“Thank you, Hal! I'll take good care of her.” Lucien vowed. Gilles clapped him on the back.
“I was returning the favor, Mercutio. You were there for me and Elise.” Lucien laughed and shook his head.
“We can't make this a habit. I was under the impression that married life was supposed to be dull.” Lucien said as he took Mirabelle's hand.
“Amen!” Gilles laughed as he walked out of the study. Lucien turned to Mirabelle, raising her hand to his lips. He kissed the inside of her wrist and she shivered.
“Let's go upstairs. Mary can bring us a tray. I want to get you in bed, you're exhausted.” Lucien tugged her towards the door.
“I could be a little more exhausted.” Mirabelle purred as she stepped into him. Lucien swung her into his arms and grinned wolfishly.
“You should plan on needing at least two days to recover, madam.”
Chapter 39
The park to the west of Winthorpe was strewn with dew stars. Alastair glanced over the expanse and let the sight sooth him. The stallion beneath him seethed, barely broken and wanting to fly, he snorted, bucked and reared up until he sensed that cooperating was the only way he'd run. Alastair held him, letting his anger and tension mount until he was ready to explode. He grasped the reins and leaned low, the horse strained. Alastair kicked in the stirrups and yelled; the horse sprang forward and shot onto the field.
Alastair smiled as he felt his heartbeat rising to meet the pounding of the horse’s hooves. Exhilaration coursed through his veins and the wind made his eyes sting, causing tears to collect at the corners. He turned the horse north, wanting a longer, more obstacle free ride so he could give the horse his head.
The months of frustration and emotional upheaval loosened their grip and Alastair felt his balance returning. His role at the War Office was almost at an end. During the war, he hunted and apprehended spies and traitors like they were pieces on a chess board. He'd been called The Chess Master. He had directed Gilles, Lucien and a few other powerful pieces so effectively he’d been knighted. A large part of his success came from his desire to step onto the field and get blood on his own hands. He enjoyed the strategy but he thrived on action.
In his mind, he’d accounted for all but two pieces. Alastair had spent the last few months poring over reports from battlefields and documents looking for any sign of their involvement, any clue to their identity or fate. He knew there was something out there; he just had to be patient and let it come to him. He'd wait as long as he had to. Not finding those pieces, letting them slip away, was letting them win. Alastair didn't take losing well; he avoided it at all costs.
His thoughts switched to another thing he was determined to avoid at all costs. Love. While he was happy for Gilles, Elise, Mirabelle and Lucien, he did not hope to join them in marital bliss. Bliss, indeed. To him, it held little appeal. Everything was too tactile, too emotional, too unpredictable, too messy. Alastair shuddered. Not for him.
Women, in his mind, were best when they were where he wanted them, when he wanted them. He would need one soon. Unlike Lucien and Gilles, he did not maintain a constant diet of intercourse. He preferred to wait until he was starving and urgent. Then, he would gorge himself until he was completely sated. After, he would cleanse himself and begin fasting again. This pattern kept his focus where he needed it, kept him from being susceptible to his desires when it wasn't appropriate.
The idea of letting a woman interfere in his life, letting one into his personal domain, having one that close almost constantly made Alastair's skin itch. It had taken the first eight years of his life to decide that he liked Mirabelle. He still hadn’t adjusted to living with her by the time he moved into Burton Place. While he loved her deeply and had been more than willing to kill for her, he would not have willingly chose to live with a female, if his parents had thought to consult him. Even Elise was too unsettling for him. And she was considerably calmer than Mirabelle. He admired her and was fascinated by the way she adapted to the world but she was too perceptive and tactile. Both Elise and Mirabelle required attention and intruded upon Gilles’ and Lucien’s personal space. Their effects on his brother and best friend were appalling. Both men were vulnerable and easily influenced, their minds often distracted by events in the bedroom. Despite his insatiable thirst for knowledge, he was perfectly content to leave love alone.
