by Ella Edon
Her heart beat sped up. She looked up at him. "Oh, Arthur."
"I could not bear it that you were not there when I got home."
Katherine sighed. "I heard your conversation with the Lady Mary, when I came to the office."
Arthur shook his head. "You must have mistaken my words, Katherine. I told her that I intended to wed you, if you would have me."
"Oh Arthur, do you really mean that?"
He smiled. "That I love you?"
She nodded.
He laughed. "Katherine, I am in love with you. I have loved you from the moment I set my eyes on you."
Katherine unable to control her feeling moved close to him, close enough so she could kiss him. When she pulled back, she was smiling. "I love you too, Arthur."
"Do you wish to wed me?" he asked slowly. "I shan't insist that we live in Bowmount Hall. We could go very far away. Near London or somewhere close to Somerset. Gretna Green."
Katherine felt strange about his request. Her heartbeat set off again, making her feel uneasy. For the longest time, she had fought to remain in Bowmount Hall. She had wanted to stay there. She loved the place. It was where she had lived for the past seven years. It was where her daughter had grown up. It was where she lived... with Victor. Her eyes glimmered. Moving away meant leaving everything behind. Everything that reminded her of Victor. The Dowager Marchioness, Bowmount Hall. It was her home. Leaving meant...
"What about Bowmount Hall, Arthur?"
He shrugged. "I trust that the Dowager Marchioness will care for Bowmount Hall. She has done it before, and now that we have made enough to sustain it for years, she would be more than pleased to care for it. With servants at her beck and call, and with letters from us every while. She would be happy."
"Oh Arthur, you really have thought about this?"
He nodded. "All night long. I want to be happy with you and Victoria, Katherine."
"But, Arthur, Bowmount Hall was been my home for the past seven years. It has been Victoria's home. I do know that... A lot has happened in Somerset, but... it's all too real now. You, asking me to move away with you. I just..."
"I understand, Love. But you've gone through a lot here. And with the rumors, we cannot stay here. Think about how it would be for Victoria, having to grow up with everything that has happened. Once gossip is started, it never dies."
Katherine knew that he was right. She had also been thinking about leaving for a while, but she had never known where she wanted to go, what she wanted to do after she left. It had been a lingering thought, but taking action made it all too real. It made her realize that truly, she would be leaving. Her life there was with Victor, but now, she was in love with Arthur, and he was her future. She wanted to be wed to him. So why was it so hard to accept that she would be moving on?
"It just feels too real. Arthur, I just... I've been here all my life. Moving to Gretna Green is new for me."
Arthur squeezed her hands and kissed them. "I know. But we have to move on. To start anew, away from here. From all the gossips and scornful gazes. I want a new beginning, with you."
Katherine sighed. Arthur was right. They needed a new beginning. Away from Somerset, away from all the gossip and lies. Away from everything. Somewhere new, somewhere safe for Victoria to grow up, without having to hear rumors about her mother. Somewhere they could be happy. Victor was gone. It was a bitter truth, but it was the truth. He was gone. And she would always remember him, Bowmount Hall wasn't the only memory she had left of him. There was Victoria. Arthur was her future, and she loved him with all her heart. She wished to be with him. And she wanted a new beginning with him.
Katherine nodded. Her eyes glistening again. "Yes, yes, I wish to be wed to you."
She hugged him, her tears finally falling. She had never felt so happy than she was then. She was happy. Everything she could possibly wish for was coming to pass. A life with Arthur meant the world to her. She loved him so much. He was right, it was best that they left for Gretna Green, to escape the ton. To escape everyone in Somerset. To start life afresh, together.
As she stood there, sobbing in his arms, she could not help but imagine their future. A future that was near. One that was very close by. One that began in that room, with the two of them, and of course, with her darling daughter, Victoria. When she opened her eyes to look up at him, she saw in his clear blue eyes, her future. Their future and she smiled at what she saw. A beautiful life ahead. She looked up at Arthur. He was smiling down at her. She couldn't resist, so she pressed her lips against his. He chuckled as he ravished her, kissing her till she moaned. In his arms, she felt like everything else didn't matter.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Katherine was beautiful, exceptional even. Arthur thought this, as he stood, watching her sign their marriage license. She wore a heavily brocaded dress, embroidered with white and silver thread. She was beautiful. And she was his.
Once she dropped the feather and smiled at him, the small crowd behind them clapped. Arthur took her hands in his and they walked through the small crowd.
They had moved to Gretna Green a few months back. They had decided to wed as soon as possible, in their new home. Arthur made use of a special license, because he was uncertain that her father would be willing to give her away. However, he realized that perhaps he didn't need to be worried. Her family attended the ceremony, along with her closest friends and the Dowager Marchioness. The Dowager Marchioness, of course, arrived with some of her closest friends. It was a simple ceremony and Arthur only cared that he had his bride.
