Natasha looked forward to her lunch break each midday, so she could spend it in the cage with Citrus.  Actually, it was too huge to be called a cage.  It was more like an observatory with a fence.  Citrus had so much room to move about.  Yesterday, Natasha had deliberately left the gate opened, to test if Citrus would leave the cage.  Her heart dipped when he hopped to the gate and took a few steps outside and turned to look at her. 

Go on, I know you must leave.  I understand. 

But to her astonishment he skipped in again, and pecked around at the crumbs that had fallen at her feet. 

‘Oh you sweet thing, you must leave soon.  Benedict expects you too,’ she whispered.  She let her thoughts run to him, wondering where he was, what was he doing.  Was he enjoying himself with the Lady Louisa?  The ducal mansion seemed lifeless without Benedict.  Oh the Baroness Sadie was sweet and pleasurable company, and the duchess was also pleasant, but she missed the brooding, unsmiling Benedict, even though she knew she had no right to him, she could not deny she felt an unhealthy and wasted attraction for him, for nothing could come off it.

When Natasha returned to the duke’s bed chamber, he was awake.  ‘Your grace, it’s wonderful to see you awake,’ she smiled.

‘Will you read to me again, Miss Natasha?’ his gentle blue eyes smiled at her, so unlike Benedict’s passionate eyes brown like his mother’s.  ‘I so enjoy hearing your voice my dear.’ 

Natasha had offered to read to him yesterday after lunch and he’d enthusiastically agreed.  He’d been attentive and laughed at the humorous parts, and was disappointed when she’d stopped and asked him to rest.  Natasha had promised to read more today.

‘Your grace, would you like to be seated at the settee for a little while?’ Natasha pointed to the elegant chaise-lounge, besides the French window?  It was overlooking the expanse of the well-manicured ducal gardens, and the window was catching the late afternoon sun.  The duke’s eyes lit up but then he looked at her helplessly.  ‘Oh I will call for two of the footmen to assist,’ she quickly offered.

‘Thank you,’ he nodded.  Natasha pulled on the corded bell, and almost immediately one of the maids entered.  Natasha relayed her request.  The maid smiled and hurried away.  With the duke comfortable on the chaise-lounge, Natasha threw a flannel blanket over his legs, propped his pillows up around his back and continued to read from where she’d stopped the previous day.  When it was time to stop, he’d begged for her to continue, which she reluctantly agreed to.

‘Oh father you are being spoilt,’ Sadie laughed softly, coming into his chamber.

‘Good afternoon baroness,’ Natasha smiled politely.

‘Good afternoon Natasha.  I dare say father is making remarkable progress under your devoted attention,’ she smiled at Natasha.

‘Thank you baroness.’

‘Benedict is going to be most pleased that you’re enjoying your meals as well father.’

Oh Benedict, how many more days before you return?

‘I do feel so much better,’ the duke spoke tiredly.

‘Your grace perhaps the footmen should return you to your bed?’

‘Yes dear,’ he murmured sleepily.  Natasha pulled on the bell again.

Natasha how about we take some tea in the drawing room?’ Sadie offered.

‘Thank you baroness.’

Sadie poured the tea, and studied Natasha curiously.  ‘You are very good with father,’ she smiled.

‘Oh he is truly a sweetheart,’ Natasha smiled.  ‘He does not ask much at all.  I wish I could do more for him.’

‘Mother is most pleased with you Natasha, thank you.’

‘I am happy too.  Your mother loves the duke very much, as he loves her.  I see his eyes light up when the duchess, comes to his bed side,’ Natasha could not help smiling.

‘Yes,’ Sadie laughed softly.  ‘They are the true romantics of their generation.  They are wonderful parents too,’ she grinned. 

‘You must be happy---’

‘Darling, good afternoon,’ a handsome gentleman strode in.  He had eyes only for Sadie as she stood up and walked half the way to reach him.

‘You’re finally here,’ Sadie murmured.  As he smiled warmly, putting an arm around his wife, as he kissed her cheek.

‘Darling, this is Miss Natasha, father’s nurse,’ Sadie slipped her hand into her husband’s.  ‘Miss Natasha, my husband, Baronet Nicholas Rowan.  Sadie could hardly keep her eyes away from her husband.

‘My lord, good afternoon,’ Natasha greeted politely.

‘Miss Natasha, a pleasure to meet you,’ he shook her hand courteously.

‘How is your father’s health, my dear?’ It was clear the baron had equally missed his wife, for he held onto her possessively.

‘Oh he is so much better Nicholas.’

‘You will excuse me baroness. Baron, a pleasure to meet you,’ Natasha made her exit.

