To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance)

by Adrienne Basso

  The marquess smiled wickedly at the invitation in her voice. All would be well. Though he suspected it would always haunt her to some degree, Meredith seemed willing to try and let go of the past.

  “I recall achieving great success in my bed,” Trevor said. He kissed her again, discovering anew in the giving warmth of her embrace why he loved her, needed her, would do all that was in his power to keep her.

  What they shared was rare and precious. Trevor vowed never to forget that, never to take for granted this remarkable gift.

  Meredith shrieked in surprise as he swept her off her feet. With his wife held securely in his arms, Trevor retreated to his bedchamber, his delighted laughter mingling with Meredith’s and echoing through the entire wing of the house.

  Epilogue

  Hawthorne Manor

  Six months later

  “I’ve brought you some hot chocolate and toast, my lady,” Rose said.

  Meredith glanced up from the small writing desk she was using as she reclined languidly against the many pillows on her bed and frowned. Her maid was practically cowering in the doorway. Her eyes, wide with alarm, darted nervously about the room.

  “The marquess is shaving, Rose. In the other room.”

  “Very good, my lady.” The maid heaved a big sigh and finally stepped into the chamber. “Shall I place your tray on the table near the window, or do you want it on the table by the bed?”

  “By the bed will be fine. I am feeling lazy this morning.”

  Meredith watched with amused concern as Rose practically ran across the room. She plunked the tray on the table, dropped a quick curtsy, and left even faster than she arrived.

  Meredith sighed. Poor Rose. She had obviously not yet recovered from the incident of last week when a fully aroused, naked Trevor, interrupted while trying to seduce his wife back to bed in the late morning, had a less than gentlemanly reaction to the maid’s sudden appearance.

  “Was that Rose?” Trevor asked as he emerged from the small dressing room they shared.

  “I believe so,” Meredith replied. “Yet she came and left in the blink of an eye, so I could not be certain.”

  The marquess sat on the edge of the bed. Meredith shifted to the center to allow him room. He was freshly shaven and smelled deliciously of soap. “I was hoping for an opportunity to apologize to Rose again this afternoon. That is, if she stands still long enough for me to speak with her.”

  Meredith raised her hand to hide her smile. Trevor had been trying since the incident to make amends with the maid, unsuccessfully. It was rather lowering for such a sought-after rogue to now have a woman turn tail and run from him in terror each time he attempted to speak to her.

  “I think it might be best if you say as little to Rose as possible.” Meredith moved her small writing desk to the side so she could get closer to her ruggedly handsome mate. “She will eventually adjust to you.”

  Trevor snorted. “I have my doubts.”

  Meredith smiled. He resembled a petulant child, in a temper because he was being unjustly scolded for doing something he felt was right. And yet there was nothing boyish about his square jawline or wide shoulders or muscular chest.

  “Rose has no choice in the matter. For you see, sir, I have decided to keep you.”

  He raised his head and met her eyes. Meredith’s breath caught at the stormy, sexy look he gave her. They reached for each other at the exact same moment, as if the pull of their love and desire was too strong a force to resist.

  In their passion, they denied each other nothing, kissing and fondling with utter abandonment, touching each other with love and awareness. Nimble, knowing fingers were busy teasing, caressing, and seeking out all those mysterious places that would render the other weak with pleasure.

  Their bodies joined together slowly, but the measured pace soon quickened. Their hearts seemed to beat as one as they neared completion, each urging the other to savor the sensations of ecstasy when it at last shattered over them.

  In the aftermath of the moment, Meredith could think of nothing but her absolute satisfaction and total love for her husband. A single tear trickled down the side of her face, wetting the hair at her temple. She moved her head to brush it away, then felt Trevor’s warm breath against her ear as he murmured her name and his love for her over and over.

  More tears threatened, but she blinked them back. At times it was difficult for her to believe how far they had come in their relationship, and each day Meredith could envision an even better future. With Trevor’s love and devotion, she truly felt anything was possible.

  She tightened her arms around his broad back and hugged him fiercely. He stirred lazily. “Am I crushing you?”

  “Hmmmm, it feels wonderful.” Linking her fingers with his, Meredith pulled his hand to her lips. She kissed each finger gently, then pressed his hand against her cheek. “Now, we must not fall asleep. I have many things I need to accomplish this morning.”

  “All right. Then let’s start the day.”

  Neither one moved. Finally Meredith opened her eyes and glanced up. Trevor was gazing at her with a rapt expression of contentment. She raised her head and brushed a kiss across his lips. “I am famished. I hope you have not spilled my hot chocolate,” she muttered. “For if you have, you will be forced to ring for Rose and ask her to bring another tray.”

  Trevor laughed loudly. “It will take me half the day just to find her. We will perish from starvation.”

  Meredith rolled carefully to her side, mindful of the tray of food that rested on the table not far from her head. She adjusted her nightgown and robe, resumed a comfortable reclining position on the pillows, folded her hands, and waited expectantly.

  Trevor lay sprawled across the rumpled bed, the picture of total relaxation. Meredith moved her foot and gave him a nudge with her toe. He grunted. She nudged him again, this time a bit harder.

  “If your frightening growls are going to keep my maid from our room, then you must perform her duties. I am waiting for my breakfast, sir.”

  The marquess opened one eye and glared at his wife. She smiled sweetly. With a resigned sigh he shifted his position and sat up. He retrieved the breakfast tray, which was remarkably intact, and placed it across Meredith’s lap.

  “Tell me, what is so important that we must leave our bed this morning?” Trevor asked, as Meredith fed him bites of toast.

