The Bride Absconded (closed for cumnchat)

[Opensesame54321]

BEA, BEA, ANYBODY, FETCH SOME WATER

The loud booming voice of her husband jolted her out of her doze and she jumped up and blinked her eyes, confused for a moment. Roger stood there yelling for something to drink.

“You scared me, Roger. What are you bellowing for?”

Once he told her, she rolled her eyes and gave a chuckle. “My goodness. I’ve been lazy today and must of fallen asleep. That’s all.” He held her hand, as if checking her pulse. “I promise that I am fine. This is natural for me during my time. I become a bit lazy.”

She gave him a kiss and reassured him. “It’s obvious that you didn’t have any older sisters, though every woman is different.”

She sat on the couch and patted the space beside her. “Now, tell me what has happened today that has but you in such a mood.”

About that time, Bea came running in with tray with a carafe of water and a couple of glasses on it. She looked a bit flummoxed and out of breath. She rushed over to Roger and placed the tray down on the end table beside him.

“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t realize that you had returned.”

Clarissa didn’t want to make Roger look bad in front of the servants so she stepped in. “That’s alright, Bea. Traveling is thirsty work and my husband was really needing water. And to tell the truth, I’m thirsty too.”

As Bea poured the water, Clarissa asked her, “Any idea as to when supper will be ready? Believe it or not, I’m starting to get a bit hungry myself.”

Bea gave her a smile. “In about an hour, ma’am.”

Once the maid left the room, she leaned back against her husband’s side, snuggling under his arm. “Now, do you want to let me in on what your secret mission was? Or shall I have to worm it out in a couple of days?” She gave him a devilish grin, aware that he understood exactly what she meant.

 

[cumnchat]

When Clarissa informed him that she had merely been dozing and there was nothing the matter with her Roger felt rather foolish but Clarissa saved the day as far as Bea was concerned explaining that he had called for water because he was thirsty from travelling. After Bea had left them alone again she questioned him about the reason for his journey to Barnstaple, snuggled under his arm she looked up at him coquettishly, her eyes wide and appealing.

' Now, do you want to let me in on what your secret mission was? Or shall I have to worm it out in a couple of days?'

Her meaning was not lost on him and his mood brightened,

"Two days you say? That also means two nights without taking good care of your needs, but I daresay that we will survive, though not without some suffering unless you can come up with some idea of how we could pass the hours."

His hinting at some form of play put a smile on her face and they went in to dinner with their own thoughts on the matter. During dinner Roger again brought up the subject of his journey to Barnstaple and his anger and disappointment with the manner with which he had been treated.

"I shall not let the matter rest until I have convinced that pompous buffoon Rumple that Alice Snark is a criminal and a danger to law abiding folk. It's possible that Sir Godfrey Claypoole can assist me in some way, I will call on him tomorrow."

That ended that topic as Roger would say no more although he did ask Clarissa if she would like to accompany him and allow Thunder to stretch his legs.

After dinner they sat in the conservatory watching the sun go down over the sea, a magnificent sight but Roger had his eyes firmly fixed on Clarissa's bosom after he had sat her on his knee and unlaced the bodice on her her dress and freed them, bouncing Clarissa up and down on his knee.

 

[Opensesame54321]

No matter how she tried, Roger would not say any more and she let the matter drop. He held her close to him and suggested that maybe she would want to accompany him tomorrow but she shook her head.

During this time she really could not ride. As it was, having to wear this pad was not very comfortable and riding a horse could cause problems. And the last thing that she would want to do would be to bleed in the saddle. She was quite used to being unable to take Thunder out for these four days each month. And Thunder seemed to have adapted to it too.

“No, love, three days from now I can ride again. You shall just have to have patience and handle things on your own. For four days each month, you shall have to ride alone. Thunder has gotten used to it, so can you.” She teased him and noticed the put out look that he gave her.

At dinner, he brought up Barnstaple again, still chafing at what had happened there yet unwilling to elaborate. She was not sure why. Was it because they were staying at was where Alice Stark probably had friends still here at the house?

Eventually the subject was dropped and they ended up in the Conservatory to view the setting sun though Roger obviously had other ideas. Pulling her into his lap and began to unlace her bodice, he seemed very enamored with the bounced her breast. But after a moment she stopped him.

He gave her a disappointed look but knew better than to complain. “Don’t worry. After a while you will know what to expect. I’m sure that you have your own idiosyncrasies that I will have to learn, just like how I have to keep you away from bees.”

She kissed him and had just managed to pull herself back together as there was a knock on the door.

”See.”. She mouthed to her husband. “Yes?” She called out and the door opened and the butler opened the door.

“Sir, there is a gentleman here to see you. Sir Godfrey Claypoole. I’ve shown him into the study, if that is fine with you?”

Roger nodded and the butler left. Clarissa kissed him and told him. “I’ll leave you to a private conference with the man. If you will explain that...oh, tell him that I have a headache. I’ll sneak upstairs and you men can sit around and smoke stinky cigars and brag about how you smart you are.”

She gave him a kiss and watched him head out for the study. Once she heard the study door close, she quietly headed upstairs and found Bea turning down the bedding for the night on their bed.

“Do you not feel good? It’s a bit early for bedtime.”

“We had company arrive and...”

“And you don’t really feel like seeing anyone. Men really don’t understand, do they?”

“No, they don’t. Right now I need to ‘freshen up’.”

After a bit, she settled down to finish reading the book that she had started earlier in the day.

 

[cumnchat]

The arrival of Sir Godfrey proved to be be a timely blessing in disguise, for were it not for that he would have spent a frustrated evening unable to convince Clarissa that her pretty little bosom needed some air and a massage.

"Welcome Godfrey, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit at this hour?"

"I apologise for the hour Roger but I have some news that I think you should know right away,,,,,pardon me but might I have a glass of Lord Chichester's Port, he has an excellent vintage tucked away in his cellar."

"Of course you may have a glass of Port Godfrey, 'twas very rude of me not to offer you refreshment immediately, now what news do you have that is so important that you should ride all the way from Barnstaple?"

"When we first met you made an accusation against one Alice Snark claiming that she had stolen Thunder from the hostelry as an act of spiteful revenge for being dismissed from Lord Chichester's household, however there was no tangible proof."

"I know it was at her instigation Godfrey, she was there at the auction." Roger interrupted angrily. Sir Godfrey continued serenely, ignoring Roger's angry outburst.

"However," he raised his hand to emphasise his point, "However upon discreet enquiries being made it is now known that Alice Snark paid two rogues a pretty sum to abduct the said stallion and sell him to a willing farmer who would sell him on at the auction."

