Just One Kiss

by Stephanie Sterling

  Daphne wanted to be angry. At the the very least, she wanted to be annoyed with him for spouting such rubbish, but his smile was so disarming. He said that he wanted her. She was living with him in his house. All of her girlhood dreams seemed so very close to coming true that she couldn’t possibly be angry with anyone-least of all the man capable of making those dreams a reality!

  “Well clearly you need someone to take you in hand,” she sniffed playfully, brushing past Edward and walking out into the hall. “So do you intend to feed your poor wife, or leave her to starve?”

  Edward chuckled, and followed after Daphne, leading her downstairs where he hailed the butler, and informed him that he and Lady Coventry would be requiring a late supper to be served. Daphne stood a little removed from the exchange between master and servant, still faintly horrified about what the elderly man must think of her!

  “Dinner will be served shortly, my lady,” Edward announced with a grand, sweeping bow. Daphne rolled her eyes, poked her tongue out childishly and marched past him again, this time wandering into the drawing room.

  Laughing, Edward followed her. “I keep forgetting how well you know your way around Packwood,” he smiled.

  Daphne glanced at him hesitantly. It seemed an innocent enough comment though, at least, it had been innocently said, so she made little of it. “I’m afraid I don’t know where the secret passageways are though, my lord.”

  “Me either,” Edward grinned. “We’ll have to do some searching together,” he joked, but Daphne thought that there was something rather poignant about the remark.

  Dinner was a delicious, if simple, affair. Daphne assumed that a more elaborate meal would have been presented if the kitchen staff had been given time to prepare. However, she still made a mental note to speak to the cook and the housekeeper early the next morning, to lay out menus for the coming week, assuming that this was an acceptable role for her to take within the household.

  “I should ride over to Dunnely once we’re finished,” Edward sighed.

  Daphne looked up from her plate sharply. “My lord?”

  “Your mother is still unaware of the rather more permanent nature of your visit, Daphne,” Edward pointed out. “She has to be told.”

  “I’ll come with you!” Daphne blurted. She wasn’t sure why the thought of her mother and husband being alone together terrified her so much, but it definitely, did!

  “That’s not necessary,” Edward frowned.

  For a moment Daphne thought that his reluctance stemmed from the fear that if he let her go back to Dunnely then she might not come home with him, but such a thought was ridiculous… wasn’t it?

  “But Edward-”

  “I will be quicker on my own, Daff,” Edward said mildly. Daphne opened her mouth to argue, but was interrupted by the entrance of Eldridge, the butler.

  “A visitor to see you, my lord,” he announced.

  Daphne watched curiously as her husband frowned in the butler’s direction. “At this time of the night? Who on earth is it, Eldridge?” he demanded, getting to his feet.

  “Mrs. Hargreaves I believe, my lord.”

  Daphne blanched at the mention of her mother’s name. Such a wave of panic washed over her that for a moment she didn’t even notice Edward walking out of the dining room to go and greet his guest.

  “Wait!” Daphne called, when she did notice him leaving. “I’m coming too!” she cried, jumping up from her seat.

  Edward stopped, and cast her an amused glance. “Well, come along then,” he grinned, waiting for her in the doorway.

  Daphne couldn’t help herself, she slipped her hand into his when she reached Edward’s side. Her mother always made Daphne feel like such a-a child. “What do you think she wants?” she whispered. Edward shot her a bemused glance.

  “I would have thought that was obvious,” he muttered.

  Daphne didn’t happen to agree. Given his posture and grim expression, Edward clearly assumed that her mother was there to cause trouble, maybe even to rip her from his clutches-but Daphne knew better. Her mother might not have wanted her daughter’s marriage to happen-or at least, not in the circumstances in which it had taken place, but now, what she wanted more than anything else, was for the past to be forgotten, for her family to regain its respectability. She thought that would happen, if only Daphne and Edward behaved like at normal married couple.

