Connie, and Barrat. (closed)

[Blue Dolphin]

Albert Barrat, 32, muscular and heavy set. Dark hair and broody eyes. Gardener on the Rowley estate, somewhere in England in 1926.

***

Barrat, as he was known by all and sundry on the Rowley estate, swam leisurely across the lake, and back again He had just returned from the big house, after collecting his wages from Belmont, the butler. Albert did not like Belmont, not at all, while he, Abert, had been away fighting the Germans for almost 4 years, Belmont had managed to pull a few strings, and escape conscription. Having lost his younger brother to the war, and many good friends, Albert hated Belmont with a passion.

Climbing from the small lake, Albert sat on a very old tree trunk, and waited for the sun to dry of his body. As the sun warmed his body, Albert remembered, with sadness, the events that had brought him to this place. He had signed up for Kitcheners Army, and been shipped off to France very shortly afterwards. The war had been hell, with many close friend dying as they stood next to him alomost. He hated thinking about it, but, he could not forget it.

Nor could he forget his return to England, where a letter was waiting for him, from his uncle.
Albert`s wife, Mother, and his Father, had all succumbed to Spanish flu, the killer that had decimated the world t seemed, from 1917 onwards. Lord Rowley`s family had been kind to him, Old Lord Rowley was alive then, and he gave Albert his fathers old job, as head gardener. Then the old Lord had died in 1922, and young Lord Rowley had come home, in his wheelchair.

Albert had great respect for young Rowley, he had fought in the war, but, due to a bullet in the spine, he would never walk again. Not that Albert talked to Rowley, they were not of the same class, officers only gave enlisted men orders, and they certainly didnt talk to them. And then, there was Rowley`s wife, the Lady Constance, she was beautiful there was no doubt about that, but she looked so sad whenever Albert saw her. Pushing the wheelchair, or just out walking.

Albert did not have a woman of his own, not in the cottage, losing his wife had hit him hard, and his right hand had became his bride for most of the year, but not all of it. Behind Albert`s cottage, he had developed a fair sized garden of his own, where he grew fruit and vegetables. Every Saturday morning, Albert would go to the local market, and sell his wares. All the profit that he made, he then saved, to pay for a winters trip to London, and a weekend's stay in a whorehouse.

Albert`s life was good, and, he was content.

 

[haremfaery]

((I'm stealing part of what you wrote in a different post to give some background, so I won't forget.))

Lady Constance "Connie" Elizabeth Helen Rowley, 30. One the tallest side, with the slim figure that was so coveted for the fashions of the time. Short blonde hair in a bob cut, cornflower blue eyes, a true English Rose.

Connie was out walking on her own. The house seemed stifling and she needed quiet away from the servants and her husband's false cheerfulness.

Connie was the wife of the Lord of the manor and 6 years his junior. She and Lord Clifford Rowley were married in 1917, and had 2 weeks together, before he was posted to France. Within 6 weeks of arriving in France, Rowley had been invalided out of the army, paralyzed from the waist down by a German bullet, and with very little movement in his arms. He had told Connie that he understood that she had needs, and he was happy for her to attend to those needs, on one condition. She could not be with any of their friends, or acquaintances, and certainly nobody from the aristocracy. Consequently, her field of opportunity was very narrow, and had never been realized. Not that sex interested her all that much. But she and Sir Clifford did not share as much as they once had and that was the intimacy she missed. Being with him was becoming a chore as he grew more morose at his inability to move about on his own, to constantly ask for assistance.

Connie and her sister grew up traveling Europe to soak up the arts, as their mother said. In soaking up the arts, both sisters became enamoured of young gentlemen would could touch their souls with prose and poetry. Sex was a natural progression, but she had found it rather anti-climatic after being wooed so passionately with words.

Connie was well educated and spent long hours reading to Sir Clifford. Her marriage had been a very happy match as far as her parents were concerned they were intelligentsia, but Sir Clifford was a Baronet. He was drawn to her capacity for things of the mind. He was a virgin when they married and even on their honeymoon with him going off to war, sex did not mean much to him. Their intimacy was deeper than mere sex, although Connie had wanted children if only to carry on the Rowley line.

She wandered quite far from the house. It was such a lovely day. Too lovely to merely sit outside and read to her husband. She had excused herself to get some exercise to improve her appetite for dinner.

((And I wasn't sure if they should run into each other or not, but I'm set up for it if you are ))

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat

It was Friday again, and like every other Friday since he had returned, it was the day to mow the lawns. This had even happened in Baratt`s Father`s days. The lawns were mown every Friday, perfect straight lines everywhere.

It was done with one specific purpose in mind, to impress any guests that might be visiting the estate. Baratt could understand why this had once been necessary, but in his opinion, that was no longer the case. No visitors came now, there were no hunting parties, no shooting parties. There was just Lord Rowley himself, complaining to everybody, about everything, it was sad to see, as Albert remembered how Rowley had been in his youth, a fine figure of a man, and a great horseman as well.

Reaching the great house, Albert went to the stables, and the new annexe where the Atco petrol mower was stored, it was a wonderful machine thought Albert, far superior to having to manually push a mower by hand. It was 9.30 am when Albertfinally drove the mower round to the front of the house, to begin what was sometimes a very tiresome chore. The sun was already high in the sky, and the day was getting warmer by the minute, before he started, Albert removed his shirt, and draped it over the seat.

Then he proceeded, back and forth, up and down, over and over, all the time checking his landmarks, to keep the lines correct. Occasionally something flashed in his eyes, and he was unsure what it was, then he spotted it, at an upstairs window, something metallic, glinting in the sun, but too far away to recognise. For a few moments he wondered, who might it be, and then he dismissed the thought. he was really far too busy to daydream.

ALbert toiled for most of the day, just stopping at 1PM, for some bread and cheese, and a glass of cider provided by cook, and occasionally stopping by the well, for a drink, and a splash, of cold water. The mowing was all done by 5.30, and he spent the next hour cleaning, and polishing the mower, it had to last for years, he knew that. Finally he got back to his cottage, nearer 7PM than 6 he noted, but the work was done, and the rest of the day was his, and, tomorrow was market day, which was always a pleasure to Albert, if he could make enough money this year, he might even go to London for 3 days, instead of two.

