The Viscount's Christmas Miracle

by Erin Grace

  ‘Look at me love.’ Damn him. She was a mess, yet he was so calm, assured.

  ‘Did I please you?’

  A devilish smile curved his mouth and sent tiny spurs of excitement to every part of her body. Deep inside, she ached for him now. Needed him in a way she couldn’t describe nor cared to.

  ‘Now, hold me, sweet. And when you feel me there, and it is too much to bear, hold me even tighter.’

  ‘Yes.’

  He leant forward and kissed her deeply, before parting her thighs with his knee. At first, she fought against his touch. She didn’t know why, but slowly she began to relax and allow him to lower himself between her legs.

  His manhood, hot and swollen, pulsed gently against the cool skin of her thigh. ‘Hold me, Lily. Hold me now.’

  He pushed forward, causing a tight, burning sensation to pierce through her womanhood. The sudden pain caught her breath and suddenly there was no air, only him, her anchor to the world outside. Finally, she let go a deep breath and tried to relax as he moved slowly within her.

  ‘Gabriel.’

  ‘I know, love. The worst of it is over now, I promise.’

  Tears welled in the corner of her eyes as she nodded and held him tight. But, they weren’t tears of sadness. No. For the first time since she’d moved to Kent, her soul soared with a joy unsurpassed. She was in the arms of the man she loved, and she was whole.

  He pulled back slightly and began moving at a steady rhythm. The pain she’d felt before seemed to dissipate with every gentle stroke he made.

  She licked her lips rested her head back against the bed and allowed her body to move in motion with his. Waves of glorious sensation rolled over like a warm ocean tide, before dragging her under into a blissful place.

  ‘I think it’s time to use those perfect legs of yours, my dear.’

  Through her sensual haze, she gazed up at him as he grasped her legs and moved them around behind his back.

  ‘Yes, my sweet. Wrap your legs around me, tight.’ Beads of moisture formed on his brow, his eyes closed as he thrust forward into with a new-found strength.

  ‘Yes, Gabriel. Oh…’

  Reaching under her, he grabbed at her buttock, kneaded it roughly and pulled her closer onto him until he appeared to be part of her.

  She lashed out and grasp fistfuls of bed sheets, clinging to them has his thrust became faster, deeper.

  His fierce, wild passion for her excited her beyond measure, sparking the simmering urge inside her, now demanding its release.

  Her lungs were aching with the effort to breath, and her hips moved harder against him as he surged forward one last time, sending her over the edge of the abyss.

  Chapter 23

  For what seemed like blissful eternity, Lily lay there beside Gabriel, her head resting upon his chest. Below her ear, his heart beat slow and steady. She sighed, exhausted but somehow content within his arms.

  How she wished this moment could last. Just them and no problems, no demands, no one forcing her to choose a life she’d despised.

  But, what else could she do?

  Simple enough to want Gabriel for herself and become his mistress – wasn’t it? How wonderful it would be to wake up in his arms every morning, knowing he cared for her like no other man had.

  But, she had to be realistic.

  Henrietta would throw her mother and sister out onto the street if she disobeyed her and not married Mr Dunford. And what about her own pride? Yes, heaven help her she may not have much left in the world, but she did have at least a shred of pride.

  Never would she allow any man, including Gabriel, to pay for her keep in return for her intimate company. No. Her mama too had been through enough without that final insult.

  Tears stung her eyes as she tried to think of something else, anything else, other than walking away tonight and never being with Gabriel again.

  But giving herself to him was something she would never regret, nor would she forget.

  And, if she were with child? Dunford would never be the wiser. This special time would be something to carry inside her heart, locked away for her only – something her wretched aunt could never take away.

  His chest rose and fell heavily, and she smiled.

  How could he sleep after such a wondrous experience?

  Slowly, she sat up beside him and watched him as he slept. Never more had he looked so exquisitely handsome than he did now. His tousled hair was swept to one side, his eyes closed, eyelashes fanning out over the crest of his cheeks. He was perfect, like some statuesque god of ancient times.

