Mary felt her arm taken. She looked around to find Freddy beaming at her and her heart sank.

"Your father's making the toast after dinner," he whispered, his freckled cheeks turning pink. He'd always been a hopeless blusher. "We're to sit across from one another." He led her through the mahogany double doors into the vast dining hall.

Mary noted disappointedly that Rachel was too far away to talk to. The rest of her friends were dispersed equally far away. She waited as Freddy pulled out her chair and sank down onto the burgandy velvet cushion.

Freddy disappeared around to his seat opposite her unable to conceal his excitement.

Mary's heart nearly stopped when a hand grasped her knee. She looked around in shock to find Tristan sitting next to her gazing across the table deep in conversation with his mother, Lady Stanhope, while at the same time his fingers discreetly snagged Mary's skirts and began pulling them up to her knees.

All through the dinner he continued the dizzying assault on her clit. No one seemed to notice her hand shaking as she raised the soup spoon to her mouth. Nor did they notice Tristan eating his with his left hand. Beneath the damask napkin she'd dropped quickly over her lap his long fingers stroked her through her pantalettes. Her body was still ringing from Will's attentions and her head spun with what Tristan was doing.

Even as Mary's father stood and tapped a knife against his wine glass Tristan continued, leaning discreetly across to whisper in her ear. "I've wanted to do this to you for so long."

Mary nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, a bright smile pasted to her face as Freddy raised his glass in her direction. She almost cried out when Tristan pulled away. If someone had asked her her one true desire it would have been for him to notice her and suddenly, inexplicably, he had. But at the same time she couldn't stop thinking about Will waiting for her in his cottage. She shivered with anticipation.

After dinner the Duke cleared his throat and raised his glass. "I propose we drink to the health of my daughter Mary on her birthday and the young man she has decided to add permanently to our family, Mr Frederick Everley."

Freddy's father, Sir Donald Everley, clapped his hands together in delight and raised his glass high. "To Mary and Fred!" he said loudly, matching crimson stains flowering on his cheeks.

"To Mary and Fred!" echoed the table of guests.

Freddy stood and raised his own glass. "I won't keep you with a long speech. I just wanted to say tonight I feel like the luckiest damned man on Earth!" He beamed across at Mary.

"Here, here!" came the unified reply.

Tristan leaned over again and squeezed Mary's knee. "Congratulations."

Dessert passed in a blur but Mary was too anxious to eat. When the duchess finally stood and requested the ladies join her in the drawing-room, Mary allowed Tristan to pull out her chair and she followed the women out of the dining-room with her stomach in knots and her nerves so strained she jumped when her mother gripped her by the arm.

"Daughter," the duchess whispered, her smile taut, "are you feeling quite well? You look fevered."

Mary shook her head. "I feel a little ill." It was no lie.

"Perhaps you should retire early? I'll escort you to your room and sit with you until you feel better."

"I'll take her!" Rachel exclaimed. "It would be a shame for your guests to be deprived of your company, Duchess. I'm feeling a little tired myself anyway so it's no sacrifice."

The duchess narrowed her eyes. "Very well." Her grip on Mary's arm tightened. "I would speak with you tomorrow though. Don't think I didn't notice your tardiness. Today of all days!"

Mary bobbed a curtsy. "Yes, Mother."

"Thank you for dinner, Duchess," Rachel murmured.

The two girls linked arms and walked slowly from the drawing-room. When the door closed behind them they sprinted up the sprawling staircase to Mary's room.

Rachel burst out laughing as she threw herself on the bed. "You poor thing!" she exclaimed, "imagine marrying Freddy the frog! Ribbut! What a birthday present!"

Mary poked her tongue out and scrambled to lie next to Rachel. "It's all right for you. Your parents wouldn't make you marry someone you didn't love."

Rachel sighed. "I know, I'm sorry." She shuffled closer to Mary. "Now tell me what happened at the gardener's cottage, and don't leave anything out!"