Stripping of his clothes in the cottage, Albert padded his way across the 70 yards or so to the lake, he walked in, and then ducked down, letting his head get the full benefit of the cooling water. Then he swam, around the lake, three times, slowly and easily, he was in no hurry. As he swam, he thought about London, and Mary O`Brien`s, the whorehouse. Mary was used to him now, and she even called him by his first name, and she would tell him which were the most popular girls, and details on any new ones. As Albert left the lake, he was smiling, thinking about his last visit to London, and two girls in particular, that had shared his bed at the same time.

Even though Abert was dripping cold water down his body, the thoughts of the brothel, and cunt, made his cock begin to swell. He sat on the log, facing the sun, with his eyes closed, His left hand stroked his growing cock, slowly, and leisurely, while his right hand occasionally fondled his heavy ball sack. He thought about his wife, Elizabeth Jane, and hopw she had loved his cock, "Ah yes Albert" he thought to himself, "those were the days".

He suddenly felt uneasy, and opened his eyes to look around, but all was normal, and he relaxed again, his cock was almost fully erect now. Albert stood, leaving his mark on the log, as he made his way back to his cottage, with his erect cock pointing out the route for him.

 

[haremfaery]

Connie was in her room brushing her hair when she heard the mower. That would be Barrat, and if she did not already know it, this would tell her it was Friday. Most days if she did not read the morning paper, she would never know one day from the next.

Her sterling silver brush caught the sunlight and sent a blob of light dancing . It was a gift for her birthday a few years ago from Sir Clifford, he had it monogrammed on the back. It was part of a dresser set, Brush, mirror, comb. It was in the Egyptian Deco style. She ran her fingers over the raised designs on the back of it as she looked outside. Barrat was shirtless on the mower, that much she could tell. It reminded her that her husband had gotten thin. He had little patience for the exercises his doctors wanted him to do.

She opened the window to let the air fill the room with the scent of freshly moan grass. Eventually she left the window and put the brush back on her vanity.

She read to Sir Clifford for awhile after luncheon, then played the piano for a long time, shifting from Prokofiev, to Tchaikovsky to popular ragtime pieces. The jaunty ragtime music belied her melancholy, but perhaps if she played happy music, it would make her happy.

After tea and seeing that Sir Clifford was settled for the time being, she put on her walking shoes to enjoy what was left of the day. She wandered her and there. She was watching a sparrow fixing its nest when she heard a noise and stopped to peer through the trees into the clearing to the lake.

What she saw brought a blush to her cheeks. Cheeks that hadn't seen a blush in a very long time. There was the groundsman, Barrat, sitting naked as you please, but that was not what had her heart pounding and her face flushed. The man was fondling himself.

She stepped back under the cover of the trees ready to bolt back to the manor, but she could not tear her eyes away. She had not seen a man with an erection since her honeymoon. She had certainly never seen a man touch himself. Barrat had a broad back and the sort of muscles a man gets from labor. She found herself wondering what his muscles would feel like under her hands. This shocked her. She had always been rather cerebral. To feel...aroused like this, was very unusual.

She ducked back further when he looked around and stood up. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of him. He was like some magnificent animal, proud and unashamed. She stood in the trees for some time after he had gone into his cottage. Her palms were moist and she wiped them on her skirt. Finally she turned for her long walk back to the manor.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat

Albert stretched out his legs, as he leaned back in his leather chair, with his right hand firmly grasping his rock hard shaft! Closing his eyes, he started to stroke firmly, and regularly, as his mind drifted away, to a time long ago.

A time of happy days, and passionate nights, all shared with his beloved Welsh wife Ruth. Indeed, it was Ruth who had christened Abert'scok, so to speak. The first time she ever grasped it, through his trousers, Albert could still hear her, even now.

"Oh my word Albert, you do 'ave a fine John Thomas, don't you now,"

From then on, Albert had always called his cock that name.
And he did so now, as his long slow strokes intensified.

"it's cunt that tha wants John Thomas, and soon you will have it, all the cunt that you can handle, just as soon as I have the shillings."

He stroked faster, visualising Ruth, smiling lustily, as she lowered her own beautiful cunt, over the head of John Thomas. Albert grunted three times, and held his breath, before releasing his come, watching it fly free, to land on his belly, and his chest. He sighed, almost in resignation, this had become a ritual now, this Friday evening play, and the remembering of better days. He did not wipe the sticky viscous liquid from his torso, instead he returned to the lake, and washed it off, while whispering,

"For you Ruth, the only woman that I have ever loved."

- - - - -

5AM on Saturday morning, and Albert Barrat was on his way to Hayfield market, 7 miles away. His wheelbarrow was full, and his hopes were high, that given a good day, he might well be home before 3PM

 

[haremfaery]

Connie arrived back at the manor. Dinner was already on the table. "I'm so sorry, Clifford. I was out walking and lost track of the time." She kissed his cheek and took her seat at the far end of the table.

"It's all right, Connie. It seems the outdoors suits you. There's a bloom in your cheeks."

She tucked her hair behind her ear and took a piece of beef that the servant, Jones, was offering her to avoid looking at her husband.

They passed the meal in relative silence. After dinner, they retired to the library, each to their own side of the room and read until bedtime. She read the same paragraph over and over, but could not concentrate on it.

Sir Clifford's nurse came in to put him to bed.

Connie went to her own room. Her maid, Molly, helped her undress. She was rather listless about the whole thing and sent Molly away as soon as she could.

Her thoughts kept going back to Barrat as whe watched him by the lake. It was so unlike her. She felt very confused. She found herself not only thinking about his body and the self-assurance he had to just sit there naked in the sight of God. She also wanted to know him, not personally perhaps, but she wanted to know about about him. What did he do when he was not mowing or hunting or sitting naked by the lake.

She climbed into bed. Her thoughts always came back to him sitting by the lake. Naked. Her hand cupped her breast and she ran her thumb over her nipple imagining a lover's touch. How long since she had been touched that way? She could calculate it to the minute.

