Fortune Knocks Once (8 page)

Her hair was loose and gently curled around her face, framing a faint violet color under her eyes with subtle shading under her cheekbones and in the finely shaped bones around the enticing hollow spot in her neck.

“You are an ardent little thing, aren’t you? And a quick learner from the looks of it,” he said as he pulled his hand away, and circling her in his arms dropped his head to take possession of her mouth. She immediately responded by thrusting her tongue in his mouth, moaning slightly and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Maybe dinner can wait,” he rasped hoarsely as he broke the deep kiss and trailed his mouth down her neck lightly kissing his way down her clothing to her breast, which he freed by fluidly sliding the sleeve of her shift off her shoulder and down her arm.

He took her breast into his mouth and lightly sucked, while at the same time caressing the rounded curve of her backside and pressing her against his rising phallus.

Oh, Colin. I love you so much. I love the way you make me feel.

She laced her fingers in his hair and pulled, causing him to laugh and straighten up.

“Let me take it slow this time Kitten,” he murmured. “I am afraid I was a little too rough and ready our first time. Feel like I broke my promise, I did. Can’t let that happen again.

“Let’s make it good for you,” he continued as he led her to the huge bed, just recently made up with fresh linen and the only thing clean in an otherwise dusty and drab room.

Colin slowly began removing her clothes and when she was completely naked he laid her on the bed. Then as she watched intently, he removed his own clothing and lay down beside her and slowly began rubbing her hips and the curve of her buttocks as he kissed her neck and shoulders.

Charlotte shivered with desire as he showered her body with lingering, hot kisses and when he lowered his head to take her nipple into his mouth and suckle her, she moaned softly. She wound her fingers in his hair as he slipped his fingers through the soft curls between her thighs and slowly caressed the sensitive nub of flesh at her core.

She surrendered to his touch and slowly writhed in pleasure as he softly murmured to her. “That’s it darling, just feel it. Let yourself go, let me do this for you.”

He felt the heat growing in his belly and flashing down to his groin as he watched her react to his ministrations. She was so responsive to him, so quick to his touch, so ready for his entry. He wondered hazily if he could hold off taking her just a little longer.

He stroked her more quickly now and when he slipped a finger inside her, she arched her back, buckling off the bed. Her eyes were closed and her face was contorted in mindless passion. A lusty mist swept over him as he watched her and continued stroking her faster, bringing her to climax again and again.

As her pulsing pleasure slowed down, he plunged into her, sinking to the hilt and starting a pounding rhythm of thrusts that quickly sent him soaring to ultimate satisfaction and bringing her along again. As they both climaxed, he poured his seed into her in a punishing series of shudders, causing her to cry aloud in primitive completion.