The blush crawling up Mary's neck came of its own volition. "Oh Rachel."

"What is it? What happened?"

Mary related the story of her beating.

Rachel's eyes grew wide listening. "He spanked you? The absolute brute! Did it hurt very much? Show me!"

Mary rolled onto her stomach and lifted up her skirts.

Rachel tugged down Mary's pantalettes and exclaimed softly. "Animal!"

Mary felt Rachel tracing the striations on her bottom. The other girl's cool fingertips dipped between her cleft and circled her rose. A shiver curled down her back. "Don't."

"Why not? You said you like me touching you here."

"I do, but not today. It's sore."

"Because he beat you?"

"N-no."

"Why then?"

Mary bit her lip. "He didn't just beat me."

Rachel's hand paused. "What else did he do?"

Mary couldn't answer.

"Did he touch you here?" Rachel brushed lower down.

Mary nodded.

"Did he put his cock in you?" Rachel asked.

Mary gasped. "Don't say that!"

"That's what his thing's called. Did he put it in here?" Her fingers slipped inside Mary and fluttered.

Mary wriggled with pleasure. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. In fact it felt nice. "Yes."

"God, Mary, did he cum in you?"

"Did he what?"

"You know, did he cum? Did he release?"

"Is that the cream? No, he did that on my belly."

Rachel stopped touching Mary and flopped on her back. "Thank God for that. You mustn't let him put that in you. That's how babies are made."

"Really?" Mary pulled up her pantalettes and pushed down her skirts. "I said I'd go back."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I can't stop thinking about him."

"Do you like what he did better than me touching you?"

Mary wrinkled her nose. "It was different."

Rachel put her arms around Mary and kissed her cheek. "Don't go. Stay with me tonight."

"But I said I'd go! He'll be waiting!"

"Let him wait. He'll still be there tomorrow."

"But–"

Rachel silenced her with a kiss. Her tongue probed into Mary's mouth making her groan. When she pulled back her eyes glittered. "I bet you'd have more fun with me."

Mary groaned again. Her insides were melting. "I promised though."

"Tell him the duchess didn't let you out of her sight."

Mary could tell Rachel wasn't going to let it go. "Fine."

Rachel yelped with delight and pushed Mary back, tracing wet kisses down her neck. "Let's get undressed."

They helped each other out of their gowns and stretched out naked together.

Rachel idly teased one of Mary's nipples until it grew hard then she bent to run her tongue around it. At the same time she slipped her hand between Mary's thighs and began massaging her.

Mary sighed with delight. "That's so nice."

Rachel looked up and grinned. "See? I told you you'd have more fun with me, didn't I?"

Mary bit her lip and nodded, wriggling against Rachel's deft hand.

Rachel shifted down the bed and pushed Mary's legs apart. "You're furry again. We should wax it before you get married. Froggy will die when he sees it."

"Don't talk about him."

Rachel stroked Mary's labia with her tongue, dipping between the plump lips in search of her clit.

"Oh!" Mary writhed when she found it.

"Mmm, you taste salty." Rachel licked her lips and bent to tease Mary's rose, piercing it with the tip of her tongue. Pulling apart Mary's labia she laved from her ass up to her clit and suckled the bud wetly until Mary began to buck and pant.

At last Mary cried out and shuddered. "Rachel!"

A knock at the door made them both look up.

"Mary?" Freddy called. "Are you awake?"

"Oh poo, it's Froggy," Rachel said crossly. "Tell him to go away."

Mary shuffled off the bed and collected her robe, pulling the belt tightly around her waist, her sex still throbbing. "Don't worry, I've no intention of letting him anywhere near my bedchamber married or otherwise." She pulled the door open a crack and peered out.

Freddy grinned broadly when he saw her but it faded quickly and he stepped forward. "You look flushed. You haven't got a fever have you?"

Mary shook her head. "I'm just tired. I have a headache."

"It's been a big day."

She stared at him expectantly. "Was there something you wanted?"

