Two bartenders were serving from portable bars. The guests who had been invited to the reception had been waiting impatiently for the wedding party. They consisted of other friends from the consulate, sewing-room girls, salesgirls, business associates and special customers of Mandy Malone’s, ladies and nuns from the Kantcentrum, Antoine and his family, the van Nevels, Richard’s Belgian and American cattle rancher friends and business associates and their wives, favorite waiters from the Metropole Café and The Roy, and the castle catering staff. KC’s Frenchie and her fiancé were there, too.
After the initial greetings, Richard whisked Amanda away and gave her a quick tour of the formal dining room off the reception room with the exquisite marble fireplace. The fully-equipped kitchen had a romantic fireplace and breakfast nook decorated with white, yellow and blue rose-bud wallpaper. The view from the nook windows was of the back garden, with a pond and marble statues around a gigantic fountain. Also on the ground floor was an informal lounge with another marble fireplace, a family sitting room, another room with a bar and yet another fireplace.
Amanda was awestruck. “I can’t imagine anybody living in all these rooms. And you say there are three more floors? How do they keep it all so clean?”
Paula suddenly appeared after having given herself a tour. “Well, honey, they have a jillion maids here. I’m sure the owners of this here castle would never have to lift a finger to clean it if they didn’t want to. Isn’t that right, Richard?”
Amanda didn’t see the quick wink Paula gave the groom.
He took a deep breath. “You are so right, Paula. Now let’s go back into the reception room and make a toast before we cut the cake. Shall we?”
Richard clanked a spoon on his glass to get the attention of all the guests. All eyes were upon him. He put his arm around Amanda and drew her close. “My newfound friends and newfound family, I want to take this opportunity to welcome you here this evening, to witness my pledge to my beautiful and talented bride.”
Amanda lifted her chin and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, darling.” He gazed into her sparkling eyes and wondered how he had ever lived without her. “I have something I want to say to Amanda in front of you all, as a part of the wedding toast.” He turned and faced Amanda, lifting her left hand and kissing the rings on her commitment finger.
“My love, it didn’t take me long to find the perfect wedding gift for a perfect woman.” He turned to the crowd and took another deep breath. “Some of you know how excited I am about what I’m going to say. I need a quick drink.” He took a sip of the champagne, “I hope it isn’t bad luck to sip before the toast.”
Everyone laughed.
“I’ll do it, too, then it’ll be okay.” Amanda took a sip.
Richard chuckled. “See why I love her so much?”
The applause rang through the halls.
“Amanda, my darling, I wanted to give you something that would undeniably make you the happiest woman on this earth. And I know you deserve even more than I can possibly give to you.”
Amanda tilted her head in curiosity as she waited to hear what her charming new husband was trying to say.
“Darling, look around you. Tonight we won’t be going back to the Metropole Hotel. We will be spending our wedding night in our own home … here, in Camellia Gardens. This house is yours, my darling. My wedding gift to you because I adore you so much.”
Amanda was confused; she couldn’t grasp what he’d just said. Had he said this was where they were going to live? Had he said this home was theirs? Had he bought it, or was he renting it? What did he mean?
Paula read Amanda like a book. She went to her. “Honey, this here is your very own house. Richard bought it for you, baby. For you. You’re going to live here, forever. And we can come visit and have our own bunch of rooms, can you imagine that? Richard already showed them to us. We’re staying here with you till after New Year’s. Can you believe you have a house that’s bigger than ours?” Paula turned and looked at Drake. “Now you gotta build us a bigger house, Drake. I can’t have my baby sister live in one bigger than mine. That ain’t right.”
Drake laughed. “There ain’t no way I am gonna build you a house bigger than this one, so you can just get that idea out of your little pea-pickin’ head.”
The guests began laughing and applauding.
Amanda put her arms around Richard’s neck and whispered in his ear, “I love you, Richard. I promise you, I love you more than anything or anyone in the world. Thank you—” She began to cry.
