The Bet of the Season – A Regency Romance
''Lord and Lady Ashington and their daughter Emily,'' the announcer shouted.
Emily stood with her parents at the top of the marble staircase and looked down into the ballroom. She noticed how everyone seemed to be looking at her.
''I hadn't expected there to be so many people,'' she whispered to her mother.
''As you know, your father and I always host the first ball of the season. We like to invite as many people as we possibly can. We find it gets the season off to a rousing start. This is the first ball you have been to here since your coming out. It's going to be a splendid occasion.''
''It all looks very spectacular,'' Emily whispered, just before her father led them down the stairs to their eager guests.
When they had reached the bottom of the stairs, Emily's mother turned to her, ''there are several eligible young men here this evening my dear. Please don't wander off with your cousins before I have had a chance to introduce you to some of them.'' Emily looked around, curious to see who her mother could possibly mean.
She was very familiar with her surroundings. Although this was the first ball she had been allowed to attend at Priory Manor, she had spent many a childhood hour in the ballroom with her sister and cousins, hosting pretend balls. Emily remembered how exasperated her mother had been when she had borrowed her pearls to dress up in. ''They are priceless, and you are swinging them around like you found them in a back alley,'' she'd told her.
The ballroom was the largest in the County of Yorkshire. Priory Hall had been the seat of the Ashingtons since the days of King John. It was one of the finest stately homes in the land. Emily was amazed at how colorful the event was. At her debutante ball the previous summer, all the young ladies had worn white. That was behind her now, and she was able to go to balls where the ladies wore splendid colors. She had chosen to wear a striking gold muslin dress with gilt edges and silk flowers woven into it.
''Cousin Emily,'' Beatrice exclaimed, enthusiastically. ''You look stunning. I adore your gown. Such beautiful silken flowers. And your tiara of pearls is simply exquisite. You are the most amazingly beautiful woman here this evening.'' She looked at her cousin, who she adored, and tried to see what was different about her this evening. Emily was tall and slender, and Beatrice thought her dress showed off her tiny waist to perfection. She noticed Emily's Mediterranean blue eyes sparkling under the light of the giant chandelier, her blonde hair falling beautifully to her shoulders in perfectly manicured locks. Then Beatrice realized. It was her makeup that was different. In particular her lips. Emily had voluptuous lips, as perfect as was humanly possible and this evening she had used lip rouge. She looked stunning.
''Nonsense cousin, if anyone is the Belle of the Ball, it is you.”
''Well then, let these two beautiful women go and find themselves, two handsome princes. There are so many unattached men to choose from, we'd better hasten or we will run out of time.”
''Oh cousin, I would like nothing more than to go with you but mummy has asked me to say here. Apparently she wants to introduce me to some eligible young men of her choosing. I am terrified. She has such poor taste. Every man she points out to me is so dreadfully dull. I am young, and I want someone handsome and dashing, not someone twice my age.''
''Well then, I will go and search for us while you are meeting these dull creatures. Come and find me when you have finished. You never know, I might have some success.''
Emily watched her walk down the side of the dance floor and strike up a conversation with a tall looking gentleman of similar age.
''Emily, please come over here,'' her mother said. ''I would like to present the Duke of Bedford.''
The Duke took Emily's hand and pressed it to his lips. ''Enchanted,'' he said.
''My Lord, it is a pleasure to meet you,'' Emily replied as she curtsied. She looked at the man her mother presumably found to be of sufficient breeding to contend for her hand. She was pleasantly surprised. The Duke was not old and stuffy. He was young and handsome. ''Miss Emily, would you do me the honor dancing with me?''
Emily was keen to dance with the handsome Duke. She was relieved it was a country dance and not one of the more intricate dances. A country dance was simple and would allow her maximum time with him. A lot of other dances called for many more partner changes. She'd never seen the point of being asked to dance by a man, only to spend the rest of the dance in the arms of several other men.
As they undertook the required steps, Emily studied him. He was, at least, six feet tall, and he had a very elegant Roman nose. His eyes were green, and his hair was dark. How on earth did such a young man become a Duke, she wondered? She'd always imagined Dukes to be old. Emily recognized his uniform and was impressed to note he was an officer in the Dragoons, one of the bravest regiment in the British Army.
''Thank you, Miss Emily, you are indeed a very fine dancer. You have learned the art well. Now I promised to return you to your mother. I believe she has some more guests she would like you to meet.''
*****
''She really is the most impressive young lady. Her beauty knows no bounds,'' Robert Masters said.
The Duke nodded in agreement. ''She is indeed an amazing creature. Any man would give all he is worth to take her hand in marriage. What do you say Charles?''
''I say, if she were in an auction only the richest men in the land need attend. She is a very fine woman I agree.''
Robert Masters, The Duke of Bedford and Charles Carrington were standing in the corner of the ballroom looking on as Emily endured a dance with one of her mother's less inspired choices.
''You mentioned an auction, Charles. That really is an interesting thought.'' Robert said.
''Yes, that's it,'' the Duke exclaimed. ''We all three admire her. Any one of us would take her as a wife at the drop of a hat. Instead of competing with each other and risking our friendship, why don't we three place bids for her. The highest bidder earns the right to court and marry her ahead of the lower bidders. We'll bid in five rounds. The last bid to be the final word. What do you say?''
''A bid a week for five weeks, Robert said.''
''Agreed,'' said Charles.
*****
''Emily, Emily, the most terrible thing has happened.''
