To Be by Your Side

by Lilybeth Zefram

  ‘And I am just Evelyn.’ She smiled widely once more. ‘I am glad. No offence to Katie, but sometimes I need to be on my own or with someone different. In places that I do not know, I need someone when going outside. Indoors I can usually navigate after being given a rundown of my surrounds.’

  ‘I am honoured that you are comfortable with me, Evelyn,’ he said and gently had her thread her arm through his. ‘You should know that I have the utmost respect for you and that I greatly value the time I have spent with you.’

  ‘As I think of you, George.’ She sighed softly.

  George inhaled. ‘The air smells fantastic, so much better than London.’

  ‘Yes, it smells like life out here.’

  ‘That is an excellent and somewhat philosophical way to put it,’ George replied. ‘However, I think you are correct. But what does life smell like? Does anyone know? Will we ever know?’

  ‘Like freedom, perhaps,’ Evelyn suggested.

  He smirked, trying not to show any amusement. ‘But what does freedom smell like?’

  ‘I do not know,’ she retorted. ‘What I do know is that you, sir, can be a devil.’

  Innocently, he batted his eyes. ‘I am merely playing devil’s advocate.’

  Folding her arms against her chest, she pretended she was angry. She knew he was teasing her and like it was her brother, she enjoyed the byplay. It was somewhat refreshing and fun. Evelyn made a valiant and successful effort to remain ladylike and not laugh. The same could not be said for George. He did not behave the gentleman. He let out a booming burst of laughter.

  George changed the subject. ‘I’ve not visited the Medieval ruins, I have to admit. This will be interesting for me. Do you know how dilapidated they are?’

  Evelyn thought on this for a moment. ‘It is mostly stone walls, some of them rubbed out. I was told years ago that the stone was used when the main house was built two centuries ago. Still you get a general feel for the building. And the tower still stands. We can go up inside.’

  ‘Is it safe?’

  She laughed quietly at this, a very carefree sound. ‘As long as we take the steps slowly. Some stones are loose but nothing terribly bad. All we have to do is follow the path we are on. The ruins are just on a rise to the left. You can see the ruins on the right and there is another path that leads right up to them. In fact, the tower should be visible soon. As I said before, it does not take long to get there.’

  ‘Do you know much about the keep?’

  Evelyn shook her head. ‘No, James and Rushmore told me some things as a child. But I’ve read and been read to about general Medieval history. I am afraid the bluestocking in me is about to come out.’

  ‘I will be delighted to meet the bluestocking in you, Evelyn,’ he replied warmly. Having Evelyn on his arm was a heady delight and had his mind wandering to other pleasurable possibilities.

  She sighed happily and held on to his just a little tighter.

  They strolled quietly before George saw the crumbling stone ruins. Actually, it was the tower that he saw first before anything else.

  ‘We’re here,’ he announced. ‘I cannot believe that we are so close, yet the ruins are so unassuming.’

  Evelyn nodded. ‘I am not sure exactly how the story goes. As usual, it is to do with the inheritance of lands and addition of lands onto the estate through the generations. We would have to ask Rushmore or someone else about it.’ She didn’t bother mentioning it, but due to the size of the ruins she could see the general shape, just not the details and specific outline.

  ‘So,’ George said, ‘are you going to show me the ruins?’

  ‘Yes.’ Evelyn nodded. ‘And if we go through to that section of wood, we might be able to find some older artifacts and whatnot. I have been told that the continually growing roots forces up ancient pottery. It goes further back than the Romans.’

  ‘I have never been one for antiquity, but it does sound rather like an adventure.’ George smiled. Evelyn was so animated about the prospect of the ruins and its history. He could not help but be dragged in as well.

  ‘I enjoy the atmosphere of this place.’ She smiled. ‘It is as though you can feel the history.’ Frowning, deep in concentration, she added, ‘It has a certain ambience, I think, that is almost otherworldly.’

  George didn’t truly understand what she meant, so he just grunted. ‘Indeed.’

