Ladies and Officers (open for one M)

[Lady_Mornington]

Ladies and Officers (Closed for Toumas and Me. Input welcome by PM)

William Coates was born in 1775 the son of tenant on the Mornington Estates in Essex. Raised to be a blacksmith like his father his life seemed to hold few surprises. Yet Fate moves in mysterious ways and in the year of our Lord 1780 two births were taking place on the Mornington Estate. The first being young Annie Coates, born in a humble cottage close to the smithy, the other being that of the Lady Josephine Mornington, in her Ladyships bedchamber.

As fate weaves her threads, her ladyship succumed in bringing the child into this world whereas the sturdy Sally Coates, who already had four children survived and was blessed with yet another child. As it happend His Lordship got word of this and enlisted Sally Coates to act as wetnurse for his young offspring.

Lady Josephine grew up to become the sparkling diamond in Lord Morningtons world and filled with gratitude towards the Coates, Sally was offered a position in the kitchens as well as acting the ever-present surrogate mother to her ladyship. Thusly William came to spend time with her, teaching her how to ride and she in turn devoted time end effort teaching him how to read and write. But such a liason was not meant to be and as William grew older his affection for the young noblewoman grew into love. Thus as he reached 22 birthday he declared his love for the now 16 year old aristocrat. Naturally it ended in disaster and William left the estate the same evening joining the Army and going off to fight in India.

Now it's 1807 and he has been called back to England to take part in the Expedition to Copenhagen. And he has not forgotten the young lady..

[Lady Mornington is now married to the Earl of Suffolk, a Tory Politician and considerably older than herself. She has done what is expected of a woman of her class and background namely marry and in time produce heirs to secure her husbands line]

[William on the other hand has suffered from ten years as a soldier. Not only is he scarred physically but mentally as well. The harsh discipline and the toils of warfare in hostile country has taken its toll. He is prone to violence yet effeciently so. A consummate killer and this has rewarded him a battlefield commission as a Brevet Lieutenant. Yet he is filled with contempt for his social betters. Despising the stale classbased society where a rich man may buy his commission although being incompetent where as the able commoner will never progress. The only exception is the Lady Suffolk nee Mornington whom he holds in high regard almost being a divine being in his mind. Yet having fought for so long he is not a pure knight in shining armour anylonger. He is used taking what we wants whether it be women, loot or drink...]

 

[Tuomas]

William Coates at age 32 was a very experienced officer of the British Army, and was largely refered to as "the old man", since most British soldiers were lucky to live past their 20th birthday.

Perhaps he would have been content to wander the far seas working for the East India Company and never retruning to The Isles. But, Napoleon was on the march, blockading Britain, and viciously attacking Russia. The King needed his able bodied men home, and Leftenant Coats, much as he despìsed the aristocracy, was a very disciplined soldier. He sailed home, braving the French fleet, and landing in London.

He was undecided if he should go home, or while the weeks before he was called up in the City. Ten years was a long time to be away from family, and the countryside. And Josephine.

So, he saddled his horse, put on his gallant uniform and set off to visit his home country. Riding up the Manor's lane, he wondered if anyone would remember him. At least there was his mother, who most likely was still in the kitchen.

The manor was splendidly kept, and looked beautiful. The curved marble steps up to the house -and then he rembered he would have to go through the servant's quarters in the back. He knashed his teeth silently, and set out to find a stableboy to put up his horse...

EDIT: t.e.n.n.a.n is censored?

 

[Lady_Mornington]

the Lady Suffolk had never forgotten William. Although she couldn't reciproacte the feelings he once felt for her, she still mourned the fact that he had gone to become a soldier. She imagined that he must be dead by now buried at a far-away battlefield like Seringapatam or Assaye. Yet a part of her hoped that he would have survived, although his prospects were rather pitiful. A son of a commoner would at best become a sergeant and most often the soldiers succumed to drink, the fever or the pox. In truth The Lady Suffolk did not rate his chances to be very promising. Yet she felt her responsibility to act reassuring whenever she ran across old Sally Coates.