  Daphne’s mother might very well barricade her inside Packwood with the Earl if she thought it would help! Hence her daughter’s apprehension as to what she had planned…

  “Edward, wait!” said Daphne, tugging on his arm to try and make him stop. “Maybe you should let me go and speak to my mother alone?” she implored. Her husband simply cocked a curious eyebrow and continued walking towards the drawing room, where Eldridge had left Mrs. Hargreaves.

  “I can handle your mother, Daphne,” he said confidently. “If she means to cause trouble then I-”

  “I don’t think that’s what she means to do,” Daphne mumbled nervously. “At least, not in the way that you mean,” she added, biting her lip anxiously. Edward frowned again, and continued to shoot her puzzled glances until they reached the drawing room, where his mother-in-law was waiting for them.

  “Lord Coventry!” Mrs. Hargreaves exclaimed, when Edward and his wife entered the chamber. Daphne scowled, unable to understand why her mother needed to sound so surprised about finding Edward in his own house.

  “Mrs. Hargreaves,” Edward nodded politely. “Please forgive me if I caused you any concern about your daughter. Daphne, as you can see, is quite safe and well.” He glanced in his wife’s direction. “It was however terribly ill-mannered of me to neglect to inform you of our new plans.”

  “Your new plans, my lord?” Mrs. Hargreaves echoed him, but she sounded faintly hopeful.

  “Daphne has decided to stay here with me at Packwood,” Edward said smoothly. Daphne watched him out of the corner of her eye. His face looked hard and his stance was resolute. He clearly expected his mother-in-law to object. Daphne knew better, and so she wasn’t at all surprised by her mother’s barely contained squeal of joy.

  “Oh thank heavens!” Mrs. Hargreaves cried, clapping her hands together. “The two of you have come to your senses! Thank goodness!” she beamed.

  “I might only be here for a little while!” Daphne blurted. If her mother got it into her head that everything was all right then there would be no going back… both Mrs. Hargreaves and Edward scowled at Daphne for making this interjection however. “Edward just wanted some help with a ball that he plans to throw,” she mumbled weakly, although this did very little to appease either her mother or her husband.

  “Nonsense!” Mrs. Hargreaves boomed. “I’m sure the Earl doesn’t mean to use you as his hostess and then turf you out again?” she glared at Edward, almost daring him to disagree with her.

  “Of course I don’t!” Edward snarled, but then he took a deep breath. “However, nor do I mean to keep Daphne as a prisoner here,” he grumbled, sounding as though he would actually very much like to do just that. “If she wishes to leave then she is free to do so at any time.”

  “Rubbish!” Mrs. Hargreaves sniffed again. “You would be quite within your rights-”

  “Mother!” Daphne gasped. It hurt, it hurt so much that her mother cared more about keeping up appearances than she did about her own daughter! “How can you-?” she tried to say, but couldn’t get the words out; they stuck in her throat and choked her.

  “Your mother doesn’t know what she’s saying,” Edward said evenly. He patted Daphne’s hand, and then scowled at Mrs. Hargreaves, this time daring her to disagree with him. “And she certainly doesn’t mean it.”

  Mrs. Hargreaves gaped. “Well I never-!” she spluttered.

  “Oh be quiet, Mother!” Daphne snapped, reaching the end of her tether. “If you haven’t got anything useful to say then don’t-”

  “How dare you!” Mrs. Hargreaves exploded. “How dare you speak to me like
that? I am still your mother you know!”

  “I know,” Daphne growled under her breath. “Believe me, I know.”

  “And just what do you mean by that, young lady?” Mrs. Hargreaves demanded, rounding on her daughter.

  “Ladies!” Edward barked. Daphne did notice, with a tiny surge of glee that, he was really barking at her mother and not at her.

  “There is only one lady here, Lord Coventry,” Mrs. Hargreaves sniffed cruelly, casting her daughter a meaningful glance. Daphne couldn’t speak for the pain and the anger that was suddenly coursing through her body.

  “I believe that I would have to agree with you, Mrs. Hargreaves,” Edward hissed. He turned to Daphne. “My lady, did you have anything else that you wished to say to your mother?”

