“There’s two dozen empty stalls, Lord Hamilton,” Hingham pointed out.
“Yes, and we’ll likely put them all to use. The Prince of Wales prefers to be surrounded by his friends, all of whom will be expected to be provided with a mount for hunting. The prince has a friend in Doncaster who owns a breeding farm. In a couple of days horses will be arriving and you can help me sort the grand from the bland. In the meantime, let it be known that Sandringham will be employing stablemen.”
Hingham touched his cap. “Right ye are, milord.”
• • •
Upstairs, Anne opened the windows and lit the lamps in both bedchambers, and left the adjoining door open. Then she unpacked and hung everything in her wardrobe. When there was still no sign of James, she undressed, donned a white silk nightgown, and slipped into bed to wait for him. The anticipation made her breathlessly excited, because she now knew that the reality of his loving was a thousandfold more thrilling than her daydreams had ever been.
When she heard a noise in the adjoining chamber, Anne felt her toes curl. Next thing she knew, James lifted off her covers, swept her up in his arms, and carried her through to his room. He stood her on his bed and turned up the lamp. “I’m hungry for the sight of you, and starving for the feel of you.”
She saw by the lamp’s glow that he was already naked, and wrapped her arms about his neck. Then she felt his strong hands slide up inside the silk nightgown to caress her legs and thighs, and come to rest possessively on her bottom cheeks.
“Your bum is deliciously round and firm. I’m tempted to lay hands on it whenever you are within touching distance, no matter who is there to see. I’m constantly having to tamp down my desire.”
“Now you don’t have to,” she said breathlessly, “and neither do I.”
James lifted off her nightgown and let it drop on the carpet beside the bed. His hands moved to her waist and he pulled her toward him so that he could kiss her belly. She shivered as the tip of his tongue circled her navel, and dipped inside. Then he drew back so his eyes could focus on the red-gold curls that covered her high mons. “You have no idea how often I’ve pictured your honeypot, and longed to taste it.”
She drew in a swift breath wondering if he was serious about doing such a wicked thing, but before she had time to exhale, James dipped his head and slid his tongue into the sensitive cleft at the tip of her mons. When he began to lick her, a surging wave of arousal made her arch into his possessive mouth. She opened to him without regret or reservation and allowed him to thrust into her honeyed sheath. The rough-soft slide of his tongue made her cry out as the exquisite sensations made her breathless with passion.
James felt fire snake through his groin as her cleft opened to the satin slide of his tongue and he felt his cock begin to throb. He withdrew his mouth and blew on her curls. She laughed down into his dark face, falling more in love with him every minute.
“Enough foreplay, my beauty, ready or not, I need you now.”
“Ready when you are, milord.”
He pulled her down on the bed. “Wrap your legs around my back.” He thrust into her hot center, and then he kissed her. His lips were firm, slanting across her mouth, caressing, coaxing, molding, generously giving and selfishly taking all at the same time.
His tongue plunged into her honeyed mouth, moving in unison with his hard cock, and the hot driving thrusts made her writhe and moan as he unleashed the fierce desire that had been riding him for months.
Tonight her climax came hard and fast; then she was stunned when she became aroused again, almost immediately. This time the pleasurable sensations went on and on as she slowly climbed to a peak, and then the night exploded in hot shuddering tremors and she lay beneath him in wonder as she realized she could feel his heartbeat inside her own body.
They clung together in the warm nest they had thrashed out in the massive bed, savoring these precious moments when they could lie naked together. She smiled across the pillow into his eyes. Strangely, she felt no guilt that they had become secret lovers. Anne was filled with a sense of rightness and perfection, and the overwhelming contentment that filled her heart.
With his body curved about her back, her bright head tucked beneath his chin, Anne finally drifted off to sleep. Next thing she knew, it was dawn and James was carrying her back to her own bed. When she protested, his lips brushed the disheveled tendrils that curled on her brow. “You never know who might be about at an early hour, especially once the house is filled with servants.”
Suddenly, her eyes flooded with tears and she buried her face against his shoulder. “James, you wouldn’t have to do this if I’d been able to get my father’s permission for us to marry.”
“Hush, love, hush. The only thing that matters to me is that you love me.” Incredibly, it was true. His heart was singing. His senses were dizzy from her close proximity. He kissed the tears from her eyes; then he kissed her mouth, realizing that by nightfall he would be starving for her.
• • •
“Today I plan to visit all the nearby villages to get the word out that we will be hiring a large indoor and outdoor staff for Sandringham,” James announced when Mrs. Roydon served breakfast in the small dining room with the open hearth.
“I would like to pass the word among my relatives, if you have no objections, Lord Hamilton. I have a large family of brothers and sisters who would give their eyeteeth for a chance to work at Sandringham.”
“I would greatly appreciate it, Mrs. Roydon. You can tell them that we will pay better wages than any of the other estates in the vicinity, and while we’re on the subject, I imagine you would welcome a rise in pay yourself.”
“Oh, your lordship, how very generous you are.” The housekeeper was all smiles.
