Under The Moon And Stars

Chapter 3

A couple days had passed, and Evie had calmed down a bit. She was no longer overwhelmed at the thought of her upcoming marriage. After her initial panic she was back to contentment. Evie had never worried about it before, and she decided not to spend her last months in her childhood home worrying over it now. It was what was always expected and meant to be. She was also over the shock of seeing Lucy and Charles. But being over the shock did not mean she was over the intrigue. She still thought about it. Fantasized about doing it herself. What it would be like to take a man in her mouth and make him moan and grunt the way Charles had? What would it feel like to have a man's face between her legs causing her to make the same sounds in return?

She also wondered about having a man enter her the way he must in order to make a baby. Lucy had said that it felt amazing as well. Ugg...she needed to stop thinking about it. Even though she was not a patient person Evie knew she needed to get a grip and wait until she was married to Alexander. She couldn't risk not doing so. It wouldn't be very long. Up until two days ago, she'd had no idea such a thing existed. She had no excuse for not waiting just a couple of months more.

Therefore, she was determined to put thoughts of Eric Taylor out of her mind. She had thought quite a bit about him since seeing him at tea. Once she'd returned to her room that day, she did in fact make that list of potential men. The list was remarkably short as Evie knew very few. Besides Natti and his father George, the only other men that Evie knew were servants and the very occasional business associate of her fathers. The latter would hardly be appropriate. Most of the men were her father's age and married. The very few who were not, she would never trust to keep it secret. And even if she did, her father's associates rarely came to visit and the chances of them coming before the wedding were incredibly slim. And as far as the servants, they came with their own risks. Again, most were her father's age or older and the few younger ones were not very discreet. She had walked in on the maids and footmen gossiping about one another and people from the village on numerous occasions. That didn't give her much faith in them keeping their mouths shut.

No, once Evie had seen her list she realized that if she were going to ask anyone, Eric Taylor was the most logical choice. However, she wisely decided to give herself some time to think about it and not let her sudden feelings and urges push her into doing something that she would regret. And so far, she had done well. She still fantasized about it but no longer had that overwhelming and powerful urge to have someone satisfy it for her.

So now, two days later, Evie found herself just plain bored. She'd had dinner but was still restless so she'd run over to Natti's house and asked him to come outside for a bit. The evening was beautiful and warm. She and Natti were now walking in the garden maze on his family's grounds. She remembered when she and Natti were little, they would run all around it, getting lost and finding their way out again. It took forever before they realized they had the maze memorized. Now they knew every corner and turn. What would lead to a dead end and how to finally find your way out. The moon was just starting to peak out, and a few stars were becoming visible.

Evie told Natti that her engagement and wedding were indeed moving forward. "We will be leaving at the end of spring. A few parties and balls to introduce me to society and as Alexander's fiancé. And then the wedding. My parents are giving us their London home, so I'll be setting up my own household right away. It doesn't sound so bad. But I worry not only about whether Alexander and I will take to one another but also whether I will take to London. I've lived in the country my entire life. What if I don't like the city."

Natti thought for a moment. "I like the city. When I'm there, I do miss the quiet, the streams and the array of trees. But my London home has gardens and another maze if you can believe it. Different from this one too. That helps make up for the crowds and noise when I am downtown. Ask your father about your new home. See if it has a garden or the grounds to put one in. It will help you when you are homesick."

"I'll ask him. I'm sure I can find a way to bring a bit of Surrey to London." Evie grew quiet again as they walked. Natti didn't seem to have much to say either. "I'm also nervous about all the people I'll be meeting. I've been fairly isolated here I've come to realize. Mother was telling me that I'll be expected to host gatherings from time to time. I've never done anything even close to that before. What if I mess everything up? What if I don't make friends? What if I find it impossible to fit in?"

Evie's voice started to tremble a bit and Natti stopped walking. He turned to face her and gently put his hands on her shoulders. "Evie, you have nothing to worry about. Everyone is going to love you, I promise. I've met many of the people who will be in your social circle over the past year, and I don't foresee you having any trouble." Evie nodded but still looked troubled. Natti smiled reassuringly at her. "But if it will make you feel better, I can move primarily to London as well."