Her hand crept lower and cupped her sex. She pulled it away disgusted with herself. It was a long time before she was able to sleep.

~~~~

She followed her usual routine in the morning. Molly helped her with her bath, then it was down to breakfast to sit across from Clifford and read the morning papers. Next to the library to deal with correspondence and perhaps read, or wheel Clifford around the front lawn for a bit so he could take the sun. Back inside for luncheon. Their lives were parallel, but so separate.

Connie was restless and it showed.

"Dear, why not go for a walk." Clifford said to her. "You looked so much better for it last night at dinner. I plan to read, or perhaps take a nap."

"I shall then," She went to change into something more appropriate for a long walk in the woods.

It was not a surprise that she ended up back at the lake. But Barrat was nowhere to be seen. Why should he be? It was Saturday and his day off. She walked to the stump keeping a little distance form it as she walked around it as if it might suddenly come alive.

From there, she approached his cottage. The outside was well taken care of in terms of keeping it weathertight, but any paint on it was mostly flaked away. Shutters on the windows, but no curtains. It was blatant that it was a place where a man lived, and only a man.

She grew bold and more curious and went to the door, she rapped on it but was sure she would get no answer. Bolder still, she opened the door and went in. After all, the cottage belonged to the manor, the Rowleys only allowed Barrat to occupy it. It was within her rights as Lady of the Manor.

She looked around the place. It was really just one large room with a much smaller room lined with shelves for storage on two sides. It was mostly empty but contained foodstuffs and a few articles of clothing. What looked like his only suit. Probably worn by Barrat went to London once a year. She fingered the fabric, so different from Clifford's suits, or even those of the male servants. Not that she was in the habit of touching those.

She went back to the main room and stood by the pallet Barrat must use for his bed. She imagined him stretched out on it, naked, looking at the ceiling, stroking himself. What did he think of, she wondered? Nameless, faceless women? Some special woman? One of the maids? Peggy perhaps, she was young and had a sweetness about her.

She stood there a long time, lost in thought.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat

It was after 7.30 when Albert finally arrived at Hayfield market, he had a spot near the entrance, the same spot that he had been using for these last five years.
Albert also had virtually the same customers, week by week, customers who appreciated both the quality, and the freshness of his produce. When 11.30 came around, Albert finally sold his last article, two pounds of carrots. Leaving his wheelbarrow by his market stall, where he knew that it would be quite safe, Albert walked into the village of Hayfield, He needed some provisions for his cottage, as well as some bread and cheese, with a pickle or two, for his lunch. Then it was a call at the village pub, the Pig & Whistle, for he always washed his Saturday lunch down with a pint of Mary Ellen`s best bitter beer.

Mary welcomed him, as she always did, with a big smile, and a cheery word or two.

"Tis Barrat the gardener I see, what is it Barrat, bitter?"

I nodded, as she took down a pint glass from the rack and started to pour. Now Mary Ellen, the landlords wife, was a big woman, and proud of it too, she would flaunt her enormous bosom in front of all and sundry, and she took great delight in teasing Barrat.

"Here is your beer Barrat, now then, do you want to pay for it, or can I tempt you with these?"

She shook her ample breasts, almost in Barrat`s face, something she did every week. Albert just smiled, and placed his money on the bar.

Moving to pick up the money, she spoke again.

"Have you got a little woman yet, Barrat, to warm your bed, and to see to you?"

"You know I have not Mary Ellen, I have no need, I am fine."

"Maybe Albert Barrat, and maybe not."

She moved away to serve another customer, then, as Barrat enjoyed his beer, just before taking my last swig, I looked at pub clock, 12.30PM, and time to go, with any luck, he would be home by 3, and able to start washing his soiled clothes. He collected the wheel barrow, placed his provisions in it, and left the market square, beginning my long walk home. Then a lorry came past me, a new one it looked like, and it stopped about 20 yards ahead of where Albert was, as he drew level the door opened, and Albert saw the farmer whose farm borders the Rowley estate, Jack Tatum.

"Barrat? I am going by your place, do you want a lift back, if so, throw the barrow into the back, and climb in yourself."

Now that was good luck, and not an offer that he would refuse, instead of two and a half hours, Albert would be home in 30 minutes!.

At 1.15PM, I was wheeling the barrow up to his front door, very satisfied with the day so far.

And then everything changed in a moment, Barrat`s smile was replaced with a scowl, he dropped the wheel barrow, and marched forcefully towards his open front door. Barrat would neverm never go out and leave his door open, there were too many itinerent animals and birds in these parts, who would think nothing of foraging in the cottage, and leaving one unholy mess behind.

When he did enter, the scene that greeted his eyes seemed unreal, and for a moment he was speechless, as he perceived Lady Constance, standing motionless, by his bed. She must have heard him, and half turned as Barrat approached, he said not a word, instead he bent slightly, threw his arm around her waist, and tossed the Lady of the Manor onto his shoulder.

Albert carried Lady Constance outside, through the trees, and down to the lake, he had thought to toss her into the lake, but common sense stopped him from making what would have been a major mistake. He sat her down on the tree stump, the one that he regularly sat on to dry off. His eyes flashed with anger, as he barked at Lady Rowley.

"My Lady, I would never dare to presume to enter your home, and your bedroom, and look around, and, I expect the same courtesy from you and your husband. I may only be a gardener, but I am not a chattel, you may own the cottage, but it is still my home, and an Englishman`s home is his castle they say."

Albert stopped talking, and just looked at her, his breathing heavy, his eyes flashing, and his chest heaving. He had said enough, and turning on his heel, he walked off, back into the trees, toward his cottage.

 

[haremfaery]

Connie was startled by Barrat's return, she had thought to be long gone. Why, it was not even time for tea. But those thoughts quickly fled when he picked her up as if she were not more than a sack of flour. She squealed and clutched at his jacket. She was afraid he would dump her on her head. Instead, he placed her, rather carefully on the stump by the lake. The stump where he rested his naked bottom.

She thought of Barrat as some Viking warrior carrying off his spoils of war, to have his way with her. But he would not dare. It was her own silly fantasy.

Her cheeks colored from all sorts of embarrassments. Barrat was right in his chastisement of her. She opened her mouth to speak, to beg his pardon, perhaps try to explain herself but the words died in her mouth.

He glared at her so fiercely, no man had ever looked at her with such fire. Clifford never raised his voice. Ever.

Then he was gone, stomping back to his cottage.

