by Karen Ranney
“Are you?”
“Evidently, that will go far to establish my claim.”
“I wish I could remember him more. Everyone always told me what a wonderful man he was. I doubt, however, that he was half as wonderful as you.”
That required yet another kiss.
Loving Gordon was even more wondrous the second time.
Pleasure hit her like an explosion, tendrils of sensation skittering across her flesh. Deep in the core of her, where they were joined, it felt as if she were melting from the heat.
She felt limp, exhausted, and happy from her head to her toes.
Being with Gordon was the culmination of every dream, fantasy, or imagined moment.
She now knew all those secrets that had eluded her as a girl. She felt as if she’d been allowed into a privileged membership of women. She’d never realized that there was something as wondrous as this, where your soul soared and a cavern expanded in your chest, filled with lust and love, delight and desire.
Her fingertips felt every inch of his body, glided over soft hills and deep indentations, the hardness of his cock and the muscles defining his arms and chest and legs. There was a scar on his knee from where he’d fallen out of a tree when he was ten. She kissed it softly, then trailed her lips down to his ankle, smiling when he pulled his foot out of range.
“You’re afraid I’m going to tickle you,” she said, a smile in her voice.
“Right now, I’m defenseless. You could do almost anything to me and I would let you.”
She raised up and straddled him, her knees on the bed. There was no false modesty between them. They knew each other too well to hide anything, even their vulnerabilities.
“I want you to know me,” she said. “Completely. How much I like your kisses. What the touch of your fingers on my skin does to me. To do that, you’ll need to make love to me a great many times.”
His hands reached up and stroked her breasts with talented fingers. He drew out the touch, circling her hard nipples.
“I have always been partial to academic instruction,” he said. “I’d be more than happy to consent. Only as an educational experiment, you understand.”
“Perhaps we should compare notes after a thousand nights,” she said, finding it difficult to talk when he was paying such assiduous attention to her breasts.
“Only nights? You can make love during the day, you know.”
“Really? People do that?”
“Indeed they do.”
“I should very much like to do that, then. As often as possible, please.”
“I will do my best to accommodate you.”
“You’re very kind.”
He rolled her over, changing places with her until he was on top. He smiled down into her face.
“I think we’ve talked too much, don’t you?”
She only smiled in response.
Her core was hot and wet and welcoming. She guided him into her and kept him there, her hips rocking on the mattress, the pleasure so sharp that it came within a hairbreadth of pain.
Just when she thought she couldn’t feel any more, he showed her another dimension to bliss. When it was over, when she was spent, she found the strength to raise her hand and place it on his back, needing that connection.
Love for him flooded through her.
“If I’d only known, I would never have let you stay away five whole years, Gordon.”
He raised up on his forearms and kissed her lightly before dropping his head back on the pillow. A moment later, he sat up on the edge of the bed and started to gather up his clothing.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting dressed. I need to find Ellen.”
She frowned at him. “Why?”
“The Earl and Countess are dead. As your mother, Ellen is the one I need to see.” He glanced at her. “To ask for your hand in marriage.”
She couldn’t help but smile.
“Shouldn’t you ask me, first?”
He came around to her side of the bed and startled her by kneeling there naked. He grabbed her hands, placing a kiss on the back of each one.
“Lady Jennifer, Jennifer, my dearest love, will you marry me?”
“Of course I will. Hopefully, soon. You won’t make me wait too long, will you?”
His answer was to kiss her soundly. Long moments later, he released her and stood. She noted that his breathing was as hard as hers. She also noted that he was remarkably recuperative. However, he retrieved the rest of his clothes and dressed, with her watching the whole time.
“Just think,” she said, “I’ll be able to do this every day.”
He hesitated in the act of buttoning his shirt. “Only if I get to reciprocate.”
“Of course.”
Once he was ready, he bent and kissed her. That took a few minutes and would have taken longer if Jennifer had her way. Unfortunately, Gordon was determined to do the right thing and left the room, intent on finding Ellen.
Ellen realized that people still had the ability to surprise her, no matter how old she got.
Who would have believed that Gordon McDonnell—misnamed, but he would probably keep it—would find his way to Davis, who would knock on her door and inform her that she was needed? She certainly hadn’t expected it. Perhaps that was her first mistake. Her second was underestimating the man who stood waiting in her sitting room.
“Mrs. Thornton.”
Anyone with half a brain knew that he’d spent a considerable amount of time in Jennifer’s room. Should she say something to that effect?
He took the decision out of her hands with his next words.
“Since you are, essentially, Jennifer’s only relative, I thought it would be best to consult you.”
She didn’t get a chance to ask on what, when he spoke again.
“I’m asking your permission to marry Jennifer, Mrs. Thornton.”
She had the decided feeling that Gordon truly didn’t give a flying farthing if she approved or not. That fact made her like him a little more. Evidently, she gravitated to iconoclasts, witness her union with Colin and her growing affection for this man.
“Well, I know you already love her,” she said, sitting on the end of the sofa. “Now is the time to ascertain whether or not you can support her.”
