Book Read Free

The Good Sister: Part Two

Page 20

by Saint James, London


  I made my way upstairs and knocked on Ashton’s bedroom door. No answer. I opened his door and peeked in. I patted across the floor. He’s probably taking a shower. I entered his bathroom and saw him soaking inside the tub. His body glistened. Ashton’s hand curled around the outer edge of the old claw footed tub, elbow resting atop the edge. I stripped off my clothes and snuck over to him.

  “Hi,” I said, standing in the buff at the foot of the tub.

  Ashton opened his eyes. A wicked smile crept over his face. “Hello,” he said in his low honey tone.

  “May I join you, my lord?”

  Ashton scooted up, causing small waves with his movement. “Please do.”

  I stepped into the tub then inched myself into the warm water, tucking my compact body up against his large frame. Ashton’s wet hand combed through my curls.

  “This is nice,” I said.

  “Yes,” he agreed.

  We stayed this way for a long time, holding each other in the bath.

  I turned the knob on the hot water to add more heat to the cooling bath. “What’s wrong, my lord?”

  “Nothing, my dove.”

  “Please tell me.”

  “I have many things upon my mind. I had to dismiss Fredrick this afternoon.”

  “The new gardener?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “My dove, he has been watching you, lurking. Max came to me this morning with the concern. I witnessed his actions myself, this afternoon while you walked within the orchard.”

  “Maybe that explains my uneasy feeling of late,” I confessed as I leaned over to turn off the faucet.

  “Trinity,” Ashton said, his voice concerned. “If you have felt uneasy, why have you not come to me?”

  “It’s just a feeling. What could I say?”

  “My love, I wish for you to tell me of such things, no matter what.”

  “I think someone has been in my room. Some of my things have been moved.”

  “What?”

  “I haven’t been sure; at first thinking maybe the staff moved things when cleaning but…”

  “Tell me, Trinity.”

  “I’m missing some undergarments.”

  “Bloody fucking hell.”

  “Maybe it was Fredrick; he did give me a creepy vibe, but I’ve never found him inside the house.”

  “Why did you say nothing to me?”

  “I guess I wasn’t sure, and then I didn’t want to be sure. I didn’t want there to be a problem.”

  Ashton placed his hands to my face. “I shall look into the matter, nonetheless. From this moment on I wish to know if you feel uneasy or if things are not as they should be. Promise me, Trinity.”

  “Okay,” I sighed and kissed his neck. I knew Fredrick wasn’t his only worry. “I promise.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Gold. That would be the color for Ashton’s birthday gala. My decision on the color, as well as to wear the golden dress Jacqueline had bought for me, came when the painting of me clad as the golden goddess arrived. Jacqueline had commission the painting of me from Reid’s friend, John Paul, when I was staying at the chateau. It hung on her wall for the past few months, but she sent the painting via courier. A gift for Ashton’s birthday.

  I observed his face as he placed it above the fireplace in his study. You would have thought it was a great masterpiece by the way he looked at it.

  “I wish everything to be clad in the colors of gold,” I said, giving Maragrete and Claudia instructions with the motion of my hands. “We will use the gilt candelabras here.” I pointed. “And we will need to move everything out of the foyer, and the dining hall, in order to accommodate everyone for the masquerade ball.” Mayhem clopped to the door, barking in his deep bark. He’d grown huge over the past few weeks. “Mayhem,” I called and saw Reid standing in the open door.

  Reid smiled his dimpled bright white smile. “Trinity,” he greeted.

  “Reid, what are you doing here?”

  “Archer called and invited me.” Reid looked at Mayhem and gave him a scratch to his long tipped ear. “Mayhem.” He laughed. “Great name.”

  “Lord Archer called you?”

  “He said you wanted to speak with me, but hadn’t because of him. He said I should come today to see you and talk.”

  “Well, Lord Archer is always too indulgent with me.”

  “He loves you, Trinity. I’m not sure I would have called him if the tables had been turned, but he’s a good guy. You could have done much worse.”

