Love Lost and Found Again

[Hard_Rom]

The look of sheer terror in his wife's eyes is all it takes. Sam immediately pulls his cock out of Anna's body and begins to come. He doesn't aim or direct it, he just spurts his seed out onto Anna's body. And then haven taking his pleasure in raping his wife, he rolls off of her.

Sam pants from the exertion of using Anna and the effects of his climax. Having consumed most of a bottle of gin spirits, he has been getting drunker and drunker as he first whipped then raped Anna. Within half a minute he is fast asleep still dressed with his cock still out.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna is relieved when he finally falls asleep. Slowly she carefully got out bed, making sure not to wake Sam. As she starts to clean herself off she realizes she didn't have any stationary for Sir Daniel's letters. She would have to go back to the house to get some.

She made sure she was clean before putting her clothes back on. The fabric stung against the cuts on her skin. She looked back at Sam to make sure he was still asleep as she slid on her shoes. Quietly she left their home. Normally she would run to get back before Sam realized she was gone but she was so sore it hurt to even walk.

As she finally reached the Manor and headed inside she noticed that even her hands were obviously bruised and beaten.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Sleeping in a large bed alone is something Sir Daniel is still not used to. He awakes a couple of times per night stretching out a hand in the dark hoping to find that it has all been a bad dream. Hoping to be able to reach out and touch Lucy. When he awakens this time though, it is not due to waking from a dream but upon hearing noise coming from the adjoining room that is his office. It's late enough that all the servants should be asleep and not near early enough that the first of them will arise to begin their daily chores.

Daniel swings his feet out of bed and pulls a robe on to cover his nakedness. With a match from the drawer he lights the lantern that sits on the bedside nightstand and moves to listen at the door. Aside from some business letters there is hardly anything of value in his office for a dishonest servant to steal. Lucy's jewels are safely locked in a safe here in the bedroom and the house silver plate is under lock and key in the butler's room.Aside from that he fully trusts all his house staff. They have all been with him for years. He distinctly hears the roll up top of his secretarial desk being opened. All it contains is pen, ink, envelopes and stationery. It is in fact Anna's work station mostly.

He grasps the door knob, gives it a turn and quickly opens the door. Stepping through the door, the lantern light reveals Anna at the desk.

"Anna!" he says in surprise, "What bring you here at this time of night?"

Daniel turns and looks at the clock on the fireplace mantle.

"Good god, girl! It's one o'clock in the morning."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"I just want to realized that I didn't take the proper supplies for those letters you asked me to write." She said quickly turning her back to him as she pulled some things out of the desk "I couldn't sleep without knowing I had everything take care of."

She gathered her papers and whatnot into a pile. "I am very sorry for disturbing you so late at night. I didn't realize it was so late..." She picked up her things and turned toward the door "I will get these taken care of first thing in the morning. Enjoy your trip sir." She said a bit hesitant to go back home.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"Wait!" Daniel says.

He moves close to Anna and brings the lantern up. There is a distinct red mark of a hand on one side of her face and the other side looks bruised. His eyes narrow and his moth tightens when he sees the marks of someone's hands on her throat. Even the backs of Anna's hands bear the marks of what look like a belt.

Who... why... would anyone do this to her. Daniel can't imagine Anna doing anything to deserve such treatment. He is a product of his times and fully realizes that a husband is legally entitled to beat an errant wife. And he knows it is not his place to even question but...

"What happened?" he asks as he gently raises her face so he can better see her injuries, " Who did this to you?"

How dare anyone lay a hand on the poor girl. She has been with him for years now. He has watched her grow from a girl to a woman. She was Lucy's best friend and is of immeasurable help to him as a good secretary should be. Since Lucy's death, he has noticed Anna does not laugh much anymore. Daniel assumed she was taking Lucy's death badly as he was.

"Is this Sam's doing?"

Sir Daniel had never warmed to Anna's choice in husband. Pleasant enough when he did speak with him but something about the look in his eyes. Any smile on his face never seemed to reach the man's eyes.