Evie's face lit up. "Do you mean it Natti," she asked eagerly. Natti laughed at her excitement. "Yes, I mean it," he replied. "I've been slowly taking over for my father the last year, and honesty it would be easier from London. I'm sure my parents will fully support me moving permanently into our London home so I can be there to handle things more directly."

"Oh Natti, thank you," Evie cried and flung her arm around his neck. She held him tightly to her, overjoyed that he would be joining her in London. Everything would be alright if Natti was there. Natti wrapped his arms around Evie's waist and for a moment the two simply held each other. But before long Evie found herself hugging Natti a little tighter than usual. She could smell his cologne, the fragrance intoxicating. For the first time she truly noticed the feel of his body against hers, his strength, his tenderness. What would it feel like to kiss him, right here under the moon and stars?

Evie had just started to lift her head off his shoulder and towards his face when she snapped out of it. She couldn't kiss Natti. She wasn't free. It would only hurt them both. Instead of a kiss Evie pulled away smiling. She had to correct this moment or risk losing Natti forever. "Thank you, Natti. It makes me feel so much better knowing that you will be close by. I didn't know what I was going to do without you, and now that is one thing I don't need to worry about. But I better head home now. It's almost completely dark and my parents will be expecting me." It wasn't true. Her parents never worried about her. They were used to her staying out, especially when the weather was warm. Many a night she had laid outside in the soft grass looking at the sky and hoping to see a shooting star until well into the night.

"Yes, I suppose it is that time. Let me walk you back." Normally Evie would love to spend more time with Natti but right now she had to get away from him. Her heart was still pounding, and she didn't trust herself around him. So instead of agreeing she said, "That's alright Natti. I'm very familiar with the way home as you well know. You go on back to the house and I'll see you soon." Natti accepted her answer and after they made their way out of the maze they parted for the night. Evie tried to hurry, hoping her fast pace would tire her out, thereby dulling her desire. She felt it again. That overwhelming need to be touched. She had wanted to kiss Natti more than anything in world. To have him hold and touch her. To touch him in return. She couldn't do that with Natti. It wouldn't be fair. Their friendship was precious to them both. She wouldn't risk it. She wouldn't. But the knowledge that she was doing the right thing failed to help her feel better tonight. Her entire body felt inflamed. Running wasn't helping. If anything, it was making it worse.

She finally crossed from Natti's property onto hers and before she realized it, she found herself facing the groundskeeper's cottage. She could see the light from candles flickering inside. Evie took several deep breaths and tried to get a hold on herself. She had spent the last two days talking herself out of doing anything foolish. She was going to wait until she was married and let her husband be the only man to touch her the way she desired. It was right. It was safe. And none of it mattered. Evie walked right up to Eric's door and knocked.

Evie could clearly see the shock on Eric's face when he saw her standing on his doorstep. "Miss Evie, is something wrong? Do you need help?" Evie smiled and tried to pretend her heart wasn't beating out of her chest. "Nothing is wrong Mr. Taylor, I assure you. I know my visit is completely unexpected, but...well...could I please come in?" Eric's eyebrows went up in surprise, but he held the door open for her. Evie crossed the threshold into his home and took a quick look around. It was a cute home with a kitchen large enough to have a small dining table. The sitting room was connected and included a settee, writing desk, and a couple of small bookshelves. There was a closed door that Evie assumed led to the bedroom. Evie took a seat at the dining table. She knew it was presumptuous without being offered but she needed to sit and try to calm herself. Eric shut the door and if he had taken issue with her lack of manners he made no sign of it. Instead, he sat down across from her and casually asked, "So, what can I do for you Miss Evie?"

"Oh dear, you have no idea how amusing that question is Mr. Taylor. But you will. What I want to ask you...well it's not easy to ask. But before I get to the reason for my visit I must ask you something else first. I know you work for my parents, but can you promise to keep this conversation strictly between the two of us? Please? Even if you don't agree to what I am going to request I beseech you to please never speak of what I am about to say to anyone else, ever."

Eric looked taken aback and worried. "Miss Evie, are you in some kind of trouble or danger?" Evie laughed. "Oh no, Mr. Taylor I'm not. Nor do I intend to be. That's why I need your promise." Her laughter seemed to ease some of his concern. "Alright Miss Evie, you have my word as a gentleman. I will never utter a word of whatever you tell me tonight."