What an infuriating man. And how disrespectful.

Connie took a few moments to collect herself wondering if he were watching her though his little window. She stood with all the dignity she could muster, smoothed her skirt and walked back to the manor.

She could not stop thinking about their encounter. Over and over again, she heard his angry voice, saw his flashing eyes. She berated herself for taking such a liberty to enter his home. She would have to do something to let him know she meant no harm. But what?

She returned to the manor directly, "Molly, I'm going to lie down. Come and knock when tea is ready."

She took off her shoes and stretched out on her bed. Images of Vikings carrying off maidens filled her head. What a silly girlish thing to think. Barrat was no Viking, and she was certainly no maid.

She turned her thoughts to how to appease Barrat. Not that she had to, she was Lady of the Manor and could do as she pleased. But that seemed rather old-fashioned. Barrat was right, these were not the Middle Ages and he was no serf. Perhaps if she made up a basket of food, and perhaps and old shirt of Clifford's, but no, Barrat's shoulders were far too broad to fit in anything of Clifford's. The food would be enough. With a note of apology from her. That would be the right thing to do.

After that, she was able to doze for awhile until Molly rapped on the door, "Tea is ready, m'lady."

"Yes, yes. I will be down shortly."

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat

Barrat soon regained my composure, especially after Lady Rowley left. Would she tell her husband? That he doubted, she had made an error by entering his home, without being invited to do so. Maybe he had over reacted,and maybe not, he was not sure, either way, the message had been clear, and Barrat let such thoughts of her go.

After storing his purchases, he began the washing process for his soiled clothes, by stringing some rope between two branches on the trees. He knew from experience now the length of rope required. After that it was simple, stand in the lake, clothes within reach on the bank, as was the block of carbolic soap. He washed his pants, longjohns, shirts, and socks, Ater rinsing them all free of soap, they were hung them over the makeshift "drying line", where they would stay until the morning. There were of course in the cottage more clothes, all clean and dry, ready for the next day.

Albert returned to the tree stump, and sat naked, facing the evening sun, and he stretched out his legs. Today had been a good day, and, Jack Tatum had made Albert an offer. He would sell Albert his motorcycle, as he had no need of it now, due to his buying the new lorry. Albert had agreed, in principle, to the sale, but it meant that he would have to give up his trip to London. He could not go to London, to satisfy John Thomas, or, he could buy the bike, but not both. Albert thought in silence for a while, gently stroking his cock as he did so, and ioccurred to him. If he increased the size of he garden, he could then grow more potatoes, and carrots, his best sellers, and the problem would be resolved. And that was how it would be, the deciaion had been made. Albert gripped his hardening shaft with a little more firmness, yes, his day had been a good one.

---------
Sunday.

Even though Barrat was aware of Lord Rowley`s desire for all of his employees to attend church on Sunday mornings, he never did go. The reason was that Barrat had not yet made his peace with God. This God who in one fell swoop, had wiped out his entire family. It was well understood on the estate, that when Barrat felt it was right to return to the bosom of the church, then he would.

Barrat spent this sunday morning, as he had done since returning from France, cleaning, and tidying his humble home. Indeed, on this Sunday, he made a special effort, just in case he thought, She may well return one day again, while he was absent.
The chores finished, Albert marked out the extension to his his garden, and began the laborious task of clearing the ground. He knew that it would take four to five hours, but needs must. He took off his shirt, and picked up his spade.

 

[haremfaery]

Sunday

Sundays were different at the manor. Breakfast was a light affair so everyone, the Lord and Lady and the servants could go to church.. She knew she would not see Barrat there, he never attended. Connie found herself daydreaming, going through the motions of standing, sitting, kneeling. She barely heard the sermon, but caught enough of it to be able to talk to Clifford about it should he decide to speak of it over luncheon.

She doubted Clifford would attend church if he were not the Lord and expected to be there. He was a man of intellect and not faith. Any faith he might have had died in the trenches of France. And if not dead then, certainly withered away with the muscles of his lower body. Clifford was all intellect now.

The servants could walk the distance back to the manor, but it was too far for Clifford, even if he used his motorized wheelchair. The used the car and waited until most of the congregation had dispersed. Clifford hated that he had to be lifted into the back seat.

Clifford chatted with the Vicar while Connie spoke with some of the wives as they left the church. Sarah Pershaw had taken ill. "I shall come by to see her today and bring her somethings that, I hope, will make her feel better." If Connie cut through the manor grounds, she could easily walk to the woman's cottage. And then stop at Barrat's by taking the long way. She did owe him an apology.

"Clifford," She said when they were in the car and on the way back, "Mrs. Pershaw has taken ill. I thought I would make up some things for her and deliver them myself. I'll bring her some things for lunch and eat with her there. I have not visited her in some time. Since she is our closest neighbor, I really should call on her." It was her duty as Lady of the Manor to visit the ill, take gifts to infants recently delivered.

"You can do without me, can't you?"

Clifford nodded. "I'll have Richard park me in the sun and read."

She kissed his cheek and went to the kitchen. She startled the cook and other servants. This was their domain and a visit from milady was always disturbing. It made her smile. Everyone had their place. And she had upset the balance, here and at Barrat's.

She gave instructions for two baskets to be made up and what she wanted in them. someone was to tell her when they were ready, she would be in the library.

She made a few false starts with the note to put into Barrat's basket, she meant to simply leave it for him. Finally she came up with something appropriate. Short, formal, to the point.

Finally she was on her way, feeling like Little Red Riding Hood. Her visit with Mrs. Penshaw was rather brief. She gave the woman and her family the contents of one of the baskets, soup, bead, a block of cheese. Some leftover chicken. Tea and a syrup to help with her cough. She only stayed long enough for a cup of tea and a bit of bread and cheese.

Then on to Barrat's. Her heart was pounding the closer she got. Would he be there? He must be off somewhere enjoying his day of rest.

But no. There he was at the side of the cottage working in his vegetable garden. Naked to the waist, gleaming with perspiration. She watched him use the spade, the easy rhythm of his labor.