"Why.."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Tears stream down Anna's face. She doesn't know what to say. "You weren't supposed to see me like this...." She takes a deep breath as she tries to stay calm. "He does this every night. He enjoys it..." Anna steps away from him "Raping and beating me is what makes Sam happy." She starts crying, ashamed at admitting her husbands abuse.

"He's a monster and I married him.... I'm so stupid." She looked away from him sure he was judging every word she said. "He will kill me if he ever finds out that you know." She said fear filling her voice "Please keep it a secret Daniel. Please..."

 

[Hard_Rom]

Daniel's jaw drops.

"Raping and beating you makes him happy!" he says in an astonished and angry tone.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to calm himself. One thing he immediately thinks is that will never happen again.

Daniel pulls out the chair from the rollup top desk.

"Please sit," he says.

Then he pours himself a large whiskey and a smaller sherry for Anna. He puts her drink on the desk beside her. And then thinks about how to deal with Sam Cooper. It would take a private bill through Parliament, a very long, expensive and rare event, to have Anna granted a divorce. The money is not an issue. As a man has the legal right to use corporal punishment on his wife and the woman has no right to refuse sex with her husband, a divorce still may not be granted. A man may divorce his wife on grounds of adultery alone. But a woman must prove adultery and either cruelty, bigamy, incest or bestiality. The church would be of zero help to A woamn in Anna's position. Daniel knows this sort of thing happens but he has never actually encountered it.

He could fire Sam but Sam would be within his rights to take Anna with him. Sam could in any case demand any monies she earns. Daniel wonders how much it would cost to make Sam leave. But there would be no assurances he would not return demanding more money. Again the money is not an issue. Anna could leave him but what would she do for employment. Daniel could get her a job in London. Sam would be hard pressed to find her but it would not be impossible. He could have sheriffs drag her back to where ever he was. But that would means he would not see Anna again or rarely.

Sir Daniel realizes he is not willing to have Anna go away from him. He could take her to London himself but London is not his home. The estate is his home. He was born in the district, the tenants and villagers are his people. Servants and employees come and go but when he thinks about it, Anna is more than that. She is his link to Lucy. Without Anna all he has are memories and a grave he can visit. When he does think of Lucy, Anna is in the picture too.

Daniel drinks from his whiskey tumbler. He is not going to lose Anna. How dare that bastard mistreat her! He considers calling Sam out. But the man would have to be a fool to accept. Daniel as gentry and with rich friends would at most be charged with manslaughter and serve less than a year in prison. Sam would be charged with murder and hung. It would hardly be an honourable thing to call out and duel a simple servant.

Finishing his drink, Daniel turns to Anna.

"I don't want you returning to Sam," he states plainly, "I will not have him raise his hand against you or force you to his bed."

"I won't stand for him to mistreat you."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna is stunned by what she hears. Why would he care what happens that her. She's just his secretary and as long as she can do her job why would it concern him.

"I don't really have a choice." She said finally finding words "He's my husband. He owns me. Besides it's not like I have anywhere else to go." She took a sip of her drink "if I don't go back he'll just come and get me the minute you leave. I'm not safe from him and nothing will change that." She sighed "Maybe one day he'll drink himself to death and then I can be free..."

 

[Hard_Rom]

Daniel's first thought is Anna's safety.

"You can go to London," he says, "Tomorrow I will wire ahead and have the townhome opened and ready." "You can take the train and be there by tomorrow night."

"I will tell your husband," he says with a sneer at the last word, "That something important has come up and I need you to organize some papers that are in London." "You will be on your way by then so there will be nothing he can do about it."

"I will cancel my shooting trip. I shall tell my friend I am sick. If I stay here then no one will think anything of it."

"For tonight you can sleep in a guest room."

He moves to stand beside Anna and raises her battered face up gently with his hand.

"Sam Cooper will never trouble you again. You have my word on that."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Thank you." She said softly as she stood "I don't think I will ever be able to repay you for this. I hope you know how grateful I am." She took a deep breath "I am incredibly sorry for the trouble I'm causing you. I never should have married him..." She takes a few steps toward the door and then turns back.