"That is wonderful news Godfrey, I could hug you for that."

"No need, no need." replied Sir Godfrey, backing away from the advancing Roger.

"I was going to call on you tomorrow Godfrey to ask for your help in convincing Jonathan Rumple to take my other accusation seriously."

"What other accusation Roger? Tell me and if I see any merit in it I will accompany you to Rumple's office myself."

Roger explained his findings of the discrepancies in the estate's accounts, he brought the ledgers out to show Sir Godfrey and they spent several hours poring over them until the early hours of the morning.

Stretching his aching neck Roger invited Godfrey to stay the night so they could ride to Barnstaple together in the morning. Roger could barely contain himself but decided not to wake Clarissa as he climbed into bed beside her and gently kissed her behind her ear.

 

[Opensesame54321]

After some time, it became apparent that Roger and Sir Godfrey had found a common ground to dig into. As it was not her house nor her friends, she decided to leave them alone. She finally rang for Bea.

“Ma’am, they are still in the study with the door closed.”

“Don’t bother them. I’m heading off to bed.”

Bea helped her prepare for bed and before the maid left for the night, she talked to her.

“Bea, I just wanted you to know that I have been very pleased with your work. I probably don’t have much say as I do not know Lord and Lady Chichester, it is my husband that knows them. But I have no hesitation in letting him know just how happy I have been with your aid.”

“Oh, thank you so much, ma’am. I had wanted to do just this for some time but...”. She hesitated for a moment.

“Go ahead, you can certainly be blunt around me. In fact, I prefer it.”

“Well, Mrs. Snark informed me that I would never be able to hold down such a position as I was too flighty and could not be trusted. I was considering looking elsewhere but she would not give me a day off.”

Clarissa smiled at the young girl that must be about the same age as herself. An idea came to her.

“Bea, as you know, I am a newly wed and I suspect that you have noticed that we do not follow exactly the rules laid down by society. Oh, nothing really scandalous, but I am rather opinionated and headstrong, much to my Father’s dismay. Luckily I seem to have married a man that is understanding and forgiving. When we return home, if you are interested, I would love it if you were to come live in our manor and work as my ladies maid. I suspect that my own maid is rather tired of having to explain just why I have not done something, or why I have done some outlandish thing. Of course, we came by horseback but we could easily arrange for you to follow us by carriage.”

She could see the excitement in the young girl’s face.

“You think on it and let me know your decision before we leave. And if you are not happy you could always return here if you wanted. However, for the time being, let’s just keep this between us. And if you decide not to, that is perfectly fine.”

“Oh! Thank you ma’am. I will certainly think things over. Thank you so much.”

With the lights dimmed, Clarissa rolled over on her side and was soon asleep. She never heard Roger come to bed nor did she wake when he kissed behind her ear. Yet, even in her sleep she turned to snuggle up against her husband.

The next morning, she woke as Roger stirred awake. She actually felt quite dirty and would be so glad when her time was over and she could again ride Thunder or take a bath. This had always been her least favorite thing about being a woman. Men didn’t have to worry about such things. They didn’t have certain days of the month where they had to watch what they did so that society didn’t see some little spot of blood, or other unpleasant things.

Roger seemed enthusiastic and let her know that Sir Godfrey had spent the night at the manor and that they were both heading to Barnstaple this morning. She could tell that he was excited with the prospect and was raring to head out with the man.

As he dressed, he asked her if she was going to join them for breakfast. She gave a chuckle as she shook her head.

“Day after tomorrow I can. I’ll eat here in the room. You and Godfrey enjoy your hunt. You and I can have a nice long talk once you get back. Say hello to him for me.”

She rang and as Roger gave her a kiss and headed downstairs to join Godfrey, Bea came breezing in, a big smile on her face.

 

[cumnchat]

When Roger woke he was soon up and dressed and anxious to be on the road with Sir Godfrey and face Johnathan Rumple with more evidence of Alice Snark's wrongdoing.

"Clarissa darling, Sir Godfrey stayed the night and will be breakfasting with us if you care to join us, then we are riding Barnstaple on urgent business,"

Clarissa declined his offer of breakfasting with them but gave him fresh hope that they would be man and wife again the day after tomorrow, she also asked him to give Godfrey her best wishes and to thank him once again for his intervention at the horse auction. As he made his way to the breakfast room Bea came bustling past him and bobbed a curtsey to him and wished him a good morning with a smile as wide as the Bristol Channel.

"You seem very chipper this morning Bea, have you received some good news?"

"Not exactly Sir but oi t'ink moi loife is tekking a turn fer the better." She replied, giving nothing away as to how that might be.

Roger thought no more about it as he ate with Godfrey and they were soon on their way to Barnstaple. As they rode Godfrey told him more about Johnathan Rumple.

"I gather you have a rather low opinion of Mr. Rumple, Roger."

"I certainly have, the man is a shortsighted buffoon, I give him a ledger full of evidence and he seems to say I am doing it out of some petty grievance with Mrs. Stark."

"You do the man a disservice Roger, he is as honest as the day is long and has no bias towards either side, you can be certain that he takes your allegations seriously and is making his own enquiries into Alice Snark's finances."

"You are certain of this Godfrey? Then with your evidence to back me up he has to believe me and take action."

"If he believes that Alice Snark has a case to answer then you can be certain that he will pursue it with all his vigour." Godfrey answered carefully not wishing to give Roger false hope. All depended on Johnathan Rumple's opinion on the evidence they laid before him.

****************

Several hours later

Roger and Godfrey stepped out of Jonathan Rumple's office with beaming faces, after several hours of the three of them going through the ledger and listening to Godfrey's statement regarding the abduction of Thunder and Alice Stark's involvement in it, Rumple had declared himself satisfied that there was enough evidence to have Alice Snark arrested and face trial.

Roger and Godfrey shook hands and went their separate ways. Roger rode back to Clarissa bursting to tell her the good news and hopefully she would let him play with her pretty soft bosoms and maybe spread her cheeks for him in celebration.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Clarissa missed Roger so much. She felt better than she had for the past two days and by day after tomorrow she should be back to normal and able to show Roger just how much she had missed him.

She had never realized just how much of a sexual woman she was. In the past she had always thought of herself as more of a no nonsense woman, and found couples that seemed particularly affectionate to each other a bit nauseating.

But Roger had changed her mind. Had actually changed her a bit. Memories of the hard time that she had given him rushed into her mind. The chase across the English countryside brought a smile to her lips. She really had been lucky to have someone as understanding as him for a husband for she was sure that she was not an easy person to live with.

