by Vikki Vaught
Andrew swallowed the lump in his throat. He refused to be intimidated. Keeping his tone even, he replied, “I had a mistress last year. Although the affair didn’t last long, evidently Arianna is the result of that liaison—”
Hawks glared at him. “Hells bells. You should have been more careful. Now my sister must put up with your by-blow!”
Andrew stood and leaned over the desk. “Listen. I had no knowledge of the child until her nurse arrived at my door last week with the infant. The mother died and sent the child to me.”
Hawks pushed out of his seat with enough force to send it backwards several feet. “You should have figured out how to not inconvenience my sister with the child’s presence. For God’s sake, man, did you have to bring the child into your household?”
Andrew’s face burned. Although anger roiled in his gut, he refrained from yelling at the man. “I told Kathleen I would find a house in Weymouth for the child and her wet nurse. Your sister refused to hear of it. She wants to raise her. I don’t understand it, but your sister instantly fell in love with my daughter.”
His brother-in-law relaxed his stance, then rolled his eyes upward, clearly exasperated. “God, that sounds just like my sister. She’s always had the habit of taking in strays. I guess it makes sense she would do the same for a child.” He went over to the table and selected a decanter of brandy. “Do you want a glass?”
“Yes, please. I could use one, to be honest with you.” He released a slow breath. Hawks appeared less angry.
Thank God.
After pouring two glasses, Hawks gave him one and returned to his seat behind the desk. “I thought you probably needed one. It sounds like you’ve had a rough week. You should be glad Kathleen is taken with your daughter. Not many women would be so forgiving, and be willing to raise an illegitimate child as their own.”
Andrew sighed. “Oh, I’m very grateful she’s forgiving. She’s already proving to be an excellent mother. I just didn’t expect to have a child in our lives this soon. I wanted to spend more time getting to know your sister better, a chance to solidify our marriage before we had any children.”
“You know, Billingsley,” he commiserated, “children don’t have to interfere. It’s not as if she needs to take care of the child’s personal needs. That’s what nursemaids and wet nurses are for.”
Andrew slumped back in the chair. “Tell that to Kathleen. She thinks she must spend every waking moment with the child. My daughter has a competent nurse who takes excellent care of her, but that doesn’t stop your sister. She doesn’t even take time to go riding with me, and all she wants to talk about is Arianna.”
Hawks threw his head back and laughed. “You’re jealous. Damn, you really are in love with my sister, aren’t you? I’ll be honest with you. After your mother told me what happened between you and Kathleen, I thought you married her because you were trapped. I didn’t believe a damn thing you told me at your wedding breakfast. However, since you were already married, there wasn’t anything I could do but hope affection would grow between you.”
Andrew sat stunned. His brother-in-law had figured out what he felt before he did. He’d fallen in love with Kathleen. “I…yes…yes, I do love her. I suppose I am jealous. I’ve felt neglected since my daughter’s arrival. Kathleen and I were getting so close. Although, now that the baby has arrived she doesn’t have any time for me.”
“It sounds like you need to do some serious wooing, my friend. Women like that sort of thing. I’m sure you can divert her attention if you try hard enough. If she’s always with the babe, you’ll need to spend time with her and the child. I wager you’ve felt sorry for yourself and left her alone. How much time have you spent getting to know your daughter? You probably feel slightly resentful toward her, do you not?”
He did resent Arianna.
How could he have those feelings toward an innocent child? It wasn’t his daughter’s fault Kathleen had become so enamored. Hawks was right. If she saw him showing the child affection, then perhaps she would see him in a better light.
“I never looked at it like that before. I was so caught up in my feelings, I didn’t think of how Kathleen might be seeing this. I’m going to remedy this situation immediately.”
His brother-in-law stood and came around the desk. “Good for you. I’m confident you’ll be able to capture Kathleen’s attention.” Then he clapped him on the shoulder. “Now, why don’t we go to the stables? One of our mares gave birth to a new colt, and his sire won quite a few races before he retired from the racing field. This one shows real promise.”