Natasha could not wait to get home and start on her dress pattern.  She had found the most delicate blush pink material.  She could just imagine Benedict’s fingers brushing over her stomach, and waist as he would admire her in the completed dress.  She had purchased a bag of sequins as well, to stitch on at strategic places where the shimmering gown would catch the light.  She could not wait to complete the dress.  She was thankful Crystal was not around to offer her expertise on how the dress should be styled.  She could see in her mind’s eye the finished almost mermaid effect the shimmering gown would take.  It was almost early hours of the morning, when she finished three quarters of the gown.  It was just the hem, final stitching, and the sequins that was left to add on.  Natasha was so excited, she could hardly put herself to bed, yet she knew she needed a few hours asleep, or she would pass out in the duke’s bed chamber later in the day.  Reluctantly she undressed and climbed into her bed.

It was three days since the marquis had left for London.  Natasha was sorely missing him.  She avoided walking pass the lake, for it made her think of him. She saw less of Sadie, who was thrilled to have her husband there.  They were often slipping away to their private bed chamber.  Natasha was overwhelmed when Sadie had given her a package and told her if she liked it, she could have it.  When Natasha had opened it, she found two beautiful evening gowns.  One was a beautiful soft dove grey, the other a most beautiful peacock blue.  Natasha had been shocked beyond speech, but Sadie, had begged her to have it as a gift, for being so good to the duke.  Natasha had protested that the marquis was paying her a weekly wage, more than was really in proportion to the job, but Sadie had been adamant that she wanted Natasha to have the gowns.  It needed a little alteration, for Natasha had a tinier waist and hipline, but she would be able to remedy that without a problem.

‘My lord, you’re back?’ Natasha exclaimed rather excitedly when she saw Benedict waiting impatiently outside the front door of the ducal home.

‘Natasha!’ I missed you, he looked around, then quickly pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

‘My lord!’ she pulled out of his arms, embarrassed at his inappropriate behaviour in broad daylight in anyone’s view.

‘I thought you were only to return in three day’s time?’ Natasha questioned him.

‘I could not stay away from you Natasha.  Meet me at the lake after lunch,’ he urged.

‘I can’t.  I only leave the duke at five each afternoon.’

‘Make an excuse Natasha, for heaven’s sake.’

‘No, I can’t do that to his grace.’

‘You have to, I need you,’ he pinned her in his arms again.

‘My lord somebody could see us,’ she struggled in his arms.

‘Say you will be there,’ he demanded, his lips pressed to her ears, he kissed her tenderly.  Against her will, she clung to him.

‘Yes---yes,’ she whispered, only then did he released her.

‘Thank you.  I will be up in father’s chamber in five minutes,’ he dashed away.

‘Your grace, good morning,’ Natasha greeted him warmly.  ‘How are you?’

‘I feel on top of the world Miss Natasha,’ he smiled.

‘Your grace, would you be so kind as to grant me permission to leave you at two this afternoon?’ Natasha hated being dishonest with the duke.  She had no valid reason to leave early, it was all Benedict’s fault, not that she was not excited to see him.  She could hardly wait to be in his arms.  She had been most pleasantly surprised to see him pacing up and down, outside his own front door.  Natasha was glad that Benedict had previously insisted she should enter through the front door and not the servant’s entrance that led into the kitchen.  At least there was less chance of being caught in a compromising position at the less frequently used front door.

‘Your grace, it’s such a warm morning, would you like to sit outside in the gardens?  I would love to introduce you to Citrus.’

‘Citrus?  Who is that?’

‘If you agree to go to the garden, then I will tell you,’ she smiled.

‘Okay,’ the duke laughed.  ‘You are being mysterious.’

‘Father!  Why --- you are making remarkable progress?’ Benedict strolled into the room.

‘Son, when did you return?’ the duke smiled lovingly, as Benedict kissed his father’s cheek.

‘Late last night, father.  I did come into your chamber, but you were asleep.  Good morning Miss Natasha,’ Benedict’s eye’s locked with hers.

‘Good morning my lord,’ Natasha quickly looked away.

‘Miss Natasha is taking me to the garden.  She has a surprise for me,’ the duke chuckled.

‘Does she now?’ Benedict’s eyes were amused as he looked at Natasha.

‘My lord will you arrange for a wheeled chair for his grace’s use,’ Natasha instructed, ‘if it can be placed where the sun is warm but not too striking.’

‘At your service, Miss Natasha,’ Benedict mocked, as he pressed on the bell chain.  Natasha glared at Benedict for his patronizing tone.

