by Ava Stone
Chet winked at Brendan. “Didn’t I tell you he’d win her over?”
Brendan nodded and took a sip of his whiskey. “You say a lot of things, Astwick. I only pay attention to about half.”
Chet brushed Brendan off with a dismissive waive of his hand. “Then you undoubtedly miss the best parts.” He turned his attention back to Robert. “Now, out with it Rob. We were there from the beginning. We have right to know. How go things with your wife?”
Robert shook his head and finally took the seat Chet had motioned to earlier. “Shouldn’t you be looking for a wife of your own, Astwick? You spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about mine. I should warn you I am a very jealous man.”
With a snort, Chet responded with an unconcerned shrug. “Now that I believe. But I live vicariously through you, Masten. I’m dying to know if you’ve made a real marriage out of it after all. I have a wager riding on it with Clayworth.”
Robert threw his head back and laughed. “I have no doubt which side you took, Chet.”
“Well, any fool could see that the two of you had a spark of sorts. You just needed some time alone so the spark could ignite to a smoldering blaze.”
“A smoldering blaze?” Brendan repeated in disgust and rolled his eyes. “And you wonder why you can’t find a bride.”
“I don’t see you progressing toward that eventual end either, Clayworth.”
“I’ve been there before, Astwick. I have no intention of being caught in the parson’s mouse trap again.”
Robert laughed. He had missed his friends. In truth he only saw them sparingly, since he spent the majority of his time at Gosling Park, but the three of them had been friends for so long that it was easy to fall back into their comfortable camaraderie.
They spent the next couple hours catching up, and after a while Robert leaned back in his chair and grinned widely. “The two of you need to come to Dorset for a visit. But you should probably come sooner rather than later. With Lydia’s present condition she won’t be able to entertain much longer.” He’d like for Lydia to know them as he did, just as he wanted Lydia to share everything with him.
“Her present condition?” Brendan asked with a raised brow.
But Chet laughed loudly. “So you did the job! Good show, Robert, and congratulations. I’ve always thought Chester was a fine name, by the way.”
“You would.” Brendan smiled then threw back the rest of his whiskey. “Now are we going off to play hazard, or not?”
Robert shook his head. “Not me. I’ve got Tattersall’s in the morning, then a meeting with my solicitor, and an errand for Lydia in the afternoon. I’d like to start for Dorset after that—”
Chet jumped to his feet with a cheeky grin. “You’ve become old and boring now that you’re a happily married man.”
“You said I was old and boring when I was a miserably married man,” Robert retorted.
“Well, that was true too.” Chet dropped his glass on the side table and started for the door with Bren fast on his heels. “See you in Dorset, if not before.”
“Thank you for coming over, uninvited, and drinking my whiskey.” Robert stood and ushered his friends out of his home. “But do come to Gosling Park. I’d like you each to get to know Lydia better. My life has never been so rich.”
“Oh, if I could only be so lucky.” Chet smacked Robert’s back.
And with that, his two friends were gone and Robert was alone. The last time he was here in Berkeley Square, he’d decided to embark on this amazing adventure with Lydia. Things had certainly changed since then.
***
Robert paid a bit more for Devil’s Inferno than he wanted and spent a bit more time at Tattersall’s than he’d intended, but in the end the prized stallion—once a winner at Ascot—was his. Arrangements were made for the horse to be sent to Dorset, and Robert went about accomplishing his other chores.
Mr. Leland Birch saw Robert immediately upon his arrival at the offices of Amherst and Birch, though the solicitor was taken aback by the sudden and unannounced visit from the earl.
Robert’s hardened gaze took in the solicitor’s appearance. Mr. Birch was a young, auburn-haired man, dressed in dark blue with a severely starched neck cloth. He wore a pair of thin wire-rimmed glasses on his face. Robert didn’t know Leland Birch well. The man had recently taken over for his now-retired father, who’d served the Earl of Masten well over the years. But this delay in Peter and Penny’s adoption did not present a good beginning for the young solicitor in the earl’s eyes. “Birch, I want those adoption papers, and I want them now.”
The nervous solicitor pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up on his nose and took a deep breath. “I have been working as quickly as possible to complete your adoption of Peter and Penny Harris, Lord Masten. I just need more time.”
“You’ve had ample time. What is the hold up?” Robert narrowed his eyes on the young man before him.
“Y—yes, well, I’m just waiting for one last document, from the coroner that declared Miss Mary Harris dead. But that man is currently on holiday, visiting his daughter in the Cotswolds.”
“And you’re not there tracking him down because…?”
Birch’s eyes grew large inside the frame of his glasses. “I—uh—was just on my way, sir.”
More likely the dolt hadn’t thought of it on his own. Why hadn’t his father given the young buck more guidance?
Birch started clearing items from his desk into a satchel at the base of his desk. “I’ll find Mr. Potter in Gloucestershire and get this entire matter resolved in a trice, my lord.”
“Make sure that it is, Birch. This thing has gone on quite long enough, and my wife doesn’t need any undue stress at the moment. I don’t like having to come to London to seek you out.”
The solicitor swallowed. “O—of course not, my lord.”