Bea went around all day humming and smiling, and though she did not say so, Clarissa felt sure that the woman would say yes. If nothing else, the fact that the woman had other options other than having to rely upon the snobby Mrs Stark to change her mind seemed to perk the woman’s attitudes.

She had not talked the whole thing over with Roger but she felt that he would be agreeable with it. She would talk to him and let him know of her plans when he returned from Barnstaple.

And this Sir Godfrey! The man seemed to be a welcomed new friend with Roger being quite comfortable spending time with him. Just as she was comfortable with Bea. The woman was young and full of spirit and positivity.

She had a light lunch. The cook had been treating Clarissa as if she were sick and required light broths but once Clarissa had explained just why she was not tearing around like she had when she first arrived, the woman placed her forefinger to the side of her nose and nodded. “I see, my Lady. Sick but not dying sick. Just light meals for you until Sunday?”

“Yes, that shall be fine.”

She spent some time in the garden, noting the abundance of bees flying around drunk from pollen. She would make sure that Roger avoided this area as she did not want a repeat of what had happened before their marriage.

Later, when back inside, she sat down at the writing desk and wrote several letters, one to Ada and one to her father. Both letters were newsy and full of glowing reports about her wedded bliss. She was sure that her father would be quite shocked at the positive tone of her writing. She then left them on the tray in the entryway so that they could go out in the next post.

It was late afternoon before she was told that Roger could be seen off in the distance and she stood out front, waiting to greet him.

 

[cumnchat]

Roger was bursting to tell Clarissa the news regarding Alice Snark, she disliked the woman intensely, and with good reason. He crested the hill overlooking the manor house and began to wend his way down, he was about halfway down when he spied Clarissa standing in the driveway looking in his direction, he waved and hollered and Clarissa waved back.

He felt the omens were good for a little intimate playtime before bed tonight and maybe more once they were in bed. On reaching the driveway he rode right up to Clarissa and smiled down at her,

"There you are my dear, pretty as a picture as always, I have missed your company today but I am not going to leave your side again,,,,,,,,,,, unless nature calls of course. Speaking of nature how is your,,,,,, er,,,,,,,,,, problem? He asked hopefully.

At that moment one of the grooms arrived to take Cloudy from him and lead her back to the stables, leaving the question unanswered. Roger dismounted and took Clarissa in his arms and kissed her passionately, bending her over backwards so her hair brushed the ground behind her

"Come, let us eat I am ravenous," He declared and then added quietly, "There is one appetite that I am looking forward to satisfying."

They took tea in the conservatory so they could enjoy the afternoon sunshine, Roger had wanted to eat in the garden but Clarissa told him about the abundance of bees in the garden and Roger felt a shiver run down his spine at the memory of the occurrence at Ada's when Clarissa had saved his life even though at that time she was not enamoured with him.

After tea Roger told Clarissa what had happened a Rumple's office and the final outcome, Alice Snark was to be questioned about the part she played in instigating the abduction of Thunder, then questioned further about embezzling Lord Chichester's estate of just under five thousand pounds over ten years as housekeeper.

"If found guilty she will spend may a year in prison, perhaps even deported to the colonies." Roger spoke without a morsel of regret, that woman had tried to belittle his wife and in a spiteful, vengeful way had tried to steal Clarissa's beloved Thunder.

As they chatted after tea Roger had Clarissa sit on his knee and lean against him, while they were talking his fingers were slyly undoing the laces on her bodice until it was loose enough to nudge down and bring her hard, rosebud nipples into view.

"Do not deny me this pleasure my love, I am sure these beauties have been longing for a loving touch." He gently tweaked each swollen bud and caressed her breasts in his hand. Then he licked them both and blew on them making them swell even more. He delighted in Clarissa's giggles and gentle reprimands for displaying her charms out of the bedroom.

The light began to fade and Bea appeared asking if she would be required to help Clarissa prepare for bed. Roger answered for Clarissa,

"No Bea, we will manage on our own, you run along now and tomorrow you may have a free day."

"Why t'ank ee Sir, t'will be my first day orf since oi began 'ere, Mrs Snark, she wudn't gimme time orf."

"That's scandalous, all servants should have at least one day a month to themselves."

Bea excused herself and left, Roger looked at Clarissa with a curious look in his eye before he spoke,

"You find Bea satisfactory in her work and you get on well with her? It's just that there is no maid at The Gables who is trained as a ladies maid and even if there were, your idiosyncrasies would confuse them and render them useless, however Bea is a blank sheet of paper so what if you were to train her yourself and she can come with us when we return home?"

Of course he had no idea that Clarissa had beaten him to the punch.

 

[Opensesame54321]

She could tell that Roger was just as glad to see her as she was to see him. His kiss spoke volumes, telling her just how much he had missed their wedded bliss in the bedroom. And his question concerning whether or not they could have sex tonight was fairly obvious as to what he was hoping. However, she had no time to answer him as first one person and then the other interrupted them.

Later as they took their tea in the conservatory he gave her the news on the outcome of Mrs. Snark and her attempt to get even with Clarissa. She was very pleased too.

He pulled her onto his lap and as she snuggled up to him, he began to unlace her bodice and played with her breast.

Do not deny me this pleasure my love, I am sure these beauties have been longing for a loving touch.

And with that he started to lick and suck on her nipples. She couldn’t help giggling as she admonished him playfully for his impatience.

“Someone might walk in and catch us. I prefer my charms for your eyes only.”

He pretended to be disappointed but he gave them one more nibble and tweak before helping her to tuck them away.

No sooner did he get her laced back up than Bea arrived to see if she would be needed tonight but Roger said that they could handle things on their own. And that the girl could have the day off tomorrow.

The girl headed off quite happy and Clarissa suspected that if Bea had any doubts about accepting the offer that had been put before her, what Roger had done had just made her mind up.

Meanwhile she and Roger sat in each other’s arms and he seemed to be contemplating something. What he said next told her exactly what it was.

You find Bea satisfactory in her work and you get on well with her? It's just that there is no maid at The Gables who is trained as a ladies maid and even if there were your idiosyncrasies would confuse them and render them useless, however Bea is a blank page so what if you were to train her yourself and she can come with us when we return home?

She smiled as he spoke.

“Dear, I had the exact same idea. I had already talked to her and she has been considering my...our offer. And I suspect that you have just made her mind up.”

She grinned and leaned in to kiss him.

