Strange Awakenings

“My brother.” She started as James entered the room briskly, casually. He filled a glass from the decanter and saluted the man who stood still as stone in the doorway. “Julianne, meet Richard, by bastard younger brother.” James said with a sneer. “You see, he will be me tonight and every night. I do not want you, Julianne. I want heirs. I have, let’s say, other interests.”

Julianne stood in shock, confusion marring her brow. “What…I don’t understand.” She whispered, shaking her head.

James snickered. “He will be performing my husbandly duties.” He laughed, “Or you, my child, will befall a tragic accident.”

“No, I…” Julianne began. James strode over quickly and gripped her face hard between his stony fingers.

“You will! Or others will suffer your refusal! Or…I will dispatch of you myself!” Julianne flinched with the harshness of his touch. His fingers ground hard into her jaw. Even with the fear coursing through her, she whispered, “No.”

His hard hand withdrew, and she glanced up at him, just as his arm swung. The blow knocked her onto the bed. Her ears rang and the world swam before her eyes. His fingers clenched around her throat and she struggled for breath as his face hovered above hers in a fierce grimace.

“You will obey me, bitch! You will sleep with him and bear me a child!” Julianne could not breathe. She struggled to no avail.

“James…” a deep voice commanded her husband’s attention, and he released her. “She will.” The voice said.

“Yes.” James stood and straightened his clothes. “Yes, she will.” He spared one more glance for the coughing Julianne and left the room. Richard closed the door, and the key turned easily in his hand. He hesitated a moment before he approached her. He brought a cool cloth from the washstand.

Julianne almost leapt away when he touched her. She curled upon herself in fear. What had Papa done? Her mind screamed with denial. She wanted to wretch and cry, but Richard stopped her flight from him. She fought him with everything she had. In silence she thrashed, hit, and pushed at him to release her, but he was immoveable. Finally, she wailed, “Let Me Go!!” as she broke into tears.

He simply held her as she cried and pressed the cool cloth to her face where James had struck her. He shushed her and stroked her hair. He held her close against his chest, and she felt his tremble mirror her own. When she stopped crying, she pushed away, and he let her go. She scrambled from the bed and stood looking warily at him. He stood and placed the cloth back on the washstand. Slowly, he turned back to her.

His dark eyes gleamed in the candlelight. His hands rose to the buttons on his shirt, and slowly, they came undone. Julianne shook her head and turned away, panic stricken by what was planned. He whispered her name from just behind her, and she tensed to flee. His hands began to caress her curls where they had tumbled down her back, and she shivered with the sensation.

“Julianne. A beautiful name.” He whispered. He turned her to face him and her wary eyes met his. The dark eyes, so deep a brown, held compassion. He gently stroked her cheeks with his palms. His shirt was gone, and muscle rippled before her. She wanted to step back, to run, but his gaze held her captive. Her heart thundered in her chest.

Slowly, he leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers, and brushed his lips across hers. Softly he lingered there as her body tremored in fear. His tongue reached out to trace her lips, and she gasped with the sensation. He delved deeper.
His mouth was hot and silky. Heat raced from that spot to the rest of her body, making her feel drained and languid. He shifted closer and she felt his body press to hers. She jerked away, her hand flying to her mouth.

Richard’s hands fell to his sides, but his gaze never left hers. “Julie,” his voice was husky and almost pleading. “He will hurt you. Any way he can. He will tear you apart, slowly, piece by piece. I will not. Let me give you comfort.” He would not explain further, but stood there waiting.

Julianne wrung her hands before her. Why? Her mind screamed. It didn’t matter who. She did not know either of them. She was alone here, and at the mercy of her husband. He stepped toward her cautiously.

“Would you like a drink to soothe you?” Richard asked. She nodded imperceptibly. He filled a glass from the decanter with gentle movements. He did not give the crystal to her, but held it to her lips himself. She gulped anxiously and the brandy burned all the way down. His eyes still stared into hers, and before she knew what was happening, the glass was drained. He placed it aside and took her hands in his. He drew her to the window, where a cooling breeze brushed her cheeks. He stood behind her as they looked out at the night. It was so dark. Lightening flashed sporadically in the distance.

Richard pressed closer, molding to the shape of her back as the warmth of the liquor spread through her limbs. Her breath caught as a particularly violent slash of lightening lit the sky. She felt his lips brush her temple and trace slowly down the side of her face. She shook when the soft heat of his mouth reached her ear, then neck. She felt herself melting back onto his embrace.

His fingers traced lightly down the side of her chemise, brushing slightly the side of her breast. Her heart quickened. He followed the same path, over and over, until she ached for his touch. She let out a soft moan without realizing.

He turned her until his mouth found hers. Willingly she opened to the heat of him. The kiss was druggingly sensual. Thoroughly he explored her softness that none other had tasted. He lifted her easily in his arms, not breaking the kiss, and carried her to the softness of the bed. His warmth pressed against her side.

His lips traced a path down her neck, as his fingers found the softness of her knee. He stroked heat up the outside of her thigh as his tongue found and traced the top of the lace of her bodice. Her skin was hot and throbbing, not knowing what it sought.

When his lips found her nipple, she arched with the pleasure it brought, and her body flared with the delight she had never before known. He tormented her breast with hot, wet kisses. With teeth and tongue, he distracted as his fingers rose higher on her thigh.

She moaned deeply as his hand found what he sought. That tiny nub of pleasure hidden beneath soft folds responded with pure ecstasy at his touch. She writhed beneath him as he made his way down her body, to kiss where she never thought a man should touch, let alone kiss.