My name echoed through the vast entry hall of the Presley Manor.

"Coming, Mrs Presley!". I gasped out of breath, entering her chamber while balancing a tray filled with her lunch.

"What took you so long?!". The old woman hissed. "You are slower than a tortoise!". She snapped at me as I placed the tray on the table next to her bed.

"Sorry Mrs Presley, Mr Presley asked that I clean his office. I was a little delayed by that". I explained.

"A little delayed you say?!. You are two minutes late with my lunch!. You only started working here today and you are already making mistakes!".

"Forgive me Mrs Presley. It shan't happen again". I apologized, handing her a folded napkin.

"Give it here, and get out!". She hissed, snatching the napkin from me.

"Thank you Mrs Presley". I nodded, and hurried out of there.

After my return to Castor three days ago, I had gone in search of a job but found none. I hoped that Mr Presley would give me back my former job as his secretary but he had already hired another. I had no money and no means of survival so when Mrs Presley offered to give me a job as her maid, I took it.

The old woman was a nag, just like her husband. They were both very irritating to work for but working for them was the only way to put food on my plate. Hurrying back to the kitchen, I was grateful that the chef had neatly packed Mr Presley's lunch on a serving tray for me in order to make my work easy. Thanking him, I lifted the tray and made my way to his office to deliver it.

Knocking on the door, I waited for his response before I pushed the door open and entered to find Mr Presley and his son Edwin in a heated conversation.

"No, no papa, I can not work for that man as his foreman. Do you not know what happened to Philp?". Edwin frowned.

"Philip was a different situation. I need you to work there so that it would be easy to get your sister wed to him. If you do a good job he will be happy with you and once you are there, Selby will have a reason to visit, I am certain your sister can handle it from there". Mr Presley explained.

"But papa, why would you want Selby wed to the duke. That man is dangerous-".

"I do not see why not?. He is a powerful and wealthy man and since he has no heir at his age, getting your sister wed to him will bring the duke title and his vast wealth into our family. Who knows, in the future, you can be duke of Castor". Mr Presley laughed triumphantly.

"Papa, what if Selby bares him a son?". Edwin sighed.

"Do not fret over that. I have already spoken to your sister. She knows well not to get herself pregnant while they are married".

Edwin suddenly turned to look at me and I cringed. His cold brown eyes glared at me, then he stood as if now realising I was in the room.

"Why are you just standing there you confounded fool!". He screamed. "Place the tray down and get out!".

"Sorry sir". I said, hurrying to place the tray down.

"Wait!". Mr Presley called out as I made my way to the door.

"Sir?". I turned slowly towards him.

"You may leave for the day. You are not needed anymore. Be here early tomorrow". He instructed.

"Yes sir. Thank you sir". I nodded and hurried out.

After everything I had heard, I was in a state of shock and did not know what to do with the information I had. Grabbing a small meal the chef had packed for me in the kitchen, I picked up my bag and headed home.

Upon reaching my home, I suddenly felt depressed. I admit the house I lived in with my brother was no mansion but it was lively and warm. Upon my return to Castor, I found the house ransacked and nearly empty. The chairs, bed, clothes almost everything had been stolen except for a few. Even the bedroom door had been taken away. I had to make do with a few clothes and a worn out mat. I prayed the week would end soon so I could buy a new mat to lay upon, with my weekly wage.

Entering the house, I placed my bag and food down and made my way to fetch some fire wood for the fireplace. Once I was done, I went to the nearby stream to fetch some water to bathe, then I ate my meal and went to sleep early.

*******

The morning sun caressed my face, nudging me gently awake. I groaned, sitting up and stretching a little. My body ached from having to sleep on the worn out mat. Standing to my feet, I made my way to the back of the house where I had my bath and got ready for work.

I was glad when I arrived and was told Mr Presley had left for Castor estate with his son. I had one less nagging employer to deal with today. Hurrying about my duties and cleaning up the house, I tried my best to get Mrs Presley everything she needed and asked for, on time.

