The Perfect Gift (4 page)

“You feel, tis all you, all you again my lord. Oh get me out of here.” Her voice broke and she sobbed. Stephen gritted his teeth. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, promise her anything and never let her go. If, he thought, despair seeping into his soul, he did not need more than he thought she would voluntarily give.

“I will instruct my coachman we are to leave in the morning,” Judith continued, her voice thick with emotion. “Though I fear I may have to depend on your goodwill until then. Once I leave, I will not disturb you anymore, my lord.”

“Judith, my dear, you will always disturb me,” Stephen said. “And I wish with all my heart things could be different. Let us go now and get into the warmth of the hall, and I…” He trailed off. How could he explain and see the ardor in her eyes turn to scorn and even more, perhaps to hatred?

“And you?” she prompted.

“And I could not bear to see your disgust,” he replied. “It would be beyond all if I saw that in your face when I describe what I wish to indulge in. Better to call a halt before I snap.”

She nodded, her eyes cloudy. “You are stupid. I may be virgin in body, not however in mind. Ah, so be it. Until”—her voice snapped the word—”you tell me these so-called abnormal desires and I decide for myself if I agree or not. I will say this, you do not know what I will or will not accept without asking or showing me, Stephen. Nor do I. However, I suspect I could surprise both of us.” Her eyes cleared and she was once more in command of herself. “The choice is yours, Stephen. Let us get into the warmth, as you say, eat, and then dismiss the servants. Then, we talk.”

He nodded, his heart lighter than he thought possible. It seemed she would not be satisfied without proof of his practices. So proof he would provide. If all went to the devil, so be it.

He lifted her through the window and into the arms of the servant waiting there, before following her out into the snow.

“We take my horse,” he said, in command of the situation. “Will you ride with me?” Too late he realized the alternative meaning of his words.

“Of course, my lord, any time,” she said, her voice composed. “However you desire.” With a chuckle, he threw her up onto his horse and mounted behind her. “Therefore once we are warm, you may tell me your innermost secrets. And I,” she said soft and sweet, her voice full of promise. “Well, I will tell you mine.”

His felt his cock leap to attention.

The slippery ride to the hall took all of Stephen’s concentration with Judith in front of him, legs astride. It was both agony and ecstasy to have her sit still and secure within the circle of his arms. His hardening cock was snug up against her arse, advancing and retreating with every careful step of the animal. Instead of trying to fathom out how to have an altruistic attitude, he relaxed and gave himself up to enjoy the moment.

The ride seemed to take an age. By the time the welcome light that streamed from within the hall of the building stretched over the snow and reached them, he felt certain Judith was cold and wet, both outward and inward. All the soft sighs and squirms as she pushed back into him had almost been too much to bear. The hard nubs of her nipples beneath his arm made him give pause to think if they were rigid because of her closeness to him or because they chafed at the constraints of her dress. It mattered not. His cock was so hard against the material of his pantaloons that he was very relieved they stretched.

As he speculated whether the muff between her legs was as damp as the one she had used to cover her hands with, he felt his juices gather and demand release. The horse slipped, and Judith squeaked and grabbed the horse’s mane to stay steady. The thought she might hurt herself on top of any injuries she might already have reduced his ardor. First things first.

“Whoah there.” Stephen halted the horse and jumped down, handing the reins to a waiting groom. He nodded his thanks and hesitated. Judith looked at him, a challenge in her eyes. It was obvious what she was doing. She dared him to lift her down?

With a slight shake of his head and a half-smile on his face, he moved towards her.

“I give in,’ he said,
sotto voce
. “I do hope you know what you are letting yourself in for.” In a louder voice, he continued, “Can you swing your leg across, my dear? And I will help you dismount.” He held his arms up.

Judith didn’t hesitate. She lifted her leg high across the saddle, turned, and slid down his body. It was heaven. He hadn’t forgotten the one time she had been so close to him before. This time, he wasn’t going to listen to his honorable voice. He pulled her close and slid her cunt over his cock before he lifted her into his arms and carried her inside. His rod jerked at the proximity to his intended haven, and she giggled.