Then one day to her utter surprise Sally handed her a letter. "I cannot read your grace but it is from my William. He's coming home!"

He's coming here...to what end? The Lady Suffolk tried examining his motives but to no avail. She feared he might still cling to the childish idea of loving her..and she foresaw disaster.

Still she readied herself should he show up and secretly she was looking forward to see him again. Sally had told her how her son had become a proper gentleman and an officer with obvious pride in her voice. The Lady Suffolk smiled yet she knew that William would hardly qualify as a gentleman. Knowing that men who came up from the ranks where equally despised by the officers and men alike.

Then came the call she had dreaded...that he was actually coming....

 

[Tuomas]

"Boy!" William shouted as he ducked into the gloom of the stable. There was a scuffling in the loft above his head, some hurried footsteps on the planks, and young lad tumbled down the ladder covered in hay. He landed with a shower of straws on the cobbles, trying to set himself straight before looking up at the soldier.

William scrutinized the boy for any resemblance to his own features, less he kick around his own brother -or nephiew. But the boy did not bely any of his traits, so he scowled at him,

"Some hand you are, having guests see to their own horses."

"I'm sorry, sir," the boy responded, before timidly reaching for the horse's reins.

William snatched them away. "This is no common draft, boy! He has killed more men than you can count, so have a kind hand to him." The officer grinned apreciatively as the stableboy stared up with wide eyes at the hight of his Lipizzaner stallion, then he tossed him the reins and walked back out into the sunshine. Pushing the boy around had lifted his mood a bit, so he was not particularlly annoyed as he aproached the kitchen door.

There was a din of crockery being washed as he pushed the door open and peered into the gloom. Some vegetables were strewn about the wooden tables, a large fire burned in the range, and cured animal sides hung from the beams. An old woman sat near the fire, while two young girls busied themselves about the large stone sink.

As William's eyes adjusted to the darkness, he called out, "I am looking for Sally Coates."

The room went quiet as the two girls realized he was there. They turned to look at the dark silhouette in the door, before turning to the old woman sitting at the chair. She just sat staring...

"William?" she finnally managed to whisper.

William took a step back in shock, seeing the change in his mother. Her hair was gray, and she had a gap in her teeth. She sat stooped over, as if drawn down by the wieght of endless years of labour. He did not want to recognize her, still with the image of his youth. But, when she stood up and took some faltering steps towards him, he was drawn towards her. He embraced her frail body, as she burst into tears on his shoulder.

After their emotional encounter, he sat down to listen to his mother tell him all about what happened while he was gone. He learned that the girls by the sink where his nieces, and they timmidly came up to shake his hand. He was given a cup of tea, and lots of bread, while his mother fussed over him, and insisted on anyone coming through the kitchen stay and talk to him. William, however, made sure he told the least about his travels as possible. Not only because many of the unpleasantries he had been through would upset his mother, but because he had learned the hard way that too much information was not a good thing.

After a while, his mother suggested he go talk to the Master, and seek permission to stay with his family. His mother insisted that he would be thrilled to have such a gallant traveler, and soldier who had rendered service to the Crown. But, William knew that would bring him into contact with Josephine, and he was still wary of what that might entail.

It was with no little trepidation that he set off to the Upstairs to talk with Lord Mornington, and insisted on going alone. As he climbed through the clean house, and decorated rooms, he was wondering what the future would have in store for him...

 

[Lady_Mornington]

The Lady Suffolk was sitting in the drawing room trying to read one of the books His Lordship had requested her to read. "A guidance for the young Noble Lady in rearing a Household". She sighed and put the volume down. Of course she loved Gerald, he was a considerate husband, yet sometimes he seemed too interested in his political career. Lady Suffolk closed her eyes as a surge of pain went through her slender body. Knowing that Gerald reprimanded her for her inability to conceive an heir. She was 27 and she had yet to give birth.

Standing up she walked over to the bookcase browsing the spines for something that might take her mind of things when she was suddenly interrupted by the polite cough of a footman. She turned around meeting his gaze.

