Check out Chapter 1, if you’re just joining us!
Shadows danced and bounced across the walls of the small room. Adell found herself mesmerised by them, watching as Mary’s shadow bobbed up and down.
Mary’s shadow stopped still for a moment. “Where you be?” she whispered.
Adell’s eyes snapped to meet Mary’s, who looked at her with a slight frown. Her grip on her legs, spread akimbo on the edge of the bed, slipped. She blinked, taken aback. “Why, I’m here with you.”
Mary’s eyes shifted to the wall where Adell’s gaze once was, then back to her. She raised her eyebrows and shifted her weight back on the wooden box she was using as a stool.
Adell smiled, pressing her hand to Mary’s cheek. “I’m here.”
Mary nodded and, holding her gaze, resumed her activities. This time, with the eye contact, Adell felt that familiar excitement. She soon found her breaths grew shallow, and her muscles began to tense. Mary nodded again, granting her permission. Adell gripped Mary’s coiled black hair and let go, waves of pleasure travelling across her body with each gasp.
Mary resurfaced and placed a soft kiss on Adell’s lips, smiling. The two women looked at each other for a moment, sharing an expression that was only reserved for each other. Then, a pang of guilt took Adell’s gaze back to the walls.
Mary continued to look at Adell. “You lay down with him?”
Adell sighed and spun her body round into the bed, pulling the sheets up around her neck. “He is my husband.”
Mary remained on the stool, her bare chest exposed. She stared at the opposite wall in the small bedroom, not able to bring herself to look at Adell. “Me remember, every time you go home to him.”
Adell felt a flash of irritation and turned over to look up at Mary. “What would you have me do, Mary?”
Mary frowned, looking at her out of the corner of her eye. “Is here you choose to be.” When Adell did not answer, she finally looked at her. She paused, thinking about how to ask the question on the tip of her tongue. “You love him?”
Adell sat up, her face immediately softening. She placed a light, comforting hand on Mary’s arm. “I love you.”
Mary nodded, accepting the answer for now. “And I love you,” she said. She leaned in for a gentle kiss, then joined Adell in bed, lying on her side.
Adell wrapped her arm around Mary’s broad hips, pressing her body into her back. As she looked at Mary’s strong shoulders and smooth dark skin, she found her hand tracing her body. Over her hips to her solid biceps, to her shoulders, her neck, then back down to her hips - feeling the goosebumps on her exposed skin and the warmth radiating from her hips and neck. She waited until she heard the familiar sounds of a light snore before she turned over.
****
It was a late evening. The atmosphere was lively — left over energy from the festivities of Easter weekend. Men stood or sat at tables, talking amongst themselves and flirting with barmaids, who zipped through the crowd and giggled. The tall walls were covered with large paintings of noble men and small lamps, with deep crimson paint peeking through uncovered gaps. High ceilings with a gold trim made the room feel larger than it was. Sat by the crackling fireplace, in dark, quilted leather chairs, were Maxwell and three other men.
“I tell you, the colonies are a step above lawless! The women are utterly without restraint!” Leopold Edwards sat back in his chair, his full glass sloshing at the movement. “One here!” His eyes pointed to his crotch. “Another here and another here!” He gestured with his free hand, taking a swig from his glass. His face was red, both from the liquor and the excitement.
The other men at the low, round table looked away, making disapproving noises and shifting in their chairs.
Wilfred Watson tutted, hiding his amusement behind a handkerchief, which he used to dab away sweat on his temples. “Really, Leopold. When you left for the West Indies, I couldn’t have expected their uncouth ways to return with you.”
Leopold grinned but lowered his hand. “Good sir, I am remiss. It changes you, and it starts with the heat. The moment I stepped off the ship, the infernal heat surrounded me. I thought to tear off my coat, right there on the port! Decorum takes its leave in that heat.” A playful grin still on his face, he took another swig from his glass.
Cornelius Price leaned forward in his chair. “I hear word that’s not all you brought with you upon your return. You have taken a wife?”
“Indeed, good sir. A rare beauty, if I am permitted to boast.”
“Far be it from me to restrict a man’s pride.”
“Then I will continue as I have.”
Both men looked at each other, a boyish grin on each of their faces. Cornelius patted Leopold’s shoulder and took a sip from his own drink.
Wilfred cleared his throat. “And surely the lady is as agreeable as she is fair?”
“Forsooth! I have come across an angel in the land of beasts.”
Maxwell wasn’t paying attention. He laughed or tutted when he needed to, but his mind was otherwise preoccupied with Adell. He finished his drink and gestured to a barmaid for another. She returned with the drink, lingering to meet his eyes with a suggestive smile and batting of eyelashes. Maxwell nodded her away.
“I see that marriage hasn’t dulled the pull you have on the fairer sex,” Leopold said, raising his eyebrows.
Maxwell looked back to see all the group’s eyes were on him.
“And what of you, Maxwell? Any news from the Wright household?” Cornelius was still leaned forward in his chair, but his body pointed towards Maxwell now.
“None worthy of any report,” Maxwell said.
“None?” Cornelius traced the rim of his cup with his finger.
Maxwell shifted in his seat. “The lady requires a new horse,” he offered.
“Perhaps a stallion to match with her mare?” Leopold said.
Maxwell gave him a warning glance. “However she sees fit.”
Leopold met his look with a raised eyebrow. “Oho? The lady, she steers?”
Maxwell took a sip of his drink, choosing not to answer.
Leopold sat forward. “With a lady as fine as she, one would expect multiple heirs from the Wright household. You’d do well to remember that, my boy.”
“Good sir, I will not have you talk of my wife in that manner. I will also not be called a boy.”
“My good man.” Leopold hid his smile with his glass.
“I will be taking my leave, gentlemen. Good night.”
“Maxwell—” Wilfred half rose from his chair.
But Maxwell was already striding away from the table, coat sweeping behind him.