His promise satisfied Evie but now that it was out of the way she had the more difficult task of asking him to be her lover, but with conditions. She didn't know if she had it in her. But she knew she'd have to figure it out somehow or she'd be back on his doorstep again. She wouldn't be able to help herself. "Mr. Taylor, as you may have heard I am to be married at the beginning of summer." Eric nodded in the affirmative. "Anyway, I'll try to get directly to the point. I have recently come into the knowledge that it is possible for a man and woman to pleasure each other while leaving the woman a virgin. I have never been with a man before and I absolutely intend to stay a virgin until my wedding night. But I want to experience a man touching and pleasuring me before then. I want to have some idea what to expect when I go to bed with my husband for the first time. So, the reason I am here Mr. Taylor is because I want to know if you are interested in being that man?"

If Evie thought Eric had looked shocked before it was nothing compared to what he looked like now. She thought his eyes might actually pop out of his head. He also seemed unable to speak for several moments. When he finally did, he sounded angry. "Is this joke Miss Evie? Are you trying to have me dismissed for some reason?"

"No! No Mr. Taylor, I promise you. It's nothing like that at all. Everything I said was the absolute truth. I want you to show me pleasure and I promise I'll return it as well. You might have to guide me a bit as I've never done so before but I'm willing to learn. Please? Would you at least consider it?"

Eric swallowed and looked around the room. "Miss Evie, what you are asking is dangerous. If we are caught, your father will probably kill me. And you Miss Evie, your reputation will be shattered. The future that you have planned with be gone in a moment."

Evie sighed. "I understand if you don't want to risk it, I truly do. But if you decline, please do so for yourself and not fear for me. The risk as I see it is small. Am I right to assume that you are rarely called upon after dark?" At Eric's nod she continued. "My parents are used to me staying out late in the spring in summer. They never come looking for me. They know I love the outdoors and the night sky. They will assume I am stargazing. I can come over here after the sun sets. We can do what we will do and then I'll leave. And when the spring is over and I depart for London, it ends."

Eric looked at her closely. "Why me, Miss Evie? We've hardly ever spoken to each other." Evie had been honest so far, she might as well keep it up. "For several reasons. One, you have this cottage and don't live in the main house. Two, and I hope this doesn't hurt you to hear, but being a widower, you have experience being with a woman. And three, I do find you handsome and enjoy the idea of you touching me and touching you in return."

"Well I'm flattered Miss Evie." Eric rubbed the back of his neck and let out a large sigh. This is wrong, you must know that. But I would be a fool to turn down a woman as beautiful as you. If you are absolutely certain that you want to do this... it would be my honor."

Evie's face lit up with her smile. "Thank you, Mr. Taylor." Eric laughed, "No reason to thank me. I should be thanking you. And under the circumstances of what you are here to do, I would prefer it if you would call me Eric. At least when we are alone in my home. Out and about it should remain, Mr. Taylor."

"I agree with you, and when I am here you may also drop the 'Miss,' and just call me Evie." Eric stood up and reached a hand out to her. "Evie, would you care to join me in my bedroom?" Evie sucked in a breath. This was it. She could still leave. She knew Eric would understand. But she wanted this. She wasn't turning back. Instead, she stood, placed her hand in his and followed him to his room. It wasn't grand like hers, but it was comfortable. A double bed, wardrobe and rocking chair. It also had a fireplace though it wasn't lit. Eric led her over to bed. "You are in charge, Evie. You decide what you want. So, tell me, do you want help removing your dress or would you prefer to keep it on?"

Take off her dress? That thought had never occurred to her. Lucy hadn't taken off her clothes. Charles had stayed dressed as well. "I'd like to keep my dress on, please. And ummm...could you stay dressed as well?"

Eric smiled. "Of course, Evie. Whatever you want. Do you mind if I ask how you came to this knowledge? I'm not judging you or anyone else for that matter. But my wife knew nothing of such things when we were wed. She told me it was not something unmarried young ladies discussed." Eric chuckled lost in memory for a moment. "If I recall, the night before we married her mother gave her a very quick talk about how we would create children. Poor girl was very confused and nervous on our wedding night."