  Her fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and brush an errant lock of hair away from his eyes, but she didn’t want him to wake up. No. It would be easier to leave this way.

  She raised her hand to her mouth and sniffed back her emotions. As she stood from the bed and began straightening her skirts, her legs started to tremble. She didn’t want to go. And with every movement she made to leave, her feet turned to clay and became unbearably heavy.

  She placed a hand on her heart and winced with pain. Why did she have to love him? It hurt too much.

  Her eyesight began to blur as she straightened her hair, adjusted her dress and picked up her cloak from the floor. Was she stalling? Every moment she dwelled, made it more difficult to break away.

  She removed the handkerchief from her reticule and placed it upon his coat then turned and rested her fingers on the door handle. Her brow furrowed, and she choked back a heart wrenching sob, shaking with the effort to do so. ‘Good bye, my love.’ Her whisper hung in the silence.

  Summoning her last shred of courage, she opened the door, stepped into the hallway then closed the door behind her.

  She closed her eyes and covered her mouth, the sound of her heart pounding like a drum in her ears. But she’d had her Christmas miracle, and now it was time to return to her place in the world.

  As she opened her eyes a blur of color streaked past before leaving her cheek stinging with pain.

  Stunned, she clasped her burning cheek and gazed upon the face of her attacker. ‘Lady Stanton?’

  The woman resembled every female villain she’d read about in novels - only worse. This woman was real and towering over her with murderous intent blazing in her amber eyes.

  ‘Whore. Vile little baggage.’ The woman bared her teeth like a canine about to attack then raised her hand to strike again.

  She grasped the woman’s wrist as her hand tried to lash out at her then held the wretch at bay. ‘You know nothing about me.’

  Lady Stanton pulled her hand away and clenched her fist. ‘Don’t I just? I know that you are nothing but a thieving little guttersnipe who thinks she has slept her way into Gabriel’s heart. Do you honestly believe he would give up someone like my daughter in favor of the likes of you?’

  Movement caught her eye and from behind Lady Stanton, Aunt Henrietta appeared.

  She glared at her traitorous aunt then back at Lady Stanton. ‘That is none of your business. Either of you.’

  The countess glared at her defiance. ‘It’s very much my business. What you don’t know is that Gabriel still loves Cecily.’

  Inside, she shrunk back a little, her heart aching with the accusation. But she refused to let the woman goad her. ‘He doesn’t love her. Not after what she did to him. He told me how Cecily left him for Henry. And, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn it was all your idea. You are no better than my aunt.’

  Henrietta looked as though to speak, but wisely kept her mouth closed.

  A sneer laced Lady Stanton’s mouth as she crossed her arms. ‘Oh, precious child, how little you know or understand. Did Gabriel tell you he loved you? No? By the look on your face I’d say not. That’s because he still loves Cecily. Yes, my daughter may have hurt him, but she has seen the error of her ways. And, if left alone, I have little doubt they will fall in love once more.’

  At the woman’s caustic words, the ground beneath her feet softened like a boggy marsh and she
felt as if she were falling. ‘I don’t believe you.’

  The wretched creature slowly circled her and shrugged. ‘Believe what you wish, foolish girl. Why not question Gabriel yourself? Go ahead. Ask him if he loves you? But you won’t, will you. Because in your little black heart you know truth – that you are both from different worlds. At best, you could only ever hope to be his mistress.’ The woman raised an eyebrow and cut her an imperious stare. ‘He already asked you, didn’t he? I can see it in your eyes, he did! Rather fitting really that along with your talents as a thief you should become a prostitute as well.’

  Fists clenched by her side, she inhaled a deep breath and held her chin up. ‘At least I was not the one willing to sell my body to the highest bidder.’

  The light of triumph dimmed in the woman’s eyes as she frowned and tilted her head to one side. ‘Henrietta. I do believe it’s time your niece went home – for good.’

  Her aunt’s face paled, as if the woman frightened her. ‘Of course, your ladyship. I had naturally instructed Lily not to attend, but she never does listen. Don’t concern yourself. I will see to it she leaves immediately.’

