ROMANCE: His Reluctant Heart (Historical Western Victorian Romance) (Historical Mail Order Bride Romance Fantasy Short Stories) (39 page)

Chapter 10

“I thought it was what you wanted, a trip to France?” Mathias questioned his wife, over breakfast. “When I learned you had turned my sister down, I was shocked, quite frankly.”

“Mathias, let us stop pretending, I like Gertrude no more than she likes me,” Bridget would stick up for herself, whether her husband liked it or not. “Now, had it been Olivia, then I would have agreed, wholeheartedly. Olivia is kind and caring, unlike your older sister, Gertrude.”

“I’m not happy with the way you are speaking about my family, Bridget. No matter, the family has gone now and you are still here at home. Perhaps there is something, or should I say someone that demands your attention here?”

“What exactly are you trying to say, sir?” she reacted a little more dramatically than she had meant to, but how dare he? “Overseeing certain matters is expected of me, Mathias, I am merely ensuring things are done the way I want them to be done. If gossiping staff do not like that, then we should be rid of them. I cannot believe that you would listen to any nonsense.”

“Nonetheless, I expect my wife to show some dignity when she is about her duties,” Mathias said, getting up to leave the table, anger written into his features. “Please refrain from being alone with the male staff, at any time.”

With that he walked out of the room, leaving a shaking Bridget wondering at what exactly the gossip was about. She thought that she had been careful not to be alone in a compromising position with him. Although she may have spoken with him alone in the garden. Has it come to such a situation that she was unable to speak with her staff alone? Of course, things were out of hand and they went too far the other day, but no one should be aware of their little tryst in the woods. Deciding that discretion was the best course of action, she decided that she would go through his father, Malcolm the head gardener, if she had instructions for him. That should shut up the wagging tongues.

She was aware that today Tristan would be putting the final touches to her water feature in the old pond, by the south facing verandah. It had been her intention to join him and oversee the final stages, but after her husband vocalizing his suspicion, she dare not join him, fearing she would stoke his wrath further. Going outside to him would be a mistake, unless his father was overseeing him, which was unlikely.

Entering the library, she could see through the window that Tristan had already started and that the feature was almost complete. She could not get word to him that she would not be there, as the staff would most likely misinterpret the message. Instead, she stayed away from the window and watched him work. He was such a handsome man, strong physique with well-defined muscles, a tanned skin from the summer sun. He looked like a Greek god. She remembered those arms wrapped around her, and it made her long for more.

“I thought I might find you in here,” her husband’s voice came from the door, as he entered. “Making eyes at the laboring staff.”

“Mathias, do keep your voice down,” she reminded him.

“Why? The entire household seems to know more than I do,” he replied, rather solemnly.

“Mathias, I’m in here because you instructed me not be alone with the male staff. As it happens today I am having my water feature erected. As I cannot go out there, without fanning the flames of gossip that seems to have irked you so, I am merely checking from in here to ensure that the job is done to my satisfaction. I have wanted this water feature for a while, as you know, and I do not want shoddy workmanship,” Bridget said, rather bravely. “Where you are hearing such stories is beyond anything I can comprehend. I am the mistress of this house, and I will see an end to this wickedness.”

“Unfortunately, Bridget, by the time gossip makes its way to the head of the house, it is usually well established. Do you deny any of this?” he asked.

“I most certainly do not deny or admit to anything, Mathias. It is utter nonsense, and I will not dignify that question with a response. Really, you should know better than to be listening in to the paid staff’s conversations,” she knew this was a hurtful comment, but she had to make sure that Mathias was clear on her convictions. She had to make this out to be nonsense and she also needed to be more careful. It was a little hypocritical, chastising her husband, when in fact it was all true. The guilt was almost overpowering.

“I am willing to put aside your rudeness, Bridget” Mathias said to her, much more calmly. “I suggest that you see to your staff and stop this maliciousness before my family hears of it, or anyone else for that matter. I would also advise that you start to behave like the Lady of the house, and not some lowly servant girl,” he said, sternly. Once again he walked away from her, leaving her alone in the room.

She wanted to retort back to him, especially regarding the servant girl jibe, but her guilt held her tongue. She watched as he left the room, once she was certain that he was gone, she turned back to the window. She afforded herself another glance at her lover, just so she could look at something more pleasing to the eye than her husband’s furious features. She watched as he finalized the feature, adding the finishing touch. She would do nothing to gain his attention; it was best left alone for a few days. They clearly had been seen walking the grounds together. It was probably some jealous young maid who was filled with envy at him not having eyes for her. Hopefully, it would all die down and in a few days and she would speak to the butler, Mason. He, of all people, should help her to quash this silliness.

