The Inheritance (30 page)

Elizabeth knew
exactly why her companion was restless, as did Lord Michael.
Lydia's verbal pursuit at their midday meal was entirely
inappropriate, and if Elizabeth had any doubts about James'
authority over his fiancée Lydia's involuntary antics throughout
their dinner put those doubts entirely to rest.

Lord Michael
was pleased to see James had dealt with the young woman
accordingly. Lydia was a most delightful girl but needed a strong
hand and it was clear James was providing just that. Both literally
and figuratively.

When the meal
came to an end, Elizabeth happily retired to her quarters to do her
'secret work'. The pain in her bottom had almost subsided and she
knew exactly what she intended to write in her letter to her
Master. Once this night was over she was hopeful all would be
forgiven and life would return to normal.

In the late
night hour, once again Lord Michael crept to Elizabeth's quarters.
But he didn't find her in bed sleeping. The lanterns in her room
were lit and she was sitting in the chair by the fire, envelope in
hand, awaiting his arrival.

He smiled but
did not address her or walk over to her. Instead he moved directly
across to the desk and lifted the papers upon which she had written
her one hundred lines, studying them carefully. When he turned back
around he saw she had dropped to her knees.

"So,
Elizabeth. I see you have completed your lines very well," he
remarked, moving across to her and setting into the comfortable
chair. "And that is your letter I assume," he said, taking it as
she offered it from her delicate fingers.

"It is,
Master."

Withdrawing
the neatly folded paper from its envelope, he began to read.

Dearest
Master,

First - my
greatest regret is any hurt my disobedience caused you.

Second - I was
a defiant, wilful girl who created a justification for doing that
which you expressly prohibited. It matters not what the
justification was. It was just an excuse to do what I wanted. An
excuse I gave myself to go against your most explicit instructions
and I am most dreadfully sorry.

Third - not
only did I put myself in danger, I put at risk our future happiness
which is the most precious thing in the entire world. It is
horrifying to think what might have happened had you not arrived
when you did.

Fourth - I
don't know what I might do to make this up to you, except to
promise to strive to be the best fiancée and best wife I can
possibly be. To serve and to please you, and most of all to listen
and obey.

Fifth - thank
you for your mercy Master. Six strokes, the time in my room, and
the writings, was a lenient punishment for such a crime.

Sixth - this
was the hardest lesson I have ever learned. Not because of the
harsh bite of the rod, but because of the absolute price I might
have paid.

I hope you
believe me, Master, when I swear to you, it is a lesson I have
learned well. I will never jeopardize my safety, and more
importantly our love and happiness, ever again.

With my
deepest, most heartfelt love,

Elizabeth

Lord Michael
took a deep breath, then folded the letter and placed it back in
the envelope.

"My dearest,"
he began, "you are totally forgiven and I wish to take you into my
arms and make love to you."

"Master," she
breathed, swallowing hard. "Thank you so much! There is nothing in
the world I want more than to lay in your embrace and rest my head
against your chest and listen to the beating of your heart."

He smiled and
stroked her hair.

"Then let us
steal away to our chamber," he whispered, leaning in and winking at
her.

He took her
hand and helped her to her feet. Hurriedly they moved around the
room turning down the lanterns, with the exception of one each
which they would need to light their way. Elizabeth donned a robe
to keep out the chill and quietly they stole through the grand
house to their secret apartment. Once inside they undressed quickly
and slipped under the bedcovers.

"Elizabeth
that letter," he said quietly, as he cradled her against his chest.
"You wrote it so well - and it said so much."

"Master, there
is one thing I'm very glad of through this whole sordid business.
It's not that I have learned a very valuable lesson. It's that I
believe it has brought us closer than ever," she said, quietly.

"You're right,
Elizabeth. It has. When I rode up and saw that beast - I cannot
tell you - I don't think I have ever been as furious as I was at
that moment. Furious and scared for you."

"Oh
Master!"

"You know it
makes me want to spank you all over again," he declared.

"My bottom is
still a bit sore," she whimpered.

"And when has
that ever stopped me?"

"Oh!
Never?"

"Precisely."

"If it pleases
you to do so then I shall happily lay across the bed, or your lap,
or..."

'Shush. I will
in the future I can assure you, but right now..." his voice tailed
off as he moved his body on top of hers, and taking her wrists held
them on either side of her head.

"Master," she
moaned, feeling his hardness against her belly.

"Yes,
Elizabeth?"

"I want you so
badly."

"I want you
too my dearest."

He slithered
his snake into her slit, finding her wet and hot and hungry. Moving
slowly, forcefully, deliberately, he stroked without pause,
maintaining a consistent rhythm, kissing her mouth, her neck, her
chest, then back to her mouth.

She moaned and
groaned and whined but could not wriggle or move. His weight held
her body still as he methodically rode her towards their mutual
moments.

There was no
time - no ticking seconds - no passing minutes - only the sounds of
their mutual rapture. As she felt the wave drawing ever closer her
hands became fists and her legs tried to close together, but his
feet resting against the inside of hers refused them.

"Master -
permission?"

"Oh yes my
love, permission!"

Her head
curled back and her shoulders lifted as her cries of ecstasy
mingled with his grunts of ardour, and they rode the wave together,
his hands gripping her wrists and her breasts pressing urgently
against his chest. With her legs forced apart she could feel her
depths milking him, sending her further into her moment, until
finally she moaned deeply, feeling the spasm dissipate and leave
her.

"Sweet girl,"
he murmured in her ear, kissing her neck.

He slipped
from her depths and rolled to across to lie at her side. It was a
crisp night and they were glad of it, and both bathed in passion's
sweat they relished the cool whisper of air brushing against their
skin.

