Ruin Me Please

by Nichole Matthews

  Declan took both of Poppy’s hands in his strong, firm grip and swallowed noticeably. Staring deeply into her eyes he quoted, ‘nothing in the world is single, all things by law divine in one spirit meet and mingle. Why not I with thine?’

  Poppy smiled as happy tears fell down her cheeks.

  Declan reached into his coat pocket and handed her a snowy white handkerchief.

  She playfully slapped his arm with the same piece of linen.

  “You trumped me. For I also have memorized a romantic quote for you as well,” she admitted with a tender look in her eyes. “I guess we truly are perfectly matched.” She threw an amused look over her shoulder at Seymour.

  She began softly, ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.’

  Declan reached up and gently traced the curve of her jaw.

  Poppy leaned into his caress.

  “Shakespeare again?” he asked with a chuckle leaning towards her when interrupted by several discreetly placed coughs. Jerking away from Poppy, he blinked remembering where they were. Glancing at Parker’s laughing face, with a sheepish grin he turned to Mr. Timmons and said humbly, “You may precede.”

  Once again clearing his throat, Mr. Timmons read the ceremony, emphasizing its solemnity. Casting stern glances Declan’s way all throughout.

  “Declan Kieran Trenowyth, Wilt though have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

  In as husky but firm voice, Declan looked deeply into Poppy’s eyes and responded, “I will.”

  “Poppy Imogene Peregrine, Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health: and, forsaking all other, keep thee only until him, so long as ye both shall live?”

  Her face beamed as she said as loud and clear as her tear-filled voice would allow, “I will.” Covering her mouth with her gloved hand, she giggled.

  They smiled adoringly at each other for the remainder of the traditional ceremony, waiting longingly for him to recite the long awaited words.

  The minister asked if Declan had a ring. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a thick gold band inset with polished sapphires.

  Poppy gasped at its beauty.

  Declan repeated the vows, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.” He held her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.

  Mr. Timmons stated matter-of-factly, “You are now husband and wife.”

  Capturing Poppy’s face between his hands, he pressed a feverish kiss to her lips, she responded with equal fervor.

  He whispered, “I love you, Poppy.

  Smiling against his mouth, and replied, “I love you too, Declan.”

  Their family and friends greeted them boisterously, showering the happy couple with handfuls of fragrant rose petals.

  Under a white tent that had been set up specifically for the celebratory refreshments, with his glass in the air, Parker gave a toast. “May you never know sorrow, may your hearts always be filled with love and may your future be blessed with children to carry on the Hawksley legacy.” Pausing with a smirk, he continued, “Declan, may the power of the gods assist you with keeping this angel,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “in check!” Taking a rather deep and dramatic breath, Parker swallowed his champagne in one gulp. Throwing himself down in the closest chair, he grinned from ear to ear. “Praise be to God in heaven! She will be your wonderful burden now, not mine.”

  “Here, here,” everyone chorused.

  EPILOGUE

  The bud of love by summers

  ripening breath,

  may prove a beauteous flower when

  next we meet.

  Romeo and Juliet

  *William Shakespeare

  The wheels rattled loudly as the traveling carriage made its laboriously journey down the lane towards Allingham Park.

  Declan gently kissed Poppy awake.

  Wrapped snuggly in his arms, she had fallen asleep after the wedding and slept the entire trip. Having decided to spend their wedding night at Allingham Park, they had left immediately after the ceremony. Poppy thought it would please Declan to share their special day in spirit with his father and brother.

  Pushing back the curtain, Declan kissed her on her freckled nose continuing the delightful task of waking his adorable sleeping wife.

  “We have almost arrived, my love.”

  Poppy’s eyes opened gingerly, performing a deep yawning stretch atop his lap, squirming deliciously against his groin, eliciting a deep groan. He ran his finger softly down her cheek, smiling down at her. “Would you like to see where you are going to live, Duchess?”

  She sat up quickly bubbling with excitement. “Oh, yes please, I cannot believe you allowed me to sleep the whole way,” She cried with amusement in her voice. “You should have woken me sooner.” She remained happily perched on his lap, leaning out the open window waiting for the house to come into view.

  As the carriage rounded the bend, Allingham Park began to appear little by little. First the roof, then the sun glinted off dozens of windows.

  “Oh, Declan, it’s breathtaking,” Poppy exclaimed. “I know why you love it as much as you do.”

