A Bride for Lord Esher Read online

  “I tell you, we are married. Your friend paid my father ten golden guineas, and we were taken to a minister and we made our vows before him. And I think my father was happy to have me off his hands if the truth be told. He said I was less cut out for inn work than a nun, and said absolutely, no matter what happens, I’m to stay with you.”

  Robert Esher looked aghast. “What nonsense… you jest with me, surely.”

  “You’ll find the truth of it all in the parish records. Mr. Warren told me to send you there if you had any doubts about what happened. He said you probably would have. He bade me to tell you to check it all before or after your sister’s wedding. The same minister is to wed her this day. He can vouch for the truth of it.”

  Esher’s hand rose to cover his eyes. Tom Warren had always been a bit of a rascal, but this was way beyond his usual folly. Had the rogue really gone and saddled him with a tavern wench wife? There was a fresh decanter of wine by the bed, and he poured himself a glass. His mouth tasted foul, and his tongue was coated in some god-awful evil. He swilled the drink round and round and spit the excess in the bowl left just for that purpose.

  “Well, if what you say is indeed true, we must to church as soon as possible and get the damned thing annulled. We can say non consummation or some such excuse.”

  At this, Chastity burst into tears. “Too late,” she wailed. “You took my virtue last night. My fate is bound to yours now, there’s nothing to be done.”

  “Nonsense.”

  Yet Robert instinctively looked down at his nightgown, and there was a small patch of blood on the fabric. Horrified, he turned to look at the sheets, and pulled them roughly back off the bed. Sure enough, the truth of the loss of her maidenhead was clearly written on the mattress.

  “We coupled?”

  “Yes. You were very impatient. You didn’t even let me undress.”

  In different circumstances, Lord Robert may have been a little apologetic for his rough handling of a virgin, but in this instance his panic overwhelmed him. He couldn’t recall a single moment of it, and worse, destiny had saddled him with a most unsuitable wife.

  “Then we are married?” Though he repeated the words over and over, he still could not believe it.

  “We are.”

  For the first time he really looked at Chastity. He noticed a tear in her bodice that hadn’t been there the day before. At least, he was pretty sure it hadn’t been. And was that a bruise on her cheek? Still, it wouldn’t be the first time he had rough-handled a wench. Yet last night he had thought her uncommonly pretty, and this morning, well, she was now his wife….

  “Come here.”

  “Why?”

  “I am not in the habit of explaining myself to subordinates, and I’ve no plans to start now.”

  Ever so timidly, Chastity rose from her seat and stepped a little closer. He could see she was trembling. Clearly their coupling last night had not endeared him to her. She was in no hurry to resume their intimacy again. Still, he would take her now, then march her to the church and have this nonsense undone. He was intoxicated beyond reason last night. Surely the law would have provision to undo such things? He did not share these thoughts with his wife. Robert had other plans for Chastity.

  “Come closer, wife.”

  Chastity stood directly in front of him. He could smell her, though she was not powdered or scented like some of the well-bred ladies and whores he had dallied with. But she certainly smelled good. He could discern the aroma of spilled beers, yet there was also the smoky echo of a homey hearth that pleased him. With a tenderness that seemed to unsettle her, he put his hand up to her bruised cheek.

  “Did I do that?”

  “No sir. My father did it when I refused to go with your friends.”

  “Does he often hit you?”

  “No sir. I don’t think he’s ever hit me before. The money your friend offered must have got the better of him.”

  “I’m sorry. Turn around.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to inspect you,” he answered, as if she should have already known.

  Thread by thread he unlaced the top of her bodice, revealing her simple shift beneath. Over many years he’s become adept at removing skirts and petticoats, and these too were quickly abandoned. Reduced to a bare shift, he turned Chastity around so she faced him. Her eyes betrayed her distaste for his handling of her and the look did not please him.