Once I was done and left with a few times to rest before she summoned for me again, I made my way to the kitchen to my only friend in the house hold. The chef

"Have you heard?". He whispered as he handed me a plate of baked bacon.

"Heard what?". I asked absent mindedly because I was more focused on the bacon as I began to eat, I had not eaten since morning and it was already noon.

"The Earl of Milford is getting married tomorrow".

I nearly chocked on my bacon. "What?!. To whom?".

"You are not going to believe it but to his mistress and she is already full with child".

For some odd reason I felt happy for Master Franklin even though he had been unfair to me. I accept that I had helped Wendy to steal from him for my own selfish needs but the lie he told about me hurt me alot. I had not anticipated the duke's reaction though, when we arrived in Castor. He gave me my freedom. For a while I thought he was going to send his guards to my home that night to kill me but nothing of that sort happened. Today is the fourth day and I am yet to see or hear from him.

"That is great news. I wish them all the happiness". I stated dryly.

"That is not all". The chef tapped the table were he had been slicing some meat. "Miss Selby is arriving today. I am told her debute in London was a disaster". He laughed.

"Who is Miss Selby?". I asked confused just as I finished my bacon.

"Mr Presley's arrogant daughter. She is just as irritating as her father and mother!". He snorted.

"Do not forget her brother too". I added with a laugh.

"That is very true. Tis a wonder why I still work for them!". The chef laughed.

"Evangeline!". Mrs Presley all but shrieked out my name from her chamber.

I rolled my eyes. "Duty calls. Thanks for the bacon". I said to chef and hurried away to attend to Mrs Presley.

****

It was almost midnight and I was yet to return home. Mrs Presley had me dusting her daughter's bedroom before her arrival then after miss Selby arrived, I was made to attend to her. Now, I was in her chamber, unpacking her gowns and hanging them neatly in their place while Miss Selby slept. I yawned quietly, feeling tired and sleepy. I had two more trunks to unpack and I doubted of I would be able to return home at this unholy hour. Closing the cupboard, I made my way towards the fireplace in miss Selby's chamber and lay on the carpet with the promise of waking up early to finish my work before miss Selby awoke in the morning.

********

The loud shrieking of someone in distress had me nearly throwing myself into the now dead fireplace. I sat up to find miss Selby pointing at me screaming the house down. Before I could comprehend what was going on, Edwin burst into the room followed by her father and mother

"What is it Selby?". Edwin demanded angrily, not looking my way.

"Child, are you alright?. What is it?!". Her mother demanded.

"The maid". She gasped. "The low born.... She slept in my chamber. How could I have slept in the same chamber with a maid. Mama, papa, she has ruined me". She began to cry.

I gulped, standing to my feet as her parents and brother turned towards me, glaring at me.

"How dare you!. What are you doing sleeping in my daughter's chamber you little wench". Mrs Presley moved towards me and began to smack me with her hands

"Forgive me miss". I cowered away from her. I was tired and-".

"Oh shut up!". Edwin hissed at me, grabbing a fist full of my hair and shoving me out of the room.

I fell to floor and hit my head on the wall. Winching I stood to my feet with tears in my eyes.

"Papa, you have to dismiss her. I do not want her here. Find me another maid". Miss Selby whinnied.

"Yes, yes. I will do just that". I heard Mr Presley say as he walked out of her chamber. "Follow me, Evangeline". He said in a dry tone.

I nodded, wiping the tears off my face as I followed him into his office. Once we were there, I fell to my knees, taking hold of one of his legs and began to plead with him. My life depended on this job. No one was willing to give me a job after everything that had happened with my family and the duke. Should I loose this job, I will be doomed.

"Sir please. It will not happen again. Please. I did not mean to fall asleep in her chamber". I sniffed back tears.

"You have only been working here for two days yet you have caused a lot of trouble". He paused when Edwin walked in and took a seat in front of him

"Please ,Mr Presley, it shall not happen again. I really need this job".

"Then you should have thought of it before making yourself comfortable in my sister's chamber you low born!". Edwin hissed.

"I shall give you one more chance". Mr Presley said.

"Father?!". Edwin gritted through his teeth.

