Under the Mask: A Multi-Genre Collection

by Monica Corwin

"I…can we take the blindfold off now?"

  He leaned over her and unfastened the blindfold, the touch of his body on hers a balm to her anxiety. It also helped that he responded so quickly to her needs, emotional as well as the physical.

  "There, is that better?" he asked gently, stroking her cheek while still leaning over her.

  She nodded. "I think I'm not ready for sex where I can't see the who. I'm sorry."

  "No need to apologize to me. I want your happiness as much as my own. Do you need to stop?"

  Surprise flashed through her and tears welled up. He would, too. He'd really stop when he obviously needed release. That he asked her that settled the fear which had come interfering with her pleasure.

  "No, please. I just need to see you."

  He kissed her again, rocking against her with his hips, and his erection stroked against her clit. Then he sat back on his heels and took a minute to untie her legs. He rubbed where the ropes had been, back and forth. The sensual gentleness of it filled her with emotions she couldn't find the words to express.

  He turned slightly and bent so his mouth started at her knees and kissed his way up one leg. When he neared her apex, he bit down again. It shocked her into jumping, and then she moaned as the pleasure hit her. He suckled and licked at the spot, then bit her again. He repeated it on the other side, and she thought she'd die if he didn't give her the final release of an orgasm.

  He lifted her hips up, pulling her core to his erection, which tightened the ties on her wrist. Excitement pooled in her at the heat of lust on his face. "Do you want this? Say it, Ariel. Tell me you want it."

  "God, please, yes. I want it. Please." Holy hell. Her clit throbbed in need.

  He dipped just the tip in. "Yes, this?"

  "More. I want more."

  He slammed into her wet channel, and the fire that had been building combusted. She started coming against him, clenching him. He groaned and then started pounding into her as if he'd lost all control. Her breasts ached, her whole body reacted like a live wire with flames shooting out, and the orgasm didn't stop. Whenever she thought it would, he'd alter the position just slightly and she'd go higher.

  He leaned over and sucked hard on her nipple as he pistoned into her faster and faster. Colored spots started appearing before her eyes. With a loud guttural cry, he came, triggering her own final release. He lay on her spent for a minute then untied her arms. He rubbed her wrists, kissing them tenderly, then cuddled her close, still holding one of her wrists in one hand.

  Her body exuded a languid satiation level never known to her before. The kisses and gentleness made her want to cry happy, healing tears. Even spent, having had his way with her, he still gave her attention instead of leaving and walking off. This, this was what had been missing for too many years. The intimacy, the love.

  "Are you okay?" he asked.

  "Wonderful," she said. And she was, though fear and guilt were trying to raise their ugly heads.

  They fell asleep like that. She woke up a while later, guilt slamming her. She'd agreed to marry Richard in the heat of the moment. The day had been awesome, wonderful, but reality snaked in to her consciousness. She needed to go back, for her kids.

  Before he'd made love to her, the whole thing had been like a dream. Now, though, her love for him bit in sharp. She fingered the blanket, staring at the bedside candle, its flame flickering low as the wax neared its end. How could she stay here with him, abandoning her children just so she felt good? She stood, careful to not wake him, put on her clothes, cursing under her breath as she fought with the stays of her corset. Once her shoes were on, she crept out of the room and to his study, digging in his secretary for paper and ink.

  She penned a letter of apology, stating she'd realized she couldn't abandon her children and had to leave and that she didn't trust herself to remain strong in her resolve if she spoke with him.

  Tears splashed on the letter, but she couldn't stop them anymore than she could stop the tide. She would have a true chance at happiness here if she stayed, but she couldn't leave her kids like that. It would poison her happiness and turn it into acid, burning her heart and mind. She hurried to the room with the fireplace in it, searching for the runes. When she found them, she had to push many times, crying, "Please, I need to go back to my kids. My happiness is not important."

  Finally, the fireplace opened, and she stepped through. She turned back as it shut. "Goodbye, my love," she whispered.

