My Deceitful Marquess

by Amaya Evans

  A knock on the door frightened her. “Come in.”

  It was Charlotte. “Miss, they are waiting for you in the study.”

  “Tell my brother and the marquess that I will be there in a moment.” When her maid left, Sonia prayed to heaven and glanced at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were slightly red because she had cried but she didn’t look bad. She fixed her appearance as best she could, pinched her cheeks to give some color to her face, and went down to meet her fate.

  Edward sat while drinking a glass of brandy with Robert when Sonia entered.

  “Good afternoon, Lord Wilmington.”

  “Miss Hearst.”

  “I do not think there is a need for such formality,” Edward said, “after all you already have a certain ... familiarity.”

  Robert's eyes looked like they wanted to murder him. “That is a very inappropriate comment Mr. Hearst.” Robert looked at Sonia and offered his hand. She took it and he kissed the back of her hand. “I think we should talk.”

  “If you like we can talk in the next room.”

  When they were in the room, behind closed doors Sonia let out a sob. “What are we going to do Robert? You don’t want to marry a woman who does not love you and I don’t want to be forced into marriage.”

  “Calm down, dear. There’s no need to cry. What we should do is think things through. It occurs to me that we can make a fictitious marriage.”

  “Can that be done?” Sonia asked surprised.

  “Of course, dear. Everything in this world can be done with money. We can ask a good friend of mine for a favor. He will know of someone who could marry us by pretending to be a priest and then when your parents leave we’ll see what we can do.” Robert really didn’t care because he did not intend to annul the marriage.

  At that time, Sonia looked somewhat restless, maybe a little suspicious. “Very well we'll do it. I have no other choice but to continue with the plan.”

  “You’ll see how everything will turn out well.” Robert hugged her. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll end up falling in love.”

  She took his face gently. “Robert, you know that in the bedroom, we get along, but I think that as a husband and wife we would kill each other.”

  He felt like a wretch for lying to her in that way but it was a unique opportunity to get the money he needed. Although at this point, he could not deny that he liked her more every day, and that was beginning to be a problem.

  *****

  The preparations for the wedding began. Sonia’s mother and father embarked for London as soon as they received the news. The banns began to run in the newspaper and the race to make the wedding dress, the flower arrangements for the bridal breakfast, the food and drink for that day and everything else began.

  Sonia was a little nervous and because of everything that needed to be done she didn’t have time to meet with Robert often. They would walk around the park from time to time, send letters or flowers. Sonia needed him, his caresses, his kisses and she couldn’t do anything about it because her mother did not leave her alone for a minute. Not to mention her father, who barely talked to her since he’d arrived. He maintained a cordial attitude, but he didn’t seem very excited about the marriage. In fact, he didn’t talk about the subject if she did not put it before him. Sonia asked her mother, but she just shook her head and told her that her father was not a man that showed affection or emotion but in his eyes, Sonia could see that he was hiding something.

  One afternoon Robert took her to his house to meet his father. Upon entering the beautiful mansion they were astonished at the huge and elegant construction. The grand entrance led to a hall and from there to a staircase that led up to a beautiful room where they were invited to sit and wait for Robert’s father who never arrived. Robert looked somewhat embarrassed but most of all annoyed.

  “He does not leave the house much and today the servants told me that he was feeling unwell.”

  “My lord, I don’t think that’s a valid excuse,” said Edmund.

  “Father, please!” exclaimed Sonia, annoyed.

  “His future daughter-in-law comes to visit him and he insults her by not coming down, even if it’s for a moment,” insisted Sonia's father.

  “Mr. Hearst is right and I apologize in my father’s name. I want to be very clear that even though he is the duke, I will not allow him to have that behavior towards my wife.”

  Sonia’s father seemed calmer on hearing his words and nothing was mentioned again. The four of them took tea and went to see the house’s beautiful garden. Then they left and Robert took the opportunity to visit his father’s room. He knocked on the door and when nobody opened it, he then looked for the key and opened it on his own. His father was in bed and was startled. “By God, Robert. Is that any way to enter my bedroom?”

  “It’s the only way when you do not open the door.”

  “I said I had a headache.”

  “You have embarrassed me in front of my future wife and her family.”

  “You know I do not agree with a marriage between a son of mine and that American bitch who is only marrying you for your title.”

  “And I for her money!” Robert shouted.

  “I know. That is the only reason that I let you go ahead with this damn madness but do not ask me to smile and welcome her because that will not happen. She is not up to our level.”

  “But her money is, I imagine.”

  His father said nothing. He put a cold compress on his head and closed his eyes. Robert understood his father had ended the conversation.

