by Vikki Vaught
Exasperated, he bit out, “The day after tomorrow. Stallings has been invaluable. I see why my father thought so highly of him.” He looked up and saw Hayden crossing the room. This was the first time he’d seen the man since his return.
His friend rushed over and clapped him on the shoulder. “God, it’s good to see you. I still can’t believe you’re alive. I saw you fall, and when I finally made it back to where you went down, I was positive the man was you. Of course, it was hard to tell, what with his face shot all to hell, but he had the same hair color and build as you. Did you ever find out who that poor bastard was?”
Henry shook his head. “So far, we haven’t had any luck. It turns out, there are still quite a few men missing fitting the description. I’m glad to see you made it back in one piece. Were you injured at all?”
Hayden grinned. “You know me. I’ve always been a lucky bastard. I didn’t receive a scratch. Can’t say that for Bronson. You remember he lost his arm, right?”
“I know of it, not because I remember, though. I have no memory of anything that happened the month leading up to the battle, or the month after. That’s the only period of time I can’t recall.”
“Perhaps it’s better you don’t remember,” he replied. “The images of that battle will stay with me forever.”
That’s the odd part,” Henry mused. “I have flashbacks of the battle, but nothing else. From those nightmares, I have a strong notion of how bad it was.”
“Damn,” Hayden swore. “That must be hard to remember those horrific scenes and nothing else. Have you seen Bronson since your return?”
“Not yet,” Henry told him, “but remember his sister married my brother, so that’s how I know he lost his arm. She’s having a terrible time accepting Nelson’s death. Walks around like a ghost most of the time. I’m hoping my wife can help her.” He turned back to Weston. “Are you ready to go to dinner?” Then he looked at Hayden. “Do you want to join us, or do you have plans?”
“I’m expected at Lady Martin’s ball at ten, so I can, as long as I can make it there in time.” Rolling his eyes, his friend scoffed, “I promised my mother I would be there. Since I’m now my uncle’s heir, she has it in her mind that it’s time for me to wed. It’s the last thing I want to do, but I thought I would humor her a bit and show up tonight. If she thinks I’m looking, perhaps she will leave me alone.”
Weston interjected, “I’m thinking of taking a wife and setting up my nursery. After all, I do need to secure my title with an heir. Also, my sisters will be coming out next season, so a wife could sponsor them. I’m planning to go to Lady Martin’s. Henry, do you want to come along? It’s time you joined society again.”
He started to decline but realized his friend had a valid point. “I know you’re right, but I’m dreading the stares and the questions. You have to admit, not many men come back from the dead. I suppose this ball will be as good as any to face the ton.”
They went to dinner, then on to Lady Martin’s. It was after ten before they arrived, so fortunately the receiving line had already dissolved. It was not as bad as he had expected. Since he was now a duke, most of the people were too busy offering him their condolences on the death of his father and brother, and in the next breath congratulating him on his ascendance to the title. After he made himself known to his host and hostess, he spent the rest of the evening in the card room and ended up winning a hundred pounds from Weston.
CHAPTER TWENTY
A few days later, he delivered his maiden speech, and it went much better than he expected. Thank God for Stallings. The man was brilliant. It also helped that he vehemently believed in the topic he had chosen for his speech.
He fell into a pattern: mornings he would arrive at Gentlemen Jackson’s and go a few rounds with Weston, then on to their club for lunch. He spent the afternoon in Parliament and attended a function in the evening.
He missed Melody desperately. They were never going to overcome their problems if he stayed away all the time. In a few more days, the House of Lords would rest, and he could return home. He was determined to get through the issue he had with his wife, and he could only do that if they were together.
A little wooing might not be a bad idea. Even if he had not completely forgiven her, they could resume sexual congress. The intimacy could very well help to alleviate some of his resentment. After all, they were married…he did still love her, and she assured him she still loved him.
Once Parliament was over for the summer, he made one last stop before he left London. He went to Gerard’s, his favorite jeweler, and picked out a beautiful strand of matched pearls for Melody. He could picture her wearing them. Of course, he would rather see them on her when she was wearing nothing at all. He was still having dreams of them making love, and he was damned tired of waking up with an aching erection almost every morning.
The next morning, he made his way home. He arrived in time for tea and found everyone in the drawing room. He noticed Mary almost looked cheerful as she had an animated conversation with Melody when he walked in.
His wife looked up and beamed, looking so lovely his heart skipped a few beats. “Henry. When did you arrive? I wasn’t expecting you for a few more days.”
He went to her, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. Although, he would have liked to ravish her delectable mouth. “I was able to get my business handled faster than I had anticipated. How are the children? Have you been on any more picnics?”
“The children are fine, and we went on one yesterday,” she told him. “It’s a good thing we didn’t plan it for today. I know we needed the rain, though. I imagine it made the trip longer.”
After he accepted a cup of tea from his mother, he took a seat. “The weather did slow us a bit. Now, if we could have a nice steady rain for several days, that would be a blessing.” He sipped his tea and ate a full plate of sandwiches and several biscuits, then stated, “I want to see the children. Will you go to the nursery with me?”
