Regency Romance: A Duchess in Disguise (Historical 19th Century Victorian Romance) (Duke Fantasy Billionaire Romance)
Page 57
''Of course, I won't.''
''You don't think I'm stupid to do you?'' he asked.
''No, of course, I don't. Danny, I'm sorry for doing what I did to you. I really like you, but Josephine got to me and told me I shouldn't be dating you.'' She squeezed his hand and looked at his fraught face. ''She told me all sorts about me being dragged into your court battles and made me worried it would affect my parents’ reputation. I was a bitch to you; I can see that now.'' She smiled at him and wiped a tear from his cheek. ''Stay with me tonight. I will make you feel better,'' she put his hand inside her robe. ''Let's forget what happened. Let's look to the future. And the future means you and me, and reading and writing.''
*****
''Amber? What are yo doing with a book called, ''Elementary Reading and Writing for Adults?'' Josephine asked.
Amber looked down at her bag which was on the floor next to her desk. The top was open, and the title of the book she'd bought for Danny was there for all to see. ''Er.....I'm just.....''
''He can't read can he?''
''Who?''
''Danny. Danny can't read and you're helping him.''
''Please don't tell anybody. He's so hurt by it. It's not his fault; he had a terrible childhood; nobody supervised him.''
''So out best footballer is a dunce. What a surprise,'' Josephine said sarcastically.
''He's not a dunce, he's a great guy. He just needs help that's all.''
Josephine took a rubber band from her desk and played with it. ''Are you still seeing him?''
''Yes. I apologized for what I said to him. We are an item, and we will remain one.''
''Can't you find someone who is literate?''
''Fuck you, Josephine.'
''Ladies, ladies, what's going on?'' Joe asked.
''Amber is seeing Danny Constance. I don't think it's professional. And he can't read or write.'' Amber looked daggers at Josephine.
''Really?'' Joe said looking at Amber.
''Yes, I'm seeing him, and yes he can't read or write. But if it gets out the press will crucify him.''
''Well, Josephine, I don't see any law against dating someone, especially if it makes both parties happy. On the subject of his literacy capabilities, that's none of our business and a private matter between Danny and Amber.''
Joe scowled at Josephine, who pulled a spoiled brat face. ''And now Josephine, I want to see you. Apparently you called Rod Stevens a black bastard. The owner of the club heard you. I had to plead with him to let us keep the contract. Apparently you were miffed Rod wouldn't sleep with you at the celebration the other evening.'' Joe came back into the office with Josephine ten minutes later and watched as she cleared her desk.
*****
''You bitch, you lying cheating bitch,' Danny cried down the phone. ''Look at the sodding newspapers. Rod called me. The ass holes are calling me Consonant Constance. I don't even know what a consonant is. How could you do this to me?''
''But Danny I swear, I didn't tell anybody.''
''Liar. How come, a day after I told you about my problem the whole world knows?''
''Because I bought a book for you to learn from, Josephine saw it and put two and two together.''
''You mean the same bitch that called Rod a black.....?''
''Yes. Danny, I'm.....''
''No Amber. You were careless now I'm a laughing stock. Do you know I'll never live it down.''
*****
Stand by: five, four, three, two, one, on air:
''Good evening and welcome to the John Rushforth show, an hour of discussion about current topics. This evening we will discuss the widening crisis in Syria with the Deputy Prime Minister, the future of Britain in the European Union with the leader of the Chamber of Commerce Mandy Jones, and adult literacy with our guest Amber Sullivan a close friend of the footballer Danny Constance, and Margo Cummings from the Adult Literacy Foundation.
Amber sat next to Joe in the wings of the YTV studio. Joe knew all the most important TV show hosts and directors. After forty-five minutes of the live show, John Rushforth announced a commercial break and Amber was told to go on set.
