Free Haggard by Christopher Nicole

white underskirt, ballooning away from her hips on the panniers. Her fan was a matching blue and there was a carcanet of pearls at her neck. Only the powdered wig was missing from the ensemble of a lady of fashion; Emma's hair had been left loose to lie in a red stain on her neck and across her shoulders. She was the most beautiful sight any of them had ever seen.
    'Gentlemen,' Haggard said. 'Good of you to come. I'd have you meet Miss Emma Dearborn.'
    Willie Ferguson took her hand, and she gave him a brief smile. The last time she had seen him he had been rubbing pepper into her nipples. The last time she had seen Jonathan Gleason, immediately behind Ferguson, he had been holding her wrists above her head. But she allowed them each a smile and a squeeze of her hand.
    'Champagne, gentlemen. ’ Haggard said, gesturing James Middlesex forward. 'I feel like a new man. Perhaps I am a new man." He raised his glass. To Miss Dearborn, who has nursed me back to health.'
    The bookkeepers exchanged glances; after nearly killing you in the first place, their eyes said.
    'I shall be resuming the morning briefings, as from tomorrow, Willy,' Haggard said. 'And I shall make a tour of inspection as well. I am sure there is much to be seen. Are we ready for grinding?'
    'Indeed, John. You’l l find everything as you left it.'
    'I never doubted that, Willy. Shall we go in?'
    He gave Emma his arm, escorted her into the dining room. The overseers followed. Emma was seated at Haggard's right hand, with Willy Ferguson opposite. 'I would also like to propose a toast, ’ Willy said. To our new mistress.'
    The other bookkeepers rose, glasses high. Emma watched Haggard, a faint frown marking the white flesh between her eyes. And for a moment Haggard hesitated. Then he too rose. 'And very apt that is, Willy,' he said. To your new mistress, Emma Dearborn.'
    They still hate me,' she grumbled.
    Haggard held her closer. At last. After a fortnight of watching her and smelling her and touching her, he was well enough to love her. And she was willing. Her naked body squirmed on his, his hands were allowed to wander where they chose. But after all she was just humouring him.
    They will get used to you. Now forget about them. The only person in the entire world for you to worry about is me, and I am here in your arms.'
    He rolled her on her back, peered at her face in the gloom. He wanted to shout with sheer joy, that all this should be his, should be here and now, toes and knees, thighs and cunt, belly and breast, and now lips, pressed against him, his to possess over and over and over again, if he chose, if he was able.
    And able to love him back. Her tongue was as eager as his, and her hands sought his own buttocks. To have her touch him was as enjoyable as to touch her. Even Susan had been nothing like this. Susan. Roger. He had not thought of the boy for a fortnight.
    Her head moved away. 'What is wrong?'
    He rolled on his back. 'You've not yet met my son.'
    ‘I have,' she said, ‘I went along there while you were asleep, two days ago. He is a fine boy. A fine Haggard.'
    'Oh, Emma, Emma.' He brought her back on top of him. 'For a moment I . . .no, there is nothing wrong. Could you love me, Emma? After a beginning such as we have had?'
    'Could you love me, Mr. Haggard?'
    'I do. I had thought 1 could never love again, but no man could ever have been more wrong. Oh, I love you, Emma. Love you, love you, love you.'
    'Because you have not had a woman for too long. Will you love me when you are sated with me, Mr. Haggard?' 'Will you not become sated with me, Emma?' 'You are my life,' she said, seriously.
    'And you are mine, Emma. That will not change.' His turn to frown at her as she rolled away from him. 'Do you not believe that?'
    'I do not believe it is possible for two people to love each other, physically, the way we do, for a long period. Our fire is burning too brightly, Mr. Haggard. Too brightly to last.'
    'And when it is done, you will curse me to my