A Rake’s Revenge – A Regency Romance
''Andrew, I am sick and tired of your lies,'' Oscar Hammond said as his son listened to him for the umpteenth time. ''Your mother and I have discussed your behavior, and we have come to the conclusion that the constant stream of women, who seem to enter and leave your life with alarming regularity, is having a negative influence on your children's behavior.'' One of Oscar’s beloved Springer Spaniels jumped up and tried to sit on Andrew's lap.
The two gentlemen were sitting in Oscar's study in Thorpe Hall, which had been in the Hammond family for seven hundred years since King John had bestowed it on Angred Hammond for slaughtering a group of men who had robbed his mail coach.
Oscar, at sixty-three, was a man of considerable wealth. He owned three thousand acres and had more than two thousand tenants in various villages scattered around the area. Tall and gray haired, he was a solemn man totally devoid of humor.
His son, Andrew, was twenty-nine and the proud father of three children. Agnes, John, and Sarah. Nine, six and four respectively.
Oscar and his wife had tried for many years to have children, and when Andrew was born, they'd been thrilled that, at last, they had an heir to the family fortune. Femke Hammond, the third daughter of a Dutch aristocrat, had pleased her husband by having two more children, Maurice, and Jacqueline.
''Our family has a reputation, and you seem to be doing you best to destroy it,'' Oscar added.
I'm only trying to find a wife, you despicable man, Andrew thought. Georgina, his lovely wife, had died while giving birth to Sarah and her loss had utterly destroyed him. Left to bring up three young children he had been out of his depth. After two years, he'd decided to look for a new wife, but he'd found it impossible to find someone as beautiful and talented as Georgina. In his quest, he'd invited many women to his house, all of whom proved to be less than suitable. Unable to find a wife to match Georgina, the process had turned Andrew into something of a sexual predator, with little regard for women and their feelings. Now he'd abandoned all hope of finding a new bride and was playing the field unashamedly.
Andrew had no trouble in attracting women. Georgina had always worried that he was far too handsome and that he would be seduced by some wanton woman. He was tall and had dark brown hair. Women were attracted by his eyes, which were an unusual color of turquoise blue. They also loved his sense of humor and his gentle and relaxed nature.
''Father, I am looking for a wife, as I have told you on so many occasions. As I haven't found anyone suitable, my search will go on.'' Andrew sat back in the armchair and crossed his lean legs.
''If you carry on like this, I will disinherit you. You are a disgrace. How is the search for a new governess coming along?''
''I am interviewing candidates at the moment,'' Andrews replied.
''Indeed,'' Oscar said sarcastically. ''Is that what you call it. Well, you'd better find one and fast.''
Andrew got up and left the small study. As he walked down the corridor filled with paintings of his ancestors he bumped into a maid called Susan. As quick as a flash, he pulled her through the drawing room door and closed it behind him. ''Susan, when will you give yourself to me? I cannot wait to make love to you,'' he said taking her in his arms.
Susan liked Andrew and was perfectly willing to let him have his way with her. But she was terrified of Oscar and his wife finding out, and banishing her from the house with no reference. ''Mr. Andrew, you know I like you, give me some more time,'' she said as his hands wandered over her buttocks.
''Alright, but I want you very soon, don't forget.''
Andrew went on his way again down the long corridor and into the entrance hall where he put on his coat. It was April and still bitterly cold. The Hammonds had a tradition. The heir to the family fortune always lived in the Lodge. The Lodge was a smaller house than Thorpe Hall but nonetheless contained sixteen bedrooms. It was located at the other side of the garden. Andrew took the flagstone path, which was slippery after a shower, and looked up at the Lodge house. It was painted white with a navy blue front door, and white painted windows. There were two stone lions on either side of the front door, and the door-knocker was a brass eagle.
''Daddy,'' Sarah shouted as she toddled across the black and white tiled floor to meet her father.
He lifted her up. ''And what have you been up to while I have been talking to grandfather?''
''Playing with Benji.''
Benji was the family Golden Retriever, and Sarah had learned that if you threw a ball, he would run after it and bring it back time after time.
''Don't go tiring him out Sarah. Benji doesn't know when he should stop.''
''Where is Mrs. Patterson?'' he asked his youngest daughter.
''She's in the kitchen with Agnes and John.''
Andrew went into the large family kitchen and saw Agnes and John sitting at the pine table rolling dough. Mrs. Patterson, the cook and housekeeper, was patiently watching over them. She was in her mid-forties and married to the gardener, a huge man who after years of bending to remove weeds from the immaculate flower beds had developed a terrible stoop. She was a superb cook and not one of the family complained about anything she put in front of them. She looked like a cook, she was rotund and wore her hair up in a large bun.
''Mrs. Patterson, would you please prepare the guest bedroom, I have a visitor from tomorrow.''