''Beatrice, what on earth can be so terrible on this magnificent occasion?''
''I hardly want to tell you. It is so shameful.''
''Really, Cousin. Tell me.''
''Alright,'' Beatrice took a deep breath. ''I believe the three men over there,'' she nodded her head clandestinely, ''have decided to buy you?''
''What? What do you mean, buy me? I'm not for sale.''
''No, sorry, I don't mean buy, I mean bid for you.''
''Really, Beatrice, you are making no sense whatsoever.''
Beatrice was so enthusiastic to tell her cousin what she'd overheard, she had lost all clarity of thought. She took another deep breath and tried again. ''I heard the three men over there talking about you. They all like you, in fact, they would all marry you at the drop of a hat. The man in the uniform said it would be a pity if their friendship were to be spoiled by them falling out over you. To avoid this, they have decided to place bids. The highest bidder will win the sole chance to approach you, and they assume marry you. There are going to be five rounds of bidding, one each week.'' Beatrice let out her breath, relieved she had managed to convey the story accurately this time.
''How very presumptuous of them. I wonder what makes them think I am interested in marrying any of them?''
''I really don't know cousin. But you must admit, they are all very handsome.''
''They are as you say, quite handsome. But they have rendered themselves much less so by entering into to this ridiculous activity. I have an idea.''
''Please tell me,'' Beatrice said anxiously.
''They are going to place bids for my hand in marriage. It is I, however, who will decide which of them I will marry, if any of them. I will pretend to be interested in them all. I will court each one of them and find out what they are like. Then I will persuade the one I like the most to bid the highest amount so we may continue our courtship and see if we are suited enough to be married.” Emily paused. “There is just one difficulty. I am acquainted with the Duke of Bedford, but I don't know the other the gentlemen. Could you please find out for me?''
Beatrice obliged and at the end of the ball. Emily now knew the names, the Duke of Bedford, Robert Masters, and Charles Carrington.
*****
The Duke of Bedford's carriage pulled up outside Priory Manor. A footman opened the door. As the Duke climbed out, he looked up at the house. It was very large, indeed. He estimated, at least, fifty rooms. The front of the house had a stone staircase leading up the front door. The large windows were arranged symmetrically and the he noticed the clock in the facade. It was three pm.
''The Duke of Bedford is here to see you, Miss Emily,'' the butler announced.
''Thank you, Jennings, please show him in.''
''Miss Emily, I was most surprised to receive your note yesterday. Pleasantly surprised, I might add. I do get a lot of invitations from young ladies but seldom from one as beautiful as your good self.''
''It is kind of you to say so. Please be seated,'' Emily pointed to a French sofa opposite her. A maid poured tea, and they studied each other.
''I do hope you don't think it forward of me to ask you to tea.''
''Not at all. I am, after all, a Duke. I assume it is not often that you have the privilege of entertaining such a titled man.''
Emily disliked the conceit of his answer. ''I will come to the point, my Lord. I much enjoyed our dance the other evening. It is not for a lady to ask, but I would like to know you better. Do you think me too forward?''
''Miss Emily, I am honored that you asked me. I am of course much in demand with young ladies throughout the whole country. It seems I only have to dance with one of them, and I am invited for tea very soon afterward. I have a title, and that is an attractive proposition for any woman. However, I must say, I am in awe of your beauty, and I would be delighted to give you the chance to know me better.''
''Splendid, that's settled. Tell me, my Lord, do you live alone?''
''Yes. I am the youngest Duke in the country. My unfortunate parents died two years ago in a boating accident at Newby Hall. I live alone in Aldborough Hall.''
''Then may I ask you to invite me, how shall I put it, to stay with you. For the sake of modesty perhaps you could invite me to a dinner party where there are other guests. It would be indiscreet to come to your house alone. I would please like to stay the evening in one of your rooms. A journey home so late in the evening would be ill advised for a young woman, on her own.''
''I would be delighted if you stayed,'' Emily noticed the glint in the Duke's eye.
*****
''Mr. Robert Masters to see you, Miss Emily.''
''Mr. Masters, please come in and sit down. How was your journey?'' Emily had seen him at the ball, but she hadn't been close enough to see how handsome he really was. He was tall and thin, with blonde hair and green-brown eyes. He had a Viking roughness to him that women found very attractive. His eyes made her feel he was undressing her and in his mind he already was.
Masters sat on the same sofa the Duke of Bedford has used two days earlier. ''Fine, thank you. I must say I was pleasantly surprised to receive your invitation to tea, Miss Emily.''
''I have heard so much about you, I wanted to ask you here, to see for myself if what they say is true. I do hope you don't find me forward in doing so?''
Masters looked longingly at Emily's décolleté. ''Forward? No, not in the slightest. Pray, what have you heard about me?''
''I have heard that you are a ladies’ man. I like confident men. Someone who knows how to speak to a woman. Is that the case Mr. Masters?''
''Well....it could be said that I enjoy the company of women, yes.''
''And how many conquests have you had in your short life, may I inquire,'' Emily asked.
''Quite a number.''
''I will come to the point if I may. The reason I extended this invitation to you is this: I admire you, and I would very much like to know you better. Would that be agreeable to you?''
Masters looked at her breasts again before looking her straight in the eye. ''That would be very agreeable.''
''I want you, to invite me to your home. It is, of course, a little indelicate for me to come unaccompanied to the house of a single man, especially one as experienced in the ways of the world as you. Perhaps you can invite me to dinner. Make sure there are other guests there. But I would like to stay the night if I may. It is ill advised for a woman to travel alone in the evening.''
