by Unknown
“So tell me, Mr. Albright, how do you know Corrine Baxbury?” St. Vincent asked.
“She was my mother,” Gage said simply.
St. Vincent looked in thought for a moment before he spoke again. “Was?”
“She passed away not too long ago.”
His father’s face softened at Gage’s words. “I’m sorry for your loss. Corrine always had the purest of hearts, I’m sure she was a great mother to you.”
“Indeed she was, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her,” Gage admitted.
“But I’m not quite sure what this has to do with me?” St. Vincent said.
“On her deathbed she told me the name of my father, and it was your name that rolled off her lips just moments before she died.”
St. Vincent furrowed his brow, “But your surname is Albright, surely that is your father’s name.”
Gage shook his head no. “My mother started going by Albright instead of Baxbury right before I was born. I asked her about it once and she told me that I wasn’t old enough to understand the complexity of being an adult.”
“So it was just you and her for all that time? She never got married?” his father asked.
“She tried to find a suitor when I was younger but none of them worked out, so she gave up on marriage and focused her time on me and her job.”
“And what was her job?” His father’s face now looked distraught.
“A seamstress,” Gage answered.
“God Corri a seamstress?” St. Vincent was in utter shock and seemed to be horrified at his mother’s occupation.
“Can I tell you something?” he asked Gage after he had calmed down a bit. St. Vincent finished his drink and set the empty glass down on the table in front of them. He stood up and went to the fireplace with his back to Gage.
“I first met your mother when I was a younger lad, about six and ten years old. She was an orphan who worked at my father’s house and since we were close in age, we became friends. Any free time that we could get was spent together and over time your mother became my best friend and she was very dear to me. My father was a hard man to live with and spending time with Corrine made it easier to deal with.”
“It wasn’t until my nineteenth birthday that things started to get complicated. You see, my father insisted that I marry. He even had a girl picked out who was a perfect match on paper but was hideous in person. She came to visit once and it was horrible. I tried to get away, and once I did, your mum and I raced away to the woods behind the house.”
“We we’re both out of breath from running so fast and we we’re laughing. In that instant, your mother looked so perfect. I moved closer to her and placed my hand along the side of her neck and I could see that something had shifted between us and that she was feeling it too.”
“Our lips met and it was one of the softest and sweetest kisses, still to this day. The kiss deepened and the whole world seemed to fade away. It was just me and Corri, and it felt so damn right.”
“I broke off the kiss and we made our way to a hunter’s lodge that was sparsely furnished. I wanted more time with her and that was the closest place I could think of that would keep us away from prying eyes. I had never lain with a woman before and your mother sensed my hesitation.”
“She reached for my hand and placed it over her heart. Her heart was strong and steady. ‘Make me yours,’ she said softly. She was giving me her innocence and I was to become her most humble servant.”
“After it was done, I felt such fulfillment and I knew my heart belonged to Corrine. That night I went to speak to my father. I told him that I wanted to marry Corrine. He laughed until he realized I was dead serious. We argued and then he dismissed me as if nothing had happened.”
“The next day, I went to find Corri but she was nowhere to be found. Knowing that my father must have been involved, I burst into his office and we had one of the worst rows ever. He admitted to sending her away, but he wouldn’t tell me where.”
“And then all of a sudden he grabbed his chest and fell to the floor. Within a few minutes he stopped breathing and the life left his body. When the doctor finally arrived he said that my father had suffered a major heart attack. After his funeral, I sent an investigator to try and find her, but he couldn’t find any trace of a Corrine Baxbury. Now I know why,” St. Vincent finished.
Gage sat in silence, trying to absorb his father’s story. “So you never knew about me then?” Gage questioned quietly.
“No, I didn’t. I would have given anything to be with her, even more so if I had known about you,” his father said as he turned around. “Son.”
That word on his lips was too much for Gage. He looked up to see that St. Vincent was feeling the same. He offered his hand to Gage and when Gage stood up to take it, his father pulled him into a tight embrace, but not before he saw the tears in the older man’s eyes.
Soon Gage was in tears too, as that was the only emotion he could clearly express at the moment. All the hate that he’d felt over the years seemed to fade away and there was an ache in his chest when he thought of all the things that they had both missed out on.
“I’m in love with Alice Rutledge,” Gage admitted as they pulled apart.
“My Alice?” his father laughed.
Gage scowled, “Not your Alice, my Alice,” he corrected.
“Well if you love her why didn’t you ask for her hand?”
“I was going to but you beat me to it, plus I don’t quite meet her monetary requirements.”
St. Vincent laughed and it was hearty and contagious.
“You think my broken heart is a laughing matter?” Gage scoffed.
