Immediately, everyone seemed to stare at my hand.
“Well…” Ashton smiled. “We were going to make a formal announcement, but since Addison is set on making a scene,” Ashton said, taking hold of my hand. “I have asked Trinity to marry me, and she has accepted my proposal.”
A cacophony of noise followed. Gleeful laughter from all my sisters could be heard. Sincere congratulations from Alec. A hitching breath from Jacqueline, and a quite loud, “Fucking hell, you have got to be pulling my dick!” from Reid.
I snapped.
“Reid, I swear. You may be my friend, but I want to punch you in the face!”
Ashton chuckled.
“Trinity,” Reid muttered, looking almost befuddled. “Fucking shit!” he yelled.
He balled up his fist before he threw up his hands. Reid turned and stormed past everyone, cussing all the way out the front door before he slammed it with a thundering shake.
Ashton smiled his wicked smile, gazing at me. “That went rather well,” he said with a tone of not quite joking.
“Yes,” I said, before turning my attention to Jacqueline. “Jacqueline, I really need to apologize for Reid.”
“Reid is Reid,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “I do not consider his ranting anger a problem. You have nothing to apologize for.”
Ashton palmed my cheek. “My dove, you need to gather your things. Jacqueline and I shall talk while you pack.”
I nodded.
“I will help you,” Amelia said.
“So shall I,” Breeze interjected.
“And I,” Ceclie said.
I smiled. “Why don’t you all come help me?”
And with that, all my sisters surrounded me. We floated up the stairs in a whirl of feminine glory.
When we entered my room, everyone started in at once. They were swirling around me, picking up my hand to see the ring, and flinging questions at me faster than I could process. In fact, the questions were being hurled so fast I could no longer hear myself think.
“Wait,” I said. “I can’t make out anything but noise.”
I heard a mixture of giggles, chuckles, and laughs.
“Everyone, settle down,” Amelia said, taking control of the situation.
Immediately, as if Amelia held some secret rank, everyone settled.
“Trinity, take a seat,” Amelia instructed.
I sat on the foot of my bed.
“All right,” I said. “I know you all want to know everything so I’ll just start. Lord Archer took me out for pizza, only the pizza place was in Paris.”
Low murmurs swirled around the room as everyone took a seat on the bed, the floor, and the chairs.
“He surprised me.” I brushed back a curl. “Lord Archer knew I dreamed of seeing Paris. We had discussed it on one of our phone calls while he was gone. Anyway, things just sort of happened from there. He told me he was in love with me. I thought I would die when he said those words to me. He said he had been in love with me from the first moment he saw me, and he asked me to marry him. I was completely shocked, but realized I really do love him, so I said yes.”
“When you say things just sort of happened,” Amelia said. Everyone burst out with giggles. “You are no longer a virgin.”
“God, is it that obvious?”
“You do have this glow about you,” Ceclie interjected.
“I can’t believe how stupid I was, thinking I was in love with Reid. There’s no comparison. I really am in love with Lord Archer. He makes me want to sing. I know that sounds stupid, but my heart does flips when I see him. Even when I hear his voice I feel all a flush with happiness. I cannot believe someone like Lord Archer was meant for me, but there is something between us. We both felt it the first night we met.”
“We are truly happy for you, my sister,” Amelia said.
“Crap!” I said.
“What?” Breeze asked.
“With all the commotion with Reid, I left my overnight bag downstairs. I’ll need it to put more stuff in.”
“I can go get it,” Ambre said.
“I’ll go. Can you help me gather up my things? I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Sure,” Amelia said and started in with her instructions to all the others.
I flitted out my room, then down the stairs. The parlor doors were ajar. I snuck over and peeked. Ashton was seated on the large settee in the parlor. He noticed the painting of me dressed in gold that Jacqueline had John Paul paint.
“You commissioned a painting of my dove?” he asked Jacqueline.
“Yes,” Jacqueline replied. “I was going to give it to you as a birthday gift, but now I guess an engagement gift would be in order.”
Ashton’s eyes widened as he studied the painting. “It’s extraordinary.”
The sound in his voice was one of awe at my creation.
“Our beauty is that,” Jacqueline agreed.
“I shall cherish the gift, Jacqueline,” Ashton said, turning his gaze back to her.
The fireplace let out a popping crack. A log rolled down the pile, sending orange sparks floating up the chimney. A brilliant flash of light illuminated the room, and Jacqueline’s autumn eyes flickered of burnt umber.
“My Lord, may I speak frankly?”
“Of course, Jacqueline. When have we not been able to speak frankly?”
Jacqueline traced her hand over the pattern of the material on the arm of settee.
