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Chapter 11
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Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 12
I struggle to take in the full view as a firm hand grabs around my waist and drags me inside. There is no corset or bodice, i can feel each of his fingers against my thin robe. The door slams shut and I am placed against it, his hands then immediately removed as he backs away. “What the devil are you doing here!"His shirt had been unbuttoned from the top, almost entirely. His blonde, ashy chest hair and rippled torso were visible and my eyes drank him in. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, revealing muscular, thick forearms. The ones so strong they could control a horse like Figaro. It appeared my temporary lunacy had interrupted him retiring for the night by the way his braces hung loose by his hips. He quickly pulled them up, attempting to make himself presentable. Fitz’s wide, muscular body took up most of my view but the room had a leather chair, bookshelves, and a door leading to his sleeping quarters. It was basic, clean and more inviting than any room in Tarrick
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 13
As he lavished kisses on my neck a melting sensation overtook me. I had read about blood lust, soldiers losing control of themselves in the heat of battle. It cannot possibly be love but a force stronger than I could comprehend was driving me. Lust. I am a slave to lust, like the sermons and texts I read young girl constantly warned me of."We should stop," Fitz whispered into my neck. His words formed on my skin, his teeth scraping the soft edges of my collarbone as he continued to give my world colour. "I don't want to, Fitz, I want more," pulling at his hand, my fingers in his hair to try and keep his body close to mine.The stiffness in his breeches was now firmly pressed up around my back bone he let out his own deep sigh onto my skin."What do you need to know?" Still facing away from him, avoiding those mercurial green eyes made such conversation easier. "I want the truth. Why are you doing this? Do I make you feel anything or am I just losing my mind?"“That is a lot of quest
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 14
**Fitz POV**That was too damn close. It took everything I had not to keep her in my room until the end of time. How does she light up a room so easily? She doesn’t even have to try, just those blue eyes searing into me, and my heart is thundering.Pacing my small quarters after she fled, restless and regretful, I despise myself for raising my voice at her. A gentleman should never do that. I might be cleaning out horses right now, but I had the proper upbringing. I didn’t dare look when I confessed I was here for money. Of course it would change everything.For now at least, I can remember the cherry pink glow on her face as I pulled away from kissing her. The way she murmurs my name, seemingly oblivious to her own beauty, is devastating.Checking my fob I groan and rub my face. Three hours until dawn, then horses to attend to. Edmund, the malicious runt indicated he needed a wall rebuilding, as if that is part of earning my payment too. Muttered something intelligibly about “keepi
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 15
Money.It was all for money. Every few seconds from the moment I left, to greeting Marie early in the morning the moment he shattered my faith repeated itself. It is what made me request Marie lace my corset so vigorously this morning. To keep me from falling apart I need holding together via other means.The more I thought about it the angrier I became. However it does not remove the fact that Edmund will destroy my reputation if I do not produce an heir.I breakfasted with Edmund, my tiredness causing my usual quiet reserve to fail. As he crunched his toast, slurped his tea and ignored me I surveyed our opulent scene. How much money did Fitz need?.The silverware, porcelain and other delicacies in this dining room alone were worth hundreds of pounds. A doctor, such as Doctor Farrers with his private clients could expect two hundred pounds a year, a stablehand perhaps twenty. What was Fitz’s price for this deal?"Something fascinating about the fruit bowl today?" Edmund quipped, smi
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 16
I felt itchy, unclean and desperate to scream. I turned to face Doctor Farrers, fighting my constricted throat to form a protest. Suddenly a flurry of pebbles rattled sharply against the window. We both leapt up as Fitz struggled to control the two horses, purposely forcing a gap between myself and the hideous doctor.“Excuse me Doctor, I trust I can check what on earth is occurring outside?”“Of course Your Grace,” he stammered, hurriedly packing his items away as Fitz continued to stare into the room. His hands were gripping the reins tightly, his jaw clenched. Doctor Farrers scuttled about with his briefcase, “no problems that I can detect Your Grace, a clean bill of health.”With a curt nod I swept out of the room, my heeled shoes clipping along the stone-flagged hallway. I inhaled deep, calming lungfuls of air as I made a show of heading outside. Doctor Farrers could possibly watching to see how I handled the situation.“What is happening here!” I declared loudly as Fitz kept his
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 17
Marie chided me that evening. My ribcage was covered in red, painful blisters where the boning had rubbed. “I believe you were correct, I owe you an apology,” I winced as she applied a stinging salve. Edmund had not requested my presence at dinner, he was eating in his study, consumed with estate matters.In agitation I dined alone in my bedroom, attempting to read some books whilst wrapped in my nightgown and silk robe. My yawns and cat-like languishing on the chaise-longue giving the impression I was ready for an early night. Yet I watched the gilded clock on the mantelpiece like a cat chasing a mouse. As each hour ached by, my mind grew more feverish.The idea that Fitz wanted to protect me, to not vanish from my life meant so much more than I had expected it to. Since my wedding three years ago I had only lost acquaintances, not gained. My sister Kitty who I had once been so close to was fast becoming a stranger. I need this season in London to rebuild these bridges in my life. M
