The Luckiest Man on Earth

The Luckiest Man on Earth



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and no trademark infringement is intended or implied - not to say that I would not like to but please do not sue.



Chapter 17: Betrayal



Flint Manor:



Several days later, after the theater, Natalya opened the door to her private suite and found Aurelius waiting for her standing by the balcony. She stiffened but closed the door as he turned to face her.



“Natalya,” said Aurelius hesitantly. “We have to talk.”



Natalya shuddered in trepidation as she took in the serious look on his face. She watched as her husband came closer to her. Natalya retreated to the safety of her dressing table as she turned her back and sat down. She began to slowly remove her jewelry and watched in the mirror as her husband settled himself on her sofa.



“We can’t go on like this Natalya,” said Aurelius as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. Natalya’s heart tightened as she took in his careworn face.



“I know,” whispered Natalya. Her mind was racing. Surely, he did not know about Lucius.



“Marcus is getting married in a little more than two months,” said Aurelius as he raised his face and looked towards his wife’s unyielding back. “We have to resolve this tension between us for his sake if not for ours. I am still truly sorry about what you had to witness Natalya. I wish I could take it all back.”



“Take what back,” asked Natalya sadly. “The fact you have a mistress or the fact that I saw you.”



“The fact that I hurt you,” said Aurelius seriously. “You are my wife Natalya. I miss you.”



Natalya’s eyes brimmed with tears as she turned in her chair and faced her husband for the first time. The guilt over her tryst with Lucius and her love for Aurelius made her heart soften as she looked into her husband’s tired eyes.



“I miss you too Aurelius,” said Natalya hesitantly. She bit her lip as she watched as her husband got up and came to stand beside her. He touched her hair with a hesitant hand.



“Do you forgive me, my love,” asked Aurelius as he stroked her soft dark hair.



Natalya got to her feet and grasped his hand. She squeezed hard as she whispered, “Am I really your love Aurelius? Do you love me?”



“I love you Natalya,” said Aurelius hoarsely.



“You are not just saying that because you know that is what I wanted to hear,” said Natalya desperately and a little tearfully.



“No,” said Aurelius as he shook his head. His heart constricted as he saw the doubt and fear in her expressive eyes. “My life is empty without you.”



“Ever since I first laid eyes on you Aurelius, I loved you,” said Natalya as she shook with emotion. “I left my family and my country without a backward glance for you.”



“I know,” said Aurelius as he touched her back soothingly.



“But I have always known that if I hadn’t had a large dowry, you would never have married me,” said Natalya bleakly.



“Are you sure,” said Aurelius ruefully. “Your mother was not exactly forthcoming with your dowry as you may not remember. We were living here amidst the shabby squalor for over a year. The debts that my father had left were eating up most of my income. I had to flog several old paintings in order to provide food for you, Marcus and the house elves.”



“You never said,” gasped Natalya in shock. “I thought my mother paid my dowry after a short delay.”



“Your mother made sure that I signed a marriage contract that she thought suitable before she reluctantly gave me the galleons,” said Aurelius with a bitter smile.



“Why didn’t you tell me,” said Natalya with shock.



“You were so young,” said Aurelius as he touched her face thoughtfully. “And you were so happy with the baby and I just couldn’t destroy your illusions. I mean I did enough of that when I took you away from your life.”



“I went willingly,” said Natalya protestingly.



“I seduced you,” said Aurelius. “I kept you in bed for a month then whisked you off to England to marry on my estate before you could protest. A good thing too, as you were expecting Marcus already.”



“How could I not notice,” said Natalya sadly.



“You were wrapped up with being pregnant then with our baby,” said Aurelius as he stroked her back soothingly.



“I am so scatterbrained,” said Natalya fretfully.



“I like you that way,” said Aurelius seriously as he bent to give her a soft kiss on her trembling lips.



“I don’t,” said Natalya. She leaned into his mouth unconsciously. She shivered then tried to pull away from his embrace.



“Please Natalya,” said Aurelius. “Don’t push me away.” His voice dipped and he whispered, “Forgive me.”



