Courted by the Captain

by Anne Herries

  ‘This is lovely,’ Jenny said, holding her hand up to admire her ring. ‘Thank you so much, dearest Adam. I shall treasure it. I think I like pearls as much as any jewel, but in time I may wish to wear others from Mama’s box—or your family’s heirlooms. There is plenty of time to decide.’

  ‘You look charming as you are,’ Adam said. ‘I have noticed that you do not care for ostentation, which is why I chose as I did—but, as I said, the other jewels will be at your disposal. I wrote to Grandfather and told him the good news and I know he will make an effort to be at our wedding. He will be delighted to meet you, Jenny.’

  Jenny smiled and was about to reply when a tap at the door heralded the arrival of Lady Dawlish. She beamed at them and reminded them it was time to leave.

  ‘We must leave now or our guests will begin to arrive before we are there...’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Jenny said and held out her hand. ‘Adam has given me my ring.’

  ‘Beautiful, as you deserve,’ Lady Dawlish said. ‘Well, it is all as I hoped from the start. I am happy to have been of service to you, my love, and congratulate myself on having helped to bring about such a wonderful match for you—and you, too, Adam.’

  Adam glanced at Jenny. Seeing the roguish look in his eyes, she was hard put to it not to laugh. If her kind friend had any idea of the fortune Adam had just told her was at her disposal, she would go into hysterics. However, she was well meaning and sincere in her wishes—and, indeed, had Jenny not been travelling to stay with her that fateful day none of this would have come about.

  ‘I know how much I owe you, my dear Lady Dawlish,’ Jenny said. ‘I am so happy I think I must look foolish...’

  ‘Oh, no, she looks beautiful, does she not, Adam?’ her hostess said coyly.

  ‘Jenny knows exactly what I think of her,’ Adam said and reached for her hand. ‘Come, my love. Lady Dawlish is right. We must not keep our guests waiting.’

  ‘And I cannot wait to dance with you,’ Jenny said. ‘Though you must ask Lucy to dance with you once, Adam. She will only dance with family this evening—so you must ask her, please.’

  ‘I shall be delighted to dance with Lucy,’ Adam said and looked down at her. ‘As long as I can spend the rest of the evening with you.’

  * * *

  ‘So you are to marry the heir to Earl Benedict,’ Aunt Martha said and then kissed Jenny’s cheek. ‘I am glad you have come home to be married—I thought you might not after what your uncle did.’

  ‘You and my uncle meant to be kind,’ Jenny said. ‘Had I not gone to stay with Lady Dawlish I might never have met Adam—and so all is well that ends well.’

  ‘Yes, I dare say,’ her aunt replied and looked a little sheepish. ‘I could have died when I heard what terrible things that man...Fontleroy...had done. I had no idea of... Believe me, I should never have condoned his courtship of you had I known.’

  ‘From what Adam has discovered he was living on borrowed time and deeply in debt. Adam thinks he must have known about Papa’s secret investments and that is why he was so determined to marry me.’

  ‘Yes, I dare say.’ Her aunt looked outraged. ‘How dare he deceive us all! The man was a positive rogue. Please forgive me...’

  ‘How could you have known?’ Jenny smiled at her. ‘It is all forgotten, Aunt. All I want now is for you to help me prepare for my wedding—and for us all to be friends.’

  ‘Well, that is generous of you, Jenny, and I shall accept your offer. Your uncle is determined to make amends and he wants to give you something you would really like as your wedding gift, but he does not know what it ought to be.’

  ‘Anything my uncle wishes to give me will be perfectly acceptable.’ Jenny was thoughtful for a moment, then, ‘However, I think I should like a small carriage dog—and perhaps a phaeton and pair of my own. He must consult Adam about the horses because he is a good judge of quality. Adam has promised to teach me to drive when we go down to his grandfather’s estate. We are to spend a few nights there before travelling to Paris and then through France. However, we shall not take the grand tour for Adam is eager to oversee events at his mine.’

  ‘Will you be living at the earl’s estate?’

  ‘Adam says the choice is mine. If I do not dislike it, we may make our own apartments there, though he has his own estate and we shall spend some time there.’