  He decided that perhaps Evelyn felt this connection because she was seeing the ruins with more than her eyes, because that was how she needed to perceive the world. She also enjoyed history and so he concluded that this too impacted on her perception of the site.

  George guided Evelyn up the path, warning her of the presence of any rocks that crossed their way.

  Eventually he had to admit he did feel the almost eerie ambience as Evelyn regaled him with tales of knights and lords and ladies.

  ‘Here we are at the tower,’ George announced.

  ‘Let us go up to the top,’ Evelyn told him. ‘From what I remember the view is magnificent. You will just have to help me with the stairs. They are my one real downfall when it comes to only seeing vague shapes.’

  ‘Of course, my lady,’ he drawled.

  ‘Thank you, my lord.’ She laughed, making George smile. ‘If you do not mind, you could also describe the view from the top of the tower to me.’

  ‘It would be my absolute pleasure.’

  Chapter 8

  ‘You are correct. The view is utterly remarkable,’ George breathed, looking out of the empty window of the tower. The structure was more sturdy and solid than he had initially expected. They made it to the top unharmed despite Evelyn almost falling once two-thirds of the way up.

  Evelyn only nodded, sighing softly.

  George placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her around the tower and extremely cautious about the stairs. He hadn’t realised that Medieval towers were so pokey. He had expected something more. Then again, he supposed to support a tower such as the one that he had in his mind, substantially deeper and wider foundations. Not that he was an architect or historian to know such things.

  ‘Shall we sit here? There is a small alcove by the window.’

  ‘I know the one.’ Evelyn smiled. ‘And yes, that does sound rather nice. I love the fresh air. I know it is only a tower and we are not miles up, but the air just seems...nicer here.’

  ‘I think I understand.’ George smiled. ‘Perhaps you would like to be in one of those contraptions, the hot air balloon. Then you could actually fly. There are some that operate out of Somerset, I believe.’

  She thought on that for a moment. ‘I am not sure. Man was not created with wings. Perhaps we really are not meant to fly?’

  ‘Does that mean that you do not like the thought of it?’

  ‘Maybe.’ She sighed. ‘I would not be in control and in my world I like to be in control of as much as I can and I like to do that without making too much a stir in Society.’

  George frowned. ‘I believe that every person strives for control. Though, granted, some people like being controlled instead.’

  ‘This is an odd conversation,’ she mused.

  ‘Shall we turn topic?’

  ‘I suppose, if you wish.’ She shrugged.

  They sat and it was—nice, for lack of a better word to use.

  They did not say a word. George simply admired the view out the window. It took him a while to realise he did not know what Evelyn could be looking at since she would at best only see basic shapes and colours. When asked, Evelyn assured him that she was happy where they were presently.

  Evelyn then laid her head on his shoulder and it felt like the most natural thing in the world to George.

  He—perhaps accidently, perhaps not—brushed his hand on her knee.

  Then Evelyn sighed softly.

  That was when George sighed, too, then suddenly asked, ‘Evelyn, would it bother you if I asked to kiss you?’

  She frowned. ‘What? Kiss?’

&
nbsp; ‘Yes, a kiss,’ he replied. ‘I’m sure you know what one is, if not already experienced one.’

  ‘Yes.’ She blushed prettily.

  ‘Yes what?’ he prodded. ‘Yes, you’ve kissed a man intimately, or yes, you would like me to kiss you?’

  ‘Um...yes, I’ve kissed a man in the intimate sense and yes, I would like to kiss you.’ Evelyn licked her lips and once again her face burned red.

  ‘Don’t be embarrassed, Evelyn,’ he told her softly. ‘I’ve been attracted to you since I first noticed you. Unfortunately, I was—forgive the pun—too blind and perhaps immature to notice you before this past season.’

  She smiled shyly.

  ‘I am not wrong in that you are attracted to me as well, no?’

  Evelyn shook her head. ‘No, I feel an attraction toward you, George.’

  He cupped one side of her face and went to softly kiss her. She moaned softly when he coaxed her mouth open. George moaned, too, because felt as though Evelyn was clinging to him.