Connie straightened her back and walked toward him. Her cheeks were flushed. She did not need to write the note after all. She coughed and tried to remember what she had written. And suddenly thought that he might not even be able to read. "Barrat, I... I've come to apologize. And bring a peace offering. You were right to be angry. I should never have entered your home without invitation. I have no excuse for myself. I do not expect forgiveness, but I hope there can be peace between us." She took a breath and held out the basket.

It contained, bread, cheese, chicken, some sliced roast beef and a bottle of wine.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat sensed that someone was there, it was not exactly the hairs standing up on his neck, but he knew, that he was not alone. It was the exact same feeling from two nights previously, when he and John Thomas had been reminiscing about Ruth.

"Barrat, I... I've come to apologize. And bring a peace offering. You were right to be angry. I should never have entered your home without invitation. I have no excuse for myself. I do not expect forgiveness, but I hope there can be peace between us."

Barrat turned his head, and looked at Lady Constance, her face was flushed, and she was holding out a basket, with what looked like food, and a bottle of some description. He left his spade, sticking out of the freshly turned soil, and then took the basket from her.

"Aye Lady Constance, that is fine, and I thanks ye for the gift. I am afraid that I am a little soiled and dirty, from the digging you know. I will put the basket by the cottage, and you can wait there, or inside, if you likes. I needs to wash all this off, you know, the soil and the dirt."

Barrat held the basket in his left hand, and tossed his shirt, which had been lying on a bush, over the basket.

"This way Ma`am, please."

He walked to the cottage door, with her in tow, and then he placed the basket on the floor. and retrieved his shirt.

"I will only be a minut eor two my lady, make yourself at home please."

Barrat walked slowly to the lake, once at the tree trunk, he dropped the unsoiled shirt onto the seat part of it, before stripping off his pants, and longjohns, as well as his shoes and socks. Barrat had his back to the cottage, but he could almost feel her eyes, watching his every move. He walked into the water, until he was waist deep, then he bobbed down, his head going under, and then popping up again, almost straight away. Barrat shook his head, shaking the water off, and he moved a few steps closer to the bank, until the water only reached his knees. Then, quite deliberately, and slowly, he held John Thomas in his hands, and splashed water over him, and his balls, he rubbed them with water, and then squatted a little, lowering his now growing cock down into the water.

Standing tall, he walked back to the shoreline, and the tree trunk. Taking his shirt from the seat, he started drying himself, not perfect he knew, but it did remove most of the water. He also dried his now tumescant cock as well, and his balls. Carrying only his shirt, which he held it in front of his genitals, trying to preserve his modesty some might hink. He entered the cottage, and saw Lady Constance, now looking even more flushed than before, sitting, in his chair.

"Sorry about that milady, but I was too dirty to thank you properly ma`am.
He had his back to her, as he took some clean longjohns and socks from a drawer, and put them on, before also retrieving a pair of pants. Even though his back was towards her, Barrat knew that if she turned her head a little, she would see his reflection in the window, but, he did not care, this was his home, and he was Lord here. Finally, he was dressed, and spoke to her.

"There was no need to apologise Ma`am, we all make little mistakes sometimes, and if I frightened you, coz I knows I can be loud, then I apologises to you as well ma`am, I `umbly do."

She still looked a little sheepish, or so he thought, and he attempted to take the tension out of the moment.

"And how is the good Lord Rowley today Lady Constance, well I hope?

 

[haremfaery]

Connie had not meant to stay, but Barrat seemed to assume she would. Her heart began to pound, she knew very well what it meant for him to wash himself.

"No, really. You don't have to--" But he was already out the door.

Did he know she could watch him from the window? The man was bold as brass. She turned her back to the door as he left, but it was not long before she turned to look out the window. There was something so natural about him. And a little wild. Like a forest creature. He was so comfortable in his nakedness, like Adam and Eve before the Fall. Or maybe he was just arrogant.

Her eyes grew round when his washed his privates. She should not be shocked not embarrassed, it was not as if she had never seen a man before. In fact she bathed Clifford often. But again, the paradox of him so natural and at the same time so...erotic was not the word she wanted.

She felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach and a heat between her legs. She sat down quickly in his chair and pressed her thighs firmly together.

She did not dare look at him. She glanced around the room, anywhere but at him and caught his reflection in the windowglass. She looked away and then looked back watching him dress.

"You really did not have to interrupt your work for me. I only meant to leave the basket." Connie felt small sitting in the chair while Barrat stood over her, it made him seem even bigger.

"Yes, Sir Clifford is fine. He was planning to sit outside and read this afternoon. The music in church today was lovely." She dare not mention the sermon since she had not paid much attention to it. What else did she have to talk to this man about?

"I see you are making your vegetable garden larger. You can't possibly eat all of it." She said trying to make conversation.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

"I see you are making your vegetable garden larger. You can't possibly eat all of it."

Barrat was a little surprised at this, but also pleased, it was unusual for the Masters and their families to be genuinly interested in their staff. And, even if she was just being polite to Albert, he appreciated this.

"That is true milady, but I do not grow it for myself, I grow it to sell, in the Saturday market. Any profit that I make I keep, and at the end of the growing season, I travel down to London, just for a few days."

Before she could ask who he stayed with, Albert explained.

"I have a friend down there, Mary, she always makes me welcome, and I am well looked after in her house. But that changed yesterday, Jack Tatum, he bought himself a new lorry, and he said that I can buy his motorcycle. To get the money, I need to grow more vegetables, and, I will have to postpone my trip to London."

Barrat stopped for a moment, suspecting that he was probably boring Lady Rowley by now, he looked around his tiny cottage, and was suddenly struck by an idea. He walked to the dresser, and picked up a tall jar, with a metal lid.

"As you can see milady, I live here in the woods, and close to nature, and all of God`s creatures. And I wonder, would you like to see something very special, out there in the woods. Something that I am certain you have never ever seen before."

She looked a trifle hesitant at first, and then she smiled, and said.

"Yes, that will be fine, provided that it does not take too long Barrat."

"It is maybe five minutes walk through the trees, to the clearing, where the squirrels are, so we will not be overlong milady."

Opening the jar, Barrat removed five or six acorns, and put them into his pocket.

"We will need to be very quiet, so not a word from now on please."

