A Duke By Any Other Name

Chapter Three

J ane clung to her husband’s smooth, sun-kissed shoulders. Her body was alive with need, her heart clattering and her breaths hard to catch. “Oh…oh…more…please, Harry.”

“You think you are ready for me?”

“Yes. Oh, yes.” She stared up into his eyes. “Please…we have waited so long.”

“You must tell me if it is painful. I would rather walk on hot coals than give you a second of pain.”

“I promise…I promise.” Oh, but she didn’t think it would be. She was so wet and pliant. Her cunny was yearning for his cock to take the place of his fingers.

He withdrew and propped himself on his elbows over her, the tip of his cock at her entrance. “We may make a baby this first time.”

“Is that possible?” She stared up at him, her eyes wide at the thought.

“I have heard that is true.”

“Then so be it.” She ran her hands down his back and clasped his taut buttocks. “And we will love the babe with all our hearts.”

“Yes.” He stared into her eyes and eased into her wet tightness.

“Oh!” She gasped. It didn’t hurt, but he felt so big and dense, much more than his fingers.

He stilled. “I am hurting you,”

“No, no… Oh, don’t stop.” She angled her hips upward and her nub pressed against his body. A groan formed deep in her chest and rumbled up. That felt so good and instantly, she wanted more.

Harry gave it, curling his hips under and filling her on a smooth, heady ride to full depth.

Her fingertips clasped his buttocks and her toes curled. The feeling of being owned, filled, loved was so overwhelming, a tear trickled from the corner of her eye.

“Oh, I am sorry… I promised pleasure and now you cry.” He frowned and pulled back.

“No!” She slapped her hands onto his buttocks, the sharp sound ringing around the room. She giggled, her breasts shifting on his chest. “That is a happy tear. This feels amazing, better than I ever thought possible.”

“It does?”

“Yes, so don’t stop, husband of mine. Give me that feeling. Make me cry out in pleasure.”

Something softened in his eyes and then a flash of determination crossed them. “You will not be sorry you asked.”

He drove back into her, his body rubbing over her sweet spot as he filled her with his rock-hard cock.

The air was pushed from her lungs and perspiration popped on her forehead. The sensation in her cunny was all-consuming and had her greedily lifting her hips to increase it.

His breaths quickened as his pace increased. His hair hung forward and desire filled his eyes.

“Don’t stop,” she managed as the sparks of her release grew into flames. “Oh, don’t stop. I’m going to…”

“Yes, find that pleasure, my love.” He closed his eyes and groaned.

His cock was so hard inside her, the base stretching her entrance and his wiry pubic hair scraping over her skin.

She imagined what they looked like, naked, writhing, rutting, sweating, and gasping. The image had her toppling into her climax and she cried out and arched her back, taking him as deep as she could.

“Oh, in the name of the dear Lord…” Harry gasped and thrust into her with renewed energy and then he was shaking and panting and grinding onto her nub.

Jane’s pleasure extended, winging its way around her body. She held him tightly and behind her closed eyelids, bright lights flashed. The release was white-hot and brilliant. It stole her thoughts and filled her body with bliss.

He kissed her, his lips loose and his breath fast.

She looped her hands around his neck and stroked her tongue over his. Their first time had been wonderful.

“I love you so much,” he murmured.

“And I you.”

“Soon we will be far from here. We will have our own cottage, our own bed, and we can spend all night, every night, doing this.”

“That would suit me very well.” She pushed a lock of hair from his damp brow. “For all eternity.”

He withdrew, reached for a linen cloth, and passed it to her.

Feeling utterly content, Jane wiped away the dampness between her legs and dropped the cloth to the floor.

Harry flopped next to her and pulled her into his arms. Their legs entwined and the afternoon sun coming through the window bathed their feet and shins.

“Soon I will order us food,” he said. “We will need our strength later.”

A sudden yawn attacked her. “That sounds good, and a rest. We had an early start to our day and we’ve already traveled several miles.”

“Yes, rest, my love. You need to sleep now.”

Jane didn’t complain and she closed her eyes and snuggled closer to her husband. This was what she’d dreamed of for so long and she’d never been happier. Thank goodness Harry had come up with his plan because now she’d never have to see hideous Cohen again.

She dreamed of a land of animals—bears, dogs, foxes, goats, greyhounds, harts, stags, toads—all living peacefully together beside a rainbow-colored stream. It was a restful place, contentment a soft blanket over everything.

Until a sudden rumble of thunder blasted overhead. Banging. Loud. Over and over.

But it wasn’t thunder. It was a fist against the door.