  ‘I hope you will come to London sometimes?’

  Her aunt sounded wistful and Jenny smiled. ‘You will be very welcome to come and stay wherever we live, Aunt—and my uncle, too.’

  Aunt Martha dabbed at her eyes. ‘How kind you are, my dear—and I must say you look delightful in that yellow colour.’

  * * *

  Jenny’s wedding gown was of warm ivory silk, swathed across the bodice with layers of tulle and trimmed with Brussels lace at the edge of the elbow-length sleeves. She wore a bonnet of the same shade decorated with deep-yellow silk primroses and tied with yellow-satin ribbons at the side. Her stole was of heavy deep-yellow silk and trimmed with a small ivory fringe and tiny diamonds; her shoes had flared heels and were of soft ivory leather embroidered with yellow daises and centred with diamonds. Around her throat, she wore Adam’s wedding gift—a double row of large creamy pearls with a deep topaz drop in the shape of a teardrop.

  ‘You look wonderful,’ Lucy said when she brought Jenny’s bouquet of yellow roses with sprays of scented white freesias. ‘I think I have never seen you look as lovely, dearest.’

  ‘It is because I am happy and because of the lovely gown Adam chose for me,’ she said. ‘He wanted to arrange it all for me, though he has not seen it finished, of course—but he told the seamstress that he wanted a gown fit for a princess, which I believe it is.’

  ‘Yes, it is lovely and suits you to perfection,’ Lucy said and kissed her cheek. ‘I love the pearls Adam sent you; they are gorgeous.’

  ‘Beautiful,’ Jenny agreed and kissed her back. ‘I owe you so much, Lucy. Had you not invited me to stay with you I might never have met Adam.’

  ‘Do you not think it was meant to be?’

  ‘Perhaps...’ Jenny paused as she heard her aunt calling to them. ‘We must go down, Lucy. My uncle is waiting to take us to the church.’

  * * *

  Jenny’s heart raced as she saw Adam waiting for her in front of the altar. The sun shone on the silver cross and candlesticks, shedding a variety of colours on to the old stone floor. Adam was so very handsome, dressed in a dark-blue coat, pristine white linen and pale-buff breeches with long boots, he stood out from the crowd. Jenny’s heart filled with love for him, her breath catching in her throat. She had thought once that this day would never happen and she could scarce believe how lucky she was that he loved her, as she loved him.

  He turned his head and smiled as she walked towards him, the look in his eyes sending little thrills of pleasure winging through her body. She knew that he thought her lovely, and, by the fire in his eyes, sensed that his thoughts were of later when they could be alone together. She longed for that too, but for the moment they must think of their guests and make sure that everyone enjoyed themselves—though for Jenny all that mattered was the smile in Adam’s eyes as he greeted her.

  ‘You are beautiful, my darling,’ he murmured softly. ‘I am so fortunate to have found you.’

  Jenny half-shook her head, her eyes conveying that she believed she was the lucky one as he reached for her hand and held it and the vicar began the wedding ceremony.

  ‘Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here this day to join this man and this woman together in Holy Matrimony...’

  Jenny’s heart filled with joy as she heard the murmur of the congregation, the vicar’s voice and outside the high tuneful song of a thrush. This was her perfect day and she would remember it all her life.

  * * *

  ‘I
am delighted to meet you,’ Earl Benedict said, taking her hand to kiss it. ‘You are as lovely as my grandson told me and I believe he has been very fortunate in his choice of a bride. It is my fervent hope that I shall live long enough to see your son born.’

  ‘Grandfather!’ Adam protested.

  ‘No, Adam, the earl means no harm. I shall do my best to oblige you, sir. I hope that we shall have at least two sons and a daughter—but I cannot promise it.’

  ‘Damn me, but the girl has spirit,’ the earl said and looked amused. ‘I am certain that if you wish for such a family you will achieve it. I thought you lovely, but I did not know you had so much sense. Adam has chosen even better than I expected.’

  ‘Grandfather is to stay in London for a few days,’ Adam said, ‘which means we may stay at his house until we embark for France.’

