by Vikki Vaught
Thankfully, Boling returned three days later with the signed special license. Margaret threw herself into his arms when she saw him. The youth seemed to be more than willing to marry his sister. After the couple had their reunion, Boling asked to speak to Mathew in private.
Once he took a seat across from him, the young man met his gaze with what looked like contrition in his. “Sir, I know we went about this the wrong way, but I do love her, and I promise I’ll be a good husband. I don’t have any funds right now. Although my uncle is extremely displeased and has cut me off, my future prospects are promising.”
He steepled his fingers. “And what would those be?”
“I am Viscount Hartford’s only heir, and he cannot change that. My uncle is not a well man. Of course, I don’t wish for his death, but the doctors do not give him long to live. If we could impose on you for a while, I would appreciate it. I do not want Lady Margaret to suffer while we wait for my inheritance.”
Matthew poured a glass of brandy for himself and glowered at the lad. “I will allow you to live here, however…it will be on my terms. You will no longer carouse all night, and no gaming or excessive drinking. This is a major step you’re taking, and you must start acting as an adult, since you are taking on the responsibilities of a wife. You do realize you can no longer continue your education, do you not?”
Boling hung his head. “I understand that, sir. I didn’t take school seriously, so I don’t deserve to finish. Lady Margaret must come first. I promise no more excessive drinking, and of course, no more gaming. To be honest with you, I don’t enjoy it very much. I did like spending time with your brother, and since he likes gaming, I went along with it. I appreciate your willingness to allow us to live here, and I promise you will not regret it. From this day forward Lady Margaret’s happiness takes precedence over anything else. Whether you believe it or not, I do love her very much.”
Once he concluded his conversation with Boling, he sent for the vicar, asking him to perform the ceremony. Fortunately, the man came right away. When his sister and her groom exchanged their vows, they appeared solemn and seemed to understand the importance of what they were promising each other.
Helen had quickly organized a wedding breakfast and invited a few of their closest friends. She also held a celebration the following night for his tenants and the farmers, which added credence to his sister’s nuptials.
Matthew prayed fervently Margaret would not live to regret her actions and marriage.
God knows I wasn’t ready to marry at one and twenty, and Boling is even younger by a year.
He hoped Margaret did not conceive too soon. She was too young and immature to become a mother. Their father had spoiled her, so in many ways, she was younger than most sixteen-year-olds. Boling wrote his mother and told her he’d wed. For her sister’s sake, he prayed his mother would accept their marriage.
Gregory was still livid, and this situation with his sister had damaged his friendship with Boling. Of course, it did not stop him from going out with his other two friends. They were still staying out until all hours of the night.
Matthew wanted to ask Gooding and Austin to leave his home right away, but at least the pair would be gone by the end of next week, because the new school term was starting. Perhaps Gregory would settle down once he returned to Cambridge. He did not know what would happen if his brother kept exhibiting such reckless behavior.
Helen was wonderful through the entire ordeal. He could not ask for a more supportive wife. He thanked God every day for bringing her into his life. He’d been so involved in his sister’s debacle, he had not spent much time with her or his children. Now that everything was settling, he’d see if she wanted to take Christina and Catherine on another picnic. The weather was already turning cool, so if they were going to do it, it needed to be soon. He’d ask her if they could go that afternoon.
CHAPTER 17
Fall 1820
Matthew found Helen in the nursery with his daughters, reading them a story, and he loved seeing her lovely animated face. As she read the fairy tale, she not only used her voice tone, she used her hands. Christina and Catherine seemed to be warming up to her much sooner than he’s expected. God was looking out for him. He had certainly blessed him by bringing her into their lives.
He grinned when he caught his wife’s attention. “Would you lovely ladies like to go for a picnic? The weather’s fair; I thought it would be a pleasant outing for us.”
Christina and Catherine ran to him, each little girl hugging a thigh. Christina chimed, “Oh, Papa. We would love that above all things. Is it warm enough to swim?”