His father just laughed harder. “The irony is all,” he managed between laughs. “I finally decide to settle down and the one gel who doesn’t bore me senseless just happens to be my long-lost son’s one true love.”
“Well when you put it that way,” Gage said, chuckling too.
“So what will it take for her to say yes to you?” St. Vincent asked.
“Gobs of money,” Gage said flatly. “Her parent’s s went through a rough patch and they just want her to be well taken care of.”
“Consider it done then.”
“What?”
“If that is all it takes, then consider it taken care of.”
Gage shook his head, “You don’t have to do that.”
“But I do. You are my son, my flesh and blood, and if I had married your mother like I planned you would be titled and wealthy and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I will meet with my advisor in the morning and you shall be named my heir and receive a monthly stipend fir anything you might need.”
St. Vincent took in the shocked look on his son’s face and he placed a comforting on his shoulder.
“I want to make up for all the lost time and I want to give you everything that you deserve. Here, wait one moment,” St. Vincent said as he walked to his desk and opened a drawer. He walked back over to Gage and handed him the small box in his hand.
Gage opened the box and there was a golden ring with rubies encrusted in it. It was a thing of beauty and looked like it was worth a small fortune.
“I can’t take this,” Gage said as he tried to give it back.
“I insist. This ring has been in the St. Vincent family for many generations, and it only makes sense that you would have it too.”
Gage’s heart swelled and he suddenly had this huge feeling of belonging, it was unlike anything he had felt before.
“This is all well and good, but how am I supposed to marry Alice if you’re still engaged?”
St. Vincent just smirked. “You just leave that up to me.”
Chapter Twelve
Alice was going to faint. Today was the biggest day of her life, and yet she couldn’t even breathe. The boning from her corset dug into her ribs and she could feel the air being forced from her. She put a hand against the wall and tried to get herself together. She should be happy today; it w
as her wedding day after all. She was about to become the Countess of Devonshire. She should be happy. The tears falling from her eyes told her otherwise.
She closed her eyes and all she could picture was a set of green eyes looking back at her. She moved from the wall to find a handkerchief to wipe her tears on. There was no point in lying to herself. Her heart knew that she loved Gage; there was no doubt in that. But while her heart beat for Gage, her mind screamed for the Earl and the safety that he provided.
Alice had always followed society’s expectations and never once questioned why. As much as she wanted Gage, today was not the day that she was going to start to question those expectations. She could not shame her mother and father by following her heart; it simply wasn’t who she was.
Wiping the last of the tears from her eyes, she promised herself to always keep her memories with Gage tucked closely to her heart, where she could recall them from time to time when she needed a reminder of his love.
Walking toward the window, she stopped and could see the carriages coming up the drive. It was too late to back out anyway, everything was already set. There was a knock on the door and then Mira entered.
“Are you ready for the dress?” she asked.
Alice shook her head and walked over to the wedding gown. Mira held out the dress for Alice to put her hands through and then draped the dress around Alice’s form. Mira adjusted the front and then moved to the back to tie the ribbons in place.
“You look beautiful, the dress is very becoming,” Mira beamed.
Alice fingered the beaded neckline, “It really is.”
“Now for the veil.”
Mira sat the veil on top of Alice’s head and secured it with a few pins. She fluffed it out and then lowered the front to cover Alice’s face.
Alice was grateful for the veil. It was dense enough to cover her features, but not too dense that she couldn’t still see out of it.
Mira followed her to the chapel where the wedding was to take place. All of the guests were already there and all she had to do was walk down the aisle and marry the man standing there waiting for her. Easy enough, she thought.
The organ started to play and Alice slowly started her decent down the aisle. There were flowers and ribbons everywhere, making the chapel seem like a garden paradise. Alice looked at everything in the room except for the man that was to be her husband.
She made it to her groom and after everyone sat down they kneeled down in front of the priest, which was a bit hard considering the dress she was wearing.
The priest greeted the guests and then turned to Alice to start the vows. “Do you, Alice Mary Rutledge, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do,” Alice answered.
The priest turned to her soon to be husband and asked the same of him. “Do you, Gage Easton Albright, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do,” he answered.
Alice must be hearing things because she swore she just heard the priest say Gage’s name. Man, she was losing it. Too many emotions getting in the way.
They exchanged rings and it was then that the priest pronounced them husband and wife. Her husband lifted her veil and it was then that Alice began t panic.
Gage smiled at Alice’s panicked expression as he leaned in and gave her a searing kiss that sealed their marriage.
It wasn’t until later when they were sitting at the table eating lunch that St. Vincent came over to explain. He sat down on the other side of Alice and reached for her hand.
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner,” he said softly. “Gage came to me last night and some things came to light and I discovered that he is my son and that he loved you very much. All I wanted was for him to be happy, and I knew that marrying you would be the wrong thing to do, and I think you knew that too.”
