The Captain's Command

By Isadora Rose

Captain Benedict Russell is a broken man when he leaves the army. With nobody else to turn to, he retreats to the country home of his commanding officer to recuperate, but the major’s eldest daughter, Selina Maynard, proves to be a temptation he cannot resist, especially when he realises just how passionately she responds to his commands...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isadora Rose
• Release date: Apr 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370292738

Isadora Rose

Isadora Rose is a nom de plume for this author to unleash some of her darker tales upon the users of Smashwords. You won't find PWP here - if that's your thing, then great, but I believe that the experience of reading erotica is enhanced by a story woven throughout that pulls you in just as surely as the erotic encounters themselves. My stories are written with that aim in mind. I make no apology for the dark twists and turns they might make, and I only hope that you enjoy the journey in every way. All reviews are gratefully read and much appreciated.

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The Captain’s Command

By Isadora Rose

Copyright 2018 Isadora Rose

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for the recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

Oxfordshire, England

1816

Captain Benedict Russell leaned heavily on his cane as he came to the end of the pebbled driveway. His leg felt as if it was on fire, the now familiar knot in his thigh tormenting him from just the short walk up the drive to the handsome, red-bricked manor that was his destination. He had come to terms with the fact that the pain would never go away, but he could not shake the bitter resentment that he found himself back here in England instead of in the army that had been his life these past ten years. Unfortunately, the Frenchman’s bayonet had put paid to that for him, despite the doctor’s inability to find any reason for the lasting pain that the bullet had left him with.

With a black scowl, he lifted his left hand to raise the knocker of the double doors that barred his path. Major John Maynard, his regiment’s commander, had taken retirement at the start of the summer and invited him to stay with him and his family in the countryside until he found somewhere to settle. With no family of his own and no other option, Ben reluctantly accepted, but he was not looking forward to having to socialise with the major and his children. All he wanted was solitude, but it was too late to change his mind now. He hadn’t let go of the knocker, but it seemed he had been spotted, for the doors were being opened from within.

Ben! The major pushed past his butler and held out his hand for Ben to shake, a beaming smile near splitting his weathered face in two beneath the beard now streaked with white. It is remarkably good to see you, my boy. You found the place with no trouble, then?

No trouble at all, Ben said as he clasped the major’s hand and limped forward, allowing himself a swift glance around the entrance hall. It was light and airy, with a distinctly homely feel to the small posies of flowers scattered across the furniture and the glimpses of coats and rows of polished boots and slippers in the cloakroom to the left. For one who had settled nowhere for more than a decade now, it was an oddly comforting sight.

And your luggage?

He pointed down the driveway. In the carriage still.

The major nodded briskly. I shall send one of the boys for it and have it taken to your room, Ben. Well, then, the children are waiting to make your acquaintance, if you feel strong enough to come through to the parlour for a while?

Of course, he cut in grimly, stung by the major’s words. Lead on, major.

His jaw clenched tightly, Ben followed the older man through the manor, the clicking of his cane against the wooden floor announcing his presence even before the major pushed open a door to the right to reveal his family; an elderly, white-haired woman seated in the chair nearest the fire, and the major’s son and three daughters standing directly opposite the door.

The major called them his children, but the willowy woman at the head of the line was no child. The gloriously full and high breasts that her morning dress clung to made that very plain, to say nothing of the knowing sparkle in her brilliant blue eyes, framed by dark, spiky lashes that had him drawing a sharp breath as his intent stare rapidly swept over the rest of her form. Her ebony black curls were pinned back, though they were making a valiant attempt to escape their restraint, and there was a faint flush to her fair skin that made him long to deepen it further. It was her mouth that captivated him, though, the Cupid’s bow of her full lips stirring a fierce lust that had his cock rock hard in an instant.

Ben grimaced, clutching his cane so tightly his knuckles whitened as the major gestured towards the woman. Ben, this is my eldest child, my daughter Selina, he said, mercifully unaware of the thoughts now consuming Ben’s mind.