As Alastair reached adulthood, he'd sought out knowledge and experience. He had traveled to places and done things that would shock even his brother and Lucien. Needing to know had always been his curse. He'd often risked his body and occasionally his mind, all for the sake of knowing. His curiosity would have become destructive of he hadn't been recruited to the War Office. The biggest problem Alastair now faced was what to do with himself once he was no longer needed at the War Office. The family had always been a constant for him. Now, Gilles and Elise would split their time between London and Longwood while Lucien and Mirabelle had Clerendon House and Winthorpe. Alastair no longer understood where he fit, he felt pulled in too many directions. His mother would divide her time between households and was preoccupied with the arrival of her grandchildren. She would have little time or use for him either, he suspected.
For the time being, Alastair would remain at Winthorpe. The physical work of breaking, training and exercising horses would relax him and keep his mind off of the lack of direction in his life. He was also curious to see how Mirabelle adjusted to her pregnancy. Being inactive against her will for too long was going to make her unbearable, he predicted. Alastair liked that he only had to stay until he was uncomfortable. Lucien was in it for the duration. Serves him right. Alastair thought.
Lucien and Mirabelle had yet to emerge from their temporary bed chambers. It had been almost two days. Alastair was accustomed to similar behavior from Gilles and Elise so he wasn't surprised but he tried to not dwell on it as much as it was Mirabelle. He was loathe to admit, even to himself, that it would be nice to have someone to take meals with or perhaps a game of chess with his sister. After Gilles left, Alastair had Winthorpe almost to himself.
Alastair turned the horse back towards Winthorpe. He leaned forward and patted his neck as he thundered over a rise. Alastair was impressed by his size, speed, movement and temperament. He was going to have to talk with Lucien; hopefully he'd be willing to part with the stallion. If so, he'd name him Sleipnir.
Chapter 40
“Come back to bed.” Mirabelle commanded. Lucien sighed as he pushed away from the window. “What is it?” She asked as he crawled on the bed towards her.
“Alastair found the stallion Toby and I were working with. I was planning on keeping him.” He pressed his lips to her stomach and continued kissing his way up her body.
“Now you're not?” Mirabelle moaned as his tongue flicked her nipple.
“No.” Lucien repeated the gesture on the other. “That's his horse now. I could tell by the way he ran. They're well suited.” Mirabelle smiled as he settled over her.
“He's getting restless. Maybe a new horse will entertain him for a while.” She gasped as she felt his fingers parting her.
“You know better. He’ll just ride harder and faster to keep his frustrations at bay. He needs more.” Lucien rested his forehead against Mirabelle's and let his eyes close as he slid into her.
“We’ll find something for him later.” She sighed as he began to move within her. He nodded as the last of his coherent thoughts melted away.
Lucien lost himself in Mirabelle. The feel of her around him and beneath him overwhelmed him. The taste of her intoxicated him, her smell made him dizzy. The sounds she made, from tiny, breathy gasps to whimpering moans to the wild shrieks, drove him mad and urged him on. She shattered in his arms and he held her tight until his own release pulled him under. As he came to, he knew he could never have enough of her, that he would always need more.
“How did you know?” Lucien asked as pressed his face into Mirabelle's hair.
“Hmm?” Her eyes wer
e closed and she was drawing invisible swirls on his back.
“That it would be like this? That we were worth waiting for.” He whispered. She chuckled softly.
“I didn't. I was waiting to see if someone more wicked came along but no one did.” Mirabelle sighed dramatically. Lucien lifted his head and scowled at her. Her lips quivered as she tried to keep them straight. He slid his hands along her body until he found her ribs and he squeezed. Her eyes opened wide and she gasped. “Don't! Lucien, no!” She begged. He shook his head and his fingers danced along her sides. She screamed and laughed as she thrashed beneath him. “Please!” She squealed.
