“You have not mentioned your brother before,” I said.
“James is two years my junior, whilst Maud is a year older than I. James is in America and is fighting the British. It is rather embarrassing really.”
“I think this war is rather silly really. It is, after all, some thirty years since their independence was recognised by the Treaty of Paris, so what is this war all about?”
“It all stems from the Royal Navy’s insistence on searching American ships. The Colonialists say we have no rights to do so outside our territorial waters. I think some people in the Navy Office forgot we lost the war, and that we still rule over there.”
“It is too far away to govern properly, and if we make a sensible peace deal, then we will always be good allies. It is so silly to want to hang on to control like this,” I said.
“I actually agree, but it doesn’t do to say so. I am fond of my brother, so hope he survives. I doubt they will win though.”
“They will. Mark my words,” I said with a grin, and he looked at me sharply.
The other thing he was excited about was that he had visited a friend, who was also a General, who assured him that they would call Roger back to the Duke’s army as Boney was being chased into France. He wanted to be in at the end, and was certain that the end was now in sight.
He changed the subject and spoke of the forthcoming Christmas.
“I was wondering what to get for Katie. William is no trouble, as I have ordered a fort, with some soldiers for him. But I have not the slightest notion about Katie.”
“She would adore her own pony.”
“Really? But I have a stable full of nags of all sizes.”
“If you were to take her to buy her own foal, to then train herself, it would be the most wonderful present. She would then have to learn how to look after it.”
“Then it shall be as you suggest.”
“She will adore it,” I said.
“And then we come to you.”
“Me? You needn’t worry about me.”
He fumbled in his pocket, placing a small box on the table.
I looked at it, knowing instantly what was coming. I suddenly felt nervous, despite expecting it for some time.
“Open it,” he said, so I did. It was a ring, with six diamonds in a line, set in gold. It was lovely. I looked at him.
“Jane, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” he asked.
I paused, catching my lip in my teeth.
“When I asked Katie what she wanted for Christmas, she said she wanted you to be her mama, so here I am, with not a care for myself, as am only asking you for her sake,” he said with a naughty grin.
I smiled as he continued. “Seriously, I fell in love with you that first day in the library, and cannot think of growing old with anyone else. And before you mention having no dowry, I have no such expectations or requirements. I seek only you, and only if you love me.”
I looked into his eyes as he took my hand.
“Dear Roger, I do love you. I would be honoured to become your wife, if you can put up with me that is,” I heard myself say.
He made a strange whooping noise, gathered me into his arms, and I found him kissing me properly for the first time. I responded, feeling his tongue gently and tentatively touch my teeth. I allowed him in, and kissed him back with all the passion I could muster. His arms pulled me close to him, so I placed my arms around his neck and held his head.
It was one of those moments that I had been looking forward to for a very long time. As Ed Ryan, I had hardly allowed myself the merest fantasy, but ever since becoming Jane, I had dreamed of this moment of physical contact constantly. Would I respond, or would the male within me reject it?
I now had my answer, and found my dreams and fantasies didn’t come close. My whole being responded with everything it had. The sensations I experienced can never be humbled into words. I felt myself become aroused, and could even feel him through the layers of clothes that we wore. We kissed for many moments, but finally he broke away, taking the ring and placing it on my left ring finger.
“Dear Jane, you have made me the happiest man alive.”
“It is I, sir, who is the happier,” I teased.
He simply smiled and kissed me again.
“I intend to invite a few friends for dinner this Saturday, I would ask that you would be my hostess and mistress of the household from this time on.”
“It would be my pleasure, sir.”
“Oh, dear Jane, I would so rather you used my name.”
“Very well, I’d be pleased to, Roger.”
Groves came into the dining room, and the eyebrow was once more raised.
“Groves, my dear fellow. You are the first to know, but Jane has accepted my proposal and we are to be wed.”
“Congratulations, sir, and Miss Jane. I am sure this will come as no shock to those below stairs,” he said, with a humorous twinkle.
Roger wished us wed as soon as possible, but he explained that he had enquired with the vicar of St. Helens, the local parish church, and we had to wait for January, as the Christmas period was just impossible.
“You assumed I would accept,” I chided him.
“I earnestly hoped and prayed that you would.”
The remainder of the meal passed with him sitting close to me, with a huge smile on his face.
“When will you tell Katie?” I asked.
“I was going to tell her tomorrow. If that is in order?”
“She only asked me a few days ago whether I would marry you,” I said.
“Really? And what did you say?”
“I told her that you hadn’t asked me, but if you were to, I thought that I might,” I said, and he smiled.
“Dear Jane, I never thought I should love again, but I find that I love you more than life itself.”
“I love you too, but I fear for you going off to war again. I have no wish to be a widow.”
“Pshaw. It will be all over by the time I return. And France shall have a King once more.”
“I hope you are right, but I still fear for you. You have responsibilities now.”
He took my hands and raised them to his lips.
“Aye, and one of them is the most beautiful girl in England.”
We retired soon after, each to our own room where, once more, I almost hoped he would come to my bed. The light of the moon came through my open curtains, as I liked the silvery tint. I reflected on the comprehensive changes I had undergone. Not only did the agency’s programming allow me to think and speak in the manner of the period, I also acquired all the necessary feminine reaction to life. It was as if Ed Ryan was but a distant memory of a life that no longer mattered.
Once more, I was about to drop off to sleep, slightly disappointed, when there came a knock on my door.
“Come,” I whispered, and Roger slipped into my room. He was dressed in a long nightgown, and he looked at me nervously.
“Jane, forgive me, but I, …”
I sat in bed, my bare breasts showing, and I lifted the covers for him.
He shut the door, and was just getting in, when I stopped him.
“Take it off,” I said. He grinned and pulled his nightgown over his head. His erection was large and very ready.
He slipped in beside me, so I lay on my side, looking at him.
“Do you always sleep naked?” he asked.
“Always.”
He traced the outline of my shoulder with his finger, drawing it down to my breast. My nipples had swollen in eager anticipation, so he cupped my breast with his hand. His touch caused me to shiver in delicious anticipation.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, and kissed me tenderly.
I touched his broad chest with my palm, letting my fingers run through the hair and stroked down across his muscular stomach, and then down to reach his engorged manhood. He gasped as I touched it, so I held it tightly.
“I want you so much,” I said, and he kissed me again, but this time with building passion.
I lay on my back and opened my legs, as he touched me there with his hand. I almost screamed with pleasure, pulling him on top of me. He knelt between my legs and kissed my breasts, so a surge of pleasure coursed through my body. I arched my back, thrust my pelvis towards him, reached down and guided him into me.