The Theft of a Dukedom (12 page)

God! This is exquisite!
He thought. It was the
only coherent thought in his head and as he felt his
testicles cramp as a prelude to ejaculation, he yanked
himself out of her mouth, pushed her over on the bed
and grabbed her ankles.
She gasped as he spread her legs impossibly
wide and buried his mouth in her sex. Thrusting his
tongue in between the folds until he could torment her
clitoris. He delicately sucked and licked, circling from
vagina to clitoris until she was thrumming with desire.
As she got closer her body started to tremble. As he
invaded her with his tongue, she started keening as her
orgasm began and he felt the first throb of her vagina.
Quickly he scrambled up her body and thrust into her
with no finesse whatsoever. It only took two thrusts and
his ejaculation burst like tidal wave, making him grunt
and groan as his seed was expelled. He could feel her
muscles rippling with the strength of her orgasm and he
was almost deaf in his left ear from the scream issuing
from her throat. He felt his penis flexing still, even
though there was no more sperm. He looked down at
his beautiful wife to see ecstasy on her face and as her
muscles convulsed she moaned and groaned.
As they relaxed he supported his weight on his
forearms, his fingers clutching her hair and looked into
her contented face.
Where the hell did she get the idea
to suck my cock?!
He thought and a frisson of fear and
doubt crossed his mind.
Did somebody else show her
that?
‘I love you.’ He whispered and she opened her
eyes. ‘But what on earth possessed you to suck my
cock?’ he asked indignantly.
She laughed delightedly at his incautious
question. ‘Have I finally rattled the august Duke?!’ she
asked happily.
‘Yes, I would say I’m rattled.’ He said firmly. ‘I’ve
had to ask for that, before now.’ He spluttered, not sure
just how to put it. ‘Never has any woman sucked me off
without my permission!’
‘Didn’t you like it?’ she asked innocently with a
lazy smile and he groaned deep in his chest as her
vagina pulsed again. She closed her eyes in
contentment.
‘You know damned fine I liked it!’ He said
hoarsely. ‘But what made you do it?’ he demanded.
‘Oh! Tommy!’ she sighed deeply. ‘Can’t you just
accept it as the gift it was intended to be?’
‘What?’ he demanded again and she opened her
eyes again to see the serious expression on his face.
‘Who gave you the idea I would like my cock sucked?’
She smiled at him and stroked her fingers over
his cheek. ‘You did.’ She said calmly. She knew this
would be a problem, but it was worth it.
‘Me?!’ he gasped. ‘When did I ask you to do
that?’
‘You didn’t ask, Tommy.’ She said patiently, ‘but
you do it to me all the time and I wondered, as it’s
exquisite when you do it to me, if it would be exquisite
for you as well.’
‘So nobody told you to do that.’ He said darkly.
‘Of course not! Tommy.’ And he could see the
truth in her eyes; she was becoming affronted at his
questioning. ‘What’s the matter? Did you think I’d gone
and got myself a lover?’ She asked. ‘Already?!’ Thomas
slowly nodded his head and she smiled gently. ‘You silly
Duke. When have I had the time? Besides the fact that
you are ample man for me!’ She arched her back
suddenly and smiled like a she-devil at him. ‘Are you
ready for more?’ she asked provocatively as her nails
traced his spine from the small of his back to the
juncture of his buttocks. Desire spiked through his
manhood and she gasped as she felt him swell and fill
her completely.
‘Hell, yes!’ He said harshly, as he slowly moved
within her. ‘You’re a damned vixen!’ he muttered just
before he crushed his lips over hers and kissed her
dementedly.
They made love until Victoria fell asleep from
exhaustion. Thomas looked at her in the moonlight,
with her innocent Madonna’s face, her golden hair
splashed across his abdomen and her lithe body lax
against him. Her breathing was soft and quiet. Thomas
realised he was truly content, for the first time in his
life, as he drifted off to sleep.
Next morning, at breakfast, Victoria tackled Kitty
about the waterfalls.