"Oh, just to give you this." He held out a small box. "Happy birthday."

"What is it?"

"Open it and see."

Mary looked over her shoulder then stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her. She took the box from him and opened it. "Oh. Freddy. I don't know what to say."

He beamed at her. "I had it made specially for you."

Mary gingerly lifted the sparkling broach from its nest of velvet and gazed at the emerald and diamond-studded frog. "I thought you hated your nickname?"

"Only when that damned prig Tristan calls me it. I don't mind it just between you and I. I thought it could be your pet name for me. I wanted you to have something to think of me. Something nice, but silly too."

"Freddy, it really is very sweet of you."

"Let me put it on you."

"But I'm wearing a robe!"

"That's okay, I just want to see it on for a moment." He took the broach out of her hand and carefully pinned it to the lapel of her robe. In doing so his fingers brushed the swell of her breast and he jumped back as if burned. "Sorry! I didn't mean.sorry."

Mary put her hand on his arm. "It's all right, it was an accident." She looked down at the broach. "It's nice, don't you think?"

"Beautiful."

When Mary looked at Freddy he wasn't looking at the broach. She swallowed hard. "I should go back to bed."

"Mary."

"Yes, Freddy?"

"May I kiss you goodnight?"

Mary opened her mouth to object, then nodded. "All right."

He leaned forward and dropped a chaste kiss on her cheek. When he pulled away he was blushing fiercely again. "Sleep well.my love."

Mary ducked her head. "Thank you so much for the gift."

"It's my pleasure."

"Good night then."

"Night."

Mary ducked back in the room and leaned against the closed door.

"Sleep well.my love," Rachel crowed.

"Stop it, he'll hear you!"

"Let him. I don't care." Rachel rolled onto her belly. "Come back to bed and warm me up."

Mary took off the broach and gently placed it back in the box.

"What's that?" Rachel asked.

For some reason Mary felt reluctant to expose the gift to ridicule. It really was rather sweet. "Nothing, just a birthday present."

Already disinterested Rachel crawled under the covers. "Come on, it's getting cold."

Tucking the box in the top of her chest of drawers, Mary took off her robe and climbed into bed.

After pleasuring Rachel, Mary lay entwined in the other girl's limbs and felt her friend's slow, warm breath stir the hair on her neck. She wished sleep would come as easily for her. All she could think of was Will and Tristan. Both had surprised her in their own way. Will because he was sweeter than she imagined, and Tristan because he was showing interest at all. She'd had a crush on him since forever. To know he returned her affection made her feel squidgy and funny inside.

Then there was Freddy. Poor, sweet Freddy. He'd been a friend as long as she could remember but she never felt about him the way she felt about Tristan. How ironic that he was the one she would marry.

Mary extricated herself from Rachel's arms and slipped out of bed going to stand at the window. She wondered how long Will waited for her before giving up on her. Does he think very badly of me? She hoped not.

She thought about the way he'd filled her. It felt incredible. What would it be like to have Tristan do that to her? Someone she'd been so fond of for so long. It would have to be even more special. Mary's nipples grew hard thinking about it. She imagined his hair dishevelled and damp with sweat, his face flushed as he bent over her, and the twist and shift of his muscles under her hands. Her mouth went dry.

Rachel stirred and groaned. "Mary?"

Mary looked over her shoulder. "It's all right. I'm here."

Her friend snuffled and snuggled deeper under the covers, falling back to sleep at once.

"You're so lucky," Mary whispered. Rachel's parents were insanely wealthy. Men were lined up practically to Paris waiting for a chance to woo their only daughter. Rachel could pick and choose at her leisure.

Mary's parents gave the impression of wealth. They had the home and the title, but not the funds.

Freddy, on the other hand, had both title and funds. Plus he'd been mad keen on marrying Mary for as long as she could recall. It was a match neither families eschewed. Their properties sat neatly beside each other and the unification suited everyone. Everyone except me. No one bothered to ask how I feel about it.

