“Finally,” she said. She was sitting on top of him naked and she had never felt so free. She scooted down until she freed his erection from his trousers. Jake lifted up enough to free his legs from his clothing, which joined hers in a tangled mess on the floor. Taking his hard length in her hands, she worked her fingers up and down experimentally. His manhood felt hot and smooth, like velvet.
“I’ll never make it, sweetheart, if you keep that up,” Jake said huskily.
“It’s been two years, Jake, since I’ve had this opportunity, you can wait,” she said impishly. Jake took hold of her hands and held them tight.
“Ana, I want you to know I haven’t been with any women since I met you, nor since we parted,” Jake said uncertainly. Ana stilled, she stared at him and then she leaned down and kissed him with all the ardor and love she felt for him still.
Their lovemaking became tender and sweet. Jake clasped her to him and his hands found her buttocks and pulled her closer to his erection. He rolled them over, opened her legs, and settled himself between her creamy thighs. Ana thought she heard him say, I am sorry, but then he slid into her with one deep thrust. Ana cried out in pain and stiffened, Jake captured her screams and moans with his mouth.
“I’m sorry, love, but it won’t hurt anymore. I promise,” he said as he pulled back and eased himself in her repeatedly, with slow strokes each time.
“God…. Jake…..” She muttered. The pain was receding and acute pleasure was building up. Jake grunted and his hands came to hold onto her waist. His grip tightened. Ana was getting the hang of it. She started to match his rhythm, his hands hooked her legs around his arms, and he slid in deeper.
“You are so tight and wet, God, Ana,” Jake moaned in her ear. She gripped his arms, and her nails were digging in his skin.
Jake growled and moved positions, letting her legs down. She wrapped them around his back, and his hands captured her arms and forced them above her head. Ana shuddered in that moment and she felt Jake tense with his own release. He stilled on top of her. He let go of her hands and she wrapped them around his shoulders and breathed in the scent of him. Finally, after years of wanting, she finally found the love and happiness that had been elusive for her until now. She prayed Jake had found it too.
Jake moved aside and brought her with him. He never wanted to let her go. “We have to talk Ana,” he said to her. She cuddled up next to him with her head buried in his chest. He moved her some to get more comfortable. She muttered words he couldn’t hear, and he smiled. She was slowly drifting off to sleep. He didn’t blame her.
It was a little sad for him. They had something special, amazing, but he had wanted to marry her before he took her virginity. Too late now, but soon they would be married. He felt even more possessive of her now, than he did before. He looked down when she started snoring softly. He leaned up, pulled the blanket over them, and kissed her on the forehead.
He laid back down, but he was too worked up to sleep. He thought about the papers he had read and silently thanked his mother for all the trouble she had gone through for him. Her past might have meant something to his mother two years ago. It still gave Ana no right to make the decision for him. He was still angry with her, but he was positive they would work it out.
He was sorry Ana had to find out about her being illegitimate, but it did not change his feelings. He stilled loved her. Seeing Ana swelled with his child was his dream. That thought made him realize that two years was long enough to wait, he was not about to wait any longer.
After their lovemaking, she could even be pregnant right now. He felt pride and yearning in the same thought. He would get a special license in the morning and they would marry right away. He came home to find a suitable wife and to get over his hurt, but here he was taking Ana for a wife and he was damn happy about it. He knew without a doubt that this was the right choice. Jake gathered her closer and closed his eyes, hoping to get some rest before he had to go see the rest of the guests off, and to tell his mother the happy news.
Chapter Thirteen
Ana stirred and slowly awakened. She heard rain pinging on the windows, and she smiled and stretched. The ache she felt in her private areas was just a reminder of the lovemaking that she and Jake had shared. Instantly, she became aware of the emptiness in the bed and when she turned her head to where Jake had laid, there was a single red rose on the pillow, along with a note in his handsome penmanship saying there was a hot bath in his chambers.