Anna wraps her arms tightly around Daniel. "Thank you..." She repeats when she lets go. "I should get to sleep. Goodnight Daniel." She says a small smile on her face as she leaves the room.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Taken unwares, Sir Daniel returns Anna's hug. It is the first female contact he had had since his wife passed away. He also liked when she called him "Daniel" not Sir Daniel. Finishing his whiskey, he goes back to his own bed.

It takes awhile before he can go back to sleep as he thinks about how to deal with Sam Cooper. As much as the thought of strangling the life out of the man appeals to him, having Sam murdered by others is frought with dangers. Should Sam survive an attempt and himself implicated, Anna would be in grave danger. He resolves to find another way.

With orders to awake him early, the eastern sky shows the sun halfway up when his butler arrives to open the curtains.

"Good morning, Sir," his butler, James Fowler greets Sir Daniel.

"Morning, James," Daniel replies as he swings his feet out of bed, "There has been a change of plans." "I won't be going shooting this weekend as some personal business has arisen."

"You will find Mrs. Cooper in a guest room. She will be going to London to attend to certain things. Have the cook pack a basket with breakfast, a lunch for Mrs. Cooper and the carriage brought around."

"I will be going to Wakefield to send some telegraphs and Anna will take the nine o'clock train to London."

Knowing that if you cannot trust your own butler, who can you trust. And that as estate butler Mr. Fowler is well connected with farm and village suppliers of goods and services, Daniel asks, "Sam Cooper. What do you know of him?"

James Fowler is a bit taken aback by the abrupt question but answers honestly, "Does his job well enough. But is a heavy drinker and has a reputation with the women in the district." "I have given strict instructions that the girls in service have nothing to do with him on pain of dismissal, sir."

While his butler lays out travelling clothes, Daniel sits and thinks. He dresses himself when James leaves to arrange the breakfast and carriage. Looking out over the garden towards the hill, Daniel thinks some more. Half an hour later James returns to inform him his carriage awaits at the front door. Dutifully his butler follows as Sir Daniel descends the stairs and makes his way to the manor front entrance.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Sam Cooper awakes slowly with the crowing of a rooster outside his bedroom window. His head is splitting. He is not surprised to find that Anna is not beside him, thinking she must be up making him breakfast. The fact she has not wakened him earlier annoys him.

He climbs out of bed, still dressed after his assault on Anna. When he finds Anna not in the cottage he vows to give her another whipping. A large glass of gin starts his day. Sam has to hurry to unlock the estate gates. Normally Anna would awaken him early enough that he can idley get around to it. Having to move quickly makes his head pound with every movement. She will pay for this, he thinks.

When he returns to the cottage, he is forced to slice some bread and cheese of his own for breakfast. Where is she, he wonders as he takes another drink of gin.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna fell asleep quickly once she reached the bed. The combination of exhaustion and knowing she wouldn't be waking up next to Sam make sleep come very easily. She didn't even bother with undressing. Anna was so relaxed she slept later then intended.

When she woke up she rushed to clean up her appearance and did her best to make sure she looked presentable. Checking in the mirror she saw thy the red handprint was gone from her face but the bruise still lingered. She knew she couldn't hide it but she hoped it wouldn't be too noticeable. She didn't want any of the other workers knowing she had been beaten. It was embarrassing to her. She was afraid everyone thought she was a terrible wife.

Felling as put together as she could she rushed out and started down the stairs. "Good Morning..." She said seeing Daniel.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"Good morning, Anna," Daniel replies with a smile as she descends the staircase.

"I have had cook pack us a breakfast to go and a lunch for you eat on the train. We should have enough time for you to catch the seven o'clock morning train to London. I will wire ahead that you are coming and have a hansom cab meet you at the station."

A pair of footmen open the front doors and the door to the carriage. A third footman sits beside the driver. It is rather cool in the early fall morning so the roof has been raised enclosing the passengers.

Daniel steps aside that Anna may enter first assisted by the footman.

As she climbs aboard, Daniel asks, "Do you have the letters I wished for you to write and the pamphlet? You can take care of that when you are settled in London."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Yes. I packed them with a few other things I figured I would work on while I'm in London." She said as she entered the coach. "How long do you think I'll have to be in London?" She asked as he stepped inside. "Will I be alone the entire time?" Anna had quite a few questions about Daniel's plans but she figured it would be best to only ask the few that pertained to her and would be important now.

