Billionaire: Billionaire Romance: Billionaire Tiger (A Billionaire New Adult Shifter Contemporary Romance) (30 page)

The stranger climbed down from the cart. “I’ll catch you up later,” he called to the driver.

They watched as the cart trundled away.

“What brings you here today?” he said.

“I was coming to visit Charlie when I saw you. I just thought I’d say hello.”

“Hello,” he said.

“Hello.” Diana found herself in a bit of a quandary. Should she get off her horse? Should she make a move? Should she wait for him to make a move? Suppose he didn’t?

She answered her question when she found herself climbing down.

“Looks like rain,” she said.

“Yes, I felt a few drops earlier.”

Diana could see that her presence was having an effect on the stranger. A bulge in his trousers grew larger. It gave her a tingle inside.

“Where are you taking that?” she said pointing to the disappearing cart.

He shrugged and pointed to her nose. She laughed.

Diana took a couple of steps towards the small barn as a few drops of rain fell on the dry ground.

“I fear the rain is almost upon us,” she said.

“Indeed,” said the stranger.

Diana strolled, as nonchalantly as her beating heart would allow, into the barn.

He followed, much to her relief.

Once inside, he looked into her eyes and she knew she was lost again.

He eased her up against the back wall and undid her jacket. Then he undid the buttons on her shirt before slipping his hand inside and felt first one nipple and then the other.

She reached down to his belt and unfastened the buckle, her hands trembling with excitement. The buttons she had ripped off on their last encounter had not been replaced, his manhood fell out into her hand. She squeezed and felt him tense.

The stranger’s hand ran down the side of her riding skirt and up her boot, over the silk stockings and to the bottom of her pantaloons that came to just above her knee.

His continued its quest until his hand arrived between her legs. He gave a little chuckle when he found the gap in the crotch of her pantaloons.

With her back against the wall, she felt him push in his erection. She needed no more foreplay than this to be ready. He was several inches taller than she so every time he thrusted up, slowly and with much force, she lifted off her feet impaled on his hard penis. Diana had never experienced anything like it.

Her hands went inside his shirt and clawed at his back with unbridled passion. Harder and harder he drove; she thought she would die from the sheer pleasure.

All inhibitions abandoned, she signalled him to stop by putting her hands on his shoulders and shaking her head. He looked at her puzzled and stopped.

Roughly, she extricated herself, took him by the shoulders and shoved him down on his back on the straw. Then she stood over him, lifted her skirt high, and straddled him. She came to him with such force that, as he entered the waiting wetness, he gripped her buttocks tight to steady her from falling sideways . She writhed up and down, up and down. Shockwaves shot through her whole body. She could feel he was near, so was she. Quicker and quicker she slid up and down on him until she felt him climax inside her; she reached it too at the same time.

She collapsed forward onto him. He kissed her forehead.

After a few minutes, she stood up and rearranged her mussed up clothes. He stood up and buckled his belt.

“We must make arrangements so that we can meet again not by chance,” she said.

“Why?”

She looked at him. “Don’t tell me you can’t feel it too. Some invisible bond that has brought us together and will keep us together.”

He kissed her tenderly on the lips. Diana had never been kissed like this before. There was love in this kiss without doubt. She had found someone whom she could love and would love her back even if their social positions were a problem. They could love in secret. And the sex wasn’t bad either, she thought.

“I understand you visit the theatre often.”

“How do you know that?” he said.

“I have my ways of finding things out,” she said.

“Yes, I do some work there sometimes.”

“So I understand. I’m going on Friday, to see ‘The Rivals’. I doubt we can be together but just knowing you are near is something I would treasure.”

He gave her another tender kiss and then leaned back and looked into her eyes. “I don’t want hurt you or cause you distress or problems. I’m not the sort of man you should fall in love with.”

“But I have. I know how silly that sounds after such a short time, but I have.”

“Only a fool would not be in love with you. And I’m no fool. I’ll try to catch a glimpse of you on Friday.”

Chapter 5

Miller pulled the barouche up at the entrance to Morton House in Tunbridge Wells. Diana liked the house. It wasn’t as big as Eylebourn Hall. The façade was white with two pillars either side of steps up to the heavy oak front door.