Ana got up, grabbed her robe and poked her head out of her door. With no one around, she scampered over to Jake’s room. She opened the door, saw the big brass tub filled with water and candles were lit. Ana tested the water and to her delight, it was still hot. She disrobed, climbed in, sank in the water and relaxed. She started humming to herself, so she never heard the door creak open.
She jumped when the water splashed over her. She opened her eyes to see Jake leaning over her, as he started to wash her tenderly. “Umm, that feels good,” she smiled.
“Did I hurt you last night, Ana?” Jake asked with his face filled with concern.
“No, not really. Well, maybe at first, but it was soon forgotten,” she said slyly.
“Listen, most of the guests are gone, so you will be able to join me for dinner tonight downstairs.”
“You mean, I finally get to come out of my room?” She laughed. Jake glared at her.
“Keep it up and I will keep you here,” he teased.
Ana thought about what Jake had said about the guests. “You said most of the guests are gone. Who is left?” She asked.
Jake hesitated before answering, "Viscount Langley just left, I am sorry he didn't swing by to tell you himself. But he didn't want to bother you." When she didn’t respond, he continued, “Sarah claims she is ill and Lady Felicia refuses to move her until she is seen by a doctor. We have one on the way, but I don’t know when he will arrive,” he continued telling her. Ana was screaming inside with frustration. She would speak to Gregory when she returned home.
“Will she join us for dinner?” She asked cautiously.
“She is strictly restricted to her room. After the ordeal with you, I don’t want to take a chance she is really sick and cause you to relapse,” he said.
Ana leaned back and allowed Jake the freedom to bathe her. She was enjoying it and she could tell Jake was becoming aroused. She smiled to herself. She was feeling confident and a little wicked, “Maybe you should join me, your Grace.” Jake’s brow shot up.
“Is that so?” He smiled.
“Yes, you had a long workout last night and I dare say you need to relax and cleanup too,” she assured him.
“Let it never be said that I denied a lady.” Jake stood up, quickly undressed, and climbed in behind her. Water splashed over the rim and splattered on the floor below.
Ana giggled and scooted back. She felt his arousal pushing on her lower back. Jake reached around and pulled her tighter to him. Ana wiggled her bottom and Jake grunted.
“Stop, not yet. We need to talk.” Ana immediately ceased her advances.
“Jake, I would like to go first,” she spoke up.
“Go ahead, dear.” He started massaging her back and she was momentarily distracted with how good it felt.
“I was a little bored earlier, and I went into your room to look around,” she confessed and then waited to see what he would say. “I found the box beneath your desk.” Jake stopped massaging her, so she half turned around to face him.
“Ana you meant the world to me and you just walked away. The things in that box were all I had left of you. I couldn’t bring myself to part with them,” he said sincerely.
“I love you, Jake. I never stopped.” She started to kiss him, but he pushed her away.
“Did you reject my proposal because of your parentage?” He asked her. Ana didn’t want to go into the subject, but knew she did not have a choice. He deserved honesty.
“Yes, your mother would have never accepted it.” She tur
ned back around and continued to wash herself.
“I would have, though. Surely you knew that,” Jake said. Ana remained quiet. She was thinking of the best way to go about telling him her reasons were just. She opted for the truth.
“I loved you too much to put you through that,” she said.
Jake continued washing her back. “I’m a bloody Duke. I can go through anything and the ton would accept it. They would have never directly cut you as my wife,” he said harshly.
Ana turned around in the tub to face him again. “I’m sorry Jake. I don’t know what else you want me to say. I can’t change the past,” she said quietly.
“It’s alright, love. We will get married now and start again,” he said as he started kissing the back of her neck.
“I won’t marry you, Jake. Just because you know my secrets and we made love.” Ana said turning back around, causing more water to splash over the rim. The damn tub wasn’t big enough she thought.
“Ana, I know you are not that naïve, you could be pregnant,” he said.
Ana paled and said, “I doubt it. It is way too soon to tell anyway.”