While Andrew dressed for dinner he looked back over his conversation with his brother-in-law. It made perfect sense to him now. His strong attraction for Kathleen had grown into love. Now he needed to get her to fall in love with him. The way to her heart was through his daughter. He remembered how astonishing it had felt when he first touched Arianna. It had seemed so right. He had denied himself time with his daughter because of his jealousy, but no more.
Dear Lord, how can I be envious of my own child?
Remorse ate at his soul. What a self-centered bastard he could be. He’d fix the situation as soon as possible. He would spend time getting to know both of them. Now that he had a plan, he felt better. On the way home though, he would start his campaign to win Kathleen’s heart and get to know his beautiful daughter.
The next two days went by quickly between spending time with Hawks in the mornings and the afternoons with the rest of the family. Andrew watched Kathleen with the children. She truly did love them. Whenever Arianna napped, she played games and read stories to Harry and Melanie. He was beginning to understand how much fun children could be. Now instead of resenting Arianna, he looked forward to the time when he would be able to play with her as his wife did with the older children.
Since acknowledging his feelings for Kathleen, his heart overflowed with tenderness. He had always known he desired her, but he hadn’t realized how much more fulfilling lovemaking could be with his heart engaged. The bedroom was one place where he could get his wife all to himself, and he planned to take full advantage of it.
That evening, after her maid retired, he went to Kathleen. When he entered the room, she sat at the dressing table brushing her hair. “Here, let me do that.”
Taking the brush, he ran it through her silky tresses. After a few strokes, he laid it on the surface and pushed her long hair to the side, revealing the nape of her neck. He leaned toward her and placed a kiss on her delicate shoulder. His loins tightened as he slowly ran his tongue from her shoulder to her neck, nibbling along the way.
Kathleen shivered, obviously enjoying his ministrations. “Ah, I love the taste of your skin,” he whispered. “Shall we take this to the bed?”
He swept her into his arms and carried her over, then gently laid her down. Taking his time, he kneaded her breasts as he slowly descended to her rosy tips and gently sucked one into his mouth. Letting his hand travel over her stomach, stroking and petting her until he reached her honeypot. Slipping his hand between her thighs, he found her swollen flesh and teased her tight bud until it swelled.
Then his lips traversed the path his hand had followed moments before. When he licked her pleasure point, he felt her shudder. Her head tossed back and forth across her pillow, her breathing grew shallow, and she whimpered. Slipping a finger into her tight channel, he stroked, seeking the spot deep inside that would send her over the edge. When he found it, she keened with her release, her juices overflowing. Her legs fell to the side and she sighed. At last, he moved up her flushed body and drove home.
The passion ignited between them to such a degree, a ball of fire licked at his stones, tension building as he thrust his cock deeper than ever before. As Kathleen arched her back and cried out again, he spilled his seed deep within her, then buried his head in her sweet-smelling hair, breathing in and out as his heartbeat slowed.
After he moved to his wife’s side, he held her in his arms, as she fell asleep.
He would take Hawks’ advice and woo his wife. He’d always been good at romancing the ladies. Now, he had an even stronger reason to do it. Kathleen’s love. He wanted it more than he had ever wanted anything in his life, and by God, he would find a way to earn it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kathleen found it difficult to say good-bye to her loved ones on the morning of their departure. When her mother hugged her tight, she had to fight back her emotions. It would be at least a year before she would see her again, or perhaps longer.
Georgia released her and stepped back. “Darlin’, you take care of yourself and that precious baby girl. Now, don’t worry. Alex and Anissa will be with me during the summer and John throughout the winter. We’ll see each other next summer.”
Kathleen smiled as she fought her tears. “I know. Tell Regina I’ll miss her. Don’t forget to give her my letter and tell her to write me. Well, it’s time for us to be off. I know my husband wants to be home before dark. Farewell, Mama. I love you.”