“Darling, no time for crying, we have to make the toast now. Everybody’s waiting to drink their champagne.”
John Crane stepped up. “Let me do it, Richard.” He lifted his glass. “First of all, I just want to say that Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage. He didn't have to hear about all the men she could have married, and she didn't have to hear about how well his mother cooked.” He waited for the laughter to die down. “Seriously, I am proud to be standing here to toast two of the most beautiful people I know, two people who deserve each other and deserve many years of enduring love together … and may all their joys be little ones.”
Amanda’s eyes widened as she looked up at Richard.
“Little ones?” he choked.
The elation continued to fill the halls as the night’s merriment, music and dancing lasted until after midnight. The last of the guests had either left to go to their own homes or had settled into their rooms that Richard had offered them.
Amanda and Richard went upstairs to their bedroom suite and both had bathed in their individual bathrooms and had returned to each other in silk robes. Richard’s was blue and yellow paisley and held together by a sash. Amanda’s was pale yellow with lace across the yoke and around her wrists as well as along the hem. Both were mesmerized by the beauty before them.
Amanda felt Richard was the handsomest and sexiest man she’d ever known and still couldn’t understand why he had married her.
Richard felt he was having a hallucinatory moment because of the incredible vision standing before him.
“My darling …” He reached out his arms as he moved toward her.
She blushed, not knowing what was coming next. She wanted him, but she didn’t want to hurry into it. She didn’t know what kind of a lover he was. She hoped he wasn’t like Arlie … a slam, bam, thank you, ma’am kind of guy. Surely love-making could be romantic and beautiful like in the romance novels and movies. She’d almost forgotten the brief interlude she’d had with Antoine.
But once she was in Richard’s arms, the moment felt natural, and the most wonderful thing happened – their lips met in sync, both desires were equal, both wanted the tender, sweet kiss that crescendoed to a deep, desirous longing.
Richard was the first to pull apart and suggest they go slow, have a brandy before they went any further.
Amanda was grateful. Her passion had been stirred like never before. She didn’t understand it, but she wanted to savor it. It did feel as if she was in a romance novel, after all. Here she was, married to her Prince Charming and living in an outrageous castle in Belgium. How had this happened to her? She wished her mother and grandmother were still alive.
After Richard poured brandy from the nearby elaborately carved boudoir bar, they sat before the fire in the cozy alcove on an oversized powder blue brocade sofa.
He gently tapped her glass with his and kissed her.
After a sip, Richard placed his hand on Amanda’s knee that was covered by the low-cut nightgown under her matching robe. “What do you think about having children, darling? We haven’t discussed it, and I hadn’t thought about it till John Boy told his little joke.”
“I hadn’t thought about it, either. I don’t know if I want to have kids just yet, Richard. Is that all right with you?”
“Would you ever want to have children?”
“Well, I think so, don’t you? It would be nice for us to have a girl and a boy, someday, don’t you think? I mean,
we should have at least one, a boy to carry on your name. Yes, I’d like that, if you would. Would you?”
Richard grinned from ear to ear, “I’m so happy you said that, darling. Yes, yes, yes.” He leaned again and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ve always wanted a boy.”
“How about after Mandy Malone’s is up and running real good, and is successful, we think more about that?” Amanda suggested. The thought was starting to appeal to her, especially when she saw his face light up and saw how happy he was. That’s what she wanted, to make him happy. And she decided at that very moment that she would do everything in her power to always give him happiness.
“It’s getting a bit warm in here, isn’t it? she asked. “Must be the fire. Do you mind if I take off this housecoat? Rachel gave this to me as a wedding present, isn’t it pretty?”
“Almost as pretty as you are.”
Amanda blushed. “Well, it’s just too much to be wearing while we’re sitting in front of a blazing fire.” She stood up and removed the peignoir as she watched his face.
The lace nightgown was see-through enough to show the faint outline of her full breasts and areolas and the shadow of her navel and femininity.