''Welcome back. Yesterday a fascinating story broke about Danny Constance, our best footballer. According to reports, he is illiterate. After a little research, we have discovered that as many as one in five UK citizens cannot read or write, or both. This evening I'm pleased to welcome Amber Sullivan a personal friend of Danny Constance and the Chair of the Adult Literacy Foundation, Margo Cummings. First Amber, perhaps you can tell us about Danny's case?''
Amber cleared her throat and as Joe had told her looked into the camera. ''I became a friend of Danny's a few weeks ago. He asked me to help him because he was desperate. He was so ashamed of the fact that he can't read or write that it was destroying his life.''
''How did he manage to get through school?'' John asked.
''He had nobody at home to supervise what he was doing. Nobody really cared about his education. Luckily he is a great footballer and can make a very decent living, but what about those less fortunate than him?''
''Sure. It's an enormous problem. Margo can you tell us more.''
''As you correctly mentioned about one in five, in this country, have this problem. And it's usually due to what Amber explained. Lack of parental support.''
''Isn't that what teachers are for?'' John asked.
''Teachers can only do so much. They have hundreds of children to look after. The role of the child's parents or guardian plays a hugely significant role.''
''And how is Danny now Amber?''
''Devastated that he is being made a fool of in the press, and on a personal level very upset with me. Danny, if you're watching, I'd like to say sorry.''
''I have seen some of the press reports, and it makes me sick to be a journalist,'' John said. ''I want to say here and now, and we have upward of ten million viewers, that their treatment of Danny has been a disgrace.''
''That's right John, and it's typical of people's attitude to illiteracy,'' Margo said. ''They think these people are dumb or lazy, but they aren't. They just didn't get a great start in life. In fact, I want to invite Danny to be an Ambassador for our cause. He's hugely popular with our children, and I would love it if he could do some school tours to tell parents of the importance of helping their children, especially in the early stages.''
*****
After the show, Amber was in a taxi on the way back to her apartment when her phone rang.
''Get over here now,'' Danny said.
''What's up?''
'Nothing, just get yourself over here, now.''
Amber asked the taxi driver to turn around and take her to Danny's apartment. When she arrived, a group of press was gathered outside his house. Amber pushed her way through them and went inside.
''Danny what's going on?''
''Come with me,'' he said. He took hold of her hand and went outside. Cameras clicked, and there were flashes.
''Thank you for coming,'' Danny began. ''I have a statement to make. I can confirm press reports that I can neither read or write. I haven't got a clue what this says, but I'm told it's an apology from the Press Association about the way I have been treated since the news leaked.'' Danny held up a fax that Miguel had brought round to him. ''Being illiterate isn't funny, and people who are illiterate shouldn't be the butt end of jokes. Racism and sexism, are illegal, so why not illiterate-ism. If you will excuse my made up word.'' The press laughed. ''This is Amber, and she's my girlfriend, and she's going to help me to read and write, and in a year I'll be reading all your spelling mistakes. Thank you.''
Ignoring all the follow-up questions Danny put his arm around Amber and went back into the house. He closed the front door and threw her against the wall. She struggled for breath as he kissed her and felt for her zipper. He slid her pants down until they reached her ankles, her panties followed. He picked her up and held her against the wall. She kicked her legs free of the garments and hooked herself around him.
''Oh God I want this,'' she moaned.
He freed his penis and in one fluid movement thrust up and into her, making her cry out. She held him tightly as he took her. He pulled her blouse open and took out her breasts. He was wild, demanding her, and taking exactly what he wanted.
''I'm coming,' Amber shrieked. She began to shake as she held onto him, his trusts so strong her whole body shuddered violently under the force. He cried out and held onto her as they enjoyed their first mutual orgasm.
They collapsed in a heap on the hallway floor, both totally out of breath, Danny still deep inside her.
*****
''Hi babe,'' Danny said. ''How's college?''
''Great. Almost done. Two more months,'' Amber replied from her student apartment at Yale.
''Then you'll be a WAG.''
''A what?''
''Wives and Girlfriends, WAG.''
''Oh yes, how stupid of me.''
