There was something pressing against her bottom. Oh, dear heaven, something that set her pulses immediately racing.
She should move. She should move right now.
Kate wriggled cautiously. Not the kind of move she had intended, but the kind of move that Daniel most definitely appreciated. His obvious appreciation set up a clamouring ache inside her.
She really should get out of bed now, but somehow, when she rolled over, it was not towards the door but towards Daniel, and he was so warm, and his smile so sleepily wicked, that she couldn’t help but smile back. And their smiles met and became a kiss. And Kate lost what little ambition she had to be anywhere save right here in the arms of the man she loved.
Who would have guessed that sleepy kisses could be so delightful? Or that making love to the man you loved, who loved you, could be so blissful? A communing of body and heart and soul? They savoured each kiss and each touch, murmuring incoherently, stroking, smoothing, soothing and at the same time rousing.
Her clothes seemed to discard themselves as they kissed, clinging to each other. She was on her back and Daniel lay over her, his erection pressing into her belly. And then he was on his back and she was astride him. And then she was on her side again, with Daniel spooned against her, and he was stroking her, teasing her, drawing out her pleasure. And then she rolled towards him, wrapping her hand around him, stroking him, teasing him, making him groan with pleasure.
And then their lips met again, and their kisses became urgent, and then she was on her back and he was inside her, and the first thrust sent her spiralling out of control. She wrapped her legs around him, tilting herself up to take him higher, surrendering to the utter delight of their joining, pulsing around him as he thrust, trusting him completely to protect her. But in the instant when he came, pulling himself from her, she wished that he had not.
And then they lay together, spent and sated, and their kisses became tender, and then gradually they stopped.
This time when Kate moved Daniel made no attempt to stop her.
There was nothing to be said. They both knew that. And so they said nothing.
Chapter Ten
Their lovemaking had removed all the built-up tension which had made the lead-up to the garden party so taxing. And in the days that followed, Kate and Daniel achieved a kind of calm which allowed them to enjoy each other’s company once more. They were careful with each other, mindful not to talk about the future or the past, determined not to mention their feelings or to tempt passion.
Though their disobedient bodies defied them, cleaving towards each other, brushing hands, bumping knees, seating themselves as closely together as possible, whether on a bench in the garden, on the terrace, or on the floor of the music room after their yoga practice.
It was a strain, but a very different kind of strain, Kate found, having to bite back the I love you that she longed to blurt out every time Daniel walked into a room, and seeing him having to make a real effort not to do the same. Not that they needed to speak the words aloud. Every time they allowed their eyes to lock it was there between them.
She loved him so much, and though she knew it was hopeless there were times when she railed at her own decision. Times when she wanted to beg him to stay, or to go but come back soon. Times when she wanted to do exactly what she knew would be utterly wrong—to tell him that she’d wait, for however long it took, for him to change his mind.
He wouldn’t change his mind. And she was not going to waste her entire life waiting. But in the middle of the night, as she lay alone in her bed, wondering if Daniel was lying wide awake on the other side of the house, Kate questioned both these things.
A week after the party she was in the morning room at her desk, staring helplessly at the stack of invitations and calling cards they had amassed, when Daniel appeared.
‘What on earth am I to do with these?’ she asked.
‘Ignore them.’
‘I can’t do that. It’s so rude.’
‘We made it clear that we weren’t going to be socialising.’
‘For a short period. Most of these occasions are miles away.’ Kate flicked through the cards and letters. ‘A gathering to celebrate the start of the hunting season in October. A party to celebrate the coming of age of the eldest Miss Forbes—who are the Forbeses?’
‘I think he’s the chap who wanted me to invest in his railway company. Member of Parliament for somewhere or other, so he assured me that getting the legislation through would be no problem.’
‘A railway company!’ Kate exclaimed. ‘In Shropshire?’
‘Progress,’ Daniel said, grinning. ‘It will come—even to rural Shropshire.’
‘Not this century.’ Kate returned to the cards. ‘Another coming of age...and at least two of these are for Christmas balls, for heaven’s sake.’
‘Kate, you don’t even know if you’ll be here at Christmas.’
‘You’re right.’ She set the bundle down and joined him on the window seat. ‘It will be the first of August on Monday. Should we talk about what happens—how we will handle things at the end of the month?’
Daniel grimaced. ‘I have had a letter from my lawyer. Unless one of my nieces has a son, the title will go to whichever is the eldest of my father’s first cousins. I’ve no idea what relation that makes them to me, but it’s far too distant for me to hand them Elmswood. Do you think Eloise will have more children?’
‘Goodness, Daniel, Tilda is not even two months old. Though she has started smiling already, Eloise informed me in this week’s letter. Clearly a most advanced child.’
‘The lawyer has sent me a draft settlement for you, but I want him to ensure that you retain the right to live here in perpetuity. No, I’m not changing my mind on that point. Even if you don’t want it now, it would make me happier knowing that you will always have the option.’
A lump rose in her throat. She almost never cried—tears were so pointless and such a waste of time, she felt. But of late she found herself constantly on the brink of them.