“That woman,” said Natalya haltingly. She just had to know. “Do you love her too? How long was she your mistress?”



“She’s not important,” said Aurelius as he stifled a groan. “You are my wife. Forget about her.”



“I can’t,” whispered Natalya.



“Let me show you how much I love you,” coaxed Aurelius.



When Aurelius’s mouth slanted over her own a moment later, Natalya could not summon the strength to push him away. His mouth demanded a response from her. She moaned as his tongue surged into her mouth, hot and seeking. When his mouth trailed kisses down her throat, Natalya arched her neck and clutched at his hard shoulders.



“Merlin,” thought Natalya hazily as Aurelius’s hands petted and smoothed over her skin with dizzying speed and precision. He knew just where to touch her. Natalya panted and helped Aurelius with the buttons to her robe. She wanted to feel his hands on her skin.



Aurelius looked into his wife’s passionate face and groaned as his hands began to explore her soft skin. Natalya had always had the softest skin. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to her bed. He put her down on the silk duvet and undressed as his wife watched him with her expressive dark eyes. He joined her on the bed. Aurelius gave a smile as her arms opened to embrace him as he settled over her lush curves.



Natalya’s eyes closed in pleasure as Aurelius slowly and thoroughly kissed every inch of skin he could reach. His teeth tugged gently on her rosy nipples as he stroked the undersides of her breasts. He trailed kisses down her torso as his knee urged her legs to part.



Natalya gave a small low moan as his tongue slid into her moist cleft. She gasped out her pleasure as Aurelius’s tongue teased and sucked at her clitoris in unending little circles. She couldn’t resist tugging at his hair when the waves of pleasure slowly and inexorably surged over her body. As the pleasure receded, she slowly came to the realization that Aurelius was still softly and gently kissing her between her legs. She gave a choked sob when his tongue began to lave her clitoris in long slow licks.



“Aurelius,” panted Natalya. “Please.” She had no idea what she was pleading for him to do. Her body was alive with sensation. His tongue was driving her insane. She didn’t know whether she wanted him to stop or to keep going. Desire flickered like flames up and down her spine.



“Ahhh,” moaned Natalya when one of Aurelius’s fingers slipped inside her wet cleft. She squirmed under his exploring fingers as he kept sucking on her clitoris. When he finally pushed his aroused body up her torso, Natalya gave a sigh of relief as he buried himself deep inside her hungry cleft.



Aurelius looked down at his wife and her aroused and passionate face as he drove himself deep inside her again and again. He groaned as her legs wrapped around his hips and her nails dug into his back. She urged him to ride her hard and fast. Aurelius panted as he obeyed her. He bit his lip as the urge to come began to overwhelm him. He was waiting for his Natalya. He bit back a shout as he felt her sheath tightened and ripple against his erection. Natalya threw her head back and said his name as he spurted deep inside her welcoming depths.



Later after he moved them both underneath the duvet, he gave a sleepy smile when he heard her whisper that she loved him. Aurelius buried his face into her hair and fell asleep wrapped around his wife.



The next morning, Aurelius was amused to find his wife blushing as she tried to untangle herself from his embrace. They had come together in silent heated passion again that night under the cover of darkness. Then they had made love early that morning as the dawn broke over the horizon. He tugged her down to lie in his arms.



“Where are you off to in such a hurry,” asked Aurelius lazily as he lightly caressed her nipple.



“I have to meet the wedding organizers in London this morning and then I have to meet Isolde Bell in Hogsmeade for a late tea to arrange Marcus and Katie’s engagement party,” said Natalya as she stroked the back of Aurelius’s neck.



“Are you too busy for me,” asked Aurelius with a low purr. “Can you meet me for a little lunch in Diagon Alley? I have a meeting with our solicitor’s about the transfer of ownership of the London townhouse.”



“I’ll meet you at the Velvet Wand at noon,” said Natalya with a bright smile. “Are you really going to put the townhouse in Katie’s name?”



“Yes,” said Aurelius with a tight smile. “It will put their marriage on a more equal footing if Katie feels that she has something to call her own. It will start their marriage off on the right foot.”