“You may giggle now,” he whispered. “Later you will scream. In heaven or horror remains to be seen.”

C
HAPTER
F
OUR

Judith had no time to answer him, or ponder on his statement, even as her clit tightened and razor sharp stabs of excitement hit her. Stephen set her on her feet in front of a beaming Mrs. Clegg.

“Now then, my lady.” Mrs. Clegg made an awkward curtsey, and Judith stifled the urge to giggle. The housekeeper was doing all that was proper, but it seemed wrong when Amanda had explained the high regard she and her brother had for the motherly woman. “I have taken the liberty of sending your maids to bathe and eat, for they were cold, wet, and hungry,” Mrs. Clegg explained. “I trust you don’t mind my high-handedness, my lady. The Doctor will check they have sustained no injury before he comes to you. I also asked Kitty to aid you into your bath. The water is hot and ready for you.”

“Ah, Mrs. Clegg.” Judith was so chilled, so thankful, she could have embraced the other woman. It seemed both she and Stephen had high consideration for all the staff. “It sounds like heaven. Please show me the way. And I do not need the Doctor. No,” she added as the kind woman seemed about to protest. “I am fine. I just need to get warm.”

It’s all right, Cleggy,” Stephen interposed. “If I think it necessary, I will make sure her ladyship is seen.”
And how.
“Now as I have to go and change, I’ll escort her ladyship to her rooms and introduce her to Kitty. Shall we say dinner in ninety minutes? Will that be acceptable?” he asked Judith.

She nodded and allowed him to guide her to the grand staircase, conscious of all eyes on them.

“They saw you carry me over the threshold, are they expecting an interesting announcement?” she asked him in an undertone as they mounted the shallow steps.

“They will be disappointed,” he said and put his hand to the small of her back as he stepped behind her and stroked the soft curves there. “The only announcements I intend to give for the foreseeable future will be to you. And they, my dear, will be orders.”

Judith knew her jaw dropped at his casual observation, and felt wetness coat her thighs. Was he really about to give in and introduce her to his world?

She had no time to ask. They had reached the upper floor, where a smiling fresh-faced young girl waited. She was dressed in the height of fashion, and Judith wondered about her place in the household. It seemed she was no servant.

“Judith, this is Kitty,” Stephen said, and smiled at the girl who waited with a quiet grace. She grinned back.

“About time S…my lord. The water is waiting for her ladyship, and I know Walker is drawing your bath for you as we speak.” It was evident there was very little ceremony at Carrland Hall.

“Kitty will attend to you until your maids are warm and fed,” Stephen informed her. “I will come and escort you to dinner. Enjoy your bath. I intend to do so as well.” With that, he left her, images of his naked body uppermost in her mind. Not that she had ever seen him, or indeed any man, naked, but Judith was an avid reader of books and blessed with a very vivid imagination.

She curtsied slightly, her eyes open and fixed on his face.

“Thank you my lord, I look forward to seeing you later.” She put a slight emphasis on the word ‘seeing,’ knowing he would understand and assuming the young girl who waited with studied patience for her would not. He inclined his head.

“Indeed.”

Judith watched his back for a moment before she turned to the young girl standing next to her. “Kitty? I am ready for the bath. My body is so cold, I fear I may never be warm again.”

Kitty smiled, and her plain features became beautiful. “Then follow me, my lady, and let us give lie to that statement.”

Judith nodded, and followed her into a large exquisite bedroom, decorated in the finest manner. Silk-covered walls shimmered as they reflected the flames from the fire in the hearth. Thick velvet curtains covered the darkness outside. The room spelled opulence, and romance.