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 18
He simply stared at me for a few seconds, his breathing as ragged as mine before clenching his jaw, “I suppose we had better summon him,” he sighed.“Wait, wait,” I whispered, placing my hands on his face and pulling him to me, our foreheads touching as I gazed into his eyes. “Thank you.”“You do not need to thank me,” he said dourly, as I felt a frown forming against my forehead. “I do, Fitz, you were right, it’s…theres…just please don’t leave me,” I breathed, knowing I must sound foolish. I cannot confess love, he is a man entitled to his own life and happiness. My love is no use to a single man who will shortly be paid a large sum of money. With an icy horror I wondered if this payment was to go towards his own future married life. My fear only multiplied as Fitz hauled himself from the bed. He watched my expression change as he quickly pulled up his breeches and lowered my nightgown. He returned to lay on the bed, on his side facing me. It almost made me weep with relief. “We ca
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 19
** FITZ POV **Sitting in his tobacco soaked study, clutching a glass of brandy is the absolute last place on earth I want to be. Huge bookshelves crammed with leather tomes, dark red velvet curtains and leather seats remind me of the gentleman’s clubs in London. I was not a member of any such establishment, though I was often required to haul my brother away from them in times gone by.The Duke of Tarrick repulses me in every way. He is dressed in such finery, surrounded by opulence and received the finest education and tutelage in the country. Yet, once amongst men he seems to regress. From a gentleman to a toad. His flimsy frail frame drowns in his tailored waistcoats and shirts. Weight is dropping from him, his hands shake and I hear when his back spasms the cries can be heard across the entirety of Tarrick Hall. His green eyes peering through his head of greying hair are the only thing stopping him looking like a withered rat in my eyes.“Thorough!” he chuckled to himself, “that
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Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 60
The honeymoon period only extended, month after month. Summer ebbed leading to autumnal nights. The darkness outside and roaring fire saw many a night spent on the large sofa close together. I would lay with my head on his lap reading as he did the same. Without judgement or expectations of others we were able to find our own ebb and flow. We did not live in constant contact. I adored my riding, Fitz loved to fix and engineer solutions to anything. He was quite the hero in the local town. He was seen as the local engineer rather than the landlord and out-of-towner. We purposely did not communicate with the outside world. I knew Marie would be anxious for a letter but it was too great a risk. Someone like Henley, still working for Edmund could chance to manipulate Marie into giving information. It was better to vanish entirely. Fitz had not heard from his brother since returning northwards to claim me, however they had agreed between them for him to visit at Christmas. They did not
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 59
The next month was utterly blissful. We soon fell into a happy routine. I shrieked with joy when Fitz showed me the manor had a stable attached. A young local lad named Jacob, only twelve, was in charge of looking after our horses. We had one each and a tiny fell pony for Eleanor when she grew older.My mare was similar to Amber and very sweet in temperament. I called her Felicity and soon adopted a habit of taking myself for long windswept rides. After feeding Eleanor in the morning the summer meadows beckoned me forth. I would leave father and daughter content in the gardens, and examining flowers. Fitz talked to her as if she was a small adult, explaining in great, exaggerated detail the differences between tulips and posies. She babbled back, as though fully understanding as I arrived back red-faced and delighted with the world.The riding and continued feeding somehow aided my recovery from childbirth. The strength required by my body to trot and gallop across the winding meadow
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 58
I gasped and my head tilted upwards. He lavished kisses upon my bare skin, all whilst his single finger gently, sweetly probed me. As he released a torrent of wetness he let his own deep groan of desire. His finger circling my most sensitive little mound, sent urgent jolts of pleasure throughout my body.“Fitz, I have missed you, I have missed us,” I murmured, gripping his hair and breathing into his chest. “If this hurts you must say and I shall stop,” he rasped as his finger slid inside my most private place. It did not hurt much, only different. It still felt like the most natural, perfect sensation on earth. Shuddering in his grasp he gently caressed me into a quivering high. Drawing me out like teasing wool, his touch and swirling, circular motion had me whimpering into his body. My fingers clutched at his buttons, trying to open his shirt so that I could kiss and adore his bare flesh. His constant touch and affection left me gasping for breath, relentless pleasure searching eve
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 57
