“Sophie, what are you talking about?”
“Your mistress.” She rolled her pretty eyes as if it should have been obvious. “I really thought I could be a good wife and tolerate you keeping a mistress, but honestly, I cannot. If you must have her, then I shall go to the country and we shall go out in public when absolutely necessary. It is not exactly the life I had in mind, but I think I can live with it. What I cannot live with is the glaring jeers of London society and the whispering in ballrooms as I walk in. I’ll not tolerate their pity. Poor Lady Marlton, whose husband pays her no mind.” She mimicked in a high English accent.
“My, you have thought about this a lot.” He struggled to stifle a laugh, but at least the pain in his heart eased.
She glared at him.
Still smiling, he held up one hand in a sign of peace. “May I ask you what kind of life you did have in mind?”
She sighed and her shoulders slumped. “I’m a dreamer. I love you and I had dreamed you would love me. We would live in the country with the baby and come to London for the season. You would adore our children and never think of another woman. I thought I would be a good enough wife to you that you would not want a mistress. Then Papa died and I was so…sad…and I was not a good wife and you were so sweet but then you went away all the time to do…I don’t know what…”
“What baby?”
She touched her stomach. “Our baby, Daniel.”
His brain turned to mush. He stood open-mouthed staring at his wife. Joy as great as the day she’d agreed to marry him flooded in. He rushed forward, dropping to his knees before her and wrapping his arms around her. His head rested against her stomach. Their child rested inside this perfect body.
“Our baby,” he repeated, through a tight throat.
“You’re happy about the child?” She let out a breath.
“I’m happy.” He kissed her abdomen. He wished he could feel the child growing within her and he pressed closer.
“I thought we discussed this already.” He stood and lifted her into his arms. With her in his lap, he sat in the chair by the hearth.
“I know, but I was so happy when I learned I was to have a child and when we spoke you seemed only tolerant of the idea. I just wanted you to be as happy as I am and now I can see that you are, so everything is all right.” She babbled on, grinning and frowning with each new thought.
He laughed. “I do love when you do that. Sophie, I’m thrilled the woman I love and married will give me a child.”
“You love me?” Her eyes were wide.
“More than anything on earth.”
She hugged his neck.
“Do not strangle me now.” He laughed.
“I’m sorry. I just never thought you would say those words to me.”
His expression sobered. “I think there are a few things we should discuss.”
She tried to get off of his lap, but he wrapped his hands around her bottom and pulled her in tighter. “I think we can discuss these things sitting as we are. In fact, I think all of our serious discussions should be had in just this way.”
“You are impossible. What do you want to discuss?”
“I do not have a mistress, Sophie. Nor, will I take one.”
A smile lit her eyes.
“You have not been a bad wife. You were distraught after your father’s death. That was completely understandable. I’ll not lie to you. It hurt me when you left our bed, but I never thought you a bad wife and I certainly have never for a moment regretted our marriage. I love you and I’ll endeavor to make you happy for the rest of our lives. I’ll care for you and our children, and we shall have a life as close to your dream as possible.”
“Do you promise?” she asked.
He traced a path along her cheek to her full lips. “I already did, on that wonderful day when we said our vows. I promised you all of those things and more, my love. You’re the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
He meant every word, even as tears ran down her face and her eyes grew puffy and her nose red.
“Thank you.” Sophia was crying and laughing at the same time.
“May I take you to bed, Lady Marlton?”
“You may, my lord.” She used the edge of her wrap to wipe her nose. “But, I think I should go and wash my face first.”
He roared with laughter.
* * * *
His lips were warm and seductive against the nape of her neck, while his hand caressed just under her breast. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth and her heart soared. She turned into him and kissed him boldly.
Groaning, he deepened the kiss, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him. “I thought I was lost to you forever.”
“I believed you had left me for another.”
He caressed between her legs.
Tiny gasps escaped her lips as the now familiar joy of making love to Daniel stirred inside her.
“There can be no other for me, Sophie. I want only you every day for the rest of my life.”
He rubbed her sensitive bud and her hips arched off the bed.
She dug her nails into his shoulders holding back the delight, which came too fast. She wanted to enjoy him slowly.
He kissed her mouth and his tongue demanded entry. Willingly, she opened to him and he made love to her mouth in the same manner he would plunge into her core. She trembled with need. With the lightest touch, she traced a path along the taut skin of his shaft.
He groaned deep in his chest.
She repeated the gentle tickling then gripped his rod.
He sucked in a sharp breath. “Sophie.” His fingers worried her delicate folds and rubbed her sensitive button. Perched at her entrance, he glided in slowly, inch by torturous inch until he filled her.
Her cries mixed with his. She rose higher as she met every plunging thrust with the rise of her hips. Her pleasure intensified and cascaded.
Eyes closed, Daniel cradled her head. “Look at me, Sophie.”
She stared up into his passion-filled gaze. Love was so plain in his eyes, it shook her. A scream escaped her lips as an orgasm shattered around her.