"About last night... I'm sorry it was inappropriate of me to show such affection. It was just a great relief to have someone on my side Sir..."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"You have nothing to apologize for, Anna," Daniel replies, "You were Lucy's best friend as well as her maid." "You are an excellent secretary."

"And a very charming and attractive woman. Your husband has no reason to mistreat you. Any man would be lucky to have you."

He leans out the window and calls to the driver, "Stop at the gatehouse cottage."

The carriage begins to move. It will only take a few minutes to arrive at the estate gates.

"If you wish to take anything with you, you can go inside and pack a bag," Daniels says to Anna, "If only to ensure your husband you have not just run off, I will inform him that you will be engaged in taking care of correspondences concerning a business deal."

"I do expect to be in London by the end of the week. Perhaps we could go to the theater?"

"I would like that."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna is unsure how to react to his flattery. She's a bit stunned to find out he thinks such things.

"A trip to the theater would be lovely. I will make sure your letters are sent out today." She says "it won't take me very long to gather my things..." She says making a list in her head of what she will need to bring.

When the carriage stops she waits for Daniel to exit before stepping out herself. She is silent as she walks inside her home. Ignoring Sam she immediately starts pulling some clothes into a bag. Fear has filled her entire body and she hopes that he can't see it. When she has her clothes packed she moves on to gather some odds and ends from the house that she may need on her trip, still not saying a single word.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"What's going on?" he finally demands, "Where do you think you are going?"

"Anna is going to London," Daniel says from the doorway, "Some business has arisen and I need her there."

He steps through the door uninvited and gives the small cottage main room a look over.

"You don't have a problem with that do you?" he asks.

Sam puts on a subservient tone, "No, Sir. Of course not, Sir Daniel." "It's just that I thought we would have the weekend to spend some time together." "You know, Sir, as man and wife."

"What with her having a having a proper job for you and having to look after the house. We don't get to spend much time together."

Daniel moves closer to Sam and looks at him for a moment.

"Have you been drinking?" he asks.

"No, Sir!" Sam replies hurriedly, "I had a bit last night." "No harm in that is there, Sir."

Daniel just looks at him.

"I won't tell you when your wife will be back," he says, "It might not be for a couple of weeks." "Think you can look after yourself for that long?"

"I'll try, Sir," Sam replies with a cheerful manner he does not feel, "I'm not much one for cooking and cleaning." "Women's work, right, Sir Daniel?"

"I suppose so," Daniel says coldly, "But I would think that with all the free time you have you would have done a better job on looking after your acreage."

The cottage comes with two acres of garden and a field. Normally the gatekeeper, and if married his wife, would grow vegetables and saleable goods to supplement the meager salary of a gatekeeper. Outside the two acres is incredibly over grown with weeds.

"With Anna up at the manor all the..." Sam starts to say.

"I hardly think you can blame your wife for the state of the acreage," Daniel says raising his voice somewhat, "I'm sure she has enough to do cooking and cleaning for you." "You know... women's work."

"You could have at least kept the weeds down. It makes the estate look unsightly."

Sam is about to reply but Daniel turns away and addresses Anna, "Have you got everything you want, Anna?"

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna nods "Everythung I need is right here." She says patting her bag. "I'm ready to go." She says as she is walking to the door. "Goodby Sam..." She speaks coldly as she walks through, not even bothering to look back. She doesn't wait for Daniel before entering back into the carriage. Anna is eager to leave not only the estate but her marriage behind. As she sits she notices she is shaking. Just being in the same room as her husband frightened her. Her marriage was a nightmare.

Taking a few deep breaths she calmed down. Closing her eyes she held tightly onto her bag as she waited for Daniel to return so they could leave. She hoped Sam wasn't stupid enough to try anything but she wasn't sure anymore. Sam was an unpredictable monster.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Daniel is not a far behind Anna. He gives Sam a look up and down and then turns on his heels to follow her.

