Chapter 20

Dominic looked at Jacqueline sleeping, her trussed brown hair covered her face and he moved it and strode to his parlour. "Wentworth." He stated.

"My lord, I hope you forgive my intrusion."

"Intrusion! You shocked my wife into unconsciousness."

"From the servants it seemed you did that by yourself, the doctor said she was half way before I shot the gun anyway."

Dominic glared at his friend; he hated when he was right but ignored the smirking smile and poured himself a glass of whiskey. "She hit her head."

"You scared her, Joseph told me and she did not deserve it."

"Is everyone against me?" Dominic grumbled, downing his shot.

"When is Daniel arriving?" Dominic's gaze intensified as the mention of his older cousin who had forced the marriage on this stupid girl anyway.

"I don't know. Don't care and whilst you are visiting me Wentworth you'll learn to keep your opinions to yourself." Dominic snapped.

"My lord, it has been tiring. Maybe you should retire." The earl spoke, Edward Wentworth his second closest friend smiled as Dominic yawned.

"I'm going to ride." Dominic mumbled and walked out the parlour as Edward smiled and went to his room.

"My lord, you should get some rest, it is almost sunrise and you have not had rest in almost a day."

Dominic ignored his butler and opened the manor's door jogging outside. This was his punishement for hurting her so, hurting everyone and he walked into the stables and got on his horse.

Dominic swore as the sun blazed on his face he had been riding for over three hours now he needed to go back inside.

He dropped off his horse and brushing himself off, left it in the fields. The horseman would find it. Walking towards his house, he looked around the lands he was so use to.

His short lived holiday was nearing to a close with Francis summons to court.

Dominic swallowed nervously, his wedding day soon approaching, he had organised everything apart from a few things. Expected to court his wife as society expected he gathered his cloak and hat, heading for her room.

They were to leave for court Francis summons but before they needed some clothes. "My lord,” Jeffery opened the door, smiling at him he nodded and entered the room.

"You're awake"

She nodded in return to his question closing all hope of a day alone to sleep. "We are to go shopping today you will have to come with me,”

She got up not talking, and rang the bell for Alice .Sitting on her bed, she kept her distant from the man that was supposed to be her husband. "I have your bath, my lady," She put the pot down and began adding in the herbs.

"Good morning to you to Alice" Dominic sat relaxed on the bed, his hair messy smiling at the young maid as her face and went startled for not recognising her masters presence.

"I did not see you master" She whispered, he had propriety instilled within him. He had always acted like there was a rod up his backside. She mumbled and he caught her eye. She hoped he wouldn't dismiss her for her comment. "Good morning,”

"It is fine Alice please continue,” Alice nodded shaking started to help Jacqueline take off her night dress. His tone was icy and she knew she was not forgiven, a beating most likely if he had not dismissed her on the spot. Or maybe a humiliating punishment, she had once had to lick his shoe clean tears streaming down her face but he had her home under his protection and could easily let loose the bandits.

Focusing on the task at hand Alice looked at her mistress left only with a corset and panties, she waited whether Dominic would leave or not.

"I am not leaving you are my wife,” Jacqueline looked angry.

"Please leave my lord for respect" He raised an eyebrow at her wedding band, she was his. Her body belonged to him. Her respect also was taken.

"Many couples bathe together so why can I not even just sit here" He shrugged it off.

She sighed too tired to argue and took of her corset, her back towards him of course and stepped into the water before taking off her undergarments.

"You may leave Alice,” Jacqueline glowered at him but Alice knowing whatever happened Dominic was paying her curtsied and withdrew.

Jacqueline continued to bathe as Dominic watched. He chuckled to himself. He had never seen a woman fully undressed and now one was before him. Her skin creamy, pale and it was blemished by touch. Her stomach was bruised in colours of purple and blue, the exception. He turned away knowing it was by his hands.

His eyes roamed with lust as she turned sideways shown her pert assets. Her hair wet by the water, they roamed her body as his eyes did. "Have you finished watching, my lord, it is uncomfortable,”

"No,” he said huskily "You are my wife I have every right, you have seen me shirtless,”

She coughed snapping him out of his trance with her breasts. "But not naked,"

He smirked. “Shall I amend that?" She shook her head in response, glancing at the towel opposite. She would either have to rise and get it or call Alice.

"Quickly then I have business we are to leave for court tomorrow you need clothes" He ordered. She had gotten use to his harsh commands.