''You're not stupid. Without you, I would still be the old Danny. Now I can read what they say about my footballing skills, although sometimes when I read what they write, I wish I was still illiterate.''
''That's what I love about you Danny Constance, you're sense of humor.''
''Don't speak too soon, when you come back to England and live with me, you'll have to put up with it all day.''
“I don't care as long as I'm with you.''
*****
THE END
SPORTS Romance – Game On
Chapter One
Faith Fisher stood in front of the mirror, running her hands down her sides and over her hips. Her new jeans fit very well. She could see herself walking next to Ethan Ronan, star halfback, at the next after game party. She straightened her glasses, then took them off to see what she looked like without them. But then she couldn’t see. She squinted to try and see better. It didn’t help.
She sighed and slipped on her glasses again. She needed to ask her mother if she could get contacts. Or she could just buy them herself with her tutoring money. She brushed her fingers through her blond hair, pulling it down in its natural waves over her chest. It came down just below her breasts, which were not too big, not too small, one of the few things she was satisfied with when it came to her body. She didn’t want to think she was frumpy and heavy, but she was a tad overweight, and most of her clothes were not the best style ever.
In fact, did she even have a style?
Ethan wasn’t going to go out with her unless she figured out her style and dressed herself up a bit. She turned and threw herself on her stomach on the big bed, kicking her legs up behind her. She half-crawled on the bed and grabbed her cell phone off the night table.
WHATCHA DOIN? She texted her best friend, Stacy Thorn. Then she set the phone back down and scooted down on the bed to open her laptop and scan Facebook. Her phone beeped almost immediately, and she grabbed it up.
TALKIN’ TO MOM AND DAD. WE STILL ON FOR SPRING BREAK?
Faith smiled and texted back that they were definitely still on. She and Stacy were planning on heading out to the beach with half the football team and some of the cheerleaders on a quick weekend trip. She hadn’t told Stacy about her crush on Ethan, but she suspected her friend new anyway. They had been best friends since grade school, and there was very little they could keep from each other. She didn’t see that they would ever be apart. College was coming up, and they would be attending the same school…just the community college for the first two years. They had both been given two free years as a scholarship because of their grades.
CAN YOU COME OVER LATER AND WATCH A MOVIE? She texted. She held her phone in her hand and waited for the response.
YEAH, MOM AND DAD SAID I CAN STAY THE NIGHT. I’LL BE OVER IN A HALF HOUR.
She smiled. She dropped back down on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. The trip was coming up faster than she expected. It was finally this Friday. She’d been waiting for weeks. She wanted to make a good impression on Ethan. Stacy would help. She would make sure that Faith didn’t come off as some kind of geeky nerd. That surely wouldn’t attract Ethan.
Stacy came over just as she said, in a half hours’ time. She lived fifteen minutes away by bike ride, but her father brought her over in his car. She came in Faith’s room and tossed her bag on the floor by the bed. She wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her tight. “Faith! You’re looking so good, girl!”
Faith laughed. “Better than I was yesterday when you saw me?”
Stacy’s smile was wide. “Yes, of course, darling, yes, of course!” She faked a British accent and rolled her eyes in a haughty manner. “I know you’re as excited as I am about the trip this weekend! And guess what! We’re gonna leave on Thursday instead of Friday!”
Both girls squealed and Faith bounced on the bed on her knees, clapping her hands. “No way! How did that happen and how come I didn’t know!”
“You know now! The girls just called and told me.” Stacy was good friends with several of the cheerleaders. She had been on the team during the first two years of high school but gave it up for their junior year to concentrate on her studies. She was brilliant and beautiful at the same time. Faith always felt lucky to be her friend. She had no idea why Stacy remained friends with her despite her popularity.
Stacy dropped onto the bed and leaned back on her elbows. “You know, Faith, they told me to tell you. They want you to come along.”
Faith blushed slightly and bit her bottom lip. “Did you tell them about Ethan?” She suspected Stacy knew. She might as well come out with it.