“Would you like my financial statements?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Would you send them over?”
“Yes, if it meant that you’d approve of the marriage. I don’t want Jennifer upset.”
“I’ve heard good things about you from a number of people, Gordon, and I have made it my business to ask. However, I know that no one is perfect. Tell me your worst failing.”
One of his eyebrows arched upward, but he didn’t protest the question.
“I’m impatient. Idiots bore me. I haven’t the tact I need occasionally.”
He truly did remind her of Colin. And Alex, as well. His father had been exactly the same way, only perhaps not as aware of his drawbacks. More than once, she and Mary had commiserated about Alex. When he thought someone was being foolish, he didn’t hesitate to express his opinion. More than one person had left a gathering at Adaire Hall because of Alex’s words.
“Will you be a good husband?”
“Yes.”
“Will you tolerate my presence in your life?”
Now he smiled. He was a handsome man, but smiling gave his face another dimension. Perhaps it was charm overlaid on top of his good looks.
“I shall attempt to tolerate it, Mrs. Thornton.”
“I think, in light of what’s happened, that you should begin to call me Ellen, don’t you?”
“Thank you, Ellen.”
“There’s only one thing that concerns me, Gordon. Although I visit London periodically, I prefer my home in Edinburgh. I would be remiss if I didn’t urge you to return to Scotland.”
“I completely agree, Ellen.”
They smiled at each other.
“Goo
d, now that’s settled, go home before you scandalize Davis even further. Come back later today and we’ll plan a wedding.”
She watched him leave the room, feeling a warmth that came solely from happiness. Although she was not given to addressing Colin’s ghost, she did so now, looking up at the ceiling as if he were floating in the corner.
“You would like him, my love. He’s very like you. But Jennifer is woman enough for him. Just as I was in your case.”
In her mind, he laughed in agreement.
Chapter Forty-Four
Winter, 1870
Edinburgh, Scotland
When Gordon was told a guest was waiting for him in Mrs. Thornton’s study, he assumed it was one of the innumerable people Ellen had invited to their wedding.
To his surprise, however, it was Richard McBain who sat there. He hadn’t seen the man since that night he’d been banished from Adaire Hall.
“Have you come to announce some impediment to this marriage, McBain? I assure you there is none. Nor will I tolerate any interference in my life.”
The older man sat back in the chair and studied him.
“They tell me you’re quite a success, McDonnell. I have to admit that I’m surprised, but pleasantly so. Evidently, you take after your father.”
Gordon held himself still, watching McBain. He didn’t trust the man, based on his past deeds, but sometimes such an attitude was unwise.
“Alex was a good friend of mine. I always thought you were his by-blow,” McBain said.
He stared at the other man. “You thought I was the earl’s bastard?”
“Actually, I did.”
“And that Betty was my mother?”
“As impossible as it is to consider,” McBain said, smiling slightly. “Yes. I’ve seen stranger pairings. You look like your father. What else was I to think? The only reason more people didn’t remark on the resemblance was because the countess had become a recluse after the fire.”
Gordon kept silent.
“I thought the countess left you a bequest because you were the illegitimate son of her dead husband. Frankly, I saw the gesture as an indication of her kindness. The countess had a great heart.”
Gordon remained silent.
“Evidently, you’ve taken that bequest and done something good with it.”
“So, this visit isn’t to dispute my wedding?”
“Indeed, it isn’t.”
“Why?”
McBain smiled again. “If you’re asking what I think you are, I knew about Jennifer. As I said, I was a good friend of your father’s. He shared that information with me.”
To his surprise, McBain stood and extended his hand. “I wish you the very best of luck in your challenge to Harrison. I believe that you would be a better earl than he has been.”
“How did you know about the challenge?” Gordon asked.
“Alex’s friends are also mine. When I heard the story, I knew that I’d been in the wrong five years ago. I wanted to come and tell you that.”
“I’m not sorry you did what you did,” Gordon said. “If you hadn’t sent me away, I would never have made my fortune.”
“Oh,” McBain said, “I think you would’ve found a way to make your mark on the world, one way or another.”
He watched as the man stood and headed for the door. Before McBain left the room, Gordon said, “Stay for the wedding. There’s a party afterward.”
McBain’s look of surprise was justification enough for the impromptu invitation.
“It’s unseemly,” Abigail said as she made the finishing touches to Ellen’s hair. “They’re marrying barely after the banns were read. The world will think they’re trittle-trattle.”
Abigail handed Ellen a mirror so that she could see the back of her hair. Once again, she’d performed miracles. Ellen decided that she looked quite nice, barely old enough to be the mother of the bride.
“They love each other, Abigail.”
“Still, it doesn’t look right. People are going to wonder at the haste.”
She smiled absently, blocked out Abigail’s comments, and moved to the window. The day was beautiful for a wedding. Cold, wintry, but with a clear blue sky.