‘So you’ll have your lawyer monitor my movements? Will he keep me informed of yours?’
Daniel cursed, taking her hand, pressing a fervent kiss to the back of it. ‘I don’t know. We’ll talk about it another time.’
‘We can’t keep putting it off.’
‘Are Eloise and Alex set on staying in Lancashire for the time being?’
‘I think so,’ Kate said. ‘Travelling with such a small baby is problematic, and Eloise would never abandon Tilda to a wet nurse.’
‘Unlike her own mother,’ he said bitterly. ‘I’m not changing the subject, but before we talk about what happens after I—after the end of August—I need to speak to Alex.’
‘Sir Marcus’s suggestion? I’d forgotten. Can’t you simply write to him, Daniel? If you go to Lancashire you’ll have no option but to meet Eloise and Tilda, and you said...’
‘I know what I said. And I heard what you said too.’
‘When? I say a lot of things. I don’t necessarily remember them all.’
Daniel grinned. ‘But I do. Will we go for a walk around the walled garden? The sun looks as if it’s trying to peek through, and I saw St James heading for the kitchen gardens this morning when I had my swim, so we should be alone.’
‘He has estate business in town today. You have to admire his dedication, Daniel, to work in the gardens in the early mornings before he goes.’
‘I assume he isn’t married, since you’ve never mentioned a wife? Don’t you pay him well enough?’
‘More than enough!’ Kate said indignantly as Daniel pulled the front door behind them. ‘And if he does take on the management of the estate he will be quite a catch. Perhaps he hasn’t met the right woman. Or perhaps he simply prefers to live alone. You of all people should understand that.’
Daniel pushed open the door of
the walled garden and Kate stepped through, stopping immediately, as she always did, to close her eyes and let the garden work its magic.
When he kissed her, she kept her eyes closed. For if she kept her eyes closed it wouldn’t end, and they could also pretend it had never happened. She kept her hands firmly by her sides and their lips clung. She could feel his breath on her face. She could sense his yearning to pull her into his arms. Their kiss deepened. Then their tongues touched and they sprang apart.
Out of habit, they proceeded clockwise around the garden, her hand tucked into his arm, their legs brushing as they walked.
‘I think we should both go to Lancashire,’ Daniel said, breaking the silence as they came to the wilderness.
Kate stopped in her tracks. ‘Both? You mean you and I together?’
‘Well, I certainly don’t see the point in us travelling separately. It’s about a hundred miles, isn’t it? We could do it over two days in two stages.’
He ushered her over to their bench, dropping down beside her, stretching his legs out in front of him as was his habit.
‘It makes perfect sense. I urgently need to speak to Alex. You are desperate to see this wondrous child—and Eloise too, of course. It would kill two birds with one stone.’
She stared at him, astounded, but he kept his gaze resolutely ahead. ‘Sir Marcus said that you were to remain here.’
Daniel shrugged. ‘Sir Marcus told me I must speak to Alex.’
‘You could arrange to do that without visiting the Fearnoch estates.’
‘I could, but I don’t want to.’ He turned towards her. ‘You told me it was selfish of me to refuse to see my nieces. You told me I was punishing them for my father’s crimes. I hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s taken me some time to accept that you’re right. But don’t go planning a big family reunion just yet. Aside from anything else, Kate, you don’t know whether or not Eloise will even want to meet me.’
‘Oh, there’s no question that she will.’
‘You haven’t posed the question because I’ve asked you not to. But I will pose it now, if you will enclose my letter with yours. I can make absolutely no promises to her, but I see now...’ he slanted her a smile ‘...that it was wrong and selfish of me to make up her mind for her.’
‘What about you, though, Daniel? You have been so adamant that you cannot have emotional ties.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s a small risk. I’m doing this for you, because there’s not much else I can do for you, but I’ll make it clear to Eloise that I can make no commitment to keep in touch.’
‘She of all them will understand, being married to Alexander.’
‘Precisely—that’s why I think the risk can be managed.’
The risk to himself of caring, Kate thought sadly.
‘I am sorry,’ Daniel said, taking her hand again. ‘It’s little enough, but it’s all I can offer.’
She gave herself a shake, forcing a smile. ‘I’m going to see Eloise for the first time in over a year and I’m going to meet Tilda for the first time ever. That means the world to me Daniel. Thank you.’
Fearnoch Estates, Lancashire,
one week later
‘I had no idea that Alexander’s domain was so extensive,’ Daniel said, peering out of the post chaise window. ‘We passed the gatehouse lodge about half a mile back and there’s still no sign of the house.’
‘He and Eloise have placed much of the estate in trust for the people who work there,’ Kate said. ‘Alexander was never comfortable with the vast amount of money he inherited. A great deal of what they haven’t already signed away has been invested in the coal mines, and building the villages where the miners and their families live.’
‘Perhaps we could do that with Elmswood. Set up some sort of trust...give the lands over to the people who work them.’
‘That’s a radical idea. Are you serious?’
‘Entirely. We should talk to Alexander about it.’
‘It was actually Eloise’s idea.’
‘Really? Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. She is her mother’s daughter—by which I mean you. But her aunt’s niece doesn’t sound quite right.’