  “You will never give me that look again, wife, is that clear? I ask obedience in all things.” He pulled her close, so close her breast hovered just by his lips. He brushed aside the open fabric of her garment and kissed her tenderly. Her nipple was hard and pert, and as he suckled her he looked up to see how she reacted. He expected defiance, but was surprised and pleased to see Chastity’s eyes closed in pleasure.

  “As my wife, you will address me as sir, or as Lord Robert. In public you must address me as Lord Esher. You will not shame me with your commoner ways, do you understand, Chastity?”

  “Yes.”

  Robert kissed her again.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Very good.”

  Esher turned her about to admire the shape of Chastity’s backside. It was well-formed and rounded, with a small dimple in her left cheek that simply fascinated him. He ran his hand over her milky-white skin. The plump fullness of her youthful body excited him, and he reveled in his mastery.

  “You say you were untouched when I took you, that you have never had a man inside you before?”

  “No. No sir. I was saving myself for a husband.”

  “Ah, well.”

  Robert turned her about once again. “Well then, let’s see what my friend’s guineas have purchased in a wife.” He raised his hands to her shoulders and pulled the shift down. It caught her breasts, but with a final tug it fell in loose folds on the rug beneath her feet. Instinctively, Chastity tried to cover her nakedness but Robert slapped her hands away.

  “Never hide from me that which is mine,” he demanded. He put his hands on her hips, and pulled her closer to his body. Her exposed breasts were full, perhaps a little large for her tiny frame, but they were well shaped, and the large pink nipples were inviting. He took them both in the palms of his hands and massaged them and coercing her nipples to a tight point before bringing them back to his lips.

  Perhaps he was kissing them a little hard, for she cried out and pulled back, but he held her fast, enjoying her sweet flesh and feeling his own manhood rise in appreciation.

  When the mood was upon him he pushed her onto the bed, and opened her legs wide so he could inspect her below. He disliked hairy women, and was relieved to see this one was only lightly favored.

  Robert discarded his own night shirt, and with neither tenderness nor consideration he entered her body. Yet even as he took his pleasure from her, he noticed her eyes never left his and her legs clasped tightly around him, while her arms held him close. Is she trying to give me pleasure? She felt sweet beneath him, and though he would undo what needed to be undone, he hoped that when he truly married, his real wife would present as good a fit.

  When at last he was spent, he pulled away and took another unceremonious swig of the wine and rinsed his mouth.

  “I have a wedding to get to. Go to the kitchens and eat what you will. When I return I will have sorted this business out and will see you safely back with your father.”

  “But my lord, sir, he will not have me back, and you and I are now married. You cannot just throw me into the gutter. I am happy for you to use me at your will, it is my duty as a wife, but send me back and I will die of shame.”

  “The gutter was good enough for you yesterday. What has changed?”

  Forlorn, Chastity turned and wept into the soiled sheets. “What will become of me now,” she cried. “What decent man will have me if you cast me aside?”

  Something in her tone touched his heart, albeit briefly. “Come now, you need not tell anyone. You’ll be as good as you were yesterday. N
o one need know you virtue has been compromised.”

  “But I will know,” she said.

  “Foolish.”

  Robert put his head outside the door where his valet waited patiently for his command. “Yates, find something suitable for this girl to wear, her dress was… well, an unfortunate accident…. Then come and dress me. I must eat then be away to this damned wedding.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Lord Robert turned to Chastity and held the door open. Covered only in the sheet from the bed, he was indifferent to her nakedness before a servant. “Get up and go with Yates, girl. He will make things right for you.”

  Ever so slowly, Chastity rose. She continued to weep as she stepped into the corridor and the bedroom door closed upon her.

  WHOM GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER

  Tom Warren stood in the front pew, waiting with the groom, or more accurately holding him upright. Lord Peter Ashworth had never been a good drinking companion, and last night proved to be one of his weakest escapades yet. The footman had tipped him off that his master had vomited at least three times that morning, no doubt due to some bad barrel in the innkeepers stock. Both of his companions had suffered more than usual, though at least with Lord Esher he had had a little more sport. Ashworth was proving to be a liability. Still, he did his duty, and by the time the blushing bride sauntered down the aisle, his friend had been sober enough to spit out the appropriate “I do’s,” in all the right places. The deed was done, the register signed, another good man down.

