WARNING! This chapter has a scene of simulated sexual behavior. If you are easily offended or under the age of consent in your country please turn back now!
For Maryanne the days of summer seemed to creep by slowly. The life of a noble lady was one of leisure and since Lucy and now Millie had the household running so smoothly that left little for her to oversee. At least at her parent’s home she’d had her father’s guests to entertain. She was almost as accomplished a musician as her mother and they would have regular lessons. She smiled thinking of her mother. She missed her terribly. They had been keeping up a regular correspondence. But it wasn’t the same as seeing her regularly. She felt idle and knew her mother who had always seemed to have something to do to occupy her time would not approve. Her mother always had something productive for her daughters to do and they would often try to find ways to sneak out of doing some task there mother had set them to. For the most part she found herself sitting in the kitchen watching Millie work, as she had nothing better to do and she enjoyed the company. She offered help occasionally but of course the maid wouldn’t hear of it.
Back at her parent’s home she’d spent a lot of time on her private balcony painting. There was the occasional interruption by her sister, but for the most part she went undisturbed while there. She sighed wistfully. She missed her sister terribly. They hadn’t seen each other since the Royal Wedding. She lived too far to travel alone and Lord Donovan did not have time to travel with her to visit. So she was left to idle out the days on her own.
Another whom she missed but would never give voice to was Douglas. He’d been a small comfort to her while living in her father’s home. She would sneak away to see him occasionally and their days would be filled with conversations of art history and science, there nights filled with the soft touches and innocent kisses of youth.
She blushed hotly as she recalled there last few meetings. Things had not been so innocent then.
A soft knock on her door aroused her from her thoughts and she looked up. “Yes?”
Through the door came Millie’s muffled voice. “My lady, you have a visitor…”
There was a short paused before the maid continued her tone decidedly lower. “At the back gate mum. A young man…”
Maryanne’s eyes widened and she grinned jumping up from her seat she hurriedly went to the mirror pinching her cheeks and fluffing her hair. “I’ll be right there!” She called. Pulling the door open she grinned into Millies’ astonished face before going toward the stairs. She asked in a low tone as she passed the maid, “Is my husband home?”
At the woman’s answering nod she bit her lip and frowned pausing with her foot on the top step.
Seeing her hesitation she continued, her voice just as low. “He is in his chambers my lady, resting.”
Maryanne nodded and casting a cautious glance in that direction she headed down the stairs, Millie close on her heels.
“Millie, I am going to…visit with my friend in the drawing room. I do not wish to be disturbed, but let me know if my husband awakens.” She told the woman as they headed down the hall toward the kitchen. Not waiting for the maids reply she rushed out the side door into the back garden where she spied a young man standing with his back to her. “Douglas..?” she asked softly and her heart skipped a beat as he turned, the familiar grin coming to his lips. “My muse.” He said and she flushed bright red. She stood several paces away from him and he her. They only stared at each other for long moments. The last time they’d been together they had barely spoken and the heat she could feel in her face attested to what they did instead.
Stepping closer Douglas gently caressed her face. “I have missed you terribly.”
Her eyes watered slightly. She had known she would never be with him. She had hoped of course and dreamed as any young woman fancying herself in love would. But she knew ultimately that her life was arranged for her. Still she felt a yearning for him and though she took vows before God and witnesses, she couldn’t for the life of her resist.
“Oh Douglas, I have missed you as well.” She cried throwing her arms around him in tight hug her face pressed against his neck. He held her for a while there then pulled back his eyes searching hers. “ I have thought becoming a lady would make you forget me…” His look was one of amusement but she saw, behind it the fear of rejection was real.
“Oh Douglas,” she whispered shaking her head softly as she gazed into his eyes. “I could never forget you. I love you.”
Unable to resist any longer they embraced tightly, his lips capturing hers passionately. They stood there in the garden, their arms wrapped around each other their lips and bodies pressed close. Millie nervously watched from the window, giving occasional glances toward the door as if she feared the Lord would walk through at any moment. She waited a few moments more at the window then discretely tapped the glass and stepped away.
