The Inheritance (19 page)

He stopped and
stared down at her red posterior. He had spanked her very hard
indeed. A few more minutes and she would have been in tears. But it
was necessary. A full month away from her was quite an amount of
time. He smoothed his hand across her scorched skin with soft,
soothing caresses.

"My dearest,
you know I must leave you with a strong reminder of what is
expected," he said kindly.

"I do, Master.
And I thank you," she whimpered.

Sliding his
finger between her lips he found her filled with dewy wetness. She
moaned in pleasure, wriggling against the welcome visitor.

"Elizabeth,
how would you like me to fuck you today?"

Only on very
special occasions did he allow her to choose.

"Master, thank
you," she bleated. "From behind if it pleases you, then at the end,
in front, kissing me."

"Excellent.
Crawl on top of the bed please, and on your hands and knees."

He released
her and she scurried across the bed assuming the position.
Undressing quickly, his manhood very happy to have been released
and standing at attention, he readied himself behind her. Her
glowing behind and glistening cunt was an intoxicating and
salacious sight. Taking his thumbs he spread her open, hearing her
gasp at the act. Placing his tip at her door he slithered forward,
impaling her easily.

"Master," she
murmured. "Master that feels so wonderful."

Moving his
hands from her pussy he clutched her hips, and just as he had
undressed her and spanked her, he thrust slowly, deliberately,
closing his eyes, feeling her hot hunger wrap itself around his
cock.

"Tell me what
you want, little strumpet," he instructed. "Very clearly now."

"I want you to
fuck me," she cried. "Ravage me, Master. I beg you. Fuck me hard
and ravage me."

The words shot
through him like electric sparks, rocketing through his cock. He
withdrew, then plunged forward. Her back arched and her bottom
thrust out at him, her wail of joy validating her request.

"Oh more,
Master," she begged. "Don't stop - more."

Filled with
deep sexual passion and driven by her words, he began to fuck her
vigorously, his pace accelerating as his hand had spanked her,
rapid fire, riding her with fast, powerful strokes. She was
squealing into the pillows, and as he stared at her bouncing burned
buttocks and heard her cries of pleasure his moment felt as though
it would not - could not be denied.

"Master," she
cried, "I'm—"

Heart pumping,
teeth clenched, he pulled himself out, and crossing his arms he
grabbed her ankles, flipping her on her back. She lifted her knees
and raised her pelvis, whimpering and groaning. He sliced his way
back into her depths and laid his body upon hers, relishing the
feel of her full, plump breasts against his chest.

"My darling
Elizabeth," he said huskily, "now I shall fuck you until we
come."

"Oh Mast..."
her words were interrupted as his mouth was suddenly over hers, his
tongue bursting between her lips as his cock surged forward and the
pumping began anew.

He clutched
her hair in his hands, fucking her without cessation until her
cries were muffled by his own, and their world spun and tumbled as
the sun's beam danced upon their writhing bodies.

She never
wanted it to stop - never wanted his hardness to leave her empty,
never wanted the intense pleasure to fade away - but fade away it
did. The spinning slowed - then stopped - their bodies fell limp,
and with legs still entwined his body fell from hers.

Having once
lived the honeyed heartache, the invisible companions felt their
bittersweet goodbye, empathizing as they hovered, asking God's
solace with their silent prayers.

C
hapter Ten

Lydia's
Arrival

As soon as the
carriage pulled up to the house Elizabeth ran to meet her brother.
She and Lord Michael had only been back from the chamber a short
time but it was long enough for her to have been able to freshen
up. Even though she understood that her Master needed to go to bed
early in readiness for his journey the following day, she was still
disappointed they couldn't meet again in the night. But she had
accepted it, and seeing her brother step from the cab brightened
her up.

"James!" she
exclaimed happily. "How marvellous to see you again. And you must
be Lydia Covington," she gushed, greeting his companion with a
welcoming smile. "I'm Elizabeth. I'm so delighted that you could
come. It will be wonderful to have another female to share things
with. Do you ride?"

