Chapter Sixteen

William grins as he slaps his cards down on the paper revealing his winning hand. "Sorry ladies," he says. "It would appear I am incapable of being a gentleman at a card table."

Amelie lets out a snort of laughter. "Pardon my asking. But when are you ever a gentleman? I am yet to see it."

William looks at her, his eyes glimmering with mirth. "Oddly enough, it seems to occur far more often when you are not present."

My lips quirk at their banter and I can see Arthur is enjoying the exchange between them as much as I am.

"It is good to know I bring out the best in you William," Amelie says dryly but the tone is less effective when coupled with the twinkling in her eyes.

"Should I just propose here and now?" William asks as he collects and reshuffles the cards. "You already speak to me as if we have been wed for decades."

"I have to warn you," Amelie says with a huge grin. "It will only worsen from here."

"Sounds like a challenge," he quips. "A test of endurance."

"Do you think yourself man enough to come out the other side intact?" Amelie asks sipping her tea and watching the cards get delt out.

William's grin only gets wider. "A marriage to you certainly wouldn't be boring, would it?"

"I am a real handful," she agrees. "I am not at all likely to behave in any manner you deem appropriate."

I cannot help the chuckle that escapes me as I scoop up my cards and slip my foot out of my shoe to rub along Amelie's calf. I see her body tense from the corner of my eye and within seconds she relaxes into the contact.

"Be careful Amelie," Arthur says with mock seriousness. "William is not one to back down from a challenge."

"I can break him," Amelie says confidently with a wink.

William looks intently at her for a long moment, and I feel a twinge in my belly. That look is not a playful one. I am sure it is serious; does he intend a proposal?

I glance between the two of them and realise they would make a handsome couple. Their total disregard for social etiquette makes them the ideal match. Except for Amelie's proclivity towards women.

I am torn between the idea of a marriage to William keeping her here with me, and knowing every day that she belongs to a man I will have to play nice with. I cannot lie that Amelie's engagement would add an unpleasant shade to my relationship with William. Which is unfortunate seeing as we had worked so hard to arrive at this space where he no longer glares at me for entering the room. In fact, I feel we are actually beginning to develop a unique kind of friendship.

William annihilates us in another round of cards and Arthur rises from his seat. "I think I will retire for the evening." He takes my hand and leaves a kiss on the back of it. "Thank you for the lovely evening."

He sends a look to William, and he springs to his feet bidding us farewell as the pair exit the room in a flurry. I sit back in the chair and the chamber falls to silence and take the refilled teacup Amelie offers me. She slips into my lap, and I wind an arm around her waist as we sit together and watch the leaping flames in the fireplace.

"I have received a letter from my father," Amelie says in a quiet voice. "I am to depart the day after your wedding."

I squeeze her tightly. "Maybe we could run away?" I suggest.

"Two women in a land ruled by men?" Amelie says. "I do not think it will be as romantic as you are envisioning."

"It is better than envisioning you absent from my life," I reply leaving a kiss on her neck. She melts into my arms, and we sit for a long moment. "What if we could find a way for you to stay?"

"You are thinking of William," she says plainly.

I nod. "As much as I hate to think of his meaty hands on you, at least we could remain together."

"My father would never consent to handing over a dowry, when I could earn him five times that much in the years I have left," Amelie says sadly.

I nod and squeeze her tightly. "I will go speak with Arthur, perhaps he would consider supplying the funds we need to pay your father to keep you here."

"Do you intend to explain why I am paid to be here, or why you want me to stay?"

I grimace and drop my head against her back. "Why is it so hard?" I groan.

"The world does not approve of couplings such as ours," Amelie says simply.

I rise to my feet and Amelie springs to hers in surprise. "I will speak with Arthur now," I declare feeling brave in this moment as I head for the door.

"It will not be a simple conversation, Elizabeth," Amelie warns as she follows behind me trying to discourage me. "One wrong sentence and your whole future security could be removed."

"I will be miserable without you," I reason.

"Do not jeopardise your future for me," Amelie says taking my hand and tugging me to a stop.

I turn to face her. "I will be careful," I say, as I gently cup her face. "But I have to at least try."

