by Vikki Vaught
Cortland brows drew together. “It was, but you’d better take a groom with you and have him test it, to make sure it’s safe.”
“We will,” she assured him. “When I mentioned the possibility, Gerrard told me he knows how to skate, but Aimee has never tried. She said she wants to learn.”
“Well, just be careful.” Cortland replied, then whispered in her ear, spiking a flame in her nether regions. “Do you know what you do to me when I hear the joy in your voice? I would like to show you when we get to your room.” She felt her face grow warm.
She swallowed hard and giggled softly. “Shall we go upstairs and seek our rest?”
Kathleen threw her a knowing look that clearly taunted, “I have a good idea what your husband must have said to you.” She grabbed her husband’s arm, winked, and pulled him out the door.
When they at last reached their rooms, her limbs were trembling in anticipation. Should she encourage him, or try to talk him out of any amorous pursuits? After all, he still had bruised ribs. He closed the door behind them, and any questions she had evaporated as soon as he pressed her against it and kissed her ravenously. The earlier burn burst into flames, and she was lost in the sensual swirl of his kiss.
He walked her backward to the bed, but she stopped him with her hand pressed against his chest. “Cortland. While I want you…don’t you think it’s too soon? After all, you do have bruised ribs.”
He gave her a devilish grin. “You’re going to do all the work.”
Now she was utterly confused. “What do you mean?” She sucked in a breath as she waited to hear what he had in mind.
“Get into bed, and I’ll show you, but first, we shall remove our clothes.” He stepped back and began untying his cravat. “Turn around,” he commanded, and she did, giving him access to the back of her gown.
He worked a button loose and then another, all while teasing her skin with the brush of his lips. With each nibble, her core tightened. At last, her dress fell down her arms, and along with her stays, fell to the carpet at her feet. Her head was in such a fog, she never even realized he had loosened them. He whispered, “Remove your shift.”
Her hands trembling, she reached for the hem of her chemise and pulled it off, dropping it on top of the growing pile of clothes. She peeked over her left shoulder, and was shocked at seeing Cortland…in all his naked glory for the first time. She was humbled by the trust shining in his eyes.
Her breath caught as she drank in the sight of his broad chest, lightly covered with curly brown hair, and a thrill of anticipation rushed down her spine. She itched to run her fingers across his bare chest, to run her tongue over his flat, male nipples. Her face heated at her wanton thoughts. Would a man enjoy having them kissed as much as she enjoyed it when he did that to her?
“Kneel on the foot of the bed,” he commanded, his voice coming out gruff. It stoked her already out of control desire. She complied and watched him stretch out on the bed, placing his feet on each side of her hips. His shaft stood at attention, large and swollen, and waiting for her.
She licked her lips and he growled low. “Climb on top and straddle my hips.”
She stared at him, but then what he wanted penetrated her sensual haze. Eagerly, she did as he asked and felt his manhood seek her entrance. The muscles in his neck looked strained as he murmured, “Guide me inside.”
Without a second thought, she raised up, then lowered her body, her wet passage allowing him easy access. He moaned softly, and she stilled. “Oh, dear, did I hurt you?”
“Hardly. Now, ride me.” She slowly began to move up and down, wiggling her bottom as she found her rhythm. “That’s it. Faster now.” She lowered her body. Between his grunts and her pants, she rode him as she would her mare, reveling in the marvelous sensations coursing through her.
Her body heated and sweat broke out on her forehead as she moved faster and faster. On one of her downward strokes, his shaft hit that special spot deep within, and she cried out as a thousand stars burst against her closed eyelids. The warmth of his essence filled her, as he shuddered, his breath coming out in gasps along with hers.
No longer able to remain seated, she slumped to his side. His arm encircled her. Her head rested against him listening at first, to the fast beat of his heart and then a slower, steadier pace. Her eyes grew heavy, but not wanting to cause him discomfort, after all the man only recently suffer injury, she attempted to raise her head.