Fitz, my perfect, deviously charming, amazing Fitz was as good as his word. After the revelatory breakfast, supplied with fresh horses we managed to travel another forty miles before changing horses once again. On the Liverpool road we stopped at an inn. Anyone who might notice us and fancy making a penny on our names in the papers would surely report we were headed for the docks. Perhaps fleeing to the Americas for a new start. However our rumbling carriage eventually headed down south, towards the Welsh border. The further we travelled the more remote and beautiful the landscape became. Rolling green hills and pastures greeted us, plentiful villages with children running freely. Exhaustion was soon catching upon us. We took it in turns to sleep and hold Eleanor as the carriage rattled and bounced its way along the road. Despite the uncomfortable journey we teased and laughed with each other. Everything felt lighter, the further away from Tarrick Hall the greater my joy.It was so
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 56
*** FITZ POV***I allowed myself a minute to revel in her arrival before necessity made us flee..“You came,” I whispered again, nuzzling my lips against her bare neck. She let out a little moan of pleasure as I gently stroked her arms and waist. Little Eleanor was between us as I struggled to contain my utter joy. I wanted to press her to me and back in her.“We must go, I shall tell you everything on the way,” and just as I began to pull away, she grabbed me once more. “Fitz, I love you,” she murmured, “I should have done this the moment I realised I loved you.” Vanessa’s lips sought mine with a hunger I had sorely missed. My body surged with desire, there was nothing I wanted more than to show her my adoration had not ebbed in the slightest.Almost a year parted but my love had only expanded.Finally she released me, her hands gripping onto my black greatcoat, her face flushed with passion. Even in the near darkness her blue eyes sparkled and left me short of breath. “Come, we must
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 55
Although mid-July the wind whipped viciously outside. As I strode along the huge corridors towards his suite I could still see the trees swaying from the windows. The driveway torchilights were slowly flickering, by the time midnight approached only a few would be left to guide my way.I felt my heart seize as I approached Edmund’s doorway. So many times I had imagined this scenario. Sometimes Fitz was there holding my hand, promising to keep me safe. Other times I had imagined leaving without a single trace. After our honeymoon and realisation I was a prisoner within this grey stone tomb I had fantasised about fleeing in the night almost daily.Tonight it is finally time to discard my chrysalis. The gowns and fripperies that made me a Duchess are not my true colours. They are the trappings of a prisoner, albeit shinier and more ornate. The plain navy gown and cornflower blue day dress I wear are my true wings. These naturally fitting, comfortable garments will suit my life as I navig
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 54
Waking with a start I worry everything was a dream. Eleanor was immediately upon me, mewling and fussing for another feed. Yet Fitz had vanished. My wounded lion, who made no fuss of his injuries despite clearly being in considerable pain. Drowsily I rang the bell hanging from its red velvet rope as Marie appeared.“You are well Your Grace?” as she quickly helped hold Eleanor for me whilst I unfastened my gown. “Marie, you helped…” failing to utter his name. I had never discussed my true feelings for him with anyone. It was too terrifying to make someone aware of the glass, fragile core of my heart.“I did. Only once I must add,” she replied, smiling down at the gurgling baby in her arms. “I gave him the money from your bureau.”Of course. He had been robbed. He has nothing and my soul aches at remembering his wounded face. He had done his best to wipe the blood away but he could not hide the bruising under his eyes. He confessed he has not made his fortune, as if that would deter me
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 53
*** Fitz POV ***Standing there waiting whilst Marie informed her was the greatest test of self-restraint I have ever faced. Knowing that behind that thick swaddling of damask fabric lay my newborn child and the brightest light of my life. I had almost forgotten the battered state of my body, the fact that twenty hours ago my nose had been broken and my ribs crushed under the boot of a thug. Nothing mattered now. As Marie offered to watch the door, it enabled me to finally break through the barrier. I heard her soft gasp at seeing my fingers threading through the material. By the time I ducked my head and body inside the curtain I was certain I could faint on sight. For there she lay, a glittering angel under candlelight. Her long brown curls were piled up high. A few chestnut tendrils snaked their way down her perfect, elegant neck. A white nightgown, buttoned high up to her neck gave her an angelic appearance. Her blue eyes were tired but they still had that captivating sparkle.
Her Honour for an Heir Chapter 52
Marie was by my side from the moment the hot fluid first appeared between my legs. She burst into the room before my second scream of panic, suggesting she had been incredibly close to the doorway the entire time. Edmund said nothing further, merely scowling as Marie suggested the staff send for Doctor Mathers.“Your Grace I am here, do not fret,” she soothed, grasping my hand to her chest as I surveyed the damp bedding in panic. We must move you, you will be quite safe, come along. I have a room prepared.”Walking quickly, aware that at every step more liquid was seeping from between my legs we headed into a guest room across the hallway. There were dozens of towels, linens and a hot tin bath waiting. Marie rang a bell three times sharply, within a minute half a dozen servant girls appeared.“Just as we have prepared ladies, I want this tub full and hot, I want the fire lighting and you are to fetch Doctor Mathers in here the instant he arrives.”They curtsied as I found myself reduce