‘Are you nervous, Daniel?’
‘No, Alex and I are acquainted, remember?’
‘You know full well that is not what I meant,’ Kate said with a wry smile.
‘At least I know from Eloise’s reply to my letter that she’ll let me through the door.’
It was a poor answer, and Kate deserved better, but how could he admit to what he was feeling without raising false expectations?
He made a show of staring out of the window, because he was incapable of lying to her face and she always knew when he was prevaricating.
He wasn’t nervous—there was nothing to be nervous about. They were to stay only two nights. He would find out from Alexander what Sir Marcus’s cryptic comments meant—though he still had no idea what difference Sir Marcus thought it would make. Kate would spend time with Eloise and the child. Then they would return to Elmswood and the countdown to the end of August would begin in earnest. But he didn’t want to think about that.
‘Look, you can see the house now.’
Kate leaned over his shoulder to point. Her travelling dress and pelisse were azure-blue, perfectly matching her eyes. He was wearing country dress, which was stifling in the heat of the carriage. There were too many clothes between them—far more than usual. Probably just as well.
The house came into view, a huge, sprawling pile that he couldn’t imagine Alex living in. His heart began to thump uncomfortably. But he had no need to be nervous. He was worried about what Alex might say, that was all.
Kate’s hand found his, pressing it. She thought he needed reassurance. He didn’t, but it was a comfort. It occurred to him far too late that they hadn’t talked about how they would present themselves to Alex and Eloise. Alex, of course, knew that the marriage was strictly one of convenience, and that was what Eloise had always believed too, but conveniently married couples didn’t hold each other’s hands. Or gaze longingly at each other. Or...
‘Daniel, I’ve only just thought... Eloise thinks that we are—goodness, I suppose indifferent is the word.’
Conveniently married couples didn’t read each others mind either, Daniel thought ruefully.
‘We’ll only be here a couple of days, and she doesn’t know me at all.’
‘Yes, but she knows me extremely well. And Eloise is one of those people, Daniel, who notice things. You know...notices the kind of things people would prefer not to have noticed. She’s going to notice that you and I—What am I to tell her?’
‘You’re like her mother. She would not question you on such a personal matter.’
Kate looked quite incredulous. ‘You really don’t understand how things were between us, living at Elmswood. I’m only five years older than Eloise. She was as much a mother to the Twinnies as I was, having stepped into the breach left at their birth by their real mother. We are very close, Daniel—more like sisters than aunt-by-marriage and niece.’
‘Yet you were astonished when you heard about Tilda. She clearly doesn’t tell you everything. Do you really know her as well as you think?’
Kate’s face fell. ‘Perhaps she didn’t confide in me because it was a subject I know nothing of. She has a good deal more experience of love and marriage than I.’
‘Then she’ll have the sense to realise that the precise nature of your marriage is your own business.’
‘Yes.’ Kate bit her lip. ‘But it goes against the grain with me to pretend, Daniel.’
‘I’m not suggesting you pretend. I’m saying that the subject won’t come up. Eloise is a besotted new mother. She’ll have no interest in any other topic of conversation.’
Kate opened her mouth, no doubt to remind him that he didn’t know El
oise, then closed it again. ‘I am looking forward immensely to seeing her and Tilda.’
‘And Alex?’
Kate laughed. ‘Oh, yes, him too. Look, we’re here.’
The post chaise came to a halt at the imposing front entrance, where a wide semi-circle of shallow steps led up to a huge set of double doors.
Even before the carriage steps were unfolded a young woman carrying a white bundle came rushing out of the house. She was dressed in an elegantly simple green gown. Her hair was auburn, not the bright Titian that Gillian’s had been, but she was unmistakably his sister’s daughter. That smile, and those eyes... A lump formed in his throat. It had been almost thirty years since he’d seen Gillian. If she was alive she’d be nearly fifty. Gillian at fifty! How she’d have hated that.
‘Ready?’ Kate looked at him anxiously.
Outside, his sister’s child was holding her own child up to the carriage. Both of them were smiling, and Eloise’s smile was generous, warm, loving. Not a bit like Gillian’s.
Daniel turned away to kiss Kate briefly on the lips. ‘Ready as I’ll ever be,’ he said.
* * *
‘Now that she’s settled she’ll sleep soundly right through the night until six,’ Eloise said proudly as she joined the after-dinner conversation.
‘Truly the most perfect baby that has ever been born to woman,’ Kate said. ‘Seriously, though, she is absolutely adorable. And motherhood suits you—you look radiant.’
‘I don’t feel radiant,’ Eloise replied. ‘I feel fat and overly bounteous.’
Alexander gave a snort of laughter. ‘Nothing I can say will persuade her otherwise, but I’m working on it.’
The pair exchanged a look that Kate, astonished, could only describe as lascivious. Beside her, Daniel was gazing fixedly at the drawing room carpet. He had been silent for most of dinner, just listening to the conversation—which, admittedly, even Kate was beginning to find just a little tedious.
The Inconvenient Elmswood Marriage (Penniless Brides 0f Convenience Book 4) Page 19