Before she entered the carriage, Matilda handed Arianna to her. “’is lordship said ’e wanted Arianna t’ ride wit’ you. She should be fine till we stop fer lunch.”
Kathleen looked over at Andrew, and he smiled. “I thought you would enjoy having her with us, right?”
Surprised, yet pleased, she nodded. “Of course, I would love that. Thank you, Andrew. I promise to keep her quiet.”
He chuckled. “I hope you don’t keep her too quiet. I want to hear her laugh again. And of course, I’ll do anything to see you smile. Come, my dear. It’s time. Let us depart.”
As the carriage made its way down the drive, Kathleen stuck her head out the window and called, “Take care. I shall see you in the fall.” Then she settled against the seat with Arianna in her lap. Hot tears burned against her eyelids. She didn’t let them fall.
Then something happened to take all her sadness away. Arianna looked at her and said, “Ma-ma?”
She hugged the adorable child close. “Oh, yes, my precious darlin’, I’m your very own mama. Andrew did you hear? She called me ‘Mama.’ Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It is, my dear,” and then he laughed. “Now, I shall have to teach her to say ‘Papa.’” Then he stretched out his legs. “Oh, by the way, who’s Regina?”
Wistfully, she replied, “Oh, I haven’t mentioned her before, have I. She’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were babies. I miss her dreadfully. I’ve stayed so busy I haven’t written her in a while. She’s going to be shocked when I don’t return with my family.”
Andrew touched her gloved hand. “I know you’re going to miss them. I promise to do everything within my power to make you happy. I also promise you’ll see your friend next year. I look forward to meeting her. I can’t wait to visit your country.”
“I appreciate your willingness to take me home. I guess it’s truly not my home any longer.” While her love for Andrew and his daughter grew stronger as each day passed, her heart ached, and the loss of her country ate at her soul.
Reaching up, her husband stroked her cheek, brushing away an errant tear. “I’m sorry I’ve acted such an ogre lately. To be honest with you, I’ve felt neglected. That was my fault and that’s going to change. I realized I haven’t been a loving father to Arianna. I suppose the shock of learning I had a daughter took me by surprise. I didn’t anticipate being a parent yet. It’s taking me a while to get used to the notion.”
Kathleen tried to put herself in Andrew’s shoes, and brushed aside her feelings of homesickness and loss. “No doubt, it is quite a turn of events. I never really thought I would be a mother this soon either. Yet, your daughter stole my heart from the beginning. Now that you’ve realized your neglect, you can spend more time with her going forward.”
“I plan to. Now, why don’t I hold her a while? That way, I can become acquainted with this pretty little lady.”
Kathleen laughed when Arianna grabbed Andrew’s nose. He smiled and tickled her tummy. His daughter shrieked and he chuckled. When the child grew sleepy, Andrew held his daughter while she slept. Her husband’s change of attitude toward his child warmed her heart. She’d been troubled over his lack of involvement with Arianna; now hope rejuvenated her soul.
When Arianna awoke and started crying, he even tried to calm the child. Finally, Kathleen took pity on him and took her. However, the infant still continued to cry, so she checked her linen. Finding her wet, she changed her, but the babe refused to settle down. She gnawed on her fist, so Kathleen realized she needed to nurse. “Andrew, she’s hungry. Is there some place we could stop?”
He looked out the window. “The coaching inn isn’t too far from here. We shall stop there and Matilda can feed her. I’ll let the driver know.”
They were back on the road thirty minutes later. Though it surprised her, Andrew continued to allow Arianna to ride with them the rest of the way home. They reached Grainger Hall shortly before four o’clock, in time for tea. Matilda took Arianna to the nursery, and Kathleen went to her room and rinsed her face and hands, then made her way to the drawing room. When she entered, Andrew sat on the sofa, so she took a seat beside him.
“Thank you for allowing Arianna to ride with us the entire trip. That meant a great deal to me.”
