Chapter Summary,
A conversation in the drawing-room takes an interesting turn.
Brandon laid a small envelope in Marianne's lap. The seal had been broken which piqued her curiosity. "What's this?"
"Look for yourself" he replied, retreating to his chair.
She pulled a letter from the envelope and read it quickly.
"Colonel Brandon,
Sir, I fear that this act of civility will fall on deaf ears but I could not in my good conscience exclude you and your wife.
I will be hosting a private ball at Combe Magnor on the tenth of this month and I would like nothing more than for you both to attend.
I also enclose information surrounding my cousin Willoughby, it would seem he has got himself to financial difficulties once again and has fled to the North. He wrote to me demanding that I help him but I hope it is no surprise to hear that I refused him.
As he is no longer in London and vulnerable I would advise caution as he could come to call up any debts, even if they are fanciful.
Use this information as you see fit and I hope we can one day mend the rift that has been caused.
Your friend,
Thomas Morton."
"Some cheek" scoffed Marianne. "Creating stories from thin air to make us feel indebted to him, he's just like his cousin"
"I wish that were the case" replied Brandon.
Marianne frowned, "what do you mean?"
"I've had a man watching Willoughby in London, Morton is telling the truth," he revealed.
"Watching him?" she cried. "Whatever for?"
"For the very reason, that he is and will always be a danger to us," he replied.
"Nonsense" laughed Marianne. "I am well out of his grasp"
"I did not mean you my dear" he urged gently.
"Beth" she concluded. "You believe he'd come to win her affections again?"
"With the promise of a large dowry and the ideal image of completing a broken family, Beth's honour restored and little John losing a bastard title" replied Brandon. "You know how that man's mind works, would my suggestion be so beyond his twisted capabilities?"
"Perhaps not" she replied. "But you'd never allow it." She paused "Would you?"
"Over my dead body" assured Brandon. "I would not throw her back to her tormentor for all the honour of the Empire"
"But what if he does come calling?" asked Marianne. "What should I do?"
"He won't I imagine" nodded Brandon. "It would be bold for him to come back, the law would take him this time"
"He'd be imprisoned?" she questioned. "Or worse?"
"Imprisoned at least if he steps on my lands again," he replied. "Trespassing is a punishable crime"
"A man as slippery and adaptive as him being imprisoned for trespassing" mused Marianne. "Forgive me it's almost humorous"
"It would be a sight" smiled Brandon, rising from his chair. "But I don't seek forgiveness for saying his imprisonment would ease my mind, especially with Beth returning to the country"
"Of course, I forget Sir John cannot keep her forever" sighed Marianne. "It's a pity"
"I am glad you grew to stand each other," said Brandon.
Marianne gave a little huff. "Might I remind you that I have always had nothing but love for her?"
"Yes of course" he agreed, kissing her head.
"But Christopher," she said. "What are we going to do about the ball?"
Brandon sighed, "you want to attend?"
"For the occasion only, not the host, everyone shall be there I am sure" she urged. "It's cruel of him to ask us but I want to dance"
"I am comforted that your priorities are always what they have been" he laughed.
"No, it's not like that" hushed Marianne. "I mean it, I shan't look his direction"
"That is very well, for I hear he is bringing a woman" whispered Brandon, teasing her.
"What?" exclaimed Marianne. "He has a wife?"
"Not a wife, an acquaintance" replied Brandon. "Or from what I have heard"
"You seem to have heard much more than me," she remarked. "All that talk of servant gossip has gone to your head"
"Keats is my informant" protested Brandon. "I'd never seek it out myself"
"Of course not" she smirked, rising from her chair. "It's not in your nature"
His hand playfully caught her chin. "Has the ball put you in such a teasing mood, my love? Or is it something else?"
"I think your actions last night put me in such a mood" she purred. "I shall ask for them again"
Heat rose in his face. "Unless now would be suitable?"
"We are in the drawing-room!" she replied as if stating the obvious. "We couldn't possibly"
"The servants are all out, who's stopping us?" he said.
"Windows and doors at every turn and the threat of discovery" she cried. "Suppose someone heard us?!"
"I can assure my silence," he replied, "can you?"
Marianne gasped. "You are serious?"
"Utterly" he whispered, sending a shiver up her spine.