''Of course. I will arrange it. I will prepare your bed chamber myself,'' he smirked.
*****
''Mr. Charles Carrington to see you, Miss Emily.''
''Mr. Carrington, what a pleasure it is to meet you,'' Emily said.
''Miss Emily. Thank you so much for the kind invitation to your splendid home. I must say I was surprised to receive it.''
''Please take a seat.'' As the Duke and Masters had done before him, Carrington sat on the French sofa. He looked at Emily and was struck by her blue eyes. ''Mr. Masters, I am so pleased you could come today. You may think it forward of me, but I noticed you at the ball, and I must say, I decided I would like to get to know you better.''
''It is an honor to be here Miss Emily,'' he said, in awe of her beauty.
Emily looked at him. He was quite the most handsome of the three. Not as tall as Carrington, but taller than the Duke. He had long dark hair and emerald green eyes. His eyes told her he was sad in some way.
''It is most kind of you to invite me here today, but first I have to tell you of my unfortunate circumstances. I am flattered that you wish to know me better. However, I am a man of poor means. My father, the Earl of Rochester, has disinherited me. I would not pretend for one minute that I am suitable for you in any way. You deserve better than to court a pauper. You should marry someone who can keep you in the manner to which you are accustomed. I cannot provide you with what you deserve.''
''I understand Mr. Carrington, but I really would like to get to know you better, despite your troubles.'' Emily hadn't expected such a reply and now feared her plan was in jeopardy.
''Please, Miss Emily. If I may say so, I find you deeply attractive, and I would like nothing more than to step out with you. But our positions are uncomplimentary. You must consider what harm society would do you if it were known that you were seeing a pauper.''
Emily was a little piqued. ''Mr. Carrington, I do not care about your money. I care about knowing you. Please do not deny me that pleasure.''
''I understand what you have asked me, but please, do not embarrass me further. It is not for someone of my lowly status to interfere in your life. Thank you for the tea. Now I must bid you good day.''
Emily was impressed by Carrington's modesty and consideration for her future wellbeing, but she was angry. Her plan wasn't going to work unless she could persuade the very honorable Carrington to change his mind.
*****
Emily looked out of the carriage window as it took her down the drive, on the Aldborough Hall Estate. They had passed through the magnificent sandstone gate some minutes earlier, and Emily could still not see the house. In the estate grounds, they had passed a church, which was obviously the private place of worship for the Bedford family. They had also driven past several farm houses, which Emily assumed must be Bedford's tenants. They turned in a curve to the right, and she saw it appear from behind a wood. The largest, most magnificent dwelling she could ever have imagined.
''It was designed by Robert Adam, the Duke told her as he escorted her from her carriage. It has more rooms that I can count.''
''It's beautiful,'' Emily said as she held onto his arm. You are so lucky to live in this beautiful place.''
''Luck, my dear, doesn't come into it. We are bred for it. We are a higher class of person, who is capable of appreciating this kind of property. Imagine what would happen to it, if the peasants in the village got their hands on it. They would steal the lead off the roof in no time as well as strip all the furnishings out of it.''
Emily was saddened to hear him speak of local people in this way, many of whom were his tenants and paid him good money for the privilege.
''Parsons here will show you to your room,'' the Duke said. ''Parsons, take Miss Emily to the Queen Elizabeth suite and make sure she has a maid assigned to her.''
The butler nodded, and Emily followed him up the grand staircase. The servant opened a large mahogany door and motioned to Emily. It was indeed fit for a queen, as its name suggested. It was enormous. To the right, there was a large four-poster bed adorned with a silk bed cover and eight great feather pillows. There was a writing desk in the middle of the room and a marble fireplace with a gilt mirror hanging above it on the left wall. Emily rushed to the window and looked out over the garden to the fields beyond. ''Paradise,'' she said.
A footman appeared with her cases and put them on the floor in front of the bed. He was followed by a small woman with red hair. ''I'm Rose, Miss Emily. I am to be your maid throughout your stay. Can I hang up your dresses,'' she asked. Emily nodded, and the young woman busied herself with Emily's finest gowns.
At six o'clock in the evening, Rose appeared again. Emily had napped for two hours, tired from her journey. ''Miss Emily I have come to help you dress for dinner.''
''Thank you,'' Emily said gratefully.
Rose stood behind Emily and brushed her hair. Emily looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing an apple green ball gown, fetchingly finished with delicate lace. Her décolleté was purposely lower than usual. ''Your hair is very soft and quite the most beautiful I have brushed,'' Rose told her.
At seven thirty, the Duke knocked on Emily's door. When she appeared, he felt a sudden wave of desire envelop him. She was perfect, he thought. Emily smiled at him. It was a suggestive come and get me kind of smile.
At dinner, there were four other people. The Duke introduced them. There were his first cousin and his wife and his best school friend and his wife. The dining room was large and uninviting, and Emily felt cold. The dining table was too long for six, and the guests seemed to be a long way apart. So far, in fact, it was almost necessary to shout at each other.
''What did you do with those troublesome tenants,'' the school friend asked the Duke, as they tucked into a roast pheasant.
''Do you know, they hadn't paid the rent for two months. They kept complaining that their child was ill, and they had to use their rent money to pay the doctor’s bills. I've never heard such nonsense. Got them evicted.''