“I hope you do not feel the need to explain your engagement. You know I have wished for your happiness for many years. I believe you shall be happy with my petit. She is a fragile creature in many ways with a loving and kind heart. She holds a spark of life that burns brighter than she knows yet possesses a hidden strength which she fails to see within herself.”
Ashton nodded. “I have never met such a woman as her,” he said, bringing his piercing gaze back to Jacqueline’s face. “Jacqueline, you have been one of my dearest friends. You know how it has pained me to know what you suffered at the hands of my brother. If I could—”
Jacqueline cut Ashton off with the wave of her hand.
“My Lord, there is no need to discuss could, would or should. You know as well as I, we were never meant to be. It was never within our stars to be lovers. I loved you. I still love you, but I love you now with a clear heart, clear eyes, and with no regrets in what I have done.”
“I am sorry, Jacqueline. I was young. I wanted to love you, and in truth I have deep affection for you—”
“We love who we love, my lord. You forget I know you. I see how much you love Trinity. You fell for her the moment she walked into my dining hall.”
“Yes, Jacqueline. I do love her. I would move the stars to have her.”
“I am happy for you.”
“Thank you, Jacqueline.”
“Trinity is a unique creature with an ability to touch one’s heart. We are all in love with Trinity. We will miss her, but she was never meant to be part of this life, my lord.” Jacqueline paused gazing at the fire. “She truly is the purity amongst the sin.” Jacqueline stood, went to the fireplace, picked up the poker and moved the log that fell from the burning stack. “You know, my lord. I never expected Trinity to truly love Reid, but I more than suspect she loves you.”
Ashton smiled.
“You are a good friend, and a special woman who shall always hold a place in my heart, Jacqueline. Thank you for everything you have done for Trinity, as well as for me.”
Jacqueline turned toward Ashton in a dancer’s move of graceful elegance and smiled brightly.
“I did nothing but introduce two hearts that were in the stars to be lovers.”
I scurried away, grabbed my overnight bag from the floor in the foyer, and headed back upstairs.
No time passed, and everything was packed and ready to go. I was leaving with much more than I arrived with.
“Now, do not forget to use your conditioner for your curls,” Amelia instructed, “and remember how I taught you to apply your makeup.
”
I hugged Amelia. “I won’t forget.”
Ceclie was smiling as well as crying. “Do not forget how to curtsy,” she said.
“I will remember, Ceclie,” I said.
“We are going to miss you,” said the twins, Desiree and Domonique. They sniffled as they hugged each other before they embraced me.
“I will miss both of you,” I assured. “Thank you, Desiree, for teaching me more yoga positions. And Domonique, I promise I will continue reading that book you gave me on ancient Greece.”
I was in tears as Ambre bowed then handed me a silver hair comb.
“You stand within my heart, my sister.”
“Ambre, thank you. I will never forget you.”
Serenity wiped a tear from her cheek. “Trinity, my sister, you brought such joy to our house, thank you.”
“You gave me so much to smile about,” I said as I hugged Serenity.
Breeze, Tempest and Scarlet surrounded me in a group hug that turned into a crying circle, murmuring farewells along with hugs and kisses.
Alec gave Ashton two manly slaps on the back as he said, “Thanks so much, Archer.”
Ashton’s brow rose.
“Why the sarcasm, Alec?”
“You are leaving me with a house full of crying women. Do you have any idea the misery I am in for?”
Ashton chuckled. “Ah … well, I guess I do feel your pain, my friend.”
Jacqueline interrupted the goodbyes.
“My sisters,” she announced, “this is a sad yet joyous day. Our beautiful sister is leaving this house, but she is leaving in joy, not sadness. She has found what she was looking for, her true heart.” Jacqueline kissed my cheek. “My petit, we will miss having you here, but we also rejoice with you in your happiness. You are welcome here any time you wish to visit us.”
“Thank you. We will always be friends, and I love all of you,” I said, holding back my need to snob.
Jacqueline whispered into my ear, “Love him with every portion of your body, your heart, and your soul.”
“I will, Jacqueline,” I assured.
“My beauty,” Alec said, “I will not say goodbye, and you will always be dear to me. Besides, everyone here has forgotten you will only be living forty-five minutes away, so we shall visit each other.”
I smiled.
“Yes, we will, Alec.” I hugged him as Ashton came to my side. “You will always be beautiful, Alec,” I whispered against his ear, “on the inside as well as on the outside. Remember that.”
Alec knew of what I referred to. He grinned. “As shall you be, my beautiful Trinity. As you shall always be.”
Chapter Four
Briarwood Manor. Home.