“We can talk later about specifics, but I want to welcome you to the family and know that I’m so grateful to have you as a daughter in law,” St. Vincent said sincerely.
Alice nodded at his admission. “Thank you,” she said. And with that St. Vincent got up and she was left with her husband for company.
She turned to Gage and whispered in his ear, “I just want you to know that I’m still not over this. I want nothing more than to yell and scream at you but alas, I know no good would come of it.”
Alice got up to go mingle with her wedding guests and left her new husband sitting there alone.
Chapter Thirteen
Alice stared at the large box that was sitting on the bed. She lifted the lid and there, sitting neatly folded, was the most stunning nightgown Alice had ever seen. It was ivory silk with lace throughout. There were two ties, one at each shoulder and when Alice picked it up a note fell out.
“For the one you love.
xoxo,
Aunt M.”
Alice scoffed at Aunt Millie’s note. Even though she had been upset by today’s events, all day she had been wondering how tonight would be. She and Gage were now married. He her husband, and she his wife. And tonight they would share the one bed that she was standing next to.
She let Mira help her out of her dress and against her better judgment, she put on the provocative night gown. Mira left, giving her a reassuring smile. Alice removed the pins from her hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders and down her back. The nightgown was floor length but that didn’t seem to make it any more modest.
There was a soft knock on the door and Alice stood in the center of the room, waiting.
“Come in,” she answered.
The moment Gage opened the door, his heart stopped beating and the air left his chest. Surely this mesmerizing creature was not his Alice. Her took her in by pieces. Yes, that was her bright blonde hair. Yes, those blue eyes were hers for sure. And lastly, he looked to the ruby ring on her finger. Yes, she was his.
He closed the distance between them and made a mental note to thank Aunt Millie who surely had to be behind the breathtaking gown. He pulled her to him and whispered “Wife,” before kissing the side of her mouth.
“Husband,” Alice whispered back.
Those two words seemed to say so much more, and yet no other words were needed.
Gage’s eyes darkened and he gripped her hips as he began to kiss her in earnest. They continued to kiss for what felt like eternity until Gage pulled back. Alice frowned but soon recovered when she saw that he was removing his waist coat.
“Let me,” Alice said as she stopped him. She had wanted to touch him for so long and this moment would be hers.
She made quick work of the buttons on his vest and once that was gone, she went to work undoing the ties of his shirt. Gage lifted his arms and she lifted the garment up and over him. Alice admired his upper body; he had a wide chest with strong arms and a smattering of hair that trailed down his stomach. Alice felt breathless, standing so close to this half naked man.
Gage pulled her back in and now his bare chest was rubbing against the softness of her nightgown. The feeling was delicious and she shifted her mouth back to Gage’s. His lips were hot, branding her everywhere they trailed.
Gage kissed one of her shoulders before he untied the strap. He repeated the same thing on the other shoulder and slowly pushed the gown to the floor. He took in the sight of his wife’s naked body and he couldn’t wait to touch and tease every inch of her.
He picked her up and gently laid her down on the soft bed before removing the remainder of his clothing and joining her. Alice had a moment of hesitancy when she saw him naked but Gage quickly kissed away all her fears.
Gage spread her legs apart and covered her body with his, his hands roaming over her soft curves. Alice loved the feeling of his weight on top of her and she relished in the fact that he was claiming her as his.
The moment Gage’s tongue ran over her sensitive nipple was the moment Alice lost all coherent thought. He repeated
the action and Alice was lost to the overwhelming pleasure pooling inside her. He shifted his hips and Alice could feel his hardness against her skin.
She moved her hips, searching for more, when she heard Gage groan.
“God, Alice. You will certainly be the death of me if you keep moving like that,” he said breathlessly.
“But what a wonderful death it will be,” she countered as she moved her hips again.
Gage captured her lips in a fierce kiss and ground his hips to hers. Alice moaned and shifted, trying to get closer to him.
Alice moaned when Gage entered her. There was moment of pain but it was quickly followed by such pleasure that the pain was forgotten.
“Does it hurt?” Gage asked rubbing his hand up her arm.
Alice shook her head no and Gage kissed her. He set a slow pace and it wasn’t long until both of them were becoming frantic. Alice grabbed the sheets as the feeling inside her exploded, leaving her gasping for more.
Gage shifted so that he was deeper than before and he too gave in to the intense pleasure that had overtaken him.
Gage nestled into Alice’s shoulder and they laid there until he rolled off, pulling her with him. Alice was now draped halfway across his chest with his arms tight around her.
“I love you,” Gage said.
“And I you. I’m so glad it was you standing at the altar today, Alice said dreamily.
Gage smiled, “Me too.”
THE END
