ROMANCE: CLEAN ROMANCE: Summer Splash! (Sweet Inspirational Contemporary Romance) (New Adult Clean Fantasy Short Stories) (119 page)

              “Giles, you know full well that Charles is related by blood to the crown. You’re signing your death warrant… as well as mine.”

              “I have it all worked out.”

              Daniela crossed her arms as she prepared herself for another one of Giles’s poorly structured plans. “How so?”

              “I have the best warship in the fleet with a loyal crew who owe their lives and riches to my seafaring excellence. We can outrun and outmaneuver anything the king can throw at us. ”

“How do you expect me to believe your tales?”

“My insignia, you don’t become a commodore in seven years if you’re not the best. I command respect even in highest echelons of the admiralty.”

              Daniela felt like bursting into a roar of laughter. “You’re going to kidnap me?”

              “For not having a better word... yes.”

              “Giles. You’re completely bonkers. Seriously so.”

              “You love me, you always did.”

“More than anybody.” Daniela raised a hand to her closed lips. She struggled to control a full range of emotions. “But you said no.”

“I just wasn’t ready… But I am now and I have comeback to claim my treasure.” Giles stared deeply into Daniela’s ocean blue eyes. “We will sail for the Mascarene islands and live as privateers. I’ll be king with you as my queen. We will have own little kingdom in paradise. Believe me. I’ve been there. It’s beautiful.”

              “You’re as foolish now as you were back then.”

              “Daniela. I will fight for you… I would even lay down my life for you. Charles doesn’t even give you his time. Look, where is he now?”

              “You do things the hard way, don’t you?” Daniela stepped backwards. “Why didn’t you just say something ten years ago?”

              “Because although you didn’t know it… your life was decided by others. I was just a middle class school boy with dreams of fighting on the seas.” Giles then pointed at his insignia. “But now I have respect and the self-belief to know that I can do anything that I set my heart on… It’s set on you.”

              “But why do you want me. I am a married woman.. there are a million better and available..”

              “But I never stopped thinking about you.”

              “Go. Go. Leave me alone. You’re only breaking my heart for a second time.”

              “Don’t come now and don’t say a word. But my ship is birthed at Prince’s Dock in Plymouth. She is called Goliath and will sail at noon on Saturday. Meet me there… and I will be with you for eternity. ”

~

              Giles stood on the aft deck of his frigate.  Standing by his trusted lieutenant, he watched as the last stores were loaded onboard. The lieutenant glanced at his manifest one last time. “Commodore, I do believe that is the last barrel of drinking water… we are now ship shape and ready to sail.”

              “We’re not ready, yet, Lieutenant.”

              “Sir, the tide is high. We must make haste.”

              “Steady, boy. There is a crewmember yet to board.” Giles watched the young lieutenant inspecting the manifest.  Shaking his head Giles turned and gazed over the starboard of the ship. As always the docks were alive with workers of all trades. Crates, barrels and livestock littered the dockside waiting to be loaded on to ships bound for different corners of the empire.

              Giles’s eyes then widened as he spotted taxi carriage emerging from the corner of a warehouse and then approaching his ship. He made his way from the aft deck. Promise then turned to excitement as he finally broke into a run down the ramp. He shouted as Daniela climbed out of the carriage.  “I thought you weren’t coming.”

              “I follow my heart… just like you did.”

~

              The pale light of a winter morning barely lit the kitchen. Annabelle carefully lifted out a baking tray from the cooking range. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed Benoit’s worried face. “Benoit, what’s wrong?”

              “The post arrived.”

              “And?”

              “There is a letter… a letter from the duchess, I recognise her elegant handwriting.”

              Annabelle’s face beamed a joyful smile. “Then that must be great news. The Duke has been frightfully worried this past week.”

              “So out of character… they argue, but she never flees the house. I have a bad feeling about this.”

~

              Charles opened the letter as he sat down at his desk. He raised a hand to his mouth as his tear ducts began to well. A then tear broke loose before running the length of his cheek. His fist suddenly smashed against his desktop. “Fuck.”  He then swiped his drawing items from the desk, sending them crashing to the floorboards. Resting his head on his folded arms he began sob. “Why, why would she do this to me?”

