A/N: I wasnt going to have more M rated content this soon but when I got to writing this and the fact that the girls are newly weds and given that they don't really know how much opportunity they will get for this kind of thing in the future; I realised they would definitely be getting while it's hot right? So, there is a little M stuff in here! but the fic will in no way be turning into a smut fest.
Ashby 21
As Jane and Maura approached the muse they heard the high pitched yip of Jo Friday before they each caught sight of a small cloud of gathering dust barreling toward them.
Jane stopped in her tracks as Jo got closer and waited for the dog to reach them; sweeping the mutt up in her arms, a huge smile plastered across her face.
"Why hello Jo Friday; you missed me I gather." Jane pushed her face nose to nose with the dog as she scruffled the top of her head.
Maura watched the scene in wonder; she had always been puzzled by the strength of the bonds often developed between a dog and it's owner. To see the usually stoical Jane reduced to fussing and cooing was strange indeed although it did leave Maura quite amused. Jane had obviously found that absence did serve to make affections grow stronger.
Jo turned her head in Maura's direction now and gave a loud yip; poking her pink tongue out expectantly and cocking her head at the Lady.
"Oh, she missed you too Maur." Jane said in a tone that one would ordinarily use with a small child, as she side stepped toward Maura; giving Jo Friday the chance to sniff at Maura's folded arms.
"There, there." Maura said patting Jo on the head twice and craning her neck to keep her face well out of licking range as Jo bounced in Jane's arms. "It is nice to see you again Joanna."
"Hellro." Jane said to Maura in a strange voice that Maura understood was Jane imitating how she believed Jo may speak if she had the ability to form words. Jane held up Jo's paw and waved it to Maura in greeting. Maura frowned sharply and then tried to cover it.
Vincent Korsak arrived in front of the women in that moment and looked genuinely happy to see them; a broad smile fixed on his bearded face.
"Ladies, its been a long time since we had the pleasure of your company up here. Ahhh Jo Friday really missed you." He gazed fondly at the ragged bundle in Jane's arms.
"Research suggests that dogs, like other animals do not truly form memories, so are only ever really living in the present time. Without the sense of time passing, that seems a uniquely human characteristic, it is unlikely that a dog could actually miss its owner." Maura's voice became gradually quieter as she took in the looks she was getting from both Jane and Korsak, even Jo seemed to be shooting Maura a shocked stare. Korsak was the first to speak.
"Well I never was one for research M' Lady, no disrespect intended."
"Of course." Maura said a little awkwardly as Jane simply turned to Maura and dropped Jo into her arms; Jo reaching to lick Maura's chin.
"tell me she didn't miss you." Jane put it as a challenge.
"In my experience dogs are the best judges of character and loyal too." Korsak said, puffing out his chest.
"That's right isn't it Jo ?" Jane said, seeing fit to rescue Maura from the affectionate terrier; restoring Jo to the ground to begin running in circles in and out of the three humans who were headed to the stables.
"You know, you Ladies really missed the best time of year up here. Who wants to be in the city in the summer? " Korsak asked rhetorically and Jane merely shrugged. "Well I'm sure you'll be here to see it next year Ms Rizzoli; you seem like you'll be sticking around to me."
Jane glanced at Maura with an uncertain look.
"I am sure you are right Vincent." Maura said easily as they reached the horses.
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They rode down familiar paths, side by side; as they had so many times before, but today was different; the silence was anything but comfortable. Maura hadn't said much of any meaning since Jane had found her sitting frozen by fear in her bedroom and although Jane wanted nothing more than to just enjoy the time they had left before Lord Ashby's return tomorrow, she knew that inevitably they would have to discuss what would happen next. What was it Maura had said about dogs living only in the present? that seemed like a wonderful idea right now.
Jane's preferred horse Trixie was being her usual difficult self and it seemed that all the progress Jane had made with her during her earlier months at Ashby had been forgotten. Either that or Trixie was trying to punish her for her prolonged absence, though Jane was sure Maura would explain to her why that was impossible. Whatever the case; Jane was having a rough ride and was putting all her energy into just keeping up with Maura; who seemed not to notice.
"Damn you Trixie, stubborn mule!" Jane let out in frustration as Trixie began a half hearted attempt to buck Jane; almost succeeding in unseating the lanky brunette.
"Jane!" Maura called in a disapproving tone as she pulled up alongside Trixie and soothingly lay a hand on her flank. "Ease up on her Jane, she is probably responding to your irritable mood."
"My mood? Really? " Jane bit and instantly regretted it. Jane swung down from Trixie. "Maura, are we going to talk about this?" she said softly, glancing at Maura over her shoulder, as she apologetically and firmly stroked Trixie; working at calming herself and the horse.
Maura sighed but nodded her consent before voicing what had been on her mind most of the morning.