Barrat led the way, with Lady Constance right behind him, they reached the clearing, a sort of oval among the trees, pine trees they were, with a carpet of pine needles on the ground. Barrat pointed to a roughly made seat set on the edge of the clearing, and they both sat down. Barrat placed two acorns on the ground, and then whistled. A sharp piercing sound, but not loud, almost an animals sound some would have said. Barrat touched Lady Constance on the arm, and nodded towards a pine tree. Just then, a red squirrel scampered down to the base. He stopped there, and looked at Albert and his companion. He waited a few moments, and again scampered, this time towards them, the swuirrel picked up the acorns, and popped them into his mouth, puffing out his cheeks.

Barrat moved his hand a little, rubbing the other acorns together, the squirrel moved closer, and using his paw, tugged at Barrat`s pants, asking for more acorns it semed. Barrat lowered his hand slowly, opening it to reveal two acorns. The squirrel took them immediately, and ran away, back up the tree.

Barrat took hold of her hand then, and placed three more acorns in her palm. He pointed to the floor, and nodded. Lady Constance tipped the nuts onto the floor, and Barrat shook his head, bending over, he retrieved two of them, and placed them in her palm, holding it open, near the ground. The squirrel returned, stopped again, to look around, and after picking up the acorn on the ground, he took the two from Constance, before running away again.

"I told you that it was special milady, did I not?"

 

[haremfaery]

"Ah, so you can have a proper holiday." Connie responded. She would have to ask about the servants' wages. She thought the house servants were able to holiday for a bit longer, and she knew they would generously let a servant take leave if they had a sick family member or other business to attend to. While she took some notice of the kitchen budget, she did not generally trouble herself with such things.

She wondered if Mary were a common-law wife. But then, if she were, he would be permitted to have her come and live with him. From what she had seen the past few days, Barrat was in need of a femal companion. Perhaps he was being delicate in terms of who Mary was. Had he a wife before? Clifford had taken care of asking Barrat to come work at the manor after his father died. She did not know and if there was gossip about it, she woudl never hear anything from the servants unless Molly chose to divulge something.

"A motorcycle." Her eyebrows rose. "I have seen a few about town. Barrat had some ambition if only to visit London and the 'friend' he had there.

Connie followed Barrat with her eyes as he moved about the room. She supposed she should have insisted they sit outside, this was afterall his bedroom as well as his sitting room. She wondered that he could live in such a small space.

When she thought of seeing something special in the woods, her mind went immediately to Barrat sitting naked on his tree stump. Her cheeks colored a bit.

She followed him to the clearing. It was rather lovely in the way that nature had. There was a controlled wildness about the place. Much like what she saw in Barrat.

She did as she was told and sat on the rough hewn bench. It was was not very long and they sat rather close together. He did not even wait for her to allow him to sit. But then, he was a groundskeeper and now trained as the house servants were. When he touched her, it took her by surprise and left her feeling--she did not know how to explain it.

A bright smile broke across her face when the squirrel appeared. It was adorable, and came so close to them. She had to put a hand to her mouth to keep from exclaiming when the little creature took the nuts right from Barrat's hand.

"How wonderful!" She whispered. And he took her hand and placed the acorns in it. Even that little contact showed how rough his hands were. She did not think she had ever felt hands so calloused.

This time she laughed out loud when the squirrel took the nuts right from her hand. "Just delightful," she said turning to Barrat on their little bench. Her knee touched his and she pulled away quickly. She stood up and walked a few paces then turned back to him.

"How long did it take to teach it to do that?" Again the paradox that was Barrat. So rough, and yet gentle enough for a squirrel to eat from his hand.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

She stood there, after asking Barrat the question, looking at him, as she waited for a response.

It had been a long time since Barrat had been this close to a woman, especially one as beautiful, and as derisable as Lady Constance. John Thomas also knew this, and although not hard, he was making his presence felt in Barrat`s pants.

"You do not train squirrels milady, this is their world, not mine. If they want to take nuts from me, then they wil do sol, but sometimes, they just ignore me, It is almost as if I do not exist."

Barrat stood, and walked to stand with Lady Constance.

"All this, this little haven, it is their world, and not ours, but, I do come here often, and I just sit, and watch. It is the war you see, the Great War, I have dreams, bad memories, and I cannot sleep then. I get up in the night, and if it is summertime, like today, I come here. Without my clothing, I leave it behind, because this place is natural, and all the animals are too, they dont disguise themselves, and nor do I."

Barrat pointed between the trees.

"There is a path, just over there, and when I sit here, in the middle of the night, with just moonshine to help me see, they all come. Squirrels of course, foxes, badgers, even a hedgehog or two occasionally. I dont move, I just sit, watch, and learn."

Barrat took hold of her hand,

"Come milady, look, can you see it, the way the grass and leaves are flattened? That is where they walk, through the middle of the wood."

She stepped a little closer, probably to see better.

"Be careful milady, there are hidden roots, don`t venture too far."

She stopped and turned back,then she took a step, it was not a good move, she fell, scrashing into Barrat. His strong arms stopped her fall, and he held her close. He looked down at her face, as she looked up at his. Their eyes met, and Barrat felt an irresisable urge, take hold of him. The urge to kiss her, and he did not fight it. Barrat lowered his head to hers, and kissed her soft beautiful inviting lips. No thought of the consequences ever crossed Barrat`s mind, for at that moment the only thing that Barrat wanted, was Lady Constace Rowley, and her soft pliable body.

 

[haremfaery]

((Sorry for the delay, RL stinks sometimes.))

Connie had spent some time in the hospitals for the wounded returning from the war. She did not know the exact causes of their night terrors, but she had seen the horror reflected in their eyes. Seen it in Clifford’s eyes.

She and Clifford had separate bedrooms, as was proper for a couple of their station. She did not know if Clifford woke in the night. She felt a sadness for Clifford and for Barrat.

Then he spoke of coming to the clearing naked in the moonlight and it made her pulse quicken to think of him here, like a wild animal in the woods. There was a bearlike quality to the man.

She blinked in surprise when he took her hand. She should have protested, but ever since she had come upon him in his garden, things had taken on an unreal quality. She, a lady, talking to her groundskeeper as if they were on the same level. He flaunting his nakedness. She not protesting in the least at his liberties.

