Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction, and as such, any similarities to real people, places or events are strictly coincidental. This work contains graphic depictions of a sexual nature between consenting adults. The story also refers to aspects of sexuality that may be offensive to certain people, such as BDSM and lesbian themes. If these topics offend you, then stop reading now, moving on to stories that you might better enjoy.
Kissing Cousins
is a multi-part work of fiction. Taking place in the late nineteenth century, it contains references to period customs and mannerisms and is written in a style closely resembling the age.
Enjoy!
Saphhia
*****
Chapter One: Leaving London
Quite simply, it was time to get away from the life that I once found so enticing. My failing marriage, my prying relations and my disturbing acceptance of mediocrity had come to end. As the carriage trundled down the old London road, I was still in awe of my decision. I was leaving, and with no notice or instruction. Smiling inwardly, I gazed out the window as the lush Berkshire countryside slipped by. It was finally over.
My cousin, knowing of my desire for change, had graciously offered to take me in, should I ever muster the courage to leave. She was of the mind that I should have ended my marriage years before. It never being a simple thing for a lady to leave her husband, there were certain logistic hurdles than needed to be breeched beforehand. Much to my husband's chagrin, mine was the money in the house, having brought with me a sizable fortune.
Unlike my cousin, my inheritance was not entailed away. Her parents had passed recently, of natural causes, and her younger brother had inherited. Preferring London over the country, he granted her leave to stay in their family home. I was an only child and with no living relatives, the estate fell upon me when my parents were tragically killed.
Having not taken a husband as yet, the money was held in a trust until such time that I did. The solicitors had the wits to keep the money under my control, rather than place the entire sum into the marriage, as was the custom. As such, he lived in precarious doubt, never really having control of that which he desired more than me.
Now that I had left, he was going to find life rather a challenge. I felt no remorse for his poor fortune, as he was an abusive man who had threatened me on more than a few occasions, even with physical violence should I not acquiesce to his demands. Although he had no idea where I had gone, it would not take him long to figure it out. For this reason, and this reason alone, I left him with a single and unwavering proposition:
Husband,
Know that I have left you, once and for all. My tolerance for your behavior having come to an end, there was little else left for me to do. I am leaving you with the sum of fifty thousand pounds, which my solicitors will deliver to you in a few days time.
There is a condition attached to this generous offer, and I strongly suggest you accept the terms. You will agree to never pursue me in any manner, even so much as a letter. Should you violate this agreement, then all monies granted within this decree shall be forfeit. I am allowing you to move forward with your life, and giving you the means by which to do it. Please, allow me the same.
Elizabeth
I considered it a generous offer, considering the hell he had put me through. Granted, it was a fraction... a small fraction of my worth, but his was not to question my good nature. My relationship with Sarah was different from the start. Both having been raised in Devon, she and I were often thrown together as children. With her family hailing from Exeter and mine from Plymouth, there was a fair length of road between our estates. It was therefore not uncommon for one or the other to spend extended periods of time. We became quite close, for cousins.
When my parents were killed, I was just eighteen, and too young to be left alone in the great house on Dartmoor. Instead, after the funeral, I was transported to my cousin's estate. Sarah was a full year older than I, and had been out for some time. She had been courted by several eligible men, but she had yet to tip her hat. For me, this was a strange world. I had only just come out, and had yet to be approached in spite of my parent's fortune. It was not that I was unattractive, for I had been told that my countenance was quite pleasing. I thought that perhaps the isolation of our estate, had more to do with it than anything else.