Lessons of Love Read online

  One hand held the reins while the other found a stiff nipple. "I see your sweet little body is still feeling the effects of my earlier administrations my dear. I can assure you that we will continue with those games the moment I have you married and in our wedding bed. It will be a delight to tame you my love." Cole brushed his knuckles over her sensitive nipples quickly back and forth until he forced a moan of pleasure from deep inside her.

  Jolie blushed crimson as they rode towards the plantation house. There were several slaves about and she knew she looked practically naked in her wet chemise even with the Monsieur's shirt around her shoulders. Her bare legs stuck out from under the hem and she bowed her head in shame. The shocked gasp of one of the house girls made her cheeks flame scarlet. One of the slaves came forward to take his horse as Cole dismounted and reached for Jolie. All attention was on them. The question of why Miss Jolie was bound and near naked shone in their eyes, but the slaves did nothing to interfere. Hank was a hard man who punished his slaves frequently and fiercely. It paid to mind one's own business.

  He carried her into her stepfather's study and dropped her in the large horsehair chair. It prickled her bare legs and she shifted uncomfortably as she glared at Cole with hate and disdain. "Now we'll just sit and wait for Hank to come home. I don't think you'll be putting on such airs this evening love. Passion will replace hatred in those beautiful eyes." The sound of an approaching carriage could be heard as he was finishing his taunting words and Jolie gave a little squeak of fear. Could Hank be back so early? Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach when she heard his voice outside the window.

  "Well now aren't you the lucky one? Seems he's home already." Cole walked to the doorway of the study and called for Hank. He quickly told her stepfather what she had been up to in his absence and how he had saved her from being raped as the two of them entered the room. Hank slowly closed the door behind him and walked to the chair in which Jolie had been dropped.

  "Father…"

  "Shut your mouth you little harlot. Look at you. I can see right through your shift. That sinful hair of yours is flowing down your back, just begging a man to wrap his fingers in it, and your breasts are practically spilling out. Any man who came upon you at the stream would have thought you were asking to be taken. Your wicked enticing body could have made even a gentleman sin seeing you like this. You should thank the Lord that Monsieur Jameson has restraint, and came along to rescue you before you were molested."

  "Father please, it was so hot…I just wanted to cool off. And he didn't rescue me! He bound my hands and tried…"

  "Silence young lady! You will speak when asked to. Now I have to figure out a way to keep your reputation from being ruined. No decent man wants a wife who's been touched by another." Jolie's cheeks flamed scarlet and her green eyes shone bright with tears as Hank raked his gaze over her almost naked body. The wet shift stuck to her skin and was almost transparent. It squeezed her breasts, making the tops of the soft white mounds rise over the neckline. And her hair, Hank hated it but there wasn't much she could do with her hair. It was a mass of golden locks that flowed down to her waist, and refused to be tamed. Hank said it enticed men. It seemed to Jolie that everything about her enticed sin in the eyes of her stepfather.

  Cole thought the scene before him was playing out perfectly. It was going just as he'd hoped it would. The wench would be his by nightfall. "Sir, I can explain why she is still bound and unclothed. Your daughter was in such a panic when I got to her that I was afraid she'd fight me even though I had the best intentions. It was clear that she was almost hysterical from her ordeal. I worried she would fall from my horse if I cut her bindings and I couldn't set her free to get dressed without fearing she would run away right into the hands of the bastard who tried to rape her."

  "Father, please! No! He's lying. He bound me. He's the one who almost … I mean…" Jolie blushed again. How could she speak of such things in front of these men? Her heart ached for her mother's guidance. "Please father, please believe me. I only wanted to cool myself. I was alone until he came."

  "I told you to be silent girl. Save your pleading. What's done is done. You shall have to suffer the consequences. Go to your room. I have a proposition for Monsieur Jameson which I hope will salvage the shreds of your reputation."

  Hank unbound Jolie and stood her up. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood before the two men, head down in shame. Cole shook his head in mock pity and turned from the delectable sight Jolie made in her sheer chemise.