  *****

  The day of the wedding arrived and Sonia wore a beautiful cream colored dress with embroidered crystals, which highlighted her beauty. Her mother talked to her before getting dressed and gave her advice about the wedding night. Sonia nodded, and she thought it was funny how her mother explained the intimacy between a man and a woman. Then her father visited her and gave her a sermon on decency. He confessed that he knew of her slip up with Robert and demanded that she no longer dirty the family name. Not a single word of affection came out of his mouth on such an important day for her. Half an hour later the doors of the church opened and Sonia walked inside. She observed the groom who was waiting at the altar smiling and the church full of people. Everyone’s eyes were on her, which made her even more nervous. Her brother looked satisfied, but her parents worried and an elderly man sitting in the front row watched her with annoyance. She knew right away that it could be no other than the Duke, Robert’s father. The man did not agree with the wedding and thought she was less because she didn’t have a noble bloodline. Sonia did not want to look at the old man anymore and looked straight ahead. Where she met the eyes of her future husband who seemed to tell her that everything would be all right. Robert took her hand when she reached the altar and smiled at her.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Sonia returned his smile and thought that maybe things would go well. There was no need to be so nervous.

  The ceremony started, and it was quite short. Sonia focused on the words of the priest who looked like a real one. If it was not because Robert had assured her that he was not a real priest Sonia would have believed that they were actually getting married.

  Soon after, they were a couple under the bond of marriage. He gave her a small kiss on the mouth and took her by the arm to the carriage that would take them to his house. When they entered the mansion all the servants waited in line to greet them. After that Robert took her to the room where the bridal breakfast would be held. Everything was beautiful, lots of flowers gave a touch of joy to the site and sweets, meats, cakes and all kinds of food had been arranged for the guests.

  “Dear, do not get overtired, remember that tomorrow we leave for our wedding trip.”

  “How I wish my father had not thought of such madness,” she complained.

  “It’s not madness, all the newlyweds do it and in the eyes of everyone we are newlyweds.” Robert took her lips in a tender kiss. “You
should not worry so much and try to take things as they come, we can have a lot of fun.”

  “I’ll try,” she said somewhat overwhelmed by everything that was happening.

  Frances came in at that moment. “Daughter please, we are waiting to start the bridal breakfast.”

  Sonia smiled at her. “Let’s go, mother.” Sonia took a deep breath and told herself. Let the show continue.

  Weeks later...

  Sonia sat in the garden cutting some flowers to place them in the bedroom. Each day that passed she became more anxious. Her father had not left, and she just wanted to live far away from there. She couldn’t deny that her closeness with Robert had made her feel things she would never have imagined. He was a handsome man, and she had liked him from the beginning but she didn’t want to fall in love that would only make things worse. Besides, they both seemed to understand each other, only in bed. Robert behaved well toward her. He let her have her way at home he was very kind to her, but Sonia didn’t want to love this life that she had with him. She needed to live her life. Although every time she brought up the subject he diverted the conversation or was in a hurry to leave.

  Sonia entered the house and looked for a vase, placed the flowers there, and then went to her room. She saw the maid arranging the bed.

  “Milady, do you need something?”

  “No, I just want to put these flowers here. Are you finished?”

  “Yes, milady.” The maid left with a bow.

  Now that she was alone, Sonia recalled the days of her wedding trip in Scotland when she saw an ornament on the table. In the end, they had decided that the honeymoon would be in Scotland. Sonia still remembered her experience on the boat when she traveled from America and had no intention of going through the same thing. Which she would if they went to Italy or France. Robert told her they could spend some time visiting the beautiful places in Scotland and then they would spend a week in their country house. She could still see Robert’s smile during the times when they walked together. She remembered the beautiful places they went to and remembered very clearly their first night of marriage. That day, they arrived in the morning but decided to rest and when they woke up, it was almost night. Robert was at her side and watched her closely.

  “Did you sleep well?” He stroked her hair.

  She nodded.

  “You are a beautiful woman, Lady Wilmington.” Sonia came closer and kissed her.

  “I don’t think that I look very well at the moment.” Robert didn’t respond. He opened the front of her nightgown to see her breasts. He kneaded them, licked them, and caressed them while completely removing the nightgown from her body. Then his gaze burned her, going all over her body and she could almost feel that heat. He undressed, and it was her turn to look at his body and she couldn’t avoid looking at his growing manhood. He pulled her to him, pressed her against his hard body to take her breasts in his hands. Sonia was surprised by the immediate reaction of her body as her nipples tightened straight away. Her response was a helpless sound of pleasure as she threw her head back to provide better access to her mouth. Robert passed his thumbs over her nipples, as he bent to kiss her, then closed his hungry mouth over a tip and licked her nipple provoking a moan. He took care of her breasts for some time, sucking and arousing her. He provoked a scorching heat in her that drowned with the need she felt in her vagina. Sonia hugged him closer to her and he could feel cock thick and erect pressing against one of her legs. Robert adored her voluptuous and warm lips that called to him, like all of her, and he could not help taking possession of her mouth and devouring it in the same way he wanted to do with her whole body.

