Cutler was forced to spend the rest of the week dealing with business of the Company which simply could not wait until he was settled in to complete. He had only seen Lord and Lady Sullivan as well as Anna at mealtimes, and even then he could barely concentrate on a word that was being said. After the third day of staying at the Sullivan Estate Cutler finally moved into his own home as it was fully furnished. He was not at all impressed that his time had been used up in such a way, but he did owe the Company a lot. He would have preferred to test Anna further and discover how obedient she would prove to be, but that would have to wait until a more suitable time.
He rose early that morning, the same as every other morning since his return, and made his way down to his office. He skipped breakfast that particular morning as he simply did not have time for such luxuries. It seemed that every time he finished one pile of work, the very next day a pile twice the size had appeared in its place and he had much work to complete before going into his office at the Company. Cutler was sure that his extra workload was due to the incompetence of other members of the EITC, but he buried his irritation deep down lest he say something he may regret someone overhearing. He worked tirelessly all throughout the morning until the clock in the hallway could be heard chiming one o'clock, the only thing which tore him from his work was the sound of fingers gently knocking upon his office door.
"Enter!" Cutler commanded, his tone decidedly less than inviting. He did not bother to raise his eyes from the paper in front of him.
"Good morning Cutler!" a cheerful female voice called from the doorway.
Cutler's eyes shot up from the document he had been studying to roam over the figure of his guest. Anna stood in front of the closed door, leaning back against it, smiling at him with her vivid red lips. She was wearing a forest green dress with an enticingly low cut neckline and her hair was swept up in a manner which exposed her neck. She wore a simple pearl and gold necklace tightly around her throat and matching earrings dangled against her neck. Masking his surprise Cutler stood quickly from his seat and crossed the room to stand in front of Anna.
"Good morning dear Lady Sullivan," he took her hand in his and placed a kiss on pale skin. He kept her hand held in his own and he gave her what he was sure was his most charming smile. "What brings you here to visit me? I trust that everything is well with your family?"
"Everything is fine with my family, do not worry Cutler. I simply came to visit because I missed your company, though it seems you are still buried under your work so perhaps I should return home and visit you another day?" Anna replied a sad look in her wide green eyes, "I hope that I was not too bold in saying such things."
"You may be as bold as you like around me my sweet," Cutler placed another kiss against the pale flesh of her hand. "I do appreciate the sentiment and although I do not wish for you to leave, as you have pointed out, I have a large amount of work which must be completed." Cutler cast his eyes to the multiple piles of papers and documents spread around his office.
Anna closed the gap between their bodies, her chest pressing against his. Cutler had to repeatedly tell himself not to allow his eyes to wander down to her ample chest as it would be his undoing. "Cutler, they are running you into the ground with no concern for your health, I can see the dark circles underneath your eyes!" Anna said looking up at Cutler with concern in her eyes. She stepped closer to him and cupped his face in her hands, trailing her fingers lightly over the dark circles under his icy blue eyes.
"That may be the case, but I am so close to my goal that I cannot stop now," Cutler replied. He was exhausted, but there was no other option for him than to continue on, hoping that his hard work would be further rewarded. Cutler wanted nothing more than to toss his work aside and begin working on Anna. He wanted to push her against the door, parting her legs and letting her feel the hardness which was growing between his legs. He wanted to kiss and suck along her neck until he found the spot which would make her moan and leave large purple mark staking his claim to her body.
His lascivious thoughts were broken by Anna's soft voice, "when was the last time that you slept properly through the entire night?" she asked.
Cutler fought to contain a smirk from crossing his face, his sleeping hours, few as they were, were littered with images of Anna lying naked with him in a tangle of limbs and pleasure. "I suppose it would have to be during the first few days which I spent at the Sullivan Estate. Ever since I returned home it has been near impossible to find a moments peace."
"Oh Cutler!" Anna exclaimed, her fingers still running light circles under his eyes and down his face. "No wonder you look so dreadfully tired. You simply cannot even consider going into the Company today, you need your rest else you will do harm to yourself!"she added forcefully, staring straight into his eyes and challenging him to say anything otherwise.