‘Where exactly are they?’ Victoria asked evenly.
‘They are about ten miles north west of here.
You can’t really miss them if you follow the Tees.
Cauldron Snout is a substantial drop in the river and the
water gushes over it. It’s not very long, but very steep,
almost two hundred feet. You can see the spray for
miles. High and Low Force is more gradual. Not as awe
inspiring, but easily as beautiful. It is about five miles
long.’
‘And how long will it take to ride there?’
‘Most of the morning, if we don’t have any
mishaps along the way.’
‘Mishaps?’ Victoria asked in trepidation.
‘A lame horse or thrown shoe, the trail is not
easy.’ Kitty smiled happily. ‘It’s not like riding in Hyde
Park, Your Grace.’
‘Please Kitty, I wish you’d call me Victoria.’
‘Well, if you want to come as well, I can arrange
some britches for you, because you’re not going to
enjoy riding side saddle.’ Kitty laughed. ‘I only did it
once, at mother’s insistence and I damned near broke
my neck!’
‘Kitty!’ Victoria admonished her.
‘Sorry, I spend a little too much time with
Charles.’
‘Can you give me some britches, too?’ Louise
asked. ‘Charles has invited me along.’
‘What time will you set out?’ Victoria asked.
‘Dawn, or thereabouts.’ Kitty said. ‘Cook will
pack a hamper for us and there is a good inn at High
Force.’
‘Will it be dangerous?’ Victoria asked suddenly
with a frown.
‘Only if he falls in, and I won’t let that happen,
neither will Charles.’ Kitty smiled brightly. ‘Pack him
some extra clothes and a blanket, just in case!’
‘Kitty, you’re teasing.’ Charles said as he joined
them in the breakfast room.
‘I think Victoria and I should accompany you.’
Thomas said firmly.
‘Yes, father.’ Kitty said in total capitulation.
The outing was organised for the next morning.
Kitty spent the day in the stables organising the mounts.
She chose the three biggest roans for the men, all three
were chestnut and black and all over sixteen hands. But
like her little black mare, these were locally bred work
horses, with sturdy legs and sure feet. She selected the
best three mares for herself, Victoria and Louise and for
Edward she chose a black and white gelding. The groom
fetched out the selected horse and Kitty watched it walk
and trot around the paddock.
That’s where Richard found her at teatime. He
suddenly appeared beside her and rested his forearms
on the top rail of the paddock. He quietly watched the
horse as it was trotted around. Kitty was actually
dressed in a riding habit, but the jacket was discarded
over the rail and her hat and gloves were on the grass
next to it.
‘Hello, my sweet.’ Richard murmured. ‘What are
you doing?’
‘Choosing the mounts for tomorrow.’ She
pointed at the black and chestnut roan. ‘This one is
yours, do you like it?’
‘It looks a fine animal.’ Richard said and climbed
over the barrier and approached the groom. Richard
was soon up on the back of his horse and trotting him
around the paddock. After a couple of circuits, he
dismounted and handed the reins back to the groom.
‘Yes, I like it.’ He said with a smile and climbed
back over the rail.
‘Yes, John!’ Kitty shouted at the groom. ‘We’ll
definitely take that one!’
‘They don’t look particularly elegant.’ Richard
said and watched her face.
‘Elegant won’t do you any good, when it cracks a
cannon bone on the rocks at Low Force!’ She smiled
mischievously, because she knew he was trying to
provoke her. ‘Elegant is fine on the lush level surfaces of
Hyde Park and Royal Ascot!’ She looked up at him ‘How
many of your cavalry officers discovered a rugged local
pony better value than a thoroughbred in Portugal?’
‘Most of them, I would think.’ He sighed. ‘May I
kiss you?’
‘If you can’t wait any longer, then I suppose you
must!’ she said and smiled as he grabbed her shoulders
and pulled her against his chest, crushing his mouth
over hers, plundering her mouth without restraint.