Mary leaned her forehead against the cool glass and sighed. How can I marry Freddy when I love Tristan? She felt sick with frustration.

With another sigh she returned to bed and wriggled closer to Rachel, seeking her warmth. She would miss this when she got married. She couldn't imagine spending the night with Freddy would be anywhere near as lovely.



The next day the guests of McCauley Manor took advantage of the clear skies and rode out on a hunt.

Tired after her lack of sleep, Mary hung back from the baying hounds at the rear of the party and covered a yawn with her gloved hand.

"Someone's tired," the chocolatey voice murmured close by.

Mary started and looked around to find Tristan riding next to her. His horse was so close his thigh nearly brushed hers. She shivered involuntarily remembering his hand between her thighs at dinner. "I didn't sleep very well."

"Dreaming of me, I hope."

Mary's cheeks grew hot.

Tristan's eyes sparkled. "Not so far from the truth, I see!"

"You both look cosy," Rachel commented, coming up on Mary's left.

"Not cosy enough," Tristan murmured only loud enough for Mary to hear.

"Have the hounds caught the scent yet?" Rachel asked.

"They certainly have," Tristan replied, his gaze dropping to Mary's breasts.

Too busy gazing ahead Rachel didn't notice. "I'm going up to have a look. Coming, Mary?"

"No, I'm slow today, I think I'll keep out of the way."

"You'll be coming if I have anything to do with it." Tristan's lips curled at the corners. "Why don't we go somewhere more private?"

"Hello fiancée!"

Mary inwardly groaned as Freddy arrived. "Hello, Freddy."

"Good timing, Froggy," Tristan grumbled.

Freddy turned red and his brows knitted together. "Stanhope. I thought you'd be back at college by now. Wouldn't have thought the country could hold your tiny attention span this long."

"Some things are worth a little concentration."

Freddy's frown deepened. "Come on, Mary, I told your parents we'd give a good show. I want everyone to see just how talented my future wife is in the saddle."

"Believe me, they've already noticed," Tristan drawled.

Mary thought she'd never blushed so hard in her life. "Actually I'm still not feeling very well after yesterday. I might go home and lie down."

"But the fresh air will do you good," Freddy insisted. "Come on, you can't mope about inside all day. Summer won't last forever and then you'll be standing at the window thinking but for the rain you'd be outside."

There was some truth in what he said. Mary sighed and nodded. "Very well. I'll follow you."

"No, no. On you go. I'm happy to ride in my fiancée's shadow."

Mary cringed. I wish he'd stop calling me that.

"Better do as the man tells you. He is your fianc after all." Tristan smirked at Mary. "Save me a dance on your card tonight though." He urged his horse and it started forward.

Mary watched him ride off with explosions of pleasure heating her loin. Squeezing her thighs she set off after him, suddenly reinvigorated.

"That's my girl!" Freddy called.



Mary saw Will clipping the privet hedge along the drive when the party returned from the hunt.

He hardly looked up when the band of horses trotted past.

Mary pulled on her reins and waited for everyone to pass before jumping down and leading her horse over. "Hello."

Will looked up briefly then returned to his work. His forearms flexed and twisted with each movement and his shirt clung to his back in the heat.

"Are you angry with me?" Mary asked, feeling her heart sink.

"No. Why should I be?"

"You've every right to be. I said I'd come back and I didn't."

He shrugged laconically and continued clipping. "Lady's perogative."

"I'm sorry. Mother was cross with me for coming to dinner late. I couldn't get away. I wanted to. Really I did."

He paused and looked over his shoulder. "I'm the gardener, in case you hadn't noticed. You don't have to explain yourself to me."

Mary stepped forward and put her hand on his arm. "Don't say things like that. You make it sound terrible. I'm not your master."

"But your father is. And if he knew what I did yesterday I'd be hung."

Mary took her hand off him as though burned. "Don't even jest about such things."

"Why not? It's the truth."