She walked beside him as if in a dream. Things seemed to happen in slow motion. She stepped and faltered falling against Barrat. Her hands on his chest, his arm around her waist the other around her back. He pulled her close. So close she breathed in his scent. He was unadorned by soaps or cologne.

She looked up at him. Time slowed to a stop. And he kissed her. His gentleness surprised her, but it quickly turned to something more urgent. Insistent. Before she could think, Connie yielded, parting her lips. Barrat forced his advantage and thrust his tongue into her mouth. Her hands tightened on his chest. She felt as if she were in the middle of a storm and clung to him as she might cling to a rock for shelter.

She had no thoughts, it was all feeling. She was engulfed in sensations. Sensations she had never experienced before.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

The kiss broke, but Lady Constance did not move, did not try to escape from Barrat`s hold, he then moved his head a little, closer to her ear. He spoke softly, for the wood was now silent, it was almost as if all the creatures there were all watching, and waiting.

"Milady, we are two of a kind, yes we are, two souls lost in a world without love, and passion. I know this, I also know that two nights ago, as I comforted John Thomas, with thoughts of my late wife, you were there. You watched as I held him, and caressed him. And, you came back, because of what you saw. You entered my cottage, you wanted to see where I lived. You came back again today, and again you watched me handle John Thomas, through the window.

You, like me Lady Constance, have been let down by life, your brave husband, through no fault of his own, is now only half a man. Some might say he has no lead in his pencil, while others say, he has no pencil. He is though, not alone in his suffering is he? You have needs milady, and so do I. You excite me with your presence, you excite John Thomas, and he is now at full attention, just for you milady, here, feel, see what I mean."
"
Barrat pulled her in tighly, so tight, that his erection pressed against her stomach, and he moved one hand down to her backside, holding her in place.

"That is what you want milady, John Thomes, long, hard and full, and John Thomas wants you milady, he wants to be inside you, to fill you, and, to take you."

While still holding her close, Barrat moved his hand to her shoulder, and pressed it downwards, urging her to lie down on the bed of pine needles, as he kissed her again.

 

[haremfaery]

Barrat breath in her ear made Connie shiver. She wanted to pull away, to protest, to explain, but he held her tightly. He was not hurting her, but his grip was firm.

She made a little squeak when he pulled her close. Yes, she could feel his erection. She did not think even her Italian lovers so long ago were so large.

She knelt down as Barrat kissed her and followed her to the ground. She knew this was wrong. She should run. She should make Barrat stop.

Clifford and Connie had spoken about her finding some solace for herself. His rules were explicit. She could not have an affair with any of their acquaintances, nor in fact, anyone of their class. It left her little opportunity or desire to find someone. Besides, she had always been an intellectual person. Preferring pursuits that would arouse her mind--not her body. And yet here she was. Again she thought of Barrat as a force of nature.

She stretched out on the blanket of pine needles heedless of dirtying her clothes. Would he really take her here in the woods like an animal? Her heart pounded. She allowed him to invade her mouth with his tongue again and again. She let her hands wander his shoulders and back. Barrat was like a wall. Clifford was so thin in comparison. She tried to put those thoughts away and exist on sensation, but after a lifetime of living in the mind, it did not come easily to her.

In truth, she did not know what she wanted. She laid down and breathed in the pine scent while she surrendered to another of Barrat's kisses.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

As Barrat kissed her again, his hand moved to his belt, and he unfastened it one handed. The kiss ended, and he moved a little, spreading Constance`s legs, and positioning himself between her knees. He watched her face as he opened his trousers, undoing the buttons, and then the buttons on his long johns as well.

He tugged on both, pulling them down, until they rested just above his knees, John Thomas now stood tall and proud, and very definitely ready for what was to come. Barrat took hold of her skirt, and pulled the front of it upwards, uncovering her long legs, and the ivory cool skin of her thighs.

Placing his right hand on her thigh, he squeezed a little, and then slid his hand upwards, towards milady`s silk knickers. Barrat did not remove them, this was not a time for such niceties, Barrat wanted to fuck, and he knew that even if she denied it, Lady Constance also wanted to. Placing his hand inside her knickers, over her cunt, he pressed with his middle finger, and felt the warmth and the heat, as her lips parted, and his finger slipped between them, she was ready.

With his left hand holding his throbbing shaft, Barrat used his right hand to pull aside the gusset of her underwear, revealing a dark bush of tight curls, under which lay the object of Barrats desire, milady`s cunt.

Ho moved closer, lowering his torso, as he presented the head of his swollen cock, to miladys wet sex. Barrat grunted, and pushed, then he groaned with a deep satisfaction, as his cock slid home, deep into milady.

 

[haremfaery]

Connie laid there looking at Barrat. She felt displaced as in a dream when you watch yourself going about your dream-like activities.

She exhaled deeply when Barrat released John Thomas. She wondered briefly why he had named his...penis. Even thinking the word was an embarrassment to her. She blinked a few times. She had not seen a male member in a very long time.

She turned her head away when he touched her intimately.She brought her knees up as he lowered himself to her. Her breath hitched when he entered her. Her eyes closed, her mouth opened, her neck arched. She would be like Barrat and lose herself in this moment. A moment of of feeling, visceral, no thinking. Just being. A moment of lust.

Had Connie ever felt lust in her life? She did not think so. She did not think she felt lust right now. She did not know what she felt.

He began to move inside her, sliding back and forth. She pulled her knees up and felt one of her suspenders pop open.

She could not help but to make little cries with every thrust Barrat made. He found his stride pushing harder and faster. She clutched at his arms but kept her head turned and her eyes closed. She could imagine this was a dream if she did not look at him directly.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

It had been a long time since Barrat had been with a real woman, not since his wife Ruth, he did not count Mary Obrien`s girls, they were just harlots, serving a purpose, and giving him a much needed release.

This was different, Lady Constance was a real woman, with real passion, it dripped from her every pore, and was written in her eyes. Barrat had known that when he realised that she had been watching him. He also knew, or thought he did, that it was fate that had brought them together. Two lonely souls, adrift in a world of their own, where dreams were all that they had.

Barrat felt her acceptance of his hard shaft, he heard the little moans, the same moans that he was making, but his were in the form of grunts. He looked own at her, but her head was turned to the side, and her eyes were closed. He stopped for a moment, and supported himself n his elbows, then he took hold of her head, and turned it so that she was facing him.