"Yes my lord" She quickly got up and grabbed the towel calling Alice. Dominic was trapped in lust. The towel small it only covered her breast to her private womanhood he had been yet to claim.

He frowned at his sinful thoughts and walked out the room.

+++

"Good morning my lord" Dominic nodded at the tailor, although she had provided clothing for the nobleman she still hadn't grasped. He did not like her.

Instead of mentioning that point Dominic stated his request" My new wife and I need some clothes we are leaving for court today they must be ready tonight. Your payment will be increased obviously,”

The blond hair woman wrote down his request and called her husband. Stefan came out of another room.

Emma, the shopkeeper was several things. Picky, Faultless especially with her companion.

Stefan was tall, athletically built with strong lean muscles and his teeth shined perfectly as he smiled at the nobles bowing low. The only unusual thing about him, he was black.

Decked out in a plain shirt and clean pantaloons he was a man of perfection and even amongst although unsaid. A man people held admiration.

He knew himself, that the children adored him. Once a week he would go to their orphanage and teach them and ignoring the adults protest at a Negro teaching their children he taught them mathematics and the sciences.

He knew had he had been a white man he may of been at court, maybe a assistant to a great scientist instead he was stuck here doing odd jobs, teaching children. The children were not a chore but the odd jobs such as today going to help a priest get ready for his journey to court was not what he wanted to spend his Monday doing.

The only thing keeping him sane was the love of his life. Emma Wilcox.

She smiled at him; her curves hugging her dress and her small stature making her seem like a delicate little doll. He winked at her and she blushed, pleased he could still make her blush he looked at the newlywed couple.

He ignored the countess' startled look and instead went and closed the shop door putting a busy sign on it.

"I will be back by evening love I will do their accounts then" Emma nodded as Stefan kissed her nose slightly and bowing again to the couple, he left.

"Please enjoy my parlour my lord and lady I will be there anon" They nodded and followed her gesture.

It was awkward facing love. Jacqueline thought. She had saw lust in the black man's eyes and saw an equality in the woman's but their gestures simple enough to show there was more there. "Pardon?"

Dominic glowered at his wife's uselessness “She asked which colours you prefer,” He hissed

Jacqueline sighed and looked at the colours laid out, laces and silks draped across the room. She hadn't even noticed.

"Which one would suit me?"

Dominic bored got up and walked towards a grey silk, draped with a sliver and white lace and little dew drops delicately placed on it. "It's perfect,” He whispered.

Jacqueline looked up in awe, he was right. "I'll have the royal blue and gold,” She concluded, picking out a ton of dresses.

Dominic huffed. "Excuse me I'll be a moment,” He turned and spun around.

++++

"You’re lucky I'm not busy you know"

"Yes you've told me twice already" Dominic replied sipping his drink.

"I don't see your problem just buy the clothes you want she's your wife"

Dominic sighed exasperated. "You don't understand,”

"Yes I don't understand she's a woman nothing more and you shouldn't be drowning your sorrows in a tavern. Instead you should be beating her backside with a cane and buying what you want"

Dominic stayed silent, looking at the third cup of alcohol he had consumed, “I need food.”

"Bring us something to eat and get something after okay?" The servant nodded and taking the money off James headed towards the counter.

James bleached nastily; although a duke he had the manners at the tavern of a pig. His dark brown hair in his way he moved it before a plate of food arrived at the table.

"I'm so hungry" James dug hungrily whilst Dominic just picked at his food.

Dominic was in a whirlwind of thoughts, his eyes flickered on the meaningless pie and he wondered did his wife ever eat pie? As a child sometimes him and Francis would sit in front of the fire, they wouldn't speak and Dominic being the little dog aiming to please would only speak when spoken to.

Sometimes Francis would speak of the past, his past love and lies and duties. Other times he would wallow in his mistakes and Dominic would hold the older man’s soft warm hands. His seven year old self would go up to Francis thigh but he would be proud all the same when they stood or sat, even If he was a doll beside him.

"Kiss me Dominic!”

Dominic looked at his friend. "Are you sane?" He asked.

James giggled wildly, and Dominic had realised his pie was gone. His appetite was gone anyway and a yearning to be happy again returned to him.

"I'm going." Dominic stated grabbing his hat and cloak.

James got up and leaving the food the men departed back to the shop.