She nods but I can see fear in her eyes. "I do not want to be the reason you come to harm."

I place a quick kiss on her head. "I will not be reckless. Arthur is a kind man, he will at the very least hear me out."

We move down the hall towards Arthur's rooms. I am not exactly sure which is his, and I realise the difficulty of the task I have set myself. My eyes pick up the glittering a fire light through an ajar door. Amelie lingers in the shadows obviously realising how bad it would look, if she stood beside me as I pleaded a case to pay her father.

I walk to the door and knock on it, surprisingly the door swings open with the soft noise and my eyes land on Arthur reclining in an armchair completely bare, as Williams kneels between his legs, his head bobbing. Arthur lets out a groan as his hands twine into William's short hair. The dark-haired man responds with a noise of his own and grazes his nails along Arthur's chest leaving dark red lines in their wake.

I make a sound of surprise and Arthur's eyes snap open, his green eyes locking on mine. William pauses at a tap from Arthur, and I turn away from the door. I glance about frantically as my brain tries to comprehend what I had just seen and an appropriate way to respond.

"Elizabeth," Arthur's voice calls out in a panic, and I take no more than two steps down the hall before he catches up with me. "Elizabeth," He calls. "Please wait."

I pause and turn to face him, he stands only in pants, his heavily muscled chest illuminated by the firelight flickering through the doorway. I struggle to find words for having interrupted such a private moment when my brain clicks into an automatic gear without conscious decision.

"Do you wish to tell me I didn't see what I just saw?" I ask trying to manage some calm at my racing heart. I try to chalk it up to surprise, but the uncomfortable throbbing between my thighs makes it clear it isn't that alone. "That what was happening there, meant nothing?"

Arthur looks visibly taken back and then angry. "I would never disrespect William like that. He could never mean nothing to me."

That stops me. "You love him?" I say slowly putting all the pieces of their behaviour in the past together. How could I not have seen it?

"I do," he confirms solemnly. "I can understand if you do not wish for our marriage to go ahead, knowing I am a sodomite. For I cannot and will not stop loving William."

I let out a small bubble of laughter as relief flows through me, and Arthur looks afraid even William peaks out the door sheepishly at us.

"I know this situation is confronting," Arthur says hurt. "But I do not appreciate your laughter."

"I am sorry," I say earnestly. "I am sure you will find it amusing once you have all the information as I do." Arthur looks at me sceptically. "I came here to plead your help to keep Amelie here," I say slowly. I take a deep breath knowing she is listening to every word of this just around the corner. "Because I am in love with her."

There is a long pause when Arthur finally ventures, "You are in love with Amelie?"

I nod and I feel her slip from the darkness and stand beside me. Purposely and in full view of the two men I slide my hand into hers. "I am."

Slowly a smile creeps onto Arthur's face. "I am beginning to understand your merriment of the situation at hand."

"Could we please move this into the room before someone sees us?" William asks from the doorway. "It is freezing in this corridor."

Arthur looks at me questioningly and I nod my consent as we move into his rooms. It is considerably warmer in here. The two men stand side by side bare chested in the flickering light. Arthur hurriedly grabs a shirt and pulls it on, only realising after he is in it, that it is the one William had on at dinner. William pulls on the remaining shirt, and we all stand quietly for a moment.

"I am sorry you found out this way," Arthur says quietly. "I did not mean to be deceptive."

"But you had no choice," I fill in for him. Well aware that their relationship, if discovered, is punishable by death.

He nods. "Even so, I am sorry."

"How long have you been together?" I ask.

"Almost ten years," Arthur replies quietly.

I nod. "You are a handsome pair."

He looks up at me uncertainly for a moment but slowly a smile creeps on to his face. "Thank you."

"I am happy to go ahead with the marriage if you are," I say quietly. I glance at William who almost flinches under my gaze. "I do not expect anything to change," I clarify.

The two men look at me hard. I can almost hear their brains buzzing as they process my words.

"You do not want us to separate?" William asks bewildered.

"Would you expect Amelie and I to separate?" I counter.

The two men shake their heads.

"Is there any more of that mead?" Amelie asks. "I think I could do with a glass."

"Me too," William declares and together the pair of them move over to the cabinet displaying the bottles and crystal glasses.