Mrs. Patterson nodded. How many was that this year? she asked herself.
*****
Julia glanced at her parents grave and wiped away a tear. It had been two years since the accident and Julia had been to see them every day since. Her father had told the coach driver that he thought one of the horses was lame, but he hadn't listened and in excruciating pain the horse had tried to free itself. The coach was off the road and into a deep gorge. There were no survivors. As she always did, she kissed her hand and put it top the stone before she began the walk back to her Aunt’s house.
Aunt Isabella lived in a cute little manor house in the village of Tunberry, West Sussex. It was a typical English village. It had a green with a maypole, two inns, and a fourteenth-century church. It was the kind of place where everybody knew each other. When Julia arrived back at her aunt's, she walked up the garden path and entered the house via the front door. There was a smell of fresh bread and tea. She took off her coat and bonnet and hung them up. She was about to go into the kitchen when she heard her aunt talking. When she heard the other person, she cringed. It was Mrs. Mallinson, the village gossip.
''She's such a beautiful girl, it's quite perplexing,'' Mrs. Mallinson said.
''Julia is indeed a real beauty, but she has no ambition, no drive or enthusiasm. All she seems to do is hang around in the graveyard and read books.''
''But she wasn't like that as a child,'' Mrs. Mallinson observed. ''She was quite a character. I remember scolding her for stealing apples from my garden.''
''No, as a child she was outgoing, almost boisterous. I'm sure it has something to do with the loss of her parents. A shock like that is bound to drive someone back into their shell.''
''But she's been in her shell for a long time now. What are you going to do with her?''
Aunt Isabella picked up her tea and took a sip while she thought. ''She's very intelligent, so I suppose she could become a governess.'
''That's a splendid idea.'' Mrs. Mallinson said as she bit into a piece of hot bread and butter.
Julia tiptoed up the stairs and into her bedroom. The room had a low ceiling and a small fireplace. She slept in a single bed next to a crammed bookcase. She lay on her bed and thought about what her aunt and Mrs. Mallinson had been talking about. They were right, before the death of her parents she'd been outgoing. But back then she'd been happy, and now her heart was broken, and she didn't feel like doing much at all. In fact, it was all she could do to get out of bed in the morning. Her parents had made her feel loved and provided a protected environment for her to grow up in. Now all she had was her aunt, and Julia knew that her aunt didn't much like her.
After an hour, she heard her aunt shouting her name. She rose from the bed and looked in the mirror to fix her blonde hair.
''Julia, have you given any thought to your future?'' her aunt asked when they were having dinner. They didn't have any servants; Aunt Isabella didn't have the money, and if she had had, no servant would have lasted very long in her employ. She was a know-all and never satisfied with anything.
''Not really,'' Julia said as she stared into space.
''I am going to send you to a place called Thorpe Hall in Surrey. Mr. Andrew Hammond lives there and has been looking for a governess from some time. You will educate his three children.''
''If you wish,'' she said without giving the idea a moment's thought.
*****
When Andrew collected Julia from the railway station, Julia was pleased to see how handsome he was. She'd had nightmares about working for a very ugly man who would pester her for sex, but now she could lay that fear to rest. Julia was tall, slender, and blonde and Andrew, by now an expert, found the curves of her breasts and hips very appealing. She's here to educate the children, he reminded himself, as he put her bags into the trap.
''Jump up,'' he said. She sat down next to him, and Andrew touched the pony with the long whip. The black animal set off at a leisurely pace and Julia was relieved. Since her parents death in a coach, she was very fearful of anything pulled by a horse.
''Normally I send one of the footmen to pick people up from the station, but I wanted some fresh air today,'' he said as they left the town of Rotherford and entered the countryside.
''I am most grateful to you for collecting me,'' she replied.
''Your aunt told me you are eighteen and that you are an orphan. How did that happen?''
''An accident sir,''
''Please call me Mr. Andrew. Sir makes me feel so old. What kind of an accident?''
''My parents were traveling to London when their stagecoach left the road. They were killed.''
Andrew looked at her. He could see she was still grieving; he recognized the look on her face. For so long he had also worn the same expression. ''My wife died four years ago.''
''How awful,'' she said it as if she really meant it, unlike so many people Andrew knew. ''How did the children react?''
''John was just two, and my wife died having Sarah, so they were not affected, but Agnes was beside herself. She hasn't really been the same since.''
I know the feeling, Julia thought. Out of the town, Andrew gave the signal for the pony to increase the tempo. When it broke into a trot, Julia gasped and held onto Andrew's arm.
''Does speed scare you?'' Andrew said as the wind whistled past Julia's bonnet.
''Yes, Mr. Andrew it does. On account of the accident.''
''Of course, how careless of me,'' he slowed the horse down to a walk and felt Julia relax again.