After it was over, and after holding her tightly to him by her hips for a long time, he slowly released her and, after rolling off, held her cradled in his arms as they relaxed in sinful satiation, oblivious to the almost insurmountable challenge ahead of them.

~~~

Colin walked into the castle entrance corridor tired and cranky. He had been outdoors working alongside his men repairing cottages since dawn and thoughts of a soothing bath and falling into his comfortable bed were all he could countenance.

For the last two months, he and Charlotte had settled into a comfortable routine in Kilkenny. He had spent his days organizing his remaining workers, hiring new ones or hiring back some who had left, repairing what could be fixed, replacing what was beyond repair and muscling the estate back into working order.

She had worked in the castle, getting acquainted with the remaining house staff, methodically cleaning room by room, moving furniture into the few rooms they used, working with cook in the kitchen to prepare simple meals, and adding the trimmings, like flowers and new curtains, that made the rooms more personal and livable.

But it hadn’t all been work.

As day turned to dusk, she was waiting for him when he came in from the fields or other work outside with the men. Waiting with a light in her eyes that revealed a desire and a promise of delights that never failed to instantly revive him.

“Where the devil is she today?” he muttered to himself, looking up and down the long corridor.

He walked over and gazed out over the long parkway rolling down the hill toward the town and saw the improvements already made to what would someday once more be a cultivated, carefully landscaped park. Kilkenny Castle and the surrounding estate were improving every day.

When he walked into Kilkenny City these days, he saw a respect in the eyes of the townspeople that had never been there before. They talked to him with deference and bowed to his authority on matters of importance. That had never happened before in his lifetime. Just the thought of all he had gained through his marriage humbled him.

He had to admit that she was spoiling him with her unfailing attentions and devotion.  She doted on him, running and fetching, cleaning and cooking, helping out in whatever way she could. And at the end of the day, or even in the middle of the day, come to think of it, she welcomed him into her soothing and loving bed. He gave a big sigh.

What a sweet girl she is, he thought wistfully. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. Who could have imagined that such a young and gently reared girl would be so adventurous and imaginative in bed sports?

His face broke into a wide grin as he thought about sex. Never too tired for that, he thought.

But where the hell is she?

He heard the sound of music and singing coming from the state rooms on the first floor directly overhead. Although calling it music was vastly obliging. The tones, flat and discordant, were obviously being coaxed out of the old pianoforte in the drawing room.

Colin took the stairs two at a time, walked through the long library and burst into the drawing room to find Charlotte sitting contentedly, singing and playing.

The pianoforte was situated on the far wall but had been pulled away from the corner where, for as long as Colin could remember, it had been pushed out of the way. A small fire was burning in the fireplace and the setting sun streamed light through the newly cleaned windows, highlighting the dingy carpeting, stained wallpaper and faded, dusty drapes. Light danced over Charlotte’s hair casting golden flashes as if a glowing sprite had stolen into the castle for a secret musical interlude.

She was dressed in an old, plain gown, worn for working in the castle; her cleaning rags were at her feet, which were tapping to the sounds coming from the piano. She was softly singing a song that was unfamiliar to Colin.

Her eyes and face were lowered to the piano, focused on her fingers plunking out sounds that should have had her wincing in agony. But her face was radiant, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she intently continued playing, oblivious to Colin’s approach.

“Kitten, I didn’t know you played.”

She looked up startled, abruptly stopped playing, then quickly ducked her head and looked away with embarrassment.

“And from the little I just heard, you are quite the singer as well.”

“I l-l-love to s-s-ing,” she replied, running her fingers over the keys gently but without making any sounds.

“Well then we must get this old thing tuned for you. But be warned, I will insist on concerts every night. We can use more entertainment around here, don’t you know. Not that I am complaining about the usual evening activities,” he added, leering at her playfully.

Their evenings were for play. Playing at sex and intimacy like it was a child’s game - running around the castle, laughing and giggling, chasing each other, enjoying every moment but especially the catching. Or hiding from each other in the secret places discovered in the castle, waiting to be found, wanting to be found.

Charlotte blushed frightfully and rose from the piano.

“D-d-do you think we c-c-could get it f-f-f-f-fixed?” she asked hesitantly, running her hand and arm along the side of the instrument.

Can this be my piano? I haven’t been able to play since Papa died. That would make everything here perfect.

“I’ll find someone in Kilkenny City tomorrow to fix that old thing. I’ll have it working right for you if I have to send to London for a piano master.”

“C-c-could I take s-s-s-singing l-l-lessons?” Charlotte blurted out loudly and suddenly.

“Singing lessons! From what I just heard you sing beautifully?”

Charlotte shook her head furiously. “I w-w-w-want to s-sing properly. I do-don’t s-s-s-stutter when I s-s-sing.”

Charlotte looked expectantly into Colin’s face with a yearning that made him melt inside.

I am just like everyone else when I sing. In those moments, at that time, I am normal. I am whole. My Defect is gone.

Colin walked over to her and cupped her face in both his hands, gently kissing her lips, then pulling her completely into his arms. “If you want singing lessons, then you shall have them.”

He pulled back a little and looked into her face. The look she gave him should have alarmed him, should have filled him with consternation, should have sent him running from the room. It bespoke naked and unfettered adoration. He could see that clearly. But maybe he was getting used to it – no, more than used to it. He was basking in it. It felt as natural as sunshine warming his skin.

As they stood there holding each other, the housekeeper walked in hurriedly and then abruptly stopped when she saw the couple embracing.

Colin and Charlotte jerked apart but continued to gaze intently at each other.

“Aii, sorry my lord. I come to talk with the missus.”

At that moment, his steward also entered the room.

“Sir, if you please. Some’at’s come up I must needs settle wit ya’”

As the housekeeper talked to Charlotte and the steward talked to Colin, they all stood in a small circle, the servants talking away and Charlotte and Colin attempting to provide the right answers and pertinent comments.

But at that moment, they really had eyes and ears only for each other.

Charlotte’s face tingled where he had been touching her just moments before. She could still feel his strong arms drawing around her, touching her with all the forbidden parts of his body, tickling her skin with his fingers, causing goose bumps to skim along her arms up to her shoulders. 

I love it when he stares at me like that. Sometimes he just suddenly stops whatever he is doing and looks at me. I don’t even care that it is the wrong time and place.