''Do you mean the family whose little girl had tuberculosis?'' the first cousin's wife asked.
''I haven't got a clue what ailed the child,'' the Duke said.
''But surely it is cruel to put a family with such woes onto the streets? Wouldn't it have been kinder to allow them some more time or assist them monetarily,'' Emily asked, quite horrified at the Duke's attitude.
''Assist them with money? Good grief, Emily. If I was to do that, all my tenants would start to expect favors of that kind, and I have over five hundred of them. I would be bankrupt in no time.''
''While there is some merit in what you say, I still believe it is important to be humane in exceptional circumstances,'' Emily retorted.
The Duke looked at her. Contrary as well as beautiful, he thought. Another wave of desire rose from his groin. ''My dear, you are young and have yet to experience the harsh realities of the world. I am afraid it is simply not possible to help everyone. The people with a lower status than we should be subservient and pay their rent on time. Now let's change the subject, I can see Emily is a little inexperienced in business. Perhaps we should talk about ladies fashion,'' he said patronizingly.
Emily looked down to her hands as they played nervously in her lap. She felt the Duke had belittled her. At the end of the evening, Emily was cold and more than ready for bed. She stood up, thanked the Duke for his hospitality and wished the other guests good night.
Rose had made a fire in Emily's room, and she gratefully pulled the armchair to it and warmed herself. Rose knocked on the door. ''I'll help you get ready for bed, Miss Emily,'' she said eager to help.
''Thank you, Rose. You really are superb at your job. You have made me feel most at home here.'' I hope I don't speak out of turn, but are you happy here, in this position?''
Rose didn't know what to say. ''Well......Miss Emily I........'' She brushed Emily's hair with increased vigor and suddenly found the courage to speak. ''Honestly, no I am not happy here, but I am just a maid and where could I find other work? I don't want to go to a factory, and if I left, I am sure the Duke wouldn't give me a reference. He can be...........let's say awkward sometimes.''
Rose saw Emily to bed and closed the door behind her. The room was filled with the red glow of the fire's last burning embers as Emily began to think about the Duke. No sooner had her thoughts turned to him, there was a soft tap on the door. Emily sat up and listened. She heard it again. She got out of bed and opened the door slightly. It was the Duke.
''Miss Emily would you allow me to come in?''
She could smell port on his breath. “Please do,'' she said opening the door further.
He stepped inside, closed the door and grabbed her. ''Duke really, calm yourself. I am a defenseless lady. Please let us........''
''I want you. I have wanted you since the minute I saw you this evening. Emily, take me to your bed. Let me show you my desire.''
''Slowly, my Lord. Slowly. I am taken with you, and I do feel your desire for me. I am flattered, but I hope you appreciate, a lady needs time before she is fully able to give herself. Come and sit with me.''
The Duke was delighted to see Emily sit on the edge of the bed, not the armchair. Perhaps he still had a chance. Emily noticed his manhood straining against the material of his trousers. She smiled to herself.
''Now, my Lord, we will do this gently and at a pace, I am comfortable with. Do you agree?''
The Duke nodded.
''You may kiss me.''
He took her in his arms and kissed her. Emily felt his tongue trying to open her lips, but she managed to keep them tightly shut.
''Now, that was nice wasn't it?'' she asked him.
Again he nodded. He was racked with desire and couldn't speak. His member was harder than it had ever been and he wanted to plunge it into her, without delay.
Emily took his hand and placed it to her breast. He felt her nipples stiffen under the thin nightgown. ''My Lord, please forgive me. I am inexperienced in the ways of the bedroom. I have never had a man before.'' The Duke's breath quickened at the thought of taking this virginal beauty. ''I ask you to have patience with me. I will give myself entirely to you, in time. For the moment, I am comfortable letting you kiss me and touch certain parts of my body.''
The Duke listened in dismay. All he was going to get was a kiss and a feel of her breasts. It wasn't enough, but other than raping her, he concluded he had little choice but to wait.
Emily pushed him down so that he was lying on the bed. She lay next to him and propped herself up on one elbow. She kissed him. ''My Lord. Please be assured of my firm interest in you, but one thing is troubling me. One thing that may come between us and ruin any chance we have of happiness together.''
The Duke looked up at her. He had accepted that his sexual desire wasn't going to be quenched this evening. ''What on earth could possibly come between us?''
''A process of bidding,'' Emily said boldly. She looked at the Duke. She knew that look. It was the same guilty look she'd used when her mother had caught her using her pearls.
''How do you.....?
''My cousin heard you and the other two gentlemen talking about holding an auction for my hand.''
''Emily please, that was just......''
''I am flattered. Don't think me angry in any way. It is just that I am worried in the extreme that you will be outbid and that any chance of happiness I may have with you will be destroyed. I have a proposal to make.''
''Please go on,'' the Duke said.
''I understand the agreement is for five rounds of bidding. You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower than it is and you will win me, and we can follow our hearts at last.''
She kissed him again. This time longer and with her mouth slightly open. ''Any other outcome would break my heart,'' she said as her forefinger traced a path over his stomach and down to his belt.
''Oh, Miss Emily. You are so beautiful, and I desire you like I have no other woman on this earth. I will tell you, of course, I will.''
*****
''How many of the men have you met with?'' asked Beatrice, as she walked with her cousin over the freshly cut lawn at Priory Manor.
''So far, only the Duke,'' Emily replied.
''And what are you feelings for him?''
