Mrs. Little washed the dirty river water out of Hattie’s hair while Hattie scrubbed her skin in the bath. She had only been in the water for a matter of a minute or so, but she feared she would never get the stench of it out of her pores.

When a travel trunk with Hattie’s clothes arrived from her brother’s house, Mrs. Little was too busy weeping to notice the obvious. Edgar had decided that Hattie was moving back into number forty-three permanently.

Finally, dried, dressed and with her hair tied up in a soft chignon Hattie went in search of Will. She was keen to hear his plan.

She found him in the main drawing room seated on her favorite floral couch. It was comforting to know that her favorite room in the house, was also Will’s. He greeted her with a devilish grin, then held out his hand. Hattie took it, letting out a playful squeal as he pulled her into his arms.

He took her mouth in a surprisingly soft kiss. She could sense he was doing everything he could to keep his passion at bay. The time for love making would come later. At this moment, they had the serious issue of finding a way to make their impending marriage work.

Will released Hattie.

“We need to talk first,” he said.

His words did nothing however to dim the spark in his eyes from the reflection of the fire’s glow. He wanted her as much as she wanted him right this very minute. The heat between them rivaled that from the well stoked fire.

“Before I ask you the question which this moment requires, and of which Edgar has already given his approval. I have something to discuss with you. A plan for you to be able to have the best of both worlds. Would you care to hear it?”

Hattie clasped her hands softly together, and nodded. Her nerves betrayed her and she was soon reaching to crack her first knuckle.

“I shall pay you a farthing every time I get you to stop doing that,” he said.

She gave him a sultry look and licked her bottom lip. If he wanted her to quit her habit she would only take payment in one form. Will raised a knowing eyebrow.

“I went to see Father Brown after you left last night. He and I discussed the work you do at the church. He agrees that it has always been dangerous for you to venture into the streets around St. Giles. After tonight, you would have to agree that it is no longer safe for you.”

Hattie nodded. Even with Tom dead, the Belton Street gang would have her marked for death if she ever set foot in Plumtree Street again.

She gasped.

“What about Joshua and his family? They won’t be safe either.”

“Which is why they have been moved elsewhere. Francis went to see my man of business as soon as he got home. You didn’t think I would let the Mayford family stay in Plumtree Street another minute, did you?” he replied.

Hattie looked down at the floor, embarrassed to have doubted Will and his ability to see all the needs of a situation. He lifted her hand to his fingers and placed a tender kiss on her finger tips.

“Do you know what Father Brown and I discussed to the early hours of this morning? A soup kitchen is what is needed at St. John’s church.”

Hattie frowned. At least she now knew why Father Brown had been so tired and grumpy all day, but Will’s plan was nothing new.

“Father Brown and I already hand out soup to the poor,” she replied.

“I mean a real soup kitchen, funded by us and our friends. One that is stocked with fresh vegetables, barley and some meat. With an oven for baking fresh bread. A soup kitchen that runs every day. Something that will feed dozens of the needy of St. Giles. I remember what you said about your father and that his mission was all about numbers. With a proper kitchen which you could manage from St. John’s your work will continue and it can grow.”

Her heart flipped. Will had been earnest in his endeavors to find a solution to their impasse. He had spoken to Father Brown and found the one area where they could make the biggest difference in people’s lives.

She would never need to venture back into the rookery. The people she wanted to help could come to her at the church.

“And I take it that in return I shall have two burly footmen with me at all times. And I will keep you informed of my daily schedule and send word if I am to return home late?”

It went without saying that those were Will’s terms, but she needed to give voice to them.

“Yes. And I think you would agree that a couple of useful lads could be put to work around the church, doing repairs etc. Father Brown is not a young man. They can also help with peeling and chopping vegetables.”

“Thank you for finding a way. If anyone could, it was you. My answer is yes,” she said.

She had not dared to dream that her deepest desire to have the best of both worlds could come true. That Will could actually be hers.

Hattie licked her lips, teasing him. Will growled. She leaned over and planted a soft, but enticing kiss on his lips. Their bodies were close, intimacy beckoned. She had given him the answer he needed, now she would allow him to claim his reward.

The shackles of polite social behavior were tossed aside, in its place was a deep hunger which demanded to be slaked. Will claimed Hattie’s lips with a kiss which brooked no misunderstanding.

She gave into her deepest desires. As Will's strong arms pulled her tightly against him, her hands searched for his hair. She speared her fingers through his dark brown hair offering him her unspoken encouragement. They both knew where she would be sleeping this night.

As they finally ended the kiss, Hattie realized she still had one question which needed answering. She knew Will wanted her, but she did not fully comprehend why. Somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind there was still the worry belief that he felt compelled to marry her.

“Before you ask me the question that we know is coming. I need to understand why you want me. For many women it would not matter, but since I fled a betrothal to someone who didn’t want me for me, I would like to know.”

Will kissed her once more.

“I want you because I love you. I love the Hattie Wright who is before me. The Hattie Wright who made the decision to claim her role in the world. The instant I saw you drop over the side of the ship and into the harbor you became the woman for me. The girl who Peter Brown took by force is long gone. In her place is you, a woman who makes choices about her life, and about whom she wishes to love. I can only hope and pray that it is me,” he said.

She cupped his face in her hands.

“I have done everything I could not to fall in love with you. I ran away because I knew I would never be able to resist you if I stayed. You have held a power over me from the very first day.