  The large three-story structure was composed of side wings, built of brick and stone and a semi-circular Tuscan portico situated at the main entrance.

  Declan described the house as having six suites and fifteen chambers. He also advised that though she loved wildflowers, he felt she would be extremely pleased with a garden that included over seventy-five varieties of roses and clematis as well. A very romantic garden he advised her.

  Poppy’s gaze fixed as they drove down the long tree-lined drive, taking a deep inhale of the air infused with the scent of apple blossoms, their petals floating with the warm breeze. She inhaled once again the sweet fragrance as they approached her new home.

  She stared at her new home, the home that would be the structure to hold the lifetime of bliss in store for her. The home where their children would run and play. The home where they would grow old together. The home that would be the backdrop for her future dreams.

  Declan chuckled at her foot tapping impatiently on the floor, as she was unable to contain her burgeoning enthusiasm any longer.

  With his legs stretched out in front of him, Declan smiled as he watched his beautiful new bride take in her new surroundings. Only realizing at that moment, he held his breath waiting to see her reaction to his childhood home, he slowly exhaled.

  Poppy held out her hand, looking over her shoulder, she grasped his hand tightly, her fingers twined intimately with his.

  As the carriage came to a rolling stop in the drive, a waiting footman opened the door and the steps lowered. Bowing as Declan alighted from the carriage and turned to assist Poppy.

  Stepping down from the carriage, she was stunned. Her new home was even more spectacular up close. Smoothing her hands over the skirt of her lilac spotted traveling dress then straightening her bonnet. She watched as an aging man hobbled down the front steps to greet them.

  “Master Declan, Your Grace.” He bowed. “May I offer my sincerest congratulations from the entire household?” Gesturing towards the staff lined up behind him, then clasping his hands in front of him. “This is such a happy day indeed.” He turned towards Poppy and bowed again.

  “Archie is our family butler and has been since I was a small boy. He would be the one to speak with to gain any juicy tidbits about my past.” He gave the old man a tender look. “May I present my wife, Poppy Trenowyth, the new Duchess of Hawksley.”

  Poppy’s famous smile and dimple appeared as she inclined her he
ad in greeting. “So nice to meet you, Archie, is it?” She asked with a sidelong glance at her husband.

  “Your Grace,” Archibald gushed. “We are all so pleased to have you at Allingham Park. We hope you will always feel at home here.”

  “How kind you are.” Poppy’s mouth curved up in a delighted smile. “Thank you so much for the charming reception.” She looked up and smiled at the rest of the staff.

  Declan looked pointedly at Archibald and asked, “Has the project been completed yet?”

  Archie grinned. “Yes, Master Declan. I believe you will be most pleased with the results.”

  Declan smiled, gently slapping Archie on the back.

  “Finley and the duchess’s maid, Holly, will be arriving later today by carriage.” Then with a mysterious smile he said, “We will take a tour around the garden before we go inside.” He glanced at Archie once again. “Have some lemonade placed on the terrace, if you will. Otherwise, please do not disturb us.”

  Archie bowed then walked back into the house with a large smile spread across his face. The dark days that shrouded Allingham Park were finally at a close.

  Declan grabbed Poppy’s hand, twining their fingers tightly together pulling her around the side of the house holding open the wrought iron gate that led to the formal rose gardens.

  Upon entering, Poppy gasped. Never had she beheld anything so utterly amazing. There was strategic discipline yet wildness at the same time.

  As they walked through row after row of roses Poppy could understand how one could find this type of garden magnificent. The perfume seduced her senses as she drew her hand free and spun slowly around. There were rambling roses everywhere she turned.

  Thinking of her little wildflower garden at Rosebriar, she felt a moments worth of loss but it quickly disappeared when she took in the beauty that currently surrounded her. Drawn towards the perfect blooms Poppy leaned in and breathed deeply.

  She glanced up and saw the look of apprehension in Declan’s eyes. Squeezing his hand, “It is breathtaking. I cannot imagine a more beautiful garden.”

  His face split into a pleased grin. “I was hoping you would love it. I know it is not the same as your little piece of heaven at Rosebriar.”

  She spun around once more. “Oh, but it is so much more. I cannot take it all in. It is most overwhelming.”

  He took her hand again and pulled her close to his side kissing her forehead as he tucked her hand close to his side. “Luckily you will have a lifetime to explore.”

  “Was this your mother’s garden?”