  From the doorway, Richard watched her tears as she struggled around the fireplace. He'd heard her getting dressed and feigned sleep before going after her. He realized what she was about when he saw her penning the letter, but the tears she shed kept him from interfering. With great effort, he pushed past his pain that she was leaving him to look at why.

  Her kids. He knew that lay at the crux of it. When she'd found such pleasure, she likely felt guilt over it. Plus, she probably feared the emotional connection they forged and was running scared. The fear, he could overcome and help her with, but the guilt over her kids was not something he would even try. Her own code of honor would demand she go back. Plus, if she never went back, how would her daughter know to send him letters? No, this was how it had to be.

  So, with heavy heart, he let her go, wiping his tears as she stepped into the fireplace. With feet heavy with sadness, he made his way to his study and pulled out the letters from Bethany. He knew she'd go back from the moment she was in his world, but that didn't stop the pain from lancing through him. How long would this wrenching in his heart last?

  Months went by. He stopped going to events, only taking care of his people, but otherwise staying closed in his study, rereading the letters and wishing he had more from Ariel, wishing he could take some action to bringing her back. Then it hit him. He could write to her the way he'd been writing to Bethany. Also, he still had to find out how his fireplace made its way to the Americas and how to make it happen.

  Growling, he searched for pen and paper. When he found them, he began writing. How the hell had he not thought of it before. He poured his heart out to her, asking her to return to him, bringing her children if she thought it best. Told her he loved her and still wanted to marry her. He stopped from begging, but only just. With more hope than he'd had in months, he opened the fireplace and put the letter through, hoping the universe delivered it to where it needed to be.

  Chapter Seven

  Present Day…

  Ariel smiled at her daughter, knowing she was trying to cheer her up. She felt sick though, and after weeks of it, finally figured out the cause. She was pregnant with Richard's child. Guilt and sorrow were her constant companions. Within a week of her returning—which had been the morning after she left—her husband had left her and saved her the trouble of leaving him. Her lawyers and his had already duked out the money. She had attributed her illness and tiredness to stress even though she'd been relieved she'd come back.

  Ariel forced him to put large amounts into a trust fund for both kids for college and a huge amount to her. When he'd protested, she'd given him a list of duties she'd performed for his offices without getting paid and threatened to sue him for unpaid wages. She had him put the two houses in both children's names, with right of survivorship for her on the main house and him on the summer house.

  Everything was signed and recorded with the court. They were just waiting out the minimum time the court forced on people divorcing. "I'm sorry, sweetie, what?" Her daughter had asked a question, and she'd totally missed it.

  "You're unhappy here, Mom. Go back to Lord Montgomery."

  "But you and Tyler need me here."

  "Not anymore. Your divorce with Dad and your demands have set us both up for success. Tyler and I have both talked. I've showed him the letters from Lord Montgomery, though. He didn't believe me until I did. Anyway, we're both going to be fine. You've made sure we can go to the colleges of our choice and set up trust funds for during and after. You've raised us to be self-sufficient, to depend
on just us and loved us through it all. You've succeeded despite Dad being absent all the time." Bethany laughed a bit. "The other woman is pissed as you've tied up most of Dad's capital. I've heard them fighting over it. She thought they'd get the summer home, and she'd be living high on the hog, flitting about shopping and buying anything she wanted. I don't understand what Dad sees in her."

  Ariel felt an unholy glee at that, which she quickly squashed. "Good. I knew she was a gold digger. Most of them are. They think I sit around doing nothing but showing off my jewels all day. However, as long as she treats you okay, don't be mouthy."

  Bethany rolled her eyes. "I heard her say you were lazy. I yelled at her. Dad was so mad at me. Anyway, Tyler and I talked. We're fine. We have Grandma and Aunt Sue for emotional support, both of whom are appalled at Dad's behavior. Dad has agreed to let us live with Grandma and Aunt Sue, so we wouldn't have to live with the gold digger, plus, we'd see dad just as much as always. And, if Dad reneges on letting us stay with Grandma and Aunt Sue, we'll be out of the house soon enough." Bethany shoved both hands on her hips. "Mom, I can see you're already arguing with the idea in your head, but think about it. Richard really does love you. I've been writing him since you told me about him, and I’m going back to the house with the fireplace to see if he's written again."