‘I confess,’ he said as he lifted his lips away from
hers, ‘I’m beginning to wish for a speedy wedding. I
can’t wait to take you to nirvana.’ He kissed her again
and then he swirled his fingertips over her cheek. ‘Are
you afraid?’ he asked softly.
‘Yes.’ She said simply. ‘I understand the
mechanics of the act.’ She looked down and fiddled
with his cravat. ‘Millicent was most blatant about it. She
said it was necessary for me to understand just how
vulnerable you feel during that first time.’
‘Do you trust me?’ Richard asked seriously.
She looked up into his azure eyes and
remembered just how distressed he was over the lawn
incident and she nodded. ‘Yes, Richard. I trust you.’
‘Then you will spend your wedding night in
Nirvana and not the closet.’
‘Do we have to wait for the wedding night?’ she
asked provocatively.
Richard groaned deep in his chest, pushed her
away from him and said. ‘Yes. I don’t want to end up on
the end of Charles’s duelling pistol!’
John had brought out the last horse and Richard
jumped over the gate and almost leaped into the
saddle. He clicked his tongue and the horse started
walking, before he urged it into a trot. Kitty watched the
action of the horse, not the rider.
When he’d finished, Richard said ‘I was sent to
call you in for tea!’ he picked up her jacket and hat as
she finished with John the groom. They walked back to
the main house hand in hand.
‘When do you want to get married?’ she asked
gently.
‘I’d say as soon as possible, but I realise that the
Banns have to be read and my brothers really should be
here, so it’ll be three weeks.’ Richard answered. ‘Who
will conduct the service?’
‘There are a couple of clergymen around here.
The Reverend Michelson is at the English church in
Middleton, there is a Wesleyan Chapel in Mickleton and
then there is Father Malloy in Romaldkirk.’
‘You’d get married in a Catholic church?’ he
asked in surprise.
‘No. We will get married in the chapel here, but
one of the clergymen will have to perform the service.’
‘Who would you like?’ he asked, unaware that
he was already giving ground to her.
‘I would prefer Father Malloy. I see him regularly
as I ride through Romaldkirk.’ She said evenly, ‘but if
you feel strongly about him being a Catholic, then
Reverend Michelson will do just as good a job.’ She
finished and she looked up at him for his decision.
He smiled indulgently. ‘Then Father Malloy it is.
I’ll ride out to see him tomorrow.’
‘You can’t, if you’re coming to Cauldron Snout.’
She said laughing. ‘Will you be able to control yourself,
seeing me in britches?’ she asked playfully.
‘You’d be surprised how many times I saw a lady
in britches in Portugal.’ He said smugly. ‘So, yes! I’ll be
able to control myself.’
They arrived on the terrace just as tea was being
served, so Kitty didn’t even bother to change. One of
the footmen brought her a bowl of hot water and a
towel and she washed her hands and sat to eat in her
habit.
‘Kitty!’ Thomas said brightly. ‘I have organised a
proper picnic for us. I spoke to cook and she’s selected
the footmen to go on ahead and set up for us at High
Force.’
Kitty shook her head. ‘Why can’t you live
without the servants, father?’ She asked patiently.
‘Lunch out of a saddle bag is good enough for me.’
‘You’re not a duke and I’m afraid both Edward
and I expect a certain level of comfort!’
That answer made every one splutter with
laughter.

Charles and Richard were bleary eyed, as they
stood waiting for their horses.
‘We shouldn’t have stayed up so late.’ Richard
said softly.
‘Nor drank so much brandy.’ Charles added and
winced as Kitty shouted at the grooms to get a move on.
‘We’ll be here all day at this rate!’ she berated
them.
Victoria was standing with Edward, who was
jumping up and down in excitement, and Thomas was
admiring her figure in the riding clothes that Kitty had
provided.
‘I feel practically naked.’ Louise whispered to
her.
Victoria smiled. ‘Pull your cloak about you.’ she
advised.
The grooms started appearing with the horses
and Kitty assigned each rider. Thomas got Edward
settled and adjusted his stirrups and then they were
ready to go.