''He is the most objectionable man I have ever met. Do you know he evicted a tenant family when their daughter was ill with tuberculosis? He is conceited and arrogant. He has untold wealth, and I could become a Duchess, but he is quite intolerable.''
''Then there are just two,'' Beatrice added.
''I don't know. Mr. Carrington was adamant that his position made it impossible for us to meet. He has been disinherited and has no money. He rather charmingly told me that he wants the best for me, and as he can't offer it, he won't consider meeting with me. Of that, he left me in no doubt whatsoever.''
''Then you must make him fall in love with you. You must make him desire you, so much that he will do anything to have you. Only then will he give up his notion that he must have money to court you.''
''And how do I do that when he won't even see me.''
''I will attend to that. Don't worry.''
*****
''Come to my room when you are finished,'' Emily whispered. Masters looked at her and swallowed hard. Emily said goodnight to the guests, with whom she had shared a pleasant evening at the dinner table and left the room. Masters hadn't provided her with a maid. He wasn't as wealthy as the Duke, but he was wealthy enough to move in the circles Emily's mother found acceptable.
In her room, she took off her clothes and put on a nightdress. She arranged it in such a way that Masters would see her breasts. She'd enjoyed his company at the dinner table. He had proven amiable and witty. He had told the guests of his trips to the Far East. Emily had been mightily impressed by his recollections of the evening he'd fought off a tiger that had entered the camp he'd been staying in.
The bed was large and much more comfortable that the Queen Elizabeth bed she had slept in at the Duke's residence. Emily lay under the covers and waited for him. As she had anticipated, it wasn't long before he knocked on her door.
When she'd let him in, Emily stood before him, in her nightgown. She'd left the top few buttons undone, and Master's looked at her breasts. He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. She held onto him pulling him against her. She could feel his desire touching her hip through their clothing. She gasped as he threw her onto the bed. Her nightgown slid up as she fell, allowing him a glimpse of her silky legs.
He stood at the side of the bed and took off his waistcoat and shirt. Emily marveled at his muscular physique and let out a little scream when he pulled her up to him. He kissed her again. This time, she felt his tongue inside her mouth, prodding, searching. As they kissed, Masters took hold of her nightdress at the hem. He pulled it up over her buttocks. She lifted her arms and in one swift movement, she was naked.
He pushed her back down and began to unfasten his trousers. Emily looked at him, fascinated. When he slipped the material down over his legs, she gasped as his penis sprang out. It was the first time she'd seen an erect member. She began to feel warmth between her legs and realized she was now a woman with desires.
When he was naked, he got onto the bed and gently parted her legs. He lay between them and kissed her on the mouth. He lowered his mouth to her nipples and sucked. Emily let out an involuntary cry, and as she did so, he entered her. She cried out again, this time, louder. He felt her body stiffen, and her arms tighten around his back.
He remained inside her but didn't move until he felt her soften under him. When her breathing returned to something like normal, he began to move his hips. Emily felt his hardness filling her and she liked it. As he moved in and out of her, she felt it increasingly difficult to catch her breath.
Suddenly he stopped and pulled out of her. She grabbed him and tried to pull him back to her. She liked it and didn't want him to stop. She didn't realize he wanted to change positions. It took him several tries to get her to put her bottom in the air in just the right manner. On her hands and knees with him behind her, she felt open, vulnerable and quite uneasy. When he entered her again and began to thrust hard into her, her opinion of this position changed.
After fifteen minutes, Emily was exhausted. Masters had moved her at regular intervals and taken her in as many positions as he had in his repertoire. Back in the missionary position, Emily felt more comfortable, and she could again concentrate on the pleasure of their lovemaking.
As he pushed into her, she felt herself beginning to shake. Wave after wave of delight had started to flow from her wet center. Masters put his hands under her, raised her buttocks thrust into her harder. Now he was taking her like a man, and she loved it. He felt her nails dig into his arms as she pushed her pelvis up to meet him, her body willing him on. Her moans sped him forward, and she felt the muscles in his back begin to tighten. She realized he was at the peak, and the thought of him coming inside her pushed her over the edge. She rolled her eyes, arched her back and let out a low moan as she felt a jet of warm semen flowing into her.
Afterward, as they lay in each other’s arms, Emily began to cry. ''My love what on earth can be wrong? Did I hurt you?''
''No I liked it very much. It's just, I am afraid.''
''Why be afraid, I am here?''
''I am afraid I may lose you?''
''Dear Emily, please tell me why you would think that, especially after we have confirmed our need for one another, here in this bedchamber tonight.''
''I know about the auction you and the others are holding for the right to my hand. The thought you may not win is one that is too abominable to contemplate.''
He looked at her sheepishly. ''Emily I wasn't thinking correctly when we made that stupid agreement. I hardly knew you. Now I am mortified I had anything to do with it. If I could change it, I would but I made an agreement, and I am bound by it.''
''Of course, Dear, and I wouldn't want you to go back on it. You have your reputation to think of. I have a proposal if you may allow me?”
''Please, anything to get us out of this terrible predicament.''
''You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower that it is. You will win me, and we can follow our hearts at last.''
''That is a splendid solution,'' he said.
*****
''Dear Mr. Carrington, please accept my apologies for interrupting your day, but I have some urgent business to attend to concerning Miss Emily Ashington.''
''She isn't ill is she?'' he asked, a genuine look of worry on his face.
''No, but she is very concerned for her reputation.''
''Why would she be that? She has an excellent reputation; everyone thinks her divine.''