  Ariel stared after her daughter, stunned into immobility. When the hell did she get so grown up? Ariel grabbed her stomach and rubbed it. "And what am I to do with you, little one?" And what was she to do about Richard? Perhaps…did she dare write him? The idea had crossed her mind before, but she'd been afraid. Afraid of messing up timelines, but more, afraid she'd not be able to resist going back to him.

  With a small sigh, she made herself ice water, then went to lay down on the couch to watch movies. Exhaustion bit her hard these days, but at least she now knew why. She fell asleep while watching De Ja Vu with Denzel Washington and dreamed of Richard and their night together.

  When she awoke, disorientation caused her to think she remained in 1815 until she heard her daughter's voice.

  "Mom!" Bethany called in that impatient voice which meant she'd had to repeat herself. "Where are you at? I know you're here."

  "In the small family room."

  Her daughter bounced into the room in the way only teenagers seemed to manage. "Mom! Another letter arrived. It's addressed to you this time! Open it!"

  Ariel took the letter when proffered and stared at it as if she'd never seen paper before. She recognized his bold scrawl across the front. Hands shaking, she opened it up.

  My dearest Ariel,

  Come back to me. I understand why you left and that it was meant to be, or I'd never have received your daughter's letters, but my life is dull without you. I will marry you the minute you step foot back in England. Well, with special license, but money and connections can buy me the short route. You may bring your children with you, if they so choose to come. Please, I need you.

  Yours with great love and affection,

  Richard

  Ariel's eyes swam with tears until the words blurred.

  "What does it say?" Bethany bounced from one foot to the other.

  Mutely, Ariel handed her the letter. Tears still clogged her throat. She laid a hand on her belly. She now had another child to think of.

  "Mom, you have to go. I'll ask Tyler if he wants to go or stay and think about it too. Is he rich as well as titled?"

  Ariel laughed. "Yes, and so am I."

  "What?" Bethany shrieked. "Of course I'm coming. I want to have a title too!"

  "You have to ask your dad."

  "Oh sure. That conversation will go over well. Mom, can't I please just go?"

  "Ask your dad to go to Europe. We can recruit someone to write postcards for you for a bit from different places or something if you're sure you want to go. It means you won't ever see him again."

  Bethany sobered up. "True," she replied slowly. "Can we go in a week? I'll spend it with him and say my goodbyes. I really want to go, Mother. All of my life, I've felt as if I were born to the wrong time. You know it's true. How many teenagers spend their lives in libraries looking up ancient history? Who does Regency studies for fun?"

  Ariel sighed. "Of course I won't stop you from coming with me. I love you and missed you greatly in my time over there. One week. I will write Richard a return letter. Will you take it before going off to see Tyler? Also, if Tyler doesn't want to come, have him please to come spend as much time with me as he would."

  "Of course! I've become best friends with the gal there. She looks an awful lot like you and me, doesn't she?"

  Ariel quickly penned the letter saying she'd come within a week her time but had no idea how long would pass in his. With an addition of an endearment and the news her daughter would be joining her, Ariel sealed it. She had a lot to do, including finding out exactly how the fireplace came to be in America from 19th century England and make sure it happened again. She wanted details so it wouldn't get messed up. Plus, if she wasn't mistaken, she had a sneaky suspicion she was that young hostess's great-great grandma. Ariel couldn't wait to meet her again with her current knowledge.

  November, 1815

  Lord Montgomery turned as the fireplace grated across the floor. A letter flew out. He snatched it out of the air and read the contents. Elation swept through him. A week? She and her lovely daughter would be there within a week in her time. He had so much to do. Only God knew how much time before she set foot there in his time.