  Daphne silently shook her head, too stunned and disbelieving to be able to manage to say anything at all. Her mother seemed to be having a similar problem, her mouth was opening and closing, but no sound was coming out-bar indignant little splutters that could hardly be called words.

  “In which case, Mrs. Hargreaves,” Edward said coldly. “I believe we should bid you goodnight. I will have my coach-”

  “I brought my own coach!” Mrs. Hargreaves hissed. “We Hargreaves are not so far below you Evertons that we need to beg transportation from you!”

  “Mother! That is not what Edward was implying and you know it very well!” Daphne cried irately, jumping to her husband’s defense. Her mother refused to hear or speak another word however. She swept out of the drawing room and into the hall. Daphne made to follow after her, but Edward caught her by the wrist and shook his head.

  “Let her go,” he instructed coolly.

  “B-but-?” Daphne stammered.

  “But she really isn’t our concern any longer,” Edward declared, glaring in the direction of the door.

  He scowled for almost a full minute before turning back to his wife. “I can’t believe that she spoke to you in such an appalling manner!”

  “Oh that was nothing,” Daphne laughed bitterly, and then wished that she hadn’t, because Edward’s face fell. He looked like something had just punched him in the stomach.

  “What do you mean?” he croaked hoarsely.

  “Nothing really,” she said quickly, wishing that he would let her change the subject, but knowing Edward too well to believe that he wouldn’t pursue the matter.

  “Daphne,” he growled.

  “My mother can’t forgive me for disgracing the family,” Daphne blurted baldly. “That’s all,” she added weakly.

  “Neither could your father,” Edward added quietly, wincing as he spoke the words.

  “No,” Daphne nodded, swallowing the lump that tried to rise in her throat. “My father died cursing me,” she whispered bleakly.

  “I’m so sorry, Daphne,” Edward blurted, feeling how pathetic those words sounded.

  “It’s not your fault,” she murmured, lifting her head so that she could look him straight in the eye. “I can’t hold you accountable for their reactions,” she said softly. “Their betrayals were their own.”

  “But Daphne,” Edward groaned. “If I hadn’t left you-”

  “I believe we decided that we would stop talking about the past, Lord Coventry,” Daphne interrupted her husband, forcing an overly cheerful note into her voice. Edward didn’t look fooled for a moment. He sighed her name again, but Daphne wouldn’t let him continue. “Not now, Edward, not yet,” she pleaded, sounding desperate. “I was having such a lovely day,” she sniffed.

  “I can be lovely again,” Edward murmured, gently enfolding her in his arms. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t think to send word to Dunnely sooner, Daff,” he apologized, kissing the top of her head softly, and running his hands soothingly over her back.

  Daphne raised her head, and managed a weak smile. “Well, you were otherwise occupied,” she said sweetly, cuddling against him, although she was looking for something other than lust or passion there this time. She could scarcely believe it when she found it.

  Daphne couldn’t quite find the right name for what it was, but it was warm and wonderful, and it wrapped around her like a soft, snug blanket-holding her so safe and secure that she never wanted it to end. And it didn’t end, because Edward didn’t let her go. He guided her towards a cushioned sofa and pulled her down on the seat beside him.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered, leaning her head against her husband’s shoulder, while Edward gently strummed his fingers down her arm.

  “Holding my wife?” he murmured in reply. “You know, you’re a tense little thing,” he chuckled, suddenly standing. Daphne made a small whimper of protest, but Edward only moved as far as around to the back of the sofa. He arranged Daphne in front of him, and then slowly began to massage her shoulders.

  “Oooh…” she purred, as the tightness began to seep out of her muscles. “Mmm, oh, that feels nice,” she sighed, relaxing into her husband’s deft touch.

  “A little trick I picked up on my travels,” he revealed, laughing to himself when Daphne instantly tensed again. “I haven’t really had the occasion to use it until now, darling,” he assured her soothingly. Daphne gave a little indignant sniff, but very soon she was melting under his hands again.

  “Why are you doing this, Edward?” she sighed, deeply and contently. Edward couldn’t see Daphne’s face, but he imagined that her eyelids had dipped almost shut.