Both his daughters had learned to dog-paddle on their last outing. “Certainly. Go with Katie and change.” Matthew smiled at his daughters, then laughed as they tore across the room to their nurse ready to don their bathing attire. He turned to her. “Why don’t you change as well, and we’ll all go swimming?”
Helen’s beatific smile spread warmth throughout him. “I’m so pleased you thought of this. Your daughters love spending time with you, and it’s been a while. I’ll change and meet you out front in ten minutes. Will you bring the girls, or shall I?”
“I’ll bring them.” She rushed to the door. “See you in ten minutes,” he called after her as she bustled from the nursery.
While a little cool, the bracing water felt exhilarating. He tossed the girls in the air and caught them before they hit the surface with squeals of glee. Helen laughed, and he grinned while he continued playing with his daughters. After they frolicked for a while, they tromped out and had their picnic.
After everyone finished their repast, Helen and the girls built the most elaborate sand castle yet, building turrets and a moat, which they filled with seawater. When it was time to leave, Christina and Catherine cried because they did not want to leave. Eventually, he persuaded them to come along without too much fuss with promises of cream cakes for their nursery tea.
The difference in his daughters’ behavior pleased him, and he owed it to Helen. By the time they returned to the house, the girls were sleepy, so they carried them upstairs and laid them in their beds.
Leaving the nursery, Helen sighed. “I’m sorry to see the summer end. It’s hard to imagine it’s almost the middle of September. Do you realize we’ve been married more than two months? In some ways, it seems longer; so much has happened. You warned me your brother and sister were challenging. I never dreamed how much. I will say this, life is never boring.”
His wife’s bright blue eyes glowed, and her pretty cheeks were flushed a delicate pink. His shaft hardened. He’d become so distracted, he’d failed to visit her bed in the past fortnight. He would remedy that tonight.
“Things will calm down next week once Gregory leaves for school,” he assured her. “We’ll have to wait and see regarding Margaret and Boling’s wedded bliss. So far, they’re getting along well. Of course, it’s only been a week. You know what I want to do? Spend a quiet evening alone with you, with no distractions.”
They had arrived at her door. “After dinner, we’ll go to the library and read—”
He pulled her into his arms, not giving her a chance to finish speaking. “I don’t mean reading. I say we retire immediately after finishing our meal. I need you in the worst way.” The color rushed to her cheeks, and his loins tightened.
She gasped. “Oh.” He buzzed her cheek and released her, then sauntered to his door, giving her a wink before entering.
Oh, yes, I have big plans tonight.
* * * *
That evening, they went straight to their rooms after dinner. Once Sally helped her dress in her nightgown, she sent her off to her bed. No sooner had her maid left the room, her husband entered. He must have been waiting by her door, the rogue. He looked so devilish with that stubborn lock of hair hanging on his forehead. Her pulse jumped as she stared into his smoldering gaze.
Matthew strode to her, and taking her into his arms, he gave her a bruising kiss, pulling her t
ight. As he walked her backwards, he peeled her nightgown off, and tossing it to the side, he pushed her down on the satin sheets.
A blaze of desire settled at her core. “You have the most beautiful body,” he growled, his voice huskier than normal. “I adore your sweet-tasting breasts. They’re growing before my eyes. What will happen when I do this?” Matthew swooped in and took her nipple in his mouth, running his tongue around her areola.
In their previous encounters, he’d always taken the lead. Tonight, it was her turn. Tangling her fingers through his hair, Helen pulled until she could capture his mouth in a deep kiss. After satisfying that craving, she trailed kisses across his muscular chest to his flat male nipple and teased it with her tongue and teeth.
He groaned, clearly enjoying her exploration. She slowly continued to traverse his well-muscled stomach, licking around his navel. Reaching lower, she wrapped her fingers around his swollen length and boldly moved her hand up and down.
When she squeezed his thick shaft, he uttered a moan.