  ‘How lovely,’ Jenny said. ‘I was hoping to see your home very soon, sir, and that is a lovely surprise.’

  ‘You have given me more than I had ever hoped for,’ the earl told her. ‘You must tell me what you wish for and if it is at all possible I shall grant your wish.’

  Jenny laughed and shook her head, turning to look up at Adam. ‘I already have everything I could ever want,’ she said and held out her hand. She smiled as he took it and then bent his head to kiss it. ‘But I shall enjoy seeing your home, sir.’

  ‘Tonight I shall tell you what to expect,’ Adam promised and the look in his eyes promised so much more.

  * * *

  They spent the night at a house provided by one of Adam’s friends. It was a small country house staffed only by a few servants, who had been very discreet, leaving a tasty cold collation for them in the sitting room of the master suite in case they were hungry and then disappearing.

  ‘Alone at last,’ Adam said, reaching for his lovely bride. ‘Have you sensed how impatient I was to be alone with you, dearest?’

  ‘No more impatient than I,’ Jenny assured him. She looked up at him, anticipating his kiss. Her body was on fire with longing and a deep need that she hardly understood but knew was the need to be one with him—to be his wife in every way. ‘Much as I enjoy the company of our friends—and I loved your grandpapa, Adam—but I too longed for this moment.’

  ‘My sweet darling,’ he said, stroking her cheek and down the line of her throat. His hand moved across her breast, which was soft beneath the thin muslin of her gown. ‘Are you hungry? I believe they have done us proud if you care for something before we retire.’

  ‘I told your grandfather that you are all I want. It was true then and it is true now, Adam. Please, take me to bed now. Make me your own, my dearest love. I have dreamed of this moment and I am ready...’

  She needed to say no more for Adam’s mouth was on hers, his kiss making her moan with pleasure and melt into him. Her nipples pouted and strained beneath her delicate gown, aching for his touch. He bent down to catch her behind the knees and carry her to the bed, sitting her down on the edge.

  ‘I should have called for your maid,’ he said, looking at her ruefully. ‘I shall ruin your gown.’

  ‘Unhook me,’ Jenny invited and turned her back so that he could unfasten the tiny hooks at the back of her travelling gown. Once they were done, she shrugged it off her shoulders and together they tugged the skirt down. Their mutual impatience made Jenny giggle and she wriggled to help him free her of the silken gown. Now just in her delicate chemise, she looked at him, waiting for him to slip the straps down. ‘Is it all right?’ she asked as he hesitated. ‘You are not disappointed?’

  ‘Disappointed?’ He looked incredulous. ‘I was just enjoying the moment, Jenny. You are so lovely...’ He slipped the delicate undergarment down, revealing her shapely breasts, and then bent his head to tease the pink nipples with the tip of his tongue. Jenny sighed and her body arched, her head going back as a ribbon of fire ran through her. She was burning up, losing control, as she gave herself up to voluptuous pleasure. ‘My sweet precious darling...so beautiful...’

  Adam eased the chemise from her so that she was now naked. His eyes devoured her for some moments, then he bent his head and kissed both breasts before pushing her back into the soft pillows. Removing his clothes by ripping off his shirt and impatiently pulling off his breeches, he revealed just how impatient he was to claim his bride, his manhood leaping with anticipation as he lay down beside her and began to kiss her lips.

  Stroking and kissing her, Adam brought Jenny gently along the path to passion, his mouth, tongue and hands playing her like a delicate instrument. As he sought out her inner citadel, he found her warm and wet with her own moisture. Her body moved beneath his hands, rising to his touch and beginning to writhe as the pleasure mounted.

  ‘You are ready, my love?’ he breathed against her ear.

  ‘Oh, yes, yes,’ she cried, moaning as he moved across her, the smooth hardness of his manhood pushing against her. His urgency was obvious as he parted her legs wider and moved across her, seeking entry and finding her wet and willing. She cried out as he entered and he stilled, but her fingers dug into his shoulders, the nails pressing into his skin, and he pressed further into her. Then he began the slow rhythm of love that had been played out since a man first loved a woman. ‘Yes...that is so lovely...’

