Chapter 9

Within the confines of the rumbling carriage Leah sat with a smug expression on her face. She was settled on a titled lord, grotesque as he was, but he was hers to do with as she pleased. With just the two of them there, she had turned on her full powers and bewitched the man into a full slumber.

Yes, he would be easy to manage.

All she had to do is bide her time till she could rid herself of her paunchy companion, and all his wealth and privilege would be hers. With such power it would be easy to dispatch Patrick the pest. She wouldn't even have to do any of the dirty work herself! All she had to do was hire a band of mercenaries to do her bidding. Perhaps it would not be as satisfying as getting rid of him herself, but the deed would be done and she would finally be rid of the curse. She could not, and would not, put herself in a position to be felled by her enemy again.

Once she was free she would be completely unrestrained in her power. She would be a powerful and eternal force that no one would dare cross.

"Where could that bastard and his twittering little bitch be?" she mused to herself.

Her delicate golden brows drew together in anger and for a quick moment she allowed herself to replay the scene in the forest. He had been at her mercy, she had started her curse and he had grown right before her eyes!

Leah slammed her fist against carriage door and grunted in angry frustration. "How has he managed to escape me again?" she muttered to herself.

Her angry mutterings caused Sir Overton to stir in his sleep, but not enough to break the spell she had over him.

"I'll win yet!" she vowed before smoothing her features once again and returning to her quiet study of the passing fields.

"Wait!" Popo laughed as Gene tried to run around him so she could climb on Disturbance's back. "Wait you silly girl. What are you planning on doing? Are you going to go and stop the carriage and assault your father in the middle of the road? Think my darling. You look as if you've been tumbling in the fields, don't you think your father might take exception to that?"

Gene giggled at him and arched a brow at him. "Yes, I suppose I do look a mess. As for the tumbling in the fields, well, it was more like a tumbling on a tree don't you think?"

Popo threw his head back and laughed. He really did love her quirky sense of humour. He pulled her to him and gave her a squeeze. Placing a kiss on her ear he whispered "that my darling girl was not a tumbling. A tumbling would have ended with both of us having found some relief. But don't worry", he said as he took her lobe and gently suckled, "there will be a tumbling soon, and I promise you won't have the strength to tease me when I'm through with you!"

Gene shivered in his arms at the promise in his words. If today were anything to judge by, being tumbled by him would be like getting consumed by a flame. Wiggling her arms free from where they were trapped against his chest, she reached up with one hand to pull on his hair so he would stop tormenting her hyper-sensitized ear between his lips. When he pulled away enough to look her in the eyes she used her other hand to reach between their bodies and take hold of his cock. Rubbing it enticingly through his pants she watched his face contort in pleasure/pain.

Planting a little peck on his lips she whispered, "If this randy fellow isn't satisfied, by all means let's satisfy him."

Popo resisted the urge to throw her down on the ground, toss her skirts up and finally bury himself in her hot body. He was quickly loosing control of the situation and he knew that there was still danger nearby.

But he couldn't resist one last kiss to last him for the rest of the day. Pulling her hand away from his cock, to remove some of the temptation, he pulled her arms around his neck and pulled her tight against his body.

It was a sweet soft kiss that promised so much more. It was a gently glide of tongues that spoke volumes in terms of all that they felt for each other.

It was a kissed that rocked her world and left her breathless at the beauty and wonder that he had brought into her life.

Eventually they parted. He released her so that she was left to stand on her own two wobbly feet. Helping her as she tried to catch her breath, he took her hand and placed a sweet kiss on the soft skin of her wrist. Then he lifted her onto Disturbance's back and climbed up behind her where he shrunk back to his Gnome form.

No more words were spoken between them.

She was left to muse over what his body promised, he was left to wonder what he could promise her for the future.

As the carriage pulled up to the lovely home on the hill, Leah waved her hand in front of Lord Overton's face, breaking him of the spell. He sputtered awake and looked around him in a befuddled state.

"Don't worry Dear, you fell asleep. But now you are nearly home and it is time to introduce me to you family and servants".

Lord Overton could only nod mutely at the vision before him. She was certainly stunning, but he felt the strangest sensation in his head. It was like there was a fog blocking his mind. He strangely felt as if he were in a dream where he was no more than a silent observer to the world around him.

There was quite a shock on all the faces of the people gathered outside waiting for the Lord to disembark. Not only was he not alone, he was married!