Benedict stayed out of sight, but he watched his father and Natasha.  She was good with him.  His father was looking alive again.  It touched his heart when Natasha had introduced her bird so proudly to his father.  The duke voiced his concern about her keeping a wild bird locked up.  Benedict was rather surprised to hear her say she’d opened the cage, to encourage the eaglet to fly away, but that he’d stepped out and returned to the cage.  What a beautiful voice she had, whilst he heard her read.  He laughed too, at the humorous bits, as she read it, then quickly held his laughter, for he was not supposed to be listening.

‘I missed you so much,’ Benedict murmured hoarsely, as he held her to him.  He pressed his lips to her throat, whilst his teeth gently nibbled on her flesh.

‘Benedict, we shouldn’t,’ she offered an impassioned plea.  She knew she should resist him, but she was totally helpless against his seduction.  Her face lifted as she offered him her hungry lips, eager for his possession as his lips demanded a kiss.  She did not want to have an affair with him.  She would never be his mistress. Her self- preservation would not allow it, yet she was unable to remove herself from his embracing arms.

‘I want you so much Natasha,’ his lips tangled with hers.  When her lips parted, his tongue entered her mouth, inviting hers to dance with his.  She did not disappoint him, as her tongue allowed his to lead hers in an erotic, sensuous waltz.

‘My lord, what if somebody approaches?’ she pleaded.

‘I have never seen anybody travel this way,’ he breathed against her cheek. ‘Infact I’ve instructed all my foot men that this area is out of bounds to all the male folk.’

‘But you’re breaking that rule,’ she smiled, her fingers toying with the button of his coat.’

‘I am the marquis.  This is my estate,’ he boasted.

‘My lord, you have to stop demanding I see you.  I cannot, when you are betrothed to another,’ she looked down.

‘I have not offered for her,’ his voice was angry.  ‘Sometimes the title and responsibility are too much to bear,’ he held Natasha tightly to him.

‘Why can’t you set the record straight, if you’re not interested in the Lady Louisa?’

‘I cannot go against father’s wishes Natasha. For many generations, the duke has chosen the partner, he wishes his children to be married to.  He did that with Sadie.  Fortunately, she was already secretly seeing Nicholas, when father instructed her to marry Nicholas.’

‘I do feel sorry for you Benedict,’ Natasha pressed her palm against his cheek, but I am sorry, I cannot be party to what you expect.’

‘If I cannot have you, my life will be a living hell. Surely you feel something for me Natasha, as I do for you.’

‘I do care about you my lord, but you and I are not meant to be.  You must see the Lady Louisa right, for she is expecting your offer.’

‘What about what I want?’ he raised his voice.  ‘Should I live as if everything inside me is dead?’

Natasha, pulled out of his arms.  She looked around her at the beautiful lake, the effort Benedict had made to provide comfort and protection for her at his lake.  She wrapped her arms around her waist, trying not to look at Benedict.  His eyes mesmerized her, weakened her.  It made her want to do what she knew was morally wrong, and she was weak, so weak, for she longed to run back into his arms.

‘I cannot live without you,’ Benedict whispered, coming behind her and wrapping his arms around her.  ‘I won’t Natasha, do you hear me?’

Natasha shut her eyes, she drank in, the unique scent of his skin.  His strong arms around her held her so possessively, she felt like she belonged there.  She lowered her lips and kissed his arm so close to her cheek.  Benedict groaned and turned her around.  His mouth pounded over hers, forcing her lips apart aggressively.  She held onto him tightly, returning the ardent kiss. Desperately wanting to remove herself from his possessive arms, yet having no will whatsoever to disentangle.  Benedict’s fingers worked at her shirt, unbuttoning it.  His lips pressed at her bosom.  ‘Benedict,’ she whispered, her hands clutching his shoulders. Her soft, untouched flesh excited him, aroused him.  He knew no man had touched her before.  She was his.  He had to have her.  ‘Say yes Natasha,’ Benedict urged. 

Say yes to what?  Surely not out here in the open?  ‘Benedict---no.  Please don’t make me,’ she pleaded, unconvincingly.

Benedict dropped his hands.  He looked into her eyes.  He was not smiling, his eyes became shuttered.  ‘I will never force you,’ he spoke so softly, she almost did not hear him.  ‘I will take you home now,’ he guided her to his horse.

Natasha decided she would work on her dress during her lunch break.  Stitching the sequins would require a lot of time.  Already a  beautiful band of sequins embellished the waistline of the gown.  She needed to stitch on the sequins on either side of the bust line.  She packed it carefully in a bag, wrapped with soft paper, and carried it with her.

