Koryn nodded her head and kissed her on the head again. Then she left the room. Braddock walked over to where Katarina was standing. He grabbed her upper arms and drew her close to his body.
He may have had his whore that lived with him, that would service his urges whenever he had them, but Katarina was the one he would marry. He had found out some years ago that she was excellent in bed, and very loud and demanding, but she let him get away with a lot. Let him do a lot to her. She was his favorite bed partner, hands down. More than willing for him to do any and everything to her.
She also could suck his cock better than any whore ever could. It grew just thinking about her mouth on him and he needed to punish her for trying to get that fucking man to touch her the way he did.
Braddock would do anything in his power to stop that from happening. He didn’t share his toys well and Katarina was the best toy he ever had.
He leaned down and took her mouth in a bruising, punishing kiss, “Tell me kitty Kat. Why would you care that he has a woman? You already have a man. A real one, that can actually make you scream in pleasure, not some stupid beast of a man who probably never even touches his own cock. He wouldn’t know how to handle a woman like you. And besides, she is most definitely his something. Mistress or not. I saw them earlier, leaving the stables both looking disheveled and covered in straw. Let him fuck her as much as he wants kitty Kat. After all, when he is dead, he won’t get to again.”
Katarina threw her arms around him and kissed him back. “I know. It is my only consolation. That I get you as my prize. All men should and do want me, and he doesn’t take a second look. I can barely stand to see him, so I should feel happy that I won’t have to be the one under him while he gets his heir. Seeing him again after so long, his face is worse than what the rumors say. He is so hideous. I am grateful that you will be mine, and not him. At least I will still be a Duchess, that is what truly matters. I will finally be able to have my rightful Duke.”
Braddock growled against her when she said that. “That’s right, your Duke. I don’t want you to say his name in my presence again. Don’t talk about that man touching you. I am the only one who gets to see you and touch you. You are mine and that is final. Now, get on your knees and see about pleasing me before your mother comes back and finds us. You are being punished. All this talk about another man has me worked up, and you need to be reminded of just who you belong to. Suck my cock deep into your mouth until I finish. Let me paint that pretty mouth with my seed. I need that right now. Your complete surrender.”
Katarina dropped to her knees immediately. Unbuttoning the front falls on his trousers. Doing just what he told her too. She sucked his cock hard, until he came all over her mouth, and chest. Rubbing it into her skin after he was done, and licking it off her chin. Grateful that she pleased him before her mother came back to discover their dirty little secret.
Chapter Twenty-One
Aidan
Northumberland, England Sept 1812
The family had dinner that night in his mother’s sitting room. Not wanting to be part of the dinner for their unwanted guests. They left the dining room for Katarina and Koryn to receive their guests and to enjoy the evening without them present.
They wanted to spend this time away from everyone. Happy to not be playing host and hostess. To just have one final night of quiet before spending most of the day getting the ball ready for its debut.
Aidan knew that a lot of the guests were curious about the mysterious Duke of Ablewood and his hideously scarred face. He knew that even if he never made an appearance, people would still talk as if he had. Would make up rumors about him whether he was there or not.
He couldn’t wait to have all these people gone. Just a few more days, and they would all leave. Their curiosity would be satisfied. And he would never have to see them again.
He took a deep breath and let it out. He was glad that right now, the most important people he loved were in it. And yes, that included Rhia. He loved her. Plain and simple. To some, it would never make sense. Here he was, so in love with her and they had only known one another for barely a week. But he also knew that love worked in very mysterious ways.
This afternoon in the stables had ended very differently than he had thought it would. He thought he would tell Rhia about his past, that she would run from the horrible things that were said, and the horrible things that had been done to him. Thinking him a monster, or that his father was one. Which was true, but she didn’t judge him for it.
It certainly wasn’t what had happened. He was beyond thrilled. He still couldn’t believe that she had been the one to kiss him, to make the hurt go away. And then with everything after?
He was blessed beyond belief. Remembering her curves, her perfect breasts, topped with the most beautiful pink nipples, her cries of pleasure, and the way she looked on the floor writhing around in climax? He cleared his throat and discreetly adjusted the hard length in his breeches beneath the table.
Thinking like that would lead to nothing but trouble. He needed a distraction. Something; anything. Cole had looked up when he cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow in silent question. “Something wrong?” Cole asked, and Aidan shook his head.
The food was served then, and Aidan gave a sigh of relief. Rhia sat to his left, Cole to his right and his family around them. Seeing Rhia talk to Lily was so wonderful. They were talking about the gowns for the ball and Rhia was laughing because Lily was refusing to tell her anything about her gown.
He overheard Rhia sigh and say, “Can I at least know about some of the other dresses that were ordered? That way I can tell you if I would wear it or not.”
Lily giggled. “Trust us Rhia. We know you will love all the dresses and other things that were ordered.” Lily winked and Rhia laughed.
Aidan chuckled when he saw that. Rhia turned to look at him, “Is it because of you that I cannot know anything about my new wardrobe? Even though I am still insisting that I don’t need a new wardrobe?”