Natalya gave her husband a nervous smile and gave a sigh of relief when Aurelius stroked her hand thoughtfully. Her money had always been the unspoken issue in their marriage. They never talked about the fact that the income from her trusts had kept the Flint estate afloat for many years. She reached out and touched her husband’s hand. Ironically, the eventual inheritance she would receive when her mother died would actually dwarf those trusts. Even if her mother left a bulk of her estate to Marcus, like she suspected, they would never have to worry about money again. But Natalya knew that it irked Aurelius’s pride that all his wealth was tied up in real estate and on paper.



“That is a wonderful idea,” said Natalya gently as she caught her husband’s eye. She vowed to herself that they were going to talk about their marriage now that they had reconciled. They were going to talk through their main problems - his infidelities and her money.



“Want to scrub my back,” asked Aurelius teasingly as he got out of bed and stretched. He sauntered nude towards their bathroom.



“Gladly,” said Natalya as she followed him.



Later that Day: The Velvet Wand: 11:30 a.m.



Natalya settled down on the velvet banquette and ordered a cup of tea as she waited for Aurelius. She was early. She nodded and smiled when the waiter asked her if she wanted something to read while she was waiting. She opened the Daily Prophet absently as she read the latest news about that escaped criminal Sirius Black. Natalya froze when she turned the page and saw the lurid headlines splashed over the paper.



Scorned Woman tells All!



By Rita Skeeter



Mistress of prominent member of one of Britain’s wealthiest families tells all about their lurid affair exclusively in the Daily Prophet. Hear all the scandalous details! Pages 3,4,5,6.



Natalya felt sick as she saw a picture of the red haired witch and Aurelius. She shakily turned the page and saw a picture of her, Aurelius and Marcus from last year. Natalya closed her eyes as nausea threatened to overcome her. Then she started to read. Several minutes later, she raised her eyes from the paper and stared unseeingly into the distance. She jumped when Aurelius said her name.



A surge of a deep terrible anger went through Natalya when she saw his face. She watched almost detached from reality as he said her name again with a note of concern. She just stared at him as he sat down across from her. She felt sick as she realized that his words from last night were just words. Even if half of what this woman said was true, and the woman said she had proof in the form of letters, then Aurelius had been playing her for a fool. And she was foolish to let her love for him override her common sense. She held out the paper wordlessly.



A tense silence fell on the table as Aurelius read the article. He looked up in shock and horror into his wife’s tense white face after he finished.



“Natalya,” said Aurelius hesitantly. “She’s lying.”



“Did you have an affair with her for three years?” asked Natalya tonelessly.



“Yes,” said Aurelius tensely. He had never seen his wife look like this. Her face was white and her lips were as well.



“She said that even though you were never faithful to her, you were very generous,” whispered Natalya hoarsely. “But seeing as it was my money you were spending on her, she actually felt guilty sometimes. It says she wanted to tell me. She says that you said you would leave me for her. She says she has proof in the form of letters. Aurelius, they have pictures of Marcus in this paper. They go on and on about how it will affect his upcoming marriage. They have pictures of me. You have publicly humiliated me and your family for a common whore.”



“Natalya,” said Aurelius helplessly.



“I was such a fool about you,” said Natalya bitterly. “All those fancy words last night were just words. You would have found yourself another slut and our marriage would have went on with me oblivious to your true nature. You don’t love me. How could you love me and betray me like this?”



“Natalya,” said Aurelius as his face flushed. “I do love you.”



“Stop lying to me,” said Natalya with her teeth clenched together. “No more lies. You’ve cheated on me with my friends, serving maids, and everyone else under the sun. I turned a blind eye because I loved you but no more. I fooled myself into believing that you loved me best but you don’t love anyone but yourself. You’ve held my money against me for years. Is this how you got your own back? By being a whore yourself?”



Aurelius listened to his wife’s angry and almost hysterical voice with a sense of shock. His sweet oblivious wife was gone. This witch was furious. He stayed silent as he listened to her rant. He deserved her anger. He watched as she stood up and gathered her things in angry silence.



“Where are you going?” asked Aurelius quietly.