~

              Sat in the staff quarters of the mansion Benoit sat across from Annabelle and the head footman, Geoffrey. “The Duke hasn’t left his room in three days.” He grimaced as he looked at Geoffrey. “He has never been like this.”

              “He’s just sad… wouldn’t you be?”

              “Of course. but I knocked twice this morning and four times yesterday… and nothing. Not a word, nor even the slightest noise.”

              Annabelle quickly added, “I haven’t heard anything since yesterday.”

              “What did you hear?”

              “Cries and sobs.”

              Geoffrey sighed. “We’ve all heard his cries.”

              “I worry because…”Benoit sat with his back straight. “I checked the gun cabinet this morning. He’s taken his hunting rifle and three rounds.”

              “He surely won’t.”

              Geoffrey grimly muttered. “Why else would he take the gun to his bedroom.”

              “Good Lord” Anabelle put her hands to her mouth. “Maybe we should do something.”

              “What? A risk getting shot?”

              Benoit noted. “Geoffrey is right. The gun cabinet wasn’t the only thing the Duke raided. The drinks cabinet was emptied of its brandy and Scotch. When a man is not of sound mind, he’s not predictable.”

              Annabelle stood from the table. “I’ll go. He’s less likely to feel threatened by a woman.”

~

              Annabelle knocked on the door. “My Lord, It’s me, Annabelle.” She glanced down the corridor where Benoit and Geoffrey waited. Facing the door once more she knocked again. “Can you hear me?”  Pressing her head against the door she waited for a response. “I just want to know if everything is OK.” Suddenly the floorboards creaked from within before the door suddenly unlocked.

              “You may enter, Annabelle.”

              “Thank you, my Lord.”

              Charles rubbed his tired face with his hands while walking towards  his bed. “I apologise for being distant.”

              “It’s OK.”

“I have opened the window with the hope the fresh air does me good.”

“Maybe one should venture out, a walk maybe?”

“Now is not the time for walks among the flowers. “Charles slowly sat on his bed. “But I will be leaving for my residence in Scotland… I do not know when I return. I need to think.”

              Annabelle nodded. “I understand.”

              “You, have children?”

              Annabelle looked out of the window at the splendid gardens and thought it most pretty. “No my Lord.”

              “A lover.”

              “Not as yet.”

              Charles gazed from his bed. “And why not?”

              “I have never had the time.”

              “Why?”

              Annabelle turned her back to the window, and faced the Charles. “I was looking after my mother when she was ill, and then my father had his accident in the Colliery. There just wasn’t the time to meet the right man. There was one, but he didn’t wait and married the miller’s daughter.”             

              “So like me you have had your heart broken.”

              “Yes, but you get over it. Life is for living… even if it’s difficult. ”

              “But I already feel dead.”

              Annabelle watched Charles roll back onto his bed. She noticed the rifle propped against the wall and picked it up before quietly leaving the room.

~

Jacques sat beside the open fire while he weaved his basket. A sudden knock on the door caused him loose his feed.  “Darn.”  There was a second knock which caused him to shout for his daughter. “The door, Annabelle.”

“I’m not decent.”

Jacques turned in his chair to face the door. “One minute… I’m coming.“ He groaned as he climbed from his chair.  One reaching the door he turned the handle and opened it. He then felt surprised to see a well-dressed man. “Good day, Sir.”

The father of Annabelle?”

“And who may you be?”

Charles pumped out his chest. “The Duke of Middlebrook.” He then gestured for Jacques not to bow. “At ease… I see you carry an injury..”

“My Lord… Annabelle is indeed my daughter.” Jacques couldn’t raise his eyes. “How can I be of service?”

“This may come of shock… But out of respect, I will not proceed without first consulting you. I wish to marry your daughter.”

Jacques felt a sudden dread. “You…wish to marry Annabelle?”

“She is a woman of good heart and spirit. You have raised her well.”

“But look around, we are but simple people.”

Charles talked slowly in an attempted to translate his sincerity. “I have learnt that this does not matter.  As I have never witnessed a prettier face nor have I been touched by such warmth and selflessness.”

