This is the (much belated) second part in the Gentlemen and Ladybirds series. The first part was realised years ago so if you read it back then, I'd highly recommend rereading it to freshen up your memory. I've had a bit of trouble finding the perfect category for this chapter, since it has elements of both BDSM and non-consent, but in the end, I decided to publish it in non-consent. This time we will get to follow more characters, one of them is Lord Marlcaster's wife who will have a rather big role in the story, and Minette will make an appearance first on page 2. If you have any feedback or ideas, please let me know. I'll try my best to not make you wait years for the next part.
A breeze of cold morning air sweeping through the room made it impossible for Constance to remain asleep. The chambermaid had just opened up the windows, allowing fresh air to enter her chambers, which, Constance recalled, was exactly what her physician had recommended.
"It's very important for Lady Marlcaster's recovery to have an exchange of air in her bedroom every so often. Giving birth is, though a natural ordeal, exhausting for both the body and the mind of a female, and it is of utmost importance you do everything in your power to ease the healing process for her ladyship," the doctor had instructed the staff the night before.
The babe. After finally falling asleep last night, well past the usual hour, she had almost forgotten the child even existed.
She had lain awake for many hours, even though she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, only because she hoped her husband would make an appearance. Maybe ask how everything went, if she was fine after her many hours in labour or merely step into her chamber and look at their daughter.
He had done none of that. When her lady's maid, Lucy (who doubled as a nanny for the time being as Alistair didn't want to hire anyone for that position before their child was born and proven to be healthy), had come to remove her daughter to the nursery, she had asked her if she knew whether or not her husband was planning on coming up to see how she was faring.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but his lordship left the estate more than an hour ago and I don't think he's planning on coming back before dawn," she had replied and then went off with her mistress's newborn baby.
That was the last thing Constance could remember from the night before. She rubbed her eyes and when the world finally became clear to her again, Lucy had already entered her chamber with a breakfast tray in her hands.
"I took the liberty and ordered a tray for you this morning, my lady," Lucy said and put down the bed tray next to her mistress. "I didn't think you would fancy breakfasting downstairs today of all days. I hope that wasn't presumptuous of me."
"Not at all, Lucy. That's very considerate of you." Constance took a rather big bite of one of the crumpets. She was absolutely famished! She hadn't eaten since lunchtime yesterday and with everything happening, she hadn't been able to reflect on how hungry she was. Her mind had been focusing on other matters. That reminded her... "Have you heard anything about his lordship's whereabouts?"
Lucy fumbled a bit with her apron, unsure of how to best answer her mistress's question. "Yes, my lady. He returned home in the early hours, around 5 o'clock said Mr Palmer, if my memory serves me right. He went straight to bed and I don't believe he has woken up yet."
What he had been doing gallivanting around town at that hour, she had no trouble imagining. She had known from the beginning of their so-called courtship (which had been almost non-existent) that he had no intention of being faithful to her. In fact, he had more or less said it outright.
"Miss Callis," he had informed her on one of their strolls through her father's gardens. "You know as well as I do that this marriage is not going to be one based on love or deep affections. You'll get to be the Countess of Marlcaster, and enjoy all the comforts that come with it, and your dowry and connections will help me elevate my position in society. Perchance, we will eventually come to form some sort of cordial companionship between the two of us, but know that love will never be part of our marriage."
Constance remembered she had been at a loss of words after hearing him explain what their marriage was going to be like, and thus only remained silent until he continued to speak.
"I need an heir, I'm sure you're aware of that. Providing me with a son is going to be your main duty as my wife." He looked her straight in the eyes, his grey eyes piercing hers. "There will be no uncertainties about his parentage, do you understand me?"
Constance recalled how shocked she had been over what he insinuated. Did he really believe she wouldn't stay true to her vows?
"My lord, I do not take vows easily, but when I do, I aim to keep them. I will not be unfaithful to you. I hope you're of the same opinion," she added, almost as an afterthought.
"My dear," he said with a smile that by no means reached his eyes. "I'm not going to lie and say I'm thrilled about this union - I am not. It's entirely forced upon me by my father. I will do my duty but no more than that. I will not change my bachelor ways just because I've been leg-shackled to some girl."
He had continued rambling on for minutes about what he expected from her as his wife. She had forgotten most of it by now, but she clearly remembered him telling her she would never question his whereabouts. Shaking off those memories, she turned back to Lucy who stood and waited for her mistress to speak.
"Very well. Can you please inform Palmer that I wish to talk to his lordship. Whenever it is at his convenience."
"Of course, my lady," Lucy said with a curtsy and then walked out of the room.
When Alistair woke up, the memories of last night were still fresh on his mind. Minette's screams when his paddle hit her behind, her juices flooding down onto the bedcovers, the way she hugged his cock with her mouth... Oh, he couldn't wait till the next time he was going to get to see her. That she would come to see him eventually, of that he was sure. Having a hard phallus-shaped object locked inside her quim would, in the end, become too much for little Minette to handle and Alistair couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
A knock on the door got his attention and in walked James Brown, his valet of two years. He was a shy little thing with blonde hair and blue eyes that surely attracted many of the female staff. Alistair had even heard some rumours that James was actively courting his wife's lady's maid. Fully understandable! Lucy was a plump little thing, and although Alistair would never have considered marrying her, he could clearly understand why his valet would.
"Good morning, my lord," James said and went straight ahead to the wardrobe, picking out his master's regular morning dress.
His valet continued on, assisted Alistair in his dressing and said a couple of niceties regarding the birth of his progeny, but Alistair's focus was clouded with memories of the night with Minette the whole time. While James was tying his cravat, Alistair couldn't keep his thoughts for himself a minute longer.
"Have you ever fucked someone so delightful that merely the remembrance of her body is almost enough to make you spend?"
His valet's eyes widened and his hands stopped fiddling with the cloth around Alistair's neck. "No- no I don't believe I have, my lord..."
"Oh, please, don't look so shocked, chap. A little bird told me you were planning on marrying my wife's little lady's maid. And you're a rather clever man, Brown, I thought for sure you would sample the merchandise before making a purchase."
James managed to look a little embarrassed at his master's comments, but tried his best to compose himself. "I am planning on marrying her, my lord. In due time of course, not in the near future," he added, remembering that relationships between staff members often were forbidden (disincouraged) and could result in both him and Lucy getting sacked. "And we haven't yet... engaged in such pursuits, my lord. I wouldn't want to disgrace her."
Alistair chuckled. "Disgrace her? You said it yourself, Brown, you're planning on marrying the chit. What possible harm could it do to her then?"
