Restored to Love by Anna Rockwell Page A

more clearly, and under a mop of short, curly black hair, he seemed to have a hint of olive darkness to his complexion.
    Before the Centurion could speak again, she heard another male voice, again coming from behind her.
    â€˜His name is Marcus Quiltillus. He was one of the Colosseum chorus line. He now resides in the Van Dessen oil painting, above what’s left of the fireplace.’
    Still brandishing the curtain pole, Gillian spun on her heel and turned to face the new voice. Now she found herself looking at a Cavalier, in full King Charles collars and cuffs, with shoulder-length straw-blond hair. Out of fear, she lashed out with the wooden pole – which, to her surprise, did not hit the Cavalier but passed through him.
    The Cavalier coughed discreetly into his handkerchief, then put his hands on his hips. ‘That’s not a very polite way to introduce yourself, now is it?’
    Still confused, Gillian turned around again and prodded the Centurion firmly in the stomach. At least, she tried to, only the wood pushed through his breastplate with almost no resistance whatsoever.
    She looked up to see the impassive expression on the Centurion’s face, then spun back around to the Cavalier, angry now. ‘I’m not into stupid tricks!’ she snapped. ‘I don’t know who you are, or how you’re doing all of this, but stop it right now! I don’t believe in ghosts!’
    The Cavalier bowed formally to her. ‘Madam, I can reliably assure you that ghosts, revenants, apparitions and free spirits such as ourselves do most assuredly exist. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Daniel Mathias Dalverton – the third Lord Dalverton, in fact. And were all this but simple trickery, would I be able to do this?’
    He stepped forward, took her face gently in his hands, then bent his head and kissed her. His mouth met hers softly, but when she instinctively parted her lips he became become more assertive. His hands moved over her shoulders, fingertips brushing down her back, until she felt him firmly cup her arse beneath the thin material of her underwear.
    Next, she felt warm breath on the back of her neck, then two firm hands had closed around her breasts, thumbs brushing upwards to rub at her nipples, making her gasp at the unexpected pleasure.
    As Daniel pulled away from her she felt her heart rate increase. Whoever he might be, he certainly knew how to kiss. Smiling, he’d then said, ‘And if it was all just smoke and mirrors, would we be able to do this?’
    For several seconds it felt as if electric fire was dancing through her body, sparkling and vibrant, yet as cool as peppermint in a breeze. Then Daniel was standing behind her, and Marcus Quiltillus in front, both having passed through her at the same time.
    Behind her, Daniel’s arms encircled her waist, and this time she felt the unmistakable pressure of his stiff cock sliding down the centre of her panties, and nudging firmly at the tops of her thighs.
    â€˜We can be as real as you want us to be.’
    Marcus moved forward and put his hands on her hips. They felt warm and eager as they worked their way under the pink elastic waistband. His tongue flicked over his lips as he said, ‘For as long as you want us to be.’
    In her ear, Daniel whispered, ‘He is very gifted, and doesn’t object to being mounted. Or doing the mounting.’
    Gillian’s breathing became deeper and more rapid as she felt herself building towards an involuntary climax. Then, shaking her head several times, she broke away and stepped out from between the two of them.
    As they straightened up to look at her she realised that both were now quite naked – and with no sign of any discarded clothing, except for her crumpled jeans and dirty canvas pumps on the dusty floorboards.
    â€˜This isn’t …’ she started.
    Marcus Quiltillus, legs slightly parted, cock jutting proudly, looked confused.