"I am sorry to interrupt Your Grace but it seems there is a gentleman of military persuasion in the kitchens. I surmise, Your Grace, that the Gentleman in question is related to Mrs Coates. I was wondering how to address this issue Your Grace?"

Lady Suffolks mind raced. Protocoll did not exactly demand that he receive him in the manour proper, yet she felt compelled as a service to dear old Sally to do so. Twisting a hankerchief in her slender finely manicured hands she turned to the footman again.

"Is he an officer?"

"Yes Your Grace one of the 33:d of Foot and a lieutenant as far as I understand it"

"That's Arthur's regiment is it not?" She mouthed the question more to herself than directed at the footman. Arthur being Colonel sir Arthur Wellesley, a distant relative to the Lady Suffolk. The footman not knowing what to respond elected to remain silent.

Her Ladyship turned to look out the window then turning around. "Surely I must receive him. Have some port and cheese sent for. I'm sure he will be famished"

Turning around she prepared herself to meet William again

 

[Tuomas]

Standing in the hall, William saw the footman coming back down the stairs. The surroundings were a bit surreal to him; his old habits from childhood trying to creep into his head and override his later education in the field. He steadied himself by drawing in a deep breath by his nose and fixing the footman with his best Sargent-Master's eye.

The footman visibly wilted, and before fixing his eyes on the floor and announcing, "The Lady Suffolk will see you now." William paused deliberately, making sure the footman got the idea he was not so familiar as to find his own way about the manor. "Follow me, if you please, sir," the footman finally admitted, and William stamped up the stairs. A outside of authority was a good way to keep the inner turmoil at bay.

The page knocked gently at a large door, and opened it announcing, "Lieutenant Coates, Your Grace." Then he bowed as William sauntered into the room, then closed the door leaving the officer alone with the Mistress of the house.

"My Lady Suffolk," Willam said clearly, and bowed crisply, right foot extended, hat over his stockings. "Thank you for recieving me."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

The Lady Suffolk stared in disbelief for a second as the footman announced William. Instead of the lanky youth she remembered stood an man and one of very good bearings she shamefully acknowledged.

His face that had once been open and displayed soft features was now weathered and there was a scar on his forhead. The hair once blonde had darkened and was now a darker shade of brown. Yet the eyes was the part that had changed the most. William had the most honest and open blue eyes yet the ones meeting her gaze was piercing. Instead of communicating openness the signalled distrust and sarcasm. His general stance was one of fight or flight where the latter was already out of the question. His hands showing numerous scars now idly placed along the seams of his white breeches and the muscular upper body clad in the scarlett tunic of Britains army.

She inhaled deeply before addressing him

"Mister Coates, how good of you to call"

 

[Tuomas]

William was noting how much Joseph- Lady Suffolk had changed over the years. She was fully grown, and had the air of a woman acustomed to having servants do her bidding. But, such changes had done nothing to diminish her beauty, even magnified in William's platonic recolections. Her face was unscrutable, and he longed to know what she was thinking.

He advanced a few steps 'till he stood in the middle of the room.

"I could do nothing but, m'Lady. The fine lines of the Manor, and your wonderful gardens are a most welcome sight after a long journey. I do hope I am not intruding?"

 

[Lady_Mornington]

The Lady Suffolk walked to meet him gracefully extending her hand to be kissed.

"I am convinced you must have led an interesting life Mr Coates and allow me to be the first to offer you my congratulations on your promotion"

She turned and gestured towards the settee.

"Do tell me did you receive your commission from Sir Arthur? He's a relative you know distant cousin twice removed but nonetheless". She shot him a radiant smile, her porcelain features framed by the brown ringlets of hair hair.

"Oh here I am just talking please Mr Coates, have a seat and do tell me about all the wonderful adventures you had"

Emerald eyes boring into his...

 

[Tuomas]

William dragged his eyes away from her perfect features and forced them to look into the esmeralds that recarded him from under her eyelashes.

"Thank you, m'Lady; you are most kind," he said sitting down on the settee.