  Meredith took a sip of chocolate and smiled. “Though it is still several weeks away, I want to discuss the holiday preparations with the housekeeper, butler, and cook. Our first Christmas together should be extraordinary. I want this place alive with celebration and good cheer. I have already made a list of things.”

  She reached for the paper on her writing desk and read from the list she had been working on. “Roasted goose, plum pudding blazing in ignited brandy with Christmas holly decorations on it, a Yule log, Twelfth Day gifts, the house smelling of fresh evergreens and spiced treats. I also think it would be nice to have a party for the local gentry. We have yet to do any entertaining since we arrived.”

  “I am sure the locals understand. After all, we are newlyweds with far more important matters on our minds.” The marquess rubbed his hand over his face. “Are your parents still planning on joining us?”

  “Yes. Jasper’s last letter said they should be returning to England within the week. I am very anxious to see them.”

  “I look forward to meeting them.”

  Meredith’s expression softened. “I know they will soon grow to love you as much as I do.”

  Trevor grinned. Then, sobering, he caught Meredith’s eye. “My father will be joining us also. And your brothers. Are you sure the house is big enough for so much family?”

  “I think we can squeeze everyone,” Meredith said, a twinkle in her eye. “Hawthorne Manor does have twenty-four bedchambers.”

  “Ah, yes I remember. I also remember you can work wonders in each and every one of them.”

  “Trevor.” Meredith tried fo
r a scolding tone but was blushing too hard for it to have much effect. Somehow her husband had gotten it into his head that they needed to make love in every bedchamber of the manor. It had taken them nearly two months to reach this infamous goal, and the marquess took great delight in informing her of that achievement—and in whispering that his other two estates had even more bedchambers. Just thinking of it brought color to Meredith’s face.

  “I should warn you that my brother Jason is already hinting about staying on past the new year.”

  “Why would he want to spend so much time with us?” The marquess picked up a lock of his wife’s golden hair and studied it lazily. “Not that I mind. I find Jason rather amusing. Besides, I need someone to practice my piquet skills on, since I haven’t played a round in months.”

  “I certainly do not want to encourage card playing in either of you.”

  “We shall play for buttons or some other frippery. And if you are very good, we shall teach you to play. Remember how much you enjoyed horse racing?”

  “I will not allow you to corrupt me, sir,” Meredith teased, pulling her hair out of his fingers. “As much as I hate to disillusion you, my dear, I don’t think you are the true reason Jason wants to stay with us. He is very aware Faith’s baby will arrive sometime after the new year. Naturally he assumes I shall visit her once the child is safely delivered, God willing.”

  “I had no idea Jason was so fond of Faith.”

  “He isn’t.” Meredith shook her head. “Oh, he cares for her, of course, but my dear brother is far more fond of Faith’s younger sister-in-law, and apparently most anxious to see Elizabeth.”

  “I applaud his taste in women. Elizabeth seems like a charming young woman.”

  “She is a delight, yet I fear that will be a hard road for Jason to travel. According to Jasper, Elizabeth has refused to answer any of Jason’s letters.”

  “How strange,” Trevor replied, frowning. “I would think she would be thrilled and grateful to see Jason again. He saved her life.”

  Meredith shrugged. “He is also a stark reminder of something Elizabeth wants very much to forget. Faith mentioned in her correspondence last month that Elizabeth still suffers from the occasional nightmare.”

  The marquess reached out and tucked Meredith’s hand protectively in his arm. “I am very glad you have overcome yours.”

  Meredith’s gaze shifted out the window. Thankfully, the nightmares had ceased, thanks in large part to her husband. His strength and confidence bolstered her own. “I sleep beside my protector—though there are nights when I get very little rest.”

  The marquess lifted his brow suggestively. “Complaints?”

  “Never.” She laughed and shook her head.

  “What of Harriet?” Trevor asked “Does she suffer from nightmares, too?”

  “Faith made no mention of any. Though she did have some startling news. Apparently Harriet has decided to strike off on her own.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Meredith shrugged. “She told Faith and her brother, Griffin, that once Faith’s child is born she will be leaving them.”

  “To go where?”

  “It has not yet been decided, but Harriet has answered several advertisements for positions of employment far out in the countryside. I think one post was even in Scotland. Two were for families seeking a governess and one was a companion to an elderly dowager.”

  Trevor whistled. “Though I do not know her very well, I find it difficult to imagine Harriet surviving as a servant. She has too much pride and far too sharp a tongue.”

  Meredith once again conceded that her husband was an excellent judge of a woman’s character. “I think everyone agrees employment as a menial in a household does not suit Harriet. But after that mess with Wingate, I think she feels she needs a fresh start. How else can one recover when her fiance abandons her in the middle of the biggest scandal of the decade?” The marquess snorted. “He really did turn out to be a total cad. She is better off without him. Yet I am not sure she understands all that is involved with being employed.”

  “It will be difficult, though I remember she was very fond of her nephew, Griffin’s natural son. She might do better as a governess. I cannot imagine her at the beck and call of some elderly, spoiled dowager.” Meredith shook her head. “Wherever fate takes her, I wish her well.”

  “That is very generous, considering your past difficulties with Harriet.”

  “In my position I can well afford to be so generous, for I have everything a woman could possibly want or need.”

  “Truly?”

  Meredith curled her hand along Trevor’s cheek and smiling lovingly into his handsome face. “Of course I have everything, my dearest. I have you.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ADRIENNE BASSO lives with her family in New Jersey. She is the author of four Zebra historical romances set in the Regency period and is currently working on her next historical romance, to be published in 2003. Adrienne loves to hear from readers, and you may write to her c/o Zebra Books. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish a response.

  KENSINGTON E-CLASSICS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2002 Adrienne Basso

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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  ISBN: 978-1-6018-3035-7

  First electronic edition: December 2012