"As much as I would love nothing more than to ignore my work and spend the day relaxing, it is not possible. Once I am made a Lord the work is sure to settle down, but until then I cannot afford to turn anything of anyone away. It would not be good for business," he explained. "I will escort you home with the promise that I will call upon the Sullivan Estate sometime soon. Does that soothe your worrying?"
"I wish you would listen to me Cutler, you will make yourself sick and then you will be in no state to do anything!"
Lord Sullivan let out a cough to announce his presence in the room, and Anna jumped away from Cutler, dropping her hands to her sides with obvious guilt at being caught in a rather compromising position by none other than her Father. "I believe my daughter is correct Cutler. You will work yourself into an early grave if you continue on the way you are now. Surely there is someone else who can take over some of your work for the weekend at least?
"I am afraid that no such person exists within the company since you began your retirement Lord Sullivan. I fear that you taught me to fill your shoes so well that they do not want to waste their time hiring two people to do one job."
"I see, well then, do you think they would mind if I visited for the day?"
Cutler rubbed his throbbing forehead; the beginnings of what would surely be a mammoth migraine settling in behind his eyes, "I am not sure that I follow with what you are suggesting my Lord."
"It is simple my boy, you will stay here and relax and I will go in to the Company. It has been a while and I should really be checking that everything is running as smoothly in all departments."
"Please Lord Sullivan, there is no need for you to check on my progress, I assure you I have not let fatigue interfere with my ability to do my job properly," Cutler said, immediately worried that Lord Sullivan was beginning to doubt his ability to succeed. One doubting Lord could cause the rest of the Lords to doubt him thus ruining his plans, Cutler simply could not allow that to happen.
Lord Sullivan shook his head, "my boy, I do not doubt your ability to do what is required of you. I simply wish to give a close friend of mine the opportunity to catch up on some much needed rest," he turned to smile at his daughter. "Perhaps you and Cutler can spend the rest of the day relaxing in the garden whilst I visit the Company. It would do me good to get rid of a few cobwebs from my mind, retirement does become a bore after a while."
"I do not want you working yourself too hard either Father!" Anna exclaimed, finding herself stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"One day or two of work will not kill me dear girl, now the both of you run along before Anna changes our minds for us," Lord Sullivan waved the pair off dismissively before settling himself in Cutler's chair.
"Are you in pain Cutler?" Anna asked ducking her head to meet his lowered eyes. He had not said much at all since her Father had shooed them away. Their arms were linked as he lead her through his home and out to the back door. The expansive grounds which stood before them were somewhat overgrown after having been neglected by the previous owner. Anna watched as Cutler scowled at the state of his garden, he had not wanted to take Anna outside because he knew that the state of the area was a disgrace. However, Anna had insisted that they go outside and enjoy the fresh air and Cutler was not in the position to deny her such a request.
"Only a headache, nothing for you to concern yourself over my sweet," Cutler said rubbing his forehead.
"Would you like to take a seat under that tree over there?" Anna questioned pointing to a weeping willow standing mere meters from them. "Being in the shade may chase it away."
"If that is what you wish my sweet," Cutler said selecting his most charming smile and presenting it to her.
Anna pouted slightly, "it is not about what I want Cutler, I am asking you what you want."
"Now that is a dangerous question for such a beautiful young lady to be asking," he replied, his smile turning into a dark smirk. "But I do agree, resting under that tree is looking very enticing at this moment."
Without another word Cutler lead Anna to the tree, ducking under its low hanging vines and dragging her along behind him. Quickly Cutler glanced back at the house to check if there was a possibility that Lord Sullivan could see them from where they were currently standing. He could see one of the windows of his office from his position so he gently pushed Anna further behind the tree until neither of them could be seen from any of the office windows. Anna raised an eyebrow at Cutler, but did not seem to catch on with what he was doing. He helped Anna to sit down on the grass before lowering himself down to sit next to her. Cutler was so close that Anna could feel the material of his clothing against the bare skin of her arm. He gave her the same charming smile as before and leant casually back against the trunk of the tree, his arms resting behind his head.