"Actually, I have been lieutenant for quiet some time now, since the Mysore War four years ago. It was Lord Wellesley's brother, the Governor-General of India who gave me the commision. But, I shouldn't dare bore you with such trifles. Much has been happening here in Britain, and I'm sure a lot has changed in the Manor of much more importance than my small affairs thousands of miles away." He smiled back at her.

He leaned forward, letting a playful glint seep into his eyes, "Like, the Lord Suffolk, is he away? I understand he is an avid politician."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Flustered by the change of topic Her Ladyship turned her head and ringed the handbell

"I've asked for bread cheese and some port to be sent for. I hope that will be to you satisfaction Mr Coates". She smiled again the noncommittant smile of the aristocracy as she gracefully avoided any discussion of her husband.

Looking at Williams scarred and weathered face there was for a second a flicker in her emerald eyes betraying the pain she felt. The pain of not being able to love or be loved...

"Mysore" she tasted the name "That sounds like a beautiful place, pray tell me is it true that there are heathen priests in India who can charm snakes? I always found that most quaint" Her idle chit-chat did not for a second fool William that he had hit her weak spot.

"And how was his Lordship when you met him? It was years since I met either Richard or Arthur but I hope they are well. Arthur always struck me as such a nice boy.."

William had not spoken only nodded and offered polite smiles and Her Ladyship was thankfully saved by the maid bringing in a tray of cheese, bread and the requested port.

"Please Mr Coates do begin" She smiled again yet there was a harried expression to her porcelain features...

 

[Tuomas]

William politely took a glass of port, but he did not drink it. Cheese and bread was the fare of commoners, and he made a point of not touching them.

"Did he, now?" William leaned back in his chair, smiling at the knowledge he had gleaned from just one flicker in her eyes. "His Lordship is a Minister of Parliament, now, for the Isle of Wright, I believe. He is a very brave man, and a superb officer. I might have the honor of serving him again, soon, if this business with the French does not clear up."

"But," said, getting up and leaving his glass behind, only to stand closer to the woman under the pretext of gazing out the window. "Hopefully such matters won't come to disturb this tranquil valley."

He looked down at the Lady Suffolk sitting just a few inches away. "You mentioned snake-tamers. Yes, there are men who claim to charm snakes with a flute. But, they are hardly priests; more like street-performers. If you are interested in the heathen practices, maybe you would like to know about Kali, a goddess of the Mysore regions, whoes followers believe in eating other men. In fact," he continued "they regularly kidnap men, particularly boys, and carry them off to their temples to offer them as human sacrifices to her. One can only imagine what horrors the heathen goddess does to these poor souls."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Pretending not to hear the insolent tone in Williams voice, Her Ladyship picked up her glass and sipped the contents.

"Yes Arthur is a most dilligent young man although that ghastly man Pakenham did treat him rather badly. Not a gentleman at all" realising that instant she had said too much. After all William was a commoner and as such he should not hear anything that might taint the image of his commanding officer. Turning instead to the subject of the war with France she replied drily

"Surely a nation who is goverend by mere commoners could not present such a threat could it? I'm sure His Majesty's Army would stand victorious should our countries be pitted against eachother" Smiling again she continued "Well anyhow that is probably infringing on your area of expertise Mr Coates, and was there something wrong with the refreshments?"

She followed his gaze at the rolling hills of the English countryside visible through the high-arched windows of house.

"I heard you are being sent to Denmark Mr Coates. Surely the Danes have nothing to do with the French. As far as I understand it they are a neutral country and surely we are a civilized nation not aiming to force them onto our side?" Once again she silently cursed herself, knowing that the snippets of information was probably classified and she had only overheard her husband discuss these matters with some fellow politicians. Yet she thought to herself, that was as good a way as any to punish Gerald for his treatment of her.

"And Mister Coates I'm sure I don't want to hear anything about such horrible acts" she drew herself up to her full height but still found herself having to look up to meet his gaze.

