The Lady Catherine - Sex Stories

The Lady Catherine

... than hers. “I can understand your dislike of Lord Percy. He has always struck me as closer to a weasel than a man, but if you are betrothed to him, there is little I can do.” “ I am not yet betrothed to him, my lord. My father… my father needs grandfather’s favour, or at least his indifference, and grandfather does not wish the match. But if there are no other men who make an offer for my hand, grandfather will be forced to acquiesce to father. Whenever I catch the eye of a man, father makes sure they are dissuaded from pursuing me. In a year or so, grandfather will be unable to raise any objection when the betrothal is announced.” I had to ask what her grandfather thought of this, although I knew the answer. The man had been practically like a father to me, and I understood his keen sense of honour. He would not meddle where he was by custom forbidden to, even if it was in his power. “Why then, did your grandfather not ask me if I would take your hand?” “Because, my lord, it is not his place to go behind the back of his son and manage the affairs of his son’s family.” “Quite true. Tell me, my lady, would you like to hear a story of your grandfather?” She quirked her head in confusion, but responded in the affirmative. “When I was a young officer, I served under your grandfather. Noblese Oblige has always described your grandfather, I think. A member of the council who cared only for personal gain ordered him into a stupid attack that would have cost far too many lives. ...

... Your grandfather had his oath though, and when his protests went unheeded, he followed orders. The week before the attack was to commence, he promoted the son of that man to captain, and gave him the honour of leading the first troops into the breech.” Her eyes started to widen as she understood. I loved a quick study. “I was a bit young for captain, but I thought I had served long enough to deserve it. I must have impressed your grandfather somehow, because he wouldn’t have promoted me if he thought I’d end up getting more men killed that way. I was so proud, I wrote to my father about the honour I’d been shown.” She gripped the chair arms more tightly, and leaned forward. “The attack was mysteriously called off the night before it was to commence, and we finished the rest of that campaign according to your grandfather’s plan. My father was furious, but he couldn’t complain. What could he say to the council? That his enemy had wronged him by showing his son great honour? That the general who had prepared so diligently for the attack was insubordinate? I learned two lessons from your grandfather that year. The first is that it is easier to win if you don’t meet your opponent head on. And the second lesson, the one my father never learned, is that a leader doesn’t ask men to take risks that he himself will not take.” She looked thoughtful. I trusted that she was grasping the parallels, where they existed. “He was prepared to risk your life, to use you like that, and still you ...