“That's it there,'' he said after another twenty minutes. Julia looked across the field and saw two large houses, one very large indeed. ''The small one's ours. It's called the Lodge. The large house next to it is my father's house.''
Right in the middle of the countryside, I'm going to love it, Julia thought.
When Andrew turned between two giant sandstone pillars that formed part of the intricate gateway to the estate, Julia began to feel at home. She didn't know why, but the location gave her a feeling of serenity. The house had been built in the middle of the estate, and it was, therefore, a long way from the gate, and as they drove through the grounds, Julia looked across green fields full of sheep. It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky, and the place was looking its magnificent best.
After a few minutes, Julia saw it. Thorpe Hall. A large fifteenth-century house with leaded light windows and octagonal chimney pots. ''That's the Lodge,'' Andrew pointed. It was to the side of Thorpe Hall and looked small in comparison.
''A welcoming party,'' Andrew said as they were about to stop in front of the Lodge. Mrs. Patterson, Agnes, John and Sarah were just returning from their afternoon walk with Benji. Andrew jumped down and picked Sarah up who flung her arms around him. Agnes and John stayed with Mrs. Patterson and looked to their new governess through wide eyes.
''Mrs. Patterson, this is Julia Bradfield, the children's new governess.'' Mrs. Patterson shook Julia's hand. Far too young and inexperienced with children she thought as she looked at the fresh-faced young woman. ''Children, I want you to meet Miss Julia, she's going to teach you from now on.'' Sarah laughed, and the other two stood closer to Mrs. Patterson. ''Don't worry, they are always a little shy at first, they'll get used to you,'' Andrew commented trying to excuse his children's lack of manners. Benji came and sniffed around Julia's skirt and offered to cock a leg but thankfully refrained from doing so.
''Andrew, might I have a word with you?'' Oscar bellowed across the lawn.
''Excuse me, that's my father,'' Andrew told Julia. ''He's probably on the war path again.''
''Come inside and make yourself at home,'' Mrs. Patterson said. Julia followed her, carrying as many of her bags as she could. ''I'll just give the children something to do, and I'll show you to your room.'' Julia nodded and watched as Mrs. Patterson sat the children at the kitchen table and put some dough in front of them. The children seemed to spend hours kneading and rolling dough. Julie thought it a rather mundane activity but any help Mrs. Patterson could get in a busy household she would take.
''This is your room,'' she said when they reached the end of the landing. She opened the door and walked inside. Julia's expression lit up when she saw it. It was a large room and full of daylight. She hated dark rooms and had been a little nervous at the prospect of being forced to live in a tiny north facing room. But this was perfect. There was a chest of drawers, a writing table and a washstand with a blue and white jug and bowl. The bed was covered with a white eiderdown, and Julia couldn't wait to try it out. ''It's very nice Mrs. Patterson, thank you.''
Mrs. Patterson left and told Julia that she should be downstairs at six for dinner. The family all ate together; Andrew thought it important to have a family meal, unlike in many households, where a children's dinner preceded an adults dinner. The first thing Julia did was open her vanity case and place perfume bottles and soap next to the wash stand. As she was doing so, she heard shouting. Loud, aggressive shouting. She went to the window and looked out across the garden. She saw Oscar, with his two Spaniels on leads, and Andrew standing in front of the greenhouse bellowing at each other. What they were shouting was quite audible.
''Another of your loose women. I've had enough now Andrew. When will you learn? Inviting women here unaccompanied is highly irregular and breaks all the social codes.''
''She's from a good family, she's not a loose woman. She's coming because I want to get to know her better or would you rather your grandchildren were brought up without a mother?''
''That's not the point. I can't count how many women you have brought into your house over the past few months. It's obscene. You can't tell me each one of them was a potential wife. No, you're a philanderer of the highest order.''
''And you are a useless unfeeling father, who doesn't' understand how hard it has been for me since I lost Georgina.''
Julia darted from view as Andrew looked across at the house. Are they talking about me? No, Andrew had referred to someone who was coming, not someone who had already arrived. She was relieved; she'd only been at the house for a few minutes, and she didn't want to the subject of controversy.
The dining room was a long room with two windows which looked out over the garden. It was at the end of the house and Julia thought that her bedroom was above it. The children looked much cleaner than they had after their walk, and surprisingly each of them said hello when Julia entered the room. Andrew was sitting at the head of the table with a scowl on his face, and a half drunk bottle of wine. When he saw Julia he stood up, and showed her to her chair. She sat opposite the children on the long side of the table; Andrew was sitting at the end. Upon further inspection, Andrew was very handsome indeed, but it wasn't only his looks that attracted Julia. He was mysterious, on the one hand, a family man, and on the other hand, if his father was to be believed, a womanizer.
''Will you stay and keep me company a while, it would be nice to talk and get to know you a little better,'' Andrew asked after the children had gone to bed. ''I'll just go and say goodnight, and perhaps we can have some tea.'' Julia nodded. He really was quite dashing, and she felt herself blushing when he looked at her.