If I adore it when he pleasures me with his tongue, he should enjoy it as well.
She kissed her way down his stomach, then ran her tongue along the thick pulsing vein and bulbous head. A drop of liquid pearled on the tip, and she licked it off. The taste was strangely enticing, salty and sweet at the same time. Her core liquefied and burned as desire turned her veins to molten lava.
Matthew gasped as she took him into her mouth and sucked. She gazed up at her husband’s flushed face as his eyes rolled back in his head, clearly enjoying her ministrations. A burning sensation spread through her passage and moist heat pooled between her thighs. It gave her a keen sense of power, knowing she could affect him to such a degree.
Rolling her tongue around his engorged shaft, a long, keening moan erupted from her husband. Her hips moved of their own accord as she continued to revel in the taste and earthy scent of his arousal.
“Oh, God,” he cried, “You’ll unman me, my love. Take me into your body and ride me.”
At first, she was not entirely sure what he meant, but he rolled onto his back and grabbed her around the waist, then slid inside her tight sheath. She gave an experimental move and found a steady rhythm. Her muscles clenched around him; a tingling sensation coiled tighter and tighter.
He surged upward. She reveled in the knowledge that she could make him lose control so completely and loved the look of ecstasy on his face as she continued to ride him faster and harder.
Matthew thrust deep, much deeper than ever before, as she neared her release. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead and formed upon her breasts as she twisted and turned, trying to reach the stars. He stroked her sweet spot. His touch pushed her over the edge, and she went soaring as he reached his peak and spilled his seed inside her.
She slumped against his broad chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. They lay sated as their breathing returned to normal, and her heart stopped pounding.
“I’ve never felt such passion as I feel with you,” he murmured drowsily, while stroking her shoulders. “You’re a passionate woman, and I’m blessed to have you in my life. When I asked you to marry me, I never dreamed our union would be so fulfilling.”
At that moment, Helen fought the urge to tell him she loved him; fear held her tongue. He’d called her “my love.” Of course, that was at the height of passion. His actions spoke of love, but she needed to hear the words.
Matthew’s breathing slowed. He’d dozed off. She would keep her love hidden away in her heart until he said the words she longed to hear. Snuggling close, she closed her eyes and fell asleep in his embrace, so thankful she’d had the good sense to marry him.
* * * *
At last, Gregory and his friends were returning to school. Relief surged through him as he watched the carriage pull away. He placed his arm around his wife’s small waist. “I pray he’ll stay out of trouble. Of course, that’s probably wishful thinking. You’ve handled all his shenanigans extremely well. Most women would have run screaming to their families. Thank you for being so supportive.”
Her sweet smile was balm to his soul. “That’s what marriage is all about, standing beside each other through the good times and the bad. I care for you a great deal, and you’ve become my best friend. If the tables were turned you would do the same thing for me.”
Matthew bit his tongue to keep from telling her he loved her. While she seemed more open and receptive, he did not want her to withdraw. “I’m looking forward to our trip tomorrow. Are you sure we should take the girls without any servants? I know they’re much better behaved, but it will be a lot of work for us.”
“Stop worrying.” She patted his cheek. “We’ll have fun. I’m going upstairs; I need to catch up on my correspondence. I shall see you at luncheon.” She grinned as she ran up the stairs.
The following morning, they departed for Plymouth shortly after eight. Christina and Catherine bounced on their seat and kept looking out the window. When they traveled through a village, they asked a dozen questions, wanting to know how much further before they would arrive.
Matthew enjoyed watching Helen entertain the girls as they traveled along the road. She’d remembered to bring along a few of their books to distract them. She had a knack for it, and seeing her with his daughters only increased his love for her.
They reached Plymouth shortly after eleven, in plenty of time for luncheon. They stopped at the coaching inn, and he paid for a suite so the girls would have their own room. Once Helen unpacked, they went downstairs to the private dining parlor.