Anna smiled back at him, keeping silent and leaning back against the tree with him. She had no idea what to say to him although she had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime to see him once again. Anna wanted to demand that Cutler kiss her the way he had the last time she had visited his home, but she knew that she should not ask for such a thing. She ached for him to move closer, to touch her, to let his hands roam wherever they pleased, but she hid her emotions well, or so she thought. Cutler studied what he could see of Anna's face from his position against the tree. A short ringlet of honey blonde hair had escaped from its confines and lay against Anna's pale neck. His eyes trailed from the lock of hair downwards to the exposed flesh of her breasts. The smirk on his face grew as Anna's eyes met with his and widened once she realised what he was looking at. Still Anna remained silent, her words trapped in her throat as Cutler's eyes continued to run along any piece of flesh that he could find. She knew that she should scold him for being so forward with his gaze, but Anna loved the way his attention made her feel, she bit her bottom lip in nervousness.
"You really should not do that my sweet," Cutler said. His fingers trailed lightly over her lip, pulling the flesh from between her teeth. "Your lips are far too precious to be cut by your teeth."
Anna's face flushed even brighter as she met Cutler's icy gaze, her stomach fluttering at his touch. "Are you feeling any better now?" she asked, finally growing the courage to speak again. She tore her eyes away from his and looked out over the grounds of the Beckett Estate.
"I am feeling much better, thank you for asking. It would appear all I needed was a bit of fresh air and good company to chase my headache away," Cutler replied. He cupped Anna's chin and brought her back around to face him. "Seeing as how our last day together was cut short, I wish for you to tell me everything that has happened during my absence."
"Nothing too important happened Cutler, it truly was rather dull without you around," she admitted.
"You are too kind my Lady," Cutler replied. "But something must have happened? I remember you being close with Lord Gates' twin daughters, is this still so?"
Anna face clouded over in a scowl at the mention of those two particular young women. She quickly hid her scowl, but not before Cutler saw and was intrigued.
"Ah I see, something did happen," he said. "Am I correct in guessing that you are no longer on friendly terms with both ladies?"
"You would be correct," Anna spat, her dislike plainly evident in her voice.
"Do tell," Cutler urged, his eyebrow raised with interest.
Anna then reluctantly launched into her tale. Lilly and Victoria had used Anna, convincing her that they were her friends only to turn around and humiliate her in front of a large gathering of other women similar to their age. The twin girls had encouraged everyone to laugh at her misfortune as Anna had called it, not letting her escape or hide from their ridicule. Cutler noticed that Anna did not go in to great detail about how the girls had managed to humiliate her; that avoidance alone spoke volume for the anger and shame she must have felt. While listening to Anna speak Cutler began to form a plan in his mind. He would have to find a way to seek revenge for Anna, surely nothing would endear her towards him more than striking a blow against the two people she seemingly disliked the most.
"Is that all that happened my sweet?" he asked when she had finished her tale.
A deep scowl still crossed her features, "yes," she replied. "I have avoided most social occasions and interactions with those my own age since then."
"Now why would you deprive yourself of such things?"
"Women my age provide little stimulation in any areas of importance. They may be able to read and write, but they throw such gifts away. None take an interest in literature or politics and I fear there is not intelligent conversation to be had amongst them."
Cutler smirked at her answer, surprised by how close it was to his own view of younger women. "I see," he said simply.
"I know that I should not think such things, perhaps it is I who is wrong," she said, her anger seeming to disappear.
"Perhaps," Cutler replied. "But I would much prefer to spend my time in intelligent conversation than listening to gossip, although gossip can be rather useful."
"For blackmailing purposes?"
"Precisely," Cutler said smirking. Anna was quick to catch on which was another reason why he had chosen to marry her. He could not bear to be married to a dull, submissive and lack-witted woman; Anna was no such a woman.
"Enough about me dear Cutler, tell me what it was like being stationed in Nippon. Did you run into any trouble with the locals?"
Cutler exaggerated his story slightly, knowing that no one would dare to say that he was lying. As he added more danger to his retelling of his days in Nippon working for the East India Trading Company he could feel Anna shuffling closer towards him. Her eyes were wide as she listened to him; he could tell that he had her complete attention that nothing could distract her from. She made the appropriate sounds of concern and gasps of shock as he continued on.
"I certainly hope that you never have to return to such a place ever again. You could have been seriously injured! Does the Company have no concern for your welfare?"
"I knew what dangers would be involved when I took the job," Cutler replied. He straightened himself against the tree and cautiously slipped his arm around Anna's shoulders, searching for any signs of apprehension concerning his actions. "You need not worry about what had already come to pass."