Mary knew he was right but hadn't wanted to admit it. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach with worry. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're set to marry a good man. Life will go on."

"And y-you'll find a wife too!" Mary said brightly.

"Aye, right enough. I expect I will."

Mary faltered. "Well, best I let you carry on."

"Do you need a hand up?" He nodded towards the horse.

"What? Oh. No, I'll walk in."

"Well and good." He turned back to the hedge and began clipping in short, terse strokes.

Mary clicked her tongue and urged her mare down the drive. Sweat trickled between her breasts. What if someone found out what she did with Will? He could be in terrible danger.

Her hand went to her mouth. Rachel.



"Awfully close in here, isn't it?" Freddy remarked tugging at his cravat.

Mary fanned herself and nodded. The hot day coupled with the press of damp bodies made the ballroom a veritable sauna.

"Shall I fetch us some drinks?" Freddy asked.

"Yes, please." Mary watched him wend his way through the crowd until she couldn't see his copper head any longer then sighed with relief. She'd kept an eager eye out for Tristan but with Freddy glued to her side all night claiming every dance what hope was there?

"How about some of that fresh air Freddy was banging on about earlier?"

The hand on Mary's elbow made her jump. "Tristan!"

He grinned down at her and handed her a cup of punch. "I found a quiet spot on the terrace. Come on, quickly, before he gets back."

She accepted the cup, and his arm, and let him lead her through the French doors and outside. Breathing in deeply she let the cooler air lick over her hot skin.

"Drink up. The punch is good."

Mary put the cup to her lips and started in surprise. "What's in it?"

He chuckled and reached into his jacket, pulling out a pewter flask. "Just a little something to warm the cockles of your heart."

Mary's pulse jumped nervously but she took a sip and licked her lips. It tasted bitter but she didn't want to show herself up in front of Tristan. "Mmm, it's good."

Other guests spilled onto the terrace seeking reprieve from the heat inside and so Tristan drew Mary into the shadows. "It's too busy here. Why don't we go somewhere a little more quiet?"

Too excited to speak, Mary simply nodded.

Tristan took the punch cup from her and rested it on the balustrade, then took her hand and led her down the sweeping stone steps to the garden.

It wasn't unusual for couples and groups to take a stroll in evening, especially on such a warm, clear night. No one paid them any heed as they passed along the stony path.

"Is there nowhere we can be alone?" Tristan muttered when they came upon yet another occupied marble bench. He towed her through the maze of hedges, their passage lit only by a half-moon.

At last they arrived in the centre of the garden and found themselves to be alone.

Tristan pulled her down next to him on a bench next to a pond and clasped her hand to his chest. "You look so beautiful tonight. I can't believe how much you've grown up."

Mary shivered with delight. She had to remind herself it wasn't a dream, that she really was sitting alone with Tristan after so many years of wishing for it to happen. "You look very handsome too."

The heat from his body radiated outwards. How delicious to snatch a private moment like this. It was so rare! Her pulse raced and she trembled. She wanted him to touch her again the way he had at dinner. "Tristan," she whispered.

"Mary!" he groaned, his mouth descending.

Mary gasped in shock when he forced his slick tongue between her lips. He tasted of cigars and port. At the same time he slipped his hand into the bodice of her gown to grasp her breast, squeezing hard and blazing a trail of damp kisses down her throat, forcing her to tip her head back.

She clutched at his arms to stop herself falling backwards and he took it as encouragement, buring his face in her dellecotage, exclaiming in delight. "When Froggy said you were all grown up I didn't believe him, the lucky devil. If I'd known you were this luscious I'd have offered for you myself."

Mary groaned in dismay. Would he really have offered? "It's not too late," she murmured, "I can break off the engagement!"

Tristan shook his head. "I couldn't do that to Froggy. Imagine having this snatched from under his nose!" He nodded at the ripe swell of breasts rising up from her bodice. "He'd call me out, and his aim has always been sharper than mine. Better to enjoy it in secret."