  “You deserve some pampering,” he murmured tightly. He felt like he owed her more than sex. It was a foreign concept to Edward, but he wanted to give Daphne more than merely his body. He enjoyed bringing her pleasure, and not necessarily the carnal kind-he enjoyed making her smile and seeing her laugh

  “I do?” Daphne giggled, she twisted around to face Edward. “Whatever for?”

  Edward opened his mouth to answer-only he didn’t have a ready answer at hand, so he was forced to tell her the simple truth. “Because I would enjoy pampering you,” he breathed thickly.

  Chapter 35

  Daphne hadn’t taken Edward literally. She certainly hadn’t expected anything more to come from his declaration, even if she had hoped that it might, but over the coming days her husband did spoil her splendidly. He lavished her with attention, and treated her to a liberal showering of gifts: jewelry, flowers, dresses. Daphne hadn’t received so many presents all at one time since she had been a little girl at Christmas!

  And at night… Daphne blushed crimson at the memories that had been scorched onto her memory. At night Edward worshipped her body so exquisitely, so wonderfully, teaching her all of the wickedly delightful things that she had been born to do, that they rarely managed to leave their bedchamber before noon the next day. Daphne had quickly been forced to give up worrying about what the servants thought about the hours that they spent in their suite of rooms.

  She was living her dream. Edward was acting the role of enamored husband to perfection – why he was doing this Daphne hadn’t quite fathomed. She had reached the shaky conclusion that he really did want her back, and was apparently willing to go to any lengths to ensure that she stayed with him this time… and Daphne was finding that she was very quickly being won around.

  So much so in fact, that she was standing in the east wing of Packwood House, in the rooms that Edward had said he wanted renovated, looking around them with interest-wondering if it would be possible to craft them into a nursery and a little schoolroom, perhaps with bedrooms for the older children?

  Edward had been called away on business for the afternoon. Daphne’s preparations for the ball had been going well, but she had done as much as she was currently able. She didn’t know why her feet had led her up here, but now that she was, she couldn’t help herself from imagining what it could be like if the space was redecorated and filled with children.

  Daphne’s hand wandered to her stomach, brushing it lightly, wondering if it was possible that she was already pregnant. She didn’t feel pregnant, and she had displayed none of the signs-not yet, anywa
y. Still, that didn’t stop her from hoping. She had always wanted children. She had always wanted children with Edward, but it was somehow slightly tainted now. She still didn’t know whether or not a child, an heir, was the only reason that he had come back for her in the first place.

  There was something between them now, something that hadn’t been there before. It was something that Daphne had always longed for, always suspected was there, or could be there, but she had never felt it as strongly as she felt it now. Despite her pain and doubts, she had fallen in love with him all over again.

  Daphne sighed heavily and wandered out of the room that she had been perusing. She had never stopped loving Edward. She had realized that long ago. But now, suddenly, her love was once again a bright shining thing that was vividly alive, instead of lying dormant, as it had done before, a memory to be looked back on and bittersweetly cherished.

  Daphne wasn’t really paying attention to where she was walking, simply letting her feet lead her around the upstairs of the house as her mind whirred around and puzzled over her current situation. She gasped when she finally realized to where she had sauntered.

  She was standing outside Edward’s old bedroom.

  Daphne’s heart was suddenly pounding violently in her chest, her hands clammy and her breath shallow. This was it. The scene of her crime. How could she possibly resist the urge to peek inside? Her hand was turning the door handle before she even knew what she was doing, she gulped uncertainly, and then she crept within.

  It was exactly the same as she remembered. Almost. There was a musty feel to the room now, there was no dust, the servants saw to that, but there was a general air of abandonment that filled the chamber. Even so, an echo of the same rich masculine scent lingered-different now to how Edward smelt, it was younger, more boyish and fresh. It was the scent of the man that Daphne had first fallen in love with. He was here. A ghost returned to haunt her and torture her with the thought of everything she might have if she had possessed more sense six years before.