  The countess rolled her eyes and turned sharply to face her aunt. ‘Cease your babbling, idiotic creature. You will also depart and see her home personally. Do you understand me?’

  Henrietta’s bottom lip trembled, eyes glistened. Good God. She’d never seen her aunt on the verge of tears before.

  ‘Yes. Yes, of course, your ladyship.’ Her aunt glared at her as if she’d stolen from the collection plate. ‘We are leaving, Lily. Now.’

  As her aunt nudged her arm to leave, she glanced at Gabriel’s door one last time and swallowed the lump in her throat. Regardless of Lady Stanton’s cruel claims, the heartbreaking fact remained she was leaving him forever. But she would love him – always.

  Head held high, she walked past the seething countess, a smile upon her face to disguise the agony of her heart turning into ashes, littering her shattered soul.

  Outside the kitchen door of the manor, Henrietta paced before her, as snow fell heavily around them. But her aunt hadn’t seemed to notice the biting cold. No. The woman had her fury to keep her warm.

  ‘How could you do this, Lily? How could you? After everything I have done for you and your ungrateful little family.’

  She let out a deep sigh and met her aunt’s fiery gaze. ‘Henrietta. Do be quiet.’

  Her aunt’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t stop to admire the unusual sight for too long. Even if Henrietta didn’t mind the cold – not surprising considering the woman had the very best in winter attire – her feet had begun to chill to the bone. She needed to get back to the vicarage.

  Stephaney!

  She paused and was about to demand they return for her sister, but given the weather and her aunt’s foul mood, she thought it best to leave her sibling in the care of Mrs Peel for the night. At least at Etford, Stephaney would be warm, safe and extremely well fed.

  ‘We are going to catch our death out in this. Honestly. Your uncle won’t be here with the buggy for at least another two hours.’

  Wrapping her cloak around her she kept walking. ‘Then we had better keep moving, aunt. I’m getting rather used to the cold. It’s not much different to be in the attic really.’

  She ignored the grunting remarks of displeasure from somewhere behind here and walked past the coach house.

  ‘Bit late to be heading out into the snow, isn’t it, miss?’

  She stopped in her tracks as Lester appeared from the shadows of the doorway. She tried to force a smile, but it simply wouldn’t come. ‘Good evening,

  Lester. Don’t mind us, we were just going home. If we walk fast, it shouldn’t take us more than half an hour at most.’

  Lester glanced at Henrietta then stared at her and smiled in a way that sent chills down her spine.

  He turned back to Henrietta and tipped his hat. ‘Good evening, madam. You’re our esteemed vicar’s wife, are you not?’

  Henrietta stopped fussing long enough to hear the compliment and smile at Lester.

  ‘Why, yes I am indeed.’

  He clasped his hands together and beamed. ‘Then, it would be my honor to escort you ladies’ home to the vicarage. Can’t have you catching cold now, can we?’

  She grabbed her aunt’s armed and tried to pull her away, but she refused to budge.

  Henrietta dabbed her nose with a handkerchief. ‘That would be most gracious of you, sir. I’m sure the captain would also be most obliged.’

  ‘Actually, perhaps we should walk, aunt? There is much I need to discuss with you.’

  Henrietta shook off her hold and frowned. ‘Don’t be foolish. We will have more than enough time to discuss your behavior when we get back, safe and in the comfort of the captain’s carriage.’

  Lester slid her a strange glance that made her skin crawl.

  ‘You should listen to your aunt, Miss Bowden. She obviously knows what’s best for you. Besides, you wouldn’t want the captain finding out I let you walk home in the cold again? He’d have my job if he found out.’

  Guilt nudged her conscience but caution still prevailed. She didn’t like this man, nor did she trust him. However, as her aunt was with her, there seemed little chance for him to cause her any harm. And Henrietta was already inside the coach house, waiting by the carriage door.

  He walked ahead of her and opened the door for her aunt. Odd. Why would the man have Gabriel’s team harnessed unless he was expecting to go out tonight? ‘Lily! Will you please hurry up? We don’t wish to keep this poor man out for too long, now do we?’