  Tom watched as the bride and groom retreated down the aisle. He was thankful that fashion demanded tighter skirts and shorter veils than in his mother’s day or the lucky lady may not have escaped the church with her wedding gown intact.

  At the back of the church in the last pew he spied his friend, Lord Esher, who clearly had arrived late for he had not taken his place of honor in the front pews.

  “Ah, dear friend, I see you’ve weathered the evening in better shape than our unfortunate companion.” It was then he noticed the black scowl on Lord Esher’s face.

  “Is it true?”

  “Is what true, dear boy?”

  “Did I marry the tavern slut?”

  On account of his duties as participant in the morning’s activities, Tom had not had a chance to indulge in snuff that morning. His duties now complete, he took the moment to indulge before he responded. “Ah. Well, yes I’m rather afraid you did. It was a beautiful affair, there were tears, I could hardly contain myself. It was all so touching.”

  “Are you insane?”

  Tom looked quite affronted, as if he were the wounded party and not his friend.

  “Really, a wager is a wager. I wanted to make sure you didn’t dishonor yourself. And when all is said and done, I‘ve relieved you of a tediousness societal wedding. You’ll be much better off with this bar wench, trust me. One day you will thank me.”

  Amazed beyond measure, Lord Robert looked like he could barely keep himself from punching his friend in the church. Instead he bit his lip and looked about for the parson. The fat little man had stepped away immediately following the ceremony.

  “I shall deal with you later,” he growled.

  “I think you’ll find the parson is running amok in the sacristy. Come, I know the man, his name is Able Matthews. Let’s go find him together.”

  Tom Warren put his hand on his friend’s back and nudged him back down the aisle and behind the altar. They found the vicar removing his vestments, and when the older man saw the two men approaching, he greeted them both with a warm smile.

  “Ah, back again? I must say I’m surprised to see you so soon after your service. The Lady is a very pretty bride, very pretty indeed, but I’m pleased to see you nevertheless. What can I do for you?”

  Lord Esher wiped his sweaty palm on his cream breeches. Tom Warren played idly with the silk sleeves of his shirt, pulling them out as if something about the puff didn’t quite suit him. He sniffed at the stale air, and his nose twisted in disdain at the scent of old candlewicks and ancient stone.

  “I want to see the record of my marriage. I fear a joke has been played, and I would undo the sad affair this morning.”

  Able Matthew’s eyes narrowed and he stared hard at Lord Esher. “Undo it? I don’t think I understand. You say there’s been a mistake?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t quite in my right mind last night, well, truth be told I was the worse for drink.”

  “Funny, you seemed perfectly sober compared to your friend who I just married. Now that boy had been drinking. I’m rather afraid you seemed perfectly coherent to me.”

  “Damn it, man, I don’t even know the woman.”

  The man of God frowned at the profanity and held his finger to his lips as if to hush them all. “And yet again you seemed quite intimate with her at the time. I confess I thought it strange, such a mad rush, but Tom here explained you got the girl in the family way, and, well… such a generous donation to the poor fund, I could hardly refuse.”

  “Show me the damned parish registry.”

  Able Matthew’s flinched again, and shaking, picked up the book. Tom looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, there was Esher’s signature, albeit the entry had been made by a very shaky hand.

  “Well in any case, the marriage was never consummated, so all’s well, no harm done.”

  Behind them a small foot stomped on the stone floor, causing the chamber to echo. “That is a lie!” the female voice cried.

  They all turned to see Chastity Esher standing at the arch entry to the sacristy. Her face was a blaze of fury, and she looked like the demons of hell were ready to spew out from those angelic lips.

