Chapter Eighteen
Miles whistled as he walked briskly into Doddington.
He was filled with happy anticipation to spend a bit of time with Daisy, the barmaid at The Queen’s Larder.
It would be his fourth visit to the tavern since he had re-met her that first day.
The last two encounters had proved especially entertaining, with excessive flirting on both sides.
When Miles returned home after spending several hours away from Clayton House, he had expected to hear some rebukes from his wife, but Lavinia had not even inquired as to his whereabouts.
She still spent almost every hour in the nursery and continued to sleep there, as well.
Miles joined her briefly in the mornings and once more before tea, but all attempts to persuade her to join in the usual family activities were swiftly rebuffed.
Miles was now spending but a few moments each day in the company of his wife.
Miles pulled open the door and entered the dimly lit and mostly vacant tavern.
The odor of ale and roast beef that filled his nostrils as he stepped inside was now quite familiar to him.
A quick glance showed him that his favorite table was open and he headed to it.
Halfway there, he felt a warm hand squeeze his backside and heard a low throaty chuckle.
“I was not expectin’ to see you here so soon,” Daisy said. “You came just the other afternoon, did you not?”
Miles grinned at the buxom girl. “In truth, I did not expect to see you. However, I was in need of a long walk, a mug of ale, and a sweet girl’s company. My steps simply brought me here.”
Daisy giggled and nodded towards his table. “I am glad of it. My day has improved immeasurably now, I can tell you that much, Mr. Kendall. Take your usual seat then, and I shall be happy to help provide all that you are hankering for.”
“Excellent, although… my needs might extend beyond those I just named,” Miles said in a low voice.
He could hardly believe the words emanated from his mouth and he felt a surge of both arousal and anxiety over his bold statement.
What should he do if she responds in kind instead of laughing off his proposition as most girls of her sort would?
To his surprise, he saw her face turn serious as she leveled a gaze at him.
“I am most open to that possibility, sir. But, let us start with a mug of ale and see how things progress.” She winked, tossed her curls at him, and hurried off to get his drink.
By his second ale, Miles was feeling happy and quite at ease.
He watched Daisy finish serving the few other customers, then saw her whisper something to the owner of The Queen’s Larder, a burly, taciturn man to whom Miles had rarely spoken.
The man cut his eyes over to Miles, then back to Daisy.
He gave a curt nod then, returned to his own business.
Daisy poured two more ales and brought them to the table, giving one to Miles and taking the other for herself as she eased herself in the chair opposite him. She raised her glass in toast.
“Here’s to you, sir. May all your desires and wishes be fulfilled.”
If Miles had had his wits about him, he could have replied that his strongest desire was to have his old life back—to see his son healthy again and have his wife back in his marriage bed.
But alcohol had dulled his mind. His eyes strayed from Daisy’s sweet, plump face to her ample bosom, and he felt a stirring of arousal.
He shifted in his chair, raised his glass, and took a long swallow of ale.
“That very much depends on others, I believe, Daisy,” he said.
“Others have control over you, do they?” She gave him a sassy smile.
Miles sighed and leaned back. “Well, my father is in control of our estate and makes most all of the decisions. I do assist him, of course, for I must learn all I can about managing Clayton House before I inherit. But, yes, I am not at liberty to do precisely what I wish, when I wish.”
“Ah, but that is at Clayton House. There are no such constraints here, I assure you.” She idly drew a finger along the rim of her glass, dipped it into the liquid, and raised it to her open mouth, inserted it, and slowly drew it out. Miles caught his breath.
“I am a gentleman, you realize,” he said in a voice that came out a tad on the hoarse side. “You can have no expectations from me outside of… this place.”
Daisy gave a small smile. “As far as anyone in Doddington is concerned, we do not even know each other well enough to speak.” She leaned forward, her eyes gazing intensely at him.
Her voice dropped low. “Up the stairs, third door on the right. I’ll be waiting.