“Stay where you are. I’m fine.” He stroked her hair. “I’m enjoying your warmth and the closeness.” Then he murmured, “I love you, Mary,” the words she had longed to hear for weeks.
She looked up, and his gaze was so filled with love, it brought tears to her eyes. “Oh, Cortland, I love you so much.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead and then she whispered more sweet words of love, and he returned her sentiments tenfold. Tears sprang to her eyes at his endearments.
And…then she showed him…all over again…how much she truly did.
****
Cortland held Mary in his arms after they finished making love for the second time. He supposed he should get up and go to his own room, but he no longer feared he would have a nightmare when he stayed with her. When he looked back on it, he realized the only time he’d had nightmares was the weeks when he stayed away from her bed. As long as he had experienced her loving embrace, whether he slept with her or not, he did not have one.
Did he want to allow fear to keep him from fully enjoying his wife? No, he did not. His wife had torn down every one of his barriers. He’d reveled in the feel of her hands on his bare flesh, the smooth silk of her skin as it caressed his body. A sense of peace rolled through him and he relaxed and let sleep come, knowing that as long as Mary was at his side, he would be just fine.
He awoke the next morning and relished the feel of Mary’s little body nestled against his backside. He’d had the best night’s sleep he’d had in weeks. His wife wiggled, then opened her eyes.
She beamed at him. “You stayed all night.”
He chuckled. “I did. As I watched you sleep, I had time to think. When I’m with you, my nightmares stay away. I hope it will not be a problem, but I plan to sleep with you every night from now on.” Her eyes teared up.
His heart sank. “I thought that was what you wanted, but I must have been mistaken. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He started to pull away as disappointment filled his soul. God, this hurts like hell.
“Please don’t leave,” she pleaded. “These are happy tears. I’ve been waiting and waiting for you to realize this.”
Adrenalin rushed through him as the relief of her words washed over him. “Thank God. You had me worried.”
“Cortland. I love you and want you with me all the time.” She lowered her eyes, apparently shy about something. Then she looked up, her entire demeanor changed as she asked, “Did you mean it? Do you love me?”
Lifting her chin, he met her serious gaze, and his heart soared. “More than I ever imagined it was possible to love, sweetheart. You’re my salvation, my quiet amidst the turmoil.” He pulled her to him and kissed her with a reverence he’d never shown her or felt before.
Murmuring endearments, he showered her face with soft, butterfly kisses, without a trace of carnality in them. What he felt for Mary went so much farther than the physical. She had become his entire world.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, Cortland, I feel the same way. You saved me from a future that could very well have killed me. If that wicked man had not taken my life, he would have surely stolen my soul.”
He cradled her against his chest, her sweet jasmine-scented hair spread across it. Contentment settled around him, and he closed his eyes, soaking in the closeness. They laid there for several minutes. Regretfully, he remembered he was supposed to meet Billingsley in thirty minutes.
He sighed. “As wonderful as this is, I have to get up and dress. Billingsley wants to discuss some bills he’s working on over
breakfast.” After kissing her on the cheek, he crawled from the bed. “Are you still planning on going to the pond?”
“I am. I love to skate, so I’m hoping it’s frozen solid. My old governess used to take us to the Frost Fair on the Thames whenever the river froze hard enough for it. Have you ever gone?”
“I have. In fact, if it weren’t for my ribs, I would talk Kathleen’s husband into joining the two of you and the children, but that will have to wait for another day.”
“I hope the pond stays frozen all winter so we can go together.” She stretched, and through the silk sheet covering her breast, he could see the shadow of her nipples.
Desire pooled in his loins, and he fought the urge to crawl back in bed with her and forget all other obligations. Alas, he did not have that luxury. They had guests to entertain, and he was truly interested in what his new friend wanted to discuss.
He leaned over and kissed the tip of her dainty little nose. “I shall see you at nuncheon. Have fun, but be careful.”
Her merry eyes danced as she said, “Don’t worry, we will. And, yes, I’ll have one of the grooms come with us and check the ice before we put a skate on it.”