Anna relaxed against Cutler, smiling up at him with her wide green eyes and resting her head against his chest. "I hope that you are never in such danger ever again. I would be devastated if something bad happened to you."
"Who knows what the future will bring," he replied nonchalantly. "That is why I believe that every moment should be lived to the fullest. Do you agree my sweet Lady Sullivan?" Cutler's eyes flashed with the same unrecognisable emotion as days before.
"While it is not the most pleasant conclusion to come to, I believe that you are correct," Anna replied nodding in agreement.
"Then will you allow me the pleasure of another kiss?"
Anna's face flushed again, "Father is in the house, he could see us Cutler," she said quietly.
"The office windows do not afford the occupants any view of this particular spot," Cutler replied, leaning closer to Anna.
"If you are sure that we will not be caught!"
"We will be fine," Cutler replied. "You can trust me."
Cutler's free arm wrapping around her waist and pulled her body flush against his own. He smirked as he felt Anna relax against him, if she continued to be so agreeable with his suggestions it would not be long at all before he hand her between the sheets. Cutler trailed the hand which was around her shoulders up to the back of her neck. He pulled her face closer to his and claimed her lips with his own. At first his kisses were gentle, softly he pressed a kiss to her lips then backed away, repeating his actions until he had Anna leaning forwards to meet him. His soft tongue trailed along her bottom lip eliciting a small gasp from Anna. As soon as her lips were parted to him, Cutler slipped his tongue into her mouth. His tongue stroked and rubbed against hers, dominating her like she knew that he would. Slowly Cutler pushed Anna backwards until she was lying flat on the grass. He hovered over her, taking in and memorising what Anna looked like lying beneath him. Cutler smiled a rare smile at Anna before moving his body on top of her smaller one. One of his legs lay between hers while the hand which had been behind her head moved to pin her arms down in place, not that Anna had any intention of running off or struggling against him. Cutler's second arm trailed upwards from Anna's waist to cup her ample breast. His fingers rubbed back in forth over her hardening nipple and his lips moved to caress her neck. Cutler left soft kisses up and down her neck before he began to nibble at her flesh, seeking for the spot which would send Anna into a frenzy.
Soon Cutler found the spot that caused Anna to let out a soft moan, her fingernails scratching at his chest. He smirked against her neck and continued to nip and lick at the same spot causing her hips to buck upwards and collide with his. When Anna's body collided with his Cutler knew that she would feel his growing arousal, whether she would be frightened or intrigued would be the true test of how far he would be able to continue on with her. He caught her brilliant green eyes looking over at him, the wide smile upon her lips told Cutler that she would not protest.
Pulling his lips away from Anna's neck Cutler leant over Anna, placing a chaste kiss to her lips. She let out a disappointed moan at the loss of contact and the cool air hitting her skin. Although his tongue had stopped its movements, the hand which was groping and rubbing her breast remained on task. Anna watched as the hand which was fondling her breast moved upwards so that Cutler's fingers grasped the top of her dress, lightly tugging at the material.
"May I?" he asked looking up at her concerned innocent face.
"Do not look!" Anna exclaimed.
"If I may not look, may I touch instead?" Cutler asked his voice sending shivers down Anna's back. She nodded to Cutler and bit her lip nervously.
He moved his face back to the position near her neck, placing soft kisses back on her flesh. "I will only do what you allow me, you can stop me at any time my sweet," Cutler whispered. He knew that if he played this right she would think that she was the one in control and forget all about the fact that he still had her arms pinned and her body was also trapped beneath him. If she wanted to escape Anna would have to put up an impressive fight.
"I trust you," she whimpered out, her voice betraying just how nervous she was.
Cutler could barely contain the grin of childlike happiness from showing on his face, Anna was his to bend and mould for the foreseeable future. His finger tugged down the top of her dress on one side, exposing her breast to the world, but only Cutler would be able to see it, eventually. Anna held her breath as she felt the cold air hit her sensitive skin and barely managed to hold back a whimper as Cutler's slightly calloused fingers trailed over her breast to her nipple. His fingertips ran over her nipple slowly, Anna finally allowed herself to moan softly in reply to his actions, her hips rising to meet his again and again in time with the movements of his fingers. Cutler felt his cock begin to stiffen as Anna's moans became louder, his tongue caressing the soft spot on her neck encouraging her to be louder.