Richard gasped and his eyes revealed the deep desire that had been and still was consuming him by the minute.
For a moment she continued to watch his face, and then she slowly moved the thin straps of the gown off her shoulders. The garment fell to the floor around her feet. She’d read in a magazine how to undress sexily.
“Oh my darling!” He moved to her and held her tightly against him, taking in the sweet aroma of her glistening hair of gold.
She was ecstatic when she felt his rock-hard manliness through his silky robe pushing at her pubescence. She’d been afraid he might be too old, might be impotent. She’d read about older men and their sexual problems, what a woman had to do to arouse them—if they could indeed be aroused, and she didn’t think she would want any part of that. No chance of that with Richard. Maybe he took Viagra.
With Arlie she never had to do anything special, either. He just jumped on top of her and went at it and in a few seconds that was that. She found out in a magazine that she’d never had an orgasm before Antoine. She didn’t even know what an orgasm was and had to look it up.
Richard lifted her in his arms and carried her to the huge four-poster, canopied bed that was fit for a queen. He laid her on the fluffy, cream-colored coverlet and placed the blue velvet and satin pillows under her head and shoulders to make her comfortable.
“I’ll be right back,” he whispered. As he headed for his bathroom he let his robe fall to the floor, exposing his gorgeous backside.
Amanda caught her breath at the sight of his smooth, naked body - broad shoulders that tapered to a trim waist above firm, rounded buttocks and long, muscular legs. She wanted him inside her right that minute.
“Darling,” he said as he returned to the bed carrying a small packet, “if we don’t want to have children yet, we have to use protection. You know that, don’t you?”
After the shock of seeing his frontal nudity, Amanda blushed and answered, “No we don’t. I went to the doctor and got me some birth control pills while you were in California. We’re good to go whenever you want.” She giggled.
He tossed the prophylactic packet up into the air and dove for her. They both laughed and giggled as they rolled around on the gigantic bed with their legs and arms entwined, excited with the intimacy and feel of their naked bodies pressed against each other.
After a few moments of teasing and kissing, a single gaze into each other’s eyes halted the playfulness and the mood became one of intense seriousness and passion.
Richard hoarsely whispered, “I want you, Amanda.” He continued to frantically kiss her forehead, eyes, nose, lips, chin, neck, and breasts. “I adore you … I need you …”
Desire nearly burst through Amanda’s skin as his lips and hands caressed the rest of her passionate body.
“Oh, Richard … now … please … now … ”
Chapter 59
It was Christmas morning and the guests were in the dining room enjoying a breakfast fit for a king. The massive, elegantly carved dining table was covered with an intricate lace tablecloth and the stay-over party was all seated at one end, minus Amanda and Richard. The rich aroma of the food and coffee was creating sounds of “oooohs and “ahhhhs” emanating from the breakfast group.
“I ain’t never seen such thin pancakes before. Have you, Frenchie?”
The tall, thin, female Belgian chef, chuckled. “Those are crepes, madam.” She was standing by to make sure everyone was happy, and overseeing the service to the six of them.
Frenchie grinned, “Yes, these are wonderful crepes. What is your name?” She directed the question to the chef.
“Martha, madam.”
“Well, Martha, I make crepes at home for Sunday brunch. But these are extraordinary.” She took a second bite. Ummm, very good. Try one, Lance.”
Rachel took a bite and nodded to Martha. “They are delicious! Best I’ve ever had. Put some of the apricot jam on them, Paula. There’s orange marmalade too.”
“I like to roll up the sausage in it. See, like pigs in a blanket.” Janet took a forkful and closed her eyes in pleasure.
Drake had put a big slice of sausage into his mouth and was savoring it with his eyes closed as well. “Oh my God, this is the best sausage I’ve ever had. You might want to find out how to make this, Frenchie, for KC’s. It beats ours to hell and back. Taste it, Paula.”
Paula frowned, “I will, but first I want to finish this here crepe.”