He laughed, then strode from the room with a huge grin on his face, feeling more light-hearted than he’d felt since before the war.
****
When the door closed behind Cortland, she jumped out of bed and twirled around in a circle with her arms hugging her waist and sang, “My husband loves me and I love him,” to a merry tune. Her maid entered and laughed. “What has you so happy?”
She felt her cheeks heat up, and she giggled. “Oh, Ella. Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
Her maid stared at her in disbelief. “Have you looked outside? It snowed several inches last night, and it’s bitterly cold.”
“How perfect,” she exclaimed. “Lady Billingsley and I are taking the children skating on the pond to skate. We’re going to have a marvelous time.”
Ella looked upward as if asking heaven if her mistress had lost her mind. “Well, my lady, we’d better dress you and the children in plenty of layers. I would not want you or the young ones to catch cold.”
Mary laughed, then marched to the dressing table and took a seat. She hummed the tune from earlier as Ella arranged her hair and helped her dress. My husband loves me, and I love him. It was a dream come true. Every time she recalled their conversation, her heart did a dozen flips.
After she finished dressing, she made her way downstairs to the breakfast room where she found her brothers and Kathleen. Cortland buzzed her cheek as he and Andrew left the room, and his eyes held their secret in their amber depths.
Once she filled her plate, she took a seat beside her friend, and Kathleen grinned impishly. “You certainly look happy and…well…uh, rested.”
Mary immediately picked up on Kathleen’s innuendo and motioned toward her brothers at the other end of the table. “Shhh. Don’t embarrass me in front of them.”
Her friend’s eyes twinkled, but she composed her face as she asked, “Are we still taking the children skating? It was quite fortunate that it snowed last night. The pond ought to be frozen solid.”
Ben must have heard because he grinned at her. “So…you’re going skating, Mary? Remember how much fun we used to have with our governess at the Frost Fair? If we hadn’t decided to go into town, we would come along.”
“Are you sure you can’t come with us?” she asked.
He rolled his eyes. “These two idiots forgot to pack properly, and they need new grooming elements. Didn’t even bring a comb with them, can’t you tell?”
She glanced at Charles and Michael and giggled. “I see what you mean. Well, enjoy your time in Cuddesdon. Perhaps we can do something together when you return. I’ll ask Cortland if we have a sleigh. That would be great fun, don’t you agree?”
Ben chuckled. “That would be fun. Hope it works out. Well, our horses should be out front by now. See you this afternoon.”
Michael chimed in, “Yes, sister. See if that will be possible. I’ve never been on a sleigh ride in the country, neither has Charles. Isn’t that right?”
“You would be correct,” Charles conceded. “Well, remember us as you’re skating around this morning. I still can’t believe neither one of us brought our combs. Serves us right for having to miss out on the fun.”
Her brothers stood and after giving her a hug, they went out the door, promising to find her when they returned from town.
Once they finished their breakfast, she and her friend made their way to the schoolroom to get Gerrard and Aimee. Their governess had given them time off from their studies so they could enjoy a morning of skating.
After they bundled up, they stopped by the nursery so Kathleen could kiss Arianna before they left. When they entered, the child’s nanny looked worried as she curtsied to them. “I’m so relieved you came by. Arianna feels warm to me, and she’s been fussing, which is so unusual. Please take a look.”
Kathleen went to the cot and touched the toddler’s forehead. “Goodness, she is warm, and her nose looks red.” Arianna’s little face screwed up and she wailed. Her friend picked her up and started rocking her. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t leave her when she’s sick.”
“Perhaps, we can postpone our outing until tomorrow.” She glanced at Gerrard and Aimee and saw the little girl’s lip tremble and the sheen of tears in her eyes.
“No, no, no,” Kathleen protested. “You must go on without me. Take the children and have fun. If Arianna improves, perhaps, I can come with you tomorrow.”
Mary saw the hope in Aimee’s eyes, and she could not disappoint her. “Well, if you’re sure. I’ll come and check on you and Arianna when we return from the pond.”