Daniel pumped once, twice and then emptied himself into her in a series of grunts and moans. His ecstasy increased hers and another wave of pleasure coursed through her.
He collapsed on top of her. His weight was a blanket of safety.
She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so happy you’re home safe, Daniel.”
“I’ll never leave you again.”
* * * *
Daniel was in his dressing room and Sophia rose from the bed and pulled her nightgown over her head. Sun streamed through the windows, catching something metallic on the table.
She walked over and picked up the small gold butterfly. Intricately etched it was a pretty little thing. Beside it were two pieces of wire. “What is this?”
He moved next to her. “It belongs to a girl named Susan, a child really. Pundington held her captive too. She gave it to me to help initiate our escape. It belonged to her mother. I had hoped to have it repaired and return it to her.”
Sophia’s throat tightened. What that poor girl must have suffered. She was probably misused. She shivered. To have given up the one reminder of her mother to a stranger, she must be a brave girl. Sophia wished she had just some small token of papa’s to hold onto. She handed the treasure to him. “You should have it repaired immediately, Daniel. How will you find her?”
“Thomas told me she worked at a pub near the docks when she was abducted. I plan to start there.”
“A pub? Oh, Daniel, that is no place for a girl especially after all she has been through. Can’t we do something for her? There must be a position here in the house or in the country. Susan could work as a maid or helping in the kitchen might suit her.”
He nodded, tucked the hairpin in the pocket of his waistcoat and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see if she is inclined to changed
professions.”
Epilogue
“I do love a house party.” Elinor flounced her skirts as she sat on one of the chairs under a large oak tree.
Sophia took a spot on the picnic blanket. “I’m so glad. I’m planning to have one every year.” She picked her squealing son from the blanket. Arms and legs in constant motion, he smiled. Her own eyes and Daniel’s chin looked back at her, as he made a bubbling sound and dribbled all over her. She hugged him and patted his back. “It is good to get out of London for a while.”
“It is also good to get away from the marriage market.” Dory’s voice held contempt, normal when she spoke of such things.
“Is your mother being very difficult?” Elinor asked.
“You are my biggest problem.” Dory pointed at Elinor.
Her hand went to her chest. “Me, what have I done?”
“Not a single day goes by I do not hear how you have managed to catch Sir Michael and why can I not follow your example and lure in a suitable husband?” She made a poor imitation of her stern mother.
Elinor’s bright blue eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. “You make me sound quite mercenary.”
“Not me, my mother.”
Sophia laughed. “Be careful. They will join us for tea shortly.”
They ignored her. “I did not lure, or catch, Sir Michael.”
“No, what did you do then?” Dorothea asked.
Elinor smiled and acted as if she were smoothing a wrinkle in her dress. “I did nothing. We fell in love, as you well know. Now stop trying to send me into fits. I have known you long enough to be quite used to this game.”
“I do so love it when you go into fits.”
“Well, it is too fine a day and I’ll not take the bait.” She sat up straighter and looked pleased with herself.
“Good for you, Elinor. And Dory, it was a good try.” Sophia made an attempt at diplomacy.
The baby squealed again.
“You are in a fine mood, Charlie.” Sophia searched for something to wipe his wet mouth.
“Should I take him now, my lady?” Susan asked.
“I hate to let him go, but it is time for his nap.” She handed the baby over. “Thank you, Susan. Why don’t you borrow a book from his Lordship’s library while Charlie sleeps? He has had a busy morning and should nap a long time.”
Susan smiled and curtsied politely. “Thank you, my lady, but I borrowed King Lear yesterday and I should think it will keep me busy for some time.”
“Indeed,” Dory said.
With the future Sixth Earl of Marlton in her arms, Susan walked across the expansive lawn back to Marlton Hall.
“She has come a long way, Sophia,” Dory commented.
Sophia rose and sat in a chair with her friends. “I don’t know what I would do without her. Really. Charles adores her and she him. Once I saw how bright she is, it took little work to educate her and make her a suitable nanny. I’m so glad we took her on after the Pundington business was resolved. Cissy comes by several times a week and they talk endlessly over Shakespeare. I have even started to read more as I was feeling quite ignorant with the two of them going on and on about sonnets and plays, which I have never bothered to read.”
“It will do you no harm to read more.” Aunt Daphne led the rest of the ladies to join them.
Sophia smiled and sent a maid for some tea. “You are, of course, correct. I find reading relaxing.”
“Your husband does not mind?” Elinor asked.
She looked out over the field to the east where Daniel walked toward them with Markus, Michael and Thomas. Her cousins, Frederick and Daisy followed behind. Her husband and their life filled her with immeasurable joy. “His lordship is indulgent.”
“Whatever happened to that awful man?” Aunt Adelaide asked. There was no need to clarify whom she was asking about.
“Should have been hanged.” Daphne pounded her cane into the ground.