"But how would we even begin?" she questioned. "There's no bed"
"Must that confine you?" he remarked. "It would be rather exciting no?"
"Well," she stammered. "I don't know"
"I will go no further if you do not wish" he assured.
"No" she urged, quite intrigued by the idea. "Would the desk...be suitable?"
Brandon smiled. "I think it will be quite suitable"
As he stepped closer, she whipped across the room pulling the large drapes over the windows. "Just in case"
Brandon pulled at his necktie as Marianne instinctively backed against the table.
Something about this felt foreign yet so exciting. Their lovemaking was by no means lacking, Brandon kept saying each night with her was his wedding night, but this new spark of something different sent a new fire to her belly.
She moaned as their lips collided, his hands trailing into her dress and cupping her frame. Her own fingers pulled against garments to find his flesh, his warm chest welcoming her touch.
"Marianne" he breathed. "Would you object if I were firm with you?"
At first, she laughed, thinking he was making a suggestive comment, but she asked. "Firm?"
"You are used to me now I think" he smiled, his fingers teasing her lips. "It won't always be like this, but may I be firmer with you?"
"Yes," she smirked, her interest peaked.
She gave a little gasp as he lifted her onto the table, his hand snaking up her legs, his fingers brushing her core.
She was already warm and his caressing only heightened her state, letting out a repressed moan as two fingers slipped inside her.
Whatever he meant by firm, she agreed this must be it, his seeming relentless pumping sent her soaring faster than she was used to.
Marianne panted against his shoulder as her pleasure dimmed, almost relieved to feel his touch allow her a moment's rest.
Feeling himself fit for requirements, Brandon whispered. "If you don't object I'd like to try something new"
Trusting him more than anyone Marianne smiled. "Show me"
With some inelegance, Brandon pushed aside items on his desk, signally for her to lie down. "On your front"
Slightly bemused she allowed him to guide her, laughing at how strange she must look.
This position was one he had heard spoken about, despite being animalistic in practise the pleasure it brought was apparently wondrous.
Eager not to startle her, he eased up her dress and petticoats, seeing her legs tense as they were exposed to the cold.
"Christopher?" she laughed, trying to look at what he was doing. Suddenly letting out a shocked gasp as he threw his hand over her exposed flesh. "Stay put, my love"
Marianne hated to admit but this dominance from him was quite stimulating, biting down on her lips, she wanted nothing more than for her to cause him to repeat the action.
Freeing his member, Brandon aligned himself, his hands gripping her hips. With ease, he slid into her core, all signs of discomfort long behind them.
Marianne felt this sensation deeper than before, gripping the sides of the desk to support herself.
She moaned with pleasure as his pumps became more determined, starting gently as her body grew used to him.
Once he had a steady rhythm, his tall frame allowed him to bend over her, kissing her neck and gently nipping at her ears, bringing intimacy back to this moment.
Marianne relished how new and wonderful this felt, crying out with each new thrust. He almost sent her over the edge as his fingers found their way to her bud, matching its caresses to the scale of his other efforts.
He kept one of his feet by the desk leg, worried they'd start to move otherwise. "My love" he panted. "More?"
"Yes," she begged, unable to describe how much her need was growing.
He took a firm hold of her waist and with determination thrust with nothing but desire.
Marianne panted against his actions, pleading with him to send her over the edge as the wait was unbearable. Once it came she could not silence her cries, the echoes of her pleasure soared around the room.
But for once his end did not come so close behind her own, his continued pumps sent her over a second wave, just as strong as the first that seemed to awaken every nerve in her body. "Christopher" she cried, as this unexpected surge took hold over her.
Brandon's desire was only urged on by her pleasures, finally releasing with a guttural groan, feeling her walls twitch around his member.
Gently easing himself from her, giving just enough time to cover himself before falling back into his chair, panting for air.
Marianne took deep breaths before fixing her dress and trying to put weight on her legs which felt soft and loose. "How-how long have you known about that?"
Brandon laughed. "Some time"
"And there are more different ways?" she smirked, brushing the beads of sweat from her brow.
He sat forward on the chair, "I fear I have awoken something"
Marianne laughed, "You cannot show me such pleasures and then deny me more? I shan't allow it, my pestering with never cease"
Hope you enjoyed the steamy encounter!
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Sarah x