“So, let me make myself plain, sir. If I don’t have those documents on my desk in Dorset within the week, then you’ll lose both me and my retainer, and I’ll find someone who can get the job done.”
Mr. Birch looked as though he might pass out from holding his breath, but he simply nodded and grabbed his satchel from the desk.
Satisfied that he’d finally set a fire under the man, Robert made his way to the Admiralty. However, by the time he arrived, the office was already closed for the day. Damn if he didn’t have to spend another night in London.
He knew, of course, that he could cut his losses and go home to Gosling Park, but then he wouldn’t be able to speak with anyone at the Admiralty office about Lieutenant Warner. He could leave the letter delivered, but this was too important to trust to chance. One more night away from Lydia and the children wasn’t so bad. If he could help bridge the chasm between Lydia and her brother, it would be worth it.
Robert directed Henderson to take him to his sister’s home in Curzon Street. If he was going to be in town, he may as well pay a visit to Caroline. She would want to learn his news, and hearing it in person would be better than reading it in a letter. Besides, if it wasn’t for Caroline’s ball he might not have come across Lydia. What a tragedy that would have been.
“Oh, Robert!” Caroline warmly greeted him in her drawing room, and then threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “What are you doing back in London? I thought for sure you’d spend the summer in Dorset.”
Robert kissed his sister’s hand, directed her to the settee, and took a seat beside her. “Caro, I have news.”
Caroline bit her lip nervously. “Is it Miss Mitford?”
Robert furrowed his brow and shook his head. Why would she think his news was about the governess? “No, Miss Mitford is fine. Actually, she’s done wonders with Peter and Penny. Thank you for finding her.”
Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, I am so glad that worked out. What is your news then, darling?”
Robert smiled broadly. “Congratulate me. In a few months, I’ll be a father.”
Caroline smiled and squeezed his hand
. “So the adoption’s gone through then?”
Robert scowled. “Not yet. That dolt Birch has been dragging his heels. I should have sent Staveley over to see him weeks ago.” But then his face softened and he smiled joyfully. “But what I meant, Caro, is that Lydia is expecting.”
Caroline’s eyes grew the size of saucers and she clapped her hands together in joy. “Oh, Robert, that is wonderful! Truly wonderful!” Then her face dropped and she spoke nearly a mile a minute. “How is she feeling? I can’t believe you left her in Dorset at a time like this. Why did you leave her? Did things not work out with the two of you? Oh, I’d so hoped they would. What did you do? Perhaps if I write her, I can convince her to take you back.”
Robert rolled his eyes, laughing at his sister. Caroline was always so melodramatic.
“What is so funny, Robert?” she demanded, her arms folded indignantly across her chest. “I hardly think this is a laughing matter.”
“My dear Caroline, where to begin? Lydia is doing fine. She is still a bit queasy in the mornings, but Doctor Grant says it won’t last forever. I came to London for a horse and I’ll start back for Dorset in the morning. And there is no need for you to write her on my behalf, things between us could not be better. You were right all along, my interfering little sister. I am quite happy that Lydia is my wife. In fact, I can’t imagine my life without—”
He stopped because a tear was trailing its way down his sister’s cheek. Robert smoothed it away with the pad of his thumb, smiling at her. “Oh, Caroline. Truly, I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Joyfully, Caroline squeezed his hands and grinned. “You’ve made me very happy, Robert, very happy. Thank you.”
“No, thank you for inviting her to your silly ball, and for not warning me in advance.”
Caroline giggled and she sat up straight. “Robert, does Lord Carteret know?”
Robert shook his head. “Outside of you and the staff at Gosling, no one knows. Well, Luke knows, but he wasn’t all that happy about it.”
“You saw Luke?” she asked innocently, a tone that should have made Robert suspicious—but he simply shrugged off her question.
“He spent several weeks at Gosling Park this spring.”
Caroline furrowed her brow. “But what about Miss Mitford? Did he know she was there?”
Robert frowned. Both of his siblings seemed inexplicably interested in his governess. Very strange, that. “Is there something going on with my governess that I should know about?”
“No,” Caroline hastily answered. “She worked for my good friend, Lady Teynham is all. You remember her? Well, before Georgina died I promised her that Miss Mitford would be well taken care of.” Caroline stood and paced around the room.
“Miss Mitford is perfectly safe, Caroline, I assure you.” He thought it best not to mention the kiss Lydia had witnessed between the governess and Luke, or their argument that he’d stumbled upon himself. For some reason Caroline seemed overly emotional about the entire situation and he didn’t want to upset her any more than she already was.
If Robert thought his sister would make any sense out of the situation, he would have pursued the conversation further. But, truthfully, Miss Mitford’s circumstances weren’t a concern for him. She had done a marvelous job with Peter and Penny, and someday he was sure she’d be a fine governess for the child Lydia was carrying—and that was all that mattered to him.
But Caroline had said something that caught his attention. She had asked about Carteret. Lydia’s family should know their joyful news too, though it didn’t seem right for him to tell them. Perhaps, something else could be worked out.