And please God, sex.
Even to herself Judith dare not hope for more. She let Kitty help her undress before taking her hair and twisting it into a knot. Nakedness in front of a maid held no terrors, so why, beside this quiet girl, was her body thrumming with excitement? The thought of being naked in front of Stephen sent delicious tingles of anticipation down her spine. These feelings were different but equally as arousing. She did her best to put them to one side. Her focus was on later. Was she at last to see how a naked man looked in reality and not by a sketch? Would his staff look like those etchings in real life, or were they over-exaggerated? Her breathing quickened at the thought she may soon find out, perhaps even touch the flesh.

Be calm. There is little chance of that now. Bathe and relax, then think of what may transpire.
Judith took several slow, deep, calming breaths. Once more composed, she looked at the dresser, and turned to Kitty in consternation.

“Demm, I have no pins,” Judith exclaimed. “They are in my valise. Has it arrived yet?”

Kitty shook her head. “No, m’lady, but I have some here. His lordship sent word you may need some. Let me.” She held out her hand. In the palm were several large jeweled clips. They were much too elaborate for a bath. However, Judith had no option, other than to thank Kitty.

Judith bent her head forward and felt soft hands on her shoulders as her hair was lifted and pinned high.

“There, that’s good,” Kitty said, satisfaction in her voice. Her hands stroked across the nape of Judith’s neck. Judith shivered, amazed at the increased tingles of awareness the caress evoked, and stretched. She gave in to those feelings. “That,” Judith said, satisfaction in her voice. “Is good.”

To her amazement, Kitty neither spoke nor removed her hands. Instead she moved them lower down her back, and began to knead the globes of her arse.

“You are tense, my lady, you need to relax.” Kitty’s voice was low, almost hypnotic. On one hand it made Judith want to close her eyes and fall deep into the cocoon of wellbeing she created. On the other hand…how could she relax when her body was so aware? When strange sensations filled her, made her breath choppy, and the hairs on her arms stand on end. Instead she leaned her head back to rest on Kitty.

Act as you mean to go on. I must be open-minded and speak my mind.

“What happens now?” she asked, prosaic as possible. “Do you pleasure me?”

Am I really asking such a thing? Of a maidservant? What if she returns to the servants’ hall and gossips?

It seemed Kitty could read her mind.

“My lady, ‘tis up to you. I could and we would both enjoy such a scenario. And no one but us would ever know, except…” she hesitated.

“Except?” Judith twisted her neck to look Kitty in the eyes.

“Except Stephen,” Kitty replied. “My brother in all but blood. He knows all, and indeed it must be so. He is more, much more than I can admit to. His depths are for him alone to disclose. His heritage also. But I can say this; many a night I have heard him pacing the floor. And many a night heard him utter your name.”

Her hands continued their soft pressure, and she pressed a soft kiss on Judith’s forehead.

“And you are there with him? You are his?” The anguish that flooded her on Kitty’s simple words made her ask. She had to know. Kitty laughed.

“Not in a carnal manner, my lady. He is my protector, my champion, not my lover. I love him as a sister, and he returns that love as a brother. I would do anything for him. Oh,” she added in a hurry. “Not take you, let you take me, and enjoy our pleasures. If we do so, it will be on our decree no one else’s. He would know, would watch, but not participate, unless you asked for his touch. You, my lady, never me. Nor indeed would he ask it of us. I can attend to his aches, but not his needs. That is not for us.” She was silent. “Ah, perhaps I speak out of turn?”

The pictures Kitty’s words conjured up made Judith’s quim convulse, and her clit swell with eagerness. All she could imagine was Stephen watching as Kitty touched her and caressed her.

“No, not out of turn. I value your frankness. I wonder?” Her imagination ran riot. She could feel his hands on her breasts as Kitty’s head dipped between her legs and…the world darkened. Blood rushed to Judith’s head and she wondered if she was going to succumb to what her aunt called ‘the vapors.’ Faintly she heard Kitty’s soft voice raised in concern as she slumped, to be held upright by the pressure on her arse. Judith fought to open her eyes. The world spun and she realized she was in strong male arms and being carried.