" For now I just have to stop this wedding. I have to face my Father and Dawson; though he doesn't worry me much. I shall tell my Father what we know about Dawson's indiscretions and that I was made aware of this by my contacts in the states; so as to leave you out of it."
Jane shook her head to say pathetically that she didn't want to be left out of it. Maura ignored her and continued to speak resolutely.
"I have to send out telegrams to Emma and Diana as they would be making their way here soon." Maura had arranged for her friends to come a little earlier than the wedding guests at large; for their support, 1Jane supposed. " I have to inform or cancel over a hundred other people and arrangements." Maura said; laying out each simple step and practical consideration.
"What can I do?" Jane asked; instinctively wishing to help.
"Nothing Jane. I have to do this alone."
Jane scowled at her boots and Maura slipped gracefully from her horse, to face Jane; placing her hands over Jane's shoulders and waiting patiently for Jane to look at her.
"I know that you want to help; that if you could you would do this for me." Maura shook her head as she held her hand gently against Jane's cheek. "but I have to do this myself." She stretched up and gave Jane a light kiss. "I can do this." she assured Jane.
Jane wrapped her arms around Maura's waist; pulling her in close and kissing her fiercely.
" I know you can; I just wish you didn't have to." Jane whispered into Maura's hair when she finally broke off the kiss. Maura leant in against Jane who took the weight. "and if Dawson heads right back across the ocean tomorrow? " Jane asked, still holding onto Maura.
" I don't think he would, he is the type to sit it out and see what develops. Its not as if he will be hurt; merely inconvenienced." Maura argued.
"He won't remain forever; to be humiliated." Jane pointed out. "As soon as he believes you truly mean not to marry him he will leave."
Maura moved out of Jane's arms. "And you?" she asked almost cooly.
"Maura, you know if it was within my power I would never..."
Maura busied herself with her horse; turning her back on Jane. Jane followed the proud woman and captured her wrist; determined to make her hear this.
"I would never leave. I just have to find a way to stay." Jane said firmly.
Maura's face softened as she looked at Jane. "I thought perhaps we could ask Emma for help, I am sure you could stay with her for a while, her brother will be at the estate when he returns to the country; he won't be going back to London for almost a year."
Jane nodded slowly as she considered the possibility. "Perhaps she could help me find a position at one of the publishing houses for the journals she writes for." Jane said hopefully.
"Perhaps." Maura agreed. "and given a little time I could persuade Father that I need a paid companion, plenty of women do so, especially if we were to travel."
"No." Jane put up a hand to silence Maura. "I will not do that. I will not be paid to be with you. I have to work."
" Jane, you have said that you want to be with me, we have to be sensible about our situation and our options." Maura began to plead.
"No, I will do whatever it takes Maura, but you have to see that I could not take your Fathers money to sit idle by your side. Even if he could afford it or are you forgetting that he won't have Dawsons money."
"If we were only careful; I am sure we could live quite economically." Maura reasoned.
"Travelling Europe with a paid companion is not living economically, you have no idea what being without money really means, and when your Father dies? as women we have little power available to us as it is, but without money? we would be nothing."
"We would be together. " Maura cut in.
"I don't want us to be together in poverty, in squalor. You people stroll around the city like you can't see the slums; the suffering. " Jane's voice had become hard.
"You people? " Maura fumed.
"I'm sorry, I just meant that not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouths or a set of deluxe friends. " Jane pulled Maura tightly to her as Maura moved to walk away. "I spent my life working to get here; to get away from the daily struggle to survive. I came from an immigrant family Maura, not everyone thinks of Italians as exotic."
Jane held her face close to Maura's and through the anger Maura could see her desperation and she gave up her struggle.
"I do understand Jane, I want my life to have meaning and purpose; the same as you." Maura said adamantly.
Jane calmed a little as she studied Maura's face whilst she spoke.
"I would give it all up for you Maura; if it comes to that I will. We can live in a shack on the moors; I'll build it myself. But first you have to let me try to do this right." Jane's tone had softened considerably and she turned her long lashed brown eyes on Maura ; to full effect.
Maura narrowed her eyes and considered Jane with no hint of a smile, she looked at war with herself and all at once she put a hand into Jane's hair and pulled her in for a fierce kiss; pushing herself roughly into Jane's mouth and devouring Jane's lips. Jane took a moment to catch up and when she did she gave back as much as she got; wrapping Maura tightly in her arms.
A loud cry that belonged to neither of them finally broke them apart just in time to see Trixie thundering away into the distance. Jane threw her arms out wide; releasing Maura.
"God damn that fuc..."
"Jane!" Maura stopped her with a hand thrust over her mouth.
Jane looked from Maura to the fading view of her horse and back again; her hands going to her hips. Maura couldn't help grin at the look of absolute dismay on Jane's face, which caused a full on scowl and now Maura laughed out loud.
"You know that I should make you walk home." Maura said tartly.
Jane raised an eyebrow at Maura. "Really?"
"You people Jane?" Maura repeated her earlier protest more calmly now.