  Sonia felt that her body ached with need for him and didn’t want to wait any longer. Robert seemed to understand this and spread her legs, leading his cock to the entrance of her slit, first caressing, brushing, and soaking in her juices. She trembled with anticipation and inhaled deeply, waiting for him to take her. Robert then pressed until he was completely inside her with a single thrust, Sonia let out a moan of pleasure and he withdrew out of her again to penetrate her, stretching her and touching the walls of her vagina in a way that drove her crazy

  “God!” Sonia shouted, feeling totally full and wrapped her legs around his hips. His eyes were glazed with excitement. He grabbed her hips hard and pushed harder into her. His breathing was ragged and audible from the effort. Sonia thought that there was never a time when she felt more in communion with someone and any thought that told her that she could not fall in love with Robert was put out of her mind. Robert’s words didn’t speak of love, but each of his caresses told her that he felt something for her. A wave of sensations passed through her and she clung tightly to his shoulders, feeling like she was flying and her body was disintegrating with the force of her orgasm. Robert tensed and gave a hoarse moan when he also climaxed.

  After a moment, he lay all sweaty on top of her, hugged her and gave her little kisses on her neck. “Sonia, you’re extraordinary.”

  She sighed. “Thank you for giving me such a beautiful moment.”

  He looked at her tenderly. “No, wife. Thank you.”

  She thought it felt strange to hear him say wife with such certainty when they both knew it was not true, but she simply didn’t have the strength to think much about it. She fell asleep peacefully in Robert’s arms, until the next day.

  Back in the present, Sonia sighed. Her honeymoon had been splendid. She had no complaints about Robert's treatment of her. He was gallant, considerate, and loving. She almost came to believe that they were really a couple of newlyweds in love enjoying their wedding trip.

  CHAPTER 7

  Robert sat in the library reading some documents while having a drink. He took advantage of a moment of tranquility to read some letters where they urgently asked for improvements that had to be made in the homes of the people who lived on his lands. Fortunately, the money he had obtained from his wife’s dowry had helped him pay off debts and hire people to make improvements to both the house in the city and the country house, which were not few. However, he also needed to take care of the tenants on his land at this time.

  The only thing that worried him about all this was the time when Sonia found out that her marriage was completely legal. They had been married for a month and soon they had to leave for London. Her father was leaving in two weeks and then the hard part would come. She had tried to speak about the subject on several occasions. However, thanks to her parents still being in London he could convince her to wait. In addition, her parents spent a week with them in the country house and Sonia was distracted by her mother, all the time. That helped him to think about what to do later. Her father had commented that they should go on another trip, but Robert had many obligations to fulfill and could not leave again.

  His only hope was that she became pregnant. It was a possibility because he tried to make love to her often. It was no sacrifice for him because he desired her more and more. Sonia was a temptation for him. He found her refreshing in a world of hypocritical people concerned only with appearances. He liked her surrender during intimate moments and her imprudent comments. They went out for walks. She accompanied him when he went riding and he felt with her in a way he never had with anyone else. Although, he was not a man to fall in love, that only complicated things in a marriage. Though he was in favor of coexistence between them. His father told him that one thing would not come without the other and when he least realized it, he would be hopelessly in love. It had only been a month, and he did not think that was the case but he did think about Sonia’s reaction to their scheme and how he could lose her. Robert felt a strange anxiety and pain in his chest.

  I will not think more about it, he thought, when the time comes I will think about what to do, something will occur to me.

  *****

  In the afternoon, Sonia arrived home after spending some time in the church, talking to the vicar. She asked about her husband and they told her he was in the library so she went to see him there
. When she opened the door, she saw him reading some documents. He immediately looked up and smiled at her. “I did not think you’d arrive so early from your outing.”

  “I wanted to see you.”

  He looked at her suspiciously. “Yes? Why?”

  “I just wanted to see you. I don’t need a special reason.” Sonia walked over and gave him a quick kiss.

  Robert was not satisfied so when she walked away he took her by the waist. “This is a kiss.” He proceeded to show her by taking her mouth avidly and kissing her until he took her breath away.

  She pulled away on trembling legs and sat down. “Are we going to say farewell to my parents?” She asked trying to change the subject.

  “Yes, dear. Of course, we will be there to say farewell. We will leave next week.”

  “I want to see them and spend some time with them. I don’t know when I will be able to see them after they return to New York.”

  “You will see them soon, dear. It will not be long before you are with them before they depart.” Robert caressed her cheek. “Do you want to do something this afternoon? We could play chess and see who wins this time.”

  “You know very well that I always win when I play with you.” Sonia laughed.

  “But this time I will be much more motivated to win.” He gave her a wolfish smile.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because each time one of us loses, we will take off a piece of clothing.”

  She laughed. “Are you sure? You know that I always win.”

  “Not today. Today will be different.”

  Indeed that night she ended up taking off all of her clothes first and when they were naked in the study, they made love on the carpet. Unleashing the passion that always consumed them.