The Earl's Secret Bride

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “It’ll all heal.”

  “I’m going to kill Roth for what he’s done to you.” Father sent Winterly and Avery a sharp look. “Where is the blackguard? Tell me now so I can strangle him.”

  “He’s already dead,” Winterly answered. “His body remains in his chamber, that of his half-brother as well. Both of them were as evil as each other and now thankfully gone from this world. There have been other casualties this night as well, guards we had to silence for fear of being discovered before we reached the south wing, although there are three maids with us who are all innocent of any wrongdoing.”

  “Then they will join Rosamonde in the carriage and return to Hillhurst Hall immediately. I will gladly offer the maids positions in my home.” Father continued to hold her tightly to him, as if he didn’t wish to relinquish her. “With all these deaths,” he said to Winterly and her brother, “we’ll need to take statements.”

  “Yes, our thoughts exactly.” Winterly brushed a hand gently down her back. “Sir, Avery intends on riding to the village and requesting Major Brekensworth’s aid in overseeing the burials and taking of our statements.”

  “Yes, yes, Brekensworth is visiting his sister, a fine fellow he is, and currently on leave from his regiment across the English Channel.”

  “I’ll ensure the ladies arrive safely home before I collect Brekensworth.” Avery urged her from her father’s arms and settled her inside the carriage before beckoning the three maids forward. The ladies all sat huddled together on the bench seat across from her, while Avery stepped inside and sat at her side.

  “I’ll see you soon.” Winterly blew her a discreet kiss as he closed the door.

  The carriage jerked forward then the horses settled into a smooth gait as they traveled down the driveway. She pressed a hand to the window as Winterly, Father, and their two footmen strode inside the manor.

  The trees shimmered a silvery-green under the moonlight as they bumped along the road back to Hillhurst Hall. Home. She would soon be home.

  Not long later, they rattled up their long driveway from the main road, the front latticed windows all aglow with candlelight.

  Once they’d pulled to a stop at the front door, Simmonds welcomed them home and Olivia engulfed her in her arms. Winterly’s mother swept in and embraced her, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  Mother awaited her in her wheeled chair and she stumbled toward her, dropped to her knees and got enveloped in her mother’s wonderful and warm hold.

  They all sobbed, her family’s love surrounding her.

  So much love.

  She absorbed it all and held it tight in her heart.

  Chapter 16

  Hillhurst Hall was deathly quiet as Winterly entered through the front door with Hillhurst and Avery just as the dawn sun broke across the horizon in a blaze of golden-yellow. It was a new day, a new beginning to his life, for both him and his new bride. His secret bride. A bride he could no longer remain apart from, not when all he wished to do was stride upstairs and join her in her chamber. Right now, he needed to be wherever she was, and on that note he faced Hillhurst and Avery at the base of the stairwell as he prepared to offer them his full confession. “I have news, unexpected news.”

  “There could nothing more unexpected than what we’ve discovered this night at Rothgale Manor.” Hillhurst slapped him on the shoulder. “But go right ahead, provided it is good news, I’ll be happy to hear it.”

  He raked a hand through his dark hair. “I must apologize first, but when I feared leaving Rosamonde and traveling to London without her, I didn’t want to take the risk of departing without first ensuring she had the safety of my name.”

  “What are you saying?” Avery frowned as he gripped the top of the newel post.

  “That I’m already married to her.”

  That statement got wide eyes from both men.

  “How?” Hillhurst asked first when he recovered from his clear shock.

  “Before the kidnapping, I stole her away to Gretna Green and we spoke vows.”

  “You sly old fox.” The earl suddenly chuckled with a beaming grin. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

  “You’re not mad?”

  “After Rosamonde went missing, I told my wife I no longer wished for you and Avery to leave for London, but for you and my daughter to speak vows as swiftly as possible. I’m exceedingly glad to hear you stole her away and wed her. That will help greatly in stemming any gossip which will surely arise from all that’s happened.”

  “Sir, we hadn’t initially intended on telling anyone, not when neither she or I had wished to cause a scandal. My intention was to wait until I’d secured the funds for the loan, handed them to you for repayment to Roth, then for her betrothal with the marquess to come to a natural end. I had hoped she would get the chance to enjoy a Season in town, that I might be able to court her properly before we announced an engagement. No one was supposed to learn of our secret marriage, but things have certainly now changed, just as you’ve said.”

  “There is also the fact that since I stole my own wife away to Gretna Green, I can hardly berate you for doing the same.” The earl removed his cloak, folded it over one arm and extended his hand. “Young man, welcome to the family.”

  Shaking the earl’s hand, gratefulness bloomed in his chest.

  “Yes, welcome to the family.” Avery slapped him on the back. “I can now call you my brother, as well as my best friend.”

  “You surely can.” He faced his new father-in-law. “I need to see her now,” he admitted. “Do I have your permission?”