***
Robert was waiting at the front door to the Admiralty when they opened. The clerk at the front desk was quite helpful. He gladly looked up the information on Lieutenant Warner’s ship, The Intrepid. According to the naval clerk, the frigate was still at sea, but was due back in England sometime within the month. That was good news, indeed. Lydia and her brother could reconcile long before the baby was due.
The naval clerk took Robert’s letter and promised to have it delivered to the lieutenant when he returned from sea. With a broad smile and a lilt to his step, Robert left the Admiralty and started back for Dorset.
~ 19 ~
Lydia looked so peaceful in her sleep. She was curled up on her side, clutching a pillow with her hand, her long, red braid flopped over one shoulder. Robert smiled just looking at her.
He had pushed Henderson to drive through the night, stopping just long enough to rest the horses before starting back again. It was now the dead of night and everyone at Gosling Park was fast asleep. God, it felt good to be home.
After a big yawn, Robert stripped off his clothes, leaving them piled in a chair for Kistler to deal with in the morning. Then he quietly climbed into bed next to his wife and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much, my darlings,” he whispered as he gently let his hand rest on her abdomen.
Lydia mumbled something in her sleep and then settled more soundly against the wall of his chest. Robert sighed happily. It was indeed good to be home.
***
In the morning when Lydia awoke, she was happy to discover Robert’s arms wrapped snuggly around her. He smelled good, like Robert and leather. She couldn’t resist pressing her nose against his shoulder and inhaling his scent. He must’ve snuck in during the middle of the night. She smiled and shifted in his arms, and now felt his familiar hardness pressing against her belly.
He he’d only been away a week, yet she’d missed him dreadfully. She nuzzled against his chest and kissed his neck. His arms tightened around her and she giggled quietly to herself. He must be exhausted. Normally, he could never withstand her kisses and caresses in the morning.
Earlier in the week, she had decided that she and the children would go with him next time he left. She didn’t think she could handle being away from him again. “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered so softly she could barely hear it.
Robert’s lips curled into a grin, though his eyes were still closed. “Me too.” Ah, so he wasn’t sleeping, after all.
He opened his eyes and brushed his lips against hers, letting his kiss linger for what seemed an eternity. She melted against him.
***
When his tongue touched hers, she groaned and he smiled, knowing that she wanted him. He wanted her too, and had for some days. The erection that jutted from between his legs was evidence of that. Without a word, he rolled her to her back and lifted her nightrail so that he could softly touch her slick core. When she instinctively arched against him, Robert slid one finger inside her and stroked her back and forth with his thumb. The feel of her clenching around his finger nearly drove him wild with desire.
She was wet, and panting, and ready for him. Robert moaned as he spread her legs wide with his knees and admired her. It had been too long since he’d touched her. “Oh, Lydia.” Damn Devil’s Inferno. No horse was worth being away from his wife.
He began by kissing her shoulders and gently ran his hands up her side. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to meet his kiss. Robert laughed against her mouth before nipping at her lightly. “Eager, my little minx?”
She didn’t speak but nodded as she met his eyes. With an impatient groan, he grabbed a handful of that awful, Quaker-looking nightrail that he hated and pulled it over her head in one swift move.
Then he looked down at his beautiful, waiting wife. Her perfect nipples had peaked into hard buds, tempting him to taste them. He wasted no time in doing so; first lavishly laving one, then sucking it hard into his mouth, while his devilish hand plucked and pulled at the other. Lydia bucked beneath him, and he closed his eyes in pure pleasure.
“Please, Robert,” she begged breathlessly.
He rose up on his elbows and stared down at her. “Please, Robert, what?”
Lydia playfully pouted. “The other one, please.”
He couldn’t contain his grin
. “Of course, my lady, whatever you wish.” He dipped his head down and captured her other nipple into his mouth and traced her areola with his tongue. Hearing her moan from his ministrations only made him throb. He couldn’t take much more and he nipped her lightly.
“Oh, Robert!” she panted. When Lydia smiled up at him coyly, her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. He kissed her one last time before spreading her legs even further with his hands and then slowly sheathing himself inside her. He threw back his head in pleasure. There was no feeling like this, no feeling like his wife. His joining with her was complete heaven.
Had he really been away for so long? He didn’t think he could ever take another separation from her in the future.
Soon she was crying out his name and she shuddered around him in pure ecstasy. He couldn’t have held back on his release if he’d wanted to, and he poured himself inside her.
No. He definitely couldn’t take another separation from his wife.
When they both lay breathlessly sated, Robert held Lydia against the wall of his chest and he buried his head deep into the flaming river of her hair. “My God I missed you,” he whispered.
“I am so happy you’re home.”
“I won’t leave again, I can promise you that. But I do have a surprise for you, my darling.”
“You do?” She looked over her shoulder at him with a grin that made his heart leap. “Is it better than the surprise you just gave me?”
He nipped at her neck. “Behave yourself, my little minx, or I’ll have you on your back again in a matter of seconds.”
A giggle was her only response to that threat. “Did you see Mr. Birch?”
“I did. He assures me that it will just be a matter of days before Peter and Penny are ours legally.”