Aidan grinned at her, “Actually, yes. I like that you will be surprised. My mother and sisters had such fun shopping. My purse is a lot lighter because of it.”
Rhia sucked in a breath and Aidan caught her hand and brought it to his lips. He leaned in close and whispered, “Do not stress over this. Please.”
She looked into his eyes, and she nodded. When Aidan leaned back, he looked over to see his family watching their interaction.
Rhia looked down again, cheeks pink and he laughed softly. He saw his mother’s eyes shining and he smiled. Knowing that she was just happy that he was happy.
They all ate, laughed and got to know each other better through the night. They learned things about the others that most didn’t realize.
Rhia was shocked to learn that Cole’s name wasn’t actually Cole. That it was Nicholas, but they shortened it to Cole.
Most people knew him by Cole and it was rare that he was actually called Nicholas. Mainly his mother called him that when she was cross with him, or just in a teasing mood. Which was how Rhia had found out in the first place.
They were chatting about mundane things, and Cole was speaking quietly to his mother. He apparently had finally decided to tell Lydia about Eden, and a shocked, “Nicholas Jonathan Pierce St. Andrew! How dare you not tell me about this girl. And what is this nonsense about you not speaking to her for three years? That isn’t like you.”
Cole looked around the room after her outburst and a slight blush crept up his cheeks. “Mother,” he tried to start, and she held up her hand to stop him. “You will stop that right now. Stop this nonsense once and for all. You are not your father. Either of you. You can never be like him because it isn’t inside of you to be that way. You are better. More like how he was before, not like how he was after. You need to stop torturing yourself and her. What if you lose your opportunity? What if she chooses another because you wanted to protect her? It would crush you.”
She stood up on her tiptoes and frame
d Cole’s face with her hands. “Don’t let your future be haunted by the mistakes of the past. By the ghosts. He is gone. Dead and buried where he needs to stay. Don’t let him rule you anymore. Be happy my sweet. Don’t let his legacy live on anymore. Let him and his memories die. Please. I don’t want you to ruin your life over him Cole. He isn’t worth it.”
Cole nodded and gathered his mother in a hug. She held on tight for a minute while everyone watched, and Rhia had tears in her eyes.
When she looked to Lily, she also had tears swimming in her eyes. Rose had gone straight past that and was openly crying. Aidan went to Rose’s side and hugged her.
Knowing a little more of his father, Rhia understood why Cole had been reluctant and why everyone was so happy to see him wanting to let go of the past. Aidan too.
Lydia pushed out of Cole’s arms and turned to Aidan. “Aidan Jacob Edward St. Andrew, how dare you not tell me of this? Are there any more secrets you need to let out? Hmm?”
Aidan cleared his throat, “No, mother. But it wasn’t my place to tell you. It was Cole’s. I won’t upset his confidence in me. I apologize.”
Lydia sighed and walked over to hug him as well. “All right Aidan. Thank you. After this ball is over,” she turned, looked at Cole and pointedly said, “You will go straight back to London and speak to her. I mean that young man.”
Cole laughed, “I can’t argue with that.”
Aidan chuckled and hugged his mother tight. “I promise to let you know something in the future. But, I do think we shocked Rhia here. She most likely didn’t know Cole’s real name.”
Rhia giggled, “No, I assumed his name was just Cole. I apologize if I offended anyone.”
Cole laughed, “There is nothing to apologize for Rhia. Not many people know. And, it’s not something we tell everyone. I am simply Cole.”
Rhia laughed, “You aren’t simply Cole.” She thought it was so funny they always insisted they weren’t these wonderful men who did so much for so many.
Cole let out a chuckle, “You are right. I am not simply Cole, but there are days I wish it. Just like Aidan wishes to just be Aidan.”
Rhia remembered what Aidan said in the stables, about how he wanted her to just see him as Aidan. Not as the Duke. And she understood.
These men might be some of the more powerful men in England, but they were just that. Men. Nothing more, nothing less. And she was so grateful that she got to see the men as they were. Not the persona they had to use to survive in the outside world.
She smiled, and Aidan looked over and gave her a small lopsided smile. Her heart skipped a beat and she was so glad she met him. Knew more about him. His true character. And she loved him for it.
She sucked in a gasp. She couldn’t be in love with him. She knew she was falling in love with him, but that was it. Just falling, not all the way there. But apparently, her heart was set on loving the kind man who had taken care of her when she was sick. It was still too soon; they had only met just over a week ago. And most of that time she was delirious with fever.
How could she fall in love so quickly? This sort of thing didn’t happen in real life. Did it? It must, because here she was, sitting in this beautiful home, and in love with Aidan.
He was scarred, had a life she still had mostly no idea about. Had many questions about, like how the rest of his face became scarred, how his father died, among others.
She wished she knew more, but the things she did know? Well, it was a big part of the reason she loved him. He was wonderful, kind, gentle, tough when he needs to be and he was perfect in every way. She loved his scars, his story of how he got them not so much. But she loved his strength. How he had become stronger for the hell he had endured. Of course, she would love him. He was a survivor like she was.
She just didn’t know how she was supposed to tell him. Or if he felt the same about her. And that scared her. A lot.
