Taming Maria, page 19
More soap was needed to make it silky smooth. She applied the scented bar to her slit, moving her hips against it, the water sloshing slightly, a moan escaping her lips at the spasm of pleasure that made her ache. Consumed with perfect delight she closed her eyes and became one with her sturdy little organ that always provided her with immense satisfaction whether she was with a man, a woman or alone.
'Ah,' she sighed, so close to orgasm that she held off for a moment, wanting the feeling to die back so that she might have the pleasure of bringing it on again. She guessed Kitty was watching with a hand up under her skirt, frigging her love-bud. This image heated Arabella's blood so much that she had to take her finger away, lest she come.
A knock on the boudoir door roused her from her sensual musings and she heard Kitty leave the bathroom and answer it. This was followed by the murmur of voices, Kitty's and a man's, and then the maid returned, saying, 'There's a Mr Robin Claremont wishing to see Lady Maria. He claims to be a friend of Lady Jane Dunn.'
Arabella opened her eyes. They sparkled with mischief. 'Does he, indeed? What sort of person is he, Kitty? Young, old, ugly or personable?'
Kitty pulled a thoughtful face. 'Mid-twenties, I could say, milady. Tall, with brown hair and eyes and most pleasant features. But the thing is, he's a cleric, or so he said.'
Arabella stood up, the water cascading over her voluptuous curves. 'Indeed. A person of principle, no doubt. Ask him to step inside. I can resist anything but temptation, Kitty, and a man of the cloth is a challenge.'
Robin waited in an elaborately draped, very feminine room. It was redolent of perfume, face-paints, hair pomade, and woman. He remained standing, nervously turning his hat round and round in his hands. The maid who had let him in was pert, pink-cheeked and confident. She had made him feel inadequate, and done nothing to raise his confidence in the outcome of his mission. Only love for Jane buoyed him up and kept him going during the journey by stagecoach from Bath to Dorset, and the sojourn in a tavern at Parnham Combe, where he had hired a horse to ride to Raven Towers.
The supercilious butler had looked down his nose and told him that Lady Maria and Viscount Strafford were out, but that Lady Arabella would see him. He had been conducted up the grand staircase by a uniformed flunky.
The very last thing he had expected was for this beautiful woman to sweep through from the bathroom wearing nothing but a white towel. Utterly confused, he bowed, 'Your ladyship.' He kept his eyes anywhere but on her person. Sirens from the Scriptures sashayed in front of his mind's eye - The Queen of Sheba - Delilah - Jezebel!
His cock responded to these images. It was embarrassing and he held his hat before him. Arabella gave him a radiant smile, and held out her hand for him to kiss. 'I apologise for being dishabille,' she said with a winsome smile, her voice low and mellifluous. 'I was taking a bath.'
Robin could feel his cheeks burning. He had never been in such intimate surroundings with a woman before. 'It is I who must ask your pardon for disturbing you at your ablutions.'
She disposed herself on a rose-pink brocade daybed, hair loosened about her bare shoulder, the towel slipping and displaying more of her than was perhaps seemly. But her manner was so casual and she gave the impression of being perfectly at ease, that when she suggested he sit by her, it sounded like the most natural thing in the world.
'Now then, Mr Claremont, and why are you here?' she asked, signalling to Kitty, who brought forward two glasses of sherry.
'I have a message for Lady Maria, from her friend, Lady Jane.' This was true enough, but when Robin thought of the contents of the letter his uneasiness increased. No doubt Lady Arabella would be as shocked as Jane's mother by his temerity in asking her to marry him.
'I haven't seen her this morning, but understand she has gone riding with her guardian. You can leave the letter with me,' Arabella suggested, and the tip of her pink tongue crept out to lick the sherry from her lips.
Robin's discomfort increased. This was the first time he had entered the bower of a highborn, fashionable lady, the glimpse of creamy skin and the honey-sweet tone of her voice seducing him from his purpose. He loved Jane with all his heart, but this was a situation the like of which he had never experienced and was totally unprepared.