  "There is one thing I must know girl, and you better tell me the truth. Are you pure? Have you lain with a man? Been accosted before by the stream? Perhaps you were waiting for a lover."

  Jolie's head shot up in horror. "No father! Of course not."

  "You're pure?"

  "Yes father."

  "Very well, I couldn't make my proposition to Monsieur Jameson in good conscience if you had already been damaged. Go to your room. Annie will be up with a bath. Wash the river mud off of yourself. If Monsieur Jameson agrees to my proposition, you shall be married before the day is out."

  Jolie gasped. He really was going to force her to marry this despicable man. Jolie opened her mouth to protest but Cole spoke before she had the chance. "Hank from your words I gather you are going to offer me your daughter's hand in marriage. I can tell you right now before hearing your terms that I would be willing to do just that. She is lovely and comes from a very esteemed family. As you are aware I am new here and in need of a little respectability at the moment. It matters naught to me that she was almost accosted. She claims her virtue is intact and that is good enough for me. There will be evidence in the morning."

  Jolie made a little sound of horror and Hank turned on her, raising his hand to strike her. Cole caught his arm before he could deliver the blow. "Sir, if you don't mind, I would like to be the one who disciplines her from now on. She will be my responsibility, and I can assure you that I will keep her in line. A wife should bow to her husband’s every wish, and I will see that she does. Jolie do as your father has told you, and go to your room. It is not wise to anger me, sweet." Cole turned his back, dismissing her, and Jolie had to fight the urge to rake her nails down his back. How had things gone so wrong? What on earth was she going to do? She couldn't submit to this man.

  "Father, please I…"

  Cole snarled at her words and turned on her. He pulled her close to him in a split second. His face inches from hers as his hand in her hair forced her to tilt her head back. Cole wrapped his arm around her in a steely grip and Jolie gasped. He was squeezing the life out of her.

  "Listen well, my pet. You are never, ever, to disobey me. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" His hand moved from her hair to her chin as his cold cobalt eyes bore into her. Jolie's breath was labored and Cole had to fight the urge to rip her chemise down the front as her breasts strained against the fabric and pressed into his chest. Jolie trembled but held his stare with a defiant one of her own. Cole's nostrils flared as he held back his rage, and Jolie knew she was treading on dangerous ground. It wasn't wise to anger him, yet she couldn't force back the feelings of ire he instilled in her.

  "I asked you a question Jolie, and I won't repeat myself." The little hellion actually had the nerve to challenge him. How he would love to strip her down and punish her lovely bottom until it was crimson red and then take her right here on the floor until she was crying for more. That would show her who her master was. She needed to be taught some respect and that lesson would begin tonight. He would bend her to his will and enjoy every minute of.

  Doing the only thing that was wise Jolie nodded and brought her hands up to push against his broad chest. Straining at the tight hold he had on her. Cole growled deep in his throat but let her go. There would be time for games and lessons later. He turned back towards Hank, anxious to complete business with the man so a chaplain could be sent for. Jolie walked towards the door but paused in her tracks at Cole's next words. "I wish us to be wed
tonight. Is that all right with you Monsieur Dupree?"

  Jolie held her breath, waiting for Hank's response. Would her fate be sealed so soon? She'd hoped for a small reprieve or perhaps a chance at escape.

  "That's fine Monsieur Jameson. I will send for the chaplain at once. He should be here in no more than four hours."

  Jolie sighed and continued towards the grand staircase. Now there would be no time to form an escape plan. She was well and truly caught. By nightfall she would be wed to that monster, and Jolie had no doubt that he would punish her and molest her body again. The image of his cold blue eyes and the feel of his hands on her body made her shiver. She would soon be at Monsieur Jameson's mercy whether she liked it or not, and Jolie definitely did not like it!