Arthur slowly takes my hand. "You still wish to be wed? Knowing I cannot give you what another husband could?"

I let out a small bubble of laughter and gesture to Amelie. "No offence, but I don't want it."

He gives me a warm rich smile and pulls me into a bone crushing hug before letting me go. "I am sorry," he says quickly stepping back. "I should have asked before I touched you. I was overcome with feeling."

I smile, "All is forgiven."

Amelie and William return with drinks for each of us. Which honestly, given the bizarre nature of the situation is appropriate. We settle into armchairs by the fire, and I take a very large gulp of my drink. As relieved as I am about the outcome here, I was not anticipating revealing the extent of my feelings for Amelie in a hallway to my betrothed, after catching him in a very intimate moment with a man.

Arthur runs his hands through his auburn hair and William rubs his short dark beard. I smile and do my best to hide it but fail dismally.

"What?" Arthur asks, and I can tell he is still waiting for me to level hurtful or angry words at him.

"I am just thinking of how many women would be devastated to realise you two are off the market because you are together," I say happily.

Amelie lets out a bubble of laughter. "Broken hearts all over the place."

William and Arthur smile and relax ever so slightly. "We will not reveal your relationship," I say gently.

"What do you want in exchange" William asks, rather desperately.

I shake my head. "Nothing," I say simply.

"You said you came to talk to me about keeping Amelie here," Arthur says looking between us.

I hold up my hands. "That was before I knew you two were together. I don't want you to feel my request is some kind of bargaining chip for my silence."

"Why is Amelie leaving?" William asks, honestly confused.

I glance at Amelie who nods, and together we reveal the true reason she is here and how my father is paying hers to ensure my safety.

William nods as he drains his second cup of mead. "Well, that explains the stabbing skills."

Amelie smiles. "Turns out I don't just have sharp words."

Arthur rubs his hands against the cold settling in the air. "I am happy to provide the funds to keep Amelie here."

"You do not need to provide funds," William says simply. He kneels before Amelie pulling one of his enormous rings from a finger. "Amelie Westward. Will you accept me as your token husband? To tolerate in company and to ignore in private?"

Amelies hand flies to her chest in mock elation. "You say the sweetest things, William." She holds her hand out. "I agree to be your token wife. I will tolerate you in company and gladly ignore you in private."

William slips the too big ring onto her finger. And Arthur claps merrily with hearty laughter.

"What if Amelie's father doesn't agree with the marriage?" I ask.

Amelie sobers. "He will not provide a dowry."

William sits back on the chair, a smile still spread across his face. "I do not want a dowry and I will share my titles with you. That should placate him."

"I believe it will," Amelie says with a grin. "Though be prepared for him to pin you as a lovesick fool."

"If the lovesick fool is a part I must play to remain with Arthur, and to keep you with Elizabeth. It is a task I shall suffer through with grace," William says.

"In company?" I ask coyly.

"Fat luck of me pretending in private," he says jovially.

***

I awake to soft touches along my collar bones and a light kiss grazes my neck. I pull in a sharp breath as the kisses spread along the exposed skin above my shift. Groaning, I turn my neck to the side giving more access as I slide my hands into long blonde hair.

"This is a pleasant way to wake up," I say as a familiar weight settles upon me.

"I tried to wait until you woke naturally," Amelie says between kisses. "I really did. But seeing your hair strewn about on the pillow like that while your shift almost reveals a breast. It was honestly too much to resist."

I chuckle. "You are insatiable."

"Mmm," comes the reply as she nibbles the underside of my breast. "Are you complaining?"

"Absolutely not," I groan as she takes a nipple into her warm mouth.

"Good girl," she murmurs, and the praise sends a shot of excitement right to my core.

I whimper at the words, and file the response away for later. Definitely something to explore further. Her hands grip my waist briefly before slipping under the shift to trace the skin on my thighs. Together we pull the material off and I tug at hers, which shortly follows mine to a place on the floor.

Capturing her lips, I set the pace for a demanding kiss. Pulling her until her thighs bracket mine. Sitting with her in my lap I trace circles over the lines of her stomach. She rocks against the touch and the hands in my hair tighten. Grinning, I slip my hand between her thighs and collect the moisture there.

