Dewey Lambdin - The King`s Coat

Halfway through dinner Lewrie had to nudge Purnell to open his mouth and speak to Mrs. Hillwood instead of feeding like a beast. He felt a kick back under the table, and looked up to glare at Tad, but instead met the steady gaze of Mrs. Hillwood. ’That appears such succulent pork before you, Mister Lewrie," Mrs. Haymer said to his left. "Do be a dear and carve me a small slice.’

’Delighted, Mrs. Haymer. In fact, I may assay a bit myself." As she offered her plate to him, she leaned toward him, pressing her Posom against his arm. We're aboard! he exulted. ’How clumsy of me," she said, dropping her napkin. ’I'll fetch it. Allow me," he offered, bending over and wondering if he should attempt a small squeeze right away. But in reaching for it, Mrs. Haymer's hand brushed his thigh, and stayed to linger. ’Such a wonderful texture," she sighed, after chewing a bite of her pork. "I think it is dreadful that poor young sailors such as you never get any fresh food.’

’It is a great trial, ma'am," he sighed right back. "And then there are Banyan Days, when not even a morsel of meat is served, no matter how long in-cask.’

’Scandalous," she replied, locking her gaze firmly on his eyes. "How relieved you must be to dine well when ashore. ’

‘Indeed, ma'am," he told her softly, shifting his gaze to her ample bosom, "the mere sight of all this bounty has raised quite a passion in me to eat my fill without inhibition." That bosom heaved deeply at his words, and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on her upper lip. She hoisted her glass and drank deep. "We were happy that our captain received Sir Richard's in vitation." Lewrie went on… Poor sailors are dependent on the generosity of others for such a feast.’

Lewrie glanced about the table to see if his wooing was making any comment, but the sleepy old gentleman had succumbed to wine fumes, and sat snoring with a hand clawed about the stem of his empty glass. The Gordons did appear mildly shocked and were busy looking elsewhere, as though Mrs. Haymer was "no better than she ought to be" and had tried this on before. Mrs. Hillwood across the table gave him a barely noticeable shrug, then turned her attentions to Tad. Her left hand went below the table, and young Tad suddenly looked as though he was about to strangle. ’You must rejoin your ship tonight, Mister Lewrie?" Mrs.

Haymer asked in a very soft voice. "Sir Richard and my captain are old friends, ma' am. He has offered us the hospitality of his house for the night. ’

‘How generous of our host. I am told that he is scandalously rich and has the most blessed luck at getting ships across the ocean without loss. I admire generosity. ’

‘In the giving or in the receiving, ma'am?’

‘Both," she said, dimpling prettily and blushing. "The gardens here are most beautiful. Too bad you could not see them in daylight. ’

‘A cool stroll in a fresh garden would be delightful, no matter the hour, ma'am…" Lewrie purred.

With dinner over, the ladies retired for first shot at the jakes, then coffee and cards, while the men shuffled down to the head of the table to talk and drink and smoke. Waiters produced an ocean of port, and opened the sideboards to place chamber pots below the table within range of those gentlemen who felt the call.

Lewrie and Purnell stayed long enough for a glass of port, then sneaked out. Being nobodies, none of the company would miss them. Alan was almost reeling with the bounty they had been offered-he had not seen a dinner like that in a year: spicy soup, fresh green salads, beef, chicken, pork, two kinds of fish, rabbit, veal, geese, hot bread, native yams, local kickshaws and made dishes for removes, corn, potatoes, beans and peas, a wine with each course, lovely fresh cheese, and extra-fine biscuits and nuts. Even limiting himself to a mere sliver of everything, following Captain Osmonde's advice, he felt uncomfortably tight around the middle.

Thankfully, once they joined the ladies, there was strong coffee or tea with fresh milk and sugar.

Mrs. Haymer was happy to join him on the veranda with a cup of coffee as the older couples made their goodbyes and clattered off in their carriages. The younger bucks and their girls were also going, but many people were staying on for the music and cards, and the chance of a cold supper later, with more wine. ’You said something about the gardens, I believe, ma'am," Lewrie prodded, and Mrs. Haymer allowed him to offer his arm and lead her off the veranda into the fragrant night air. It was really much cooler in the gardens, once past the glow of the house lights in the darkness of flowering shrubs and bushes and planters. ’I do believe there is a maze hereabouts, with some stone benches where we may rest, Mister Lewrie. If you would allow me to lead?" They eventually discovered a cul-de-sac surrounded by flowers, and a small grove hidden by the turn in the path. In the center of the grove was a large round stone table, surrounded by curved stone benches. They seated themselves in the companionable darkness, Lewrie offering his coat to protect her dress from the bench. He put an arm behind her on the table and leaned toward her, able to smell her. Their thighs were touching through the vastness of her skirts; their shoulders were touching. She turned toward him slightly. ’Is it not a beautiful night, Mister Lewrie? The stars in these climes are so clear and lovely." She began their "play. ’

‘I see enough stars at sea. I'd much rather gaze on your beauty," he smarmily responded. "Mister Lewrie, I cannot imagine what you can be thinking of!" she ventured to giddily protest "Of the glory that is you, Mrs. Haymer," he said, leaning closer, which she did not object to. "I must protest. young sir," she said, but not too loudly. "I am a married woman, and you are such a boy-’

‘Call me Alan," he whispered. ’All right… Alan. But had I known that you intended to woo me when we set out from the house I would not have allowed you. Why, what must people think of my good name? And my husband is a most jealous man. He would most likely kill you, did he discover you had even gotten me alone.’

’I shall risk your husband's temper, Mrs. Haymer. And we are quite alone and private here. What is your name, my dear?" he said, putting his ann along her shoulders. ’Margaret, if you must know, but-’

‘Margaret, so womanly, so lovely, soft.. ‘. ’Alan, I fear you have misjudged me," she said, making no move to break away. "I could not hazard your young life, and we must not tempt each other like this… my husband would shoot you dead-’

‘I must taste your lips, and hang the danger," he said. He brushed her mouth with his, kissed her eyes, cheeks, then took possession of her lips and felt her tremble a little. She raised her face to him. a hand came up to hold the back of his head. She began to moan and make cooing sounds. He brought up his free hand and caressed a restrained breast. ’God, we must not do this," she said weakly against his neck as he bent to kiss her shoulders. "I forbid you!" And so saying, her arms encircled him, and she leaned back against the edge of the table as he slid and squinned to press more of her against him. A leg came up to caress him as he slid his free hand down to her buttocks.

I'm going to snap my spine or hers like this, he thought, getting to his feet and pulling her with him so they couId fit together for their full length. She stood on tiptoe to match him, and ground her belly into him as he squeezed down through all the material of her gown, trying to find flesh to press on her backside. ’Alan, I demand that you cease now." She shuddered. "We must not persist in this, I… I shall resist you, with force, if necessary-" His reply was to free her breasts and bend down to press his face into her apple-dumpling shop, noting that her nipples were rock-hard and her bosom all warm and soft.