“I walked out in the gardens earlier this morning.” Rachel sipped her coffee as she spoke. “Now I see why the estate is called Camellia Gardens. There are hundreds of Camellia plants and trees out there – all colors. Did you see them? I had no idea Camellias bloom in winter. Just beautiful!”
Frenchie dabbed the corners of her mouth with a lace napkin. “It is lovely. I’m so happy we were invited to come.”
Drake wiped his mouth with his napkin and answered, “Us too. This is surreal, isn’t it?” He sipped his coffee. “And Richard was telling me that the garden stretches back for acres. There are paths and benches and atriums out there, too. And a bunch of ponds and statues. We’ll have to go check it out after breakfast, Paula.”
The bride and groom floated into the room, giving the impression that they were one person, with wide grins and exuberance in their synchronized steps. “Good morning,” they both greeted in unison, and then kissed and laughed at each other’s timing.
Richard led Amanda to one of the two chairs at the head of the table near the rest of the group. “Are we too late to join you for breakfast?”
“We just got started,” Paula replied. “This is some pretty fantastic food, Richard. Have you had crepes before, Amanda? And the sausages, you got to try the sausages.”
“Yes, I have. They serve them at the Metropole and at The Roy. Aren’t they good?”
Frenchie looked up from her plate. “So good that I’m going to add them and the sausages to the menu at the restaurant when I get back. Martha, I need you to show me how to make them.”
Martha nodded and left to alert the staff that Amanda and Richard were ready for their service. She returned almost instantly with the servers and food for the newly married couple. But first she placed a small green and red striped box with a gold ribbon on a plate in front of Amanda. “This is for you, Madam.”
“What? What is it?” She looked at everyone around the table and then at Richard. “Richard, did you do this?”
“Well, it is Christmas, you know.” He leaned over and kissed her lips.
“Open it, Amanda,” Paula said with a mouthful of crepe and jam.
Amanda untied the ribbon and lifted the lid from the box. She pushed the tissue paper aside and stared into it without saying a word.
“So what is it? C’mon, show us!” Paula was as eager as a chil
d on Christmas morning.
“Here, let me help you.” Richard stood behind her and waited, his hands resting on her shoulders.
Amanda whispered, “It’s the most beautiful gold locket I’ve ever seen.” She pulled it from the box, its glittering gold chain spilling from her hand. A floral design was etched on the front. “Oh, it’s a camellia, isn’t it?’
“Yes, it is. It’s an antique. Open it, darling.”
She slipped her fingernail into the crevice and it opened, revealing two photos imbedded in the tiny frames, one of her and one of Richard. “This is so beautiful. Thank you so much, Richard.” She stood and hugged him. “I love you.” Then she looked around at her guests. “I just want you all to know, I am so very happy.” Tears of joy were forming in her eyes.
Richard whispered in her ear, “We can give it to our daughter on her wedding day.”
“I heard that! Does that mean y’all are pregnant?” Paula’s excited expression was as bold as her voice.
Amanda laughed as she sat down. “Heaven’s no. We’re not pregnant. Of course not. We just got married yesterday.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t be pregnant.”
“Oh yes, it does,” Richard said with gleaming eyes and a broad smile as he fastened the locket at the back of Amanda’s neck. “It certainly does.”
Rachel saw the blush begin to creep up into Amanda’s cheeks and changed the subject by asking what the plan was for the week and added that she had some final editing to do, but would get with them as often as she could, and of course would spend New Year’s Eve with them. They’d all decided to go to the Grand Place for New Year’s Eve.
Janet added that she was going to go to Switzerland for a quick visit with Shellie and Adrian, and that she was thinking of going home to Paris for New Year’s. She was missing Bob.
Paula said she wanted to at least spend one day during the week in Antwerp so that Drake could buy her a new diamond. (Drake grimaced). She said she also wanted to go to Bruges and see where Amanda learned how to make lace.
Midnight in Brussels Page 20