” She winked and rose from the table, her hips swinging seductively as she walked to the staircase and, without a backwards glance to see if he would follow, climbed to the second story.
Miles sat a while, considering his options.
He knew that if he followed her, it would not be the actions of a gentleman, but, he was so lonely.
He had needs, after all. It would just be this once, he told himself.
And who would ever know? She stated clearly that she would be the soul of discretion.
Just this one time, he thought again, as if to convince himself.
Miles took another gulp of ale, then moved towards the stairs.
Miles spent a most enjoyable half-hour in the small, but clean, upstairs room with Daisy.
By the time he knocked, then entered, she was already in the bed, naked and smiling up at him.
He nearly lost his nerve, but just then, she licked her lips in such a manner that all thoughts except tasting those lips for himself vanished.
He quickly shucked his clothes and jumped into the bed as she held the sheet up for him revealing her body.
She pulled his face to hers and kissed him intimately, moaning slightly.
Then she lay back, her expression one of complete invitation.
He took his time delighting in all parts of her plump figure—so different from the slight and small-bosomed Lavinia.
Burying his face between Daisy’s large, full breasts, he thought he might climax at that very moment, but gained control to continue his lovemaking.
He found Daisy quite an active participant, as well, using her mouth in a way Lavinia certainly never had done.
It shocked him, but, oh—what a delight to have Daisy perform the novel act.
After he finished, they both lay back for a time, panting softly.
Then, Daisy shocked him by taking his hand and placing it between her legs, moving it slowly up and down, then faster and more firmly.
Her breath began to come more rapidly and, then, she cried out and gave a little spasm.
The look of happiness on her face was another revelation to him.
He had always thought Lavinia was satisfied with their lovemaking, but now he wondered if she took as much pleasure in it as Daisy clearly did.
Such an expression had never crossed Lavinia’s face, of that he was certain.
Daisy turned to him with a smile that reminded him of a cat who has just polished off a dish of cream. “I thank you, sir, for a lovely romp.”
Miles stammered a reply. “You are welcome… I mean… I should… that is—my needs have certainly been met this afternoon, Daisy. I appreciate it.”
She gave a little snort, then said, “Pray, do not think I make a habit of this with any man who steps into the tavern and flirts with me. I am no slattern.”
“Oh, of course not—I am sure you are, well, quite a good sort of girl.”
“I am, in truth. As I said, what we do here stays between you and me. I shall not even raise my eyes to you should we pass in the street.”
“That is good of you.” Miles slipped out of the bed and pulled on his clothes.
“Of course, I certainly do not expect a repeat performance. I am married and I love my wife, I assure you. I simply…” his voice trailed off a moment.
“I simply had some needs just now. My son has been ill and my wife has been much occupied with his care, you see.”
“Oldest story in the land,” Daisy said. “When a man feels neglected, he seeks consolation elsewhere. No shame in it. Leastwise, not in my opinion. As for me, I should not say no to a repeat session in the future.”
Miles felt a sudden wash of shame as he buttoned his shirt.
What had he done? Well, he would never let it happen again.
Indeed, he would never set foot in The Queen’s Larder from here on, he silently vowed.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a half crown.
He held it tightly in his fist for a moment, not knowing quite how to present it. To his surprise, she laughed.
“Just toss it on the table there, if you insist on paying me,” she said lazily.
“I shan’t ask you for anything, as it would make me feel like a bad girl.
I enjoyed it as much as you, but I am not one to refuse a nice bit of coin, either.
” She sat up, not bothering to pull the sheet up to cover herself. “I will buy myself something pretty.”
Seeing her, Miles felt himself begin to lust again. Oh, Lord, he had to leave—now. He hurriedly glanced to make sure he had everything and gave her a nod as he put the half crown on the table. Was it even enough? Too much? No matter. It was the last time he would ever do this.
“Good bye, Daisy,” he said as he opened the door. “Likely, we will not meet like this again.”
As he closed it behind him, he thought he heard her softly laughing.