Chapter 11

Mathias knew he had given his younger wife too much freedom, allowing her to read anything she liked and letting her be over familiar with the staff. He would need to put a stop to this. Gossip among the staff was one thing, but if it spread to their peers, it would be intolerable. He couldn’t understand her brazen behaviour, she was from a good family, perhaps not a wealthy one, but he would not blame her upbringing. She had indicated none of these failings in their courtship, if she had, he would not have married her. Despite her shortcomings, he did love her, if only she could see this. Perhaps if they had a baby then all would be well, she would be far too engrossed in raising a child to be dallying with the male staff.

Gertrude, his older sister, was not around to advise him, and Olivia, his younger sister, liked Bridget far too much to be impartial. He would need to sort this conundrum out, all by himself. Women were such complicated creatures and he did struggle to understand them. It was one of the reasons he had married so late in life, he simply could not find a woman he was comfortable with. Bridget had seemed like a breath of fresh air when he had first met her.

He recalled how she came dashing into her father’s drawing room with a bunch of herbs in a basket from their garden, her hair in such a mess as if she had been running. She had rosy cheeks and her laugh was a ray of sunshine. He had been instantly entranced by her. The visit to her father had been for business, as he was selling a London property, but that was soon forgotten once he laid eyes on his daughter. Instead of buying the house he had asked for permission to court Bridget, and it had been granted.

Now, he wondered if her father ever managed to sell that property. Perhaps he would buy it for Bridget, so she could have familiar surroundings whenever she visited London, instead of going to the large house they had there. Yes, he would look into this and make it her project; she could re-organize the whole house, which should keep her busy. Though it had been three years ago, it was probably no longer available, but he would buy her another house in London. One more fitting to her needs, smaller perhaps, she was always complaining that the house was too big and empty.

Once Mathias had calmed down, he decided to go for a ride. He understood his wife’s love of riding, it was one of the few things they had in common. Yet, he hated the thought of her alone and vulnerable, he wished she would ride with him more often. He headed towards the stable, even though it was short notice and they would not be expecting him. It should not take the stable boys long to ready a horse for him.

As he approached the stable door he could hear two stable boys arguing.

“I heard that Lady Hexley is going to elope with one of the servants,” Mathias heard one of the stable hands, as he spoke to another.

“Really? Which servant is that then?” the other boy asked, incredulously. “Personally, I think it’s all hogwash, that’s what I think.”

“I don’t know who it was, but it’s all the gossip in the kitchen,” the other retorted. “I wish it were me, I’d run off wiv ‘er like a shot.”

“Have you boys nothing better to do other than listen to house gossip?” the stable master had arrived and flicked at each of the ears of the boys, painfully.

Both boys yelped in pain, just as Mathias entered the stables.

“Which of you two boys used the word ‘hogwash’?” the Master of the house asked them.

“Well, lads, speak up,” the stable master flicked their ears again. “You ‘ave plenty to say when you thinks no one’s listenin’, so now’s your chance to speak up. Answer the Master.”

“Twas me, Sir,” one boy slowly put his hand up in the air, bravely admitting his offending word.

“What exactly does that word mean, boy?” Mathias asked him.

“Well, I don’t rightly know, Sir, but I thinks it means that it’s rubbish, and only fit for pigswill, Sir,” he said, nervously, knowing he was in deep trouble.

“What’s your name boy?” Mathias asked.

“Toby, sir. Am I in trouble?”

“No, Toby, you are not. In fact, exactly the opposite. Here’s a coin boy,” Mathias said, watching the boy’s face light up at such riches.

“A whole thrupenny bit, for me, Sir?”

“Yes, you deserve it for defending the honor of the Mistress of the house, and by putting this gossip where it belongs, in the rubbish pile,” his Lordship praised him.

The other boy looked on in sheepishly as his Lordship spoke, hoping he would not be punished for his comments. It was not unusual for the stable master to use the riding crop on the backside of a troublesome boy. It was with relief when the stable master simply ordered them to saddle a horse for his Lordship.

“That was very generous of you, My Lord, if I say so,” the stable master said.

“The boy was being loyal to his employees, and I always reward loyalty,” Mathias replied.