“Of course, they should be expecting me.” She laid her napkin down, then stood. “I go see them every day after tea. They will be pleased to see you.”
When they arrived at the nursery, the children had just gotten up from their naps. Brandon was a little cranky, as he was cutting some new teeth. Henry went over and crouched by his daughter. She eyed him warily. Apparently, she still was not comfortable with him.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?” he asked.
“Angewa and me take cawe of ouw babies. Mine has a cowld,” she replied.
He took out his handkerchief and proceeded to wipe the doll’s nose. Mary Elizabeth giggled and gave him a big smile. Obviously, that had been a good move. Perhaps she would begin to accept his overtures.
The girls asked him if he would read to them, so he pulled a book of fairy tales out. Mary Elizabeth came over and leaned against him so she could see the pictures in the book. This was the first time she had voluntarily touched him, and it warmed his heart, giving him hope. He looked over at Melody and saw tears glistening in her eyes.
After they left the nursery, they went to their sitting room. “At last, we’re alone, may I have a kiss?”
She came to him, rose up on her tiptoes, and gently placed her mouth on his. Pulling her into his arms, he did not try to deepen the kiss, he left it up to her to take the lead. She ran the tip of her tongue across his lips. He parted them, and she slipped hers into his mouth, tentatively stroking the sides of his cheek and running it over his teeth. Groaning, he could no longer resist the temptation and deepened the kiss. Fully aroused, his erection pressed hard against her belly.
He broke their kiss. “You do realize where this is going, do you not? Are you sure you want to make love? If you’re not ready, I’ll understand, but we need to stop if you aren’t.”
Melody looked up at him between her parted lashes. “I want it as much as you. I’ve missed you terribly.”
Releasing her, Henry went to the door and locked it. He returned and turned h
er around so he could unbutton her gown. With each button he released, he nibbled his way down her spine. When he had her dress unfastened, he pushed it over her hips and let it fall to the carpet.
He removed her stays and chemise, so all she had on were her sheer stockings, pink garters, and dainty slippers. Kneeling, he removed her shoes and slowly rolled down her stockings, then slipped them off her feet as he placed soft kisses on her knees and inner thighs. Standing, he moved behind her and pulled her close. While kissing the nape of her neck, his hands roamed to the front of her body and kneaded her breasts. Gently squeezing her nipples, they immediately grew taut as he lazily drew circles around the areolas.
Breaking free, he tore off his clothes and pulled her against him, his straining cock digging into her soft belly. Melody’s breathing grew fast when he turned her around and dropped to his knees. Placing kisses on her stomach, he dipped his tongue in her naval. Then he nibbled kisses all the way down to the apex of her thighs, where her beautiful golden curls lay.
Gently nudging her thighs apart, he started licking her feminine folds and suckling her core. Her legs trembled as he continued his exploration. Her body’s reaction to his ministrations let him know her passions were spiraling out of control.
“Henry, oh…yes…yes. I’m…flying. Ah. Ah,” she moaned. Her knees gave way, and he lowered her to the carpet. He pulled her on top of him, and she straddled his hips.
His swollen shaft jutted against her belly. “Ride me, sweetheart.” Raising her, he lowered her onto the bulging head of his erection. Desire raced through his veins, and he began to lose control.
Melody started moving, picking up his rhythm. He surged up and started lifting her by her hips as their movements became more frenzied. His heart pounded, sweat broke out on his brow. As he touched her nubbin, her sheath tightened around him, and as she reached her peak, he let go and filled her with his hot seed. When she collapsed on him, he hugged her close.
Lying in each other’s arms, they did not move for quite some time as their breathing finally slowed and their heartbeats returned to normal. She sighed. “Do you realize both times we’ve made love since your return, it has not been in a bed?”
He gently drew circles on her back. “Both times were spontaneous. I didn’t count on making love today. If we can grow close in the marriage bed, perhaps it will help me move past you giving your body to Brandon.”
She stiffened in his arms, then pushed away from him and scrambled up. Realizing he’d misspoken, he stood and tried to pull her into his arms. She broke away and turned on him.
With her eyes flashing and her cheeks flushed, she pointed her finger at him. “I am so tired of defending my actions. I thought you had died. Did you want me to spend the rest of my life mourning you? Your daughter needed a father, and I’ll admit it, I wanted a husband. I didn’t like being alone.”
Henry tried to get a word in, but she did not give him a chance. All he could do was stare at her, dumbfounded. He’d never seen Melody lose control before. Breathing fast, she stomped her foot and continued her tirade.
“I thought I couldn’t support our daughter and myself,” she berated. “I know you think I should have come back here, but I knew what it would be like. They would have made my life a living hell, and you know it. You’ve seen how your mother treats me. She’s barely said anything to me since we arrived, and she’s never visited her granddaughter. You know I’m right. You’re just being stubborn.” She folded her arms under her heaving breasts. “I’m going to take a bath, so you need to leave.”
He sneered, “By God, if you want me to leave, then so be it.” He hastily grabbed his clothes and pulled on his breeches, then stalked from the room.