Luncheon was a delightful experience. Christina and Catherine were on their best behavior and seemed thrilled by what they called their great adventure. It was exciting to be on a trip with just Helen and the girls. Perhaps they would survive without servants after all.
After luncheon, Matthew herded his wife and the twins outside, and they strolled to the shopping area. They went to the dressmaker first, to order new clothing for the girls, since Christina and Catherine had outgrown most of theirs. Helen selected several dresses for them, and she ordered some warm day dresses and flannel petticoats for herself. Winter was just around the corner.
Once they finished with the dressmakers, they went to the millinery. Helen admired a pretty chip straw bonnet, and he insisted on purchasing it for her. The confectionery was next door, so he allowed Christina and Catherine to select one sweetmeat apiece. It was such a joy, watching the girls’ eyes grow round as they tried to choose which one they wanted.
A quaint little bookshop was their final stop. By the time they returned to the inn, Christina and Catherine were yawning and rubbing their eyes, Helen put them down for a nap. They decided to rest as well so they would be ready to handle the girls when they awoke full of energy.
After unbuttoning her gown and loosening her stays, they snuggled under the covers, and Matthew pulled her into his arms and gave her a gentle kiss. It was so blissful to lie together. He enjoyed the closeness. Helen was so tired she quickly drifted off to sleep in his arms.
Once they awoke from their respective naps, they strolled on the wharf, and the girls peppered him with questions, wanting to know what kind of ships were moored there and did they have pirates on them.
The evening meal was interesting. It was the first time Christina and Catherine had dined formally with him. Both little girls sat quietly and ate all their food. It warmed his heart to see such a change in his daughters.
Looking at them, he smiled. “I’m very proud of your pretty manners. Since you ate all your dinner, you may have a pudding for dessert, and Helen will read you a story when you go to bed.”
After they finished eating their dessert, they took Christina and Catherine upstairs, and she read them a fairy tale. Before she finished the book, the twins had fallen fast asleep, and after tucking them in, they went into their chamber.
“Turn around, I’ll help you remove your gown.” His voice came out raspy from the passion stir
ring in his gut.
With each button he released, he placed a kiss from the nape of her neck to her lower back. Once her dress was unbuttoned, he pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Turning her around, he rained a trail of hot kisses across her shoulders. He suckled her breast through her silk chemise. Anticipation had him reeling as she pulled his head up and kissed him.
Sweeping her up, he carried her to the bed, then tore off his clothes and quickly joined her. Soon, he was caught in a sensual storm, and a rushing tide of pleasure submerged him as he pulled off her chemise and sucked her taut nipple into his mouth. While he kneaded her other breast, sharp tingling sensations continued to shoot straight to his bollocks.
No longer able to wait, he parted her thighs and surged home. As soon as he was inside, her inner muscles tightened around his shaft, and he started moving harder and faster. Sweat dripped from his brow and his stones tightened as his essence flooded her sheath. He groaned out his release and he collapsed against her. Helen wrapped her arms around his back. Realizing he had to be crushing her, he rolled to the side, pulling her with him.
His heart raced so fast he feared it would stop altogether as she laid her head on his chest. He gathered her closer and kissed her temple. As she relaxed in his arms, he closed his eyes and fell into an exhausted slumber, thanking God for the precious gift of his incredible wife.
* * * *
Even though they got a late start the following morning, the return trip went well, and they arrived home by one. Matthew went to his study while Helen took the twins to the nursery. Christina and Catherine told Miss Wilson all about their great adventure. They were so excited they talked a mile a minute. She left them in the schoolroom and made her way to her rooms to freshen up for tea.
When she entered the drawing room, Margaret was already there and Helen asked, “Did you enjoy your day yesterday? We had a lovely time in Plymouth. Christina and Catherine were little angels the entire time. I was a little worried about taking them without any servants, but it worked out well. How did you and Mr. Boling entertain yourselves?”