Jane opened her eyes, fear flooding into her system. “Harry!”

He sat, his body stiff and tense. “Who…?”

“Open up, Jane! I know you are in there!”

“It’s my father?” The words stung her mouth and she had to stop herself from being sick with fear.

Harry was up and dressing. “Hide.”

“Where?” She looked around the room. “There’s nowhere.” She leaped up and stepped into her gown, pulled it up and cursed the tiny buttons she now needed to fasten.

“Then I will go out and talk to him.” Harry rammed his feet into his boots but didn’t do up the laces.

“But he must know… Why else would he be here?”

There was another deafening thud and then the door flew open.

Her father filled the frame. His cheeks were red and his cravat askew.

Jane’s belly tightened and she retreated into the corner of the room.

“You!” Her father pointed at Harry. “I knew you were trouble the moment you stepped onto my land.”

Harry tipped his chin. “I do not wish to cause trouble.”

Her father spun to Jane. “I have heard what you have done, you stupid girl.”

“I am not a girl. I am a woman…a married woman.” Her voice shook and she folded her arms, holding herself together.

“ Married ! That is a lie.” He shook his fist at Harry. “Not only were you married under duress, the banns were never called. There is no marriage.”

Cohen suddenly appeared at her father’s side. “How could you possibly think this…this servant could be your husband?” He snarled at Harry. “He is not good enough for you, not in any life or any world.”

Harry rounded his shoulders in a way that reminded Jane of a bull about to charge.

“You are coming home now,” her father said. “And you, Harry Cooper, are banished from my land, from all of Sandford and beyond. I will see that you never find work for a hundred miles north, south, east, or west.”

“You cannot separate us,” Jane said, pushing from the corner and slipping her hand into Harry’s. “We are man and wife.”

“Falsehood!” her father spat, his eyes flashing. “What a lie to tell.”

“I fear it is not a lie.” Cohen pointed to the bed. “Banns or no banns, this marriage has been consummated.”

Her father made a strange growling sound as he took in the ruffled sheets.

“Which means,” Cohen said, “that she is soiled goods and I cannot marry her.”

“I do not wish to marry you. I have a husband.” Jane stamped her feet.

“Gentlemen,” her father called over his shoulder, “you know what to do.” He stepped aside as two brutish henchmen stormed into the room. “Get rid of him.”

“No! No!” Jane screamed as the thugs roughly dragged Harry into the hallway.

“I will come to you, my love. Nothing can tear us apart!”

“Harry! I love you!”

“Shut up your nonsense.” Her father slapped her face, a stinging smack that snatched the breath from her lungs.

“You brute! I hate you. I hate you!” she screamed at him.

“You have no idea what is best for you, and this is going to take some delicate diplomacy to fix. If it can be righted at all.” He frown was deep and his cheeks red.

That evening, from her bedchamber window, Jane watched the sun setting over the dark forest. Her day had started out wonderful yet had gone so horribly wrong.

Her arms ached for Harry. It was hard to breathe without him at her side.

She’d been practically thrown into a carriage and brought back home. Then, she’d been locked in her room with only a glass of water and a chunk of bread. There was no sign of Emily and she hoped her maid wasn’t in seven shades of trouble too.

Downstairs, her father was with Cohen. No doubt bargaining and pleading with him to still marry her.

Her jaw tensed and bile bit at the back of her throat. To share a bed with Cohen… It didn’t bear thinking about. Harry was the only man she ever wanted to touch her that way. The only man she ever wanted to be inside her.

Where was he?

She had no idea where those brutes had taken him. What if they’d hurt him? Or worse?

But what she did know was she had to find him.

A plan began to form as she stared west. It was as though the sun were illuminating the way for her. Showing her the path she must take.

Yes ! West. Harry had said they would go west.

Quickly, she sat at her dressing table. She reached for a pair of long, sharp scissors, took the end of a lock of hair in her hand, and chopped it off. She kept on going, strands falling onto her lap and littering the carpet.

Soon, she had a short, boyish haircut that sat neatly around her ears and neck.

“That should do.” She stood and gathered the hair, dropping it into a bin. She then raked through her wardrobe. Somewhere, she had pants, a pair Emily had left in the room one day when sewing.

“Ah, there you are.” She put them on and was relieved that they fit. Next, she found a moss-green sweater and a keepsake tweed cap that had been her father’s many years ago.

Now when she looked in the mirror she could pass as a young boy… Yes…she was sure of it. Ah…if she took the pearl earrings out, of course.

She did just that and then reached for a small, leather purse and filled it up with all of her jewelry. She didn’t have any coins, so that would have to do as currency during the journey she was about to embark upon.