His rough fingers pinched her nipple and Anna barely swallowed a small scream of pleasure. She could feel a wet heat gathering between her legs and each time she bucked into Cutler's erection Anna felt her body tingling. Anna had long since given up trying to stop her moans as each time Cutler touched her she felt a new wave of pleasure surge through her.
"Excuse me sir," Mr. Mercer's voice called from behind the other side of the tree.
Cutler stopped his actions and let out a low growl of utter frustration, "what is it this time Mr. Mercer?" he asked.
"Lord Sullivan has just received an urgent message relating to a family member. He wishes to speak with you before he must leave to deal with the situation."
"Very well then, give us a moment and we shall accompany you back to the Estate," he said. Cutler then addressed Anna, "It seems that our time together is once again cut short."
Anna nodded in silent response, her face flushed red with utter embarrassment at the prospect of almost being caught by Mr. Mercer.
Cutler smirked down at her, "did you enjoy yourself my sweet?"
Again Anna remained silent, her hands were still pinned by Cutler so she could not cover her face to hide.
"Have you lost your courage?"
"N-not quite," Anna finally stuttered.
"Good girl," Cutler replied. He kissed her neck in reassurance, "would you like me to look away while you readjust yourself or would you like my help?"
"Look away please," she said so quietly Cutler almost did not hear her.
Cutler released her hands from his tight grip, her wrists turned white with the amount of pressure he had been using to hold her as still as possible. He kept his eyes closed tightly and removed himself from on top of Anna leaning back against the tree. Cutler could hear the shuffling of material as Anna struggled to put herself back in order.
"I am done now," she announced softly. She did not meet his eyes, instead looking at the ground and playing with the edge of her long dress.
Cutler turned back to look at Anna, taking in her appearance to check for anything which may alert her Father. Her hair was still held in place as intricately as before, one stray lock of honey blonde hair lying against her neck where he had previously been paying a lot of attention. Her blush tinted her pale cheeks a light red and she was once again chewing on her bottom lip. Cutler pushed himself up from the ground before turning to offer Anna a hand up. Anna quickly took his offer and was standing before him and his intense blue gaze.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"You look beautiful my sweet. How do you feel?"
"Positively spectacular," she replied a large satisfied grin crossing her face. "Thank you for asking."
"Shall we make our way back now?"
"If we must," Anna said.
Cutler extended his arm to Anna and she easily slipped hers through his. Mr. Mercer gave his employer a knowing glance as he saw the blush still covering Anna's cheeks but he did not say a word.
Arm in arm the pair walked slowly back to the house. Cutler trying to hide his rather obvious bulge in the front of his trousers with his frock coat and Anna trying to ignore the wet tingling feeling between her legs.
"Please go and wait in the carriage while I speak with Cutler," Lord Sullivan said to his daughter.
"Yes Father," she replied, curtsying to Lord Sullivan and then Cutler. "Farewell Cutler!"
Cutler took her hand in his and placed a kiss on the back of her hand, "goodbye Lady Sullivan." Anna blushed before turning on her heel and darting out of the office, Mr. Mercer trailing behind to escort her out safely.
Once he was sure that Anna was gone Lord Sullivan turned to Cutler, "I am needed urgently by my dear Aunt Gretchen. She is rather old and lives quite a distance away, so the journey will take quite a while. Anna has never met her, so to introduce them at such a late point would serve no beneficial purpose. Therefore we shall not be taking her with us, I was wondering if you would acquiesce to having Anna in your household for the two weeks in which we shall be absent?" Lord Sullivan asked.
"It would be an honour to have Lady Sullivan stay with me for as long as you need her to my Lord," Cutler replied holding back a smirk from his face. He would have Anna in his home, completely alone for two entire weeks. Anna would be at his disposal at any time of the night or day and he would ensure that she stayed in the bedroom next to his, in case of emergencies of course. While she stayed with him he would capture and explore her curiosity for the human body.
"Thank you my dear boy. I assure you that she will not be any trouble."
"You are most welcome and I am sure that Lady Sullivan will be a wonderful houseguest."
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