“Much as I would like to see the surrounding villages, I have decided to stay at Sandringham today, Lord Hamilton.” Anne and James made a point of addressing each other formally to allay any suspicion that they were lovers. “I need to make myself familiar with the layout of the rooms, and take stock of the linen, the tableware, china, and silver. I’ll also need to see the servants’ quarters to make sure there is adequate accommodation for a large staff.” Anne stood up from the table. “I believe I’ll start with the kitchen, pantry, and larder, if you’ll be so kind as to lead the way, Mrs. Roydon.”
Anne decided to make notes as she toured the myriad rooms. She also made a list of things that must be purchased immediately, and another list of things that could be acquired in August and September, while the royal couple was in residence.
The housekeeper provided her with all the sources of food provisions Sandringham would need, since it had no home farm to supply it, and the prince expected seven-course meals. Since they were on the coast, fish and shellfish would be no problem, but they would need a reliable source for milk, eggs, cheese, poultry, beef, and lamb. Of course, once Prince Teddy and his friends arrived, their hunts would provide the table with an abundance of game and fowl.
“We’ll need the services of seamstresses right away. I’ll design a simple gray dress with white aprons and caps for the maids, but we’ll need people to sew them. Are there any tailor’s shops in the vicinity?”
“I think you’d have to go to King’s Lynn for those services, Lady Anne.”
“Well, that’s no great distance. But we would need them to stay at the estate for a few weeks. We cannot send all the new staff we will employ to King’s Lynn.” There were so many things to think about that Anne’s mind was racing ahead. Not only were there products the household would need; there were things the staff would require. She also had to keep in mind items that both male and female guests would expect, and most important of all she must focus on the comfort of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Mrs. Roydon, it would be a great help to me if you’d make a list of items you’ll need such as silver polish, beeswax to make the furn
iture shine, and vinegar to clean all the windows. In the meantime, I’ll be off on my tour of the house.”
Anne was pleasantly surprised when she arrived at the master suite on the second floor. It consisted of two large bedchambers, two dressing rooms, a bathing room, and a sitting room. Since it was freshly decorated and had new bedroom furnishings and hangings, she surmised that all had been done after the late Prince Albert had purchased Sandringham.
In the afternoon, Anne decided it would be better to tour the rest of the house with James. She went outside to view the lake to the west of the house, and walk beneath the ancient oak trees. When she discovered an enchanting walled garden behind the house, she longed for James to explore it with her. She decided to curtail her exploration of the gardens until they could do it together, and walked across the grounds to Sandringham’s own parish church, St. Mary Magdalene. She was enthralled to discover a host of carved, painted angels, and knew at the first opportunity she would bring James to see them.
• • •
“I hope I’m in time for dinner. Something smells good, and I’ve lots to tell you.”
“It’s partridge tonight. Apparently the estate is teeming with game.”
“That will make Teddy happy, I’m sure.” His eyes licked over her, telling her in unspoken words that her presence made him happy.
“The house is amazing. I want to show you the master suite, but I left a lot of chambers unexplored so we could see them together. The gardens are fascinating also, but each time I discovered something, I wished you were there to see it with me.”
“Pleasure shared is pleasure doubled,” he murmured with an insinuating wink.
Mrs. Roydon served them the partridge, along with roast potatoes, peas, and watercress salad. Anne ate the bird with her fingers, and James watched in fascination.
“It’s delicious, but Ethel is only used to preparing one course, which will be totally inadequate for the prince. I think you should write and advise him to bring his chef.”
“That’s the only solution. I want to advise him about the convenience of traveling by train, as well. It takes less than five hours from London and would be much more comfortable for Alix than being jostled about in a carriage.”
“Did you make any progress today?”
“I visited the villages of Heacham and Hunstanton. I stopped at all the inns and public houses to spread the word that Sandringham Estate would employ any and all who were willing to work for royalty.”
Anne laughed. “We’ll be inundated by scores of villagers.”
“We’ll need a score of servants to run this place. It’s a good thing Teddy’s coffers are full. I put in an order for ale to be delivered every week, but things like champagne, and even a good claret will have to be ordered from London.”
When the housekeeper left the room, James reached for Anne’s hand across the table. “When you were licking your fingers over your partridge, I wanted to sit you in my lap and feed you.” He took her hand to his mouth and bit her fingers.
She took her hand back quickly. “Biting isn’t allowed.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Licking, however, I might consider.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Lady Anne.”
After dinner they walked through parts of the house they hadn’t yet seen. On the ground floor they discovered a billiard room, a smoking room, two gun rooms joined by a weapons corridor, and a long bowling and skittles alley. Down the opposite side was a ladies’ gallery for walking, with fine paintings and portraits on the walls.
“Tomorrow, I am taking you to pay a visit on our neighbors at Houghton Hall.”
“Who are they?”
“Houghton Hall was built by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first prime minister. His descendant George, Marquis of Cholmondeley, and his wife, Susan, live there now. It’s only fitting that we tell them the Prince and Princess of Wales will be taking up residence for August and September.”
“What’s the real reason we are going?”
“Do you suspect all my motives?”
