Winter Wishes: A Regency Christmas Anthology

by Cheryl Bolen

  He rose up on his forearms and his eyes, emeralds under his lashes, glinted down at her, the weight of his lower body holding her immobile as he looked down and watched as he withdrew and slowly, even more powerfully, entered her.

  She followed his gaze and watched as he claimed her. She felt every inch as he filled her, felt her body tighten until she arched beneath him.

  “God, you feel so good.” She struggled to catch her breath, “My body’s on fire. I don’t know if I can take—”

  “You can. You will.” It was a growled command. “Close your eyes and let it happen.”

  He continued to move above her and her body wound itself as tight as a drawn bow. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to passion’s power. The intimacy of the moment sharpened as he slid deep and she felt the first stirrings of overwhelming passion.

  She sent her hands sliding over his shoulders, running them over his back until she found his buttocks. She held on as they flexed. He began to move more forcibly than before, her hips lifted to match his rhythm the friction of their bodies sending spiraling pleasure to her very core.

  “Oh. My. Goodness—”

  The restless flames of desire erupted within her.

  Erupted into a firestorm.

  At her first scream, he took her mouth. Their lips melded, tongues tangled, hands gripping, their bodies merging in a frantic and driving need.

  They were desperate for each. Neither trying to dominate, both wanting to take this journey together. Sharing, loving, being one. Their senses held, locked, overwhelmed by the slickness, the heat, and the gasping urgency of their loving.

  He drove her on; ensuring the road to her release was expertly travelled. He thrust deeper yet and her body gathered him close, holding him, tightening around him and suddenly she was floating, riding a wave of joyous and consuming pleasure. Her body imploded in heat and glory and satisfaction. Sensations rioted down every nerve to suffuse every inch of her being, with satiation. The waves continued, no longer gigantic but ripples of contentment. She clung to him, felt him thrust deep and roar against her mouth, the sound flowing into her, as did his seed. They lay still, panting, soaking in the glory of their union as the waves slowly ebbed.

  Daniel fought to regain his senses. Eyes closed tight as he felt the last spasm fade. A tsunami of feelings rioted within his chest. She was his. He’d bound her to him—forever. There was no turning back. They would marry and live happily ever after.

  He rolled off her, slumping exhausted, wrung out beside her, pulling her hard against him into the cradle of his arms. Protecting her automatically as he would for the rest of his life.

  Peace flowed over him and through him. He’d never felt anything like it in his life, and he just wanted to lie here and revel in the joy of it.

  The joy of her.

  They lay wrapped together, too drained to stir, but very content.

  Daniel couldn’t stop touching her. He stroked her silky skin and tried to think. “I could get a marriage license but since Christmas is tomorrow perhaps we could wait a few days. I think we should marry before Rheda’s operation as it will help take her mind off what is to come.”

  He felt her still beside him. “Marriage?”

  He turned to look at her and did not see joy in her eyes as he’d expected. “Surely you realize how much I love you. What we shared—”

  “It’s so soon. I had not considered—”

  “I have just ruined you. Surely you must know my heart. I am a gentleman. I would never have slept with you if I was not prepared to offer marriage.”

  “Know your heart?”

  He smiled softly at her surprise forgetting how she distrusted men. “I love you, Georgiana. I told you I wanted to be more than friends.”

  “Love me?” She bolted upright holding the sheet to her bare breasts. “I wasn’t expecting this. I’ve only just found my freedom.”

  Hurt flooded every pore of his body. “Are you implying marriage to me would be akin to being a prisoner? I am not your father.”

  “Everything I own would become yours.”

  Daniel heard the bitterness in her words and knew it was her distrust that made her say them. But he also knew there could be no marriage, no love without trust. He threw back the covers and began to dress. “I don’t want you for your money. I want you for you. I’d be happy to sign away any rights to your trust.”

  She reached out to him then. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to offend you. It’s just—”

  “Get dressed and I’ll organize your chests to be loaded onto the carriage for the trip to Hascombe.”

  “Daniel, please…”

  He remained silent. Too hurt and angry to speak, least he said something he would regret. His first marriage proposal and it had been brushed aside as if it was an offer of a cup of tea. He dressed while Georgiana sat fiddling with the sheets.

  She stood wrapping a sheet around her nakedness. “Should we not talk about this?”

  “It would appear there is nothing to say. You obviously do not love me the way I love you. What we just shared was special. You filled my soul. As a gentleman my offer of marriage still stands, but if you do not love me as I deserve, then perhaps you are right to decline and we should forget this interlude ever happened.”

  With that he gathered his pride and battered heart from the floor and took his leave.

  An hour later he helped Georgiana into the carriage and even though darkness had fallen and it was cold, he decided to ride his horse home to clear his head.

  But he realized he would never clear Georgiana from his heart and mind. Not with her staying under the same roof. How did he get a woman who didn’t know how to trust, to take a risk and give him her heart? He remembered Rheda’s words and decided that he would not give up. This was just one minor hurdle. Once they both had time to reflect on how marvelous their lovemaking had been, perhaps they could talk.