  ‘I’m coming.’ She refused the offer of his hand as she gripped the side of the doorway and stepped up and into the carriage. The door closed firmly behind her as she slowly sat down and tried to recall where Gabriel had hidden his pistol last time.

  As the carriage began to move out into the dark murky weather, she searched the satiny folds of the lining for the gun. Nothing.

  Chapter 24

  Gabriel woke with a start, his body covered in a fine sheen of moisture, heart racing. Lily? He reached out, only to grasp cold empty sheets where she had been. Where was she? He sat up, threw back the blankets and got out of bed. She must have returned home with her family.

  He had a nightmare. But it wasn’t of wars, men dying and the ghosts of his past. It was of Lily. She was hurt and cold – and alone. His stomach twisted at the thought.

  Not bothering to wake his valet, he dressed quickly, grabbed a coat and headed downstairs. Perhaps it had only been a dream. But it’d seemed so real, so terrible.

  How long had he slept? The house was quiet in the early dawn. Only the faint sounds of pots clanging echoed along the empty hallway. Mrs Peel? Surely, she of all people would know where Lily was.

  He entered the kitchen to find it stacked high with wooden crates of glasses, plates and serving ware. Damn. He’d forgotten all about the Christmas dance last night.

  A smile curved the edge of his mouth. No. He’d been with Lily. His Lily. A sudden surge of possessive pride rushed through his body like wildfire. She had given herself to him and he’d basked in her passionate glory. Never could he tire of such a magnificent creature. Her beauty and spirit had etched their mark on his soul forever.

  His heart swelled just at the thought of her smile. Good God.

  His breath caught as the ground beneath him seemed to give way. He was in love.

  ‘Good morning, Captain. Are you feeling all right? You seem a bit dazed.’ He smiled, a warm broad smile that came from deep inside him. ‘Coffee, Mrs Peel, if you please.’

  The old cook gave him an odd look, grinned then began bustling about the kitchen. ‘If you don’t mind me saying so, sir, but you’re up a might early. The rooster hasn’t even crowed yet.’

  ‘Yes. I thought I might go into the village early this morning. I have many errands to do.’ He wanted to get Lily a gift, something special. Though Lord knew he wasn’t very good at buyi
ng for women. And Lily wasn’t the type to laud over jewels and expensive trinkets. This close to Christmas and in a village so small, finding just the right present would certainly prove a challenge. He wandered over to the deep window sill where a small girl was curled up asleep beneath a blanket. ‘I see our visitor is still with us?’

  ‘Yes, Captain. Been up most the night I’m afraid.’

  ‘Too excited with the dance to sleep?’ The girl looked sweet lying there, and rather like her sister now he’d come to think about it.

  ‘I’m not sure, sir. She insisted she was waiting for Lily to return. I tried to move her into my room, but she refused. I hope you don’t mind, sir.’

  ‘Not at all. So, Lily had left her sister here last night? Doesn’t sound like something she would do.’

  ‘Ah, well.’ Mrs Peel put a cup of steaming hot coffee before him then wiped her hands on her apron. ‘She left here with that horrible aunt of hers, just before the end of the dance. They were outside the back door having a row. Poor thing, Lily. She’d obviously done something to anger Mrs Talbot again. The woman was dragging her off home in the cold. And without a buggy, mind you.’

  His chest tightened. ‘They walked home in the snow? Alone?’

  The back door opened, and his head stableman walked in, concern etched upon the man’s face. ‘Captain. I was coming to fetch you, sir. Forgive ma impertinence, but could I speak with you for a moment?’

  ‘What is it, Mr MacCallister?’

  ‘I’m concerned about Miss Bowden and her aunt, sir. I was helping out with the villager’s buggies at the front of the manor last night, due to the shortage in staff, when the vicar arrived to take the ladies’ home.’ The man glanced at the cook then back at him.

  ‘And? For God’s sake, man, are they all right?’

  ‘I dinna know, sir. Thompson had gone to fetch the pair, but Lady Stanton had informed him both left earlier, and on foot.’