Page 46 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Sabrina smiled as she stood and followed Mary into the parlor area. “Not as fancy as we are used to.” Since coming to the small cottage, she and Mary had shared meals, the line between lady and servant further blurred, and Sabrina did not mind in the least.

As Mary poured their tea, Sabrina cut her egg and toast into small pieces. Her maid cut generous slices of Cheshire cheese. “Mrs. Ingersoll and I have made a workable plan between us. Since the foodstuff order has been delivered, I will be able to prepare a few extras outside her domain.” Mary laid pieces of cheese on Sabrina’s plate. “We will follow Mr. Black’s meal pattern. Breakfast, luncheon, and supper. A bit different from the breakfast, afternoon tea, and late dinner of your class.”

“I will adapt, Mary, never fear.”

“Mrs. Ingersoll will arrive at four o’clock each afternoon, do a little light cleaning, and leave supper behind for you both. I will be done with my own duties and supper by seven, and will come to you directly after eight to prepare you for bed. If that is satisfactory, my lady.”

“Sounds as if you have it all planned out. You do not mind the work at the inn?”

Mary shook her head. “Not at all. Tidying rooms, making beds, assisting at the front desk…it’s no problem, my lady. I would have made the sausages, but I thought we would save those for a luncheon when Mr. Black can join you.”

Popping a piece of egg and toast in her mouth, Sabrina chewed and swallowed. “Speaking of Mr. Black.”

Now seated and cutting into her egg, Mary lifted her head and caught her gaze. “Yes?”

“As you witnessed, Mr. Black—Riordan—kissed me with a good deal of enthusiasm at the registrar’s office. But he kissed me before, and after too.”

Mary smiled. “You allowed it?”

“I did. And I…enjoyed it.” Sabrina sipped her tea.

Mary laid her utensils across her plate, and her smile slipped away. “I was with you through those long eleven years of your marriage to that wretched man. Many a night the other servants had to restrain me from marching into the bedroom and tearing you away from his deviant clutches.” Mary’s eyes welled with tears. “I wish now I’d mustered the courage.”

“Oh, Mary.” Sabrina patted her hand. “It only would have fueled his anger, and he would have taken it out on you.” She paused, wondering whether to reveal anything of what had gone on behind closed doors. She’d never told anyone in any detail. “Do you remember a winter’s night in the fifth year, you knocked at the door asking if I was all right? I know there was more than one occasion.” Mary looked up at her, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a napkin, and nodded. “The earl had me tied to the bed. Facedown. Committing an act I now know is sodomy.” Mary gasped. “When you knocked, he bade me to say all was fine, or he would pull you into the room and do the same to you, and make me watch.”

Mary cried out. “Oh, my lady.”

“You know he would have done it. When at last he became bored of me and realized I would not become…pregnant, he left me alone. He also left me dead inside. Completely numb. But not all physical relations between a man and a woman are what I endured, are they?”

Mary shook her head as she picked up her utensils and speared a piece of egg with her fork. “No. Not at all.” Her maid sighed. “I’m not a virgin, my lady. I have known contentment in a man’s arms…and in his bed. We were to be married, you see, but he was a sailor like my father.” Her expression softened. “Oh, he was a considerate lover. You’d think he would be rough and uncouth, considering his occupation, but my Billy knew how to love a woman good and proper. Unfortunately, he was on the same ship as my father and was lost at sea.”

Now Sabrina’s eyes welled with tears. “Oh, my dear. How tragic.”

Mary continued eating. In between bites she said, “I had no time to mourn. It was left to me to provide for my mother and me. But I stray from the point. Going by the look in Mr. Black’s eyes when he gazes at you…I saw the same in Billy’s. Respectful and loving. Mr. Black would be a caring and thorough lover, I’m sure of it. Maybe even a little wild. You can tell about a man from his kiss. Was Mr. Black aggressive? Forceful?” Sabrina shook her head. “Good. For I will reveal that when complete trust exists, a little wildness in the bedchamber can be exciting.” A flush of embarrassment colored Sabrina’s cheeks at Mary’s blunt words. “But if he starts off gentle like, understanding of your reaction, and then kisses more deeply, allowing the desire to flame between you…there is nothing better. Am I describing Mr. Black?” Mary asked.

Sabrina quickly shoved a small bite of egg in her mouth and nodded.

“It is not always easy to forget the past, but you must not allow it to rule your life. Perhaps, my lady, you could try.”

“I would like to,” Sabrina whispered. “I miss Riordan. I’m longing to see him again. Mary, what is happening to me?”

“You’re falling for him,” Mary replied matter-of-factly.

“But I cannot. We have plans. We must follow them through….”

Mary shrugged. “Life rarely follows the earnest plans we make. Do not close this door, my lady, see what develops.” Mary continued with her meal.

See what develops. Dare she? Oh, she was confused, her emotions in a jumble. It would be quite a step from being a baron’s daughter and an earl’s wife to be with a mere schoolmaster. In the past, such an obstacle would not have even been considered. She had been brought up to believe that one stays in one’s own class. She didn’t think as such anymore. What had her class given her? Nothing but misery.

Turning her attention to her meal, Sabrina began to eat in earnest. Yes. Why not see what develops? A few passionate kisses did not have to lead anywhere; she could continue on with her original plan of her and Mary finding a small place to live out their days. Yes, this would be the more prudent path to take. And if she could manage to learn more about the schoolmaster, all the better.

But Sabrina could not deny that she’d never felt more alive than when she was with Riordan.

Gaining independence meant she was at last in charge of her own life. Truth be told, she wanted—ached—to bask in Riordan’s warmth and attention.

Chapter 18

The autumn sun was setting as Riordan arrived at the Walsh farm. It was November third; the air held a decided chill and most of the leaves had fallen. He was exhausted, not only from the journey, but from the drama and emotions his marriage announcement had stirred up. Over brunch before he left, he expounded in great detail everything he’d implemented within the schoolroom and the successes he had garnered.