They all proceeded to the ballroom. He was not concerned about the series of events that followed. There was a dance which he was to take with his bride as they were the newlyweds. A toast was made to them, her father grumpily gave a speech, saying that he was happy that Katherine was now wed again. The Duchess however, wore a smile through everything. Even when her tears of joy came, she didn't stop smiling.
The day was exhausting, only because Arthur yearned to be alone with his bride. Their new home was a fairly large manor, about the same as Bowmount Hall. Their guests who had come from Somerset, were settled in the guest wing. While Arthur and Katherine were in their room in the east wing.
Her father, the Duke, had been impressed when he saw the manor. Although he didn't speak of it, Arthur could tell by his approving glances thrown at his son.
"A toast, to the newlyweds." The Duke raised his glass to the air. Everyone in the ballroom did as he did and cheered.
Arthur pulled Katherine close to him as they waltzed. She flushed under the golden light. He liked that he could still make her shy even after a long time together.
"Hello, wife." He twirled her, but he did not miss her crimson cheeks.
When she turned back to him, she narrowed her eyes and said, "Perhaps I will have my revenge later, My Lord."
He felt a bulge in his breeches and groaned lowly. Katherine blushed, then she let go of him and curtsied. The dance was over. He blinked and bowed as well.
When the evening was over, Katherine kissed Victoria good night and left her with Amelia. Arthur kissed her good night as well. She was still confused that her mama was wed to him, but she liked the idea that he would be staying around. Katherine had wanted to explain everything to Victoria. Arthur asked Katherine to give Victoria time, and tell her in bits.
"Good night, Lord Shepherd." She smiled as Amelia brushed her hair.
Arthur smiled at her and left the room. He walked down the hallway quickly. He couldn't wait to see his wife. How amazing, that a year ago, he had been heartbroken. Only a few months later, he moved to Somerset and then, fallen in love. Now he felt like he could never be sad again. He felt that he was too happy to be sad.
He opened the door to his bed chamber. As expected, she was there. She was seated on a small stool, combing her hair. The golden hair fell on her back in soft curls. He closed the door firmly behind him. She turned as that. Her smile was wide when she set her eyes on him. He watched as
she laid the hairbrush down on the table and rose.
She had changed out of her wedding dress, and was now in a cotton night gown. Without her robe on, he could see her bosom, her nipples outlined and peek ing through the transparent fabric. He removed his coat and walked over to her. She met him midway with a kiss. He pulled her up, so that her legs were around his waist, and he held her by her buttocks. She moaned against his lips as he laid her down on the bed, and hovered over her.
Before his lips descended on her again, to kiss her face, down to her neck, and then her bosom, he told her, "I love you."
She beamed at him. "I love you too."
He pulled down the straps of her night gown slowly, wanting to see the hunger run into her eyes. She watched him as he let her dress fall to her hips, and then, her eyes glimmered when he moved in and kissed her chest. His lips, trailing until he met her bosom. She bucked and moaned. She wanted to touch him too, but he shook his head.
"Let me please you, my love."
She blushed and nodded shyly. He grinned then as he kissed her breasts, sucking and nibbling, making sure she was satisfied. She pulled her hand through his hair each time he teased her, begging for him to be inside her. He smiled down at her as she whimpered with pleasure beneath him. Then he did away with everything he wore. He penetrated her slowly, so that she felt him at every move. Their eyes met when he was deeply buried inside her. He moved against her, and his ears were filled with her moans. He whispered to her nonstop, about his love for her.
He was happy, that she was his, forever. As they made love, he hoped that this was the night they conceived. He smiled to himself when she collapsed on him and smiled at him. Her dazzling smile made his heart beat faster. He kissed her nose and held her close. This was his forever.
Epilogue
"Mama!" Victoria's voice echoed through the hallway and the sound of her shoes resounded through the entire hall. Katherine held her breath and prayed hard that the babe in her arms would not be woken. She wished for her baby to fall asleep, so she could go down and have breakfast.
Arthur sat beside her, smiling. She jerked her head to the door, signaling for him to tell Victoria to be quiet. He rose and did as he was asked. Katherine sighed in relief. Miss Carraway, a nursemaid she had hired upon the birth of her child, was at her side immediately. Katherine handed over the sleeping child. She picked him up out of Katherine's arms slowly and placed him in his crib.
She turned to Katherine, smiling. "I will make sure to inform you when Francis has awoken," the nursemaid promised.
Katherine nodded. Without a word, she left the nursery and slipped into the hallway, her eyes darting around. She wondered where Arthur and Victoria were, and what Victoria had wanted to tell her so badly that she had been yelling.
She made her way down the stairs and as expected, she found them both in the schoolroom. There was a pianoforte at the center of the room. Victoria was learning to play it. Since they moved to Gretna Green, Victoria had become enthusiastic about a lot of things, especially music. And Arthur spoiled her. He gave her anything she wanted.