When he returned, he suggested they go into the drawing room. Larger than the dining room, it had two comfortable sofas arranged at right angles to the fireplace and a large easy chair between them. It was a cool April evening, and Mrs. Patterson had laid the fire but not lit it. Andrew put a match to it and leaned with one arm on the mantelpiece until the flames took hold and the wood began to crackle. Mrs. Patterson arrived with some tea and Andrew poured.
''Tell me about yourself,'' he said as he sat down opposite her.
''I'm afraid there isn't much to tell.''
When he looked at her, he saw a beautiful young woman who seemed painfully shy and quiet. ''Well where did you live with your parents before you went to be with your aunt?''
''We lived in a manor house in a small village called Tunberry, in West Sussex.''
''And what did your father do?''
''He was an architect.''
''And where did you go to school.''
''In Tunberry.''
Her short answers were beginning to annoy him. How could he have a conversation with her like this?
''You are very to the point,”
''Mr. Andrew, please forgive me but even though I say it myself, I am a very shy, private person. I am not used to conversing.''
''Yes, I can see. Losing your parents won't have helped I suppose.'' Ready to be ravished Andrew told himself. She's so shy it will be easy. He imagined how it would be with Julia. How she would look, naked. She was beautiful, and he could see she had a lovely figure, he cast his eyes over her breasts and down over her long legs which he could see outlined inside her dress. He would enjoy the seduction of this tiny flower, he was sure.
''Yes, it was horrible,'' Julia said, referring to the death of her parents.
''Quite so,'' he nodded and sipped his tea. ''My parents are barking mad.'' He paused and stared into the fire. ''My mother is Dutch and as arrogant as they come and my father only has eyes for his two dogs. I'm sure he loves them more than he loves my mother.''
''I like dogs too,'' she offered.
''Yes, very faithful creatures. Unlike humans. The only faithful person I have ever known was my wife, my late wife, Georgina.''
''Do you miss her terribly?'' Julia asked.
Andrew was surprised Julia had asked a question.''Yes, I miss her terribly. In the beginning, I thought about ending my life. I wanted to be where she was. I couldn't bear to be here without her. But for the beautiful children she gave me, I may well have joined her.''
Julia put her hand to her mouth. She too had had such thoughts. She'd wondered why she was alive when it was so painful to be so. But over time, it had become a little easier. ''Yes, I understand.''
''Tomorrow, I will show you where you will teach the children and go through the do's and don'ts with you. They are good children, but lacking in discipline.'' Again he stared at the fire. ''I see their mother in them every day, and I can't bear to be cross with them.''
''I understand,'' Julia uttered.
''Then in the afternoon, you will meet Miss Sharpe. She's a lady from the same area as you. She and I have struck up a friendship, and I would like her to meet the children.''
She won't be good enough for you, though. You are a beautiful man, and despite your failings and womanizing, I can see you are a lost soul. You're a ship floundering close to the rocks searching for a way out. ''That will be nice.''
*****
''I want you to listen to me,'' Andrew told the children. They were sitting together, behind a mahogany table in what used to be a conservatory, at the back of the house which Andrew had turned it into a makeshift classroom. Built of glass it was west facing and got the afternoon sunshine, which made it light and pleasant to work in. ''You must be good for Miss Julia. She has very kindly agreed to educate you. Education is very important, and I want you to pay careful attention to what she tells you.''
They nodded, and Andrew gestured to Julia to take over. When he'd left the room, the children began to throw pencils at each other. Sarah began to cry when a pencil John had thrown at her with particular malice, hit her just below the eye.
''Stop,'' Julia shouted. She banged her hand on the table and stared at them. ''You will stop this ridiculous behavior now and sit quietly until I speak to you.'' The children jumped and sat bolt upright. They had never been spoken to in such a strict tone. After an hour, Julia had the children eating out of her hand. They listened to her and did as she asked. She set Agnes some mathematical problems to solve, John, some letters of the alphabet to learn and Sarah was asked to draw a picture of granddad's dogs.
Andrew had asked Julia to teach the children in the morning and take them for a walk in the afternoon. It would relieve Mrs. Patterson, he'd said. So after lunch, they put on their coats and set off over the lawn and into a field which the children told her led to a river. Benji bounded along next to them.
When they returned, Julia saw a large coach with four splendid Frisian horses standing in front of the Lodge. The driver and his assistant were standing next to the horses drinking a cup of tea. Julia nodded to the two men. Miss Sharpe was obviously not lacking in funds by the look of her transport, Julia noted.
''Julia come and meet Miss Sharpe,'' Andrew said as soon as she came inside. Julia walked into the drawing room and stared at a red haired woman who was somewhere in her thirties.
''It's a pleasure,'' Julia said as she shook Miss Sharpe's hand.