  I stood unblinking. I couldn’t believe my ears.

  “Blink, Trinity,” Reid said. “You heard me right.”

  “Well, come in. Don’t just stand in the doorway gathering flies.” I patted the side of my thigh. “Mayhem, come.” Mayhem turned and clomped to my side. “Come on, we’ll talk in the lilac parlor,” I said, leading the way with Reid to my left and Mayhem to my right. “Maragrete. Claudia. We will finish our party plans later.” They curtsied.

  Reid chuckled. “You have turned into quite the lady of the manor.”

  “That’s Lady Trinity to you,” I joked.

  “You have always been that, my lady.”

  Mayhem jumped up onto the long divan, sprawling across my lap like he was a small lap dog and not the huge horse of a dog he was actually growing into.

  “How have you been, Reid?” I asked, patting Mayhem’s large head.

  “In truth, not too great. I tried to drown myself in wine for a few weeks, but that’s not the answer,” Reid admitted then gazed up at me. “You look wonderful, Trinity. Happy.” Reid tugged at one of me braided piggy tails. “This is new.”

  “I’ve been moving things, working so—”

  “That explains the hair.”

  “Thanks for saying I look wonderful. I am happy. For the first time in my life, Reid, I know what it’s like not to have nightmares.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he said softly. “I knew someday you would find your wings.”

  “I do have you to thank, Reid.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “You made me want to live. If I hadn’t come here with the impression of forcing you to fall in love with me, I would never have found what I needed, so for that I have you to thank.”

  “Trinity, can you ever forgive me for everything I’ve done to you?”

  “Friendship is unconditional. And you? Can you forgive me?”

  “There is nothing to forgive, Trinity.”

  “I’ve hurt you,” I said.

  “No, I have hurt myself, Trinity.”

  Mayhem yawned. I glided my hand over the nape of his neck.

  “Reid, I wish you to find peace in your life. Please say you will find a way to balance out your life, and let someone inside.”

  “I will try, Trinity.” He ran his fingers through his midnight colored hair. “I was thinking when I go home I might see that doctor you liked.”

  “Doctor Devereaux is a wonderful doctor. Easy to talk to.”

  “Perhaps she’s a miracle worker,” he joked. “She’s going to need be in order to deal with me.”

  “Reid?”

  “What, baby…” he paused. Smiled. “Trinity,” he corrected.

  “Have you ever thought about talking with the girl you told me about, the girl from the pier?”

  Reid’s eyes darkened, and his brow furrowed. “I can’t.”

  “I know it would be hard, and I know she may not want to see you but—”

  “I cannot speak with her, Trinity, because she died.”

  “Died?”

  “She took a handful of pills a month after the incident at the pier.”

  “And this is part of what haunts you, isn’t it?” I asked, knowing the answer.

  Reid dropped his head. “I helped kill her, Trinity. In more ways than one, I helped kill her.”

  “Oh, Reid.” I laid my hand over his balled fist. “You must forgive yourself.”

  “But how do I do that?
I see her face sometimes in my dreams. The way she looked up at me, begging me. I can hear her voice.”

  “Find a way to let go. Tell her what you have told to me. Give yourself what you need, and let loose of the demons that hold you in that night under the pier.”

  “But she can’t hear me. How do I tell her?”

  “You will find a way like I did. I went to the place that haunted me. To the site where the towers once stood,” I confessed.

  “What?” Reid asked.

  “When I was released from the hospital, I made my mother take me to the site. The towers were gone, like they never existed, but I had to see it, try to understand it.” I sighed. “I never let it go. Never released my demons. It took me nine years of not living before finding the peace I have.” I touched Reid’s hand once more. “Go to the pier. Tell her what you must and find a way to live, Reid.”

  Reid smiled faintly. “Trinity, you are truly a spectacular woman.”

  “No,” I confessed looking down at the ring on my finger sparkle in the light, “I just understand fear.”