  He nodded. “She loved roses and he spoiled her until the day she died. My father kept the garden up after she died and I’ve followed in his footsteps.”

  They walked in companionable silence, winding their way through the stone paths until Declan stopped short of rounding the next corner at the back of the garden.

  “I have a wedding present for you.”

  “But you have given me so much already.” She looked down at the two glittering rings on her hand.

  With a nervous hitch in his voice he said, “Well, this is a little more personal. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course I do,” Poppy exclaimed.

  He pulled out what looked to be an extra cravat and waved it around as he said, “I am going to blindfold you until we get there.” He twisted her words from their trip to her castle ruins.

  “I cannot believe that you are blindfolding me,” she said in mock outrage with a low chuckle.

  “A blindfold is necessary for those who are permitted to view this sacred place,” he said as he wound the soft linen a few times around her eyes and tied a knot at the back of her head.

  “I trusted you implicitly with my secret hide-away.” A sulky pout transformed her mouth.

  He tucked her hand back against his side and slowly guided her around the path.

  “Believe me it is not a lack of trust, but my desire to intrigue and surprise that caused me to blindfold you today my dearest, sweetest love.” He pacified her with an obvious smile in his voice, tenderly caressing her hand as they walked.

  After another few minutes of walking, Declan stopped.

  “Now prepare yourself.” He intentionally took his time unwinding the cravat from her eyes.

  His arm swept out. “I have heard it is all the rage to have one of these hidden on every country estate.” He declared with a wide, wicked grin, crossing his arms arrogantly over his chest.

  “A castle ruin,” she cried. Her mouth hung open in awe as she slowly walked towards the site as if in a trance. An almost identical miniature version of her castle ruin lay sprawled in the corner of his rose garden. Surrounded by a yew hedge and bordered by a moat filled with floating lily pads and large goldfish swimming in the cool, clear water.

  “Well, I have been told that I am always in the first stare of fashion,” he said with a smug smile. “I would want that to also include my secret hide-away of course.” Declan pointed out, repeating verbatim Poppy’s own words. “There are only a few lucky ones, such as myself, that have the privilege of starting the latest trends.” A laugh sprung into his eyes. “I pride myself on being all the crack.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes as she turned to look up into Declan’s emerald depths. “You are tossing my words back at me you clever, clever man. I knew I chose wisely when I married you.” Then with a perplexed look on her face she asked, “When did you have time to have this built?”

  “I told you that I fell in love with you that first day.” He pushed a wayward golden curl behind her ear. “While you were worried that no one cared about you, the men were slaving away at the ruin gathering some of your precious stones and boulders, loading them on a cart for me to transport to Allingham Park.” He looked straight at her with a grin on his face. “I want you to always feel at home here with me.”

  She stood on her toes, placed a trembling hand on his shoulder while cupping his cheek with the other and whispered reverently, “So, are you going to kiss me or what, Your Grace?”

  Wasting no more time, he wrapped his arms tightly around her tiny waist and lifted her high off the ground so that they were nose to nose. “Your wish is my command, Your Grace. I am forever at your service, my love.”

  She curled her hands around his nape and pulled him to her, crushing his mouth to hers in a hot open-mouthed kiss.

  He caressed her curves his hands sliding down her back to cup her luscious bottom in the palms of his large hands. He lowered his hands to behind her knees and lifted her, cradling her in his arms without breaking their kiss.

  He strode across the drawbridge over the fanciful moat. Ducking as he carried her through the thick wooden door into a cozy room with a shuttered window. A small rock fireplace sat in the corner ready to heat the room on cool nights. A small table sat under the window with a bucket holding a chilled bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes as well as a large vase of daisies.

  Poppy’s eyes widened in surprise, staring at the secluded love nest Declan had prepared for them.

  Laying her down he pressed her into the wide cushioned bench covered in rose petals. The air infused with the heady scent of the crushed petals surrounded them.

  Declan nipped lightly at her neck.

  Poppy whispered, “What are you up to, husband?”

  With a crooked grin, he pressed his lips softly to hers and answered, “Rescuing a damsel in distress, of course.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Nichole Matthews resides in Tennessee with her husband, their two dogs, two parakeets, two turtles, and a fish. A devoted reader of romance novels since she was a teenager, she is happy to share her passion for romance with you.

  You can contact Nichole Matthews at readnicholematthews@gmail.com

  Or become a friend on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nicholematthewsauthor

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