''Good Heavens, you're rather young to be a governess aren't you,'' she blurted. She was not fat but adequately proportioned, and as she spoke, Julia saw she had a slight double chin. Julia didn't answer, she turned and left the room.
''She's an odd one,'' Miss Sharpe said. Julia heard her.
''Odd? No, I don't think so. I think she's shy, but she's had a terrible time in the last few years.''
''Well, she looks odd to me. She's got shifty eyes.''
If that's the kind of woman he's been bringing to the house, no wonder his father was so angry. What a detestable woman, no manners whatsoever. But Julia had liked what Andrew had said about her.
Julia heard the horses hooves crunching the gravel outside, and looked out of the window as Miss Sharpe's coach left. Unfortunately, Miss Sharpe wasn't in it. She'd made herself comfortable with a glass of wine in the drawing room before dinner. Because Miss Sharpe was staying, Andrew had asked Julia to have dinner with the children as he wanted the dining room to himself.
Julia woke up to the sound of a woman screaming. She jumped out of bed and went to the door. She put her ear to it, and when she didn't hear anything, she opened it and listened. There it was again, and it was coming from the room next to her. Very gently, she tiptoed to the door behind which all the commotion was coming from, and dropped to her knees. The keyhole was obligingly large, and she got a fantastic view of what was happening. Miss Sharpe was sitting naked on top of Andrew, riding him like a horse. Andrew's face was hidden from view by a pillow, but Julia saw all of Miss Sharpe, and it was not a pleasing sight. Again Miss Sharpe screamed as she thrust her hips at speed back and forth over him. Julia guessed that it was supposed to be a scream of delight, but it wasn't delightful at all. It was a horrible, blood-curdling scream that made Julia nauseous. She quickly returned to her room and covered her ears. Julia hoped for a quick cessation, but the screams continued for some considerable time. Eventually, she fell asleep only to be woken at some ridiculously early hour by the sound of Andrew slamming the front door and Miss Sharpe swearing at him.
*****
The next morning, the children were very excitable. When Julia asked them why they told her that Aunt Jacqueline was coming to lunch. When they heard her arrive, the children jumped up and ran to the door, where they made a terrific fuss of her. Julia stood in the doorway which led from the conservatory to the hallway and watched.
Jacqueline was twenty-seven and the most beautiful woman Julia had ever seen. She had black hair and perfect skin, not a single blemish. Her nose was dainty and her eyes wide and alluring. ''You must be Julia,'' she said stepping forward. Andrew has told me how much the children respect you.''
''It's nice to meet you,'' Julia replied. ''Yes, I get on well with the children.''
''Where's daddy?'' Jacqueline asked the children, but they all shrugged their shoulders. ''Ah well, let's go and sit down. I'm sure lunch will be ready soon.''
''Julia, where are you from?'' Jacqueline asked when they were sitting in the dining room waiting for lunch to be served.
''Sussex.''
''Beautiful. Well, I'm really pleased you're here. You know my brother has suffered greatly, and I'm pleased he has managed to find someone to take care of the children's education.''
Julia nodded without saying anything.
''He's terrible you know. He can't keep his hands to himself these days.'' She made a gesture mimicking a man grasping a pair of female breasts. ''To think he was so happily married, now look at him. Woman after woman, and not one of them the marrying kind. Lord knows where he digs them up from.'' Julia nodded again. ''Just make sure he doesn't go seducing you,'' Jacqueline added.
''Why does he do it?'' Julia asked. The fact she had finally spoken shocked Jacqueline.
''Do what?''
''Sleep with so many women?''
''Heavens, that's a good question,'' She rested her elbow on the table and stared out of the window. ''He's trying to replace Georgina, but it's impossible, and I think now he's lost his way. It's turned him into a serial womanizer.''
''Not you as well,'' Andrew shouted as he slammed the door shut. The children sat bolt upright and were suddenly very quiet; they'd never seen their father in such a temper. ''He's finally gone mad,'' he shouted as he slumped into his chair.
''Who? What?'' Jacqueline asked.
''Father. He's told me he's going to give the estate to Maurice and that we have to leave the Lodge.'' The two eldest children gasped, and Sarah began to cry. Julia took her onto her lap and comforted her. ''It's all to do with Miss Sharpe. She made such a racket last evening that father has decided to kick us out.''
''But Andrew, it's been going on for months. You have far too many......visitors,'' she was going to say lovers but changed her mind when she looked at the frightened faces in front of her.
The rest of the lunch was eaten in silence. When they finished, Julia took the children for their usual walk. She was glad of the fresh air, there was a terrible atmosphere in the house, and Andrew was in a very bitter mood. She saw a young woman coming the other way, she was carrying a basket, and she had a dog with her. Benji and the other dog started to play, making both women stop and watch.
''It's a lovely day,'' the other woman said.