‘Lead off Kitty.’ Thomas said jovially, ‘after all,
this is your expedition.’
Kitty kicked her mare into a trot and led off
down the long drive to the road. Edward soon caught up
with her and took up station on her left and Richard,
jealous of a young boy, rode proudly at her right.
Thomas couldn’t stop the smirk as he and
Victoria brought up the rear.
‘I hope he doesn’t become a nuisance.’ Victoria
muttered.
‘Edward will be fine.’ Thomas said
magnanimously. ‘Kitty will make sure of that.’ He
prayed she would be responsible as he watched the
three riders turn out onto the road. Thomas was
relieved to notice that Edward broke into a canter first.
Before they reached Middleton-on-Tees, Kitty
picked up the Pennine Way.
‘Is that the Tees?’ Edward asked excitedly as he
looked over towards the river.
‘It is.’ Kitty informed him and suddenly he was
galloping towards the bridge, with Kitty hard on his
heels. ‘You’re going to get me into trouble.’ She
admonished him. ‘Daddy already thinks I’m reckless, so
slow down.’ And she reached across and yanked on his
bridle to slow the gelding.
‘Why did you do that?’ Edward demanded with
full ducal arrogance.
‘Your Grace.’ Kitty began, patiently. ‘If you want
to reach the grand old age of twelve, please don’t rush
this trip. I was being honest when I said the trail was not
easy. If you lame your horse, the trip will be over.’
‘Oh!’ Edward said arrogantly. ‘Mama can’t make
me go home.’
‘Are you willing to argue with the Duke?’ Kitty
asked and clicked her tongue to walk on, leaving Edward
scowling in her wake. Crossing the bridge, she looked
down at the River as Richard caught up with her.
‘You might have bitten off more than you can
chew.’ He whispered and leaned out of the saddle to
kiss her on the cheek.
‘I would say at the moment Edward is thinking
about crossing my father and the possible
consequences.’ She said softly and laughed.
Edward suddenly appeared beside her again and
said airily. ‘I didn’t actually think about that. Do you
think he would be angry?’
‘I think if you upset your mother, he might be
angry and having been on the receiving end of my
father’s discipline, I would advise you to be cautious!’
Kitty said knowingly.
Richard was captivated by the rugged scenery.
Majestic rock formations marched along their path, like
a line of sentinels and with the chuckle of the river it
reminded him so much of Portugal that he expected a
french column to appear over the horizon any moment.
Without even realising what he was doing, he urged his
horse forward into the lead and he watched the top of
the ridge.
Charles said suddenly. ‘Stop checking the
environment, Richard. There won’t be any French
Patrols here!’
Richard reined his horse in and smiled
sheepishly. ‘Old habits die hard.’ He muttered.
‘I understand, I’m doing the same thing, but this
is England not Portugal.’ He laughed. ‘No cuirassier is
going to take us by surprise today!’
‘I should hope not!’ Thomas said heartily.
‘French Soldiers in the Durham countryside? Not to be
born!’
‘Good job, really.’ Richard muttered again. ‘I feel
slightly naked without a pistol or sword.’
Victoria and Louise were lagging behind and
involved in a deep conversation. Kitty skewered herself
around on her horse to check everybody and smiled.
She knew Louise was checking Millicent’s information.
Louise was calm, practical and thorough. If she didn’t
know a thing, she found out and if she was unsure of
the source, she checked it with someone else.
‘What’s this village called?’ Edward shouted
from the front, where he was riding with Richard.
Kitty clicked her tongue and spurred her horse
forward. ‘Holwick.’ She said. ‘It’s a hamlet. Be careful at
the ford, the current is quite fast.’ She warned as she
caught up with them and pulled up beside Edward so he
was sandwiched between her and Richard.
The horses carefully picked their way across the
stony ford, the tributary was quite deep and the water
came up to the tops of their boots. Charles was guiding
Louise and Thomas brought up the rear with Victoria.
