Read Almost Persuaded: Miss Mary King for Free Online

shivering moan escaped her once again. What is happening?
Mr. Wickham is an officer. What is more, he is a gentleman. Surely
his intentions are honourable. Assured they were as good as betrothed,
she ignored her mind’s cautioning whispers and obeyed her body’s
fiery demands to surrender to the passions her lover’s roaming
hands induced. Elevated in his strong embrace, the hem of her black
bombazine gown now mysteriously gathered about her waist, she
allowed him to coax her body closer to his. The touch of his long,
possessive fingers commencing an exploration of her most intimate
parts flooded her core with waves of satisfaction—satiating a
hunger she never knew existed. Before she even knew what he was
about—what she was about—his hardness was pressed against her moist
softness, poised to sweep her beyond the threshold of
innocence.
    The faint
rattle of the door-handle pierced her bliss. Startled, she pulled
away—ever so slightly—just enough. “Did you hear a noise?”
    He lowered her
to the floor without surrendering her from his arms. His breath was
warm against her neckline, his voice thick with passion. “Pay no
attention. The house is empty save the two of us and the servants.
I secured the lock. No one will interrupt us.”
    He trailed
open-mouthed kisses along the soft skin of her neck. Her heart
fluttered as he lowered her bodice, exposing her. He brushed his
lips against her throbbing tips and commenced to adore her. His
ardent caresses and the pretty words whispered in between once
again commandeered her sensibilities.
    Another sound
compelled her to ease away, allowing enough space to cross her arms
over herself. “There it is again, Mr. Wickham. Perhaps—”
    He placed his
finger over her lips. “Trust me. There is no one there. Whoever it
was has gone away.”
    “I—”
    “You want
this. I want this. Let me do this—for us.” His soft, tantalising
whispers unleashed piercing tremors throughout her body. “We
mustn’t stop. I will be quick about this. Trust me.”
    Oh, how she trusted him! Trusted what was to come. Is this not the
fantasy of every woman who has ever been in love? She fought the urge
to berate herself for the unladylike thoughts she always suffered
in his presence of late. Never had she known such pleasures as
those he currently bestowed—his kisses so ardent and his touch so
searing. I
shall cherish the memory of this moment for all time.
    Just when he had reclaimed her in his eager embrace—her
moistness inviting his ardour, his hardness pressing forth to mark
her as his, sobriety awakened her. Awareness of her situation
overcame her. I cannot allow this—not now, not like this. We shall be
married soon enough. She eased herself away. She clenched her upper
thighs. “Sir, we must not—”
    The doors
crashed open, and light from the hallway flooded the room,
rendering further protests futile as Wickham jerked himself away.
In stormed her father, his eyes fiery with rage, brandishing a
large club.

Part 4 – Akin to
Regret
    Her ardour sufficiently doused, Mary made haste in
correcting her attire so she would not appear quite the spectacle
to her father. Wickham did likewise. That she was almost persuaded
to surrender her maidenhood outside the sanctity of marriage could
be of little doubt. Sensibility now fervently in control of desire,
she congratulated herself. Her innocence was not lost. His back
facing them, Wickham continued righting himself.
    The fierce
pounding of her heartbeat notwithstanding, Mary approached her
father with hopes of restraining his fury. “Papa, I beg your
forgiveness. This is not what it seems. Mr. Wickham and I are
enga—”
    He curled his
lips. “Silence, Mary! I will hear nothing from you.”
    “But,
Papa!”
    As soon as
Wickham turned, Mr. King swung his weapon for what would have been
a lethal blow had Wickham not cowered. Mary grabbed hold of her
father’s arm before he could swing again. Anne rushed into the
room. Her