The Widows of Spence Hall part 9 and epilogue
R rating
I own nothing and expect even less
For Chely
Natalia was awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of her lady crying. It was still not unusual for her lady to cry in her sleep. She immediately took Olivia in her arms to comfort her. Natalia started to sing her favorite lullaby to calm her lady's dreams. This only made the tears come harder.
"My lady, you're awake, please what troubles you so? Let me help to easy your pain anyway I can." Natalia was absolutely shocked was Olivia smiled through her tears.
"You can not help to ease my pain, because these are not tears of pain or sorrow. These tears are the tears of relief, the end of fear, and finally happiness. Today could have gone so differently." Natalia wiped Olivia's tears off her cheeks with the pads of her thumbs.
"Sam could have easily grown into my father's image. He could have forced me to marry anyone of his choosing. He could have picked someone that made my father's choice of Lord Spaulding look appealing, but instead, out of the blue, he has given me my freedom." Olivia tries to catch her breath and get her emotions under control. Just being in Natalia's strong arms helps her realize how lucky she truly is.
"I was prepared to give myself to anyone he chose just as long as Ava was safe. I would have gone back to Spaulding Manor if it gave Ava a chance for a good life." Natalia wrapped her arms tighter around her lady. She started placing small kisses in her hair and on her temple. She waited for Olivia to continue in her own time. The thought of her lady leaving again was bad enough, but going back to Spaulding Manor sent a shiver down her spine.
"Natalia my babies are truly safe and I can really live out the rest of my life in peace here with you." Olivia paused for a moment, then sat up and looked Natalia directly in the eyes.
"If that is what you want. I do not mean to presume. You are a very beautiful woman and any man would be lucky to call you his wife." Olivia dropped her head to break eye contact. It would surely kill her if Natalia didn't want to spend their lives together.
Natalia slid her hand down to rest on her lady's tummy. She kissed Olivia, first on her forehead, then each eye, the tip of her nose and finally on her lips.
"I have loved you my whole life. When they sent you away to marry that old man, I grieved for you almost as if you had died. All the color went out of my world. When Nicky started to come around more often, I didn't even care enough to send him away. When he asked my father for my hand, I had just heard that you had given birth to Ava. I said yes out of jealousy. The only light in my life since you've been gone has been Raphael." Natalia paused to get her thoughts collected.
"Even that had gone. With his apprenticeship, I only get to see him for a few hours once a month when he comes to care for the horses. When your mother instructed me to get these chambers ready for your arrival, I though I had heard wrong. You couldn't be returning. Things are taken away from me, not returned." Olivia kissed away the tears running down Natalia face. Olivia took Natalia's face in her hands. She smiled before brushing her lips across Natalia's.
"I'm here and through the good graces of my brother, I am here for good. Only my death will take me away from you again." They made love to each other through the night. Sleeping on and off when sated, only to start in again.
The End
Epilogue
A party was truly in order. They needed to celebrate all their good fortune. A letter from her brother had arrived letting them know that he was coming for a visit with his wife and child.
In the fifteen years since Olivia's returned to Spencer Hall the family had prospered greatly. Olivia had taken to running the Hall like a fish to water. They were now breeding the most wanted horses in all the country. All thanks to Olivia and Raphael.
Ava was happily married to the young Bill Lewis and they had two sons and a daughter to raise. Emma was also happily married with her second child due at any moment. Ava and Emma were both no more then an hour coach ride from home.
Olivia and Natalia had grown even closer together and Olivia adopted Raphael as one of her own. Natalia was the lady of the house. She took over the responsibilities after Olivia's mother passed on. It was highly unusual, but with time, no one thought twice about it. They had just become known as the widows of Spencer Hall.
Olivia had taken to wearing breeches and waist coats when she worked with the horses. It was easier and much less dangerous then having her skirts getting in the way. As time wore on she would only wear a dress when company came to call. Natalia never encouraged Olivia to change. She loved getting to see Olivia's legs and behind when ever she looked.
Natalia was standing out on the porch, watching her lady come running up the drive. After all these years she still got aroused just seeing her love coming towards her with a big smile on her beautiful sun touched face. How Olivia's mother would scolded her for allowing herself to tan. She could hear it now.
"Olivia! Put on a hat when you work with the horses. It's bad enough you're wearing mens clothing, do you have to let the sun think you're a man too!" Natalia smiled to herself. She missed Rebecca Spencer every day.
"Natalia! Natalia! We got a letter from the wandering soul that is my brother. He says he's coming for a visit with his wife and child. Do you think he's finally ready to settle down here with us at the Hall."
Natalia looked her long time lover up and down. It amazed her how the draw was still so strong. She took the letter from Olivia's hand. She smiled the smile that told Olivia that the letter would be read later. Right now Natalia had things on her mind other then news of her brother.
"Talia you know I will deny you nothing but I right now I smell of horses and sweat. Let me freshen up for you. I meet you in our chambers." Natalia smiled again. This time with dimples so deep, you could lose a finger up to its first knuckle in it.
"Come my love. I have a cool bath waiting for you in our bedchamber already. Let me bathe you and massage your tired muscles for you. Then you have promises to keep. I believe your wish was to have my taste on your tongue before sundown."
"I love you more then mere words can describe. Everything else can wait. I have promises to my love that I must keep." They walked hand and hand to their bedchamber.
The staff knew that with Mr. Raphael away tonight courting the lady Ashley, dinner would just be in the kitchen. If the Lady Olivia and the Mrs. were going to eat at all, the Mrs. would take care of it on her own. It made them all happy to see two people so much in love after all this time.