  ‘That was amazing,’ Evelyn replied breathlessly when George pulled back to look at her.

  ‘Amazing seems too inadequate, but yes.’

  George leaned in and kissed her once more.

  ‘I need you, Evelyn,’ he whispered. ‘I want to make love to you. Do you...? Have you...?’

  She bit her lip and George could feel the nervous tension rolling from her.

  ‘I would not care if you have or not, but if the feeling is mutual I do not want to hurt you.’ George cupped her face in both hands so as to force her to look at him. ‘Is the feeling mutual?’

  ‘Yes,’ she all but hiccupped. He knew she was embarrassed and could not blame a lady of breeding of feeling as such at the admission. He heard as her breathing increased ever so slightly. He sensed the buzz of anticipation and excitement. Looking into Evelyn’s eyes, George could see a maelstrom of emotion he doubted he could ever identify.

  ‘I do not want to force you,’ he eventually said.

  ‘I do not want to be hurt again,’ she whispered.

  George frowned. ‘Is there a villain in your past whom I need to duel?’

  She choked out a laugh. ‘I am sorry, but you will be in line behind my brother and uncle. I was not...well, after I had my heart broken. I had never experienced anything like that before and nothing else since.’

  ‘Some heartbreaks are stronger than others,’ George replied gently. ‘Do you want to tell me more? After all, you know all about my own matters of the heart with my ex-wife.’

  She merely murmured her reply. ‘What can I say? I was naive and thought that it was true love. He said all the right words but it was just physical for him. In the end he told me that I was an improper wife because I am quite firmly still on the shelf and blind. Perhaps he never took the time to understand my vision problems like you have, despite the fact we had known each other for years through our families. He stopped our association when he found a proper wife.’

  Once more he could sense the swirling emotions and he cursed the bastard that broke her heart.

  ‘That is just an excuse, Evelyn,’ George told her. Inside he was angry at the unknown man who had tossed aside a person who was quite the most wonderful woman. ‘But it is his loss and you deserve better. Besides, that means that I have you here now, too.’

  She smiled shyly. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I do not want to hurt you in any way. Just know that the more I get to know you, the stronger my feelings and the physical attraction seem to get.’

  ‘Same for me.’

  ‘Shall we explore this attraction?’ he asked. ‘You can take the lead in what we do. All I know is that I want to make love to you.’ In fact, his erection was straining painfully in his trousers. George craved to be deep inside her warm body.

  ‘I...but isn’t it difficult...to...be intimate here?’ She frowned.

  George frowned too. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, you know.’ Evelyn blushed. ‘The floor here isn’t really appropriate for me to...you know, lie down...and the walls...’

  It finally dawned on George what she was saying. ‘Evelyn, honey, there are more than two ways to make love.’

  ‘Really?’ From her tone it was clear to George that this was news to Evelyn.

  He kissed her again. ‘It would be pleasurable to both of us to show you.’ George kissed her again, inwardly cursing his timing. ‘But you are right. We cannot start here and now. At least, I cannot be inside you. I need to go to the nearest apothecary in order to purchase condoms.’

  ‘Condoms?’ she asked, feeling stupid rather than as the worldly woman she had considered herself.

  George swore. Clearly the bastard that had been her lover hadn’t cared one whit for Evelyn. She might not be a virgin but she only knew two sexual positions and knew nothing about using the sheaths to prevent a conception.

  ‘I know this is not going to sound appealing, but they are sheaths made of animal intestines,’ George explained. ‘Of course they are cleaned and treated and sealed at the end. Of course you know about a man’s cock getting hard?’ She nodded and he continued. ‘Well, when that happens, all I have to do is place the sheath on myself, secure it in place, and that means I can make love without having to withdraw before releasing. It prevents creating a child.’

  ‘Oh.’ She nodded briskly. ‘That is really thoughtful of you, George.’