  Two

  The hours before her nuptials passed far too quickly, as Jolie was prepared for her wedding. Her heart pounded with fear whenever she thought of being at the mercy of Monsieur Jameson. The slaves came with her bath and three girls attended her, working tirelessly to arrange her hair, bathe her skin, and ready her for her husband's pleasures. They washed her hair and massaged her body with perfumed oils, making her skin soft and sweet, rubbing her all the way up her thighs, reminding her of Coles touch, making her blush. They whispered and giggled about a husband's desires and a wife's duties in the marriage bed. They spoke of how handsome Monsieur Jameson was and how lucky Jolie was to be marrying such a strong and virile man, but Jolie didn't feel lucky, she felt trapped.

  Her heart ached again for her mother. She felt so lost, so alone, so very vulnerable. A white satin dress was brought up, as were silken undergarments. All the trappings for what should have been a very happy day. Other slaves packed her clothing into trunks while she was being readied for her farce of a marriage. A beehive of activity went on around her, but she was numb from the shock of it all and sat like a puppet whilst all the commotion carried on. Then, as she sat, she heard Cole's carriage when he returned, and forced images of the imposing man from her frightened mind in order to keep herself sane. She was angry and terrified at the same time, but knew becoming hysterical wouldn’t help matters at all.

  The ceremony was short and sweet, containing the usual vows of obedience and submission, on her part of course. The words were heavy in her throat but she forced them out. Jolie knew she really had no choice. A young woman alone wouldn't last long in this world. The man to whom she would now belong was a beast plain and simple, and Jolie knew it, but perhaps in time she could settle into her new life. It would be best to try and please him for now. She was legally bound to him and he could beat her to his heart’s content if she incited his anger. At least he was handsome and young. Some of her friends had been married off to old widowers. She couldn't imagine having some of their husbands touching her with their withered old hands the way Cole had touched her today at the stream. Thoughts of the stream led to thoughts of squirming in his arms as he ran his hands freely over her body, and made the color rise in her cheeks once more, and damn if that beast of a man wasn’t quick to notice. Cole caught her eye and winked much to her dismay, though she looked away as quickly as she could, then shocked her with his crude words.

  "Getting anxious my dear? We'll be heading home soon." He reached around her small waist and pulled her close to him, growling in her ear for a moment, pressing his lips to her neck before he led her to the small gathering of people on the porch. There hadn't been time to plan a gala event and it was just as well. Jolie couldn't imagine having to celebrate her marriage to this beast of a man. She simply kept her mouth shut and turned away from him at his question and roving mouth, not giving him the satisfaction of an answer.

  "We will be taking our leave now, Hank. Thank you for giving me the honor of your daughter's hand in marriage. I promise to treat her well." Jolie's eyes narrowed at his words and he gave her a warning squeeze. "I shall bring her back for a visit after she has time to get settled into her new way of life. Say goodnight to your father, sweet."

  Jolie bit back the caustic words that were on the tip of her tongue. The man before her had sold her without batting an eye. The man whom she'd called father for most of her life stood waiting for her to speak, but warm wishes of goodbye weren't easy to come by. Once again Jolie felt the pressure of Cole's hand on her waist, warning her to behave.

  "Goodnight father. I wish you well." Hank stepped forward and kissed her cheek, making Jolie's stomach roll. As far as he was concerned he had saved her the embarrassment of being ruined and had gotten himself a wealthy son-in-law in the bargain. Hank was more than happy to bid goodbye to Jolie. She had been a weight around his neck since her mother died. Feeling her tense, Cole pulled her back and turned her towards the waiting carriage. In one swift move Cole scooped Jolie up and sat her inside then climbed up beside her, his hard thigh pressing into the folds of her gown. He gathered her close to his body, his knuckles brushing the side of her satin covered breast as his driver started the horses down the road to Cypress Glade Plantation.