“Let’s go upstairs and I’ll explain why you shall have to wait one more day. But oh, my dear it shall be so worth the wait.”

She pulled him to his feet and led him up the stairs towards the bedroom. His expression was one of disappointment and they walked holding hands. She tried to tease him but she too was anxious to again have sex.

Nevertheless once alone, they helped each other undress and though he was unhappy that she donned her nightgown, he could see that she still wore underwear with the pad attached. It was uncomfortable but it was certainly better than staining her clothes.

“Just one more day.”

She kissed him and they crawled into bed. He of course was naked and she rolled over to lean into him. His kiss was overwhelming and she felt his hand slip under the nightgown and find her breast.

Meanwhile her hand was searching his manhood, wrapping her dainty fingers around his already throbbing staff and beginning to stroke it.

 

[cumnchat]

'Just one more day.'

It would seem like an eternity to Roger as he was so fired up that had he aimed his cock at a barn door the force would have shattered it into splinters. However he accepted his lot and ruefully watched as Clarissa dressed in an all concealing nightgown. He lay naked in the bed with Clarissa's warm soft body snuggling into him. As she leaned into him he put everything into the kiss and hoped that Clarissa would understand his parlous state and help him to relieve his tension. To encourage her further his hand crept under her nightgown and found a deliciously ripe breast, he caught a swelling nipple between his fingers and rolled the swollen hard bud between his thumb and forefinger. As he played with her he could feel and hear her breathing change to short heavy panting and he thought,

'Would she, wouldn't she?'

Silently he prayed that she would not be able to resist what her own body was telling her. Then her tiny hand was wrapped around his cock and sliding up and down the thick throbbing pole, stroking it gently at first then stroking his manhood faster and faster, tightening her grip as he arched his back in glorious ecstasy and did his best to hold himself back for a while longer but the end was very near when he threw the bed clothes off and Clarissa's hand tightened around his cock and squeezed, his sperm gushed out and formed a white arc from his cockhead to his stomach. Roger relaxed and lay back happily on the pillows,

"I do hope that was only a prelude to tomorrow my love, your hands are very talented when put towards a worthy cause."

Fully satisfied he held Clarissa close to him and keeping his hand on her breast he fell asleep with thoughts of a naked Clarissa riding him.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Roger was up, dressed and gone when she awoke. More than likely trying to not show his disappointment at yet one more day without being able to have her. There was probably a note somewhere as to where he had gone.

She remembered that Roger had given Bea the day off so she was surprised when the young girl stuck her head in the door.

“You’re supposed to have today off!” She admonished the girl. She didn’t know exactly how old the young thing was but she knew that it had to be close to her own age. Yet somehow she seemed to think of the girl as younger.

“I know, ma’am. But I thought that I would give you my answer to your offer. If it is still open, then I would very much love to come work for you.” The girl was giggly and excited.

“Oh Bea, thank you!”

“Why it ‘tis I that should be thanking you!” The two hugged and as if automatically, she began to help Clarissa dress.

“Bea, I can see that my flow will be through today. I think that tonight, my husband and I shall be in need of a nice hot bath.” Clarissa smiled mischievously and Bea grinned back and shook her finger at her.

“I knows what you have planned.”

“Since you will be off tonight too, before you head out for the day would you ask whoever you know that you can trust to prepare my husband and I a nice hot bath in here at 9 this evening. And to also leave a bottle of wine on the table there with two glasses. And maybe some fresh fruit.”

Bea nodded. “I know just who to ask. Polly is dependable.”

The girl was excited and wanted to know all about where she would be going to but since she had never lived at The Gables and really only knew about Fernwood, Clarissa could only give her generalizations about the countryside and the things to do in the nearby area.

“And I am sure that there are plenty of handsome young lads that would be delighted to meet someone as pretty and sweet as you. Though you must be careful. I am sure that your parents have warned you about such things.”

“Oh lord, I plum forgot the other reason as to why I came up here. The butler got a note - well actually it was addressed to Mrs. Snark but since she’s not working her right now, he read it. Lord and Lady Chichester shall be returning in a couple days time. They are ever so nice.”

“How do you think that they will handle me stealing you away?”

Bea colored and looked down at the floor. “Oh Lord, I don’t think that they will care. They really never had any doings with me. I was just a downstairs maid - you know, dusting the furniture and things like that. That’s all that Mrs. Snark would let me do.” The girl paused. “Is Mrs. Snark coming back?”

“I really don’t know the answer to that one. We shall see.”

“Well, if she comes back, then it will get right up her nose with me leaving.” Bea grinned. “And that would be just fine with me.”

They talked for a few more minutes and Bea left promising to let Polly know about what to do this evening. With the bath hot and waiting and a wife able and wanting to play, she was sure that Roger wouldn’t mind helping her undress and bathe. And maybe she could get in some riding while they were in the tub.

She smiled at the thought and hunted around the room for a note from him as to where he had gone. Then she headed down to the stables to give Thunder the attention that he was needing, a smile on her face in anticipation of tonight.

 

[cumnchat]

When Roger woke, Clarissa was cuddled close to him her lips against his neck in what seemed an everlasting kiss. He murmured regretfully in her ear,

"I dare not wake you my love, if I did, I could not trust myself to just hold you and kiss you."

Instead he kissed her forehead and slid out of bed and dressed quietly and went downstairs and helped himself to a piece of bread and some fruit for breakfast. What should he do with his day? If he spent the day with Clarissa he knew he would be hankering after her with no prospect of her opening herself to him, maybe she would be available to him later, only time would tell.

For wont of anything better to do he saddled Cloudy and rode to Barnstaple to ask Rumple if any progress had been made in the matter of Alice Snark.

"I can assure you that Mrs. Snark will be facing her peers in court very soon Sir Roger, she is awaiting trial and is safely under lock and key in the town jail until we get a jury together, she is proving rather difficult and has had to be restrained with chains."

"I am pleased to hear it although is it really necessary to chain her up, she is, after all only a woman."

"Only a woman you say, she is evil and deceitful and violent, she has broken the nose of one of the officers who arrested her and even when chained she screams obscenities at anyone nearby. In years gone by I believe she would be facing trial as a witch."

"May I see her Rumple? Perhaps I can persuade her to cooperate and get back some of the money that is missing."

"If you insist Sir Roger but only through the door, you are forbidden to enter the cell, for your own safety."

Roger reluctantly agreed and was taken to the courthouse and down into the depths where it was dark and dank and smelled of unwashed bodies. He was shown the cell were Alice Snark was being kept and he peered through the grille in the door and greeted by the snarling sight of Alice Snark wild eyed and vacant.

