“Am I to be your groom, Lady?” he asked.
“You will be the assistant groom, which means in time, you may well rise to that position,” I said.
“Cor. An’ do I ‘ave to do that school work?”
“Yes, Oliver, you do.”
“So, will I learn to read an’ stuff?”
“There is no reason why not.”
“Cor,” he said.
His father took a lingering look at the sovereigns on the table, nodded to me, and walked out. He looked a more contented man.
Roger rightly believed he had served his nation with distinction, so had no qualms over letting younger men take up the challenge. He returned from London, content now that his military days were over, and yet he was now still only thirty-three. My body was twenty-six, but I knew that I would age considerably slower than he would. I tried not to think about it too much.
He was slightly concerned that I had taken on staff without consulting him, but as I explained some of the circumstances, he understood and accepted my decision. The country was awash with returning servicemen; some fit, but many with limbs missing. There was no social welfare system in place to house or employ these men, so their wandering abroad, thieving and flagrant begging to survive would cause the Vagrancy Act of 1824 to be passed by Parliament in a few years time.
The year progressed, with Oliver proving himself an industrious and promising groom. George found life a lot easier with willing young hands helping him. The lad was eager to learn everything he could, so I often found Katie helping him with his reading between schooldays. Katie liked Oliver, while Oliver quite simply worshipped the ground upon which the girl walked. Although he was a couple of years older than her, at ten she was as tall as he, and infinitely more worldly. Nevertheless, he had a way with horses, and they were equally fond of Snowflake.
When the pony developed colic, Katie spent much of her time in the stall with her animal. Oliver would spend all night with him, so together they nursed him back to health. Oliver was in complete awe of me, but Roger’s mere presence would have him quaking in his boots. The lad rarely went home, for there was nothing for him there. He adopted us as his family, preferring to stay in his little room above the stables and lived in hope of seeing Katie each day.
He was fiercely proud of his position, and many times he got into fights defending the good name of Sir Roger and Lady Jane de Lambert.
As our groom, his standing in the community rose considerably, so he would give himself the title of Lady Jane’s groom.
As Christmas 1815 approached, the family hosted a party for friends and family, including Maud and her husband. I dreaded the old bat coming to my house, but in the event, she was almost human. I took some time to be with little Edward and, as I breast-fed him, Maud came and sat next to me. I sensed she wanted to say something that she found difficult. She was also a little disconcerted that I was breast-feeding my son.
“Jane. I have to confess to behaving rather churlishly towards you, so I crave your forgiveness.”
I was a little stunned, so was unable to say anything for a moment. In addition, Edward was developing teeth, so was chewing my nipple.
“Ow. You little basket!” I said to him.
Maud actually was nearly in tears, believing my wrath was meant for her. “I was feeling protective towards my brother, and I cannot excuse my behaviour towards you. I felt you were an adventuress. But now I realise that you are not and it was unforgivable of me.”
I prised my nipple out of my son’s mouth and moved him to the other breast to allow some respite for that particular nipple. Once the little sod started to suckle again, I turned to my sister-in-law.
“Maud. Please believe me when I say that I hold no ill feeling towards you. I understand, I may not like what you did, but I can understand why you did it. We are very different, you and I, but we are sisters-in-law. We may never be close friends, but we need not be enemies. So, I do forgive you,” I said.
She then surprised me by openly weeping. I saw an opportunity to shift the focus of her guilt.
“But, sister-in-law, it is your brother you have hurt more than I. So, it is to him you should speak and apologise, if you feel so deeply,” I said. She nodded, sniffling into a miniscule handkerchief.
It was a watershed in our relationship, so things improved vastly after that.
I was also pleased, as Britain and America had made peace again, so Roger was able to write to his brother as the trade ships started sailing to American ports once more.
Roger received one letter from his brother, who now owned a large plantation in Virginia. James grew tobacco, being one of the few landowners who refused to use slave labour. He repeatedly beseeched his brother to come and help him, and I could tell that Roger was sorely tempted.
On an evening shortly after the New Year, we were sitting in the small sitting room, he was reading, and I was gently strumming the guitar. The children were in bed, and I could tell he had something on his mind.
“Jane?”
“My love?”
“What would you say if I suggested we were to go to America?”
“You are minded to help your brother?”
“Perhaps.”
“I would not object, but I should be reluctant to go until the autumn.”
“Why so?”
“Because our baby is to be born in September, so I would rather she be born here.”
Roger dropped his book and stared at me.
“Another?”
I smiled and nodded.
“I missed my period last month, so I think it will be September.”
“Oh, my love! This is wonderful. But you said she?”
“I have a feeling,” I said, smiling. He knew about my feelings so shook his head.
“Have you thought of a name for her yet?” he asked.
“Emily,” I said.
“Then her second name should be Jane.”
I smiled.
“And if it is a boy, Richard,” he said.
“That’s fine by me. But, getting back to the subject of America, I have no desire to spend another winter in England. So I will support whatever decision you make.”
“My love! How is it I have been blessed with the most supportive wife?”
“Because you make love to her so well, she could never think about being objectionable,” I said, teasing him.
“I have in mind to drop the ‘de’ from our name. It is more English, and I don’t want to be seen as a damn Frenchie.”
“If you wish dear, as it is your name you may do with it whatsoever you wish.”
“I will go up to London to sort out this matter and look into going to America. James will be pleased if we joined him in his venture.”
“That is nice, dear,” I said, pleased that my plans were coming together.
We retired to bed and, as most nights, made passionate love to each other. I discovered that I adored sex, and was almost insatiable once I was aroused. Roger knew that we would make love two or three times each night, and at any opportunity during the day, if we got the chance. The wonderful thing about ladies fashions was that I rarely wore any knickers, so we would often indulge in sex as the need took us. I would often take his tea to him in his study, when I would orally stimulate him and then allow him to fuck me across his desk.
It was no wonder that I was pregnant. My womb must have contained more of Roger’s sperm than his testicles!
As I lay next to him, naked as always, I listened to his breathing and smiled in the darkness. Being a woman was everything I had ever dreamed of, and so much more. To give of myself to the man I loved, was, in itself, the most wonderful experience. Being loved in return, so fully and so physically, was a dream come true.
I reached out and touched him, fondling his limp cock. He moaned in his sleep, but started to rise to the occasion. I felt my juices flow in anticipation, so eased my bottom across, and slipped him into me from behind.