I bite my lip and take a breath in. "You weren't kidding about being unable to wait."

"Please baby," she says rocking her hips and trying to get more friction from my exploring fingers. "Don't make me wait longer."

Slowly I push two fingers into her heat, and marvel as she bears down on them and rolls her hips with a loud moan.

"Heavens," I breathe as she rocks in my lap, and I look up at her in wonder. My own body responding powerfully to her noises and the desperate way she moves with my fingers within her.

I curl my fingers slightly, touching that place I know she likes best. She throws her head back and rocks unabashedly against me.

"Yes," she whimpers. "Right there baby. It feels so good."

I push my hand up to meet each of her thrusts and her nails dig delightfully into my shoulders as she grips them tightly and cries her pleasure to the ceiling. Her whole-body tenses, but I don't stop my movements. Determined to wring every last piece of pleasure from her as she moans incoherent words above me. Only when she slumps into my body do I stop to take her in my arms and lay her gently on the bed beside me.

I smile as I look over her covered in a light sheen of sweat and breathing heavily. I am quite pleased with myself at how long it is taking her to recover. I lean down and take her lips in mine kissing her soundly as my hips rock against her without any conscious effort on my part. My own need quickly becoming something impossible to contend with. Her fingers trail along my body, heading right for my centre.

"Please," I whimper dropping my head to her shoulder.

A knock at the door startles both of us and I jump violently. Amelie's strong hands keep me in place and her fingers don't stop their decent.

"Miss Hawkford," a timid voice calls out. "The Earl has sent me to see if you are well?"

"Well?" I repeat back to her, attempting to keep my voice from wavering as Amelie swirls her fingers around my swollen bud.

"You haven't come down for breakfast," the woman says through the door. "The Earl seems genuinely distressed about your wellbeing. He is a right mess Miss."

I close my eyes and drop my hand to still Amelie's. "Please let the Earl know, we will be down shortly. I have simply overslept," I say in a friendly voice.

I hear the woman retreat and I regretfully climb from Amelie's lap. "We should go," I say hating the words as they come from my mouth. "No doubt Arthur and William are still distressed from the events of last evening."

Amelie looks at me hungrily and sighs, "Seems fair for them to interrupt us seeing as we cock blocked them first."

My eyes widen at the blunt statement and a deep laughter spills from my belly. "Oh, please find a way to drop that statement in front of them."

Amelie's lips quirk as she helps me into my dress. Help is a loose word, as she caresses and grazes every part of me that she can get access to in the process. By the time we leave the rooms I am aching with need and just a tad bitter at the interruption. Amelie on the other hand looks at me with merriment and I know I am in for an interesting morning.

We make it to the dining hall without further interruption and Arthur practically springs from his chair as we enter. The wooden furniture rocks alarmingly but he catches it with a hand before it tumbles to the stone floor.

"Elizabeth," he says with a warm smile and approaches me taking my hand in his. His eyes filled with worry. "Are you well?"

"I am well," I reply, aware of the servants drifting through the space around us.

William makes a gesture and food is loaded onto the table before Arthur dismisses the help from the room. The minute we are alone the two men look over at us anxiously. I cast a glance at Amelie who nods her head towards the pair ever so slightly. I take her hand and lead her over to the table settling her down and deliberately moving my chair as close to hers as possible.

The two men watch us like hawks and relax ever so slightly as I openly show affection to Amelie. It may not be in the same compromising way I had caught them last night, but it does seem to level the field at least a little.

"Relax, Arthur," I say as he attempts to wring his fingers from his hand. "We have not changed our minds since last night."

He lets out a sigh of relief. "I wasn't–," he starts and plops back heavily in his chair. "I wasn't sure if you would change your mind once you had some time to process."

William sits in the chair beside Arthur and shakily pours a cup of tea. He downs it in a quick succession of gulps and refills it.

Amelie looks between the two men, who seem to struggle to maintain any form of composure. "Must you catch us in the act before you believe we won't hold your relationship over your heads?"

The two men have wildly different responses. William blanches so much he could blend in with a limestone wall and Arthur's face reddens to match his hair.

