker blue shawl around her shoulders. It may not be wise to excite these two men who are rivals even if they don’t know it, she thought. Her shawl would cover her ample décolletage.
The memory of her dream about the vicar still hung around in her mind making her aroused yet worried.
Chapter Three
Jane, her son’s Nanny, brought the boy, now four years old, into the dining room. He wore a blue velvet jacket, short pants and an enormous smile.
“Good morning Mother,” said the boy.
“Good morning Michael,” said Diana.
Jane bobbed a curtsey.
“Jane, I’m going to be busy today. Please make sure Michael is kept amused and this afternoon I have distinguished visitors. It would please me greatly if he were to stay upstairs in the nursery.”
“Yes, M’Lady,” said Jane raising an eyebrow.
“No, it isn’t anything like that Jane. Just two visitors who may not like each other and I don’t want Michael to see any unpleasantness.”
“I understand M’Lady.” Jane smiled. She was no stranger to her Mistress’s dalliances though it had worried her that there had been none as far as she knew over the past year. Jane was glad the relationship with the German baron had not continued. She’d seen the bruising on Diana that came from her bizarre sexual experiments with that man.
VAMPIRE: PARANORMAL: Out For Blood (Vampire Alpha Shapeshifter Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Fantasy Short Stories) Page 7