  ****

  I needed to relax after meeting with Reid. I did worry about him, but with Reid’s reemergence in my life, Ashton being so selfless in ensuring Reid and I patched up our friendship, the upcoming birthday gala, all of our impending guests, and our wedding, I had to find a way to wind down. What better way than yoga? I entered into my downward facing dog pose, happy with my correct position when someone knocked.

  “My Lady?”

  “Come in!” I yelled, keeping my pose.

  I could see Remington from between my legs. He looked stricken. His face flushed. His eyes dropped. He grabbed at his suit coat.

  “I must apologize, my lady,” he spluttered, turning on his heels and practically slamming the door.

  All right then. I returned my concentration to the pose, feeling the stretch in the back of my thighs, butt, and hamstrings.

  A few moments later, Ashton walked in to find me ass up, wearing small, tight, black shorts.

  “Hi,” I said, peeking at Ashton from between my legs.

  “My dove, do you realize you have caused Remington heart palpitations?”

  “What?”

  “He refuses to come back into this room.”

  “Why?”

  Ashton smiled his wicked smile as he stalked toward me. He ran his hand over the curve of my bum. “May I inquire, were you in this position when he entered?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do I need say more?”

  “Oh … I didn’t mean…”

  “Shh … I think I need to help you with your poses.”

  I giggled then wiggled my ass.

  “You know Yoga?”

  “Yes,” he crooned. Ashton grabbed my bent hips, pressing his pose into mine. “I find it my duty as a proper husband to teach you a few new poses.”

  Mmm…”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Happy Birthday.

  Something woke me. It was Ashton, chucking under his breath.

  “I do not believe you, Mayhem.” He roused the giant pup from the bed. “You are in my lady’s bed, taking up my spot.” I rolled over to see Mayhem look up at Ashton with drowsy eyes and flapping jaws, yawning. “Go lay upon your pillow.” He tugged Mayhem up.

  Mayhem thumped to the floor with a protesting sigh.

  “Are you booting Mayhem off the bed?”

  Ashton pulled back the cover, sliding in next to me, and pulled me into his arms. “Without doubt,” he said. “The beast was snuggling up to my wife, in my bed, taking up my spot.”

  I kissed his protesting lips. “My Lord, you are not jealous, are you?”

  “Of course,” he said with a fake grump.

  “Then let me appease your jealousy,” I said, and slid down his body, kissing.

  “Actually,” he said. His voice took on that teasing wicked tone. I pressed a warm kiss to his navel. “I may be livid. I am thinking upon paddling your bum for allowing the beast into our bed.”

  I freed his stiff manhood from his briefs, feeling the splendid weight of him in my hand. “Let me kiss you first then I shall present you with my bare bum, since you feel the need to set me straight with a good paddling.”

  My hand stroked his shaft before I placed a kiss to the head of his erect cock. Within a snap Ashton had grabbed me and flipped me round so my bum was on his chest. He pulled down my shorts, and applied one teasing slap to my ass as I engulfed the head of him into my mouth. With a moan I gave one full suck before removing my lips from his dick.

  “Perhaps I like being set straight,” I said, kissing the tip of his manhood before wrapping my tongue around him in swirls. “Proceed to take me in hand, my lord.” I took him fully into my mouth until I could take no more.

  With a groan, Ashton parted my butt cheeks and tongued me before taking me firmly into hand.

  ****

  I lay breathless, sprawled across Ashton’s chest, right side up, smiling. “Well, that was…”

  “Bloody fucking fantastic.”

  “My Lord, another f bomb?” I asked with mock horror. “What is one to think?”

  “Anytime I have the pleasure of your fantastic bum in my face while I lap at your sweet nectar, and you pleasure me with your mouth, there is no other expression which comes to mind, I shall assure you.”

  “Yes, I must agree.” I lifted my chin from Ashton’s heaving chest to look into his face. A dark piece of hair had fallen onto his brow. I brushed my fingers through his hair, moving the silky strands from his forehead. “I love you, Ashton.” I kissed his right pectoral.