"These are no conditions for a woman even one as evil as she, it seems to me she should be in a hospital for those sick in the head, she knows not what is happening to her and she is terrified, can't you do something?"

"SO, Sir she has fooled you all too easily, I told you she was deceitful, she is no more mad than you or I, no, she stays where she is until her trial." Rumple was firm in his decision and would listen to no further argument.

Having nothing better to do Roger ambled aimlessly around the centre of Barnstaple until his stomach told him that he was hungry. He ate at a nondescript inn and kept himself to himself. As he left the inn they took him, three burly men with cudgels beat him to the ground and began kicking him, the only thing he could do was curl up in a ball and protect his head, he caught snippets of their conversation as they kicked him

"Oi reckon Alice woulda wanted t'kick 'im 'erself"

"Yer roight there Jeb, she woulda wanted her brothers t'git behind 'er and get our own revenge, shame we can't get 'er out."

"P'raps we can at the trial, nobody'd be expecting it wud they?"

Their voices faded and Roger lay in the gutter, bleeding and bruised but not too badly hurt although his ribs were sore. In time he felt he could move and got slowly to his feet, he staggered to the hostelry where Cloudy was stabled and refused to answer any enquiries into his health and just rode home very, very slowly. He made it to the stables before unconsciousness overtook him and he fell from the saddle.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Clarissa’s day had been looking up. It appeared that tonight would be a wonderful time of wedded bliss. And then the whole thing collapsed.

There was a flurry of activity out in the foyer and she could hear doors slamming and footsteps running back and forth. As she was getting up to see what was the excitement was, a young maid rushed into the room with a worried look on her face.

“Your Ladyship, it is your husband. He just arrived on his horse and collapsed. They say that he appears to have been beaten.”

Her heart dipped down into her stomach as she jumped up and followed the young girl out. She was just in time to see the groomsman and another man were carrying Roger carefully between them with the butler leading the way.

“We’re taking him up to your room, Your Ladyship.”

“Oh, of course.” She ran along behind them as the whole band of them climbed the stairs. She could hear him groaning and she called out to the butler.

“Please call the doctor to come out immediately!”

“Yes, your Ladyship.”

It took several minutes for them to get him into bed. And one of the men helped her roll Roger so that she could finish getting him partially undressed. There was heavy bruising all over his body and the servant told her, “Quite frankly, it looks as though your husband took a hard beating. But don’t you worry, Doctor Pritchard should be here right quick. He’s good and he will get him right as rain.”

Left alone, Clarissa worried over poor Roger, checking his body carefully as she noted each bruise and bloody patch. The young maid, who turned out to be Patsy, appeared with towels and a bowl of hot water. “In case you want to clean him up. Johnny says that he can see the Doctor coming off in the distance.”

“Bring him straight up when he arrives, please.”

And with that, Clarissa set to work cleaning the dust and dirt off of her husband’s face. She was doing that when Doctor Pritchard arrived. He was a young man that appeared to be just a bit older than herself with dark brown hair and a rather large mustache and kind blue eyes.

“Now, what exactly has happened?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know where he went but he returned here and promptly collapsed. It looks as though he was in a fight, but I’m just guessing.”

“That would be my guess too, but let’s be sure.”

And with that the Doctor pulled out a vial of smelling salts and uncapped it, waiving it under her husband’s nose.

“Come on, Sir DeCoverly. Wake up.”

 

[cumnchat]

Roger felt himself being lifted and carried and wanted to protest that he could manage perfectly well by himself but his body would not respond and he fell back into blackness where he felt no pain. Vaguely he felt someone tugging at his clothes then a warm wet cloth being wiped over his face but still he could not bring himself awake until a sharp tangy aroma invaded his nostrils and he came to coughing and spluttering with a stranger leaning over him.

'Come on, Sir DeCoverly. Wake up.'

"Wha,,, who are you? Where am I?" He stuttered, unaware that he was lying on his own bed.

"You are perfectly safe now, you are home, I am Doctor Ronald Pritchard, your wife sent for me when you collapsed, it appears that you have been set upon and beaten, thankfully there appears to be no permanent damage and I suspect that you just have sore ribs with none broken, I will confirm that when I examine you fully."

Roger was now fully awake and with each breath he felt a sharp pain in his chest,

"Well Doctor I must thank you for attending to me but I am fine now so present your bill and you can be on your way." Roger lay back on the pillows gasping for breath.

"No Sir you are not fine, I would be neglecting my duty as your doctor if I did not examine you fully. Lady DeCoverly would you be so kind as to remove Sir Roger's shirt?"

Clarissa stepped forward with a worried look on her face so Roger could see her,

" Clarissa my love, do not look so worried, I will be up and about in no time, I suppose I must subject myself to your examination doctor just to ease your conscience at having done a thorough job. When I am able I will find those three rogues and have my retribution, I know who they are, one is named Jeb and they are brothers to none other than Alice Snark."

"Snark you say Sir? Then they will be easy to find they are well known in Barnstaple for their bullying behaviour, you will have no difficulty finding men to accompany you."

Doctor Pritchard finished his examination and satisfied himself that Roger's ribs were badly bruised but nothing more serious but he should rest for a couple of days with no exerting himself.

Roger looked at Clarissa and shrugged his shoulders as if to say "What can I do?"

"Clarissa I could do with a bath would you get one of the maids to arrange it for US."

He hid his smile from Doctor Pritchard.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Standing nearby, she kept a close eye on this unknown doctor as he checked Roger over. Not that she didn’t trust him, but... Still the man seemed to know his business. It did not escape her notice that poor Roger was very bruised but luckily did not have any broken ribs. Still she could see that her husband had been well pummeled and it angered her that someone had done this to him.

Meanwhile , Roger tried to calm her worry by claiming that he would soon be up an extracting his revenge upon the miscreants that had done this to him. But when Doctor Pritchard heard the name ‘Snark’, he announced that there would be plenty that would be willing to aid him in extracting justice. This made Clarissa feel better as she was not anxious to have him meet up with these ruffians by himself.

After having been told to rest and take it easy for several days, Roger asked if a bath could be prepared for the two of them. She gave him a slight smile and raised her eyebrow as if to say the doctor said to take it easy but her husband merely gave her a sheepish grin and shrugged his shoulders.

As she escorted the Doctor to the front door, she noted a large portion of the staff waiting to hear the diagnosis. After telling Doctor Pritchard to send the bill to their attention, once the man had left she turned to answer their questions.