“I have to plan your son’s wedding,” said Natalya bitingly. “I no longer wish to be in your presence never mind eat. I suggest Aurelius that you stay at your club. I do not want to see your face at the manor tonight. I will not be responsible for my actions if you do not heed my wishes.”



“As you wish,” said Aurelius heavily as he watched Natalya leave without a backward glance. He buried his face in his hands. There was no use talking to her when she was this angry. His mistress had lied about some things in the article but told the truth sporadically. His mistress had known how to twist the knife to afflict the most damage. She had pleaded with him to leave Natalya but he had always laughed off her suggestions. These lies were her revenge. How she knew that he truly loved Natalya, he would never know. He got up and settled the bill. He went straight to his solicitor’s office. He had to silence that woman before she destroyed his marriage.



The Bell Townhouse: London:



Natalya stood outside the Bell’s townhouse and stared sightlessly at the door. She had come here almost against her will. Her feet had led her here. The terrible anger that gripped her in the restaurant had faded leaving in its place a sense of bone deep loss. She knocked on the door and decided to floo from here toe ane and make her apologies to Isolde.



“Mrs. Flint,” said Rhys with concern as he took in the woman standing in the doorway. She was wan and trembling. He guided her into the house and closed the door.



“Is your mother home,” said Natalya faintly. “I have to cancel tea.”



“I think she knows,” said Rhys. “She tried to contact you but you were not at home. She had to go to my grandmother’s unexpectedly. She’s taken ill. I was supposed to keep trying or go to Hogsmeade for her.”



“You’ve read the paper,” said Natalya as she shuddered.



“Yes,” said Rhys gravely. “It’s all rubbish anyway.”



“No its not,” said Natalya as her face suddenly crumpled and she began to cry. Rhys hesitated then gathered her up in his arms and let her cry. He listened to her heartbroken sobs for a long time as he soothingly rubbed her back. Finally, she stopped crying and pulled away from him in embarrassment.



“I should make you some tea,” said Rhys as he cleared his throat.



“Tea would be lovely,” said Natalya as she dried her eyes. She followed him into the kitchen and was sipping her tea in a matter of moments. She grimaced when she realized that the tea had a strong shot of liquor in it.



“I thought you needed a strong cup of tea,” said Rhys with a gentle smile.



“Thank-you,” said Natalya. “And thank you for letting me cry all over you.”



“He’s a fool,” said Rhys intently. “You are far more beautiful than that red haired slag.”



“Thank-you again,” said Natalya with a rueful laugh.



“No really,” said Rhys. “You are one of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You make Owen’s wife look like a hag.”



“Now I know you are exaggerating,” said Natalya as she blushed under Rhys’s intent greeny blue eyes. “Merlin, I had better go.”



“Why?” asked Rhys. “Stay here and keep me company or better yet, let’s go to Hogsmeade and plan that silly party. It will keep your mind occupied. It’s better than sitting alone in a silent manor.”



“That’s actually a good idea,” said Natalya with a brave smile. Her smile faded. “But everyone will be looking at me.”



“Use a glamour,” said Rhys. “Say that you are Mrs. Flint’s social secretary.”



“I don’t have a social secretary,” said Natalya with a small tremulous smile.



“It will be distracting,” urged Rhys.



“Okay,” agreed Natalya as she nodded in surrender. Rhys’s enthusiasm and kindness convinced her. They prepared to leave. Rhys suggested she cast a glamour that made her appear like she did when she was eighteen.



Rhys stifled a gasp as the glamour shimmered over her. She looked so pretty, even prettier than before. He grasped her hand as they apparated with a pop.









Next Few Chapters:



Marcus reacts to the scandal – not well mind you.

Aurelius is fighting mad at his mistress. His temper will prompt him to do a nasty thing.

Billy finds out about the wedding. She puts two and two together.

Marcus and Katie’s relationship comes under a national microscope, as the scandal shows no sign of dissipating.

Rhys and Natalya’s visit to Hogsmeade. Rhys is a man with a serious hankering for Natalya Flint. And Natalya is so vulnerable right now.