A Fallen Woman. Nancy Carson

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       Chapter 6

      Content that he was about to enjoy some sensuality and tenderness at last, Benjamin was sitting on Maude Atkins’ bed in his long johns, undressing himself by the light of a spluttering candle, as he anticipated the warmth and smoothness of her body entwined with his.

      ‘So how was the wedding?’ Maude asked, as she pulled her chemise over her head, tousling her curls.

      ‘Can’t say I enjoyed it much, stuck with that Algie Stokes and his dull wife.’

      ‘I thought Algie Stokes’s wife was supposed to be a looker.’

      ‘Yes, I suppose she is a looker…in a plebeian sort of way. She’s still dull.’

      In the spartan bedroom of the small house he had provided stood a makeshift wardrobe, a dressing table bought second-hand, and an ottoman, on top of which was accruing assorted articles of Maude’s attire as she divested herself of it. The floor was bare boards apart from two small rugs – one each side of the bed – hand-podged by Maude herself from scraps of material. Even though the house was small, and not what he was used to, Benjamin felt comfortable in it, relieved to be with Maude where he could relax, indulge himself – and be wanted, especially after that wedding circus, peopled by clowns.

      ‘Aren’t you taking your socks off?’

      ‘What’s the point?’

      Maude meticulously folded her chemise and laid it on the ottoman that stood under the window, netted and curtained for privacy. ‘Did the groom seem happy?’

      ‘He seemed in good humour, now you mention it. So did his bride. But what he sees in her beats me.’ He stood up and downed his long johns.

      ‘Clarence knows her better than you do,’ Maude remarked logically, untying the waist ribbons of her drawers. ‘I expect he sees in her something you don’t.’

      ‘He must do. She’s agreeable company I admit, and said to be virtuous too. But being agreeable and virtuous won’t necessarily make a woman exciting.’

      ‘Time will tell.’ Maude stepped out of her drawers and stood tantalisingly naked on the opposite side of the bed as he turned to see her.

      As Benjamin stepped out of his long johns, she could see that he was already aroused.

      ‘Time will tell, I daresay,’ he agreed. ‘Let’s hope she keeps him happy.’ He pulled back the covers and sank into the bed.

      ‘So that he doesn’t feel inclined to pester Aurelia, you mean?’ Aware that this might be the start of a discussion which could delay and even inhibit lovemaking, she pulled back the bed covers on her side and slid into bed, snuggling up to him for the pleasure that his skin against hers afforded, as well as for warmth.

      He wrapped his arms around her, welcoming her smooth, warm body. However, this niggling concept, just reintroduced, was pressing in its significance. It diverted him. ‘You know, Maude,’ he said, suddenly more earnest, raising his head and propping himself up by his arm, ‘I don’t think Clarence Froggatt has been pestering Aurelia. I don’t think anything has gone on between them at all.’

      ‘Oh, come on, Ben,’ Maude protested. ‘You must be mistaken. Or you’re just naïve.’

      ‘No, I don’t reckon so. I watched them as they spoke to one another at the wedding. There seemed no guile there, you know what I mean? No hint whatsoever in the way they reacted to one another. There was nothing that makes me suspect something’s been going on. Oh, I know they were engaged once, but it’s obvious it’s all water under the bridge. They’re only on nodding terms these days.’

      ‘You surprise me,’ she remarked incredulously, and gave him a peck on the lips.

      ‘Why is it surprising?’ He let his hand run down her back, lingering at one fleshy cheek of her small backside, and then he pulled her to him. ‘However…’

      ‘However, what?’

      ‘It СКАЧАТЬ