“Yes, Sir DeCoverly shall be just fine. Patsy, would you please continue with the plans that I had made.”

The young woman nodded and gave a curtsy before running off to do her bidding, but not before Clarissa caught the slight smile that crossed the young girl’s lips. Oh well.

She ordered a light supper to be served in their bedroom and asked if they had any idea as it exactly when Lord and Lady Chichester were to arrive but all they said was that it was to be some time within the next couple of days.

Back upstairs, she stuck her had in the bathing room where Patsy had several young boys bringing up the hot water. She told her about the meal then slipped in to the bedroom where Roger was sitting up in bed.

Sitting on the side of the bed, she began to bring him up to date on what was happening.

“Patsy almost has the bath prepared. And you need to be careful. Those men could have done serious damage to you. Oh, and Lord and Lady Chichester are expected to return any day now.” She stroked his cheek. “You had me so worried.”

There was a knock on the door between the bedroom and the bathing chamber.

“That’s the signal. By the time we get there she will be gone. Do you need help getting there or undressing?”

 

[cumnchat]

Roger lay back on the bed as Clarissa escorted the Doctor downstairs and saw him on his way, he ached all over and his ribs hurt abominably when he gingerly took one or two deep breaths, nevertheless he was determined to enjoy bath time with Clarissa and ignore the pain, it was yesterday when Clarissa had all but promised him that today she would be available to him and he was not one to disappoint her no matter what pain he was in. While she was gone with the doctor he managed to wriggle his trousers off and his manhood tented the bedclothes,

''Twill be a nice surprise for her and hopefully she will welcome it.'

He thought as he lay back among the pillows grimacing as pain once more shot through his chest. Next door he could hear the bath being filled and looked forward to the warmth of the water on his battered and bruised body.

When Clarissa re-entered the the bedroom he smiled wanly at her, she sat on the edge of the bed and brought him up to date on what was happening including the news that Lord and Lady Chichester were expected to return in the next few days. He found that to be rather disturbing news as he had been hoping they would be gone far longer, but it couldn't be helped it was their home after all. As Clarissa spoke he held both of her hands and edged them slowly towards the tent in the bedclothes. Before he got her to touch his erection there was a knock on the bathroom door,

'That’s the signal. By the time we get there she will be gone. Do you need help getting there or undressing?'

"If you would be so kind as to let me lean on you my dear, but I have almost managed to undress myself,,, LOOK!"

With a broad smile and a flourish he threw the bedclothes back and his manhood sprang up tall and proud in all it's glory. He tried to swing his legs out of bed but the pain in his chest gripped him again,

"Don't look so worried my love it will be alright, you told me yesterday that I should wait one more day which I have done but I am not prepared to wait a moment longer."

Between them they got to the bath and Clarissa took off his remaining clothes and helped him into the steaming water, He sank gratefully into the hot water every part of him submerged apart from his head and the tip of his member.

"What are you waiting for Clarissa? Get undressed and join me, the water's lovely." Clarissa giggled and began to undress. Roger's loving eyes never left her as she slowly and so he believed, teasingly, revealed herself to him.

"Now Clarissa you are about to tell me that the doctor said I am not to exert myself and I intend to follow his instructions, if you will follow mine."

Clarissa looked rather bemused and shook her head.

"Just do as I tell you and everything will be fine, stand in the bath facing me with your feet on either side, give me your hands my love."

Soon she was standing in the bath holding Roger's hands her mons inches from his face. He inhaled the intoxicating aroma of her arousal ignoring the pain in his chest.

"Place your hands on my shoulders for support and lower yourself down I will guide you, then we will complete your part in this exercise of insertion and exertion, you want to exert yourself don't you?"

He looked up at her and smiled in triumph as Clarissa sank slowly onto his manhood enveloping every inch in the wet warmth of her tunnel.

"Slowly my love, imagine you are astride Thunder going at walking pace and working up to a trot."

As she undulated her hips slowly massaging his length with her soft walls Roger cupped both of her breasts and played with them bouncing them gently and thumbing over her hard dark nipples.

"It just goes to show darling that a little ingenuity trumps the doctor's instructions."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Despite the beating that the poor dear had sustained at the hands of the relatives of that rude and devious Mrs. Snark, Roger was determined to re-establish sexual relations between them - the first since her monthly had made them both aware that as of now there was no child in the way. And if he was disappointed in such, he had kept it to himself. Knowing Roger, though, the man had something in mind.

Right now, she was worried about him doing too much moving, at least until he had had a chance to heal some. Yet nothing appeared to dissuade him from soaking in that tub, and she had to admit that she rather looked forward to what he had apparently planned. And one look at his member told her that it too had missed their couplings. The thing was red and purple and straining, steadily pointing the way as she helped him towards the bath.

Following his directions, she soon found herself sinking down to impale herself upon his rampant manhood. The stiff thing parted her outer lips and slowly invaded her sex. She gave a contented sigh, feeling as if she had come home. Quickly checking Roger for any signs that her actions were causing him harm or discomfort, instead the grin on his face told her that discomfort was certainly not what he was feeling.

Slowly my love, imagine you are astride Thunder going at walking pace and working up to a trot.

And so she rode her husband’s manhood, her actions mimicking a gentle easy ride in Thunder. Meanwhile his hands found their way to her breast, cupping and tweaking and bouncing them like a child with a new toy.

It just goes to show darling that a little ingenuity trumps the doctor's instructions.

“You are so smart, love.” She leaned in to kiss him, a kiss of need and want and desire. Her arms carefully wrapped around his neck and she whispered, “I have so missed this. And imagine, I was planning on a life as an old maid. A life with none of this. I’m so glad that you did not give up on me. So thankful that you chased me across the English countryside. So thankful for your persistence. So thankful that you too know Ada.”

She gave a throaty chuckle and kissed him again.

“Now let me know if I hurt you.”

 

[cumnchat]

Clarissa followed Roger's instructions to the letter and he could tell from the long drawn out sigh that escaped her lips as she impaled herself on his manhood that she was as happy with the arrangement as he was. In fact he was deliriously happy as Clarissa caressed his cock with gentle waves of her hips and rippling her muscles in her sex. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before and he too sighed happily, closing his eyes and luxuriating in the heat of her sex. His hands busied themselves with her breasts, caressing and kneading them together like two soft bread rolls with a dark coloured currant at the tip.

He saw the look of concentration on Clarissa's face as she followed his instruction to ride him as she would Thunder, she quickly found the rhythm that suited them both and rode him surely but gently.