  Richard ran to the sitting room where his mother worked on her embroidery. "Mother! She is returning and bringing her daughter. We must ready the rooms."

  "Goodness, Richard, I'd despaired of her ever returning. This is great news. And she's bringing a daughter? We must enlist your sister's help in obtaining a wardrobe for her immediately. Do you know anything of her sizes and age?"

  Richard stopped in his tracks. "God, I know nothing of fripperies and things. She is sixteen, that I do know. I remember Ariel mentioning she was a bit taller than her." How the hell was he supposed to know these sorts of things?

  "How much time do we have?"

  "She says a week in her time. I don't know. Could be a week, a day, an hour. I just know she's coming!"

  His mother laughed with him and set aside her embroidery before standing up and hugging him. "I'm so happy for all of us, Richard. And I can't wait to meet Bethany. We shall have our hands full if she's half as beautiful as her mother. I will send a runner for your sister immediately and have the cook stock the larder."

  Richard hugged her again then spoke with his hands on her shoulders. "Mother, I know you've stayed with me these past weeks to keep me company. The pretext you gave of having your house redecorated was flimsy since you just redid it last spring. Thank you," he finished quietly.

  "Oh Richard." She patted him on the cheek a moment, and a tear slid down her cheek. "Mothers do what they can for their children. I missed her too." She cleared her throat and left the sitting room.

  Richard ran to the room with the fireplace, wondering if he could hurry the time along. God, when would she get there? He sat on the settee and put his head in his hands to think and calm down. A daughter. He was inheriting a daughter. The enormity of it all swamped him, but the joy overwhelmed all else.

  He stood up to begin preparations, thinking himself silly for waiting there. Three days went by. He went to London, hiring a dressmaker to come to his home at a moment's notice, ordered a few more deliveries of fabrics based on his mother's suggestions, sent messages to his sister and her husband, as well as to his banker, and finally, and most importantly, he made sure all was in order for the special license. Even going as fast as he could manage, he spent another three days in London. On the trip home, he stopped at his favorite horse breeder to select a mild-mannered white horse for Bethany. For some reason, he wanted a white one for her and had none in his own stables. While walking back to his carriage, he found a litter of pups. One had reddish brown coat and eyes
of chocolate that peered up at him soulfully. The pup came and licked his hand then sat on its haunches with a small whine. Richard reached down and lifted the poor beast.

  "Her name is Shawna," a young voice piped up.

  He vaguely recognized the kid as one of the owner's children. "She's beautiful."

  "You need to take her home now," the kid said. "She's my favorite, but she licked you and everything. My da says when the animal chooses a human, it's best to let them go."

  Richard started to say no, then changed his mind and threw the lad a coin. Shawna now sat on the seat next to him, along with a sundry of items needed for a dog. Many wistful sighs came from him with happy ones from Shawna. He took the pup with him to the fireplace room and held her, staring at the fireplace, willing it to move. Time passed, though he couldn't say how much. He fell asleep, Shawna on his chest. Shawna whimpered excitedly, waking him. He blinked his eyes open and sat up.

  "Mom, you didn't mention he had a puppy!" a new voice said.

  Richard sat there staring at a young woman as she took the puppy and cuddled it. "Her name is Shawna," he said sleepily.

  "Richard," another voice whispered.

  He stood up, searching for the owner. "Ariel!" She jumped into his arms, and he hugged her tight before kissing her as if his life depended on it. "I've missed you."

  "I've missed you."

  "I'm glad to finally meet you," Bethany said, still stroking the puppy.

  "Bethany, meet Richard, Lord Montgomery. Richard, my daughter. My son stayed behind."

  Richard let go of Ariel and grabbed Bethany in a grateful hug. "Your letters have meant so much to me. I am ever grateful you loved your mother so much as to write a complete stranger." He stepped back and put his arm around Ariel. "There is much to do, but we've already started the preparations. I hope you'll be happy here, even with all you have to learn and what you've given up."

  "I'm sure I will be delighted."