Kathleen shooed her and the children out of the nursery, telling them to have fun. They went out to the stables, and one of the grooms, Harvey, a lad of about fifteen, agreed to come with them and test the ice.
Since it was quite cold out, he saddled a horse to the gig, and they all climbed in. The drive to the pond was the perfect picture of a winter wonderland. The holly bushes were covered in snow, and the red berries could barely be seen. The tune she’d made up that morning played in her mind again, and she began humming. Soon the children picked up the melody and hummed along with her.
When they arrived at the pond, the groom tied off the reins and helped her unload the basket with their skates. While she fastened the blades to Aimee’s boots, Gerrard got his in place in no time.
Harvey skidded over to them and assured her the ice was indeed thick enough. Gerrard showed the first bit of enthusiasm for the outing and asked, “May I go skate now?”
She nodded and he took off skating fast around the circumference of the pond. “Well, Aimee, are you ready to give it a try?”
The little girl’s eye shone with excitement. “Oui, Tante Mary. Thank you for teaching me. I promise to learn quickly.”
Mary took the little girl’s hand in hers and pulled her onto the ice. Placing her arm firmly around Aimee’s shoulders, she showed the child how to glide and how to turn her skates to the side to stop. After about ten minutes of tutelage, Aimee ventured out on her own, Mary skating beside her in case she fell.
Before long, she was able to skate the complete circle on her own and grinned ear to ear. Gerrard skated over. “You have learned so quickly, Aimee. I’m proud of you.” He turned to Mary. “Thank you for teaching her, Madame. I need a moment of privacy. I shall return shortly.”
Mary watched as he took off his skates and disappeared behind a clump of bushes. While Aimee was happy to call her Aunt, Gerrard remained formal at all times. Her heart ached for the child. She rejoined Aimee on the ice and they skated to the other side.
As they turned to skate back, a man’s grimy hand clamped over her mouth and his arm pulled her back against him. At the same time, another man quickly silenced Aimee. Before they could make a sound, the men dragged them away from the pond.
She strug
gled to get free, but no matter how hard she pulled at the arm encircling her, she could not break away. At last she twisted around and got a look at her captor. To her shock, she realized it was Blakely, the steward her husband had dismissed.
She tried to bite his fingers, but he only tightened his hold. “Ye better stop fightin’ or me friend will silence th’ little girl forever.”
Mary immediately stopped struggling. Her eyes darted to the bushes, but there was no sign of Gerrard or Harvey.
Could Blakely and his cohort have hurt the boys?
Her heart thundered.
Her stomach tied in knots.
Oh, please, God, keep Gerrard safe.
The other man had bound and gagged Aimee and thrown her up on his horse and climbed behind her. Her captor did the same to her. The gag smelled of sweat and stale smoke, and she almost lost the contents of her stomach. She tried to look over the disgusting man’s shoulder, but she still caught no sign of the boys. The pounding hooves matched the pounding of her heart as they rode into the forest, leaving the pond and all she loved behind.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Terror raced through Gerrard when he awoke to find his hands and feet tied, his head throbbing.
He struggled to sit, then awkwardly managed to untie his feet. Whoever had tied them had not done a very good job. Dieu merci, he could have tied them more securely. Using his teeth, he pulled at his bindings around his wrists, until at last he freed his hands. With much effort, he crawled then stood, albeit, a hammer beat against his right temple. Something dripped down his neck.
Could it be blood?
His pulse raced as he carefully raised his hands and swiped at what was running down his neck. When he pulled them away, bright, red blood covered his fingers. That explained the pounding.
His heart lurched.
Mon Dieu! Where are Aimee and his guardian’s lady?
Bringing his eyes into focus, he searched the pond, but there was no sign of either his little sister or the lady. A twinge of guilt dug at his gut. The kind woman’s eyes had shown her hurt every time he refused to refer to her in any way other than Madame. It was not because he intentionally wanted to cause her pain, but ever since his parents and grandparents had died so horrifically, he refused to show anyone—other than Aimee—any kind of affection.