  The house had dressed her well and she wore a fine garment of green velvet. Her hair had been properly, if simply, dressed and was secured under a black un-frilled bonnet. “I swear before Almighty God that I have lain with my husband, and he with me, so that I am no longer a maid!”

  “Hold your tongue, woman,” hissed Robert.

  “I will not. You are not speaking the truth, and though you may be my one day Lord and Master, I shall not be silent. Nor will I perjure myself in this house of God.”

  Tom smirked, a little awed and a great deal amused by this sudden outbreak.

  “Young woman, it is not seemly to contradict your husband so in public,” said the preacher. “You should be ashamed of yourself.’

  “Ah, but you own that he is my husband!”

  The parson bowed his head reverently. “I do.”

  “Good.”

  And with that, the newly made Lady Chastity Esher held her head high in the air, turned and stormed out of the church. The three men stood dumbfounded, watching her bonnet and backside sway as she walked out into the open air. Of all three men, only Tom smiled. He had chosen a formidable companion for his friend, and he was anxious to see how this drama would play out.

  TO HONOR AND OBEY

  Robert Esher jumped down from his saddle and dashed into his manor. Hearing his master’s feet dash across the gravel, a footman stepped forward to take his riding gloves. Angered by the mornings events, Robert pushed the man away and dashed straight up the stairs to his bed chamber. He expected to find Chastity there, but she was not in his room as he had hoped.

  “Where the blaze is she!” he roared.

  “My Lord?” Yates stood in the doorway, ready to provide whatever service his master required.

  “Damn it, Yates, my wife… Chastity.” The word hissed from his tongue like a viper’s warning. “Has she returned from church?”

  “No, sir, we haven’t seen her since she went out. Is something wrong?”

  “Of course you blithering idiot. Have her found at once, and Yates, have some ham and brandy sent up immediately.”

  It was about an hour later when Chastity sauntered into the Manor, and though he heard her enter, it was a few minutes before she came upstairs. She stood in the doorway. The fresh breeze outside had put some glorious color in her cheeks and she looked i
nstantly transformed. Gone was the shy but competent tavern wench and in her place there stood a formidable lady with a fire in her belly and steel in her eyes. Lord Esher didn’t know whether he wanted to kiss her, ravish her, or thrash her to kingdom come. One thing he was totally sure of, wife or no, he was the master in this house.

  He had arrived in such a hurry that he had brought his riding things to the bedroom. And as her Lord and Master, he was well within his rights to beat her. He would repay her for the humiliation he had suffered in the church. He picked up his riding crop and eyed her coldly. The triumphant smile left her lips.

  “Close the door.”

  Chastity turned and closed the door as commanded.

  “You are my wife and I expect obedience. What do you have to say for yourself and that debacle in the church?”

  Again, that blaze in her eye. “I told the truth, that is all.”

  “I told you to eat something then return home. You will obey me in all things, or I shall have you put in a nunnery and you can spend eternity thinking on the duty due a husband!”

  Chastity looked down at the floor. Robert could not tell if she were penitent or petulant. “Get down on your knees wife. I see I shall have to instruct you in the art of obedience.”

  Without another word, Chastity slipped down to the floor and waited to hear her master’s bidding. The fire in her was subdued, which pleased him, but he was a long way from taming her yet.

  “Take off your gloves.”

  Ever so slowly and deliberately, Chastity removed the leather gloves from her fingers. She crumpled them in her hands, and then let them drop casually to the floor. She looked up at Robert, and then at the riding crop. Her eyes betrayed her fear.

  “Put out your hands, palm up.’’

  Chastity had been beaten before, so she was no stranger to pain on her backside and arms, but her palms had never been flogged before. As the crop came down she flinched and closed her eyes tightly, but the whip never connected with her hand.

  Slowly, she opened her eyes. Lord Robert stood looking at her in a strange way, and the crop hung loosely by her side. “Do you think I am a monster that I would do such a thing?”