October 1815,
Newmarket,Suffolk.
Prescott Archibald,seventh earl of Lockwood watched Eretria as she reentered his nearly abandoned cottage. He had been watching her for quite awhile now and it was long enough to know that she was shameless. Once again,she had proven it. The wreckage caused by the knowledge of how deeply he lusted after her was not amendable.
She was too pretty to be a mistress.
And of all gentlemen,she had to choose that drunk,Lord Graham. They were a confusing pair. If he were one of the Africans rumoured to have black magic,it wouldn't be surprising. But Graham was very much white.
He went after her,entered the cottage and locked the door noiselessly. Her bend over a sofa didn't help his gnawing lust. She was looking for something - probably a jewel that'll be noticed missing. She looked up at the sound of his low strides.
"Lord Lockwood." She called out short of breath before explaining. "I'm very sorry but I think I left or rather lost something in your cottage.
"That's no problem." Her tense shoulders relaxed and she continued looking around. "But I don't see any reason why you'd lost 'something' in my cottage." She blushed at his push. They were both aware of her frequent visits to Graham.
"I beg your pardon,sir but I'm very sure you know my relationship with your friend."
"He's anything but a friend." Lockwood walked towards her desperately. "And,I see no reason why you'd frequent meetings with Graham."
"What exactly do you want?" She swallowed with fright growing from the pit of her belly.
"I've been watching you,especially when you're around Graham. Your meetings don't end with you smiling as a true lover should when with her man." He took out a port from the fragile glass cupboard with great care. "Is he,mayhaps forcing himself on you? Are you in a bind?"
"Pardon my bluntness but it's quite bloody to spy on a woman. You're not a bodyguard now,are you?"
"I can be yours." The words rolled out before he could stop them.
"Listen,you've got to stop selling your body to a married man,Miss Hobbs. We both know society doesn't accept that."
"Threatening me?" She laughed bitterly. "I don't like where this conversation is heading sir so it'll be best if you let me check for my jewel and leave your cottage." He didn't budge though. Rather,he rested on the wall opposite the rocking chair which hosted a glittering jewel. He made to alert her but thought otherwise. He needed to make her listen.
"What about being mine? I'd pay you triple of whatever he does." She looked at him incredulously. "You're young and..."
"I'll like to end this conversation,sir." She bowed gracefully. "If that's all,I'll be off."
He held her and pushed her back behind the wall. She wasn't going anywhere if he hadn't been listened to.
"Sir,with all due respect,let go of me and I wouldn't say any of this to anyone." He kept her in place like the supposed threat carried emptiness. And of course it did because there was no way in hell she'd be telling. What was she doing in a cottage alone with him? She tried escaping his hold and within the struggle,she pushed the bar from its place. All the unused ports,decanters and glasses shattered on the cottage ground due to the fragility of the cupboard. He hitched a breath as a glass fell on his leg. After giving the broken mess a long stare,he freed her. "I am so sorry." Her small voice was filled with sincerity.
"I'd appreciate it if you don't come to my cottage and it'll be best if I don't know of your next meeting with Graham. Don't shame yourself." She nodded,walked towards his rocking chair to pick her diamond earrings.
A knock on the door stopped her hasty movements towards it. "Who's there?" A voice asked from outside. Loderigo. Archibald hid a small smirk as Eretria looked over to him in apprehension. Good thing was,the cottage door was locked so he could give her the option of escaping through the window,only if she agrees to being his mistress. Otherwise,he'd just go with the plan he shared with Rigo earlier. "Who's there!?" The barge on the door was louder now and by S'blood,Lockwood would make Rigo pay if he destroys it. The cottage was dilapidated enough.
"What're we going to do?" A pale Eretria asked as she paced around the room in fear. "This cottage contains just this room so I can't exactly hide as you go out first. What to do?" She was smart,he'd give her that.
"Be my mistress." He said it like it was the most casual thing ever. She scoffed.
"You may have had too many a drop,my lord." Despite the situation,she managed to smile.
"Not at all,milady. I'm giving you an option here. Be mine and I'd settle Graham."
"Do you view women as a sort of cloth in the market? Or a priced horse!? What makes you think you can buy me?"
"I won't touch you if you become my lady."
"Such lies are not new to the heart,my lord and if it weren't for the whole of Newmarket standing outside,I'd walk out on you without even much of a bow."
He forgot the arrogance for a second and focused on another phrase. "The whole of Newmarket?"
"Why,yes! Lord Loderigo threw a picnic on your land. Surely you were invited? Now,Newmarket's waiting for society next victim. Is there a place I could hide?" The previous conversation was forgotten and the fright from the situation came crashing again.
"We'd do what they expect."
"And taint my image? No,my Lord."
"I think your image has being tainted a long time ago." He accused and she shot him daggers with her eyes.
"Open up this instant or I break the door." Rigo said from the other side,voices joined and for a moment,Lockwood despised him. He was going contrary to plan. Why bring a crowd with him? He'll be tainting Eretria's image and his title.
"Its an honour being society's next victim."
"Don't,I beg of you,milord."
Her plea was cut halfway because he had no other choice but to open the door.