She curtseyed, a smile playing around the corners of those full lips that made his mind turn in the darkest of directions when their eyes finally met. Damn, how he wanted her lips wrapped around his cock! The force of his arousal took his breath away, and he dared not speak for fear the hoarseness of his voice would betray him. This was madness; he couldn’t even think of playing his games with the major’s lovely maiden daughter. Yet just the briefest thought of her bound and defenceless beneath him threatened to smash apart what little remained of his wits, the temptation she posed him one he was surely powerless to resist.

The dull throb in his leg, though, brought him sharply back to his senses. Even if he could somehow conspire to steal Selina for his own whilst he was here, he was no longer the man he once was. The shows of dominance he so thrilled in would surely be impossible to master with the damned pain in his leg that haunted him day and night. Bitter resentment coursed through his fevered veins, and he could not summon up an answering smile for her.

Hers faded away, but she tilted her head to the side, and he knew she was watching him still out of the corner of her eye as he moved down the line and Major Maynard introduced his son, Julian – a strapping lad who was all but a man himself, towering over his older sister – and the two younger girls, Margaret and Victoria, who followed their sister’s lead and curtseyed politely. Ben barely noticed them, though, for to his frustration all he could think of was Selina. Even the introduction of the elderly woman, the aunt of the major’s late wife, had no impact upon him.

As the major drew him aside and his children respectfully fell back to allow them some privacy, he fought with all that he was to restore the self-control and fortitude of mind that he had learnt during his long and battle-scarred career in the army. She was a temptation he could not indulge in, even if he still had his strength, for it would be the gravest insult against the major, his commanding officer in the army and the man who trusted him enough to invite him into his family home.

Despite that awareness, though, he found himself leaning in to speak confidingly to the major. Your children are a credit to you, major. Remind me of their ages, if you will?

The major smiled. Selina is nineteen, Jacob a month away from his eighteenth birthday, and the two younger girls are thirteen and ten.

But Ben heard nothing past those first three words. All he wanted to know about was her. Nineteen, then; a woman grown, old enough to give him all he craved. He breathed in sharply, willing himself to show nothing of his thoughts in his face as the major spoke again.

You must be tired, Ben, so now that the formalities are out of the way, would you care to retire for a while?

He seized at the chance for solitude, desperate for the space in which to clear his mind. If you don’t mind, Major Maynard.

Call me John now; and on that note, you must treat the manor as if it is your own home, my boy. Everything I have is at your disposal. The major doubtless didn’t include his daughter in that generous offer, but he beckoned her forward nonetheless. Selina, will you show Ben to his room now?

The scent of jasmine and rosewater shimmered in the air around her as she came to his side and smiled up at him again, the curve of those sensuously full lips threatening to drive him wild as their eyes briefly met before she bowed her head to the major. Of course, Father, she said, and then to Ben’s consternation everyone else departed the room to leave them entirely alone.

You need not escort me, Miss Maynard, he said stiffly, cursing the hoarseness of his voice. I do not want to be an imposition; merely direct me where I need to go.

Oh, I would not hear of it, captain! Selina moved to stand on his left, her new proximity only filling him with the burning need to throw aside his damned cane and snatch her into his arms now they were alone, kissing her fiercely until she submitted to everything he sought from her. For a moment he thought he saw an answering flash of desire on her flushed face, but as his eyes narrowed she dropped her gaze to the floor. Shall we, then?

Ben couldn’t see that he had any other choice. Resigned to the inevitable, he fell into step behind her and took the most of the chance to furtively admire her form. She was ripe for fucking, that much was for sure. Her slender waist flared out to the curve of her hips that he longed to hold onto as he thrust into her, and her morning gown clung to her in a manner that was surely indecent. His breath grew shallow, and he knew not whether to be dismayed or relieved when they reached