              “I’m quite taken aback.” Jacques nearly fell as Annabelle barged pass and threw herself into the arms of Charles.  He felt powerless to stop the romance. “But it seems Annabelle has made up her mind. I can do nothing but give you both my blessing.”

~

While basking in the sun from the large bay window of the master bedroom, Annabelle could not peel her eyes from the gold wedding band.  With the ringing of wedding bells still fresh in her ears she shivered as Charles embraced her from behind. She leant her head to one side as Charles combed his fingers through her hair, brushing it behind her ear.

Annabelle felt a sense of belonging as he tied his arms around her waist.  The touch of Charles’s lips on her cheek caused Annabelle’s heart to jump within her chest.  She felt like she was living the life of one of her characters which she had read about… but feared that it may all just be a romantic dream. 

But the sensations felt real while Charles began to disrobe her. 

Annabelle covered her nakedness, blushing incessantly.  But a smiling Charles softly laughed, while coaxing her to free her arms. Tracing his hands along her face, he tasted her lips and pushed her backwards onto the bed.

              Annabelle felt her innocence leaving her, but it was immediately replaced with a fulfillment and love. Energy and excitement coursed through her veins. She thought Charles body felt heavy and powerful, that this physical love went far beyond her expectations.

              The burns of broken innocence gave way to the lusts of passion. Annabelle wrapped herself around Charles and never wanted to let him go. With closed eyes, she succumbed to her dreams.  Erupting into a joyous realization that she had found love in all its forms.

THE END

The Resistant Bride

Chapter 1

              Walking behind her father, Isabel wanted nothing more than to sit in the carriage and head home. Her boot heels thumped on the wooden boards of the gas lit finance department, alerting all the accounting clerks to her presence. She yawned into her gloved hand and thought it was evidence that it had been a long day. 

Learning the ways of her father’s business was proving harder than she thought.

Leaving the dimness of the shipping office, Isabel walked out into the bright summer evening. The busy street hustled and bustled under the evening sun. The road was amass with horses pulling carts with the goods destined for the docks while the pavements were occupied with a mix of noisy street sellers and top hated city workers.

Isabel stepped into the horse drawn carriage before slumping onto the soft cushioned leather bench seat. Leaving the door open, she thought, “Looks like summer has finally arrived.”

Waiting for her father who stood talking to the driver, she thought the heat felt repressive as she waved the hand-carved whale bone fan franticly. “Get me home quick, Father. I need the coolness of the garden.” Her eyebrows raised an inch as Albert hesitated with only one foot planted inside the carriage floor. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the safe open.”

“I’m pretty sure you locked it shut.”

Albert stepped back onto the cobbled road. “I can’t be sure... I must go back.”

“Father!”

“I know... it’s amateur. A mistake an apprentice wouldn’t even make.”

Isabel let out a sigh. “You’d be sacked if you weren’t the owner.” She then rested her head on the back rest. “Go on... but please hurry up.”

~

The heat seemed to rise while Isabel sat alone in the carriage. Finding the temperature unbearable she stood from her seat before climbing out of the open door onto the street.  She walked into the shadow of the grand sandstone shipping office while doing her best to cool herself with the fan. Her eyes soon set on the young carriage driver. “You boy!” Isabel noted the panic on the young man’s face. “Yes you, the driver. What is your name?”

“Me Ma’am?”

“Memam? Is that name from the orient?”Isabel grinned, but noticed that the driver sat rigid on his seat while staring directly ahead. “You don’t look much like a Chinaman to me.”

“My...My name is Edward, Ma’am.”

“No need to whisper like a mouse. I won’t bite.”

“I mean not to whisper.”

Despite being early evening, Isabel thought that the sun had lost none of its strength. “Not scared of the sun, Edward? You must be cooking up there?”

“No.”

“And why not? Sit up there any longer and you’ll look like you’re from the colonies.”

Edward sniggered before sneaking a quick glance at Isabel. “I like the sun...In fact I like to make the most of it, seeing that it only makes half a dozen appearances a year.”

“So he speaks... I was beginning to fear that my driver was a mute. Where are you from?”

“Lancashire born and bred. I was born in the village of Skipton.”