He handed Diana down from the barouche. Then he helped Jane, the maid, out too.

Mariah’s butler, Gittens, opened the door and took Diana’s parasol. Miller struggled with Diana’s overnight large bag while Jane carried a smaller one.

Gittens showed Diana into the drawing room where Mariah was receiving a gentleman caller.

“Oh, I do apologize Mariah; I didn’t realize…

“Not at all Diana. Please, I would like you to meet Algernon Fitzgerald of the Cork Fitzgeralds.

Fitzgerald bowed; Diana bobbed a curtsey and offered her hand. He took it and looked into her eyes and smiled.

He stood a good six feet tall with strong shoulders, firm jaw and wore the regulation morning suit for this time of the day it being before five o’clock.

“Enchanted,” he said.

Diana smiled.

“If you don’t mind, Algernon will escort us to the theatre tonight,” said Mariah.

“Splendid. Thank you.”

“Until later then, ladies,” said Fitzgerald bowing to both of them before backing a few steps, turning and leaving Diana to look inquisitively at her friend.

“Well?” said Diana.

“He is rather dashing, don’t you think?”

“Yes, he certainly is. Is there anything…?”

“I hope so. I do hope so. You know what it is like; catching a man whom one actually likes is no mean feat for people like us.”

Mariah saw the look of sadness on Diana’s face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Diana. I didn’t mean…”

“That’s all right Mariah. No offence taken.”

“So Reginald is up in town again on business?”

“Indeed he is Mariah. I think we both know what kind of business it is too.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No need to be sorry for me Mariah. I am not unhappy. I have wealth and position.”

“Indeed you have.”

“I know you can keep a secret. I hope you won’t think bad of me but…”

“Oh, do tell Diana. Have you at last got a… hmpff… you know?”

“Yes I have.”

“Really! Wonderful! Do I know him?”

“I doubt it.”

“Oh, he doesn’t live in the county then?”

“Indeed he does.”

“And I don’t know him… Diana, what are you saying? You haven’t got yourself involved with someone who is… who is…?

“Who is not one of us? Yes, I have Mariah. Does that shock you?

“Shock me? My dear Diana it does not shock me… it thrills me. Tell me more.”

A cough at the door stopped the conversation going forward.

“Excuse me Miss; a message from your parents, they will not be returning tonight due to your mother feeling slightly unwell. They are staying in Winchester.”

“Thank you Gittens.”

“Would Lady Diana care for her toilette to be arranged by her lady’s maid, Miss?” said Gittens.

Mariah looked at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Four o’clock. They would have to leave at six.

“Tell me about it later. You’d better get ready,” said Mariah.

***

Diana luxuriated in a warm bath with fragrant oils given to her by Mariah. Jane wrapped a thick towel around her as she climbed out. Then she handed her a silk dressing gown with a Chinese pattern.

For the theatre, Diana had brought her satin low-necked dress with short sleeves and a high Empire line coming to just under her full breasts. Jane laid it out on the double bed.

“What are you wearing underneath it Ma’am? Shall I get the silk drawers or the pantaloons, the special ones,” said Jane desperately trying to hold back a giggle.

“I don’t think I will wear anything underneath Jane. It’s likely to be rather warm in the theatre. Just lay out my silk stockings.”

Jane looked at Diana. “Yes Miss.”

Jane rummaged around in the drawer into which she had unpacked Diana’s clothes. She found the silk stockings and laid them on the bed next to the dress.

Diana let the dressing gown fall to the floor and stood naked catching her reflection in a full-length mirror on the wardrobe. She smiled at the image. Her figure was still good, perfect even, and her breasts full but not too big. Her hair bunched up in blond curls matched the ivory of her skin.

She pulled on one silk stocking and then the other. Jane helped her slip the dress on bringing it up her legs to her shoulders and adjusting it, so it hung just right and showed off her décolletage to perfection. A long silk scarf covered her shoulders and another tied like a turban adorned her head.

Diana knew it was unlikely that she would see the stranger at the Theatre and even more unlikely that if he were there, she would get to speak to him. But she lived in hope.