James could see that Lydia was a little taken aback by
Elizabeth's enthusiastic welcome, and quickly stepped forward
before Lydia could say something untoward, such as,
Well of course you're Elizabeth. Who else would
you be?
which, unbeknown to James, was
precisely what Lydia was thinking.

"It's lovely
to see you too, Elizabeth," James declared, pecking her lightly on
the cheek, "and you look very well. But formal introductions inside
I think," he said, gently rebuking her.

"Oh, yes of
course. I do apologize. I'm just so happy to see you, and to meet
you Lydia."

James ushered
the ladies into the house where Lord Michael was standing, watching
the little scene. He was pleased to see Elizabeth's excitement.
Maybe he'd been overly concerned and Elizabeth would get over his
departure sooner than he'd anticipated.

"Lord Michael,
I'm pleased to introduce Lydia Covington. Lydia, this is one of my
dearest friends and Elizabeth's gentleman, Lord Michael."

Lydia extended
her hand and Lord Michael gracefully lifted it, bowing
slightly.

"Very nice to
make your acquaintance. I'm sorry I shall have the pleasure of your
company for such a short time. I will be leaving myself tomorrow,
in the morning."

"So I am given
to understand," Lydia replied. "Well it is a pleasure nonetheless.
James speaks so fondly of you."

What a delightful young woman
, he
thought.
Polite, graceful. And very
pretty
.

Mrs Danvers
stepped forward offering to show Lydia her quarters, but Elizabeth
interjected.

"Please allow
me. Lydia, I have selected a lovely suite for you. I do hope you'll
like it. If you don't I'd be happy to show you others that you can
choose from," Elizabeth offered, very much wanting James' new
friend and her new companion to be content.

"Thank you,"
Lydia replied, thinking Elizabeth's ebullience was actually
entertaining and somewhat contagious. Such a change from her moody,
dour aunt. "I have no doubt it will be perfect."

"Don't worry
about your bags," Elizabeth continued, leading Lydia to the
staircase. "I've already told the footmen where to bring them. Do
you have a maid with you? Oh no, you don't. Not to worry you can
borrow Grace. She's simply wonderful..." and as the girls ascended
the stairs, the sound of Elizabeth's nattering began to grow dim,
and Lord Michael asked James to join him in the study.

"I'm sure you
want to freshen up," Lord Michael said, as James walked with him to
the desk. "But I just want to make mention of some important
matters regarding your sister."

"Yes, of
course," James replied. "She seems very well indeed. Did you know
she wrote me the most charming letter?"

"She mentioned
it to me," Lord Michael replied. "She has come a long way in the
last couple of weeks. I'm very pleased with her."

"What is it I
need to know?" James asked.

"There is a
large grey stallion in the stable that Elizabeth has been strictly
forbidden to ride. His name is Zeus and I fear he is too much horse
for her. I'm concerned that one of these days she'll take it into
her head and defy me. I have made it clear to her in no uncertain
terms but you know how wilful your sister can be," he said
gravely.

"Oh yes I do,"
James said, nodding his head. "There were times I used to think she
was the most wilful young woman in all of England."

"I think she
very well might have been!" Lord Michael chuckled, "but not any
more."

"No,
thankfully not any more," James agreed, and the two shared a
momentary, understanding glance.

"But please
make sure you keep your eye on her," Lord Michael continued. "And
if you see her on a big gray horse get her off it immediately and
write and inform me. And there's something else, something I'm even
more concerned about."

James saw the
frown cross his friend's brow. Though he'd been sitting for some
time in the carriage, he felt tired, and walked to the soft leather
chair by the fireplace. Lord Michael followed and sat on the sofa
opposite.

"There is a
man who has been coming to the stables here three times a week. His
name is Andrew Carrington," Lord Michael said, his tone sombre.
"Apparently he was hired by your uncle to ride and train his
horses. I'm very worried about his presence but I cannot fire him
until I find a suitable replacement."

"Why do you
need to fire him?" James asked.

"I am
convinced he's not a gentleman of character. He insisted that
Elizabeth mount Zeus while he was astride the horse. Elizabeth
almost agreed!" Lord Michael exclaimed, the event still agitating
him.