''The auction Mr. Carrington,'' Beatrice said, looking at him sternly.
''Oh,'' he replied, not quite knowing what to say.
''She knows about your scheme with the other two, and she is desperately worried that if it becomes common knowledge, her reputation will suffer. After all, I think you may understand if you give it some thought, that men, wagering money over a lady, is hardly good for her reputation. It is marginally akin to prostitution. ''
''Oh, what a terrible situation. It was a silly agreement. I hardly knew Miss Emily then. We were in high spirits, and it all happened so quickly. I don't know what I am able to do about it. I cannot change it now. A gentleman's agreement is final.''
''Of course, Sir. Miss Emily fully understands your predicament. It is just; she needs your assistance. Of the three, she is most drawn toward you. She does understand, however, that because of your circumstances, there could never be a liaison between you. However, your actions have caused a danger to her reputation, and I must ask you to make amends.''
''Amends? How may I do that?''
''By stepping out with her until the whole sordid business is finished. If society sees her courting with a single man in a steady, proper manner, it will be much less inclined to call her reputation into dispute should your sordid agreement become public. They will think it a rumor when they look at the two of you.''
''But I am pauper and no use to her at all.''
''It is not common knowledge that you are a pauper. Indeed, it is only in your honesty toward Miss Emily, that you have revealed it to anyone. Society thinks you are the well to do son of the Earl of Rochester. You must make amends for you actions and step out with her until you and the others have concluded your actions.''
*****
Emily removed her bonnet as the sun beat down on the two cousins. ''This garden is the nicest I have ever seen,'' Beatrice said. ''Your mother is the perfect gardener.''
''And you, my dear cousin, are the most perfect schemer?''
Beatrice looked at her with a humorous look on her face. ''Why Emily, how on earth could you think that?''
''Because I have noticed that Charles Carrington will visit me tomorrow. What on earth did you say to him.''
''He is a man of honor and I just called upon that honor. What of Mr. Masters? How did you find him?''
''Quite agreeable. In fact, he is handsome, witty and knowledgeable.''
''That is marvelous. Then you want him to win the auction?''
''I am not sure. He is let's say, a little too well versed in activities of the bedroom for my liking. I believe he has, in all probability, had a lot of women, and I am not certain I would ever be able to fully trust him to be faithful to me. Thus far, dear cousin, Mr. Carrington has made the best impression on me, and his circumstances won't allow us to be any more than friendly toward each other.''
*****
Charles looked at Emily as the maid placed the tea tray on the delicate table. He waited until she was finished and had left the room before he spoke.
''Miss Emily, how can you ever forgive me? Miss Beatrice told me you have knowledge of our silly wager and that you are desperately worried about your reputation.''
''Yes, Mr. Carrington, she was correct, I am apprehensive indeed.''
''Please call me Charles. Miss Beatrice rightly pointed out that such activities have a habit of becoming common knowledge. She also stated that should that happened, you would be protected if society believed you to be in a courtship of substance. I am prepared to make that pretense, to protect you. But I must tell you that my circumstances have not changed since the last time we met, and I cannot allow you and I to become any more than friends.''
''Charles, you have put my mind at ease. I have been desperately worried during the past few days. I cannot thank you enough for having the courage stand by me in this difficult time.''
''You do of course realize that I am unable to take part in this auction with any significant sums and that one of the other two will win? Are you prepared for that?''
''Yes entirely. Once a winner has been declared, I shall accept his advances in good faith. I must add Charles, that it is such a shame that you have no chance of winning.''
*****
''The river is remarkably high for this time of year,'' Emily pointed out.
''Yes, there has been so much rain recently. It is a delightful pathway we are walking. It is as if we have been whisked away to a planet of our own. It's so serene.''
''If we wanted to, we could walk all the way to York along it. I have never done so, I keep within an easy distance of home, but I do like to explore some of the smaller paths leading from it. But Charles, enough of paths. I want to know why your father saw fit to disinherit his only son. Tell me why.''
''It is a very private matter and one that I have not spoken of, to anyone but my mother.''
''Please forgive my intrusive nature, I really am intolerable sometimes.''
''I attacked my father in such an aggressive way, he was hospitalized for a short time,'' Charles blurted out.
Emily was shocked. ''You attacked your father? Why?''
''Because he is a scoundrel. He is continually unfaithful to my mother and one evening when she objected to his behavior, he beat her, brutally. When I saw her black eyes and busted lips, I was unable to control my anger.''
''What a horrible situation for you, my poor dear. I am quite shocked.'' She put her hand on his arm in a gesture of support, but he pulled it away from her.
''Emily, whatever you feel for me and, however, my situation came about, it is inappropriate for you and me to touch. You are compromised on two fronts. First by my stupidity in entering into this ridiculous auction and second by my financial situation. I am endangering you. As soon as the auction is finished, I will wish you well and leave your life forever.''
''Charles, stop walking and look at me.'' When he'd told her about the situation with his mother, Emily had stopped walking, hoping he would do the same. She'd wanted to comfort him, but he'd just carried on. ''Charles stop, damn you.''
He stopped. her harsh words ringing in his ears. When he turned to her, she could see more sorrow in his eyes, and it pained her greatly. ''You will not leave my life. I forbid it. I have never met a man like you. I don't care that you are the most handsome man I have ever seen. More important is that you are a man of principal and a man who cares passionately about people. Especially women. You will take those few steps back to me, take me in your arms and kiss me, this instant.''