The bedchamber door was still locked, but that didn’t deter her. After taking a drink and grabbing the bread, she opened her window. Many years ago, she’d discovered that the wisteria branches could hold her weight as she shimmied to the floor. It had been how she’d managed to spend so many evenings with Harry. She’d plead a headache, take to her bed, and then slip out into the dark excitement of the night.

Soon, she was on the ground, the act of climbing much easier in pants. To the right, the library window was illuminated. A shadow went past it, a man, drink in hand.

Jane didn’t wait to find out who it was, and she took off at a run toward the stable block. A fox darted out in front of her and she swerved to avoid it. The creature glanced at her then continued on its gallop toward the field.

For a moment, she felt just like the fox. Free. Wild. An escapee.

When she reached the stable block, all was quiet except for the snuffling of the horses at their hay nets. She looked around for Mason. He was always the last to leave—unless, of course, he, too, had been banished from Sandford.

What a mess this was.

“My lady, is that you?” A deep voice to her left.

“Oh! Mason.” She turned to the shadows.

“You have…” He stepped forward, peering at her. “You have… Your hair.”

“Yes. I had to.” She looked around. “And I have to get away from here, unseen. My father has declared the marriage a farce, as the banns had not been read and is insisting I marry Cohen.” Just saying her cousin’s name made her shudder.

“Oh, dear Lord.” Mason crossed himself. “You kids have really got yourself into a pile of trouble.”

“I hope you are not in too much trouble, Mason.”

“I feigned ignorance. I believe your father intends for me to stay working on the estate.”

“That is good.” At least that was something to be thankful for.

“You were spotted after the ceremony,” he went on, “and word sent to your father.”

“I suppose I am known in these parts. But we are in love. We are husband and wife now.”

“I believe that is true because I have witnessed it with my own eyes.” He walked to the nearest stall. “I cannot strap up the carriage, not without drawing attention, but I can take Marx and ride you to the border of Wales.”

“West?”

“Aye.”

She nodded. “Yes, I want to go west. I feel that is the safest for me now.”

Mason set about saddling the large, dark horse. He put on its bridle and then donned a cape and hat. “He is strong; he can take us both.”

Within minutes, they were approaching the forest, Mason’s strong, reassuring body behind her as Marx kept up a steady canter. The sun had gone now, but a full moon was rising and lighting their way. Even that seemed to be a good omen for Jane.

“We will cross the border near Chester. There is a public house not far from there. They are always busy and will surely have need of an extra stableboy or shoeshiner.” He huffed. “Positions which are too lowly for you… I will have to rethink.”

“No, no, I will do anything. I just need to hide for a while. Harry will figure out what to do and then you can send him to me. I have utter faith in him.”

“He is a sharp lad, I agree, but this is quite the predicament. What if I don’t see him?”

Jane had no answer to that question. “Do you know where he went? Where my father sent him?”

“To London, I believe. Said it was a big enough place for something bad to happen to him and no one notice.”

“Oh.” Jane held back a sob. How could her father be so cruel? So uninterested in her feelings? She hated him and would never return to Sandford willingly.

“Try not to worry yourself. Love has a way of finding its path.”

Jane took comfort in Mason’s words as they continued past farms, rivers, rugged hills and then skirted the town of Chester.

When they reached the border to Wales—which was marked with nothing more than a stone inscribed with Cymru— an inn came into view.

“That’s it,” Mason said. “This is a well-trodden trade route.”

Jane could tell it was a busy place. A farrier was working through the night. Horses grazed in a paddock opposite and the inn was still dotted with candlelight upstairs and down.

“I thank you,” she said when Mason drew the horse to a halt. “For everything you have done. May God keep you safe in his loving embrace.”

Mason helped her dismount. “And you, my lady. I am glad you are dressed as a lad. I think you will be safer here like that, as you will not draw unwanted male attention.”

She touched her cap, pulling it a little lower. “And if you see Harry—”

“I will tell him where you are.” He drew a line over his lips. “But to your father and your cousin, I will never breathe a word. As far as they are concerned, I am asleep in my bed right now.”

Jane flung her arms around him, a sudden rush of affection coming over her. Mason had always been a steady presence in her life, but for so much of it, he had just been the stable manager. Now she saw he was good and kind and had deep affection for her.

“Of you go, lad, and think of a new name.”

“Jimmy. They’ll call me ‘Jimmy.’”

He tipped his hat and remounted.

Within seconds, he was gone, disappearing into the night.

Jane looked at the inn—The Traveler’s Rest—and set down her shoulders. It was time to get to work for the first time in her life.