  Only problem was, this had been Georgiana’s first time, and she would have no idea how special their joining had been.

  He knew. He would always know. And she would always own his heart. By God he would fight to win her love. He would stay here until she learned to trust him.

  Chapter 8

  The carriage ride to Hascombe Manor was short, yet it was the longest journey of her life. She had hurt Daniel. A part of her wanted to beg his forgiveness, but was it his pride, or his heart, that she had hurt? They had not known each other long.

  These were the moments when her mother’s condition hit her the hardest. She had no one to confide in. No one to help her work out the tangle of emotions, stirring in her heart.

  Georgiana didn’t know why she was so surprised at Daniel’s reaction to their lovemaking. He appeared to be an honorable, true gentleman. But looks could be deceiving. It had been her decision to give herself to him. She had instigated the passionate scene in her bedchamber. She could hardly blame him for the misunderstanding.

  The cold weather did not stop the heat flushing her body as she remembered how his naked skin felt against hers. That she was attracted to Daniel was not in question. But lust did not mean love. She’d always sworn she’d never fall in love, but the way her heart beat so fast whenever he was near, and the fact she couldn’t wait to have Daniel smile at her in that special way, and the pain she felt at any notion she would never see him again, made her question her vow.

  Her mother had thought herself in love but had been fooled. Daniel had no reason to deceive her. Or did he? Her trust was rather large and he did admit his horse stud was still in a growth phase.

  Her mind was still swirling and she was lost in a thick fog of angst when she arrived at her new temporary home. As she was helped from the carriage she noted there was no sign of Daniel. Instead, Rheda stood at the entrance wrapped in a thick cloak. Rheda beckoned her up and waited for her to reach the door.

  They linked arms as Rheda led her to the drawing room where there was a roaring fire in the grate. “Your mother has settl
ed nicely. She has the rooms on the top floor on the east wing. It has a lovely decked parapet where she can get fresh air whenever she wishes. It cannot be seen from below.”

  Georgiana sank into a chair by the fire, and let the flames warm her chilled bones. “Thank you. I’m sorry to be such a bother on Christmas Eve.”

  “It’s no bother. The children are excited to have you here, probably because they know it means more presents.”

  That made Georgiana smile. Clarity hit like a hurricane. Without love, without trust she would never have a family. If she could never bring herself to marry—she would never have a child out of wedlock. That would not be fair to the child. She wanted children.

  A tear leaked and slowly slipped down her face. She quickly wiped it away but not quick enough. Rheda approached and sank to her knees at her feet, taking her hand in hers. Georgiana was ashamed. “I’m sorry. My worries are nothing compared to yours.”

  “Daniel told you about my condition? I have faith that all will be well. And if not—well, I have so much love to help me face what must come.”

  Georgiana took her opportunity. “Daniel didn’t reveal much about your life before your marriage, but he mentioned you’d worked to save Tumbury Cliff Manor on your own.” She blurted out, “What made you marry Rufus?”

  Rheda smiled. “Why love of course. I was a smuggler.” She halted at Georgiana’s gasp. “Rufus was sent by the crown to capture a smuggler they thought was spying for Napoleon. It was not me, but it was more like fear at first sight,” she laughed.

  “So what made you trust Lord Hascombe?”

  Rheda patted her hand. “I see. This is about your feelings for Daniel. You want to know if he is a man who can be trusted. A man who won’t steal your heart for his own means.”

  She sat forward. “Exactly. How do I trust my heart?”

  Rheda rose and took the chair next to hers. She sat quietly for a moment staring into the flames. “Not trusting almost cost me my life. It’s a long and lonely life if you cannot trust those around you. But, you have to place your trust in the right people, and the only way to do that is to listen to your inner voice. To have confidence in your decisions, and the courage to face the mistakes you make. Your instincts normally tell you the truth. However, sometimes people choose not to listen to themselves.”

  Georgiana’s inner voice seemed to be mute. “That sounds too simple. Look at my mother.”

  “Your mother was warned by your father about her choice in husband. Your Grandfather was a man who loved his daughter, and if he really thought Lord Wentworth had loved your mother he would never have objected. I suspect your mother knew that. I suspect her inner voice told her she was making a mistake, but she choose to ignore it. Why? Only she knows that.”

  Georgiana considered what Rheda said. The logic was there. Why had her mother not listened to her father? Georgiana always took her Grandfather’s advice. She would have listened if he’d had doubts about Daniel.

  “So what you are saying is that I should ask for help from those I trust and then trust what my own thoughts on the matter become.”

  “Isn’t that all we can do? Trust is having faith in someone or something. We can’t see faith, we can only feel it.” Rheda smiled. “My brother loves you. He is only three and twenty. He had no notion of taking a wife for many years. But fate has thrown you in his path and he has fallen hard.” She watched Rheda’s eyes widen. “And he is not after your money. In fact, he’ll hate the fact you have money as he has too much pride to use it. Rufus and I have offered him money many times, but he is determined to make a success of his horse stud on his own.”

  Rheda’s words rang true. Georgiana’s inner voice was talking rather loudly inside her head. When Daniel first helped her—both with Apollo and then Colton, he didn’t even know about her trust fund. Money was not driving him.