The duke had thoroughly enjoyed his session outdoors yesterday, and requested Natasha to take him outdoors again.  She gladly obliged.  The duke requested his wife to join them.  He held onto the duchess’s hand, as Natasha read to him.  When he was thirsty, he called for tea, and insisted Natasha share tea and sandwiches with him and the duchess.  During her break, whilst Benedict was away, she asked the butler, if she could use the library, the table was long enough to work on her gown. 

Natasha observed Benedict’s desk was rather messy.  Paperwork strewn all over the table. 

Why didn’t he file them away? 

She ran her fingers over the papers, as if she was touching him.  Carefully she stacked them to one side, cleaned the table, and rolled out her dress.  It was already looking stunning, she longed to try it on, but she will only put it on and stand in front of the looking glass, when she’d completed making the garment. Her fingers were sore from the stitching, so were her eyes, but she persevered, until she sensed she was not alone and turned around.  ‘My lord,’ she stood up, trying to use her body to hide the gown.  ‘Why are you here?’ she questioned him with annoyance.  He ignored her question, let alone the fact that she had usurped his library.

‘I have never seen anything so exquisite,’ he murmured, dragging his eyes away from the gown to look into her eyes.  ‘You are making your own gown?’

‘Yes,’ she smiled, filled with pride at his compliment.  ‘I thought Crystal was studying to be a designer?’

I don’t need a school to teach me.  My mind makes its own designs.  
She smiled, but remained quiet.

‘Put it on for me,’ he whispered.

‘No my lord it’s not finished.’

‘It looks elegantly finished to me,’ his shoulder brushed against hers, as his fingers caressed the soft, blush pink garment with the fluttery sleeves.  As Natasha watched his eyes, the glittering sequins dazzled in his eyes.  ‘Allow me to see you in it Natasha.  I will never be able to admire you in it publically,’ he whispered.

‘No---.’

‘Yes,’ he stood in front of her, slowly unhooked the dress she had on.  Natasha’s eyes watched enthralled as his eyes stayed on hers, yet his fingers unclasped the hooks all the way down.  His fingers pushed on the sleeves until, it slid off her shoulder.  Natasha held her breath, as her dress fell to the floor.  She stood before him only in her plain flannel bodice and cotton drawers, but for some reason, she was not uncomfortable or ashamed.  The shapely outline of her trim figure was clearly visible.  ‘You are beautiful,’ he murmured. 

The duke has said the same thing.

‘Let me put on the dress quickly before somebody walks in,’ she whispered.

‘I shall do it,’ he carefully picked up the garment, and draped it over her head.  Taking his time, he tugged at it till it fell to the floor.  He went down on his knees and adjusted it, so the length was not bunched up in one place.  He stood up, walked around her, admiring her handiwork.  ‘It is truly exquisite,’ he whispered, running his palm down her shoulder, over her spine, and over her bottom.  Natasha closed her eyes, she could picture the admiration in his eyes, she turned around wanting to see it in his eyes.  He smiled, as his eyes met hers, ‘you look so beautiful.’

‘Thank you,’ she smiled shyly.  Benedict ran his fingers over the fabric.  Her body tingled wherever he touched.  His fingers brushed over her bare arms, then returned to her shoulders.  She gasped as his palm closed over her bosom.

‘My lord---,’ his fingers were like magic, teasing her, arousing her.

His lips lowered and kissed her, she responded returning the kiss, he pulled her into his arms.

‘No.  I have to get back to the duke,’ she pressed her palms against his chest, trying to keep him at bay.

‘Let me help you remove it,’ he laughed softly.

‘Hurry, Sadie might just walk in,’ Natasha whispered.

Natasha carefully folded the garment, slid it into the bag, and slipped her dress on again. ‘Don’t tell anyone about the dress my lord.  She did not know if he heard her, for he had a glazed look on his face.  ‘My lord?’

‘Yes?’

‘May I bring Ben with me tomorrow?  When I am with the duke he could visit Citrus, or play at the stables.  He loves horses,’ she suggested.

‘Yes off course.  I can put him to work in the stables.  There are never enough hands there,’ his fingers brushed her cheek.  ‘I will take you home this afternoon.’

‘No.’

‘Yes.  Now don’t argue.  Off you go,’ he instructed.

‘Will you visit the duke this afternoon?’

‘Will you be missing me?’  When she looked down and did not respond, he replied, ‘I shall visit at three.’

‘I must hurry back to him.’

‘Till later,’ he kissed her lips, before he allowed her leave.

-end chapter eight-

                                                                        -