Mary moaned as he tugged at the fitting bodice enough to reveal the dark crescents of her areolae. Another firm tug and her nipples were entirely freed. Tristan dropped his head and sucked one into his hot mouth, drawing hard on it.

Mary winced in pain but clutched his head closer. "Oh Tristan," she sighed. It felt wicked to be out here alone with him and having him perform scandalous acts on her.

His hand fumbled at her skirts and ran up the inside of her thigh, rubbing against her pantalettes. "Take these off," he panted.

Mary hesitated. She'd yearned for this for so long but suddenly an image of Freddy popped into her head. She imagined him coming back to her with drinks and not being able to find her. He was probably looking for her now. Guilt snagged at her heart. "I can't," she whispered.

"Untie the laces," Tristan rasped against her breasts. "I'll do the rest."

"No, I mean I can't." She pushed at him. "We can't. It's not right. Not like this."

Tristan lifted his head and frowned. "What the devil are you talking about? No one needs to know. We can be back at the party before anyone knows we've gone."

"I'll know," Mary replied sorrowfully. There was nothing she wanted more than to abandon herself to Tristan but it felt wrong. Perhaps she still felt guilty about Will and that put more pressure on her conscience. Whatever the reason, she couldn't do it to Freddy. "If you want me to do that you'll have to do it properly. I don't want to sneak around with you."

"You think people will approve if I snatch you from under Freddy's nose? Don't be so damned naïve. Your parents would kill us both."

"They'd come around eventually!"

"If you really think that you're a little fool." Tristan's eyes glittered brightly in the moonlight. "How many chances do you think we'll get like this? The duchess watches you like a hawk. We'll not have a moment's peace after tonight. Let's make the most of it!" He bent his head and flickered his tongue around one erect nipple. "Come on, Mary, if you really want to it has to be tonight, now."

She did want to, desperately, but she shook her head. "I can't."

Tristan pulled back sourly. "I didn't have you marked for a prick tease."

Mary put her hand out but he brushed it off and stood up. "Get off. I'm not a faucet you can turn on and off on a whim. There's a million girls at college prettier than you who would have me like that." He snapped his fingers together.

"Tristan!" Tears filled Mary's eyes. "You don't mean that!" She'd never seen him like this before, so cold.

"Don't I? Just remember when Freddy's humping away on top of you on your wedding night that you could have had a taste of something much better." He brushed down his suit and strode off into the darkness leaving her stunned on the bench.

Mary sat like that for a long time, unable to move. Eventually though the cold air forced her to readjust her bodice and stagger to her feet. Just as she emerged from the gardens a cloaked figure darted past several yards away, pausing to look over their shoulder. In the moonlight Mary caught sight of Rachel's pale face.

Putting aside her misery over Tristan, curiosity compelled Mary to follow her friend, keeping to the shadows a short distance behind her.

Several minutes later Mary watched in astonishment as Rachel arrived at Will's cottage and hurried up the path, knocking urgently on the door.

It took a few moments but the door swung inwards revealing Will, shirtless, frowning down at Rachel as she spoke.

Mary couldn't hear what was said but when Will replied she caught the sharp tone of his voice. He shook his head and went to shut the door.

Whatever Rachel said in reply had an instant effect on him though, he froze, then stood aside and admitted her to the cottage, looking out into the darkness before quickly closing the door.

Rachel had left the gate wide open so Mary crept up the path. What was her friend doing out here alone visiting the Will? He hadn't looked happy to see her. What did she say to make him stand aside and let her in?

A warm glow spilled from the kitchen window. Mary quietly stepped amongst the wildflowers in the darkened garden and from a safe distance peered through the pane of glass in time to see Rachel resting a hand on Will's arm.

He jerked away angrily.

Rachel's smile was sympathetic. She spoke quietly to him.

Mary could only hear a low murmur, but judging from Will's glare he was not best pleased.

Rachel unclasped her cloak and swept it off her shoulders to reveal she was completely naked. Reaching over and thoughtfully picking up the leather strop lying on the kitchen counter, she turned around again.