  Adam drew her on, their bodies slicked with sweat as they strained and eased and then strained again, searching for that place...and then as Jenny seemed to melt and fall into little pieces, Adam fell against her and spent himself inside her. A spasm of pleasure so intense it was almost pain shook her several times and she moaned in his arms, his lips against the hollow in her throat.

  ‘Jenny, my darling...’ Adam looked down at her in wonder, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his fingers. ‘I did not hurt you?’

  ‘No, how could you think it?’ she said and buried her face in his shoulder, which tasted salty. ‘Everything you did pleased me so much. I have never been so happy. I did not know that loving could be so perfect.’

  ‘Nor did I, my love,’ he said and laughed. ‘No woman has ever made me feel that way—nor come close to meaning what you mean to me. You are all the things I ever admired or thought becoming in a woman and more.’

  ‘Do you truly feel that?’ she asked and sat up, pushing him down into the pillows and gazing down at him. ‘I know there must have been others...’

  ‘If there were, there will not be again,’ he vowed and kissed her, pulling her down on top of him and running his hands down the smooth arch of her back. ‘You are all the woman I shall ever want, my sweet precious Jenny.’

  Jenny laughed and reached up to kiss him, then, a teasing look in her eyes, she said. ‘How long before we can do that again?’

  ‘My greedy little cat,’ Adam said and laughed. ‘I think we shall have a glass of wine to refresh us...and then I shall see what I can do to please you.’

  * * *

  ‘Oh, Adam...’ Jenny was breathless with excitement as she saw the house for the first time. ‘I thought you said it was a bleak place? I have never seen anything as lovely. I adore it!’

  ‘Truly?’ He looked at her in surprise and took her hand. ‘You are not just saying it to please me?’

  ‘No, it is just a perfect house for us—if your grandfather would allow us to share it.’

  ‘It would please him very much. I suppose you could refurbish it to your liking.’

  The house had been built centuries earlier, its walls of yellowish-buff stone warm in the sunshine. The windows were many and criss-crossed with lead so that the little panes looked like jewels in the sunlight, the roof sloping and tiled with slate that looked blue beneath an azure sky. Although in need of some repairs here and there to the stonework, it was a graceful house of classical lines. Set back at the end of a long drive of ancient oak trees, it had wide sweeping lawns, a sunken garden and a sundial, besides roses growi
ng over the verandas. As the carriage stopped and Adam helped Jenny down, she looked about her with excitement.

  ‘Papa’s house was nice, but it was so modern—this is wonderful,’ she cried. ‘I have always wished to live in an old house like this. Tell me, is there a priest hole or a secret passage? Are there flagstones and steps—and can you wander from room to room, always discovering some new secret?’

  ‘Yes to all your questions,’ Adam said and laughed as her excitement bubbled over. ‘I suppose I liked the house when I was younger, but in recent years I had grown used to seeing it only as a monster that guzzled money and always needing repairs that could not be afforded.’

  ‘We can afford them now, can we not? I should love to restore it, to make it beautiful for another hundred years—could we do that?’

  ‘Yes, if you wish it,’ Adam said. He reached for her hands. ‘How did I become so fortunate, Jenny? Tell me how I may deserve you, if you please, for I can hardly believe how lucky I am.’

  ‘Oh, I dare say I may think of something tonight,’ she teased, a wicked look in her eyes. She laughed up at him. ‘Are you going to carry me over the threshold of our new home, Adam?’

  ‘Naturally,’ he said and swept her into his arms. He looked down at her with love as they approached the line of smiling servants. ‘Good morning, Harris. My wife will greet you all in a moment. I believe we should be down in half an hour, but she wishes to see her apartments...’

  Leaving them smiling and whispering behind their backs, Adam carried her up the stairs to the apartments he had chosen. Once they were inside he kicked the door shut behind them.

  * * *

  It was at least an hour later that he summoned some very happy-looking servants to the great hall to tell them that their new mistress was ready to meet them—and that she had decided to make her home here amongst them.

  His announcement was greeted with cheers of approval and relief—and then he ordered champagne for everyone.

  * * * * *