Jane cringed at her own words. "That was unfair; I know you try to help people Maura. Its just not the same as living it."
Maura moved to begin unstrapping her saddle and Jane came up behind her as she struggled with one of the buckles. Jane covered Maura's fingers with her hand and stood close enough to trail a line of kisses along the curve of Maura's neck.
"We just had our first argument as a married couple." Jane purred and felt Maura's posture soften significantly against her. "You know that even when I say something monumentally stupid; you have to go on loving me now."
Maura turned in Jane's arms and Jane could see the smile playing around her mouth as she took the necklace out of Jane's dress and turned the coin in her fingers.
"Perhaps we should try and enjoy the rest of our day together." Maura conceded.
Jane demonstrated her agreement by delivering a swift kiss to Maura's lips, before either of them could think about the imminent arrival of Lord Ashby or how long it might be before they had the chance to be together like this again.
"and Jane... I will go on loving you...always." Maura said softly, stealing another kiss.
xxxxx
Jane sat astride Maura's horse with Maura sat to one side between Jane's legs, without the saddle; which they had left for someone to collect later. In this position Maura found herself repeatedly sliding off further down the side of her horse; it was uncomfortable.
"You know that with the extra weight it would probably be easier for the horse if it was more evenly distributed. " Jane reasoned.
Maura let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Would you help me ?" Maura threw over her shoulder as she attempted to re-seat herself.
"It would be my pleasure." Jane drawled as she took a firm hold of Maura's waist and waited for her to swing her right leg over the horse.
Jane set about helping Maura straighten out her riding habit to find her hands brushed away as Maura completed the task herself . Jane's chuckle was low and as Maura took the reins back up; Jane put her lips to Maura's ear and murmured.
"How does that feel M'Lady?"
"More comfortable, thank you." Maura replied as she nestled into the space between Jane's thighs and continued to look straight ahead.
Maura let the horse set her own pace as she guided them slowly back toward Ashby. It didn't take Maura long to realise that sitting like this with her thighs gripping the horse, in such close proximity to Jane; pressed against her back, along with the gentle roll of the horses hips, stirred a building reaction in Maura's body; one she realised had been awakened last night and was making itself known again now.
Maura had a sudden recollection of the image of Jane; naked and riding Maura's hand and felt a rush; enough to make her dizzy, as she faced another image and felt again what it had been like to have Jane inside her.
Jane noticed the blush creep up Maura's neck and spread across her cheek and she picked up on the sound of Maura's slightly laboured breaths. Being that Jane's mind had been occupied in much the same reminiscing, it didnt require much stretching of her imagination to guess what Maura was thinking about.
Jane leant in and let herself breathe hotly against Maura's neck. "Are you alright Maura?" She said in a dangerously low and ragged voice.
"Of course." Maura whispered; quite unconvincingly.
Jane smiled to herself as she moved her hands from their place set loosely at Maura's waist; pushing her splayed fingers firmly and slowly to meet across Maura's abdomen. Jane placed a kiss behind an ear before taking Maura's earlobe into her mouth; sucking lightly at it and pressing it with her teeth as she released it.
Jane couldn't see, she only sensed that Maura had closed her eyes as she arched her back like a cat. Jane slipped one hand beneath Maura's spread skirts and traced a line along one stockinged thigh until she reached the tightly fastened edge and deftly loosened the tie enough to slide her hand inside; against the warm white skin. Maura rocked her hips forward and her behind curled neatly up against Jane who felt herself quake.
"Jane...if we don't get down from here ..." Maura gasped and Jane did as requested and began to help Maura scramble down. Jane followed and the second she hit the ground her hands were back on Maura, pushing her from the path; a few steps back into the trees. Maura's back bumped up against bark and Jane's lips claimed hers roughly.
Last night Jane's movements had been slow and tender; wishing to intimately acquaint herself with every inch of Maura, trying to communicate her love and utter devotion. Now her every move was hurried and almost clumsy; driven chiefly by desire, a selfish urge to have Maura here and now, to see the capable and composed Lady Maura submit to her own desire and come apart around Jane's touch.
Jane found Maura hot and wet and waiting; beneath skirts that Jane had thrown back in an eagerness to get to flesh. She had fumbled with the opening to Maura's drawers, but now as she found what she searched for, she suddenly became careful and sure as she entered the woman she had so recently made her own and heard her cry out, gripping Jane's shoulders.
Jane stroked her long fingers inside and out of Maura; the smaller woman's hips jerked against Jane until she pressed and rubbed harder and faster in response to Maura's pace setting moan.
"oh, oh...oh Jane."
When Maura threw herself heavily against her at last; Jane understood that Maura had reached a height and was now tumbling back down. Jane held Maura to her and kissed her head; lowering them both to the grass at their feet. She cradled Maura in her arms until her breathing had long returned to normal.
xxxx
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviews guys, please continue; it makes my day! xx