Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Ann

T he sun is low on the horizon but the weather is so beautiful and I've been cooped up in the library all day. Luckily, it is a very fine library. I walk past the tall shrubs that form a wall around the estate garden. There's a dirt path and I follow it as I deserve a little exploration after a hard day's work.

I follow the sound of ducks and birds to a wooded area that surrounds a pond. It's lovely.

A splash draws my attention to the right.

Oscar's head comes up from the water.

I gasp.

His gaze meets mine.

I back up a step. Lord, he's not wearing a shirt. I'll not be able to resist him. I don't even want to. "Forgive me. I don't want to intrude on your solitude." I turn to flee.

"Don't go." The plea stops me.

Unable to resist, I look over my shoulder. "We could be discovered here. You are not properly dressed." I scan the edge of the pond and find his clothes neatly folded on a rock, trousers included. My cheeks and neck are on fire.

He swims toward me. "No one comes here except me." His smile is wicked. "And it would seem you."

"I heard ducks." It is a ridiculous thing to say. Please let a rogue lightning bolt strike me.

"Would you like to swim with me?" He points toward his clothes. "You can leave your dress there. The water is delightful."

I walk around the pond, never taking my attention from him, and he turns to watch me the entire time. I've most certainly lost my mind, but I long to be in his arms and once this assignment is over, I'll never be asked such a thing by Oscar or any man again.

Tugging free the laces of my dress, I step out and lay it on top of his clothes. I roll down my stockings and remove them with my shoes, then pull the chemise over my head.

Naked, I stare at him and step one foot in the cool water. "I've never done such a reckless thing in my life."

Swimming closer, he stands and his shoulders breach the surface. "I'm honored to have your trust."

As I step deeper, he comes closer until he's submerged to the waist and it's a bit deeper for me. My breasts bob at the top of the water.

Oscar wraps his arm around me and lowers his head to take one of my nipples into his mouth.

I have to bite my lip to keep from crying out. "Oscar." I thread my fingers through his head. "Oh, why can't I resist you?"

He sprinkles kisses across my chest and up my neck. "I sincerely hope it's because you don't wish to, Ann. I know that I've longed for more of you these weeks. Trying to be a gentleman has been torturous."

His tongue skims the shell of my ear and my body is on fire. I grip his back and pull myself in, wrapping my legs around him. I offer my lips, and he devours them. Kissing Oscar is like finding air when there has been none. I can't get enough of him. I need more.

His cock presses hard between our bodies. Gripping my bottom, he carries me out of the water.

"I'm too heavy."

In his green eyes, a woman could get lost. The way he looks at me is both tender and lustful. "You're perfect." Putting me on my feet on the soft grass near our clothes, he digs out his coat and spreads it on the ground. "Will you lie down?"

With my legs shaking from either lust or fear of being discovered, I'm more than happy to lie back on his coat. "How can you be certain no one will come looking for us?"

Beautifully naked, he stretches out beside me. "No one ever comes here."

"I did." I run my hand down his broad chest.

He kisses my cheek. "I'm glad you did. If you're uncomfortable, Ann, we can dress and go back to the house." He kisses my neck, trailing his tongue along my pulse and along my collarbone.

My breath is shallow and quick. Everywhere he kisses me burns for more and my womanhood aches to be touched. "I trust you, Oscar."

Stopping, he lifts his head and looks into my eyes. "You can trust me. I will never hurt you or allow anyone else to."

Women speak of the promises men make in such situations. Still, he sounds so sincere, I almost believe him. "Will you show me how to please you?"

"You cannot know how your being here naked with me makes me feel, or you wouldn't ask that question." He runs his hand between my breasts, down my abdomen, and slides two fingers between my folds.

Pleasure fills me and I let my legs fall open. He spreads my folds and rubs my bud until I'm writhing. I bite my lip to keep from screaming. "Oh, Oscar. I'm. Oh."

"I would love to hear you let go and scream out your pleasure, love." Sliding a finger inside me, he works my flesh until I'm close to ecstasy.

"I need. Oscar." Pleasure swamps me, cascading through my entire body and culminating between my thighs.

Covering my mouth with his, he swallows my screams of pleasure. Gentling the kiss, he pulls me close, then rolls so that I'm straddling his hips.

Not sure what to do, I stare at him as the last shudder of pleasure races through me. "I don't know what you want."

Running his finger through my tussled hair, he lifts his hips so his shaft slides along my slit. "I want you to do as you please, love. You are in control."

There is something quite heady in having power over a man like Oscar. Rising to my knees, I center him at my entrance, and lower until he fills me.

He cries my name over and over like his most ardent prayer. Gripping my hips, he holds me in place, his eyes closed. A moment later, he releases me.

I rise and fall, rise and fall. Every time he fills me, my body tightens. The base of his shaft rubs against my bud. My body is on fire. I quicken the pace, chasing the pleasure I never knew existed before Oscar. Now I need it like my next breath. Throwing my head back, I ride him hard and fast, until I can't wait another second and my body squeezes his shaft, milking more delight.

"Oh, Ann. Ooohhh." Gripping my hips, he pulls me up and off before hugging me tight and spilling his seed between us. "You are magnificent." He kisses my forehead while caressing me from my bottom to my shoulders.

I have never felt so adored.

"We should clean up and go back to the house," he whispers against my hair.

Deliciously sore, I rise and step into the cool water. A moment later, his arms are around me and nothing can be more perfect than floating in Oscar's arms while the sun gives its last moments of daylight.

I rise late, and while Oscar came to my bed and held me in the night, he is gone when I wake. Somehow that's disappointing, despite knowing he had no choice but to leave before the staff started their day.