'Thank you, my lady. You are very kind. Lady Jane will be so pleased,' he stammered. 'But she did charge me to place it in her hands myself.'
'Oh dear, don't you trust me?' Arabella's eyes widened and her lips pouted.
'Of course! I am just doing as Lady Jane instructed,' he replied, his colour heightening even more.
'Your loyalty is very commendable,' she said, leaning against his shoulder, the towel slipping lower, almost baring one nipple. Robin found it impossible to avert his eyes. She touched the side of his cheek. 'Why are you staring at me?'
'I'm sorry, my lady, but you are so beautiful, like a Greek statue... Aphrodite, perhaps.'
'Flatterer! My word, you should be at Court, your talents are wasted on the church. I grow weary of the beaux who spend so much time on their appearances that they forget the ladies they are trying to impress.'
'I have already given my life to God,' he answered seriously. 'But I would do anything to help a friend.'
'Very commendable.' She gave a sultry smile. 'Do you mean anything?'
'As long as it was within the law.' Robin felt a gutless fool, but Arabella was like no one he had ever met. She was behaving like a slut but with the air of an empress. He jumped when her hand rested on his thigh, but could not prevent the thickening of his penis.
'So, you are member of the clergy?' Her fingers were creeping closer and closer to his crotch.
He cleared his throat. 'That is correct. I'm about to take up my first post as a curate.'
'I'm sure you'll not stop there. I can see you rising...'
'You can?' Robin cursed his wayward cock for betraying him.
'Oh, yes.' She glanced down meaningfully, and then added, 'To the rank of vicar, or rector, even bishop. Would you like your own manse? Perhaps you have ambitions to marry.'
This brought him up sharply. Jane! Oh, God, he was forgetting Jane! But he hardly dared move, his weapon so primed it was likely to explode at any second. Arabella rubbed against him sinuously, her smile indicating that she was well aware of his discomfort.
Robin tore himself away with a supreme effort. He stood doubled over, clutching himself, willing that unsightly protuberance to subside. Arabella arched her back and the towel slid down, baring her to the fork. Robin came in his breeches. She watched his spasms and the wet stain that spread across the front of the black cloth. As she did so she licked her finger and caressed her clitoris, a musing smile curving her poppy-red lips.
Kitty, who had been observing the drive from her position in the window embrasure, suddenly said, 'They have returned, milady. The viscount and Lady Maria are heading for the stables.'
'Emily must tell her that she has a visitor,' Arabella instructed, then arched a slender eyebrow at Robin. 'You may use my bathroom to freshen up. It wouldn't be proper for you to meet my niece in that state, now would it?'
Chapter 13
When Maria arrived in the stable she was greeted by Emily who said, 'My lady, Mr Claremont is here to see you.'
Damien dismounted and Maria slid from the saddle into his arms. 'Robin Claremont?'
'Yes, my lady.'
Damien gave Maria an intent stare. 'He's a friend of Jane's,' she explained rapidly, freeing herself from him and wrapping her shawl closely around her to hide the torn dress.
Damian scowled. 'What does he want?'
'I shan't know that until I've seen him, shall I? Where is he, Emily?'
'With her ladyship.'
The notion of Robin left to Arabella's tender mercies was a worrying one. He would be like a lamb led to the slaughter. Emily looked flushed and agitated, but Maria could not question her further with Damien looking on. All she wanted was to creep to her room, bathe and change. She felt soiled, her juices and Damien's wetting the insides of her thighs. She was also deeply ashamed of herself, feeling that she had betrayed Charles. More than anyone else she needed Jane, and hoped that Robin had brought good news from her.
'Go and tell him I will be with him shortly, Emily,' she said, and turned on her heel, left the stable and ran up the backstairs to the part of the house where her bedchamber was situated.
Sarah was waiting anxiously. 'Oh, my dear soul! Look at the state of you,' she cried, as agitated as a hen over her one chick. 'What have you been doing?'
'Hunting with the viscount.' Maria wanted to avoid too close an inspection.
'Dressed like that? Whatever possessed you?'
'We went on impulse.'