''Oh Emily. I cannot do that. I vowed to myself that I would not touch you. You don't seem to understand. I have told you several times. I will repeat myself. I have no means to keep you. Do you want a life of poverty?''
''I don't care about money. It is you I want. If you will not love me, then I will never marry any man.''
''Then you will remain single. In the first months of our marriage, you would be happy, but as time went by, a life of poverty would eat away at that happiness. You don't know what you are asking me to do. You are asking me to take you down a path that will ultimately lead to misery, and I won't do that to you.''
''Mr. Carrington, you are quite the most frustrating man I believe it is possible to encounter. I know you are doing this for the right reasons. However, without you, what substance would my life have? I understand your point of view, but you must change it. I demand you do so.''
''I do not react kindly to ultimatums, Emily. You may follow me back to the house from where I will take my leave of you, or you may continue the walk alone. In either case, this is the very last time you will see me. I bid you farewell.”
*****
''Emily, please dry your tears. Here, take this,'' Beatrice passed her a handkerchief.
''Now tell me, what is so bad that you have held onto me and constantly cried for the last ten minutes?''
''Those three arrogant, cruel men.''
''What about them?''
''You know I want Charles, desperately?''
''Yes, I remember how upset you were when he left you. And if you want my opinion you should forget him.''
''I can't forget him. I am in love with him, and the worst of it is.......oh Beatrice.'' Emily began to sob again.
''Dear cousin, it pains me so much to see you like this. If Mr. Carrington has no means and refuses to be with you, what can you do? You have little choice but to accept it and carry on with your life.''
''To make matters worse. I have learned from the Duke that he is going to bid the sum of twenty thousand pounds for me, and I also know that Mr. Masters is unable to bid so much. I am going to be stuck with that arrogant, conceited man, and I can't stand the thought. The plans I had to manipulate the bidding in my favor have come to nothing. The Duke simply has too much money and has decided to outbid everyone regardless.''
''And what has Mr. Carrington been bidding.''
''A pittance. The other two have been laughing at him. But Beatrice, the man I love has no money and certainly not twenty thousand pounds. That is enough to keep a peasant family for a thousand years. I am trapped in a terrible situation.''
''No, you are not. You are an independent woman, and you are strong. Simply tell whoever wins the auction that you are not interested in courting them.''
''But how can I refuse the advances of a Duke. If I refuse, my mother and father will see me into a sanatorium.''
''No, they will not. You are being melodramatic now. Let the men have their fun and be done with them.'' Beatrice held Emily tightly and stroked her hair as Emily sobbed into her shoulder.
*****
''Cabby, can you travel any faster?''
''It's the fog, Sir. I don't want to run anyone over.''
''Well go as fast as you can. We have no time to spare.'' Charles looked at his friend James. ''Thank you so much for doing this. It is a favor I will never be able to repay.''
''Not at all Charles. You are a dear friend, and it is I who will never be able to repay you. You remember how you fought off that prefect at school? The one who wanted to give me twenty lashes. Well, if it hadn't been for you knocking him unconscious, I would still have the scars across my backside.''
''Now remember what I told you. Just knock on the door and enter, don't wait for him to open it. We need to catch him in the act. Clear?''
''Clear as crystal.''
''Here we are, Sir, number twenty-one,'' the cabby said, relieved his horse hadn't killed anyone in the pea soup fog that had enveloped London earlier that afternoon.
Charles got out and paid the cabby. He looked at number twenty-one. It was a large house with black railings. The front door was black with a large brass door knocker at its center. The curtains were closed, and Charles knew why.
He knocked on the door. Mrs. Pearson answered. She looked at the two young gentlemen and smiled. ''Good evening, gentlemen. Please come inside, out of the damp air.''
''We have come on urgent business,'' Charles said. ''We are members of staff of the Earl of Rochester. We urgently need to speak to him. It is a matter of state and a matter of the highest urgency.''
''Well, he can't be interrupted now, he is busy.''
''Madam, tell me where in this house we can find him or I will have your tongue cut out,'' Charles said violently. Mrs. Pearson didn't like the threatening look in his eyes and believed he was actually capable of performing such a terrible act on her.
''Room sixteen, first floor, second door on the left.''
The two men climbed the stairs as fast as they could. ''Here it is,'' Charles whispered. ''Now remember what we practiced?'' James nodded. ''Then go in and say your piece. I will wait here and at the right moment, I will come in'' Charles added.
James knocked on the door and opened it. Charles, standing next to the door so that he couldn't be seen, heard a man shout, ''What the hell......get out.......you........'' Then he heard James interrupt him.
''You are, I believe, the Ear of Rochester, the Minister for Family Affairs, are you not?''
''I am, and if you don't leave now, I will have you shot.''
James looked at the naked young lady lying next to him and threw her a dressing gown. ''Put this on and go downstairs,'' he told her. When she had gone, he looked at the Earl, who was still as naked as the day he arrived into the world.
''Sir, I am James Arbuthnot. I am a journalist at the Times Newspaper. It is my job to hold politicians to account. As you are more aware than I, there is an election looming, and you are standing for re-election as the Member of Parliament for Bramham. Your message to the electorate seems to be one based on moral principles. I would like to ask you, Sir, if visiting a house of ill repute and, excuse me for using this word, fucking prostitutes, constitutes the moral high ground on which you are seeking election?''
''What do you want?'' The Earl asked. The Earl was in his late fifties and had a full head of graying hair. He was typically aristocratic looking, tall and slender.