“Oh, my.” Virginia Burkenstock clutched her throat.
“Oh, do not get so offended, Virginia. The man was plucking Englishwomen off our streets and selling them into slavery in foreign lands. He should have been hanged.” Daphne huffed as she sat and placed her cane against the table.
“I can see your point, Lady Collington. I just hate the thought of it.” Lady Burkenstock cringed.
“So, what did happen to him?” Adelaide asked.
Sophia still found the subject of Alistair uncomfortable. “All of his assets were claimed by the crown and he was banished. They sent him off on a ship to Australia. If he ever sets foot on English soil again, he will indeed be hung by the neck.”
“Well, at least he will never bother us again,” Angelica said.
Sophia nodded and watched Daniel come close enough for their gazes to lock.
* * * *
“It was a lovely day, my dear,” Daniel said in their room, late that evening.
“We had fine weather,” she said.
“Your uncle and Lord Flammel seem to be on opposite sides of politics. They were nearly at blows when we took our brandy.”
“I think they managed to work it out. I saw them getting quite drunk together later in the evening. You had better lock your liquor cabinet or by the end of the week we shall be completely dry.”
Daniel chuckled. He walked to where she sat at her dressing table, took the brush from her and ran it through her long tresses. “You looked grave when the tea arrived this afternoon. Was the conversation not to your liking?”
“It was nothing. Aunt Adelaide asked about Pundington.”
His hand stilled for several beats before he resumed brushing her hair.
She turned toward him, took the brush away, and placed it on the table. “I hardly think of him anymore, Daniel. There is no need for you to worry.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He enveloped her and kissed the crown of her head. “But I do worry. I promised to keep you safe and make you happy. I could not live with myself if I broke that promise.”
She kissed his chin. “You have never broken any promises. I have all I have ever wanted and so much more.”
“Then, your life lives up to the dream, Lady Marlton?”
She smiled and pulled him toward the bed. “My life surpassed my dreams the moment you began to love me.”
He followed her onto the bed and covered her body with his. “In that case, you will have to dream bigger, Sophie. Every day my love for you grows beyond the day before and I feel it shall never level off.”
“I’m certain my dreams can keep pace, my lord. I have an excellent imagination.” She arched into him, making him groan.
Daniel’s mouth covered hers and her imagination soared once more.
Read on for a sneak peek at book #2 in A. S. Fenichel’s Forever Brides series
FOOLISH BRIDE
Time may heal all wounds, but while Michael begins to recover, Elinor cannot forgive his betrayal. She has a new suitor and a broken heart. It will take a miracle and a lot of help from their friends for these two to fight for the life they dreamed of.
Click here to get your copy.
Prologue
“I was not out yet when the earl was engaged. I only know the rumors.” Elinor wished Sophia would change the subject.
“And, what was the rumor?”
Elinor cringed. How she hated gossip.
“Never mind, Elinor you do not have to tell me.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Sophia, but talking of such things reminded her of the article in the newspaper that had nearly destroyed her. “I hate rumors. They are often exaggerated and none of us really know the truth. Well, except those involved.”
“Yes, of course you’re right.”
The bushes to the right rustled.
Michael stood in the shrubbery’s shadow watching. He stepped out into view. His dark hair hung over bright blue eyes, and he was rumpled from hiding in t
he garden. “Forgive me, ladies.”
“Michael,” Elinor whispered.
“I was trying to wait until I could speak to Miss Burkenstock alone. I hope I did not startle you.”
He fidgeted, which was unusual. Michael was always in control.
All the waiting and now she couldn’t stop her tears from falling.
“Shall I leave, Elinor?” Sophia asked.
She’d forgotten Sophia was even there. Michael took up all the space. “Thank you, Sophia.”
“Are you certain you will be safe?”
His smile was warm and made Elinor weak in the knees. “You have my word I shall not harm her in anyway.”
“Elinor?” Sophia narrowed her eyes.
“I will be fine.”
Sophia nodded and walked away.
“Elinor.” He said her name like a prayer.
“Yes, Sir Michael?” Pretending she was unaffected by him, she looked away. She wished she could be more like Dory. Dory was excellent at pretending that she didn’t care.
“I was watching you dance,” he said. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself very much especially when you danced with Travinberg.”
“Are you jealous, Sir Michael?” She examined a rose more carefully than was necessary.
He stood behind her. “I am beside myself with desire for you. I hate every man who even looks at you and even those who only glance in your general direction. The last week has been torture.”
All her torment of the last week bubbled up in her belly. She turned toward him. “Then why did you leave town and leave me to deal with the scandal all alone? You left me with only a note to keep me company and not much of a note at that. What was I supposed to do?”
His smile widened. “My God, you are even more beautiful when you’re angry.”
Her cheeks immediately warmed, and she dammed her fair skin for not allowing her to hide her blush. “Do not change the subject. I may not be the smartest girl in London but I know that what you did was terribly unkind. I might have been ruined if not for my good friends.”
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