''Yes.''
''I'm Mrs. Patterson's daughter, Rose. I'm taking some milk to her.''
She was like her mother. Round and plain, but Julia noticed she had a kind face. ''Your mother works very hard to keep us all fed,'' Julia said.
''She loves working at the Lodge, but she's very worried about Mr. Andrew. He can't stop entertaining....well.......you know.'' She sank her head to one side and allowed her eyes to roll in an 'If you know what I mean,' gesture.
''Yes. Well, it was nice to meet you, come on children.''
*****
That evening, Andrew asked Julia to stay and talk to him in the drawing room. This time, he needed something stronger than tea. He poured himself a brandy and gave Julia a glass of sherry. She took a sip and felt it warm the back of her throat. She'd only ever drunk alcohol once before, at her parents funeral. The vicar had given her a large glass of wine to calm her, but it had made her feel giddy.
''Miss Sharpe has left, she was not what I was looking for in a wife,'' Andrew said frankly.
No, she was fat and ignorant, Julia wanted to say. ''I understand.''
''You are very pretty Julia. You are in fact very beautiful indeed. More beautiful than anyone I have seen since my wife died. Would you allow me to sit next to you?'' When Julia agreed, he sat next to her and took her hand. Julia's heart began to race. What was he doing? Was it her turn now? Of course, if he wanted her she would say yes.
''I want you Julia, you've been driving me wild since you came to the Lodge. I want to take you up to my room and make love to you.''
''Of course, Mr. Andrew if you want me, I will be yours.''
Andrew was expecting more of a fight. She'd agreed far too easily, and he was suddenly deflated. He'd wanted her to struggle and make him work for his conquest. By simply agreeing, she'd taken all the excitement out of it. He would go ahead with it anyway, he thought. She was extremely attractive, and he knew when he saw her naked, he would become excited. And he did. Upstairs with her clothes off Julia looked stunning.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her hair flowed over her breasts, hiding them from view. Her thighs were perfectly round and the way her hips cradled her secret place made his penis harder than any woman since his wife. He stepped to her and pushed her hair from her breasts. When he put his hands onto them, she jerked her pelvis forward towards him. She had never seen a male without clothes before, and when Andrew was naked, her eyes wouldn't leave his manhood. She was fascinated by it. He noticed her lick her lips. She was ready he thought. He took her hand and placed it onto his shaft. She looked at him, almost seeking approval. She didn't move her hand at all; she just held him. He showed her by taking her hand and rubbing it up and down, and then he took her other hand, and put it onto his balls. The ease with which she had capitulated had turned him off, but now her innocence was driving him wild. After he'd let her play with him for a while, he noticed that her face was flushed. Carefully, he reached to her and put his hand between her legs. When she opened to him, he could feel that she was ready.
''Lie down,'' he said. ''I'm going to make love to you. I will be gentle with you.'' She knew what he was; she'd seen him with her own eyes lying under that terrible woman, but she trusted him. When he pushed her legs apart and lowered his body to her, she closed her eyes and waited. What she felt next, was unlike anything she'd felt before. As he pushed his penis into her, she felt it parting her, sending tiny waves of pleasure through her. When he pulled back, she thought he was going to pull out of her, and she didn't want that, she pulled his buttocks to her, urging him to push himself all the way back in.
Under him, with his shaft inside her, she looked different. More relaxed, more beautiful. The women he had made love to before had been a desperate bunch. Most had been women so ugly they had been incapable of finding a husband. Most times, he'd only managed to get hard by drinking a lot of wine before the deed. On the odd occasion, one had been pretty enough to excite him, it was her personality that had let her down. He knew Julia's beauty would turn him on for the rest of this life if he wanted her, but he wasn't sure about her personality. She was quiet and shy and having a conversation with her seemed difficult. Perhaps she would mature, but he didn't feel like spending the rest of his life without some kind of mental stimulation.
As his thrusts increased in intensity so did Julia's gasps. She'd started off with a rigid body, her hands flat on the bed. But now she was an active participant. She even had her arms around his neck. Without warning, Julia cried out. It came from nowhere, a huge wave of muscle wrenching pleasure. Her back arched, and he grunted as her womanhood contracted around him. Two seconds more and her first ever orgasm rolled over her. The sight of her shaking beneath him and the tightness of her vagina around his shaft was too much. He'd wanted to last longer, prolong the pleasure, but it was impossible. She excited him far too much. Julia yelped and hugged him to her when she felt his semen flowing into her.
*****
Andrew's father hand given his son three months to leave the house. Oscar and Andrew weren't speaking. Not even Jacqueline's best effort could convince them to sit around the table and talk. ''I've had enough of him and his philandering,'' Oscar had bellowed when she'd approached the subject. Andrew had explained to her that he would never speak to his father again. In the end, Jacqueline had given up and decided to keep out of it.