  Jolie tried to scoot sideways, out of his tight grasp, and Cole wrenched her against him harshly. "You belong to me now Jolie, and I will do whatever I like where ever I like, do you understand?" Jolie stared at him with hard eyes but forced her body to relax. There was no sense in angering him. She was at his mercy and didn't care to be chastised in front of his driver. Jolie nodded her head and Cole brought his lips down on hers in a demanding kiss.

  His mouth was hot and hard as he forced her lips open with his silken tongue. It caressed the insides of her mouth, teasing and probing, battling with hers, slipping and sucking the breath from her lungs. Jolie tried to pull back, the heat rising up in her belly frightened her and she felt as if she would pass out from a lack of air, but Cole continued to kiss her unrelentingly. Jolie moaned and submitted as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. His hands traveled up and down, one working on the long row of buttons down her back, and the other pulling the pins from her hair until it tumbled down her back like a silken waterfall.

  His lips finally stopped their assault of her mouth and Jolie gasped for air only to expel it in a whoosh of surprise when they traveled along the neckline of her gown and nipped at her nipples through the pristine white satin. Cole found them to be hard and growled in satisfaction. The little witch could say what she wanted, but her body told the truth. She loved what he was doing to her. His kisses excited her as much as she excited him. His manhood responded to the soft little bottom squirming around in his lap and Cole pressed into her, smiling as she jumped in shock when she felt the evidence of his desire. She tried to scoot away but Cole held her fast. Never before had a woman stoked such intense need in him so quickly.

  "See how I desire you pet? Your body ignites a fire inside me and I'm going to have great pleasure quenching that fire with you in my bed tonight." Jolie made a squeak of fright and tried to push away but Cole's arm locked around her and his eyes took on a dangerous glint. "You have nothing to fear from me little one if you choose to obey. Just remember that I can give you great pain or pleasure. Your body belongs to me to do with as I wish. If you fight me or defy me I will be quick to punish you. Do I make myself clear?"

  Jolie's senses were on overload. Her body had an ember of heat building deep in her loins along with the cold tight knot of fear. His kisses made her ache for more but his hard maleness terrified her. She had no idea how he would quench the passion inside him as he spoke of her pain and pleasure. Her body told her to obey, to let herself be swept away in his arms and forget about her fears, but her mind wanted to know what was in store. It was the unknown that terrified her. That, and her body's response to this man who was almost a stranger, and an arrogant stranger at that. His domineering personality ruffled Jolie's pride. But, her mind argued, even if she fought him she couldn't stop him. That much was plain. She belonged to him now, body and soul.

  Cole grasped her chin gently but firmly. "When I ask you a question my sweet, I expect an answer. I won't always be thi
s indulgent with you Jolie. Do you believe me when I tell you that your body is mine now and that I shall punish you as I see fit for any wrong doing. I want you to understand that the choice is yours pet. Please me in all ways and you shall never feel my hand or my strap upon your sweet little bottom. Defy me and I shall tame your wild streak until you are begging me for forgiveness. Understand?"

  Jolie's lower lip trembled with rage and fear but she held his gaze. It was only a small sign of pride and strength but it would have to do. "Yes, Monsieur."

  "You may call me Cole, my sweet. We shall be getting to know each other very well after all. Now be a good girl and let me explore that deliciously sweet mouth of yours." Jolie surrendered to his demanding kisses, losing herself in the heat they stoked deep inside her. She forced the image of the driver from her mind as Cole's fingers teased her nipples and stroked her back in the darkness as they made their way to her new home.

  Cole reached down and gathered a handful of white satin in his fist, boldly raising the hem of her dress to stroke her thighs. He tweaked her nubbin and Jolie gasped and squirmed, wanting to push him away. She was mortified that the driver might see them but she managed to keep from slapping his hands down. Jolie believed Cole when he said he would punish her for disobedience. The dangerous glint in his eye when he was angered attested to his hot temper. She had no desire to feel his hand on her backside. Cole smiled at her submission, pleased that she was learning to obey him already. The long night lay before them and Cole planned to use every minute of it to get to know his little wife and bend her to his will.