Believe me Will, when I say I never saw you as something to use and then throw away. I wanted our affair on the boat to happen because I knew you were someone whose love, even if it were held for only a short time, would be worth it. To tell you the truth, I was frightened of how you made me feel. When we made love, I felt reborn. You touched a part of my soul I thought no longer existed, something I didn’t know if I wanted to reclaim.”

“So, what you are saying is that you love me?”

She chuckled.

“Of course, I do. Any woman who does not fall for your charms is made of stone. I love you Will Saunders. You have rescued me, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure I stay that way,” she replied.

She kissed his forehead. He smiled when she kissed his nose. As she pulled back to take in his handsome face, she saw the light of passion ignited in his eyes.

“So, you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Thank god.”

The sense of relief in his voice had her on the verge of tears. No one had ever wanted her purely for herself. In Will she had found someone who valued her for just being Hattie. Joy mixed with overwhelming humility left her speechless.

“Which now leaves the question of what to do with you tonight,” said Will.

It would have been easy enough to ask Mrs. Little to make up Hattie's old bed. But sleeping anywhere else but in Will’s arms tonight, was out of the question.

“I won't force you to do anything against your will. Ever,” he said.

They had come so very far from the day they had met. She trusted him and her heart felt fit to burst knowing that he trusted her.

“I have gone half mad missing your touch. I need you inside of me. I need to hear your roar when you come,” she murmured.

The growl of need and desire which came from deep within him gave her the answer she craved. He had missed her too. Knowing he wanted her, filled her with the furious need to be naked and under him. To seal the connection that was no longer in any doubt between them.

He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.

“Come to bed.”

She mewed disappointment, and looked at the couch. The couch was the right height; and had a soft enough back that he could easily take her while she was bent over it.

He shook his head.

“The bedroom. This will not be a quick coupling. I intend to take my time. As soon as I have you naked on the bed I am going to slip my tongue inside you, and then hold you down while I take you to the brink. Rest assured my love I am not going to spare you this time. You can forget about sleep.”

* * *

Once inside his bedroom, Will pulled Hattie to him. She responded with a kiss that would make any grown man weak at the knees. She had learned a great deal from their time together on the ship. Will quietly congratulated himself on being such an excellent tutor.

“I want you. I want you now and forever,” she said.

He heard the hunger in her voice, echoed in his brain. Hattie unbuttoned the top of her gown and let it fall open. He whistled his appreciation of the fact that she was naked underneath.

‘Naughty girl,’ he chuckled.

She kicked off her slippers. Will stood watching as she slowing let the rest of her gown fall to the floor. She was now completely naked before him. He felt himself go rock hard.

He came to her and knelt on the floor before her. With hands held on the top of her thighs he pulled her toward him.

Hattie whimpered as Will slid his tongue inside her heat. He held her steady as he began to tease her. When he flicked the outer edge of her clitoris she shuddered. She placed a gentle hand on his head, spearing her fingers through his hair when he delved his tongue deeper inside.

“Will,” she whispered.

He took his cue, knowing he had roused her to a state where she would be ready for him.

He rose to his feet and guided her to the bed. He playfully threw onto the bed, where she lay watching as he quickly rid himself of his shirt and trousers.

“How do you want this?” he asked, climbing onto the bed.

She bit her lower lip for a moment. His cock twitched. He was desperate to sink deep into her and bring them both to completion.

Hattie clambered on to her knees and pushed Will onto his back.

“I was watching the riders in Hyde Park yesterday with Miranda. I think I should like to go riding right now, Mr. Saunders,” she replied.

Will lay back on the bed as Hattie threw one leg over his hip and sat on top of him. As she moved into place, he guided his hard shaft into her slick, wet passage.

“Oh sweet…” he murmured.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and began to rock back and forth. Her feet gripped tightly to his hips as she increased the pace of their coupling.

Will pulled her head down to his and caught her lips in a searing kiss. Tongues tangled together as their bodies met one another in a thrusting rhythm.

When Hattie whimpered, he knew she was close to the end. He flipped her over onto her back and thrust deep into her, knowing this was the best position for her to reach maximum pleasure when she came.

“Will. Oh god.” A long low groan escaped her lips.

He kissed her as the wave of her orgasm ebbed. When she finally focused on his gaze, he knew she was ready to give him the submission he craved.

Will withdrew from her body, but he was far from finished. He arranged her with her knees bent and facing away from him. He stood on the floor and pulled her to the edge of the bed. Her long dark blonde hair which had been piled up in a soft chignon, was tussled to a perfect state.

He leaned forward and slowly entered her once more. With hands gripped tightly to the side of her hips, he began to thrust slowly in and out. He closed his eyes and let his need for her take control.

In the room the only sound was that of Hattie’s soft sobs of pleasure.

As Will quickened the pace of his thrusts, he took hold of her nipples and squeezed them hard. Hattie groaned.

“It’s been so long since I took you like this,” he murmured in her ear.

To have her at his mercy, to make her give herself to him completely, was his deepest desire.

“Don’t be gentle with me, Will. I need you to take me hard. I need you to mark me, to possess me,” she begged.

He did as she asked, thrusting harder and deeper than he had ever done before into her willing body. Her cries urging him on until he finally came in a fiery rush. His roar of completion shook the night.