“Is this what you had in mind, madam?” He laughed as he teased. She shook her head and arched in his arms. Her hair was swirled around her face against the pillows. She was so beautiful.
“Lucien! Stop!” She sobbed. Deciding she’d had enough, Lucien released her and sat back on his ankles. Her chest rose and fell rapidly and she licked her lips as she tried to catch her breath. She made his heart stop when she looked into his eyes. She raised her hand for him to pull her up. He took it and tugged. She rose and wrapped her arms around his neck as she pressed herself against him. She looked over his shoulder and saw her reflection in the mirror. “Look at what you've done! I look positively wild!” She pouted. He pulled his head back and smiled.
“You've always been wild, sweetheart. It's what I love most about you.” Lucien caressed her cheek as he lost himself in the emerald depths of her eyes. Mirabelle's lips curved.
“That's how I knew. You’re the only one that's ever truly understood me. Maman, Gilles, Alastair and Madeline, they love me despite my flaws but you've always embraced them. You let me have them. No one else would have been wicked enough to handle me.” Lucien pressed his lips to hers and smiled.
“I'm so glad I got that right at least.” He whispered.
“Oh, you get a great many things right.” She murmured as her tongue slid along his lips.
“I do try.” He mumbled before his tongue tangled with hers.
Chapter 41
Epilogue
Two And A Half Years Later
Lucien sat in the hall outside of the ducal chambers, cringing every time Mirabelle screamed or swore. He wasn't sure why most men stayed out of the birthing room but he stayed away because he was afraid she'd rip him apart with her bare hands. She was furious. Lucien smiled every time she cursed him. Mirabelle was alright if she could wish him to hell.
He'd spent most of the day chasing Charley around the house. Born Charlotte Elizabeth, just over two years ago, she'd gone from crawling to sprinting, completely ignoring walking. Charley was everything he'd hoped for- stubborn, bright, loud and so fast he often swore she had wheels for legs and six hands. Lucien was her favorite person in the world and she had him in the palm of her chubby little hand. He'd fallen asleep with her on his chest, her bright red tresses wrapped around one of his fingers. His mother woke him to take her to the nursery and said that it was almost time.
Mirabelle howled and there was a brief moment of silence before the miraculous and unmistakable sound of a baby’s first cry filled the night. Lucien felt tears fill his eyes and he stood.
“Why does he always get his way?” Mirabelle complained. He laughed as joy flooded him. He couldn't wait to kiss his wife. The door opened and Celine’s head popped out.
“Another precious daughter, Lucien!” She announced, her face was radiant with delight and her eyes glittered with tears. “The doctor says you can come in soon.” Lucien knew he was smiling like a fool but didn't care.
“She had the baby? Which is it?” Madeline asked as she ran down the hall. Lucien held out his hand and she took it.
“A girl!” He laughed. Her eyes got wide and she stared at the door.
“Oh! Mirabelle must be upset.” She whispered. Lucien shrugged.
“She’s probably over it by now.” He guessed. Madeline hugged him and went to the door.
“I'll go check on them.” When she looked over her shoulder at Lucien she looked as she did the night Charlotte was born. Overcome with excitement and vulnerable. He thought of trying to hug her again but he sensed that she was trying not to cry. He knew she missed his father and wished that he could have been with them. For a moment, Lucien felt as if he might cry too. They were so alike, he would probably think his rowdy little granddaughter hung the moon and would be overjoyed to have another. “Thank you, Lucien. Mirabelle and Charlotte and now this little one… you've given me a wonderful family to fuss over.” Her smile trembled.
“It was all my pleasure. Thank you for teaching me what a family is supposed to be.” He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Madeline smiled as she nodded and went into the bedroom.
He paced for several minutes before Mary opened the door and said he could go in. Lucien took a few hesitant steps, waiting to see if any projectiles would be launched in his direction. Mirabelle hurled a book at him after Charlotte. When he was finally brave enough to look at her, she was resting against the pillows, holding another flame haired bundle to her breast. She looked up at him and her smile made his knees weak.