Moments later
Elizabeth curled in a ball against him.

"Master."

"Yes?"

"You're my
hero."

The collective
sigh of their invisible companions echoed through the chamber,
their breath the cool air the pair had thought was an innocent
breeze.

He smiled and
sighed and they dozed, until the first light of dawn beamed through
the small window waking them from their peace.

Chapter Sixteen

The Wedding
Night & Required Preparations Begin

It was a busy
month, but one week before the big day Lord Michael asked James if
he could speak with him in private. Joining him in the study after
lunch, Lord Michael sat behind his desk and motioned for James to
sit opposite. Since this was now going to be his permanent home,
Lord Michael had moved most of his books and office belongings into
the large study and James had set up an office area in his
quarters.

"James," Lord
Michael began. "You know that Elizabeth and I will be living here.
On occasion I will have to travel to London but most of the time I
will want her to join me."

"Yes. It's a
relief and a joy that it has all worked out so well," James
replied. "I'm sure after your years in the harried world of
business in London it is a nice change to be able to function from
here."

Lord Michael
sighed. The young man was correct. It was a pleasure not to burn
the midnight oil, and to relax part of the day pursuing those
pleasures which had formerly been relegated to a few snatched hours
now and then.

"Thank you. It
is indeed," Lord Michael said smiling. "The thing is, James, I no
longer have need of my house near your family estate. I only bought
it so as to have a home near Elizabeth. It was a fine investment
opportunity of course, but I have no further use for it and it is
simply an additional responsibility. I would like to offer it to
you for the same cost as that which I purchased it. I'm sure you
will find it is well below the current market."

"I say!" James
exclaimed. "That is most generous of you. I do wish to live near
father in his older years. And until we are married it is close
enough to Lydia's home that she and her aunt can easily visit. I
most heartily accept and I thank you very much indeed."

"Excellent,"
Lord Michael said, rising from behind the desk and shaking James'
hand. "I will have the papers drawn up. I need to use it for the
two or three days following our wedding. It will be a stop off on
our honeymoon. After that short stay it will be yours, though I
hope your sister and I can visit you for a weekend from time to
time."

"Most
definitely," James replied. "I simply must go and share this
exciting news with Lydia. I am most grateful to you," and hurried
from the room to find her.

In her
quarters Elizabeth was trying on her wedding dress and Grace and
the dressmaker were making last minute adjustments. Elizabeth was
as happy as any bride could be. She wanted to look exquisite for
her Master; to see the approval and pride shining in his eyes as
she joined him at the altar, but despite all the fussing and
primping she could not stop thinking about her wedding night.

What was it he
had said? Your wedding night might not be what you expect?
Something like that. Since they were already lovers she couldn't
imagine what he might be talking about. But he'd had that look in
his eye - that mysterious, I know something you do not, young lady
- look.

When the big
day finally arrived Elizabeth was full of nerves, but she needn't
have been. Everything went off without a hitch. The weather was
perfect, with puffy great clouds in the sky and the gentlest of
breezes to fan the guests and keep everyone comfortable. The cook
and her staff had been preparing frantically since they'd been told
the news, and in the final days all the elements came together. The
feast that was laid out was beyond the imaginings of many of the
guests. Elizabeth's father was blubbering throughout the entire day
and James showered her with attention.

A suite of
rooms at the far end of the house that had sat unused for many
years was completely redecorated for their first night as husband
and wife. It would be delegated to visiting dignitaries in the
future, and having said their goodnights to their guests, Lord
Michael took her arm and departed to make their way to the newly
furnished and decorated rooms.

But James did
not take Elizabeth there. He led her to their secret chamber,
stating it was where they should start their lives together as
husband and wife. Since it was halfway between the main area of the
house and the Bridal Chambers, it was an easy sneak, but he was
still abundantly cautious. They could hear the faint sounds of the
music as they walked into the Grand Hall, but once the hidden door
closed behind them it was silent and still.

Lord Michael
sat on the bed and watched his new wife undress. One of his decrees
had been that her wedding attire be such that she needed no help in
its removal. It was an embarrassing request to the dressmaker, and
she tittered and turned red when told, but finished the job
perfectly. Elizabeth was able to undo some strategically placed
buttons and the dress slipped off her shoulders and into a great
white puddle on the floor around her feet. Under the dress she was
wearing the required undergarments, but they were quickly
removed.

Still fully
dressed Lord Michael motioned her to stand completely still.

"You are
positively breathtaking," he sighed. "As many times as I have seen
you naked you still take my breath away. Come and sit here," he
said, tenderly, patting the side of the bed.

Elizabeth
walked forward and settled next to him, a little puzzled. He had
made no move to undress himself, or kiss her, or spank her.
Nothing.

"Do you recall
what I told you about your wedding night?" he asked.

"Yes. I
shouldn't expect - um - it would be different to what I might
expect," she replied, trying to recall his exact words.

"That is
correct. Elizabeth, you know you have married someone unique," he
said simply.

"That is for
certain," she nodded, then laughed out loud.

"You don't
quite understand," he continued. "I have had to wait to make you my
bride because I had to be absolutely sure you would be able to be
the wife I need you to be."

She frowned,
and the telltale prickle touched the back of her neck. Something
big was coming.

"I will not be
making love to you tonight," he said, watching her reaction, "and
will remain clothed for a while, and as we sleep you will not be
permitted to have contact with my body."

"Master," she
stammered, "I don't understand."

"You will. But
first I must spank you. It will be very hard I'm afraid, but it
must be done. It is the first part of your preparation for the
Initiation. Please lay across my lap."