Historical Romance

3 Flames

The midshipman looked dashing in his uniform and she felt drawn to him,

and that was why she had agreed to take a stroll with him in the

gardens. But, the gardens had only too quickly led them the barn.

He smiled thinly. “What is wrong with being in here? Would you rather I

have you in the manor house? I fear that in there we would run the risk

of being heard or seen by your father.” He gave a deep belch. “I suppose

it would not matter if he did discover us. After all, my elder brother

has already finalised the purchase of the estate. The manor house now

belongs to him. ‘Tis a shame that your father got himself into such

financial difficulties and had to lose everything. A once powerful man

brought so low. Ah well, such is life, for he is but one of many

gamblers who never knew when to stop.”

She turned to leave. “I should go. It was foolish to come in here with

you. I was not thinking clearly.” She had not expected him to grab her

arm. “How dare you! Let me go at once!”

“You don’t really want me to let you go. Women like me, wench. What is

there to dislike? Consider yourself fortunate to be in my company.”

“Do not call me wench. I am Lady Iona Irvington.”

He rubbed his eyes and swayed slightly. “Right now, I need a woman,

wench. You are a woman.”

His hold on her arm intensified. He held her fast. His eyes had taken on

the look of frosted glass, and she realised that he most likely wasn’t

even focussing on her properly. “You have been drinking.”

“Of course I’ve been drinking. I drank the night away with my brother.

We didn’t even get to bed and I had another half bottle of brandy with

breakfast. I am well topped up, wench.”

“You don’t sound that drunk. You even sound sober.”

He laughed harshly. “We hold our drink well. ‘Tis a family trait.” He

belched again. “I’ve lost whole days, and nights,” he chuckled. “Wenches

have come up to me and thanked me for giving them a bloody good time.

The thing is, half the time I didn’t remember fucking them, and I

certainly never remembered names. Women are good for only three things.

Fucking, cooking and cleaning, and they don’t need names to do that.”

Her jaw dropped. “You conceited chauvinist.” His response to that was to

slam her against his rock hard chest and give her a very bruising kiss.

She tried to push away, but he held her fast.

“Wench, you came in here of your own free will. I saw the way you looked

at me when I arrived here yesterday evening. It was the way all women

look at me, and I do mean all women. Even grannies give me a second

glance. Why shouldn’t they? I’m everything a woman could desire. I am

tall, dark, handsome and I’ve got a big cock.”

“In addition to that you are an arrogant, overbearing, conceited dandy.”

“You liked what you saw. I know you did. You eyed me up and down and you

licked your lips and pouted.”

“I did not mean to encourage you.”

“I’ve seen those signs hundreds of times before. Wenches in every port

look at me the way you did this morning. The dairy maid gave me the same

look a half hour ago. If I can remember, I’ll have her after I’ve had

you.”

“You shall not have me. I must leave immediately. I have no wish to be

in the company of a drunken sot.” She observed the muscles bunch up in

his jaw, and the next instant he kissed her throat as his hand delved

into her bodice and groped a breast. Suddenly, her fear turned into

excitement. He was a handsome man. Likely the most handsome man she had

ever seen. She wondered if his body would be every bit as glorious as

his face. She realised that she truly wanted to find out.

“I will have you, and you cannot stop me.”

“Nay, I do not think I can. Sir, you are a rake.”

“I know, and maybe that is why you are drawn to me. Wench, I shall ask

you this. Do you want me to stop?”

“Aye, I do.” In response, he stood back and raised a dark eyebrow. It

made him look so dashing.

“That is a damn lie. You want me.”

“Very well, I admit that I want you, but only if you agree to court me

afterwards. I must have that commitment from you.”

“Why the hell not? Aye, I’ll court you.