Everyone knew not to marry in May, but January was also considered unfortunate. However, both Gordon and Jennifer had refused to settle for a date further out than January. Therefore, she’d been pressed to arrange everything in four weeks. The only nagging detail—which was a formality only—was the marriage contract. That should have been done last night, but due to inclement weather, the legal parties couldn’t get here. Therefore, the final details were taking place now.
Everything had been done to make the wedding perfect. She’d put on more staff to help the cook in the preparation of all the food. The maids had dusted and polished and cleared out the furniture from the ballroom, since it was rarely used except for storage. An orchestra had been hired for the reception. She’d purchased crates of whiskey and wine.
Ellen had freely admitted, both to Gordon and Jennifer, that she had a somewhat jaundiced view of religion ever since her parents had dived headfirst into it. Consequently, would they consider being married in the ballroom with the minister of the Free Church officiating? As she suspected, they didn’t care, as long as the ceremony was legal and valid. She assured them it was, so the space was prepared for the saying of the vows—in less than an hour.
She and Jennifer had returned to Edinburgh within a week, accompanied by Gordon. In the intervening days he’d made arrangements to sell the Mayfair Club but keep the ownership of his three music halls. He was planning to branch out in Scotland. First, Edinburgh, and then Glasgow. To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Campbell had expressed an interest in being Gordon’s minority share partner. She wasn’t certain if Gordon had agreed.
As soon as the wedding was over, Gordon and Jennifer would go off to live in the house he’d found for them. The two of them would be under one roof, unlike the arrangements that had been in effect for the past month. Gordon had been staying with Hamish and Lauren, to Jennifer’s irritation.
Ellen had gone to some considerable expense decorating her home for the occasion, not to mention inviting everyone in Edinburgh. Or nearly everyone. Gordon’s Scottish advocates were here as well as his London solicitor, not to mention a goodly number of his London employees.
There were only two notable exceptions to the guest list. Maggie hadn’t been invited. Nor had Harrison.
When Abigail began to complain again, Ellen looked at her. “Thank you, Abigail. I won’t need you anymore. Perhaps you can go and see if you could assist the housekeeper with any tasks.”
Abigail frowned at her, which was a clear indication that she didn’t want to be banished. Either that, or she didn’t want to assist the housekeeper in any way. That was another difficult relationship for Abigail.
In a few moments, Ellen would go and help Jennifer don her wedding dress.
Right at the moment, however, she wanted to spend a few moments thinking of Mary. She would forever be grateful to the Countess of Burfield for her love, kindness, and generosity.
If there was such a thing as angels, then Mary Adaire was one. Perhaps she would be a witness to this wedding and the happiness of her son and Ellen’s daughter.
Jennifer stared at Gordon, unable to speak.
“You can’t be serious,” she finally said.
“I’ve never been more serious, Jennifer.”
He was fully dressed for the ceremony, in a kilt and formal jacket. He’d never looked more handsome.
She, on the other hand, was only wearing a wrapper. She’d been waiting for Ellen to help her with the French confection she would wear for the ceremony when Gordon had knocked on the door to her sitting room.
“You can’t do that, Gordon. I won’t let you.”
He’d delivered the most astounding news. How could she possibly allow him to do what he’d suggested?
She sat on the ottoman in front of her reading chair. He
stood in front of her, a half smile on his face.
They both turned when the door opened to reveal Ellen.
“Is it a bit late for me to comment about the shocking nature of your undress, Jennifer? You’re not married yet.”
“I doubt I shall be,” Jennifer said, frowning up at Gordon. “You’ll never believe what he’s done, Ellen. He’s giving up his claim to the earldom. He’s just going to hand it over to Harrison.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Ellen asked.
“He’s no longer going to contest the earldom.” Jennifer looked up at Gordon again. “It’s your family, Gordon. Your heritage.”
“With you at my side, Jennifer, I can start my own heritage.”
“I can’t let you do it.”
Ellen glanced at Gordon. “Why are you giving up your claim?”
“The moment we’re married, people will speculate as to Jennifer’s relationship to me. They’ll either think she’s my sister or they’ll figure out the truth.”
“Then we simply won’t marry,” Jennifer said.
He folded his arms and stared at her. “That’s not an acceptable alternative.”
She continued to shake her head. “I can’t let you do this. Not for me. I don’t care what people say about me, Gordon.”
“Gordon’s right, of course,” Ellen said. “People enjoy a scandalous story, and this is one that only comes along once in a lifetime. The girl who was brought up as Lady Jennifer and the man who would be earl. They won’t be shy about the names they’ll call you: merry-begotten, for conceived out of wedlock. Or being a cludfawer, an illegitimate child.”
“I don’t mind the world knowing I’m illegitimate.”
Ellen frowned at her. “I do. Why do you think I went to such an effort to ensure that Mary and Alex raised you? It wasn’t only for myself, but for you. There’s a stigma attached to being illegitimate, Jennifer, even as an adult. To Gordon, it’s simply not worth it. I think being willing to give up the title is a magnanimous gift. A gift of love.”
“I can’t let you do it,” Jennifer said, looking at Gordon. “It’s too much.”