***

“Oh my goodness! How romantic!” said Mariah as Diana explained her new found lover and their assignations while they sat in the drawing room awaiting their escort.

Fitzgerald, in white tie and tails, arrived in a fine coach with four horses and his driver.

With one cloaked lady on each arm, he escorted them to the coach and handed them up inside. They sat together facing forward with Fitzgerald on the other seat facing them. Diana could smell the new leather of the coach. Her tummy had butterflies anticipating, or more hoping, that she would see the stranger.

“Have you seen the Rivals before?” enquired Fitzgerald.

“Yes, in Drury Lane two years ago,” said Mariah.

“No, I haven’t,” said Diana.

“A young woman falls in love with a man she believes is penniless but he turns out to be a rich man. That is part of the story,” said Fitzgerald. “Of course it is all nonsense.”

Diana thought about what Fitzgerald had said. A man believed to be penniless but turns out to be rich. No, that would not be the case with the stranger. He was certainly a man of mystery and not really of the lower classes although he tried to give the impression that he was. There must be a dark secret, Diana decided. Whatever it was, it didn’t stop her longing to see him again and make love to him.

The carriage arrived at the theatre and disgorged its occupants along with other carriages. It was a fine evening and brought out the area’s elite. The tickets had been sold at a higher price than usual to keep out the riff-raff. Fitzgerald had managed to get the best seats, a box that looked down on the stage.

Diana and Mariah took their places on gilt chairs with plush red upholstery. Fitzgerald sat next to Mariah. Diana looked around the auditorium, but there was no sign of the stranger.

The play began and Diana tried to become engrossed in the farcical plot on the stage but all the while she kept wondering if he was out there somewhere.

The interval came. Diana, Mariah and Fitzgerald took refreshments in their box. And then Diana saw him.

The stranger was outside their box. He wasn’t in white tie and tails like Fitzgerald. He had his usual shabby clothes on, and the first thing she noticed was that he had managed to get the buttons on his trousers repaired.

“Yes, what do you want man?” said Fitzgerald with authority.

“Beggin’ your pardon sir,” said the stranger. “I’ve a message for Lady Diana from her husband if I may, with your permission sir, divulge it to M’lady in er… confidence sir.” His delivery was worth a role on the stage.

Diana hoped Fitzgerald wouldn’t see through him.

Mariah turned her face towards Diana and raised her left eyebrow. Diana sent back an almost imperceptible nod.

“Well, I don’t want you going anywhere unaccompanied with this ruffian,” said Fitzgerald.

“I’ll go with her,” said Mariah.

The two ladies stood. Fitzgerald stood in respect and then sat down as the ladies left the box. Diana closed the box’s door.

“I take it this is…?” said Mariah.

“Yes,” said Diana.

“I see,” said the stranger. “I just came to tell you that I am sailing for India in two days time. I thought it polite to let you know.”

Mariah stepped a discreet distance from the couple.

“Oh.”

“Well, that’s that then,” said the stranger turning to go.

Mariah stepped back to them. “You can’t go just like that man.”

“Excuse me Miss but I don’t think this is any of your business,” said the stranger.

“Indeed it is not. But obviously you two are a couple of fools if you part like this. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small key. She handed it to Diana. “This is for the rooms in the Pantiles, you know, where we used to play as children. We still own it. You have an hour and a half before the end of the play and a few minutes while people leave. I’ll cover for you. Be back here in one and a half hours, no later.”

Mariah opened the door and stepped into the box.

Diana heard her say: “Jolly bad luck. Diana has to sort out a couple of minor problems. She’ll miss the last act, but she’ll be back in time for carriages.”

“Is she safe with that man? Who is he?”

“Yes perfectly safe. He’s one of her servants.”

***

Diana walked along the Pantiles, past the spring that brought the wealthy and and well connected to Tunbridge Wells to take the waters now that it was fashionable after the Prince Regent’s visit. Her heart almost in her mouth beat like it would escape from her body. The stranger followed a few steps behind like a dutiful servant. They arrived at the door. Diana tried to insert the key, but her hand shook too much. The stranger took it from her, turned the key and pushed open the door. He held it for her as she entered and then closed it behind him.