"The Indians seem to be a race of savages and I dearly hope we can render them slightly civilized. I will not suffer to hear anything more about such awful business. Surely no Englishman would stoop as low as finding that interesting"

Her outburst not so much about the mention of Kali but rather the way William had moved closer to her, placing her in a very akward situation. And yet a small part of her relished the proxemity to his body...

 

[Tuomas]

William smiled at her outburst.

"You have a healthy disdain for the barbarians, m'Lady," he commented, his eyes twinkling. "Savages, you call the Indians, but I'm sure you are an avid drinker of their tea in the afternoon. Maybe you wouldn't suffer to hear anything more of the subject, but that's because you have plenty of commoners you may have suffer in your place." He could feel his pulse building, and his body tightening with anger. The man who could control himself so well in the heat of battle, being ruffled in a drawing room by a woman. It only made him angrier. "Maybe," he persued, "a Lady of your standing would remind her husband not to let valuable information slip through common conversation."

The woman was upsetting him. Half of him just wanted to seize her, while the other half hated her haughty smugness.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

"Mister Coates! For Shame!"

The Lady Suffolk was absolutely shocked by William's outburst and she felt her cheeks colour with seeping rage.

"I did not think you of all people would fall so low as to label me a, a tyrant! Sir you are being most rude and I shall not suffer to hear anymore of that kind"

She tapped her small feet as she spoke, her hands balled into fists as she stared haughtily at William.

"I also implore you Mr Coates to remember the many kindnesses my father bestowed on your family. I have honoured that agreement and when your father passed away we did pay for his funeral. But of course you know nothing of that since you are too busy taking part in heathen rituals in India"

She paced down the room then turning eyes flashing with venom

"You never even bothered to write to your mother. Poor Sally thought you were long since dead and buried! Pray tell me who do you think you are showing up like Jack-In-The-Box strutting around pretending to be an officer?"

She inhaled deeply and then lashed out again. Rage that had been bottled up for so many years finally finding an outlet

"And I think it preposterous that a mere lieutanant should advise His Lordship regarding whom he confides in"

Breathing heavily she glared at William

"I believe you have overstayed your welcome Mister Coates. I kindly ask you to leave"

Cheeks burning red and her emerald eyes flashing The Lady Suffolk stood her ground watching William intently

 

[Tuomas]

William burst out laughing.

Not that he found her offended flouncing about funny, but that did seem to be the last thing she would expect. He walked up to her, his riding boots ringing on the carpet, and stood tall over her.

"Well, maybe I should take that up with his Lordship." He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, assuming he was here and not away to London as usual." He grinned at her. "A man shouldn't leave such a beautiful woman all alone, so far away." His smile turned to a leer as he leaned in closer. "You never know who might show up in like a Jack-in-the-Box." The smell rising from her body was intoxicating, and his years of supressed desire were welling up to engulf him. Reason was far gone, but fortunately his millitary instincts were still alive, putting him between her and the way out.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

"Mister Coates"

The Lady Suffolks voice a mere whisper now finding herself trapped, his body between herself and the door. Then steadying herself she drew breath and lashed out

"You are not a gentleman, in fact I find you as brutish as any Indian cannibal. I will not ask you again to quit this house"

Her heart racing, she smelled the faint trace of gin on his breath where he stood, towering abover her.

"And His Lordship is surely going to hear about that. He will have you sent back into to the ranks or thrown in the Fleet!"

She moved slowly sideways aiming to find a way to escape his threatening presence

 

[Tuomas]

He put an arm on the door trapping her from slipping out sideways, then leaned in real close to her, his nose barely touching hers.

"Will he, now?" He chuckled, a deep rumbling in his chest. "Maybe whatever I did to come up from the ranks will keep me from the fleet. Afterall, you have no idea how I got to be a Lieutenant, do you?"

He leaned in even closer, his lips just brushing against hers, and whispered, "His Lordship is too far away to help you now." He pushed in and kissed her on the lips, pressing her head and body back against the door, pinning her.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

His chafed lips tasting of gin and tobacco brushed at hers making her cringe, then in a valiant effort her small fists slammed against the scarlet tunic. Kicking her feet at his shins, ironically a move learned so many years before from William, she tried defending herself.