As she slid his cock in and out he smiled and cast the doctor's words about exerting himself to the winds.

'It just goes to show darling that a little ingenuity trumps the doctor's instructions.'

“You are so smart, love.' Her arms carefully wrapped around his neck and she whispered, 'I have so missed this. And imagine, I was planning on a life as an old maid. A life with none of this. I’m so glad that you did not give up on me. So thankful that you chased me across the English countryside. So thankful for your persistence. So thankful that you too know Ada.'

"We are of one mind then m'dear, your woman troubles have been painful for me also but this is more than making up for it. What you an old maid? An old wrinkled married woman yes but sure to still be active when it matters,"

Without thinking he thrust his hips up to gain deeper access to Clarissa's enticing warmth and pain shot through his chest but he only grimaced and tried to hide it from Clarissa.

"If only you knew how close I was on several occasions to giving up on you but you have brought this on yourself, you set me a challenge which I accepted and once I am challenged I always win, I won, which is the reason you are here now, I cannot claim to have tamed you,,,,,,,,,, yet, merely calmed you down a little."

He grinned and chuckled as he spoke and gathered two big handfulls of soapy bubbles and covered her breasts with them then carefully blew the soapy bubbles off from her hard erect nipples.

"I must ensure they are perfectly clean before I suckle them my love."

Clarissa must have noticed the pain he experienced when he thrust into her and queried anxiously,

'Now let me know if I hurt you.'

"No, you have not hurt me, the only way you could ever hurt me is if you told me you didn't love me anymore, The pain would not last long however for I would surely die of a broken heart."

After that the atmosphere became more sombre and Roger suggested they dry themselves and go to bed for as he put it ' closer intimacy'.

 

[Opensesame54321]

After only a couple more minutes of riding, she felt him dispense his seed into her. She could tell that he was pushing things too much and needed to rest. So when he suggested that bed might be a better place to continue this, she agreed though she suspected that they might have different things in mind.

Climbing off of Roger’s manhood left Clarissa feeling the loss. Yet she was worried about Roger - afraid that the man might have overdone things. Already she could see the strain showing in his eyes - more than likely a combination of exhaustion and pain. After all, the man had withstood a vicious beating, ridden all the way back here from Barnstable on Cloudy before collapsing.

Even now, as he slowly climbed out of the tub, she saw the wince he gave and resolved that it was more necessary to get him into bed and resting. Tomorrow they could enjoy each other better. His health was more important.

She quickly dried him and herself off and helped him back into the bedroom. It took some grunting and groaning on his part to climb back into bed and she pulled the covers over his naked body.

Automatically he reached for her to pull her into bed with him but his pain made him somewhat ineffective and she easily slipped from his grasp. Smiling at him, she promised him, “give me a minute. You just rest and wait for me.”

Crossing to the dresser, she sat down and began brushing the snarls from her damp hair. Talking in a soothing tone, she spoke to him about when they returned home what they would do. His answers fairly quickly went from full sentences to eventual mumbled replies to measured silence.

Humming, she finished up and turned to find Roger asleep. A small smile graced her lips. Poor dear, he so needed rest. And she would certainly make it up to him in the morning. However, his health was more important than a night’s enjoyment.

She blew out the light and carefully climbed into bed beside him. Roger moaned and she leaned over and kissed him.

“I promise, love. Tomorrow I will make it up to you.”

She whispered in his ear and he gave a groan and mumbled something under his breath as she snuggled up against him, bare skin to bare skin.

As she settled down, she felt his arm steal around her to pull her closer to him. Soon sleep overtook them both.

 

[cumnchat]

Roger put a brave face on as his beautiful young bride rode him, but no matter how gently she undulated her hips and soft wet sex along his shaft the pain was getting too much for him, he did manage a couple of weak shots into her but he knew that it couldn't be enough to satisfy her. He was beginning to realise what a sensuous woman he had married, one who wanted to make love as often as he did and needed to be satisfied.

If he was to satisfy her tonight he needed to be in bed where it was more comfortable and it wouldn't matter if he exhausted himself in the process.

"If we are to have closer intimacy my love, help me to bed where we can continue."

As a true loving wife should she helped him out of the tub and dried and let him lean on her as she helped him to bed amidst a fair amount of grimacing and groaning on his part, He lay on the bed with his manhood pointing skywards and he made to pull Clarissa to him but she slipped from his grasp,

'Give me a minute. You just rest and wait for me.'

Too tired to argue he watched as she walked naked to her dressing table and began brushing her damp hair. As she brushed her hair Clarissa began talking about their plans when they returned home. At first he answered her questions eagerly but slowly her words became indistinct and he found it difficult to form a coherent reply and his eyes kept closing until he heard no more and fell into a deep sleep dreaming of Clarissa kissing him and promising to make it up to him.

"UH! Make it up to me?" he mumbled and put his arm around Clarissa's soft, warm naked body.

In the morning he woke with a wonderful sensation between his legs Clarissa was on her knees bent over his cock and gently licking the tip while stroking the length with firm but gentle strokes.

"Ready when you are my love." He murmured dreamily as he stroked her blonde tresses.

 

[Opensesame54321]

She knew the way that he would wish to be awaken. She only hoped that it would not be too much of a strain on him. The smile on his face, even thought it was still laced with sleep, told her that she had chosen well.

Ready when you are my love. He stroked her hair as she continued with waking him up. Between her hand and her mouth, her actions seemed to be waking him in a way that he enjoyed. Soon his member was a hot straining thing, and she could tell that eruption was near. It took willpower to continue on for she longed to stop and climb upon his straining spear so that his seed could be deposited into her womb. But she decided to continue what she was doing. After all, Roger seemed to be enjoying things the way they were. There would be time enough for the other.

Right now, she was worried about this Mrs. Snark. The woman had Thunder stolen, had tried to sell him in the open horse market there in Barnstaple, and when her own devious plan had failed and her stealing from the household books had been discovered and brought to the attention of the proper authorities, apparently her own brothers had beat Roger up. As far as she was concerned, it was about time to return to home and the place where they would take up permanent residence.

The dreamy look in his eyes told her everything and soon he was groaning as his seed spilled forth. She was not quite adept at catching it all but she gave it her best attempt. As he finished and gave a sigh, she curled up against him running her hands over the lumps and bruises that dotted his body.

“Roger, am I bad luck for you? First it was the bee and now this. You know, you don’t have to take me all over England. I would be perfectly happy back in our own home.”