  “Of course you do. I’ll inform my wife of the happy news of your marriage and tomorrow night, once we’ve all had a good day’s rest, we’ll celebrate your nuptials. There will be a feast to end all feasts.”

  “What of the loan to Roth?” He couldn’t ignore the fact that it still existed.

  “Seeing as Roth is now deceased, and that it might take some time to locate his closest male heir among his relatives, I no longer foresee any issue there. It was Roth alone who wished to break our loan agreement and demand an early repayment. Now, instead, I shall repay the loan to his estate once the remaining five years have expired.” With a wave over his shoulder, Hillhurst whistled a merry tune as he continued on along the lower passageway toward his and his wife’s bedchambers.

  Avery winked at him, saying nary another word as he bounded up the stairway.

  He was free of his secret. Free to take Rosamonde as his wife in every way. Free to ensure they spent the rest of their lives close to each other and near their families. He’d never tear her away from her loved ones, which was a promise he made right then and there in his heart to her. Breathing deep, he raced up the stairway, knocked on her chamber door and waited.

  “Who is it?” A sleepy answer.

  “Your husband.”

  He waited only two seconds before the door swung open and his bride stood there in her ivory nightgown, her bare toes peeking out from under the hem, and her golden hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders and down her back. Her beautiful blue-green eyes appeared wide as she looked in both directions down the passageway. “Someone might see you, or hear you.”

  “I’ve just informed your father and brother about our dash to Gretna Green. The earl then congratulated me on our marriage and stated that he could hardly berate either of us for what we did when he’d done the same with your mother. I also have his permission to be here, and not just outside your chamber, but inside it.” Her cream and yellow floral drapes were pulled across her windows, although the early rising sunshine backlit the pale colors from the other side.

  “Oh my.” She fluttered a hand over her mouth. “Then please, do come in.”

  He closed the door after himself, locked it and began dispensing with his clothes. He kicked off his Hessian boots, shrugged out of his jacket, unknotted his black cravat, unbuttoned his blue silk waistcoat, and peeled his dark shirt over his head. As he stripped off his black breeches, h
e managed to walk his bride backward toward her yellow canopied bed covered in yellow and cream bedcovers. “Are you tired, my love?”

  “I’ve only had an hour’s sleep. I was too worried about you to catch much rest.” The backs of her knees hit her mattress and she toppled back with a giggle.

  “I’ve been worried about you too.” He eased down on top of her, the thin cotton of her nightgown all that remained between them. Taking care, he lightly stroked one finger down her bandaged neck then kissed the spot where she’d been hurt and reveled in the moment as she softly sighed.

  “Are you about to ravish me, my lord?”

  “That all depends if you’re willing to be ravished. It has surely been a difficult night for you.” He didn’t wish to push her beyond her limits, not after all she’d been through following her abduction.

  “Yes, please, I would very much like to have my husband ravish me. Although there is something I haven’t had the chance to tell you.” Slowly, carefully, she unlaced the front laces of her nightgown and spread the linen. She exposed her breasts. Bruised breasts.

  “Roth did this to you?”

  “Yes, while I was out of it from the Belladonna, although I must have gotten my vengeance since I awoke from the sedative with blood underneath my fingernails from scratching the bald spot on his head. My breasts are sore, obviously.”

  “I’m sorry.” She’d been mauled by a man he wished to bring back to life, just so he could kill him again. Slowly, he dipped his head and gently kissed around each mound until he’d smothered them in his love. Never would he allow another man to touch her again, to abuse her in such a way.

  “Mmm, that’s nice.” She closed her eyes and stretched sinuously underneath him. “Your kisses are whisper-soft.”

  “Things are about to get much, much nicer.” Tenderly brushing his lips across one corner of her lips, he made certain he didn’t touch the split which had barely begun to heal.

  “Stop teasing me and start showing me how very nice you can be.”

  He surely would.

  He eased her arms from the sleeves of her nightgown then slid down her body to the end of the bed. “Lift up a little.”

  She did and he tugged her nightgown past her feet and tossed it onto the pile of his own clothing. He widened her legs, stroked along her inner thighs, his fingers gliding all the way to the crease of her groin. Head dipped, he nuzzled her mound covered in soft golden curls, spread her legs even wider and revealed all of her to his ravenous gaze. With a low rumble, he glided one finger along her slit. “I want my cock inside you, right here. I can’t wait to join us together as one.”

  “Oh, please, yes. I want that too.”

  “Although we both need to wait a little longer first. I want to draw out your pleasure for as long as I can.” He blew a breath across her folds and when she arched her back, he swept his tongue across her intimate flesh. Her decadent taste danced on his tongue and hell, he wasn’t going to last long at all. Pushing two fingers deep inside her, he sucked her nub and laved her with attention.

  “Richard, I’m going to come.” She tunneled her fingers through his hair and held onto him, pushing his head firmer against her.

  “I know what you need.” He speared his tongue deeper inside her channel, surging over and over again, right where his cock would soon be surging, and as she shuddered, her legs trembling and her core spasming, he rose up over top of her, pressed the head of his shaft against her entrance and plunged deep inside her.