Sam feels he has lost all control of the situation. Something that infuriates him even more. As Daniel is climbing into the carriage, he calls out.

"Excuse me, Sir Daniel. Perhaps I might have a few minutes with my wife to say good bye?"

He is reaching for the carriage door when Daniel knocks on the roof of the carriage and it begins to move immediately. Sam has to jump back quickly to avaoid being hit by the rear wheels. He stands, powerlessly and watches the carriage drive away.

Daniel has a smile on his face.

"I quite enjoyed that!" he says. He reaches for the basket containing a breakfast to go of consisting of hot wrapped eggs and bacon sandwiches and flasks of apple juice. "Would you care for some breakfast, Anna?" he asks as he profers a flask and sandwich.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Thank you." She says taking the food he is offering. She studied his face for a moment "I haven't seen you this happy I a long time..." Anna takes a drink from the flask. "What's so great about all of this?" She asked.

"How do I know I'm making the right choice? People are going to think such horrible things about me. All my one is going to see is me abandoning a man I promised to be with forever. I'm not sure I will be able to come back after this." She took a small but of her sandwich "My life is a disaster."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"I wouldn't worry about what other people think," Daniel replies, "I have my eye on your husband now." "His sort always get their come uppance."

"In fact, I suspect that in not to long of time you will have people's sympathies."

Daniel is in fact feeling quiet happy. This gives him something to think about besides dwelling on Lucy's death. He knows Lucy would approve of any actions he took to rid Anna of Sam Cooper. He eats with a relish finding pleasure in the ride and the company. He pulls out his pocketwatch.

"Think of this as the first day of being rid of Sam Cooper."

From their Daniel will seek out a lawyer friend in Wakefield. The men Daniel knows for certain jobs are in London. He needs someone with local area knowledge. Lawyers always have men who are available for discreet investigations. A couple of ex-borough police constables should do nicely. His friend should be in his office until noon.

"We should be just in time for you to catch your train."

Wakefield is ten miles by good roads and it is not yet eight o'clock in the morning.

"The letters I wanted you to write are not that urgent. If you post them on Monday morning they should arrive by Tuesdays mail. That will give the contractors three days to arrange a meeting with me before I come to London on the Friday morning train."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Is there any other work you would like done while I am in London? I will have plenty of time. I'll need something to keep myself occupied." Anna said "anything that needs doing I'll take care of. It's the least I can do to repay you for all of this."

Anna quietly finished her breakfast before speaking again "I can not believe that I won't have to see him again... It just doesn't seem real. I'm not sure what I'll do being alone... It's a relief but it also seems a bit scary. "

 

[Hard_Rom]

"If you wish I think I could find work for you," Daniel replies, "But London has so much to see!" "There are enough museums and art galleries that it would take you six months to visit properly." "I have subscriptions to several lending libraries that I can extend to you."

"You should take some time and enjoy yourself. Think of it as a holiday."

The carriage pulls up in front of the train station just as the train is coming to a stop. The footman opens the door and assits Anna in stepping down. He also carries her bags. At the ticket window, Daniel purchases a first class ticket to London. First class seats are richly upholstered, cushioned and well lit. Travelling by train, especially in second or even third class seats is akin to travelling by stagecoach. He hands the ticket to Anna as they walk towards the train. The footman walks ahead a hands Anna's bags to the conductor.

Daniel takes Anna's hand and presses fifty pounds into her hand. A substantial amount of money equal to over two years pay.

"Now I don't want you to worry," he says, "You leave Sam Cooper to me." "I don't know how long you will have to stay in London. How long this takes has more to do with your husband, I think."

"I will see you Friday. We will go to a show and have dinner."

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Anna gives him a small smile. "Once again, thank you for everything Daniel. I will see you soon." She holds tightly onto his hand for a moment before letting go and heading into the train.

'He's gone.' She thinks to herself 'your safe...'

Finding her seat she sits down and tries to focus on what to do when when she gets to London. Instead she finds that her thoughts drifting to Daniel. She convinces herself she is only thinking of him because of what he's done for her. She's just happy to be far away from Sam.