Five weeks had gone past since Andrew had received his notice to leave, and he was frantically trying to find a place for his family to live. It wasn't easy, nowhere was as child-friendly as the Lodge. Additionally, Andrew was going to be poorer. Mrs. Patterson had cried when Andrew told her that he would have to let her go.
On the third of May, Julia got up and went to teach the children as usual. She was teaching John the names of farm animals when the sight of a sheep made her feel quite ill. She gasped for air and turned the page, but a pig made her feel no better. She ran to the lavatory and emptied the contents of her stomach. This happened every day for a week before Mrs. Patterson noticed.
''You're pregnant,'' she said. ''Have you missed a period?'' Julia nodded and the expression on Mrs. Patterson's face said it all. Julia was beside herself. She hadn't given any thought to becoming pregnant when she'd slept with Andrew. Not for a single second had she stopped to think of the consequences, but now she was fully aware.
In the evening, Julia lay on her bed and thought about her situation. She scolded herself for having been so lethargic since her parents died. Now she was going to be a mother. She had to change her attitude and accept some responsibility for her actions. What would Andrew say? What would he do? Probably send her away with some money, she thought. But she didn't want to go away from him. He was a lovely man, and she loved him, despite his flaws. She promised herself she would fight for him, make him see her for what she was, a confident young woman with his best interests at heart.
That evening Andrew asked her to have dinner with him alone. It was the perfect opportunity to tell him, but she didn't. She would wait.
''Have you found anywhere to live yet?'' she asked him.
Surprised that she'd started the conversation, he thought for a moment. ''No I haven't, but I'm working on it.''
''And what do the children think about having to move?''
''They are upset, of course.''
''Yes they are. Each of them has told me that they are upset. They love this place. Why don't you apologize to your father? Smooth things over with him.''
She'd never spoken to him like this. Not once had she even asked him a question, let alone made a suggestion. ''It's too late for that.''
''But it's so silly.''
When he looked at her, there was a maturity about her that he hadn't noticed before. Something was different about her. She was beautiful but in this mood she was unbelievably attractive. ''I agree. It is silly. I should be able to have who I want to stay, and when I want.''
''Andrew, you may think it rude of me to comment, but according to some of the people around you, you are lost.''
''Lost, lost where?''
''Between finding a replacement for Georgina and bedding any woman who is willing.'' Her heart was beating faster, but now she was going to give her opinion, come what may. ''It's not good for the children, your father is right. You woke me up the other evening. That awful woman was screaming so loudly.'' She glanced at him to make sure he wasn't boiling with anger. ''Then you were outside in the very early morning arguing with her. Really, Andrew, you are lost. One thing I want to say before you have your turn, though, I think your father is being mean, sending you away from here. He seems to have little understanding of how you feel and of what it's doing to the children.''
Andrew didn't say anything; he was impressed that she'd spoken to him in this way. Just what he needed. His thoughts turned to Georgina and how she would have spoken to him if she'd been in Julia's place. In just the same way, he concluded.
*****
Rose Patterson lived in a small house three doors down from her mother. It wasn't a long walk from the Lodge, and Julia had found the way easily. She'd told Mrs. Patterson that she'd met her daughter and that she would like to visit her. Mrs. Patterson had explained how to get there, and Julia had paid careful attention.
''And?'' Mrs. Patterson had said before Julia left on her walk.
''And what, Mrs. Patterson?''
''Have you told him yet?''
''No, but I will very soon.''
Rose's house was small and looked as if it had been wedged between two large houses as an afterthought. It had a thatched roof and smoke rising gently from the chimney. Julia knocked and waited.
''Rose, sorry to bother you. Do you remember me, we met on a walk the other day?''
''Ah, yes,'' Roses' eyes lit up. ''I do. Come in please.''
Inside it was cluttered buy clean. There were only two rooms downstairs. The kitchen was straight ahead and the sitting room off to the right.
''Please sit down. Tea?''
The walk had made Julia thirsty; she nodded. ''Thank you, that would be lovely.''
Rose brought a try with a plain white teapot and two cups. ''So Miss what can I do for you?''
''It's a delicate matter. I need your help.''
Rose liked it when she could help people. She was by nature a giver. Unfortunately, she'd never been asked by a man to give herself, but she remained hopeful. ''Anything, just ask.''
''You have a dog do you not?''
''Yes, Charlie. He's out in the garden at the moment.''
''I need you to look after some dogs. You must not tell anybody, and nobody must see you with them. Just for few days. I'll bring them to you.''
''Do you have dogs then?'' Rose wanted to know.
''No, they aren't my dogs. Don't ask me anymore because I cannot tell you. All I can tell you is that by looking after them, you will be helping a good many people out of a miserable situation.''
''Of course. Just bring them to me when you are ready.''
''But please remember, tell nobody and don't let anybody see you with them. Especially your mother.''