  She jumped to her feet and kissed Rheda soundly on both cheeks. “I owe your brother an apology.”

  “He’s in the west wing. Take the stairs, two floors up, and his room is the first on the right. He’ll be dressing for dinner. Which is at eight.”

  Joy gave her wings as she all but flew up the stairs. Her heart was full to bursting. She stopped outside Daniel’s bedchamber and composed herself. Running a hand over her hair she took a deep breath and let herself into his room. To her disappointment it was empty.

  Then she heard whistling from an adjacent dressing room and she strode into the room only to stop dead. Daniel was bathing, and goodness the sight took her breath away. He was so beautiful.

  Luckily it took him a few moments to realize she was there, so she could look her fill. His whistling faded as his eyes swept over her.

  She stepped forward, her heart hammering in her chest. What if she had ruined everything with her cowardice? She walked to stand at the edge of the tub. “I came to say I love you, and I’m sorry for how I reacted earlier.”

  He said nothing for a moment and her legs began to tremble. Then all of a sudden the most glorious smile broke over his lips, and in one quick tug, she was in the water with him and he was kissing her soundly.

  Her world spun and she wanted to cry with joy. She’d never experienced a feeling quite like it—love. Love for Daniel filled her until she almost choked on it. And it felt wonderful.

  Finally he let her catch her breath. “I’m all wet,” she laughed. “And your sister is expecting us at dinner by eight.”

  Daniel began undoing the hooks on the front of her gown. “That leaves me an hour to show you exactly how much I love you.”

  Hearing Daniel say he loved her made her dizzy with desire, and suddenly being late for dinner was no longer a concern

  Chapter 9

  Christmas Day

  * * *

  Georgiana could barely hear herself think over the excited squeals and talking, as the two children raced to open their gifts. The Yule log was burning brightly in the grate, the table was full of food, and the day was progressing beautifully. The luxury of the moment was overpowered by the love swirling through the room. Rheda and Rufus, with their children, were the perfect antidote to her doubts. The love they obviously shared… she would have that too with Daniel and their children to come. She could have been in a shack and she would never have been happier.

  Her mother, Judith, sat next to her in a chair overlooking the back garden and the light dusting of snow overnight made the world outside this room look magical. Still trapped in her own world, Judith seemed to sense that she was safe here. Judith still didn’t interact with anyone, but she was content to sit quietly watching everyone have a lovely day.

  It was the happiest Christmas Georgiana had ever had. And the best was yet to come. She had decided on an additional gift for Daniel, and she was waiting for the children to finish with their gifts, before giving it to him. At the moment they were crawling all over Daniel, who was letting them ride him like a horse. Finally he collapsed and Rheda said, “Samantha and Wilton, please let your uncle catch his breath. Come and have something to eat and then nurse will come and take you to have a sleep.”

  Georgiana smiled at the children’s groans. They did not like the idea of a nap, and she wondered how Rheda could stand looking at their little disappointed faces. As if sensing her thoughts Rheda winked. “I have to stay strong or they will be incorrigible tonight.”

  Daniel came over and sat at Georgiana’s feet resting his head on her knees. “Those two will be the death of me today.” He grinned and added, “Especially as you kept me up half the night.”

  She didn’t even bother to deny it. She was comfortably sore from their lovemaking. She simply pressed a kiss to his hair. “Then I shall sleep alone tonight and let you get your rest,” she teased.

  Daniel simply growled low in his throat. Then he handed her a small box. “Merry Christmas, my darling.” She knew it wasn’t a ring. He’d promised to take her to the House of Garrard in London in the coming month, so she could pick a ring. She’d worried about the expe
nse but he’d insisted he was not that poor.

  Her fingers eagerly undid the wrapping. It was a velvet box, which she slowly opened. Inside lay the most beautiful silver, with pearl inlay, locket. “I thought you could put a picture of your mother inside, or even our children when they are born.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. It was such a simple gift but so heartfelt. It spoke of his commitment to a life together, a true partnership. She didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky.

  He reached up and wiped a tear away. “I love you, Lady Georgiana Marsh.”

  Heedless of the company, she flung her arms around his shoulders and kissed him.

  She extracted herself from his embrace so she could pull out a parchment that had been burning a hole in her pocket all morning. Without words she handed it to him.

  He looked down at her hand. “You’ve already given me so much. Your love was all I needed this Christmas. Plus you gave me the flask. It’s just what I need on a winters day when I’m out with the horses.”

  She couldn’t speak. Worried at what he would think when he read the note. She saw Rheda and Rufus watching them with a smile on their faces. She’d gotten Rufus and his estate manager to witness the document to ensure it could not be challenged. He must have told his wife, for Rheda’s eyes welled with tears.

  Daniel gently undid the ribbon and unrolled the document. She watched as he read but his face remained unreadable. When he’d finished he rolled the document back up and looked at her.

  She couldn’t stand the silence. “I wanted you to know how much I love you and trust you. I knew how much it would mean to you to be near Rheda, and I could think of no one better to look out for the staff. You could buy Went—”