When he entered his bedchamber, he quickly dressed in his riding clothes and left. Running down the stairs, he raced to the stables and called for his horse. Bolting into the saddle as soon as Freddie brought the animal to him, he rode away at a fast gallop and continued to ride hard for miles. Finally, he calmed down and slowed his lathered horse to a walk.
What started out so promising…had escalated into a huge altercation. He realized they’d had their first real argument since returning. He did not know how he felt about that.
When they were together before he left for the continent, they never had a cross word between them. This he did know…his wife was magnificent when she was angry. He was growing hard just remembering her eyes flashing, and how she wagged her little finger at him. He’d planned to give her the necklace, but when she got so mad, it slipped his mind.
She had finally admitted it. She’d wanted to marry Brandon. Henry thought about what she said, and he realized she’d asked the same questions he’d asked of himself weeks ago.
Am I such a selfish bastard…
Would I have wanted Melody to spend the rest of her life alone?
When Nelson lost Nora, he’d encouraged his brother to go on with his life and find someone who could make him happy. It was exactly what she had done. She had faced life instead of crawling in the grave with him. She stood on her own two feet and made sure his daughter was safe and had a father’s love. He should be ashamed of himself. If only he could banish the image of her with Brandon from his mind.
He wondered if it would have been easier if she had married a stranger. He remembered what Brandon looked like, and in his mind’s eye he could see them making love, and it drove him mad.
His heart ached so much, he rubbed at his chest. He was hurting Melody with his jealousy. She was right to be angry with him. She had done nothing wrong by marrying again.
For God’s sake, I’m envious of a dead man.
Thinking back on all his discussions with Father Francis, he realized he needed to turn his anger and resentment over to God. Surely, he would be able to let go of his resentment if he asked for His help.
He bowed his head. “Lord, please release me from this jealousy and resentment I feel towards my wife. Help me accept she made the best decision for our daughter. Take away this torment, and help me find a path back to the love we shared before all this happened. I ask this in Your son’s precious name. Amen.”
Henry spent the rest of the evening aimlessly riding around his estate with no direction in mind. Although he searched for peace from his feelings, none came. Obviously, a part of him was not ready to turn this over. He hung his head and turned his mount around, then slowly made his way home.
By the time he arrived, he had missed dinner, and everyone had gone to bed. He went to his study and poured a large snifter of brandy, then drank it down in a few gulps. Still tormented, he slumped in his chair and proceeded to get foxed. The clock in the hall struck three times before he staggered to bed.
As the rest of August passed, the dry weather continued. All they could hope for was a late autumn and a wet September. Henry was avoiding Melody, and this time she was not trying to smooth things over after their disastrous coupling. Only his complete willingness to forget the past would mend what was broken.
Something had to change, or they would spend the rest of their lives apart. He needed to try a different approach. They had to start spending time together outside of the bedroom. He needed to do some serious wooing if he was ever going to get his wife back into his life and into his bed where she belonged.
That evening, he asked her if she would like to play a game of chess. They had played when they were in Canterbury, so perhaps it would be a good place to start. Melody agreed and set up the chessboard. She was surprisingly good, and before long she had captured his queen. He still ended up winning, but it was a close game. The others had gone to bed by the time they finished their match.
He gazed into her eyes, becoming lost in their depths. “I need to apologize. I’ve been avoiding you again. I’ve contemplated long on what you said, and I want us to start over. I want a chance to win your heart again. I’m willing to put it all in the past and start afresh. We need to spend time together as we used to. I realize that just because we are c
ompatible in bed, does not mean it will fix our problems. Are you willing to meet me halfway?”
She returned his gaze, and joy glowed on her pretty face. “I’m more than willing. Whether you believe this or not, I love you. Even when I believed you were dead, I still loved you. I agree, making love is not going to fix our problems, but perhaps evenings like this will. I enjoyed tonight, and it brought back good memories.” She stifled a yawn. “Goodness. It’s quite late, and I’m tired. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I want to take you riding,” he stated as he walked with her to the stairs. “We haven’t done that for a while. I would also like to take the children to the lake again. We had fun that day. Let’s meet at the stables tomorrow at ten.”
“That would be lovely. I shall be there.” Then she kissed him on the cheek and went upstairs to bed. He watched her and believed he had made the right decision. Tonight had been pleasant, and he would make sure they had more evenings such as this in the future. Turning, he made his way to his bed to face another night alone.
The next day, they went for their ride and talked of many things. This was the way they could mend the break in their marriage. Later that afternoon, they took the children to the maze and let them play in the center by the fountain. Brandon did his best to climb in, and Henry kept running after him to keep him out of trouble. For a child who had recently learned to walk, he certainly could move fast.
Melody had brought a blanket and spread it out on the ground. Roderick, Mary Elizabeth, and Angela started playing hide-and-seek. It was so cute to watch the two little girls try to count.
“One, fife, two, fouw, six, thwee, weady or not heyo I come,” Mary Elizabeth called out.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. When she caught up with Angela, she jumped up and down. Of course, the little girls were easy to find, since they giggled and gave themselves away. Roderick found them every time, and Henry enjoyed watching the children.