"That won't be necessary," Arthur says hurriedly holding up his hands, while William shakes his head aggressively.

Amelie lets out a small bubble of laughter. "I never would have imagined men existed who would turn that down."

Arthur rubs his face in his hands. "I have no inclination towards women whatsoever."

"How did you intend to get through the consummation of the wedding?" Amelie asks curious.

The mortification on the two men's faces is enough that my own smile crawls onto my face.

"Don't take this the wrong way Elizabeth," Arthur says slowly. "You are an incredible woman and astoundingly beautiful, but it would have been a struggle."

"Would have?" I ask, confused at the wording. It seems I have somehow been released from this obligation, but I cannot understand how.

"Consummation requires witnesses according to your fathers wedding contract," Arthur says grimly.

I look to the group. "Can Amelie and William be the witnesses? They could just say it happened.

Arthur breathes a sigh of relief and takes the cup of tea William offers him. "I was hoping you would agree to a plan such as that."

"Excellent," William says patting Arthur on the shoulder and allowing his hand to linger there for the barest of moments. "We have another problem that needs solving. We need to publicly declare our engagement." William says gesturing between Amelie and himself.

Amelie sits back in her chair. "That is a problem. And it needs to happen before the wedding, so I have reason to stay."

Arthur looks pained, "That will mean a formal event and it will give Elizabeth's attacker another opportunity."

"We could delay it," Amelie says. "But that increases the chances my father moves me away before any formal declaration can be made."

I shake my head. "That is not an option for me," I say firmly.

"Could Elizabeth not attend?" William asks. "Perhaps we could organise protection?"

Arthur grimaces. "That did not work out well for us in the past, and Elizabeth not attending would look poorly. None of us could stay with her in isolation either. Amelie must be here and for me to be alone with her prior to the wedding…" he trails off and looks at me apologetically.

"Would be unseemly," I finish. I reach to take the toasted bread from the table and shell an egg delicately. "I have not been attacked in company," I say finally.

"Amelie was there every time," William points out.

"Each of those times an attacker wouldn't have anticipated me to have company," I say slowly as I mash my hardboiled egg onto the toast. "Amelie travelling with me here was arranged the night before, and I don't think anyone expected to find her in my rooms."

The men nod and look uncomfortable at the implication. I smile cheerfully. There is no need for them to be aware of the exact time frame of mine and Amelie's relationship. Amelie looks at me with a knowing grin which only seems to discomfort the men further.

"So, you are suggesting that you should attend the announcement?" Arthur asks.

Amelie nods beside me as I answer, "Where am I better protected? With strangers, or with you three?"

William raises his eyebrows. "She does have a point."

Arthur nods and seems a little queasy as he contemplates the food on the table in front of him. The spread today is marvellous, with a range of foul to a variety of fruits and condiments.

"You two should eat," Amelie says, with a smile that begets trouble. "You need more to sustain yourselves than each other."

Arthur gapes at her. William beside him goes through a series of micro expressions before settling on a smile. "You are going to be a very entertaining woman to be married to."

She grins. "I'm only just getting started."

"Before this conversation spirals out of control," Arthur interjects as William's grin gets wider. "Can we agree that the announcement should be made within the next few days?"

Amelie and William nod.

"What about your families?" I ask at their ready agreement.

"Arthur is my family," William says simply. "My parents are long gone, and my brother can sod off."

I blink at the statement as Amelie says, "Father will only come if there is money involved, and he would never allow my sisters to finish a job early to attend something as inconvenient as my wedding."

Arthur and I glance at one another following their blunt and brutal statements about the regard they hold and receive from their families.

"Well, with the wedding five days from now, it would be prudent to act quickly," Arthur says slowly. "I shall organise a party for two days' time."

I finish off my toast and start another. Arthur tentatively reaches for an egg of his own and struggles to shell it. After long moments of watching him pick tiny pieces of shell off the boiled egg, William takes it from his hand and deftly removes the covering before returning the white remains. Arthur nods and smiles at him thankfully and mashes the egg into a slice of toast. Breakfast is a quiet affair and ends abruptly when two men enter the room.

"My Lords," they say with a bow. "Ladies," they add as an afterthought.