Stacy stuck her tongue through her teeth, smiling big. “Of course not, Faith. I know you. You don’t want your feelings broadcast all over. Besides, Heather would tell, and we don’t want that right off, do we?”
Faith shook her head, hiding her grin behind her hand. “No. I want to try to talk to him myself before anybody finds out.”
Stacy turned over on her stomach and hunched her shoulders. “You’re gonna talk to him? What are you gonna say? Do you know? I bet you’re gonna need to drink a beer before you do that!”
Faith shook her head. “Oh no! I hope they aren’t gonna be drinking!”
Stacy laughed loudly. “Of course not! Those guys don’t drink. Their dads would kill them, every last one of them! If one dad didn’t, another one would. Imagine that! Ruining a perfectly good football career by drinking alcohol and getting all messed up. I can’t imagine.”
“I think it’s one of the only reasons the team is as good as they are.”
“You mean cuz they don’t drink?”
“Yeah. I think that’s why they win so many games.”
Stacy nodded. “I would put bets on that, Faith. Now let’s see. What are we gonna do? Mom says I can stay the night. We got lots of time.”
“Awesome!”
Thursday morning, Faith woke up to the bright sun streaming through her open window, letting in a cool breeze with it. She slid out of bed and closed the window, pulling the blinds so she could get dressed without thinking the entire neighborhood was watching. Her mother often came in and opened the window while she was sleeping because her room was always the hottest in the house.
She dressed quickly. Stacy would be there to pick her up in her dad’s car by 9, and they would be meeting the rest of the group at the school by 9:30. She was as excited as she’d ever been in her 17 years of living. She could see herself swimming with Ethan and splashing him and going for a piggy-back ride on his back, playing chicken with their friends.
She took a shower, got dressed as quickly as she could and was standing outside waiting when Stacy pulled up. Her friend leaned over and yelled through the window.
“Let’s go, girl, we don’t have all day!”
“I’m not the one who’s late.” Faith grinned wide as she threw her duffel bag in the back seat and climbed into the front. “What happened? I figured you’d be here early.”
Stacy shook her head. “It takes time to look this good, sweetie.”
“We are going to have a great time, Faith.”
“I know it!”
Faith rolled down the window and put her hand out, letting it ride on the wind. “It’s such a beautiful spring break week. It’s too bad we couldn’t go earlier in the week, but I’m glad we get to go now.”
Stacy nodded, glancing over at her. “Yeah, I don’t think everybody’s parents would have gone for having us all gone that long. Not enough supervision. You know they all grew up back in the ‘80s when Freddy Krueger was all the rage.”
The girls laughed again and Faith pretended to be scared.
“So did you bring along any books to read?” Stacy asked in a teasing voice.
Faith flushed but smiled back at Stacy. “Maybe.” She had brought along a couple of books. It was always good to be prepared if she was left sitting on the beach alone. She planned to do plenty of swimming and volleyball and talking to Ethan, but there was always a chance she wouldn’t be able to do at least two of those things. She couldn’t help thinking what if she was stung by a jellyfish and couldn’t go back in the water or what if she twisted her ankle and couldn’t play volleyball? She didn’t even want to think about not being able to talk to Ethan. She pictured him in her mind and knew her face was flushing even more.
“Good grief, your face is all red, Faith. Whatever are you thinking about?”
Faith just gave her a look. Stacy burst out laughing.
“Ethan!” She said. “Well, I wish you luck, honey. He’s a tough nut to crack.”
“Why do you say that?”
Stacy shrugged. “I don’t want to be the one to burst your bubble, but you’re not exactly his type.”
“What’s his type? And what type am I?”
Stacy raised her eyebrows. “Well, you aren’t his type, at least, not that I can see. He doesn’t go for the brainy beauties. He goes for the brainless beauties. You know, the ones who don’t care whether he cheats or not or goes out with his friends more often. Or doesn’t introduce you when you go out and meet someone new. Or…”