Evie considered how best to answer. Eric deserved an explanation, but she had also promised Lucy to never tell. She decided to reveal just part of the truth. "I accidently walked in and saw something I absolutely was not meant to see," Evie laughed. It got me curious though, so I asked some questions and the answers brought me here."

"I see," Eric replied and didn't press for more. "What is it you want me to do to you? I know you said to leave you a virgin and I swear I will. But is there something specific that you desire?" Evie was practically shaking with nerves, and she suddenly found it difficult to speak. Eric seemed to realize and attempted to calm her. "Nothing will happen that you don't want to happen. And if at any time you want to stop just say so. I'll stop immediately, I promise you. Even now, if you've changed your mind and want to leave you can. We never have to speak of it again if that is your wish."

Even though she was more nervous than she'd ever been in her life and Eric had just given her an out, Evie knew she wouldn't take it. For her there was not going back. Not until she discovered whether she liked this or not. "I...I want you to...to," Evie took a deep breath, "I want you to use your mouth on me until I reach...ummm..." Eric saved her. "Until you reach your peak?" Evie shyly nodded. "Your wish is my command. Lie down on the bed." Evie crawled on the bed and rested her head on a pillow. Remembering what Lucy had done she bent her knees and pulled her skirt up. Eric climbed on the bed and got between her legs. "Are you ready, Evie?"

"Yes Eric. Please." It was the last thing she uttered before he spread her legs a little wider and moved his face towards her. He gently kissed the lower part of each thigh before finally making contact with her private area. Evie could feel his tongue and lips touching her where she had never been touched before. "Uhhh," she gasped. The feeling of his mouth on her was intoxicating. No wonder Lucy wanted this with or without marriage. He began by moving his tongue over her entire lower area, teasing and tickling her. He'd plant light kisses and even tiny nibbles with his teeth. Every nerve she had was on fire and she began to moan and pant.

Eric found her little nub and began to focus on that exclusively. He began to lick and suck on it. Evie thought she'd lose her mind. This new spot felt as though she had thousands of nerve endings waiting to go off at once. "Oh Eric! Oh that feels...that feels amazing! Oh Yes! Don't Stop! Oh please don't ever stop." The ranting was followed by unladylike grunts and moans.

Evie never wanted to stop feeling this way. She wanted it to go on forever. At the same time she could feel her body building towards her peak. Lucy had told her about it. Said that it was the greatest feeling imaginable. Her legs were beginning to tighten; she could feel her body bracing and her toes curling. "Eric, I think I'm close. Something is coming. Oh! Oh Eric! YES! Ahhhhhh!" Evie screamed with her very first climax. The pleasure crashed into her body and overwhelmed her. She had no concept of how loud she was and even if she did, she wouldn't have cared. Her entire body was alive with a sensation she didn't know existed until this moment. She'd grabbed Eric's hair with both hands and began moving her hips a bit in the same rhythm Eric was using with his tongue. It seemed to go on and on. Eric didn't let up. Not until he could feel her starting to come down. As her body slowed so did Eric's mouth until finally, he pulled away. Evie was breathing heavily and staring, unseeing, at the ceiling. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Eric pulled her skirt back over her legs and moved up the bed so he could look at her face. He brushed some hair from her forehead and ran his fingers over her cheek. "Are you alright, Evie?" Once Evie could form a coherent sentence she panted, "I'm better than I've ever been in my life. That was the most incredible thing I have ever felt." Evie kept breathing heavily and was still stunned by it all. Eric laughed, "Well, that's certainly one of the nicest complements I've ever received." Evie managed to laugh a bit at that. She was finally able to breathe normally and her heartrate slowed. She turned her head to face him looking into his green eyes. "It's your turn now."

"Oh no, Evie. Not tonight. You need some time to rest and think after experiencing that for the first time. When or if you come back, you can take care of me. But for now, it's probably time for you to head home and to bed." Evie nodded, feeling grateful for his consideration. She had fully planned on taking him too, but after what he'd done for her, she felt exhausted. She got up and off the bed. Eric followed and once again took her hand. He led her to the front door before opening it and taking a step outside. That's when Evie realized he planned to walk her to her house.