“And rightly so, Sir, rightly so,” agreed the stable master, leaving his Lordship while he hurried the lads on, with the horse. He did not like to keep the Master of the house waiting.

Chapter 12

For Bridget, the week following her illicit liaison in the forest with Tristan, was the unhappiest week of her life. Mathias was becoming more and more suspicious and had her watched constantly. He demanded that someone accompany her on rides, and it was impossible to even speak with Tristan, never mind meet together in private. She had been completely swept off her feet by the whirlwind romance and pined for him whenever they were apart.  Today, all that would change; Mathias was away for the day and would not return until the evening. They had arranged to meet at the gardener’s cottage. He was also away for the day, buying plants at the market. It was risky, but she could not resist the opportunity to be alone with her love.

When she awoke that morning, Bridget felt in the best mood ever, in anticipation of their meeting. She arranged for her breakfast to be served on a tray, in bed, rather than eating with Mathias before he left. She felt overwhelmed with guilt whenever in his company, and could not bear to look him in the eye. She knew it was unfair on him. Mathias was a kind and loving man, but her passion for Tristan was all consuming.

Her maid, Sally, opened up the curtains, allowing the sun’s rays to flood into the room, lighting up her mood even more. She sat up and stretched as Sally put the breakfast tray on her bed. Her personal maid, Jayne knocked and entered, when instructed, and queried after her mistresses day and what she wished to wear. 

“Give me something easy to walk in,” Bridget said to her, “I’ll potter around the garden today, maybe go for a walk into the woods.”

“Yes, my Lady,” Jayne replied as she brought out a few dresses to choose from.

“I’ll have the pink one and I don’t want a fichu with it,” she said, choosing a low neckline. “Those neckerchiefs are too stifling. I want the sun to reach my skin.”

“Yes, my Lady, Jayne repeated, thinking her Ladyship really should cover up her cleavage. She wasn’t one to listen to gossip but she had seen how she looked at the gardener’s son. Not that she was surprised; he was a handsome young man, the complete opposite of Lord Hexley. Still it wasn’t her place to comment, and she said nothing.

Once breakfasted, ablutions and dressing were all done; Bridget first went to see her new water feature. It was a beautiful piece and one she would treasure for an eternity. She sat there for a while, enjoying the serenity, and contemplating her situation.
How had it come to this?
She asked herself. S
he was a respectable woman married to landed gentry
. Although Mathias was older, everyone had agreed that he was a fine catch. She may not love him, but at the time of her marriage, love wasn't everything. That was before Tristan though. Now, Tristan’s light burned deeply in her heart and she simply could not live without him.

After a short while she set off around the grounds, walking the route everyone expected her to take. Once in the wooded area and away from prying eyes, she doubled back and made her way to the rear of the gardener’s cottage. There, her lover would be waiting for her and they could be alone together. The plan was going well, her husband away; the head gardener away, the day was perfect. She knocked on the door and Tristan answered, instantly pulling her in and quickly pressing his lips on to hers.

That one kiss sparked an avalanche of emotions. She yearned for him, for his contact, his touch, his kiss. She felt guilt at what she was doing to her husband, but she also felt a thrill that their elicit relationship instilled in her, the naughtiness of it simply increasing the thrill. Just for one brief moment, everything faded into insignificance as she sank into his firm muscular arms. Tristan’s lips and hers joined together in a passionate embrace.

Tristan was eager to feel his naked skin on hers, and started to undo her gown, right there in the parlor. The buttons seemed tricky but he was soon slipping the dress off her shoulders, as she stood there in just her petticoats and corset. Next, the petticoats joined the dress on the floor and he was quickly unlacing her corset. At no time during his undressing of her beautiful body, did they break their passionate embrace. At last the corset was unlaced and it slipped down over her waist and landed at her feet. Now, at last, she was completely naked and Tristan pulled away from their embrace, stepping back slightly to admire her beautiful body. His eyes wandered from the tips of her small pert breasts, with their rosy red nipples already erect, whether from the cold air or arousal he was unsure. His eyes wandered lower, to her tucked in waist and perfectly flat stomach. Then lower still, to the lightly haired mound of her mons.

He sucked in his breath, involuntarily, “Beautiful, my darling, you are everything I dreamed you to be.”

Lady Bridget Hexley blushed slightly at his piercing gaze, but made no attempt to hide her modesty.

Emboldened with passion, Tristan swept the naked Lady Hexley into his arms, and carried her upstairs to the bedroom.