''Very perceptive of you Earl. Let me lay my cards on the table. I am a friend of your son, Charles. It is my belief that you have wronged him. You have disinherited him and condemned him to a life of misery while you, Sir, are the real wrong doer. So let me come to the point. Unless you reinstate your son as your heir, I will print a story in the Times, telling its readers, what I have witnessed here this evening. I doubt very much if, after that, you will be able to grace the House of Commons with your presence ever again. In fact, I wager you will be ruined.''
*****
''Charles,” Emily shrieked as he passed the butler and walked into the drawing room at Priory Manor.
''Calm yourself Emily and listen to what I have to say.'' Emily's was so excited to see him that she was unable to control her breathing. ''I have wronged you.....''
''Oh Charles please, not all that again,'' Emily interrupted. ''You have told me a thousand times, how you have wronged me and how your position won't allow you to court me. I know that, so please come to the point.''
''I love you.”
Emily sank back onto the sofa, her mouth open in disbelief. ''What?''
''I love you, and I have won the auction, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. That is if you'll have me, after all, I have put you through.''
As the tears rolled down Emily's face, she stood up and kissed him for the first time. It was a passionate lingering kiss that promised much for their future together. When their lips finally parted, Emily said,'' I have a thousand questions.''
''Then ask them,'' he said as he placed soft kisses on her neck.
''How on earth did you come into enough money to win the auction?''
''Blackmail, next question?''
''How did you know how much to bid to be certain of winning?''
''Beatrice told me it should be more than twenty thousand pounds. Next question?''
''The next question is indelicate.''
''Speak it, my dear.''
''Will you take me to bed?''
''And where are your parents?''
''In London, they will be back in three days.''
Emily and Charles stood in her bedroom and looked at one another for the slightest of moments before they flew at each other. It was their first sexual encounter, and they were in no mood to hold back. As their lips met, Charles reached behind Emily's back and began to undo the buttons on her dress. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, desperately wanting to feel his lips press into hers. She was searching for a release from the tension of the previous weeks, and his lips were her starting point.
She opened her mouth wider as his tongue invited her to. Emily felt a fire burning inside her as she took in his masculine scent. Her dress was open now, and Charles pushed it down to the floor, eagerly. When he stood before her without his shirt, Emily was able to see the magnificent physique she would have the pleasure of touching in all the years to come.
She ran her hands over his chest and let her thumbs drift lightly over his nipples. She leaned into him and placed seductive kisses onto his chest. They kissed more as Charles felt inside her undergarments eager to feel the weight of her breasts in his hands. As he fondled her, Emily sighed, feeling his strong hands holding her in a way she had never thought possible just minutes ago.
Charles was eager to see her naked, and she gasped as he ripped her petticoat from her. Buttons and clips flew over the floor as Emily's breasts were revealed to his sight for the first time. He bent down and took a nipple into his mouth, feeling it harden as he did so. She put her hand on the back of his head and encouraged him to suck her harder. He swooped to her other breast and did the same and Emily began to feel real heat rising from her sex.
She wanted him inside her, to feel him fill her with his desire and take her to a dangerous place. Emily's petticoat was hanging from her hips. She bent down, pulled it off her and pulled down her knickers. Naked, she pulled Charles to her. He felt her nipples, erect and hard, push into his chest as their tongues played with one another. He reached down and felt her buttocks, cool to his touch. He cheekily pulled them apart, and they laughed. His head was beginning to spin at the scent to her, and he wanted to lie with her. He maneuvered her to the bed and pushed her down onto it. He looked at her gorgeous curves and the soft curls at the place he wanted most.
Emily wasn't' going to lie passively as he undressed himself, she wanted to discover him. She knelt up in front of him and smiled as she slowly rubbed her hands over his imprisoned shaft. She felt it twitch. She loved this man, and she wanted him to know that she was desperate for him. His belt gave way, and her delicate fingers opened the buttons at his front. He moaned as she put her hand inside and found his manhood. Her hand stroked him fast, and he was worried that he would ejaculate. There was only one place he wanted to ejaculate and that was inside his beautiful lover. He moved her hand away and rid himself of his trousers and pants. He was dismayed when Emily took him in her hand and started to stroke again.
He had to stop her insatiable onslaught, or he would come in her hand. He placed his hands on her shoulders and shoved her back onto the bed. As he did so, her pelvis bounced back up at him. He took hold of her under her bottom, forced her legs open with his shoulder and placed his mouth on her most secret place. Emily came instantly. He saw her fists clench the sheets as she pushed her sex against his mouth. When he let go of her, she was shaking and on a plateau, she never wished to return from.
He wanted her now. He was done with playing. Now he was going to take his future wife, and he was going to show her how much he wanted her.
Emily was still shaking when he put his penis at her opening and eased himself into her. The feeling was indescribable, and she felt more intense waves rising within her. When he began to move inside her, she came again. He cried out as her nails raked down his back, finally sinking themselves into his taught buttocks.
When Emily whispered, ''faster my love,'' Charles felt himself losing control. He wanted to make it last, and he knew if he answered her wishes, he would soon come. He decided there would be many more times and gave her what she desired. He thrust into her faster pushing her up the bed, against the headboard. Emily felt him hit her clitoris with every down stroke, and when she felt his body begin to tighten, she looked him in the eyes and said, ''Now, give yourself to me.''
They came together in one wet wave.
Then Emily whispered, “And that was the bet of the season.”
*****
THE END