“Regardless. I need a wife and you’re it,” he said impatiently.
“I’m it? That’s awfully nice of you,” she said with a bit of sarcasm.
Jake sighed. “I’m not going to fight with you,” he said in placating tone.
“Fine! We won’t marry and I’ll be happy,” she declared.
“So you’ll agree to become my mistress?” He asked, outraged.
“Well, I’m officially ruined, so what’s the problem with that?” She asked carelessly.
Jake stood up and climbed out of the tub. He was grabbing clothes and jerking them on.
“Why? Why are you so set against marrying me?” He snapped at her.
“I just don't want to marry you,” she said, knowing it was the wrong thing to say.
Ana stepped out of the tub and toweled herself dry. She was very aware of Jake watching her every move. Jake grabbed hold of her arm and led her to the bed.
“Well then, let’s have some fun, shall we?” He bit out. He pushed her down on the bed and watched her with narrowed eyes, as he undressed himself and climbed on the bed and lay down on top of her. “If you wish being treated like a whore, I’ll treat you like one,” he said savagely.
He shoved her legs open and his fingers came down to the apex of her legs and entered her. She gasped and tried to close herself against the intrusion, but couldn’t with Jake’s muscled body in the way. “Ana, you're wet and ready,” he said in her ear.
“Jake, please stop. Not like this,” she pleaded.
“You want to become my mistress, remember love? This is how a mistress is treated. It doesn’t matter what you want,” he said hatefully.
“You made your point, I’m sorry,” Ana whispered. Jake pushed himself up and off her and turned his back in disgust.
“Get dressed, I’ll meet you downstairs for dinner,” he said as he walked into his dressing room. Ana jumped up, got her robe on, and hurried from his room.
Jake was trying to get his breathing under control. He had his arms bracing against the shelf in his closet. He thought about fetching his valet, but he wasn’t in the mood. In haste, he dressed himself and went downstairs. He was angry with himself with how he had treated Ana. He was so close to just taking her without thought. She was so naïve and innocent, it tore at him. After he was properly dressed, he went downstairs to face her. He stopped short in the doorway of the dining room.
Sarah was sitting there with his mother, neither one attempting to talk.
“Miss Fairchild, shouldn’t you be in bed?” Jake asked as he sat next to his mother.
“I didn’t really like being all alone and I thought since everyone has left, there wouldn’t be a problem. Is there a problem, your Grace?” She asked with feigned politeness. Jake was thinking of a suitable come back to that, but didn’t have time. Ana walked in at just that moment.
Jake studied her. She looked flushed, frustrated, and incredibly beautiful. He ached to apologize for behavior.
“I thought you returned to London my lady?” Sarah said scornfully. Jordan stood up and pulled back his chair,
“Come sit, Ana and let’s tell them the news,” Jake said, willing her to listen. Ana sat down beside Jake and he noted that on closer inspection, she looked tired and stressed. He promised himself he would make amends.
“It doesn’t matter why she is not in London. What matters is we are announcing that we are being married,” Jake said getting a huge smile out of his mother. Ana gasped. Jake took a hold of her hand under the table and gave it a deathly squeeze, compelling her to agree.
“Why this is wonderful news!” Katherine exclaimed, almost jumping for joy.
“What is wonderful news, if I may ask?” Lady Felicia entered and sat down beside Sarah. Katherine repeated what was said. Lady Felicia glanced at her daughter, and everyone noticed that she had not said one word, yet. Lady Felicia started to say something, when Katherine broke the tension.
“When is this lovely occasion going to take place?” Katherine questioned.
“Jake and I still have several things to discuss pertaining to the wedding, so we don’t know yet.” Jake’s grip on her hand lessoned with her acceptance. With the exception of Sarah, everyone began talking about the upcoming wedding.
“Excuse me, I think I am going to be sick,” Sarah stated in an undignified fashion. Jake watched her hurry out of the room. He felt perpetually bad about giving her the wrong impression. He vowed that, without delay, he would find a suitable husband for her before the season ended.