 

[cumnchat]

As his dear wife tended to his needs Roger was half still in dreamland, Clarissa's hands and mouth stroked his manhood with such loving care but he wanted to plunge into her and ride her fiercely but he was still sore from the beating he had taken the day before and when he moved carelessly his ribs hurt beyond comprehension therefore it was with great care that his hand stole between Clarissa's freckled thighs and found her sex wet and aroused. His fingers slipped into her sex and his thumb tickled her nub of pleasure so Clarissa could obtain as much pleasure as him, causing her to bring him to a crescendo and his cream fountained in the air in spurts, he groaned with relief as Clarissa did her best to catch his spendings as they descended, not completely successfully it must be said. When he was drained and Clarissa had carefully licked him clean he sighed gratefully when Clarissa snuggled close to him so he could feel her hard nipples pressed into his chest and she gently ran her fingers over his cuts and bruises and then asked,

'Roger, am I bad luck for you? First it was the bee and now this. You know, you don’t have to take me all over England. I would be perfectly happy back in our own home.'

"My sweetness, whatever made you think such a thing? You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, those incidents were not of your making and even if they were I would not think any the worse of you."

With an effort he pulled her even closer to him and kissed her gently on her eager soft lips.

"Are you unhappy here? If so, as soon as Lord and Lady Chichester return and I have explained the situation regarding Mrs. Snark and she and her ruffian brothers receive their comeuppance then we will return to see your father and then to your new home at The Gables, there is also the small matter of my inability to stay astride a horse at the moment, which reminds me I must get to Barnstaple and lay charges against Alice Snark's brothers so I will borrow one of Lord Chichester's coaches and one of his servants to drive me."

Carefully he untangled Clarissa's arms from him and with a pained grunt he sat on the edge of the bed. With a twinkle in his eye he chuckled,

"Do you think Bea would mind if I asked her to dress me or would you prefer to humour me and play the maid this morning?"

 

[Opensesame54321]

Are you unhappy here? If so, as soon as Lord and Lady Chichester return and I have explained the situation regarding Mrs. Snark and she and her ruffian brothers receive their comeuppance then we will return to see your father and then to your new home at The Gables, there is also the small matter of my inability to stay astride a horse at the moment, which reminds me I must get to Barnstaple and lay charges against Alice Snark's brothers so I will borrow one of Lord Chichester's coaches and one of his servants to drive me.

She hurried to assure him.

“Roger, I’m not unhappy here. I could never be unhappy as long as I am with you. It’s not that at all. And of course we can wait until you can ride. I’m just anxious to see my new home.”

She noticed how difficult it was for him to sit up and realize how painful it would be for him to ride home. She was worried about him. Of course they would have to wait.

Do you think Bea would mind if I asked her to dress me or would you prefer to humour me and play the maid this morning?

Grinning, she answered him.

“Oh, I think that I can be persuaded to be your very personal maid today.”

It was with much laughter and a few groans of pain on his part that she managed to get her husband dressed. Bea arrived just as they were finishing. Roger left to head slowly down to break his fast and Bea promised that she would soon have Clarissa down in the breakfast room to join him.

“There’s talk that the Master and Mistress should be back by tomorrow late. I personally don’t know just how he knows but the butler is usually right.”

“Well, I look forward to meeting them.”

While Bea cleaned up the mess that Clarissa had made as she dressed Roger, Clarissa headed down to find her husband and eat breakfast.

 

[cumnchat]

Just as he thought Clarissa welcomed the opportunity to help him dress after she had slipped on a robe in case Bea came in unexpectedly. Roger sat naked on the edge of the bed and watched as Clarissa bent to begin putting his breeches on but his eyes were on her chest where herrobe had fallen forward affording him a perfect view of her soft peardrop breasts.

"If I were fit my love, I think it would take most of the morning to get me dressed." He chuckled as his hand slipped inside her robe and fondled her pretty breasts. Clarissa giggled and ignored his exploring hands slowly pulling up his breeches but she hesitated when it came to buttoning them up. With an amused look Roger said,

"You never seem to have a problem when you are undressing me, just remember where you usually find my evil weapon and put it there before you do me up, it will mean you will need to hold it though, you are not shy are you?"

Clarissa giggled again and held his manhood flat against his thigh as she buttoned him up, whether by accident or design she put a button in the wrong hole and had to start again, Roger laughed until his ribs hurt and accused her of assaulting him which Clarissa vehemently denied.

To his dismay Clarissa finally had him dressed as Bea arrived to dress Clarissa, they greeted each other as friends rather than mistress and servant. Bea chattered away barely stopping for breath, whether through nervousness Roger didn't know but Bea did pass on one piece of news that was of interest to them both,

'There’s talk that the Master and Mistress should be back by tomorrow late. I personally don’t know just how he knows but the butler is usually right.'

"I don't doubt for one moment that he is correct, in my experience good butlers are born not trained, my own butler when I first discovered the fair sex was usually waiting for me when I returned from a late night tryst. UM, perhaps I have said too much already
I shall go down for breakfast my dear, join me when you are ready."

Roger left hastily but gingerly before Clarissa quizzed him about his late night trysts as a young man.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Bea blushed and gave a giggle as Roger quickly left the room. Or rather, what passed for quickly in his present state. He was moving better than the day before but he still walked in obvious pain. Probably not quick enough as she resolved to ask him for a bit more information tonight concerning his wild and carefree bachelor days and make sure that he remembered that now she had sole possession of his loins.

It really did not take long to get dressed. Never one for convention, if the truth be known she never did keep her maid back at Fernwood all that busy. And Bea might find herself bored after a couple of weeks. But as it was, the girl seemed basically unhappy here. This would give the young girl some excitement in her life.

Heading for the breakfast room, she found Roger hungrily eating his breakfast. She fixed her plate from the sideline, noting there were egg fritters, crumpets, bacon rashers, finny haddocks and devilled kidneys and anchovy paste and preserved tongue in clarified butter. There was steaming hot porridge and to the side were thick slices of bread that had been toasted to a golden crisp.

She grabbed a crumpet and some bacon and sat down beside Roger.

“How many people are they feeding here? I certainly hope that it does not go to waste.”

As she ate, she pondered the dilemma that she faced. After a minute of thoughtful contemplation, she finally turned to him.

“Love, I have something to confess. I’m not quite sure what to do so I am asking you what you want me to do. I was going to go with you back to Barnstaple to lodge a complaint against those men that beat you. But then I thought that it might look like you brought me with you because you could not handle things yourself.

Or I could stay here and ride Thunder in the surf and let you handle things yourself. You tell me which you prefer.”

She placed a hand on his arm and waited to see what he wanted.