“Skipton?” Isabel stepped out from the shade, so she could cross Edward’s line of sight.  She felt a guilty pleasure burn deep inside while she played with her prey. “Can’t say I’ve been there... Eddie.”

“My family moved to Liverpool to work in your father’s shipping company. He was a stoker and she was typist on the third floor of the office.”

“What was her name?”

“Maggie Picton. She retired three years ago.”

“Oh.” Isabel stared at the two coal coloured carthorses that were rigged up to the highly polished black carriage. “The horses... are they yours?”

“As much as I would love to say they were mine, they’re not.”Edward felt his panic abating while his eyes devoured Isabel’s beauty. “They’re your father’s, I’m just lucky enough to care for them.”

“They’re my father’s? Really? Shows you how much I know.”

“You don’t ride?”

Isabel scoffed, “Never.”

“I thought all girls like horses.”

Isabel took a sideward step to keep a safe distance from one of the horses as it took an interest in her purse. “They scare me... plus they smell.”

“Smell... you want to smell some of the dockers, Ma’am.”             

“I would rather not. Thank you very much.” Isabel eyes locked on to Edward’s. “Tell me... are you married?”

“Me? No.”

Isabel sauntered to the side of the carriage so her eyes were level with Edward’s bent knee. “And why not?”

“Should I be?”

“You’re twenty...”

Edward peered down towards Isabel, but quickly snapped his head back at the hint of her cleavage. “Fi... five. I’m twenty five.”

“Twenty five. Shouldn’t you have at least one child by now? I mean, that’s how you commoners behave, is it not? Father tells me you lot breed like rabbits.”

“Rabbits? Maybe some do.”

“You seem offended? I do speak too much sometimes.”

Edward did his best to sound convincing. “No... I would have one child, maybe.  If I had been lucky to have found love, that is.”

“Why haven’t you found the right woman?”

“You do like asking questions.”

Isabel shrugged her shoulders. “I’m intrigued... and truth be told, filling time.”

“As a young man, I thought I had found someone. But she immigrated with her parents to America.”

“America? Lucky woman. I always wanted to go. Father has visited for business on several occasions. In fact he’s promised to take me on his next crossing.”

Edward breathed a sigh. “I wish I went with her. In many ways it’s my biggest regret.” He then hung his head while his mind dragged up memories he had tried to forget. “But I didn’t have the money at the time.”

“It must be terrible being poor.”

“It’s not so bad. It would be nice to be rich...of course. But God blessed us with what we have. So I think it’s best to smile our way through each day the best we can.”

Isabel witnessed Edward’s wide smile causing her to chuckle. “You do have a nice set of teeth.”

“Really?”

“One must not be well acquainted with sugar.”

“Sugar... I’d be lucky. I can count using the fingers on one hand how many times I’ve tasted it.”

Isabel scoffed, “Keep away from it. It’s more addictive than bad men.”

“Excuse me?”

“I really have to stop talking to strangers.”

“You asked about my love life... can I be bold enough to ask you about yours?”

“I...” Isabel turned as her father stepped out from the door of the shipping office. She then faced Edward and smiled. “We will talk again sometime. Goodbye... Mr Eddie.”

Chapter
2

Edward licked his lips in anticipation as he walked along the dark streets towards his much loved Golden Hind inn. As always, a group of children were sat on the doorstep playing ollies. Edward brushed the children aside with his dirt covered boots before stepping over the threshold of doorway. He entered a room thick with the smell of ale and tobacco and soon spotted his flat cap wearing friend. “Duffy the docker.”

“Edward the horse fucker... What’s took yeh?”

Edward slapped Duffy on the back of his well worn donkey jacket. “Half cabbaged already, Pal?”

“Of course I’m cabbaged. You had me waiting like a wife.”

“Anyway, you’ll never guess who I was talking to, Duffy.”

“Queen Victoria?”

“Near enough.”

Edward signalled towards the barman for a pint before sitting on a stool next to Duffy. “The boss’s daughter.”

“The foreman’s? Nothing special about her... right little wench, she is. Passes herself around like a tray of hot cakes.”

“No, not Jezzer. I mean the big boss. Albert Crompton’s daughter.”

“Mr Crompton’s daughter..?” Duffy shook his head disbelievingly. “Whatever. Why would she talk to a bottom feeder like you?”