  With his hands planted either side of her head, he nuzzled her neck as her inner muscles clenched and dragged him in even deeper. He came apart, unable to hold on, his seed spurting from him in one hot pulse after another. No withdrawal method this time. He wanted to see her belly rounded with his child, for them to have a family of their own.

  “You’re my wife, always mine.” Never had he felt so wonderfully complete.

  This woman was his to love and protect for the rest of his life.

  She was his secret bride, his to hold, always and forever.

  Chapter 17

  Sprawled nude across Winterly’s chest within her yellow canopied bed, the warmth from her crackling fire washed over her. Never had Rosamonde known that a love like this could be hers. They’d slept for half the day after they’d made love earlier this morning, then joined together again when they’d both awoken hungry with a fierce need to touch each other. Now, she played her fingers through her husband’s silky chestnut brown hair, his muscled body rippling with strength underneath hers. “I believe we need a honeymoon.”

  “I’m absolutely certain we do.” He caught her hand and threaded their fingers together. “Will you come away with me for two weeks to my country estate? We can return to see your family fairly quickly if you need to, but I also need a little time alone with you, desperately.”

  “For some reason I thought my mother would struggle without me being here, but she also has my father and they are so in love and always have been. She will be fine without me for two weeks, or for however long we wish to be away for whenever we travel to London.”

  “Which reminds me. Your mother actually said something about that. She believed it was time for her to return to Society, to set her injury aside and live her life again. She doesn’t wish to be the one to hold you back.”

  “She truly said that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh my, how wonderful.” She wriggled up, slung one leg over his hips and straddled him, her love for him filling and overflowing her heart. “Richard, secrets can be quite titillating, don’t you think?”

  “If you’re meaning our secret marriage, then yes, exceedingly so.” He wriggled underneath her, his cock jabbing into her bottom. “Kiss me, Rosamonde.”

  “Where would you like that kiss?” Staring him straight in the eyes, she scuttled back, wrapped one hand around the length of his cock and gave it a squeeze. “Since you enjoyed giving me so much attention below earlier this morning, then it must surely be possible for me to do the same with you?”

  “Hell, yes.” He shuddered in her hand, his breath whistling out and his cock getting harder and longer.

  “Tell me what to do.” Another squeeze.

  “You’re doing just fine on your own, without any instruction.” He grazed his knuckles along her belly then swept lower and rubbed her nub.

  “Then I shall follow my instincts.” She dipped her head and tentatively licked the head of his cock. When he shuddered and moaned, she worked him in long pulls as she suckled him.

  “Rosamonde, that feels so good.” He rubbed her nub in a slow circle and she too shuddered.

  No, she wanted to keep indulging herself in him. She clamped her mouth around him tighter and he hissed out another breath.

  “Take care with your sore lip.”

  “My lip is healing rather swiftly.”

  “No more then, or else I’m going to come inside your pretty mouth.” He gripped her backside, lifted her up and swept her underneath him as he rolled over top of her. With one powerful stroke, he thrust deep, their bodies completely entwined as one, their legs and arms tangled as he made breathless love to her. “I can’t wait to live my life with you,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Richard, I want to raise a family with you.” She gasped at the rightness of their union. “My mother would dearly love grandchildren.”

  “I haven’t used the withdrawal method this day, not when I want you carrying my child, as soon as I can possibly manage it.” Cupping the back of her head, he drew her mouth gently to his and kissed her so sweetly, so carefully, her pleasure always at the forefront of his mind.

  This was where she belonged, with the man who had saved her as a young girl, and with the man who’d returned to save her twice more since. It was time to explore a new future with him.

  The Earl of Winterly was her hero, would always be her hero.

  Her life was about to get deliciously titillating.

  Regency Brides Series
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  I hope you enjoyed The Earl’s Secret Bride.

  Series Order:

  The Duke’s Bride, (Book 1) Ellie’s Story

  The Earl’s Bride, (Book 2) Sophia’s Story

  The Wartime Bride, (Book 3) Harry’s Story

  The Earl’s Secret Bride, (Book 4) Winterly’s Story

  Coming Next:

  The Prince’s Bride, (Book 5) Olivia’s Story

  (Please note: Universal buy links are used in this book. A full universal buy link page can also be found at the end of this book. Please click on the book title you wish to read next and you’ll be redirected to Books2Read, where you can select your preferred vendor.)

  All books within this series are standalone.

  The Duke’s Bride - Book 1

  Ellie’s Story – Available Now

  UNIVERSAL LINK

  The Earl’s Bride - Book 2

  Sophia’s Story – Available Now

  UNIVERSAL LINK

  The Wartime Bride - Book 3

  Harry’s Story – Available Now

  UNIVERSAL LINK

  The Prince’s Bride - Book 5

  Olivia’s Story – Available Now

  UNIVERSAL LINK

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