AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Have no fear, my Lady, despite appearances, he is as healthy as an Ox. The Warners are from a long line of long-livers. The fifth Baron lived to six and seventy, and the fourth was rumoured to have lived to ninety.”
“And,” Jane felt a fool for having to ask the question, but she truly did not know. “How old is the Baron now?”
“He is nine and sixty.”
“Goodness,” Jane blurted. Was it any wonder he needed a wheeled chair to get about? She’d heard rumours of people reaching such great ages, but had not, until now, ever met one in the flesh. The very wrinkly, crumpled flesh. And now she was married to one.
“Footman, what term does the Baron use to address you?”
The man looked up and gave a half-smile that should have been polite, but sent flurries of confusion through her.
“He usually calls me ‘Boy’.”
How wildly inappropriate.
“Is that your preference?”
The footman cast a confused expression her way.
“Is that important, my Lady?”
“It does seem incongruous to call any male who is a good half foot taller than me ‘boy’ don’t you think? I shall call you Mister Footman if you have no other preference?”
At this he delivered a broad grin of acceptance and more flurries she couldn’t put a name to tumbled about behind her ribs. Goodness, perhaps it would be best if they not speak that often to each other if a mere smile did such strange things to her?
This was all Mama’s fault. If Mama were traveling in this carriage with her, she would not need to pass the time by speaking with a footman. Instead, Mama and her maid, Abigail, were in the second carriage and conversation with them was impossible. They could, however, wave to one another as they took the turn in the road, as the angle allowed a brief glimpse of the passengers behind.
Oh drat. The footman caught her looking his way. Why did his brown eyes have to be so warm and inviting? Why did his lashes clump together in the swirling drizzle?
******
Mama and Abigail prepared Jane for the master’s bed. Abigail tucked her hair into the nightcap and made a bobbed curtsey.
“Ring the bell in the morning and I shall help you dress.”
Mama embraced Jane and gave her a motherly kiss on the forehead.
“All shall be well. Now get into the bed, my dear Baroness. Your husband will come in soon and get you with child.”
Then Mama gave her another quick kiss and left the room
Cold fear seeped through every pore, as she pulled the covers back and climbed into the bed. The candles flickered in their holders, reflecting her juddering nerves. A few moments later, the door opened and the Baron and his footman came through the door. They both completely ignored her, making her feel small and insignificant. Her husband needed assistance in dressing for the evening. She lay there, staring at the ceiling and saying nothing, as the footman pulled the old man’s boots off, then undressed him completely. With a quick bow, he bid the Baron goodnight and did not even acknowledge that Jane was there.
“Now, my dear,” the Baron said as he pulled the cover back and settled himself close to her. He was fully naked, but even in this dim light, she didn’t know where to look. “Let’s get on with it and you can get me a son.”
Remembering what Mama had told her, she pulled the hem of her shift up above her waist and slipped her legs further apart. How far apart was enough? She had no idea. The Baron would let her know though, wouldn’t he? He grunted with the effort as he climbed over her.
“Help me out, will ye?” He snapped.
How? Jane had no idea.
He took her hand and slapped it on his flaccid cock. Jane yelped in shock.
“It won’t kill you, but we can’t get anywhere until it’s nice and stiff.”
Did he need to be so crude?
Still holding him, she whispered, “What do I do?”