"Do not hide from me milady, you want this just as much as I do, otherwise you would not keep coming to my cottage, and watching me. John Thomas wants you, and you wanted him. Can you feel my lady, how well he sits in your cunt, how smooth is his passage in and out. Look at me my lady, look at me as we fuck, look, and enjoy."

Barrat kissed her again, letting his tongue again part her lips, before resuming his thrusts, slowly at firat, but gradually increasing his tempo.

 

[haremfaery]

Connie looked up at Barrat, her eyes reflected the sky. He twitched his cock inside her to make his point. She blinked at him and swallowed. She had only been intimate at night, in the dark, under the covers and with her nightgown on. Keeping her eyes open made it all too real.

She blinked at him once before his mouth sought hers in another kiss. He moved again and she moaned into his mouth. He pulled away and kept his eyes locked on hers. She felt compelled to keep her eyes opened, but as his movement quickened, she closed them again and moaned louder.

"Look at me, milady." He grunted.

She opened her eyes again. His were bright with his lust. She moaned again and put the back of her hand in her mouth to muffle herself. Barrat seemed not to care that he grunted like an animal. She felt an overwhelming sensation building and arched her back. She moved her legs to let him in even deeper. Her mind may not know what to do, but her body moved with his naturally.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat was now lost in the moment, she had accepted him into her body, she was responding to his thrusts, this was now pure animalistic lust, and there was only one way for it to finish.

Barrat could feel it building, his impending orgasm, the head of his cock started to swell, a tightness gripped his testicles, he had no thought of pulling out, and emptying his seed onto the ground. The only thought he had was that he wanted this orgasm more than he had ever wanted anything.

He slipped his hands underneath Constance`s shoulders, and curled his fingers over the top of her shoulders, as he pulled against her body, forcing himself deeper, just as the moment of cataclysmic escape hit. He groaned, feeling the release, the ecstatic pleasure that only lasts for a moment, and yet reverberates throughout eternity.

BArrat came, shooting his load deep inside of her, panting and groaning as he emptied himself. And, when it was over, he just lay there, supporting his body on his elbows, with his head beside hers. Neither spoke, as Barrat slowly extricated his softening member from her wet sex. He got to his knees, tugging on his longjohns and pants, as he tucked away his cock, and then he stood. He offered Lady Constance his hand, and helped her to her feet. Unusually for Barrat, he was for a moment unsure what to say, and he just looked at her, wondering if a smile might be appropriate.

 

[haremfaery]

It felt good. Better than anything Connie could remember. But it was still not the transporting experience that poets wrote about. She wondered if it ever was.

Barrat held her tightly and pushed forcefully. She could not decide if she liked that or not. It made her feel helpless under him. She gasped at his powerful release.

She lay there as he got off of her and fixed his trousers. Now that it was over, she felt, used, embarrassed beyond anything she could imagine. She was filled with self-loathing.

She took his offered hand and stood without looking at him. Then she smacked him hard across the face and ran. Ran back to the manor. Her hand smarted from the force of her smack. She ran and ran until she was out of breath. She finally stopped to catch her breath and collect herself.

What had she done? She could not even think how it had happened. How she had let it happen. Barrat must be back at his cottage laughing at how he had gotten himself a bit of the lady of the manor. She felt sick.

She took a few more deep breaths and tried to tidy herself. She could not go back into the manor looking like this. She felt wetness oozing from inside her, down her thigh. She reached her hand up her skirt and used her slip to blot it.

Finally calm enough, she walked back to the manor. "Tell Molly to draw me a bath. I took a bad spill on my walk. Stupid of me really. I went off the path and tripped on a tree trunk."

She went upstairs to her room to change into her dressing gown. When the bath was drawn, she sent Molly away. She wanted privacy with her thoughts.

 

[Blue Dolphin]

Barrat watched her run away, as he rubbed his cheek, he was surprised that she had struck him, but upon reflection, he realised that he should really have expected it.

What had happened between was certainly not what was expected from a lady of the manor, and certainly not with a lowly gardener. But it had not been planned, there was no decision that "yes, we will do this". It was all really just circumstance, and possibly even, instinct.

Barrat walked slowly back to the cottage, wondering what Lady Constance might do. He was certain that if she went to Lord Rowley, and told him, that he would at best be dismissed, and at worst, the local constable would be sent for, to arrest Barrat. Whatever happened,if he was arrested, Barrat knew that this had not been against her will, she was not bruised, or marked in any way, and she had agreed, by acceptance, to all that they had done.

She responded to the kiss, she did not complain when he pressed her shoulders, indeed, she had lain on the ground of he rown free will. Nor did she complain when he lifted her skirt, and touched her above her stocking tops, to touch her, and slip his finger inside her wetness.

All of these thoughts went through Barrat`s mind, as he walked back, and then he saw the basket, with the food. He stored the food, and held the empty basket in his hand. To return it to the manor, at that time, would be foolish he thought, and only likely to make Lady Constance think thathe was gloating. He took a decision, to leave it by his door, but undercover, she could collect it while he was out, if she wished to do so.


***
Monday dawned bright and sunny, and Barrat was relieved to still be in his job, he had neither been summoned to the house, nor arrested. Monday was his day for the rose garden, and the flower beds. The large circular rose garden was in front of the house, and flanked by the various flower beds.

By 9AM, Barrat was working away in the rose garden, removing the dead flowers, and pruning where necessary. He also removed any weeds that were fighting, unsuccessfully for survival. He did not see anybody as he laboured, until he moved on to the flower beds. Then he saw something familiar, glinting in an upstairs window, and he knew. She was watching him as he worked, the sun high now, and on his naked back.

Barrat did not look, that would have been foolish, he did not want to make a possible bad situation even worse than it was, by antagonising her. In fact, he doubted that he would ever see her again, alone, and face to face, and maybe, just maybe, that would be for the best.

He paused for a moment, standing, and stretching his back, as he remembered. And what he remembered, was the feeling of John Thomas, buried in her deep hot cunt, fucking her, as she responded, pulling him in, and moaning behind her hand.

Barrat bent once more, to continue his labours, and to lose himself in dreams of lust, and passion.