  Ashton let out a contented breath. “I love you, Trinity.” And then his face became serious. “How did your visit go this afternoon with Addison?”

  I smiled and scooted up to find my place with my nose nuzzled into the crook of his neck. I twirled my fingers into his hair. “Thank you for what you did, Ashton.”

  “There is nothing I would not do for you, my dove. You felt the need to speak with him yet I know you were not doing such in fear of hurting me. I simply took away the need for you to fear.”

  “In case I have never said this before, you are an extraordinary man, and I am beyond thankful as well as blessed to know you love me, Ashton.”

  “Then we shall be thankful for each other, my dove, shall we not?”

  “Yes, we will be thankful for each other.”

  “But you never answered my inquiry; did things go well with your visit?”

  “They did. He’s talking of seeing my doctor when he gets back to California. I encouraged him to. I think she could help him.”

  Ashton’s hand roamed down my spine, resting in the small of my back. “Good,” he said. “Now, you need to sleep. My parents will be here for the gala tomorrow, as well your family, and your sister.”

  “My sister is going to love you, but…”

  “What, my dove?”

  “She is very pretty. You may think, after seeing her, you married the wrong sister,” I said.

  Ashton guffawed. “Never shall I be convinced of such a thing.”

  “I hope your father is in a better mood. The last time we saw him he was a bit … pissy.”

  “He tends to become such when he does not get his way. Do not worry, my dove, father will have me cornered I am sure, while mother consumes every moment of your time going over last minute instruction for the gala, while continuing on about the wedding. Therefore, you will need your rest.” Ashton’s fingers made lazy circles on my back.

  “Okay,” I said with a yawn. “Good night.” I nuzzled my nose a little further into the hollow of his neck and shoulder. “I love you.”

  “Good night, my love,” he crooned.

  ****

  The morning was total chaos, with staff scurrying about, family arriving, the orchestra unloading a plethora of instruments, the chef which Lady Archer brought who was screaming obscenities in French as Mayhem ran amok in the kitchen, and then a crashing noise that I ignor
ed. I wanted to hide, but I held my chin up. You are Lady Archer. I took hold of Mayhem by the scruff and led him up the stairs. He would be spending his time in my room, no doubt lounging upon my bed, ensured of his kingdom.

  “My Lady,” Claudia called. “You are needed in the hall.”

  “I will be right back, Claudia. I need to put Mayhem away before Lady Archer’s chef bursts a blood vessel.”

  Claudia’s hand covered a low laugh. “Yes, my lady.”

  “I shall handle things within the hall,” the Duchess announced as she walked into the grand foyer like a queen. “I am not pleased with the placement of ice sculpture. Call the men, it shall be moved.”

  I smiled. Lady Archer took over, which was good because I needed a breath.

  “Yes, Duchess,” Claudia said, and scampered off.

  I found my temporary escape from the noisy escapade that was my home, when I shut the bedroom door behind me. Mayhem jumped upon the bed at once. I giggled.

  “Mayhem, you know my lord doesn’t like you on the bed. You have your pillow.” Mayhem gave one deep bark, perking his ears just before I heard the knock at my door.

  I opened the door. “Mouse!” my sister, Bentley, exclaimed, bounding in and hugging my neck off.

  “B, how did you find my room?” I asked, shocked to see her.

  “I followed the directions some snooty lady gave me.”

  I chuckled. “Was she wearing white?”

  “Yep,” Bentley said, and let go of my neck only to take my hand.

  “That was Lord Archer’s mother,” I said.

  “Awesome digs, sis,” Bentley said, looking around my room. “When we first talked, I thought you had lost it for sure, but this guy must really be who is says he is.”

  “Yes, Bentley, he is.”

  “You look scrumptious by the way. He must really be something because you have this glow.” Bentley seemed to study me for a long moment. “And by the glow, I would say you have already sampled the goods, and before your own wedding, you brazen hussy,” Bentley teased.

 

‹ Prev