One with large pockets of acne speaks in a wobbly voice that painfully reminds me of Thomas. "Your stepfather," he pauses as his voice breaks and clears it. "Your stepfather is trapped in a hedge."

"A hedge?" Arthur repeats astounded. "How in the blazes did he get stuck in a hedge?"

"It is unclear Sir," The young man says. "He isn't making much sense and smells strongly of drink."

Arthur rubs his forehead. "Can you cut him out?"

"We have tried," the young man says. "Every time we come near him with the shears he thrashes about, and the task becomes dangerous."

I try to hold back a smile at the mental image, and I see Amelie's hand fly to her mouth. A gesture she only just manages to express as shock. I quickly divert my gaze because the chances are high that if I see her mirth, my composure will break.

Arthur lets out a huge sigh and rises from his chair. "I am on my way."

William springs from his chair gleefully and collects an assortment of breads and stuffs them with meats.

"Wait for me," he calls as Arthur makes his way to the door. "I'm not missing this."

The two men depart in a flurry, and Amelie and I are left alone in the room. As soon as the door closes a giggle escapes me. The stunning blonde turns to me with a grin that makes my heart hammer as the early morning light seems to make her hair shine.

"I cannot wait to hear the entirety of that story," she says in a light voice. I smile at her mirth and suddenly her gaze darkens as she glances about the room. She leans in close, her voice significantly deeper, "Looks like we are all alone in here."

I glance around the empty dining hall and feel a quiver of excitement as she leaves a blazing path with her hand as it travels gently along the exposed skin of my arm.

"Amelie," I warn, even as my heart rate picks up. "This is a common area, and anyone may come in here at any moment."

She leans in, centimetres from my lips and whispers, "Isn't that what makes it exciting?"

I swallow heavily at the words. "It makes it dangerous," I say in a voice that is anything but firm.

She slides a hand into my hair and pulls me in for a long deep kiss that awakens the desire from this morning that I had somehow managed to quell during breakfast. My resolve crumbles quickly as she kisses me, and I realise no matter how inappropriate what she is proposing is, I am not likely to turn her down. I shake with the rush of excitement that flows through me and between my thighs as the kiss ends.

"If you want me to stop," she says peppering my jaw and neck with kisses in between every word. "Just say so."

A strong nip to the join of my neck and shoulder pulls a moan from me.

"All, you have to do, is say stop," she whispers, tracing a finger lightly across my decolletage and locking eyes with me.

I bite my lip to hold in the involuntary noise that tries to escape.

"Please don't stop," I plead with more grace than I thought I could muster at this moment.

Amelie's grin is thrilling as she pushes my chair back slightly from the table. I follow her lead as she dazzles me with kisses of such perfection, they leave me breathless.

"Now baby," she says in a sultry voice. "Remember we are in a public place, and those beautiful noises of yours will get us caught."

I nod, doing my best to stem the noises that try to escape at the implication. Amelie kisses her way down my chest and when the dress denies access to further skin, she ducks to her knees under the table and lifts my dress over her body.

"Heavens!" I whimper. Only just managing to suppress the cry that had wanted to burst forth, as her lips kiss the inside of my thigh.

I glance around the room, but no doors have flung open, and I allow myself to be present in the moment. Amelie shifts and a tongue flicks through my heat. I drop my head back on the chair and lift my hand to cover my mouth, knowing silence might not be a thing I can maintain under this onslaught of sensation.

Her strong hands grip my thighs and spread them further apart as she gains access to more of me, and it doesn't take long before I am a right mess. I writhe in the chair, and I know the noises spilling from my lips are very likely audible to anyone outside the doors. But in such a euphoric state, I cannot bring myself to care.

Two fingers press into me, and I bite the back of my hand as my peak crashes over me with a sudden violence that leaves me shaking and out of breath. It isn't until I nudge her away that she ceases her attentions, and she is quick to climb into my lap and claim a demanding kiss that has me tasting myself on her tongue.

"Baby," she says with a grin. "That was not quiet in the slightest."

I pull her close. "Trust me," I say. "I was much quieter than I wanted to be."

She laughs gently. "I was rather determined to break your resolve."

"Consider it broken," I say joyfully.