  George could have a good guess at what was running through her head now. He could almost read it in her expressive face. Evelyn was by now more than aware of his ex-wife aborting any child they had conceived. If it were through him or first heard through gossip was another question. But there was no question that this loss got to him at a primal level.

  ‘I would not want to force marriage upon you, Evelyn,’ he told her gently. ‘I would like to think that if we do wish to wed, it is something that we agree on in our own time.’

  For a long moment, neither said a word. George once again found himself wondering what revelations could possibly be going through her head. Evelyn looked at him for a long moment like a naturalist with a specimen. George preferred to think that she was really simply looking at him with a sense of wonder.

  ‘I like you very much, George.’ She smiled. ‘You are a wonderful gentleman.’

  ‘And you are a wonderful lady.’

  He stole yet another kiss.

  Then he murmured, ‘Just because we cannot make love in the traditional sense, we can still give pleasure to each other.’

  ‘Really?’ Her eyes widened.

  ‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘We will use our hands on each other and we can both achieve a very satisfying climax.’

  He could see that she was sceptical about his words from the look on her face. Perhaps she had never found true pleasure before? It certainly sent a thrill down his spine to think that he could do something that seemed so simple to such a passionate lady.

  ‘Let’s get undressed so we can keep our clothes clean,’ George told her, feeling rather devilish when the words left his mouth. He didn’t want his seed to make any obvious stains. ‘All we have to do is sit here and have some fun together.’ He kissed her down her neck. ‘Half the fun will be undressing each other.’

  Evelyn sighed softly. ‘It is so different being with you already.’

  ‘I shall take that as a compliment.’

  She moaned softly. George started to unlace the back of her dress with surprisingly nimble fingers. He felt Evelyn tremble all over and he prayed it was from the anticipation.

  George felt as though his hands were tingling, feeling the intensity of the attraction as his heart pounded. His groin throbbed, matching his heartbeat. He swore when he felt how flimsy her undergarments were.

  ‘When a lady is unmarried at my age, as long as you keep out of scandal you can do almost anything,’ she told him breathlessly. ‘It is easier and gives me a measure of independence, too.’

  ‘It is driving me to insanity,’ he murmured into her ear. ‘
My cock is so damn hard. I need you, honey.’

  ‘Oh, George,’ she cried.

  He pushed her dress away. Evelyn quickly stopped to climb out of her dress and toss her clothing aside. George marvelled at the stunning and gorgeous female form in front of him. He counted himself damn lucky to even have the chance with this remarkable woman.

  ‘What about your clothing, George?’ she asked huskily.

  ‘I will be undressed in half the time it just took you.’ He grinned and quickly removed his shirt and trousers. He hesitated for a moment and decided against taking off his undershorts as well. He palmed his erection, groaning, which was tenting the fabric of his undergarments.

  ‘Here,’ he managed to say. ‘Sit, Evelyn.’

  George guided her so that she was sitting across his legs.

  Panting softly, Evelyn asked, ‘What now?’

  ‘Now,’ he whispered, ‘we play.’

  George kissed her thoroughly, trying to get his body’s reactions under control. He was shaken at the mere intensity of being only partially naked with this woman. He grinned when he cupped one of breasts, palming and teasing the nipple, making Evelyn moan and pant from the pleasure. She also squirmed and he was certain that she was getting more pleasure than he was.

  ‘Oh, God, George.’ Evelyn cuddled closer to him, trying to get more of his touch.

  ‘So beautiful,’ he murmured. ‘No, Evie, I am going to put my hand between your legs. Are you wet for me?’ Unintentionally, he found himself explaining what she could not see. ‘I want to feel how much you want me on my fingers.’

  ‘Mm, yes, George,’ she panted.

  George did so and found that, indeed, she was very much aroused and wet. ‘Now, let me touch you and use my fingers to fuck you.’ He knew it was not very gentlemanly language but in the heat of the moment it was driving them both wild.

  Experimentally, he slid one finger inside her, finding out that she was impossibly tight, meaning it had indeed been a long while she had been intimate. Evelyn gasped and moved against his finger and George felt more moisture form between her legs.