All the servants were quick to curtsy and bow to their Lord and the strange beauty that followed him out of the carriage. She was dressed in course clothing, but the attention their Lord paid her spoke volumes about her status.

'Could this lovely vision be the new Lady of the house', they wondered. To more than a few of the servants gathered this was quite unbelievable. Their Lord's snobbery was no secret, and for him to have to tied himself to a woman who was obviously of inferior birth was almost unbelievable.

From one of the rooms above two lovely faces peered down at the sight before them. Both were shocked and one was more than a little upset.

"How could he do this", hissed Greta. "Who is that bitch?"

Gertrude new better than the answer her sister for then she would become the target of her wrath. It was puzzling to her, but she had never been the jewel in their father's eye. She knew this new addition to the household would not affect her much; not unless their new step mama chose to be a terror.

Greta knew that her position had suddenly been reduced. If there was a new woman, there was the possibility of a male heir.

"Oh fuck!" she muttered as that realization hit her. "What if the bitch is pregnant?"

Trying to lesson her sister's anger Gertrude said, "What if she is? You know father has never sired a boy. I doubt he would succeed now that he is an old man. Besides, if she does give him another girl, that woman's life will turn into a living nightmare. He'll blame her and her obvious lack of breeding as the reason for her failure ... Don't fret Greta, you'll soon be the favorite again. Just you wait."

"True," she muttered. That realization did make Greta feel better. She decided to dismiss her worries and concentrate on charming her father once again. This woman might be pregnant, might not, but she would still be the one to form an advantageous marriage. She would be the one to bring more power and wealth to their father.

Turning from the window and straightening her gown she plastered a dulcet smile on her face and headed down to meet the new woman and her father.

Greta, already plotting to ingratiate herself to their new step mama, just in case she did birth a male, followed sedately behind her voluptuous sister.

Leah, ignoring the bowing servants, climbed the few steps leading up the house. She wanted to see what she had acquired through this marriage and she knew that under her spell Lord Overton would simply follow her.

As she entered she spotted the two lovely girls descending down the steps before her. Yes, they were lovely, but she didn't find them a threat. Narrowing her eyes she waited for them to finish descending. It would be amusing to see how they treated her.

Greta reached the floor and stood her ground. She would not bow to the woman until her place in this household was confirmed. She figured this would establish her dominance over her the new woman in no uncertain terms.

Greta was not such a fool. She reached the bottom of the steps and bobbed a quick curtsy to the woman. No point in angering their father, who was just as likely to snap at her as not.

Leah noted the defiant stance of the pretty blond with some amusement. 'That little bitch will pay for that', she vowed. Calling over her shoulder at her new husband she said, "My Lord, who are these two wenches?"

Greta gasped at the affront of this woman calling her a wench. Gertrude hid her smile for she could see that the woman was not going to be easily cowed by Greta's uppity attitude.

Lord Overton shuffled over and glanced at the girls. "These be two of my daughters Leanne. There is another one around here somewhere. Girls make your bows to your new mama and fetch me Gene. I'll whip that girl for not being here to great us."

Gertrude curtseyed again; Greta did so as well, but it was rather stiffly done. "Gene isn't here papa." Stated Gertrude in a quiet voice.

"What?!"

"I believe she is out riding."

Lord Overton sputtered in anger and snapped at Gertrude: "Damn that girl, you will send her to me as soon as she arrives!" Then taking a hold of Leanne's arm he led her to one of the parlors. "Come dear, let us have a cool beverage while we wait for the brat."

Leah, who had been having a quiet stare down with Greta, turned away and said: "No, that's not necessary. I'll retire now, it's been a busy day. I can meet the rest of your brood later. Send me up a bath and do not disturb me until morning."

Leanne had replied in such an authoritative manner on purpose. She wanted the two girls to see where the power lay in this relationship. Smirking at Greta she said, "Get out of my way girl ... No, wait. You may show me to my room."

Both girls gasped in shock and turned towards their father. Surely he would not tolerate such from his new bride. But he just stared adoringly at Leah, and when he noticed that no one moved he turned angry eyes on the girls and snapped at them. "Do what you were told. Show some respect to your new mama. I can see I have been away for far too long; you two have turned into insolent little brats."

"Yes ... yes father ... Sorry father," they both replied before turning away and doing Leah's bidding.

'Yes, this will be fun', thought Leah, as she was lead away. She almost cackled in glee.

When Gene and Popo finally reached the stable, most of the hubbub had died. The servants were within doors tending to Lord Overton.