His mother was prattling on and on about the wedding. It gave her a new spark, something to focus on and for this, he was glad. Jake sat and answered his mother’s many questions and Ana put in a word here and there. Dinner turned out a somewhat happy affair in the end. It was noted that Lady Felicia did not go to her daughter’s aid and instead jumped into the conversation around the table. She was adding surprising ideas for the wedding.
Jake leaned over and whispered in Ana’s ear, “I will be coming to your room tonight, so leave the door unlocked.”
He felt Ana tighten her grip, letting go of his hand, before politely excusing herself and leaving the room.
Chapter Fourteen
Sarah felt as if she were going to retch. This was not supposed to happen. At first, she only wanted to make Ana ill to have her out of the way for a little bit, or at least until there was an engagement. Her engagement! She could see now that it wasn’t an option. Jake would still go back to Ana. That harpy was stealing her husband, her dreams, and her life. Again! Who does she think she is? Sarah was not going back to London in disgrace. She was not going through that again. She was pacing, wondering what the next step should be.
After a while, her mother entered the room and asked her how she was feeling.
“Mother, you have to help me,” she decreed.
“I think you need to let it go, my dear,” Lady Felicia said in a condescending voice.
“Let it go! I will not let it go,” she screamed and then stomped out of the room. How was she supposed to let it go? She knew her parents wanted her out the house. She knew this was likely going to be her last season.
Sarah knew her parents were planning to cut her off. It was not fair! They could all go to hell. As luck would have it, Sarah ran into Ana in the hall. She stopped short. “You won. Are you happy now?” She screeched.
“I wanted to apologize to you,” Ana said.
Apologize? Sarah scoffed, as if she would ever buy it. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” Sarah started to go past her, but as she went by Ana, she grabbed her arm. Without thinking about it, Sarah reached out and slapped her full on the face with as much force she could put behind it. Sarah continued down the hall before Ana could come to grips with what had just happened. Sarah was aware of Ana following her. Didn’t she know when to leave well enough
alone?
“I guess I deserve that,” she said calmly. They stopped simultaneously on the top of the landing. The side of Ana’s face was red with the imprint of her hand. Sarah felt a brief moment of satisfaction in seeing that.
“No. You deserve much more than that,” Sarah stated as she gave Ana a heavy push and watched in satisfaction as she tumbled down the stairs. Ana landed in a heap and was unconscious. Sarah rushed down and started screaming for help. She turned Ana over and started making it appear as if she was helping her. She had to start thinking of her options. She needed to have it appear as if it was an accident, because now, with her unconscious, she could get away with it.
When she regained consciousness, then she would have to worry. Sarah looked up as Jake, Jordan, Eliza, and Katherine came barreling over to the bottom of the stairs.
“Good God, what happened?” She heard Jordan ask. Jake kneeled down beside Ana and gently lifted her up.
“We were talking. She was walking backwards and I tried to stop her. She tripped and fell,” she talked fast as she lied, hoping it sounded convincing.
“Thank God, we already have a doctor coming,” Katherine said as everyone followed Jake to Ana’s chamber and laid her down softly.
Jake turned on Sarah, “What exactly were the two of you discussing?”
“She was apologizing for the things you two have done to me,” she said impatiently. She saw Jake’s face soften slightly and it enraged her even more that he would pity her. “Do you not feel the slightest bit guilty for what you have put me through?” She all but yelled.
“Now is not the time for your melodramas,” Eliza commanded. Lady Felicia entered the room. She looked at Ana on the bed, and then she looked intently at her daughter.
“Sarah, I think you should go to your room until you are needed,” her mother said carefully. Sarah looked around the room and all eyes were on her.
“I hate this place and I want to go home,” she demanded.
“Trust me; you will be going home very shortly. Now, I suggest you do as your mother said,” Jordan said firmly.
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