I gasped out in surprise. "Oh thank you sir. I promise to -".

"Quiet". He raised his hand to stop me. "I shall allow you to work here on condition that you stay clear of my daughter. She must not see you here. You come in early, do your work and leave. Is that understood?".

"Yes, yes, yes sir". I nodded letting out my breath.

"Father, this is-".

"Quiet Edwin". His father hushed him before turning looking at me again. "Go now and finish your duties". He waved me off.

I nodded and quickly left the room, closing the door behind me.

"Father, why did you let her stay?!". I gritted out in vexation. "The sight of that girl irritates me. And Selby does not wish for her to stay here!".

"I have my reasons". Father answered quietly. "Keeping that lass close is best for us".

"Why?. There are a lot of maids out there waiting to be employed".

"It is common knowledge here in Castor, that the duke has taken a liken to her, we need to monitor her activities with him, if we want this union between your sister and the duke to be successful".

"I understand father". I let out my breath. "But I wonder what the duke sees in a lass such as her. She is a low born is she not?". The girl was not even striking beautiful. I commented to myself.

"Surely. However, it is understandable that Evangeline is beautiful and every man would take a liken to her". Father said boldly.

"Not every man father". I frowned. "I do not see anything appealing about such a plain lass with no title or class". I confessed.

"Mmmm, perhaps she has no title but you gave to admit she is beautiful and her innocence is alluring". Father hummed.

"Do not tell me you fancy her papa". I glared at him.

"No no not at all". He chuckled softly. "Come now, we have a wedding to attend in Milford". He stood to his feet.

I stood too. "Ah yes. The Earl's wedding. Will Selby be attending?". I asked as I followed him out of the office.

"Yes. We shall go with her. The duke will be in attendance and I wish to make today their first meet".

The ceremony had been short but pleasant. However, the awkwardness between my son and I, was what drove me to leave Milford early instead of staying to party with them.

When I received the letter the night before, I was surprised to see it was an invite to Franklin's wedding. I kept wondering what the rush was until I say the bride. She was pregnant and Franklin intended not to have his child born out of wedlock. It was a good decision he made and I was proud of him. I know I should have stayed longer, to get to know my new daughter in-law but I felt out of place. Moreover, I was anxious to return home after Franklin had told me the truth regarding him and Evangeline.

He had never bedded her neither had any other titled man in Milford. This gladdened my heart and all I wanted to do was to return to Castor and see my Evangeline. Hissing at how slow the carriage was going, I wished I could take over the reigns and ride quickly to her home.

Soon we reached her home, bringing the carriage to a stop in front of the dilapidated house. The building looked as though it would fall should the wind blow in its direction. I got out of the carriage and made my way towards the front door. I was about about to knock on it when I realized it was unlocked. Pushing it open gently, I entered.

Despite the lack of interior, the house looked clean. I took slowly steps further into the house, observing my surroundings and wondering how she kept warm at night in such a place.

The sound of water splashing had me moving towards the sound. I ended up behind the house, a few feet away from me, Evangeline was in a wooden shed, taking her bath as she splashed water on her body. The wooden shed had holes in it and I could catch a glimpse of her delicious body as she washed soap off her body. I groaned as my body began to heat up only realising now, how much I miss her.

I moved towards where she was, careful not to startle her while I stood and watched her finish her bath. She grabbed a cloth, pulling it to cover up her nakedness then she pushed the wooden door open and stepped out.

She gasped, stumbling backwards when she saw me. Her eyes were wide as saucers and her mouth hang in disbelief.

"Your grace?". She stuttered and gulped at the same time.

"I need to speak with you". I confessed.

"You could have waited until I was done bathing, instead of spying on me!". She snapped at me.

"I saw nothing I have not seen or touched before even though I have to admit it took my breath away". I confessed smugly.

Her pale face flashed with colour as she blushed at my words. "You gave me my freedom". She reminded me.

"Yes I did". I nodded. "And I do not regret it. I only-". I stopped when I saw her shiver. She was cold. "We should go inside and talk. The night air us chilly". I suggested.