'Well, it's not right or proper,' Sarah continued to complain. 'Viscount or no, he has some very strange ideas, I must say.'
Maria changed the subject. 'I need to cleanse myself.'
'I'll summons the footmen to fill the tub.'
'There isn't time. Mr Claremont is waiting to see me. I hope he has news of Lady lane. I'll make do with a wash. Leave me. I'd rather manage alone.' Maria succeeded in shaking her off, only permitting her to enter the bathroom briefly to bring in a jug of hot water.
It was rare for her to wish for privacy and she knew that Sarah was suspicious. Examining her naked body in the mirror, she was glad she had insisted. There were blue bruises, long scratches and scarlet weals. Her stockings were torn and the dainty slippers ruined, their thin soles offering little protection for her feet. Damien had had his will of her and no mistake. Why then, didn't she hate him?
She washed herself all over, paying particular attention to her cleft. The pubic hair was stubbly and uncomfortable and she would need Russell's razor again soon. In some ways she yearned to be an innocent girl again, and yet the lessons she had learned at her master's hands, and those of his enemy, Charles, were ones she would not have missed for anything.
Returning to the bedroom wrapped in a towel, she succeeded in slipping into her chemise while Sarah was otherwise occupied. A leaf-green muslin dress followed, and Sarah fastened the ball buttons at the back. Still chilled by her recent experiences, Maria slipped her arms into a velvet jacket in a deeper shade. It fitted closely and was short-waisted. Sarah attended to her hair, coiling it high at the back and pulling out little curling tendrils to cover her ears and nape. Pendant pearl earrings followed, and a matching necklace.
'Don't fuss,' Maria snapped impatiently. 'I must go down. It is important that I see Mr Claremont.'
The butler led her to the solar, a pleasant, airy room where once ladies of the family would have gathered to sew and gossip and pass idle hours. Maria was accompanied by Sarah, who occupied a window seat with a book on her lap in which she appeared to be absorbed. Robin rose to meet Maria when she entered and she led him to the far side so they could talk without her chaperone overhearing.
'Is Jane well?' This was Maria's first concern.
'Oh, yes. Don't worry on that score.' Robin was fresh-faced and boyish, and Maria took comfort from this. Surely Arabella would have been unable to seduce him? In his black frock-coat and white collar, he looked every inch a clergyman.
'Tell me all that has been taking place,' she insisted as they sat on a chaise-longue by a low, brass-inlaid table, and she poured tea from a silver pot into bone china-cups. He glanced towards Sarah, but Maria put his mind at rest. 'Don't be alarmed, she won't hear us and even if she does, she is loyal to me.'
'I have spoken with Lady Rowena, and she absolutely forbids me to court Jane. This means it is no use approaching her Papa, so we are planning to elope to Gretna Green.' He sounded angry, but not despairing, his voice firm and resolute.
Maria clapped her hands. 'How romantic! Once the deed is done, then they can no longer keep you apart.'
'This is true, and I have a post where I can take my wife. Read what Jane has to say,' and he drew a letter from an inside pocket and passed it to her.
Maria broke the seal, tore open the envelope and unfolded the single sheet of paper. Jane had written in her elegant copper-plate hand, My dearest Friend, I am dispatching Robin with this, and hope it finds you in good health, as am I. Mama has refused to allow us to marry and we have planned to run away together. Alas, neither of us have money to finance this venture. I hope you won't think it presumptuous if I ask you for help. I have no one else to whom I can turn. Of course, this will be a loan and we shall pay you back as soon as we are able. Any amount, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. With much love, from your obedient servant, Jane.
Tears welled up in Maria's eyes and her heart bled for her friend's distress. How could parents be so blind? Robin was such a sincere, upright man and they were so obviously well suited. She remembered the hundred guineas she had won from Damien.
'I will gladly help you, Robin,' she said, folding the letter. 'Fortunately I have money in the house. Emily shall fetch it.'
She dispatched Sarah to the door to call Emily, who waited outside. It took but a minute for her to receive her instructions and, within a short while, she returned with Maria's reticule. It was simple for Maria to draw Robin into the bay window and there, out of sight of Sarah, pass over a purse. He kissed her hand.