It made Katherine happy that Arthur and Victoria were so close. Victoria had also started trying to call him Papa. She had never asked Arthur, but she had asked Katherine if it was alright. Katherine never forced her to do so, knowing that it may all be confusing for her. She had previously wondered why Arthur was to wed her mother.
"I already have a Papa, Mother."
Katherine had spent her time explaining that it was alright for her to have another papa.
But now, all that was in the past. She was even more pleased when Arthur told her that there was a trust secured for Victoria. The trust was made up of the large profit Victor made from India. Arthur was a good gentleman, and she was happy she had married him.
Her family had not been pleased to hear that she and Arthur had eloped and had even wed through Special License. They had however, come to visit and had accepted Arthur as their son by her marriage. The Dowager Marchioness was on her way, she said she couldn't stay in Bowmount Hall, knowing full well that Katherine had given birth. She was to arrive that evening with The Duchess of Somerset.
Katherine closed the schoolroom door quietly behind her, leaving Arthur and Victoria to their music. She was happy where she was, happy with who she was wed to.
She entered the foyer and sat down to rest for a minute before she had her meal. She was more tired than hungry.
No sooner had she closed her eyes than the door opened. She opened her eyes to see Arthur slipping in with a letter in hand. Katherine arose. "Is that for me? Was that why Victoria was calling for me? "
He didn't respond to her. He simply walked close to her and placed his lips over hers. She moaned and melted in his arms. He placed his hands behind her head and ravished her. His other hand was on her waist, pressing her body to his. She felt her bosom pressed against his chest. And she was hit from all the fabric between them. He seemed so happy. She could tell from the kiss.
Katherine pulled away, smiling. "Why are you so happy, My Lord?"
He raised the letter in the air before handing it to her. It was opened already. She flipped it open and began to read it. Her eyes widened at what she saw. The letter was from a court, approving of Arthur's proposal — one she knew not of — of a jointure of the estate they now owned there in Gretna Green. She shook her head. "Arthur, what have you done?"
It was a marriage settlement. The letter stated that the Gretna Green estate that Arthur had bought was now partly hers. And if anything were to happen to him, she owned it all. The estate and all the profit it came with.
"Katherine." Arthur took the letter from her and placed it on the table. Then he pulled her to himself. "I know how you want your independence, My Love. I know how you were afraid to lose everything after Victor's death —"
"I am not losing you, Arthur, what is all this? "
He took her hands in his. "I know that. You won't lose me. But I just want you to own this, as well. Now you do not have to depend on anyone, Katherine. You have what belongs to you. You never have to be afraid of losing anything."
How could she not love him more? He was the perfect man for her. She pressed her lips to his. He kissed her in return. He knew that she appreciated him. She didn't want to do so with words, for she felt they were inadequate. So, she kissed him, and he understood.
"You really didn't have to do this, Arthur. I know that when we started off, I was a bit rash, but I'm not anymore. I had been hurt, but I'm not anymore, Arthur."
She had been keen on being independent because she was afraid, she would lose everything, the way she lost Victor, so suddenly and unexpectedly. She had been scared of losing everything for her daughter's future. And she had made decisions that had been cruel. She blushed at the memory of slipping the sleeping draught into his food. But even then, she had been attracted to him. She sighed as she looked into his eyes. He had done so much for her in so little time. She did miss Victor, she always would, but Arthur was her present and future now. So, she let go of all her anger and let herself be with Arthur fully.
Arthur kissed her cheeks. She giggled. "All of that is in the past. It doesn't matter anymore, Katherine." His eyes searched hers. "You know that, do you not?"
Her eyes watered. Of course, she did. "I love you."
He laughed. "I daresay, you have no other choice, but to do so, My Lady."
She blushed. Her future was here, and there was nowhere else she would rather be, than in his arms. The door burst open. Victoria walked in, grinning. Her governess was behind her, smiling. Victoria rushed to Arthur's side.
With glowing eyes, she said. "Papa, I finally got it!"
Katherine felt her heart explode. She saw the shock on Arthur's face. She saw the tears that came to his eyes. She saw it because when he gazed at her, it reflected in her eyes as well. They were both so happy that tears were not even enough to express it. It was the first time Victoria called him Papa. Katherine watched with j
oy as Arthur bent down before Victoria and said. "Perhaps you would like me to see you play?"
Victoria nodded. "Of course, Papa."
Katherine had never been happier. She watched, with her smile growing wide, as Victoria slipped her hand in Arthur's and led him away from the foyer. Her giggle in the hallway echoed through the house. Her footsteps were like music to her ears. Her chattering rang out and reverberated through the entire house. Her daughter's happiness reflected in her whole life. It was exactly how she was. It was exactly how her life was. Like that of a chattering happy child, who found a beautiful passion and wished to share her discovery with her loving father. There was nothing Katherine could ever ask for again.
Extended Epilogue