Mary couldn't believe her eyes. Seeing her friend's pert breasts made her head spin. What's she doing?

Will's dark gaze swept over Rachel as she stepped towards him holding the strop out. He retreated until he was hard up against the wall and shook his head. His lips formed the word no.

Rachel took his hand and enclosed it around the strop then walked back to the table and bent over.

Mary couldn't take her take her eyes off the sight. Will, too, appeared stunned eyes wide in disbelief.

Rachel looked over her shoulder and murmured to him.

He blinked once, and stepped forward raising the strop and bringing it down on her bottom.

Rachel winced and murmured again.

Will spanked her again, harder, shifting position to make it easier. The loud report of leather on skin reached Mary and she watched open-mouthed as her friend smiled as though she actually enjoyed it!

After several minutes Rachel shifted to unbutton Will's breeches and freed the swollen apendage within. She sank to her knees and closed her mouth over the end of the apendage.

Will dropped the strop, closed his eyes and gripped Rachel's head, his lips parted in exclamation as his hips rocked against her mouth.

Mary looked on, transfixed. Her whole body tingled. Rachel seemed so sure of herself. Where had she learned to do such things, or learned that it would be so welcomed? Mary realised she was holding her breath and exhaled slowly, swallowing hard as Will pulled Rachel to her feet and pushed her so that she lay back against the table.

Pulling her knees back to expose the swollen flesh between her legs, Rachel placed her booted heels on his shoulders.

Leaning forward Will took the weight of his body on his palms and Mary watched as his shaft slowly sank to the hilt in Rachel's flesh then pulled out slowly and plunged in again.

Deep envy and betrayal flooded Mary's chest. She'd told Rachel in confidence, even sworn her to secrecy that very afternoon, and now this? I can't have him, why do you think you can? Her hands curled into fists at the unfairness of it.

Will took Rachel's hands and pressed them down above her head. With each hard thrust her breasts rocked back and forth beneath him. He bent his head and captured a nipple in his mouth tugging at it with his lips as his hips ground against her. Pulling back again he grabbed her ankles, holding her legs wide apart, his thighs slapping quickly against her. The impact sent shockwaves through Rachel's thighs.

Rachel's mouth parted in a gasp of what looked like pain but she didn't try and stop him. She clearly revelled in what he was doing.

Mary clutched at her skirts as a pressure built inside her, almost as though she personally felt their urgency.

Will continued spearing Rachel, making them both cry out as he drove his shaft home time and time again until finally he shouted with his final thrusts and pulled out. His body jack-knifed above Rachel and a stream of creamy fluid shot out of him, spilling over her belly. He spasmed and collapsed over her.

Wrapping her legs around him, panting, her hair plastered to her cheeks, Rachel stroked Will's back and whispered something against his cheek.

Whatever it was made his head snap back. He gazed down at her murmuring a reply.

She shook her head.

Will clambered off the table and gripped Rachel about the waist, lifting her to her feet then letting her go. He padded to the narrow staircase hunched at the other end of the room with Rachel trailing and they disappeared from Mary's sight up to where she knew the bedroom waited.

Mary sank to her knees in the flowerbed, shocked to the core by what she'd seen. For several minutes she buried her face in her hands and cried silent tears.

At last she looked up and remembered the party. Freddy would still be looking for her but how could she go back and pretend nothing was wrong? She'd lost Tristan, and now she'd lost Rachel too.

Sneaking miserably back through the woods and taking the back stairs to her room Mary crawled onto her bed and lay fully-clothed staring up at the canopy above. Her stomach churned and tears came in waves dripping down her temples and soaking into the pillow.

"Where were you tonight?"

The deep voice cut through the stillness making Mary squeal and scramble back on the bed. "Who's there?" she cried out.

A figure rose from the seat in the corner. "Surprised to see me, fiancée?"

Mary gasped. "Freddy?"