Page 25 of My Favorite Mistake
“Not too soon,” Fanny gasped, tightening her grip around his neck.
Then he quickened his pace, and between his thick cock pumping her good and proper and his fingers teasing her button, Fanny soon found herself shattering for a second time. Nick growled his approval, his thrusts growing frantic, and then it was his turn to shake and curse as he came apart in her arms.
Nick slumped against the tree, his forehead resting on the trunk next to Fanny’s head. He dropped her legs, and with a little help from the trunk at her back and Nick’s arms, which were still framing her, Fanny’s trembling knees somehow managed to hold her.
After a few minutes, Nick kissed her forehead, then groaned, rubbing his back as he pushed himself fully upright. “Someday we should really do that in a bed. I’m not twenty-four anymore.”
“Lord, is that the truth,” Fanny said, rubbing a sore spot on her shoulder where the bark had dug in. “Let’s start tonight.”
“I like the sound oftonight,” Nick said, buttoning his shirt. “Your mistress won’t mind?”
Fanny dismissed this with a wave, then began pinning her bodice back into place. “We’ll have to sneak around while they’re reading the banns. So long as we plainly mean to marry, everyone will look the other way.”
“I meant will she mind you marrying? Or will she expect you to give up your post?”
Fanny’s fingers fumbled on a pin. In truth, she wasn’t sure. There’d never been a man she’d been tempted to marry these past sixteen years, so she’d never had occasion to ask.
It wasn’t entirely unheard of for a servant to be allowed to marry, especially if they had a long tenure with their employer, as Fanny did. Still, it was considered an inconvenience, especially if there was the possibility of children.
Fanny was only six-and-thirty. She hoped she still had time to bear a babe or two.
“I honestly don’t know,” she said. “I’d prefer to keep my post if Lady Caroline will allow it. But if she won’t, I choose you.”
She loved Lady Caroline like her own little sister.
But she wasn’t about to give up the man she loved, and the chance to have a family of her own, to be someone else’s servant.
Nick nodded. “I’ll go along with whatever you want. As head trainer, I’ll make plenty to support our family. And your parents back home, too.”
Fanny reached up and kissed him full on the lips. “Thank you for that. Let’s go see what her ladyship has to say.”
CHAPTER9
They found the Astley contingent gathering in the yard of the Cross Hands Inn, where the carriages were being made ready to convey their party home. Lady Caroline was just about to climb up into the Ardingly carriage when she spied Fanny across the inn’s yard.
Lady Caroline’s eyes locked upon Nick. “Is that him, Fanny?” she said, striding across the yard. “Is this the blackguard who’s been bothering you?”
“It is, my lady. But ya see—”
“But nothing!” Lady Caroline marched right up to Nick, one hand cradling her rounded belly, the other shaking a finger in his face. “You will leave her alone! I absolutely will not permit you to harass her.”
She turned to Fanny, extending a hand. “Quick, Fanny—give me your parasol.” Fanny was so stunned by this turn of events, she let Lady Caroline take it from her hands.
Her ladyship raised the parasol overhead, brandishing it like a battle axe. “Many a time has my dear Fanny defended me! Well, today shall be the day that I—”
“Darling?” Her husband, Lord Ardingly, had emerged from the mews behind the inn. Lord Ardingly might not be the smartest man in the world, but this being his wife’s fourth pregnancy, he’d managed to work out that anything one’s eight-months-pregnant wife said was inherently correct.
The earl, therefore, appeared to be selecting his words carefully. He slowly crossed the yard and stood next to his wife. “Am I right in thinking that you are about to bludgeon my new head trainer with Fanny’s parasol?”
Her ladyship jabbed the parasol in Nick’s direction. “I most certainly am! I’ve been looking all over for you, Henry. I have something important to tell you about the man you have just hired to be your new head trainer.”
A crowd had gathered ’round, including all of their traveling party. Lord Ardingly’s forehead was creased in deep concentration. “And what would that be?”
Lady Caroline spun to face him. “That he is a contemptible, deceiving villain, that’s what!”
“Wait, my lady,” Fanny said, finding her voice at last. “I learned something since our last conversation.”
“La! I should like to know what could possibly change my mind, in light of what you—”
