For a moment he was too stunned to react. Then he went from terror to desire in a flash. He put his arms around her and embraced her, feeling her bosom against his chest. She opened her mouth and their tongues met. Micky grasped her breasts in both hands and squeezed them hard. She gasped. His erection came immediately. Augusta began to grind her pelvis against his, rubbing herself on his stiff penis. They were both breathing hard. Augusta took his hand, put it in her mouth, and bit down, to stop herself crying out. Her eyes closed tight, and she shuddered. He realized she was having an orgasm and he was so inflamed that he, too, reached a climax.
It had taken only a few moments. Afterwards they clung together, panting, for a little longer. Micky was too bewildered to think.
When Augusta had caught her breath she broke the embrace. "I'm going to my room," she said quietly. "You should leave the house immediately."
"Augusta--"
"Call me Mrs. Pilaster!"
"All right--"
"This never happened," she said in a fierce whisper. "Do you understand me? None of it ever happened!"
"All right," he said again.
She smoothed the front of her dress and patted her hair. He watched helplessly, immobilized by the force of her will. She turned and went to the door. Automatically, he opened it for her. He followed her out.
The nurse looked an inquiry at them. Augusta put her finger to her lips in a hushing gesture. "He's just dropped off to sleep," she said quietly.
Micky was amazed and appalled by her coolness.
"Best thing for him," said the nurse. "I'll leave him in peace for an hour or so."
Augusta nodded agreement. "I should, if I were you. Believe me, he's quite comfortable now."
PART II
1879
Chapter ONE
JANUARY
Section 1
HUGH RETURNED TO LONDON after six years.
In that period the Pilasters had doubled their wealth--and Hugh was partly responsible.
He had done extraordinarily well in Boston, better than he could have dreamed. Transatlantic trade was booming as the United States recovered from the Civil War, and Hugh had made sure Pilasters Bank was financing a healthy chunk of that business.
Then he had guided the partners into a series of lucrative issues of North American stocks and bonds. After the war, government and business needed cash, and Pilasters Bank raised the money.