‘I can now understand what you meant, Kitty!’
Victoria called, ‘my skirts would have been drenched.’
Her horse was a bay mare, sturdy and reliable,
so Kitty was surprised when it reared and neighed
loudly in the middle of the ford. Victoria squealed in
shock and Charles turned his roan and grabbed the
headgear as the mare landed back on her front feet.
Thomas was caught by surprise, but he still swept
Victoria off the saddle and onto his lap.
Charles gently led the mare out of the river and
onto the bank. It was blatantly obvious she had thrown
a shoe, as she was favouring her right front leg. He
dropped beside the mare and felt down her front leg,
carefully lifting her hoof, he inspected the damage. In
the centre of the hoof was a swelling bruise and the
shoe was missing.
‘She’s thrown a shoe.’ He said as he rubbed his
thumb over the bruise and the horse whimpered. ‘She’s
bruised her hoof too.’ He let go of the leg and stood up.
‘Well, Kitty, this is your expedition, who gets to walk
home?’
Kitty was already off her mount and she went to
Charles’s side. ‘I suppose I do.’ She said softly.
‘Nonsense!’ Thomas erupted. ‘I’ll go. It’ll only
take me an hour or so to reach Middleton and Francis
Burns will lend me a horse to reach the hall before
lunchtime.’
‘Are you sure, Darling?’ Victoria asked. ‘I can
come with you, if you’d like?’ but it was obvious she was
unhappy about leaving Edward alone with two soldiers
and two young women.
‘No, my dear.’ Thomas said softly and stroked
her cheek. ‘You stay with Edward. Here.’ He offered his
hand to help her into the saddle of the big roan stallion.
‘You shouldn’t have any trouble with him he’s relatively
docile until one of the mares is in season.’ Behind the
big horse, Victoria placed her hands on his chest.
‘Be careful?’
‘My love! It’s not like London. There aren’t any
footpads around here.’ He smiled indulgently and
dipped his head, taking her lips in a searingly passionate
kiss. ‘I’ll see you when you get home.’ He boosted her
into the saddle and smiled as she urged the horse
forward. She looked over her shoulder as they left
Thomas standing on the beech, the mare unhappy
beside him. He waved once, gathered up the reins and
turned the horse slowly for the ford. Kitty sat and
watched her father until he was safe on the other side,
then she waved and kicked her horse forward.
Twenty minutes later they arrived at Low Force
and she manoeuvred Edward into the right position, so
he could see up the falls. It was spectacular. The sun
shone through the spray making rainbow prisms and
the water gushed over the rocks in a white torrent.
‘And this goes all the way to Cauldron Snout?’ he
asked innocently.
‘No,’ Kitty said shaking her head. ‘Only as far as
High Force. It’s about five miles long.’
‘Can I get closer?’ he asked excitedly as he
jumped off his horse. Kitty got down with him and then
everybody was walking to the river’s edge. Victoria took
Edward’s hand, but even she couldn’t stop him at the
waters edge from kneeling down and scooping up a
handful of water.
‘It’s freezing!’ he blurted and shook his hands
vigorously.
‘Of course it is!’ Kitty spluttered. She turned to
the horizon. ‘Do you see those mountains?’ She pointed
and Edward nodded. ‘They are the Pennines and this
water comes from high up there.’
‘Do you mean like snow off the mountain tops?’
Edward asked agog.
‘That’s exactly what I mean.’ Kitty said as she
steered him away from the water by the shoulder.
They mounted again and carried on following
the Pennine Way until they reached the top of the falls
at High Force.
The footmen had commandeered a large table
from the Inn and set it up by the river. Every
conceivable delicacy from the ducal kitchen was on the
table, including some fine claret, which Charles and
Richard poured with alacrity.
‘You should eat, before drinking.’ Victoria said
firmly.
‘Yes, Your Grace.’ Both men said and squirmed.
Kitty and Louise exchanged bemused looks, both
shrugged and sat down to eat.