“Bottom feeder? I should take you outside and give you a once over with my fists. ”

“Sorry... I guess I’ve had a pint too many. My tongue quickly marches while my brain crawls like a drunkard in the night. ”

“Better slow down before you go home, then. You don’t want to get a load of abuse from Marg.”

Duffy slipped his hand inside his jacket, and then lifted out a tin of tobacco. “Margret knows to keep out of my way when I get home after a skin full.”

“I thought you told me you stopped roughing her up since your first child.”

Duffy picked up his clay pipe from the damp surface of the bar. “I’ve not laid an angry hand on her for a good while.” He then stuffed the fresh tobacco into his clay pipe. “I just mean rough her good in proper between the bed sheets.”

“Christ, Duffy. To think you recently became a lay preacher.”

“We’re all water boilers.”

“Here we go, another Duffy-ism.”

With the pipe between his lips, Duffy struck a match. “When we come to the boil, we have to let off steam.” He then drew on the pipe while he ignited the tobacco. “If not, the pressure becomes too much, and we explode.”

“You must be under a lot of pressure then, because you’ve been in more scraps than Napoleon.”

“Married with children.”

“The kids are outside.”

Duffy dragged back on his pipe. “Hopefully they’ll get cold and go home” He then exhaled a thick cloud. “So? Crompton’s daughter. What did she say to you..?”

“Erm... well.”

“If you say she just asked you to open the door... I’ll never share a pint with you again.”

Edward couldn’t hide his excitement. He leaned towards Duffy who sat in a cloud of smoke. “She talked to me for a good five minutes.”

“Fuck off. Your mouth spews more manure than one of your horses.”

“It’s the truth. Hey, she’s a right little minx too.”

“Minx?” Duffy pulled the pipe from his mouth then sipped on his pint of ale. “I suppose you took her to the bushes and rattled her under the full moon until daybreak.”

“I didn’t... I like my job. Very much doubt that Mr Crompton would take too kindly to finding me on top of his daughter. ”

“So? Go on... what did she have to say in these five minutes of yours?”

“She says I have a nice set of teeth.”

“Well...”Duffy inspected Edward’s teeth while his friend smiled. “Well... They’re better than rest of your face.”

“She asked me if I was married too.”

“Did she?”

“I’m not lying. Plus, listen to this.” Edwards glanced about to the bar to make sure none of the dwellers were eavesdropping. “She calls me Eddie. No one calls me Eddie.”

“I call you Eddie. Doesn’t mean I want you to bend me over the bar and pull down your breaches.”

“Bloody hell Duffy. I mean, no lass calls me Eddie. It’s always Edward.  Mr Picton or...”

“Bloody Idiot.”

“Yes, that too.”

Duffy struck a match then relit the tobacco which had burned itself out. “What she like then?” Coz, if her father is anything to go by, she would be fat, bald and tighter than a Jew’s pocket.”

“She’s well fed, alright. But not fat. Just... you can just tell she’s always first to the dinner table.”

“Nice. So got a bosom, then?”

“Too right.” Edward cupped his hands down by his waist. “Packs a good and proper arse n’all.”

“Anyway, keep dreaming. The only thing you’ll be riding, Son... is those damn horses of yours.”

“I know... but I’ve got a dirty imagination to keep me company.”

“Aye, at least it gives you someone else to think about. I mean. You’ve been boring me to death about bloody Katherine, since she jumped ship to America... seven years ago.”

Edward crossed his arms on the bar, and then sunk his head. “I know... I know.”

“Has she still not replied to your letter?”

“Not received a letter in two years and a hundred and fourteen days. Not that I’m counting.”

Duffy expelled thick smoke through his nostrils as if he was a mystical dragon. “Definitely married... probably dropped a kid or two now.”

“Probably right.”

“Not done too bad yourself though. I mean, forget about this Lady Crompton. But you’ve climbed on a few since Kath.”

“If I ignore the fact that most of time I paid for the privilege, then yes.”

“Come, on.” Duffy climbed from his stool before padding down his pockets. “How much have you got left?”

“I’m not going down to the docks... forget it. Plus your kids are outside waiting for you.”