"Yes". She nodded, walking past me into the house. I followed closely behind her, tempted to touch her. "Please excuse me". She said, once we were inside the house, then she headed to another room, shutting the door.

While she was in the room, I made a mental note to have someone come over and fix the place up in the morning. Tis was unsafe for her to live in this manner. The house needed a lot of work done on it but I was certain it would be worth it. Before I could make any further plans, Evangeline emerged from the room in a simple white night dress.

The dress was long enough to cover her knees and it hang freely around her body. Her nipple however stood erect against the cotton fabric and I itched to touch them.

"If I did not know any better, I would think you are trying to seduce me Evangeline". I groaned, intentionally moving closer to her.

She blinked several times unable to speak. Then she wrapped her hands around her body, stepping away from me. "I have no intentions of doing that your grace". She responded dryly.

"Mmm...". I nodded, closing the gab between us. I inhaled her familiar scent, brushing my fingers through her semi wet hair. "I miss you Evangeline". I grunted, wrapping one arm around her waist and pulling her against my chest.

"Your grace. Please, this is inappropriate". She whispered, even though her body inched closer to mine on its own accord.

"I know you want me as much as I want you Evangeline". I licked the side of her neck, wishing we had no clothing between us.

"Your grace I..". She started to speak but trailed off.

I looked at her. Waiting for her to finish her statement. Her beautiful green eyes held a mixture of emotions as her mouth hung open invitingly. Before she could blink, I plunged my tongue into her mouth tasting her warmth immediately. I welcomed it, deepening the kiss as I held her against my body gently but firmly so she would not escape. She resisted the kiss for a while before finally giving in. Her tongue danced in sinic to mine. I moaned in her mouth, wanting more. She moved her hands to my back, gripping at my shirt while I moved my lips to nibble at her neck. I moved one hand to one of her hardened nipples and pinched at it gently. Evangeline moaned, throwing her head back in a way that we both stumbled backwards.

I held on to her, unwilling to let go, while lifting her to place her on a mat in the room she had just exited. I quickly lay next to her, lifting her night dress to reveal the white cotton brief she had on. I pushed the dress up further until her full creamy breasts were exposed to me, then I connected my lips to one of them, causing her to shiver and arch towards me.

I sucked at her breast, caressing her thighs and enjoying the feel of her body against mine. My cock throbbed with urgency at the neglect as I continued to shower attention on her breast and thigh. I moved my hand towards her inner thigh, stopping at her entrance before lazily brushing my thumb against her covered cunt. I groaned, feeling how soaked her briefs was. She was glistening.

"I knew you wanted this". I teased, capturing her lips in a hard kiss. I began to pull down her briefs, leaving it at her knees and then returning to play at her entrance. I rubbed my thumb against her soaking wet cunt, grinding my lower waist against the side of her thigh. I moved a finger inside her and she moaned, pushing herself down for more so I added another, barely able to move two fingers within her.

I poked her gently, thrusting in and out of her cunt while her juices soaked my fingers. I loved the sound of her voice as it filled the room. Desperate, pleading, and aroused. Unable to ignore the throbbing pain between my legs, I retrieved my fingers from her cunt and she whimpered, her closed eyes fluttering open to reveal dark green eyes in place or the bright green ones I was used it. It made my heart flutter that she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I relished in triumph at how responsive her body was to me. Standing, I began to undress quickly, refusing to give her time to change her mind. I wanted her, I needed her!.

Once I was undressed, I bent lower, positioning myself between her legs and parting them further. She looked nervous but did not stop me. Lowering my head, I captured her lips in mine and pushed my cock into her warm wet cunt. My body trembled at the contact. Inch by inch I entered her slowly until I was fully inside of her. Then I looked at her to see if she was in pain.

None.

Her eyes grew darker and her face was a beautiful sight to see. I kissed her again all the while remaining still in her. I enjoyed how the muscles in her cunt clung to my cock tightly nearly choking it.

"Are you alright?". I asked her, only to endure I was not causing her pain.

"I have already lost my maiden head your grace. I'm used to your size by now". She commented huskily.