“How much trouble am I in?” He asked as he carefully sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled the blanket back so he could get a better look. She was utter perfection. He looked at Mirabelle, at a loss for words.
“She's rather precious. I forgive you.” She looked down and watched as the baby suckled greedily. “I think she's got my appetite.” She giggled.
“I'll buy a farm.” Lucien decided. Mirabelle laughed.
“What shall we call this tiny hellion?”
“What do you think of Jacqueline?” She asked.
“I'll have to call her Jack. I love it.” He took to calling Charlotte Charley to tease Mirabelle for her disappointment over having a girl and because he knew many of his peers were going to mock him for his failure to have a male heir first. Mirabelle's disappointment lasted as long as it took for the doctor to place the baby in her arms. Mostly, she just begrudged Lucien for getting what he wanted. “How are you feeling? Are you still going to cut off my favorite appendage?” He teased as he brushed her cheek. He leaned down and kissed her brow.
“I'm much better than I was an hour ago. I feel like I could sleep for a week though.” She yawned and the baby’s head lulled drunkenly away from Mirabelle's breast. “Would you like to take her?” She asked softly.
Lucien nodded and carefully lifted the squirming bundle. They were always so tiny and the first few times he held a newborn terrified him. He felt too large and awkward to hold something so small and fragile. Once he had his hands carefully wrapped around her, he lifted her face to his and pressed his lips to her delicate cheek.
“Hello, tiny Jack!” He whispered. Mirabelle chuckled softly as she drifted towards sleep. “We're going to have the best time! You and me and mamma and Charley, we’re going to climb trees and swim and I'll teach you where the best fishing spots are. Your mamma loves fish!”
“Don't you dare, Lucien.” Mirabelle grumbled.
Four Years Later
I should have had a couch placed in this hallway. Lucien thought as he watched the door to the ducal chambers. He grimaced as a particularly vulgar string of curses came from his bedroom. This time he prayed for a boy. Not because he didn't love his four daughters to distraction. Those little girls and their mother were his entire world. But his presence in the world might come to an end this evening if that baby ended up being another girl.
Mirabelle had accepted defeat gracefully after Alexandra (Alex, obviously) came along. She did pout for almost an hour after Maxine (Max, of course) though. Lucien knew that if this baby wasn't a boy she was going to be inconsolable. She would love their daughter, she was a fantastic mother, she would just be terribly disappointed that she didn't have her little boy. Yet. Don’t get ahead of yourself. He warned. If it wasn't a boy, he might need a couch in the hallway.
The door opened and Madeline leaned out.
“Oh, thank God!” Mirabelle yelled. The air left Lucien's lungs in a whoosh and he slid down the wall in relief. A few minutes later, Madeline came out and sat next to him. She had tears in her eyes and her smile quivered. He took her hand in his.
“He looks just like you, Lucien!” She whispered. “I had to leave because I was afraid I would fall to pieces.” Lucien squeezed her hand and thanked God for blessing him again. He looked at his mother and she smiled warmly as she rested her head on his shoulder. He knew that she felt just as blessed. His children had helped her heal from the loss of her second child and his father.
Shortly after Charley was born, Lucien was watching Toby break a young stallion when Madeline leaned against the fence next to him. Stunned and speechless, he turned and saw that she was wearing a riding habit.
“I thought I'd go for a ride. Could you pick a horse for me?” Her voice was unsteady but he sensed her resolve. He offered his arm as he turned towards the stable.
“I have the perfect horse. I thought I was saving her for Mirabelle but I think she's meant for you.”
Lucien was overcome as he watched his mother flying across the park on Bellona. It had taken them moments to bond and his mother was as confident in the saddle as he remembered.
The bedroom door opened, bringing Lucien back to the present. Celine beckoned and he and Madeline rose and went to meet his son.
Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two Page 19