'I don't know how to thank you,' he muttered, his eyes moist with tears.
'Think nothing of it,' she returned. 'One day, when Burrington Manor is once more in my control, perhaps I can arrange for you to be appointed vicar of the village church. It would be so nice to have Jane living close to me.'
'You are too good, and we shall be forever in your debt.'
'Will you return to Bath now?' There was a worry nibbling at the edge of Maria's mind.
'That is my intention. Why? Can I do something for you?'
It occurred to her to tell him about Charles and the foiling of Damien's unlawful intentions, but then thought better of it. The least number of people who knew about it the better. Even so, 'It would help me if you could stay for a few more days,' she said. 'Let me know where you are and if I need you, as well I may, I shall send Tranter.'
'I'll be honoured. He can reach me at the Blue Boar tavern in Parnham Combe, some three miles hence.' He bowed and she walked with him to the door, unwilling to let him go, a link with Jane and the world outside of Raven Towers.
'Who is this fellow who came a-calling on Maria?' Damien demanded as he stalked into Arabella's chamber.
'Oh, stop fretting! You remember Lady Jane?'
'I do. An innocent, who needed a thorough rogering.' Damien flashed her a wicked smile.
'You're incorrigible,' she scolded, reclining on the couch. 'I think this Robin Claremont is wooing her, or hopes to. He's a member of the clergy, an attractive man who could not contain his ardour when with me and spurted in his breeches.'
Damien threw back his head and laughed loudly. 'And you call me incorrigible! I swear you'd make a saint spill his seed! What did you do? Did you kiss him, toy with his prick? What?'
'I did next to nothing, my dear. He was ripe for it, and is no doubt suffering the torments of the damned and doing penance at this very moment. But enough of me. What have you been up to? Sit, and tell me all about it.' She patted the space beside her.
He accepted this invitation, aware that it would probably lead to intercourse, but wary of her. Arabella knew nothing of his association with the French. He firmly believed she would never betray him, but was not prepared to take the risk. Therefore he assumed a bored air, shrugging as he answered, 'Oh, this and that. Whenever I come here there is my estate manager to consult, my tenants to see, quarrels among them to be placated, as well as catching up with old friends.'
'You prefer to be in London or abroad?' Arabella's slim fingers ruffled the curls at the back of his neck.
He reached out and caressed her breasts. 'Each has its own particular interest, and wherever I am I enjoy the pleasures on offer.' He bared her nipples, which grew hard under his clever fingers.
'Oh, Damien, if only you could be faithful to one woman. I'd be yours for the rest of my days,' she sighed, body quivering.
He chuckled and bent to suck those ardent teats. 'You are a charming liar, my love. You know damn fine that you're as inconstant as myself.' And though he was enjoying the banter and foreplay, his main intention was to divert her from questioning him.
It was almost time, the tide right, the weather calm and the fishing boat sailing from Calais. If all went without a hitch then soon the passengers would land and be dispersed about the country, the boat returning whence it came, and Damien's part carried out successfully.
He warmed as he thought of it. It was a lucrative side-line. The French paid well for the privilege of smuggling their agents in and out of the country. He knew he was playing with fire, but had arrangements in place for a quick exit to a bolthole in the Caribbean where he owned a flourishing sugar plantation, manned by slaves. If need be he could reside there for years, as that particular piece of paradise was under Spanish rule and was beholden to neither England nor France.
Arabella drew his attention back to the present. She was kneeling between his spread knees and had his breeches undone. He looked down and saw the pleasing spectacle of his cock rising towards her face. She was studying it, stretching back the foreskin, admiring its size and the blue veins that knotted the stem. With a deep-throated purr she opened her mouth and took the helm between her lips. Damien forgot the French, his island, and every other consideration, lost in sensation as she brought him to a thunderous climax.
'I hope you had a wash before entertaining me,' he said breathlessly, as his heart slowed and the pleasure spasms passed. 'I know you've been spending time with common louts.'