Pulling from his arms Maryanne grasped his hand and pulled him to the kitchen door. “Come, I have arranged for us to visit together for a while.” She hurried him through the hall and into the drawing room. There were no doors to lock but she knew Millie would stand in the hall and notify her if they would be interrupted. Turning to him she gently caressed his face. “You are growing a beard.” She smiled. “I like it. You are very manly.” He chuckled at her words and gave her a hot look. “I have many reasons to be one. Though for the moment I am glad that you see it and like it.” She blushed hotly at his words.
He chuckled softly seeing her heated face and pulling her to him, kissed her with much fervor. Her hands caressed his back and he hers. The long months away from each other seemed to melt away as they felt the loving comfort of each others arms again.
There clothing seemed to melt off and with a nervous Millie standing in the hall twisting her hands in despair, they once again consummated their love for each other.
Maryanne watched from the window as Douglas made his way down the path to the horse he had hidden down the road in the trees. She felt a heavy ache in her heart at his departure but at the same time a budding excitement began in the pit of her belly. Her husband could never find out about this. She left the room to Millie’s care and cleaning. Sudden inspiration had struck and she felt the need to put brush to canvas.
Millie took a long swig straight from the bottle. She prayed Lord Donovan never discovered his wife’s duplicity. She felt nervous butterflies collect in her belly at the thought. He wasn’t a cruel man by any means. In fact he was a saint compared to Lord Montague her former employer. But still, a man could become overcome with rage at being dishonored in such a way. And what if there was a child! Oh lord, she moaned softly her eyes darting worriedly around the room. She’d cleaned up as best she could. Flowers were nicely arranged on the side table lending it’s sweet fragrance to the air. Hearing footsteps above her head, she hurriedly put away the bottle of spirits and left the room. She had to prepare the evening meal and pretend all was well.
Maryanne hummed softly as she swished the paintbrush across the canvas. She thought perhaps she would paint the lake in the spring, the beautiful pink and yellow flowers blooming, the trees a gorgeous green shining in the sparkling sunlight. She grinned at the picture in her mind. Hearing Millie call to her she put down her palette and brush and wiped her smudged hands on a nearby cloth. Taking one last glance at her artwork she left to attend the evening meal.
Maryanne’s mind wandered through much of the meal. She barely said to words to her husband who, for the most part didn’t mind. He wondered of course at her dreamy expression and flushed cheeks. She seemed happier then he could ever remember her being and he found himself smiling a lot while he watched her.
“Maryanne, I know you haven’t been to see your family in some time.” He paused for a minute before continuing as she looked at him curiously. “ I have some business to attend to that will keep me away for a fortnight. But upon my return, we could perhaps pay a visit to your family.”
Maryanne grinned excitedly at that. “Oh yes, my lord. I would love to visit with my family. I shall write to mother at once.” She stood up but then a frown creased her forehead and she sat back down. “But, my lord. Where do you go?” she asked. He had gone away on business before but only for a few days. Two weeks was a long time. He smiled and shrugged going back to his meal. “I have business in Wallingford. No worries. I will be back soon enough. I am sure you can keep occupied while I’m gone.” He winked at her and she blushed, ducking her head down to gaze at her plate.
That night in her chambers she sat before her vanity mirror gazing at her reflection. She saw many changes since her marriage to Lord Donovan. Her face wasn’t as pale and the dark shadows beneath her eyes were gone. She no longer felt the constant worry that had plagued her while in her father’s house. She still worried about her mother and sister but now it was a distant worry. She felt her mother had changed with her marriage and she knew she would be able to take care of herself. She grinned at her reflection. She longed to see her sister and could hardly wait until Lord Donovan returned from his trip. A spark glinted in her eye and she jumped up, giggling excitedly. With him gone for a time she could see Douglas as often as she wished. The thought made her giddy and she was still smiling as she readied for bed. In just two days time he would leave for his trip and she would be free in a way she never had before. Free to be happy and in love, at least for a time.
