Nash's Niche (Behind Closed Doors) by Raven McAllan

sound hit him and churned his gut. "But, oh Nash, what are we going to do? I can see no end to this predicament. You say we go to Gretna. But how will that help you or appease your family? I accept I have tarnished my reputation already, but is it fair for the same to happen to you? I think not." She sounded agonized. The worry he heard sent a stab of pain thundering into him, and Nash made haste to reassure her.
    "Nothing you can do will change the way my family think of me. I am the reprobate . I refuse to conform. As I think on it more, it seems we are all like that, except Perry. He conforms, so maybe he is not as the rest of us, eh? Non-conformist in his conforming. Don't worry; I do what's right for me, and now for us. The others? Cecy has been banished to the wilds of Devon for disrespecting convention once too often. Randall? I won't talk about his problems, but they are manifold, Papa?" He rolled his eyes and ushered Felicity toward the stairs that led from his bathing chamber. "Papa has gone to regain his youth, and Harry, well if he doesn't blow Parliament up by mistake, it will be a miracle. The Brigstocks are not renowned for conventionality, far from it. You will fit in with us fine."
    By the time he had finished reassuring her they had reached the bottom of the stairs. "We go this way . It leads toward the kitchen garden. From there we can gain the woods without too much fear of being seen, and we can ramble at ease." He opened a door.
    "Wait for one moment. The garden should be empty, but it will do no harm to check." He looked out. "The coast is clear. Come on." Nash took hold of Felicity's hand and drew her close to him. They walked at a brisk pace between rows of cabbage, and the odd bean. There were very few vegetables left. Most had been lifted and stored for the coming winter. At the far side of the bare beds he turned toward a tall wooden gate set in the high stone wall. "Wait again. This leads to the edge of the wood, and again there should be no one around, but we will not chance it."
    "No , let us not." Felicity replied in a fervent tone. "I could think of nothing worse."
    Nash nodded and opened the gate with care. Once through he took a good look around. He could see no one and the birdsong indicated all was well. He turned and beckoned.
    "All is well. Walk straight ahead and into the trees. You will see a faint path. I'll join you once I've secured the gate. About half a mile distant is an old ruined cottage. If we walk there and back it will give us time to return before the servants are up and about and working toward the evening’s chores." Unless he had visitors, Nash had always preferred his afternoons without interruption, and each and every member of staff appreciated those few hours of freedom. As far as he knew, none visited this area of the wood. It was wild and there was no need. Poachers would be dismissed, and it was well known Nash was a good employer. None would risk their livelihood for a few rabbits.
    Felicity gave him a strange look as she passed him and walked the few yards to the safety of the trees. He secured the gate and joined her.
    "What was that look for?" he asked as he settled one hand on her arse and they began to walk further into the wood. She wriggled.
    "Ah, I like that ." She glanced up at him from under her lashes. Her eyes sparkled. Nash pinched one globe and rubbed the nip. Even through her dress he could feel her heat and wanted desperately to feel her naked against him once more. He couldn't get enough of that sense of completion when they were together.
    "No, it is more than that. And do not say yes because you like more than that. I know it."
    She giggled. It was young, carefree and happy. He loved it.
    "I know the cottage. It was where I met Maggie when she came to help me to hide."
    Nash frowned; he hadn't realized the servants used it.
    "Does she go the re often?'
    "No, no one does , she said. That is why she chose it. It is somewhere you have placed out