Natalia lead her lady into their chamber. The old copper tub was by the fire place full of water. Olivia smiled at how thoughtful Natalia always was and how wonderfully she took care of her.
"Come my lady, let me help you out of these dirty clothes and into the tub. Sit down my love. Let me get your boots off before I devour you." Olivia's knees gave out and she slid to the floor. Natalia giggled and pulled her lady's boots off. She slowly started to remove Olivia's clothes one piece at a time. The blouse was the first to go. As each inch of skin was revealed, Natalia's lips seems to be everywhere. When finally she reached Olivia's breast, Olivia was nearing the edge already.
"You know how bewitching I find you, and then you come running towards me in your breeches and boots. Do you know how randy just your smile makes me." Natalia sucked a nipple into her mouth and nibbled on it with her teeth. Natalia's mouth worked on Olivia's nipples as her hands worked the button on her breeches. Once they were opened she worked her mouth lower. Olivia grabbed Natalia's head before she reached her womanhood. She smiled at the confused look in her lover's eyes.
"My love, take off your dress and join me in the cool tub. I'm hot and sticky and smell of horses. Let's cool ourselves and enjoy the rewards there after."
The next morning they were enjoying a late breakfast when Rafe came into the kitchen to join them.
"Rafe I received a letter from lord Samuel. He will be arriving any day now. I want him to be proud of all the hard work you and I have done with the horses. Please make sure the stable boys keep everything in good order." Olivia noticed the look of concern on her son's face.
"What concerns you son?" Rafe was a full grown man and had been for a long time. He was ready to ask for the hand of the lovely lady Ashley. What would the lords return do to his stature in the community. Would it effect his ability to have Ashley's hand.
Just as he was about to speak, a commotion was heard from the front drive. Both Olivia and Rafe rose to see what was going on. They weren't expecting anyone today.
They reached the front doors just as a large coach was pulling up to a stop. Greg came out of nowhere to run down the front steps of the Hall and reached to open the door of the coach. Greg smiled as he saw who was inside the coach.
"My lord, it is wonderful to have you home again". Greg said as he opened the door and help Sam out of the coach. Sam nodded his head to Greg and turned to help someone else out the coach. Sam was handed a toddler from inside and from just the look on Sam's face anyone could tell, the child had Sam wrapped around his little finger. Greg help a beautiful woman out of the coach. She took Sam's elbow and they both walked towards Olivia and Rafe on the stairs.
Olivia called out for Natalia to come outside and told Greg to get on a horse and go to Ava's and then Emma's to have them come to the Hall, their uncle was here. Natalia came outside and went to Olivia's side.
"Josephine let me introduce you to my sister Olivia, I think. That is you Olivia in the men's clothing?" Olivia flashed her best smile for her brother.
"Yes my lord, it is I, your older sister. Come let's go inside so we can all meet your new family." Olivia put her arm around Natalia's waist as she led them all inside. Rafe followed behind his mothers. Olivia lead them to the main sitting room.
"Natalia please have cook start preparing the lords favorite meal and my love, can I ask you to bring us all some tea?" Before Natalia could leave. Sam stopped her.
"Natalia that can all wait. Please come and meet my wife and son." Sam held out his hand to both Olivia and Natalia.
"Josie this is my sister the lady Olivia and her Natalia. I am betting that this handsome man is Natalia's son Raphael. This is my wife the lady Josephine and our son Gregory Spencer." Curtsies were made all around as the ladies greeted each other.
"Lady Josephine let me take the baby back to kitchen with me. I'm sure we can find something for this handsome fellow to eat. I'll only be a moment. I need to have the lords bedchambers set up for you. Will the baby be with you in your chambers or will he be in his own?" Josie took the toddler in her arms and went with Natalia to the kitchen to help make sure all was done to her husband's liking.
"Sit down Sam. I'm sorry we're not better prepared for you. I only received your letter yesterday. It's so nice to see you and meet your wife and son. Now tell me what brings you home after fifteen long years? Are you finally coming home to settle down?" Olivia walked over to the cupboard and poured them all a snifter cognac. She walked back to Sam and handed him his glass and then handed one to Rafe. She sat in her father's favorite chair.
Sam smiled at his sisters subtle display of defiance. She knew it would bother their father to have her sit in his chair in breeches and drink cognac. He was surprised that Rafe had stayed in the room with them, but really nothing about his sister was customary.
"Olivia you know that from the moment I found out there was more to the world then Spencer Hall, I have done everything in my power to be away from here." Olivia got a sad smile on her face as she nodded her head in agreement.
"Nothing has changed. I am here to say goodbye for the last time. I have found the place I want to live out my days watching my family grow. We have little Gregory and Josie is with child again. I have acquired a sugarcane plantation on the tiny island of San Cristobel in the new world. I came to tell you that the Hall is all yours to do with as you will." Natalia and Josie came in the room just as Sam was finishing his story. Josie went to sit next to her husband and Natalia stood next to Olivia's chair.
"Are you sure Sam? This is your legacy and that of your sons." Sam smiled. No matter how old they got, Olivia would always be his older sister.
"This has always been your home, your heaven. You never wanted to leave and I never wanted to stay. From all the information you have sent me over the years, you have turned this old farm into a thriving stable for the best horses in the country. It has always been your legacy not mine." Olivia stood and hugged her brother.
Natalia quickly hugged Rafe , then walked over to Olivia. She pulled her into a hug and whispered in her lover's ear.
"As soon as they're gone, I'll have our things finally moved where they have always belonged my lord." Olivia laughed and picked Natalia up and spun her around.
The End