Jack could feel her warmth as she moved against her. He moved his hand from the small of her back to the soft curve of her ass. She slid her hand lower along his stomach. He responded to Kate's touch.
"I see you are an early riser," she said.
Jack opened his eyes to see Madame de Montespan straddling him and beginning to move her hips.
Major John Percival had meet Madame at one of the frequent dinners he attended while in London. He was now the Ass't. Naval attaché at the American Embassy and besides the important work he did there, he found time for other things. Standing just over 6 feet with blue eyes and a fine build, Jack was in demand at all the fine dinners around town.
This latest one was given by England's opposite party leader but was attended by many of the current government's cabinet members. Jack was there with the US ambassador and acted as an extra set of eyes and ears for him. Representatives from the French Embassy were also there and with Jack being completely at ease with their language he was able to converse freely with them.
At this moment there were serious problems in Morocco. A recent agreement between England and France had given the French control of Morocco and Germany objected to it. The Kaiser had threatened war over it and attempted to bully the French. The US wanted to be a part of conference if one was going to held but needed information on which way things were going. Jack was part of the solution.
He was also good friends with an important member of the British foreign department. Michael Smyth-Beddoes survived his wound he suffered in China and had returned home to be elected to Parliament. Michael was a rising star in British politics and Jack knew it.
As a result of his wound, Michael had to walk using a cane. The doctors did what they could and managed to save the leg. The result was it was now 2 inches shorter and it meant the end of his time in Royal Marines.
"So Michael, any news on Morocco?" Jack asked.
"Not much movement yet," Michael replied taking a swallow of his drink. "We are going to back France though and the Navy has been put on alert."
"That's new. Of course it hasn't been announced yet." Jack knew how diplomacy worked. There had been no formal announcement yet but Germany knew about it. "Any ideas floating around?"
"We're hoping someone proposes a conference, neutral country maybe?"
"I see," Jack nodded. "How is Caroline?"
Caroline Clarkson was Michael's wife. It was her picture he carried in China and showed Jack. She was a handsome woman, just right for a MP on the rise. Jack was a little jealous of Michael to have such a woman to love. He was sure he missed his only chance for love.
"She's fine. I don't get home very much any more especially with this going on. You are coming this weekend?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Jack replied.
"Good. I'll see you there. I must go talk to Winston right now. Take care."
Jack was a little puzzled at the way Michael spoke of Caroline. In China, Michael would use any opportunity to talk about her. He couldn't say enough. Now this time and the time before, he was short and abrupt. Jack couldn't help but wonder.
For the rest of the evening Jack mingled. He talked to many people and also listened in on many conversations. At dinner he was seated next to Madame de Montespan, wife of the French foreign minister who was here. Madame was almost forty and full figured. She had a delightful sense of humor and loved the fact she could talk to Jack in French. She had a very good understanding of politics and knew many things. She also knew all the latest gossip.
"So Major, I understand you were at siege of Peking," she asked.
"Yes, I was. It was a rough time for all," he answered.
Madame leaned closer and brushed against him. He could smell her perfume. "Is that where you earned the name ' Mad Jack '?"
Jack stammered. "Yes I'm afraid that true."
Madame moved closer and rested her hand on his thigh. "Do not be ashamed. I heard that you were involved in many things and were very daring. There is a time when we all should go a little crazy. Don't you agree?"
The Madame stayed close throughout the rest of the evening and even though they both knew where the night was leading, the sparring and maneuvering was fun.
Making love with Madame was fun too. Both she and Jack understood that there were no strings attached so they were able to enjoy each other to the fullest. He found out that she was insatiable also and never needed to rest. Not that he minded.
As they lay together recovering from their morning passion, she said, " Jack, you were fantastic and I'm not just saying it. It has been a long time since I enjoyed making love this much. But all good things must end." With that she kissed him and rose from the bed. Walking away she said over her shoulder, "You can see your way out."
Jack entered his apartment in Grosvenor Square and headed up stairs. He needed some sleep but also some breakfast. He just didn't know what he needed most.
His valet, Johnson, followed him upstairs. "A rough night, sir?"
Jack gave him a glare. "A cup of coffee, black with sugar. I'm going to bed."
"Yes, sir," Johnson replied but didn't go.
"Now what, Johnson?" Jack was losing his patience.
"I would just remind you that you have a meeting at the Embassy in one hour. That should give you enough time to clean up. I laid out your other uniform for you."
"Damn," he said under his breath. "Yes. Thank you, Johnson. I still want the coffee."
The meeting went fine. All the important members of the delegation were there. Jack was able to tell the ambassador about the naval alert. The ambassador was unaware of it but had heard about the request for a conference. The alert made the need for one more urgent and he planned to cable President Roosevelt right away.
"May I ask where you got your information, Major Percival? I assume your sources are good," the ambassador asked.
"A gentleman never reveals sources, sir." Jack smiled. He thought it better to leave as much to their imagination as possible.
"Hrrmph. Yes, yes." The ambassador coughed. "Very well, that is all. I will see you all Monday, bright and early." It seemed he directed that last statement towards Jack.
Jack took the afternoon train out of King's Cross Station as he headed north towards Michael and Caroline's home. He was going to take the opportunity to catch up on his sleep. He also was going to do some reflecting.
As far as his decision to join the Marine Corps, Jack had no regrets. He was going to blaze his own course without the influence of his father and he had. He was well known outside the Corps by important people and he found his opinion mattered to them. He was the youngest major in the Corps and was definitely going places.
His father had been won over and after Jack returned from Peking, he visited the family home on the Chesapeake. It was a little uncomfortable at first but by the time the visit ended, it as if nothing had occurred to cause the split. Jack felt his father was pleased that he had acquired a nickname, a good fighting name.
Jack felt he owed it to his stepmother for the ease in which the meeting went. Calmly she worked on the old sailor and brought him around. Jack also told her everything that happened between Kate and him. She gave him as much advice as she could. She tried to get him to understand that he felt awful about being unable to follow through on his love but he would get over it in time. But she was wrong. He could never forget Kate. He felt her locket against his skin under his shirt.
Upon his arrival in Chesterford, he hitched a ride out to his good friends' home. Their home was somewhat large and Michael's family came from old money. Caroline's family was what one would call 'new money' as her father made it from the railroad. The home seemed just large enough.
Caroline greeted him at the door. "Jack, it is so good to see you. I thought you might not be able to make it."