"He did what?
She did what?" James asked, aghast.

"I believe
this fellow is a fortune hunter. He may be an excellent horseman
but Elizabeth is still an impressionable and vulnerable young
woman."

"I cannot
believe my ears," James declared, astounded at the information Lord
Michael was conveying.

"She has been
instructed to leave the stable whenever the man arrives and to
refer to him only as Mr Carrington, both in person and when
speaking of him. In just a short amount of time he was able to
charm her and almost had her in his saddle. You can understand my
concern," he finished.

"I most
certainly can," James stated sharply. "What a scoundrel."

"Yes. I
believe he is. I understand you cannot watch her all the time and
you will be spending enjoyable hours with your own guest I'm sure.
Doubtless you'll want to take Miss Covington on walks and explore
the house with her, but I would ask that when Andrew Carrington is
on the property you keep close watch and do not allow the girls in
the stable during those times."

"Most
certainly, Lord Michael. You can count on me," James assured
him.

"Thank you. I
know I can," Lord Michael replied, grateful James was as good as
his word. "And if Elizabeth misbehaves send me a note right away. I
have told her you will be keeping an eye her."

"Such a
handful," James commented, shaking his head.

"Yes. But a
beautiful handful and I adore her," Lord Michael said, rising from
the sofa. "I'm sure you need to attend to your personal needs. I
have some last minute papers I want to check then will change for
dinner. We're having it out on the terrace by the way. Elizabeth
and I had lunch there today. It is absolutely charming."

"Excellent,"
James said, standing as well. "I have brought the papers showing
all types of furniture for her to select from. I think you and
father had a brainstorm with that idea."

"It's a lovely
spot," Lord Michael replied, settling behind the desk.

"Well, as you
say, I must settle in. I'm sure my bags will be in my quarters by
now," James declared, walking to the door. "See you soon."

"Yes. See you
soon."

James closed
the door behind him and walked up the stairs. Andrew Carrington
sounded like a cad. He would most certainly warn Lydia. Good to
know about these chaps in advance, and God help him if Carrington's
path ever crossed his own. Attempting to seduce his sister! A
scoundrel and a cad!

In Lydia's
quarters Grace was busy unpacking her suitcase and Elizabeth was
sharing stories with Lydia about James, and what a bothersome
brother he used to be, but how she now loved him to pieces.

"He can scold
terribly," Elizabeth said dramatically. "But he's really a teddy
bear inside."

Lydia felt a
flutter in her stomach. James had scolded her several times since
their first walk together. Whenever he did she would listen to him
quietly then apologize modestly. In her past, whenever anyone else
would attempt to rebuke her they received a sharp retort for their
trouble. But with James she held her tongue. She wasn't sure why
but thought perhaps it was the way he would present his reprimand,
and of course the fact that she was hopelessly in love with
him.

"Do you ride?"
Elizabeth asked, repeating her earlier question.

"Not very
well," Lydia admitted. "The horse has to be very meek and mild. I'm
very brave about other things but I've never been much of a
horsewoman."

"There's an
angel of a mare here," Elizabeth beamed, happy she had a suitable
mount for her new friend. "Her name is Mindy and she's absolutely
perfect. You will love her. She is so sweet. She even gives
kisses."

"Really?"
Lydia smiled. "I would love to meet her. James has told me what an
excellent rider you are so if you say she is gentle and safe then I
believe you."

"I promise,"
Elizabeth said firmly.

Lydia stifled
a yawn.

"You must be
very tired from your journey. I know what that's like," Elizabeth
commiserated. "I must leave you. Grace will fetch you when it's
time for dinner," she said warmly, and leaned in to hug her new
friend.

"Thank you,"
Lydia replied. "I must admit I am feeing suddenly drained. Perhaps
a short nap."

"Yes. You have
a short nap. I'll make sure no one disturbs you," Elizabeth
promised. "Please tell the staff, Grace," she called, raising her
voice to reach her maid in the adjoining bathroom. "No one is to
disturb Miss Lydia."