Billionaire Flawed 1(277)

As the intensity of his strokes increased, Charlotte's breathing became shallower and shallower. When she felt him reach around her, and start to rub her clitoris, it was too much. Thunder. Lightening. She moaned, shoved herself back against his hardness, and came.

Afterwards, her legs were like jelly. She would have collapsed had he not caught her. He carried her away from the window and tossed her onto the bed. He turned her around and took her from behind.

To Charlotte, it was the act of a man who knew what he wanted. The sight of her bottom as her plunged himself into her, and the scent of her womanly arousal brought him closer and closer to orgasm. When he saw her clench her fists and begin to shake again, he shouted out and emptied himself into her. He collapsed on top of her, and she reached behind herself and pulled his head down to kiss her.

That was beautiful, she said.

You are beautiful, he replied.

Charlotte pulled the bedclothes up over them as they held each other. Still naked, they drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.



Chapter 3

When Charlotte woke up, Ralph wasn't lying beside her. He was standing at the end of the bed, pointing a pistol at her.

Charlotte Melbourne, I am charged by the Duke of Eddington to take you and your maid Mary back to his estate. Please get dressed and come with me.

Charlotte looked at him through her sleepy eyes, but she soon came fully to her senses. Sir, would you do that to the lady you bedded just last evening? To the lady whose arms you lay in? Would you take her back, to the man that makes her more miserable, than misery itself? Are you so cruel and heartless?

Madam, I am an employee of the Duke, and it is my duty to do as he asks. Please, do not make this harder for me than it already is.

Harder for you? Sir, if you do this to me, you will sink in my estimation to that of the ugliest toad. Last evening, I gave myself wholeheartedly to you. Please do not talk of it being hard for you. It is far harder for Mary and me. I beg you. Do not ruin our lives.

Get dressed. I will wait for you at the door, he said.

****

At last, Madam. You have finally dared to grace me with your presence. Not after I sent my good man here to fetch you, I might add. I must congratulate you, Ralph, you have done an excellent job in bringing my fiancée back to me. For that, I shall be forever grateful. You may leave us now.

The Duke looked at the two women as Ralph walked across the marble floor to the door. Charlotte and Mary were standing in front of him, in the reception room at Anthorpe Castle. It was a cold room. Built entirely of white marble with columns down each side. There were no statues or paintings. The room had an eerie echo. Mary hadn't seen the Duke very often, and when she looked at him, she was thankful. He was small and an odd shape. His nose was crooked, and his teeth were blackened by years of pipe smoking. She thought him to be just slightly younger than Charlotte's father.

I ought to have you both thrashed for daring to run away.” The Duke’s voice was eerily low. “Charlotte, your mother has been worried beyond belief. You could have been attacked or worse. For all we knew, you were lying dead in a gutter.” He paused. “You have disappointed me greatly. You will remain in the gatehouse, under house arrest until the day of our marriage.” He was shouting now. “As for you Mary, you are a low life. I assume, it was you, who put my fiancée up to this. For that, you will go to work as my lowest kitchen maid. You will live here without pay. If you dare to leave, I will have you arrested.”

The Duke yelled, and a sickly looking footman appeared. See to it that Miss Charlotte is taken to the gatehouse. Make sure she is guarded day and night. If she escapes, I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?

Yes, my Lord, perfectly. Please come with me, Miss Charlotte.

If you think I am going to marry you, you are sorely mistaken. Hell will freeze over first, Charlotte said, just before she spat at the Duke.

You have no choice, he said as he wiped the fluid from his face. Your father has given his consent. It is out of your hands. I must warn you, if you continue to resist, it will do your health no good whatsoever. It would be much better for you to accept your situation and make the best of it. Now take her out of my sight.

When Charlotte had gone, the Duke turned to Mary. Do you know what you have done? You have defied me. The Duke of Eddington. I would ask you, who you think you are, but it is of no importance to me.

He stepped towards her and slapped her. Mary held her head up, not wanting him to see how hurt she was. He took hold of her, and pushed her to the only piece of furniture in the room, a mahogany table. When he bent her forwards over it and lifted her skirts. She knew what was about to befall her. Her screams could be heard in the scullery deep below. The staff knew what was happening, but it was such a regular occurrence at Anthorpe castle, none of them paid much attention.