Dressing, I'm delightfully sore and anxious to see him. We will finalize the details of the picnic today. Besides the fraudulent postings and the money taken, the books for Kensfield Manor are in good condition. I've made all the corrections and left notes for whoever takes the steward's job. That will be my last act as Oscar's Everton Lady. I will interview and hire a replacement to manage his estates.

Somehow that makes me very sad.

It's past eleven when I go downstairs.

Honoria is still at the breakfast table. "You're up late."

"I was tired." I sit next to her at the round table. It sits in an archway in front of windows that face west. The other seat is empty. "Did his lordship finish his breakfast already?"

Honoria sips her tea. "He was gone before I got up. I think he had an errand."

Trying not to look as disappointed as I feel isn't easy. I hope I'm successful. "I see. Well, we'll finalize the menu for the picnic tomorrow without him."

"There will be some games, I'm told. His lordship hired a few circus performers. It should be good fun and the weather is so fine." Honoria grins like a girl.

"I'm sure it will be a fine time and perhaps will make up for the lack of a Lady Day celebration." I accept a cup of chocolate and spread butter on a piece of toast.

"Were the farmers satisfied with the financial agreement his lordship offered?" She finishes the last of her coddled eggs and puts her fork down.

A footman rushes over and takes the plate away.

We've been in Devonshire for several days and have accomplished so much that I'd nearly forgotten how brilliantly Oscar handled the seed situation. "They were pleased that his lordship explained all the details of what happened. He told them all the truth about Mr. Bellston, and he'll expect the cost of the grain to be deducted from what the farms pay this season."

"It's always wise to be honest." She sits back with her teacup. "I think he's in love with you, Ann."

My heart tightens as if someone has strapped a rope around it. "Who?"

"Don't be daft," Honoria scolds. "You know very well to whom I am referring.

Tears are trying very hard to push their way up as my emotions bubble. Joy, fear, and denial are all at odds inside me. I have to hold them at bay. "Oscar Stafford is not in love with me," I whisper, since a footman and Hodgins are still in the breakfast room.

"You don't think so?" Honoria smiles as if she has a secret.

I don't like it. "No. In fact, I'm certain you've lost your mind. Why would you say such a thing?"

Putting her cup in the saucer, she smiles, then pats her hair, which is already falling from its loose bun. "I believe it's obvious, my dear. He looks at you as if you are the sun and the moon. You can ask anyone who has seen the two of you together and they will say the same."

Like an imbecile, I look over at Hodgins.

The butler's stern expression softens, he gives a slight nod, and his expression returns to its natural state.

"I'm sure you're mistaken. Regardless, my work here is nearly done, and we will go back to London. I'm sure his lordship will travel to Scotland once there's a permanent steward in place." I should be stronger, but my chest aches with the idea that soon I'll never see Oscar again.

A fter three weeks at Kensfield, the books are in order and I've narrowed the search for a steward down to two gentlemen.

Oscar has been in good spirits, though we have not repeated our rendezvous at the pond. I know he goes there most nights, but I have stayed away. It's better this way. It would be foolish to become too attached to a man I cannot have. I made my choice years ago.

I check my hair in the glass. I'm to meet Oscar at the picnic and welcome the neighborhood.

Satisfied that my rose-colored dress is appropriate for the event, I feel good about the work I've done. As the day is lovely, I forgo a shawl and head downstairs.

Hodgins stands at the bottom of the stairs. "I was about to deliver this." He holds a letter. "It came for you a few minutes ago."

I take it and my heart sinks, immediately recognizing my name in my father's handwriting. " Thank you."

"Is something amiss, Miss Wittman?" He stares at me. "You've gone quite pale."

"It's nothing." I walk to the library and open the letter.

Ann,

I was more than a little surprised when a gentleman came to ask for your hand. I should have thought you long on the shelf. By my calculations, you are nearly thirty years of age. You probably regret your terrible decisions all those years ago and now wish you had listened to your father as any obedient daughter should do.

While my instinct was to tell the Earl of Kendall he was forbidden to marry you, he outranks me, and I gave my blessing. You should know that I believe you shouldn't marry an upstanding man. You have no right to such an elevated position in the ton.

Your mother is pleased for you. Perhaps that is enough.

Baronet, Niles Wittman

Gripping the paper in my fist, I walk out of the house to the lawn where people have already begun to assemble.

I scan the crowd. Local gentry in their bright colors mix with farmers in their Sunday best. Every table and tent is draped with pink and yellow fabric.

As festive as it all looks, my rage negates any pleasure.

Oscar stands at the center of everything, talking to the local magistrate. When he spots me, his expression brightens and falls in the span of an instant. He excuses himself and strides in my direction.

My bravado falters. I turn and walk as fast as I can toward the house. I don't know when I became such a coward, but it's time to go home. I'll pack and leave. It will be painless.

"Ann?" Oscar's raised voice is closer than I expect.

I stop just inside the garden's tall shrubs and face him. "My lord."

"What is wrong? You look as if you're… Actually, I've never seen you look this way. Are you angry?" He reaches for me.

I back away. The first tear finds its way to my cheek. "Don't think I'm crying because I'm sad. It is the rage that feeds my tears." I thrust the letter at him. "How dare you go to him."

He uncrumples the letter, looks at the page, and his jaw ticks. His eyes widen and his back stiffens. "I didn't realize."

The magistrate from the crowded lawn appears. "My lord, we cannot begin without you."

"Ann we will talk about this, but we have guests." He holds out his hand to me.

Tightening my fisted hands, I say, "No, my lord, you have guests. There is nothing to talk about."