Aidan knew something was wrong with Rhiannon. She was laughing and talking with Cole when he heard her small gasp. She looked like she was about to faint.
He watched her face and he could tell she was thinking really hard about something. It must have been something unpleasant because her features changed from happy to shocked.
He wanted to ask what was wrong, but she gave her head a shake, and the look in her eyes cleared. Aidan was determined to find out what happened. And he knew just how to do it. He smiled as he thought of kissing it out of her.
They spent the rest of the evening on the settee’s that were around the room. They played games, and laughed and Aidan loved every minute of it.
Just being able to spend time with his family this way, and to get to know Rhia more? He couldn’t think of a more perfect evening.
When it finally ended, he carried a tired Rhia back to her room and kissed her soundly before he retired to his own room.
He knew he would dream of this perfect day and would never forget a minute of it.
Even reliving the horrifying memories of his past didn’t damper his recollections. He was eternally grateful for all that had happened and he would always be glad he finally decided to stop living in the past and move on to the future.
That was all he wanted. Was to have a future with the woman he loved.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aidan
Northumberland, England Sept 1812
The next morning, Aidan woke after having the best sleep he had had in a very long time. He was smiling, and he couldn’t wait to see his mother and talk to her about something very important to him.
He got dressed quickly, after a short scrub down in the water basin, and he wore fawn breeches, a white shirt, cream waistcoat and dark jacket.
It was more formal than he was used to wearing, but today just felt like he needed to dress nicer than just breeches and his regular shirt.
Pulling his hair back into a queue at the nape of his neck, he decided that if he ran into any of the guests that he would rather show them his face. He needed to shave soon, and he wasn’t certain he liked the thought. He rather liked his short beard.
He didn’t want to skulk in the shadows in his own home and he knew he had nothing to be ashamed of and nothing he needed to hide. They were intruders in his home, and he was tired of hiding. Tired of worrying about what other people thought. They didn’t matter. Now that he had found Rhia, he didn’t want to hide any longer.
He really needed to speak to his mother and make certain she knew his feelings. He walked quickly to her chambers and knocked on the door.
It wasn’t his mother who opened the door though, it was Rose. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
“Good morning Aidan!” she said, she gave him a quick hug and he chuckled.
“Good morning to you too sprite. How was your night?”
Rose laughed, “It was so fabulous. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. Rhia is very smart and she is very funny. I really like her.”
Aidan smiled, “I know. Last night was a wonderful night. I can’t remember laughing that hard either. I like her too sprite.”
Lydia came to the door and opened it, gesturing for him to come into her bedchamber.
“What can I help you with Aidan? There isn’t any trouble with Rhia this morning is there?”
Aidan shook his head. “I needed to speak with you. But, if you are busy with Rose, I can come back another time.”
Lydia chuckled, “She is here every morning. We have a ritual we do. But I can have her leave if that is your wish.”
Aidan sighed. “No, I actually would love it if she stayed. But, Rose, can you please find Cole and Lily? I think they need to be here as well.”
Rose looked up at him with wide eyes. She nodded, “Of course, Aidan. I shall be back shortly.” She bustled out of the room and Lydia pulled the bell cord to call for tea and then sat at one of the chairs by the fire.
Aidan paced back and forth, he was nervous and afraid of what his family would say. He hadn’t wanted them all to b
e here, but when he had seen Rose, he knew it was right. This would affect them as well.
The door opened and his siblings walked inside. Rose and Lily claimed a small settee and Cole stood behind their mother. Aidan was nervous now, but he knew they would be happy for him.
Aidan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know you are all wondering why you are here. But, I needed to talk to mother about something very important, and decided you should be here as well.”
He paced again, back and forth and Cole cleared his throat. Aidan looked up and Cole arched an eyebrow at him.
Aidan looked at his mother, “I want to ask Rhiannon if she will marry me. And I want your blessing.”
Lydia laughed out loud, “Oh my love. Of course, you have it. I have loved that girl from the minute you brought her here. She fit in our family since day one. And I know your sisters and Cole feel the same.”
Aidan had to grab onto the mantel. He was so relieved. He knew his family loved Rhia, but he didn’t know how they would feel about her staying there permanently.
All of a sudden, he was bombarded with hugs. His sisters each had a side and were hugging him tight and his brother had a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
Rose spoke up, “Aidan, we love Rhia. Like mother said. Helping her get better, and seeing her strength, we just knew she would be perfect for you.”
Aidan looked over at Cole and he nodded. “I felt it too brother. She is the one for you.”
Lily didn’t say anything, just hugged him tighter and then she looked up at him.
“I am so happy for you Aidan. You deserve to be happy. And we all can see that Rhia is why you feel that way. You are so different lately, and we have loved seeing you smile.”
Aidan smiled and hugged everyone individually. His mother was the last one to hug him and she said, “I want to give you the ring my mother wore when she was married to my father. Your father gave me a different ring, and I feel like that one is tainted. But my mother's ring was beloved by them. It was a perfect symbol of their marriage and they were always happy. I want Rhia to have it, if that’s all right with you girls?”
The Duke Who Loved Me Page 25
