Chapter 19
“I cannot believe that Robert gave you two carriages filled with goods and that we have dressed scarecrows in finery and placed then in the carriages to look like people. It is almost inspired,” said Emily, as they drew out of Aelton Manor estate the next morning.
“I had not really thought of the logistics of transporting the goods myself, I must say.” Gideon was tired and crotchety but was grateful to Robert for his sage advice. Of course, it was a robbery waiting to happen, especially once they got farther south where food was becoming scarce. Robert had given them oats and maize and some potato seeds. They did not have a lot as the horses could not pull large amounts. Robert had, however, given them his main coach which was large and needed four horses to pull it plus one other. He had been very generous. He had a large stable full of horses, explaining to Gideon that he often sent horses on ahead so that he could travel to London in faster stages, pushing the horses to go farther in a day than Gideon himself had been happy to do.
Without any humans or baggage inside the two spare coaches, they were able to fit in quite a few sacks of grain. They would travel slowly back down to Herefordshire and give the horses plenty of time to recuperate each evening. Robert had promised to send more grain as soon as Gideon sent back the carriages.
“Given my brother was going to blow your brains out only two days ago, he has had a fine change of heart, has he not?”
Gideon sighed. “While I agree your brother is a prize ass and has treated you abominably, he is a peer of the realm and he was brought up to do his duty. In this case, it is to help out those in need, Emily.”
“I know he’s a good man. I never doubted it. I doubted myself. I still do.”
“What is it that you doubt?”
“That I shall be a good wife and mother.”
“My darling, I am sapped of energy this morning. Your brother kept giving me knowing looks over his newspaper. I have no complaints about your…” he waved an arm as he searched for the correct word. “…abilities as a wife.” He really was bone tired.
“We only did it once.”
Gideon rolled his eyes. She was going to send him to an early grave. He was sure of it. “We did it twice. I assume you were awake this morning. Your eyes were open and you must have woken half the house when you screamed my name as your sweet little… well as you pulsed around me.”
“That was morning, not our wedding night.”
“It counts. The sun had not risen.”
“It had.”
“No, it hadn’t look, the sun has still not risen. The damned rain has followed us to Cumbria.”
“It always rains in Cumbria.”
“Not yesterday it did not.”
“No.”
“Anyway, you said you had a question to ask me once we got into the carriage. Ask it.”
“Oh yes. You said you would explain why Lord Byron had to flee to Switzerland. He did something to his wife. What was it?”
Gideon groaned and placed his hands over his eyes.
“My love, it is really not a story that is meant for the ears of a lady.”
“You said you would tell me when I was no longer an innocent.”
“I did? Was I drunk when I said that?”
“You have never been drunk in my presence, my lord.”
“I may have to remedy that,” he muttered.
“You are more of a beast than Robert,” she cried and punched him on the arm.
“Ouch.”
“That’s for being a beast and for nipping my arm last night.”
He caught her around the waist and plopped her face down over his knee. There was not a lot of room in the carriage but there was enough for his purposes.
“Lady Beattie, you will desist from punching me on the arm. I shall not tolerate it.” He was struggling to keep the amusement out of his voice. With his wool coat and shirt on, he had barely felt her fist. Years spent in Gentleman Jackson’s Boxing Saloon meant that a punch barely registered with him, never mind one from a female.
“Lord Beattie, what are you doing?”
“Punishing you.” He whipped up her skirt. The sight of her white, rounded bottom made his cock start to harden. Damn, he loved every part of her body. He had a horrible suspicion he was beginning to love her. He ran a hand over the rounded cheek then dipped his middle finger between her legs.
Emily gasped and Gideon was now fully erect. He ran his finger through her folds, forward and back, collecting her moisture as he stroked her.
“This is punishment?”
“It is if I do not take you to completion.”
“You would not be so cruel, my lord. Please.”
“Perhaps. Do you promise not to punch me again?”
“I promise.”
He ran his finger up to her puckered hole and prodded ever so gently.
“See here?”
“Mm-hmm?”
“This is why Lord Byron is in Switzerland.” She looked around and gave him a confused look. “Some gentlemen like to use this entrance instead and Lord Byron obviously did.”
“With his wife?”
“Yes.”
“And his half-sister?”
“Good God, Emily, I do not know all the man’s secrets. His wife told her mother, from what I can make out. No one seems to care that he had relations with his half-sister, just that he buggered his wife.”
“That is what it is called?”
“Yes, my love. That is what it is called. Now, will you stop asking questions?” He really had explained far too much, used far too profane language and said much more than he had meant to. He hoped to God she would not repeat it.
“I shall stop asking questions if you use those fingers to give me a release. Otherwise, I shall start asking about Mollies.”
Gideon threw his head back on a guffaw as his fingers found her pearl. Then he leaned close. “Yes, my love, Mollies use that entrance too.”