Andrew raised her hand and started playing with her fingers. “I wanted to. I meant it when I told you I plan to spend time with Arianna every day. Will you do me a favor?”
“Of course, what do you want?” she asked.
“I’ve missed our daily rides. Will you go riding with me tomorrow? We haven’t gone since we took that ride on the beach last week.”
Kathleen realized she’d been so involved with Arianna she had neglected her husband. She needed to make sure she didn’t do that again. If she wanted him to fall in love with her as she had fallen for him, she had to give him her attention too, not spend all her time with his child.
“I’ll be happy to go. I’m sorry I quit going with you. I suppose I have been a little obsessed with your daughter. Now that we’ve returned from Overton Park and Arianna has settled in, I’ll start going with you each day.”
“Excellent. There’s something else I want to discuss. Blythe’s house party starts on the thirtieth. Children aren’t allowed to go.”
“Why not?” She folded her arms. “Then I do not want to go.”
“I understand you don’t want to leave Arianna, but please say you’ll come with me,” he cajoled. “We’ll only be gone for a few days. Renwick and his sister are coming, along with Effinger, his sisters, and his mother. Other ladies are attending as well. I promise it’s not a wild house party. Blythe’s mother would never tolerate that.”
Kathleen hesitated. She really wasn’t interested in going, but she could tell this was important to him. She did like Lady Deborah and wanted to further their acquaintance. Perhaps it would not be too bad. But oh, she would miss Arianna so much. Of course, she did want to please Andrew.
“All right, I’ll go. I do want to become acquainted with your friends, and it would be nice to develop some friendships with women my own age. I’m sure we shall have a lovely time.”
Andrew hugged her close. “Thank you. You’ll see…you shall have a marvelous time. House parties are vastly entertaining. And you’ll enjoy the excursion to Salisbury. As much as I would like to sit here with you the rest of the afternoon, I need to find MacDonald and make sure nothing happened while we were away.” Then he kissed her cheek. “I shall see you at dinner, my sweet.”
****
The next two and a half weeks were some of the best Andrew had ever spent. Kathleen went riding with him every morning and they had resumed their evening visits to the kennels and their walks along the shore. She passionately responded to him in ways better than he could have ever anticipated. She was willing to try anything he suggested in bed, and out. Her adventurous soul called to his. They were evenly matched in so many ways, and his love for her grew stronger every day.
Andrew ma
de it a point to spend time with his daughter each afternoon. She was such a pretty child, and she did look so much like he had as an infant. He would have his hands full when she grew up. There was no doubt in his mind she would be a beauty. With Kathleen as a role model, she would probably be a hoyden, an adorable one, though.
The ping of rain hitting the window awoke him the next morning. He had hoped for a clear day for their trip to Salisbury. That was not going to happen. They would be hard-pressed to make it there in time for tea. Thank God he had planned for an early start.
When Andrew escorted Kathleen to the carriage at six o’clock, dark thunderclouds churned in the skies above. Undaunted, they were soon on their way.
Because of the weather, Kathleen’s maid had to ride inside with them, and Ensley as well, which meant their conversation had to be curtailed and made for tight quarters, making the journey even more uncomfortable. The coach hit the many ruts in the road.
At eleven o’clock, he had the driver stop for a brief repast, but they were back on the road in thirty minutes. The weather cleared, and they were able to make better time the rest of the way and arrived at the house party shortly after three. Blythe and his mother were waiting under the portico.
The viscount stepped forward and extended his hand. “So pleased you could make it, my friend. Good afternoon, Lady Billingsley. Welcome to my home. Let me introduce you to my mother, Lady Blythe.”
Kathleen gave his friend one of her brilliant smiles, and she turned her attention to Blythe’s mother. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she demurred. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“My pleasure,” she replied. “So you’re the fair lady who captured Billingsley’s heart. I was ever so surprised when I heard he’d married. I am sorry I could not attend your wedding. Unfortunately, I was not in town at the time. Now if my son would be as sensible. I want some grandchildren before I am old and gray.”