“Of course not—just most of them.”
“Walpole constructed the mansion and supposedly filled it with magnificent treasures, yet the estate today provides a relatively small income. The marquis just might be open to selling off some of their fine possessions.”
“I can’t wait to see Houghton Hall. Are there any other country estates in Norfolk?”
“Actually, yes. Walpole’s younger brother Horatio built Wolterton Hall, but it’s a bit farther afield in Norwich.”
“Then for the time being I’ll cross that one off my list of things to do, and before you ask, I really do have lists.”
“For everything?” James rolled his eyes suggestively.
“Come to think of it, yes. But my imaginary list is too scandalous to put on paper.”
“Ah, it must include some of that licking you mentioned,” he teased.
“You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?” Anne changed the subject. “While it’s still dusk, and before it gets completely dark, let’s go outside. There’s something I’d like to show you.”
Anne led the way to the back of the house and opened a wooden door in a stone wall. “This is a walled garden. It’s so completely private in here, it must have been designed for lovers.” The fading light and shadows lent the garden a romantic aura, and the night-scented flowers were giving off their exotic perfume. “You can hear the fountain that splashes into a water garden. It’s too dark to see now, but beneath the lily pads the water is teeming with tiny colored fishes.”
James drew her into his arms. “The garden is telling me it’s been too long since it’s been asked to hide secrets of love.” Just then they heard the night song of a nightingale.
Anne opened her lips to receive his kisses. The lovers clung to each other, kissing, whispering, touching, tasting. As their passion mounted, everything faded away until there was just the two of them, alone in paradise. “I wanted to show you the intimate stream walk I found, but I’ll save that for tomorrow night.”
Reluctantly, they left the walled garden and returned to the house. “You go up first. I’ll go into the library and write that letter to Prince Teddy.”
When Anne got to her bedchamber, it occurred to her that she should write to her mother and let her know she was at Sandringham, in Norfolk. She lit the lamps and sat down at the small writing desk. When she neared the end of the page, she wrote: I likely won’t see you until the end of September, but hope and pray that by that time you will have been able to work your magic and persuade Father to change his mind.
When James came through the adjoining door, he was delighted that Anne was still dressed. Removing her gown, admiring her provocative underclothes, and pulling off her silk stockings was a ritual he loved. Tonight he decided to do it in front of her tall mirror to double their pleasure.
When the mirror reflected their naked bodies, emphasizing the contrast between male and female, hard and soft, large and small, dark and fair, they became immediately aroused and James knew they would never make it to his bedchamber. As always it became a wild, erotic love ritual, burning, thrusting, surging, pulsing, throbbing. James was all rippling muscle, all rampant, driving male. Anne was all silken, liquid heat, all scented, sultry sensuality. At their mutual, bursting implosion, lust melted into delicious, overwhelming love.
James cradled her against him with one powerful arm, while his fingers brushed the clinging tendrils of hair from her temple, then traced the lovely curve of her cheek and throat with his tongue.
At dawn they awoke in each other’s arms, strands of red-gold hair entangled about James’s throat. James groaned as he contemplated returning to his own bedroom. “When we are married, and sleeping in our own chamber, we will have a long, lip-licking breakfast in bed every morning.”
“Followed by a lovely warm, sce
nted bath,” she murmured huskily.
Chapter Twenty-five
“L ady Cholmondeley, how generous of you to see us on such short notice.” James took the slim woman’s hand to his lips. His warm brown eyes conveyed the unmistakable message that though she was crowding sixty, he still found her attractive.
“Lord Hamilton, you may call me Lady Susan. Cholmondeley is such a mouthful.” She smiled. “Even in the wilds of Norfolk, we have heard that the Prince and Princess of Wales will soon be in residence at Sandringham.”
James knew that the news had traveled through the grapevine of servants. “Lady Susan, I’d like you to meet Lady Anne Howe, Princess Alexandra’s most trusted lady-in-waiting, who has come to make sure everything is in readiness for Her Royal Highness.”
“I’m delighted to meet you, Lady Anne. I am hopeful for an invitation to meet Princess Alexandra. Alas, this is likely our last journey to Norfolk. My husband’s gout prevents him from walking or even riding these days. He will be much more comfortable at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.”
“I’m so sorry the marquis has problems with his health, my lady.”
“Well, his legs may be impaired, but his upper works are still functioning. George is in the great hall by the fire. Do come and meet him.”
James and Anne followed Lady Susan into the hall and were greeted by the marquis, who was about seventy and sitting in a bath chair. “Hamilton? Now, let me see, you must be the Duke of Abercorn’s heir. What?”
James smiled. “Absolutely right, your lordship. You must have sat with him in the House of Lords.”
“Yes, your father is a good Tory, like myself.”
During the next hour, the two men shared whiskey, and the ladies drank sherry. When James calculated that the marquis had imbibed enough to make him mellow, he broached the subject of being in the market to purchase furnishings for Sandringham. Since price was no object, James soon acquired two blue upholstered sofas, and eight leather armchairs.
Lord Rakehell Page 33
