The Widow's Christmas Surprise

by Jenna Jaxon

  They had spent the better part of the afternoon in bed, exploring, tasting, touching one another, learning what each one liked, and what drove them wild. Why she wasn’t still asleep after so much vigorous activity was a mystery.

  “Is it time to dress for dinner?” His breath tickled behind her ear.

  “The clock struck two just now.” She scooted back toward him, so her entire length pressed against him.

  “Shall I take that invitation as a no?” He nuzzled her neck, producing gooseflesh all over her body.

  “I think we may indulge once more. We do need to make up for lost time. Ahh, like that.”

  He’d drawn her leg up and over his, then entered her with a quick thrust that filled her completely.

  Hugh, she’d found, was a rather inventive lover, never doing the same thing twice. Life with him was going to be very satisfying.

  Thrusting vigorously now, he slid his fingers down to her mound, brushing through her curls to find the little nub he knew just how to play with to bring her to pleasure time and again. Circling his thumb around her as his thrusts pounded deep inside, caused the tension at her core to coil quickly.

  Moaning deep in her throat, Maria pushed back against him, straining to reach the tipping point into pleasure. A little bit more . . . a little bit more and she shattered deep inside, pulling him farther in even as he cried out, spilling his hot seed once more.

  Relaxing into the mattress, Hugh disengaged, then rolled her over to face him. Panting, he pulled her to his chest, his heart hammering loudly in her ear. “I have a confession to make.”

  “What?” She was panting too, although the drowsiness threatened to take over.

  “I may not be able to walk into dinner.”

  Maria giggled. “I may not either. Do you think the hostess can be indisposed tonight?”

  “If it were any dinner but Christmas, perhaps.”

  “Then you have to get up too. We can lean on one another.”

  Hugh chuckled. “And you know where that kind of behavior will lead.”

  “Right back here.” She kissed him and sighed, perfectly content. “What a wonderful thought. But first we have to get up.”

  “Shall we do it together?” He sat up, bringing her with him.

  “Always.”

  Epilogue

  Christmas night the festive family drawing room was full of Maria’s friends once more, with one precious addition that made the company complete.

  Georgie sat at the pianoforte, playing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as everyone stood around the instrument singing carols. Later there was to be dancing and cards, and last but not least, the snapdragon. Tomorrow everyone would have singed fingers, but tonight they would have fun.

  As the carolers began on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Maria took Hugh’s hand and quietly led him over to the tea table.

  “Can I help you with something, my lady?”

  She shook her head and poured tea into two cups. “There is one thing we have not had a chance to discuss.”

  “And what is that?” He stirred milk into his tea, then sat on the sofa next to her.

  “Since you never got my letter, I need to tell you that it invited you to this party, but it also said that . . . that I had something in particular of a private nature I needed to discuss with you.” Maria stirred her tea, and waited.

  “Of a private nature that you need to discuss?” He jerked his head up so quickly the hot tea slopped over the rim of the cup and splashed into the saucer. “Maria, are you telling me—”

  “Shhh.” She cut her eyes over to the singers, but no one seemed to mark her or Hugh. “I only suspect so. It is too early to truly tell, but . . . well, my courses are very late. And that has only happened once before.”

  “A baby.” A silly grin pulled at his mouth. “Our baby.”

  Relief coursed through her. She hadn’t known if he would be pleased to have a child so soon. “Yes, if there is a child, it will be our child.” She bit her lip. “But there is a concern.”

  “What do you mean?” Alarm wiped away the happiness that had been in his face moments before. “Is there something wrong? With you? With the child?”

  “No, nothing is wrong in that respect. But in another attempt to force me to marry him, Lord Wetherby may put it about that the child is his.”

  “The cur.” He made the words sound like the foulest curse. “When did he spout this lie?”

  “Yesterday, and only to us; however, after today he may put it about in hopes of casting doubt between us.” Cur was too good a name to call him. “But you know that it is not true, don’t you?”

  “Of course, I do.”

  The response was so quick she blinked. “You do? I mean, you should, but why are you so sure?”

  “Because once I realized he wanted to compromise you, I set several servants to watching him. If they ever saw him with you, they were to stay where they could see you and come to your aid if need be.” He smiled brightly. “I hope you will like having a husband who thinks two steps ahead.”

  “I see I shall have to be on my guard. But what servants did you employ?”

  “There were quite a few. Charles Saunders, your butler at Francis House; John Freer, a footman; Hatley.”

  “Hatley was part of your ‘spy ring’?”

  “No one else would be as close to you. If Wetherby had been bold enough to come to your chamber, Hatley was instructed to raise the alarm for fire. That would have gotten everyone out of their beds and foiled whatever plot he might have had.” He sipped his tea and relaxed back into the seat. “I am only glad that such measures never became necessary.” Hugh’s face became sheepish. “I do have a matter to discuss with you, not of a private nature, but one I hope you will approve of.”

  “What is it?” This sounded curious.

  “Saunders and Freer lost their positions because of their work for me, so I have offered them employment on one of our properties.”

  “Well that certainly sounds fair. And it does seem we have enough to accommodate them.” She’d like to help the two men who had been helping her unbeknownst.

  “The Tate family as well?”

  “The Tates?” A sinking feeling made her stomach roil. “Did someone apply for the tenancy?”

  “It is a long story that I think you will quite enjoy, but another time. But yes, the family was evicted from the tenancy, so I took them to The Grange. I don’t have a vacancy there, so we may need to make other arrangements for their employment, but, the point is, they have a roof over their heads and the promise of work they will be suited for.” He took her hand and rubbed it, warming her all over. “I knew you would wish to know they were doing well.”

  “Yes, I did.” He did know her very well indeed. Love for him welled up in her heart. “When can we be married? I don’t think I can wait another day.”

  “Well, you may have to wait a day or two, until I can procure a special license, but I think we may be able to find something to do to make the time pass.” Hugh reached into his pocket and pulled out a sprig of mistletoe, berries still clinging to the little branch, and held it over his head. “Do you have any ideas about that, my lady?”

  “Yes, I believe I do.” Laughing, she leaned forward to give him a kiss. One of many, many kisses under the mistletoe at Christmas and throughout the New Year. For all the rest of their lives.