Turning her head, face flush with colour and tears of rage in the corners of her emerald eyes she spoke with utter contempt

"I hate you!"

Keeping her head turned she tried to avoid his kisses still hitting his chest with small fists

"I hate you, I hate you I hate you!"

repeated again and again....

 

[Tuomas]

William's scarred visage was abundant testimony to how little he cared for the Lady's puny efforts. Like a wolf crazed by the taste of blood, was driven on the taste of her mouth, and he had to have more. He grabbed her wrists and slammed them against the door before holding them above her head with one hand. With his free hand, he trapped her face, and leaned in to kiss her again.

He could feel her breasts through the fabric of her dress, pressed against his chest, and was reminded of just how long it had been since he had been with a woman. His desire was redoubled, and he kissed her harder.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

The Lady Suffolk gave a small scream as William pinned her hands above her head. Roughly slamming her delicate hands against the hard surface of the door, then his mouth covered hers. She bit her lips clenching them shut yet his coarse tongue pryed them open, entering her mouth.

She kicked at his shins and even attempting to kneel him, valiantly tryinig to safeguard her virtue from this brute of a man. Glaring with utter contempt into his eyes as his hand fixed her chin; then leering he fondled her left breast, his lips still covering hers.

Her mind racing, on the one hand there was the disgust being handled like some cheap whore, but also the almost subconcious relief that he desired her body. She could not surpress a small moan yet she did not submit...

"I shall enjoy watching you hang!" she managed to spit the words out as he once again pushed her slender body against the door, covering her moist lips with his

 

[Tuomas]

William pulled back and leered at the disheveled lady. "You taste as good as you look," he growled.

He pulled the woman forward, tripping her over his knee and throwing her to the ground. Before she could recover, he fell on her and expertly twisted her over on to her back, pinning her arms beneath her. He paused a second to gaze into her eyes and watch her reaction, as he twisted his fingers in the fine laces of her bodice then ripped it wide open.

With his eyes still fixed on her face, took her breasts in his rough hands and rolled them around.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Lady Suffolk bit her lips as William roughly squeezed her breast. The pain surging through her body and she felt tears of rage running down her porcelain features. Yet somewhere deep inside her there was a tingle, as his coarse hands fondled her naked bosom. Shamefully she found herself breathing heavier as he ripped the bodice open revealing her upper body to his hungry eyes

"I shall enjoy seeing you hang you bastard!" She screamed now, her voice shrilll. "I shall laugh when the hangman breaks your neck" tears flowing down her cheeks as she tried to defend herself, biting his coarse hand, sinking her perfect teeth into the flesh, tasting the metallic tingle of blood.

She tried kicking him, kneeling him fighting with every means availible, yet there was a strange feeling being subjected to this, the knowledge that he wanted her, that he found her desireable

 

[Tuomas]

William pulled his hand out reach from her mouth.

"No biting!" he yelled at her, and squeezed her breast harder with his other hand. "Proper young ladies don't bite," he mocked her.

He leaned down, covering her body with his, and pushed his knee between her legs, opening her thighs under her dress. Pressing his hips against her, he forced her legs apart so she couldn't kick at him anymore, and ground his now engorged member against her. An evil glint crept into his eye, as he made sure she realized what was coming next...

 

[Lady_Mornington]

She glared at him a look of pure hatred that for a second made him flinch. There was after all more to William than the scarred soldier although he had worked hard denying that particular part of himself.

Lady Suffolk gritted her teeth as his palm connected with her exposed breast and as his knee was rammed roughly in between her legs she couldn't help herself but to cry out in pain and fright.

Twisting like a worm on the hook she managed to turn her upper body around revealing her back to William's gaze and the sight meeting him made him lose focus for a second.

Across the Lady Suffolk's milky white back ran a score of criss-crossing red welts, grossly distorting the image of perfection that she otherwise presented...