Rose nodded, enjoying the mystery.
*****
Julia had paid very careful attention over the previous two weeks. She'd watched from her bedroom window each evening as Oscar put his two Spaniels, Dragoon, and Oliver into their kennel. She'd seen where he left the leads, and where he'd hung the key to the lock that fastened the wire mesh door. In the middle of the night, she crept out of the house and across the lawn. The dogs were more interested in the meat she was carrying than barking at her. She unlocked the door and put the key back. She took the leads and tied the dogs to them. Closing the door behind her, she set off to Rose's house. Luckily it was a moonlit night, and Julia was able to see well. Rose was surprised to see Julia in the middle of the night but took the dogs into her house and promised she would keep quiet about it.
*****
''Andrew,'' Oscar shouted at the top of his voice. ''Andrew.'' Andrew fastened his dressing gown and answered the door. ''Have you seen the dogs,'' Oscar said his face flushed with anxiety.
''No, I haven't. Father, it's only six thirty.''
''But I always take them for a walk at this time. They aren't in their kennel.''
''Well maybe you didn't shut the door properly.''
''Of course, I did. I lock it every evening without fail. Oh, where can they be?''
''I have no idea. I'm sure they'll return when they're hungry.
At ten o'clock the police arrived at Thorpe Hall. Oscar had called them and asked them to investigate the theft of his dogs. But the constable and sergeant having looked at the kennel concluded that Oscar had simply forgotten to lock the door.
Oscar put up 'LOST' notices in all the villages around the area, on every lamppost and church notice board. He also told everyone he saw to let him know if they saw a stray Spaniel. He went their favorite walk five times a day hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
''Miss Julia, I am at my whits end. I have no idea where they can be,'' he said when he met her walking across the lawn. 'It's heartbreaking.''
After five days, Julia couldn't bear to see Oscar in such a state, and she decided to put him out of his misery. She went to Rose's and took the dogs. On the way home, she let them off the lead. They ran around sniffing and chasing rabbits but stayed with her. As she approached Thorpe Hall, Oscar was in the garden about to set off on one of his search missions. When he saw Julia arrive with the two dogs, he ran toward them. Happy to see their master after five days in a shed, they danced around him and jumped up at him. When Julia looked at him, he had tears of joy in his eyes.
''Thank you, Julia. Thank you so much,'' he gushed. ''Where on earth were they?''
''I have no idea, they seemed to find me when I went for a walk this afternoon. It's most strange, but they're back now.''
''Well please come to dinner this evening, I want to thank you.''
*****
Andrew asked Helen to sit with him again that evening but she told him she was going to Oscar's for dinner. Andrew was quite put out but realized it would have been difficult for her to say no under the circumstances.
Oscar and Femke welcomed Julia to their home as a hero. Femke was sixty-four, tall and elegantly dressed in an evening gown. Julia had also dressed for the occasion. ''You look very beautiful,'' Oscar said, his wife agreed. He gave her a glass of champagne and made a toast, ''to Julia and the dogs.''
''Do you mind if I ask you a question?'' Julia asked Oscar at dinner.
''No, please do.''
''How did you feel when you discovered that the dogs had escaped.''
''Terrible, it was one of the worst moments in my life.''
''And what did you do to find them?''
''Too many things to mention, really. I went to every village, put up notices, spoke of it to anyone I met and walked several times each day shouting their names.''
''And how did you feel when you saw them again?''
''It was a magnificent moment. Apart from the day, I married Femke, the best day of my life.''
''Please excuse me for being blunt now.'' Oscar and his wife looked at each other. ''Before your dogs disappeared, you didn't know what it was like to lose something so precious to you that it hurts. No hurt is the wrong word, kills you is better. How painful it can be. And in your case we are only talking about dogs. Think how your son feels? He has lost a wife that was a thousand times more precious to him than any dog could ever be.'' Femke looked at Oscar and nodded in recognition of what Julia was saying. ''I implore you, please think of that, and try to understand Andrew's behavior over the last few months, was born out of nothing other than a real longing to have back what he lost, namely his beloved wife.''
*****
Andrew came back into the house with a grin on his face. ''Father has apologized to me, unreservedly. He told me he had no idea how hard it's been for me, and that he can now understand why I have been so lost.'' He looked at Julia, who was grinning and smiled. ''It was you wasn't it? It was you who made him see it.''
''Of course not. Your father came to that conclusion himself.''
''I don't believe you. Julia, I......''
''No, Andrew, me first. I have something important to tell you. I'm pregnant.''
Andrew wasn't upset or shocked; he was delighted. ''I was hoping that's what you were going to say.'' He took her into his arms. ''Julia please stay here, with me and the children and our child. I have fallen in love with you.''
''I would like that very much. I'm in love with you too.''
As they kissed, the children ran into the room.
****
THE END