I was in Ashton’s arms being carried up the stairs of his chateau while staff soldiered inside with all of my belongings. I tightened my grip around his neck when he bounced me up, gaining a better hold, and cleared the top steps. Ashton stopped at the front door.
“Welcome home, Lady Archer,” he whispered into my ear.
The realization this was actually my home, overwhelmed me.
“Home.”
“Yes, my love,” Ashton assured, leaning down to kiss my lips, “we are home.” Ashton carried me over the threshold. “I love you, Trinity.”
“Sorry, milord,” a female staff interrupted, “where shall we take, my lady’s things?”
“She shall reside in the sleeping quarters she was last in,” Ashton replied before placing my feet upon the ground.
The lady curtsied. “Yes, milord.”
“And please make sure there are fresh roses, Claudia.” Ashton smiled, glancing down at me. “My Lady shall have fresh roses surrounding her at all times.”
“Yes, milord,” Claudia replied.
“And Claudia, please inform the other staff Trinity is now in charge of this home. She is to be my wife.”
Claudia smiled. “Yes, milord.” She curtsied once again then turned to leave.
When Claudia was gone, out of earshot, I gazed up into Ashton’s face.
“Ashton, I don’t need to be spoiled with fresh roses on a daily basis.”
Ashton palmed my cheek. “It is my wish. Are you denying my wish?”
“No.” I giggled.
“Good,” Ashton said. His hand meandered down my cheek, my neck. Heat sparked between us.
“What if I were denying your wish?”
Ashton smiled his wicked smile. His eyes flashed blue-gray into silver-white. He traced the tip of his finger over the outline of my lips and said, “Then I may need to impart a firm spanking to your glorious bum.”
“Ooo. Food for thought,” I said.
Ashton guffawed. “Ahh … my dove, you do bring me such joy.”
“Ashton?”
“Yes, my dove? Tell me what you are worried about?”
“Why do you think I’m worried?”
He played with a curl that caressed my cheek.
“I hear the question along with the worry in your voice.”
I smiled. “I’m just wondering why I’m not staying in your room.”
“Trinity, no one knows we are married so we must keep up appearances. I do not wish to start unwarranted speculations. I am protecting your virtue.”
“But I don’t want to stay in another room.”
“Imagine how much fun we shall have sneaking into each other’s sleeping quarters.”
Ashton smiled wickedly after saying this.
“My Lord,” I said with mock horror. “Are you suggesting we fool around?”
Ashton picked me up. He held me taut against the front of his body. He took his time tracing my earlobe with his tongue before he gave way and started full on sucking it into his warm mouth before nuzzling that spot I like on the side of my neck. Goose bumps danced across me.
“I would never suggest such an impropriety with my fiancée,” he whispered into my ear, “but the things I am going to do with my wife. Those things shall make her moan in pleasure.”
I heard a deep male voice…
“My Lord, I must apologize for the intrusion.”
Ashton slid me down his body. Once I was firmly upon the ground, he placed a possessive arm around my waist.
“Remington. This is Lady Trinity,” Ashton introduced.
The gray-haired man bowed.
“My Lady, it is a great honor to make your acquaintance.”
“Thank you. I am please to meet you too,” I replied.
Remington’s face looked worried. His bushy gray eyebrows pulled together, allowing his brow to furrow. He brushed his hand over his dark coat sleeve, like he was trying to remove some pesky lint, only his coat was spotless. He stiffened his spine then one gray eyebrow rose over the startling lime-green color of his eyes.
“My Lord. Your new stallion arrived.”
“Yes. I am aware, Remington.”
“My Lord, he is wild. Since the sun is setting, he will become agitated. The stable staff is forced to fight with him every night. As such, every night he breaks from his stall. If he would break free from the stable it would be…” he hesitated. “My Lord, it would be almost impossible to catch him.”
“Inform Max and Ethan I shall be at the stables momentarily,” Ashton replied.
“Yes. Thank you, my lord.”
I turned my attention to Ashton. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, my dove. If the stallion is unbroken, he could be dangerous. I do not wish to see you harmed. Go up to your quarters, unpack, rest, and I shall be up as soon as I can.”
I placed my hands on my hips and set my chin. Resolute.
“Ashton, by your own admission your new horse could be dangerous. Do you really believe I am going to see you harmed?”
“My dove—”
“No, Ashton. I’m going with you,” I huffed then crossed my arms.
The corners of Ashton’s mouth twitched.
“Is this your wish, Trinity?”
“Absolutely.”
&nb
sp; “And what if I denied your wish?” he asked.
“I would find my way to the stables anyway.”
“And what if I forbid you to follow me to the stables?”
I rolled my eyes and snorted. “Go ahead; see how far that gets you.”
Ashton chuckled. “Come,” he said, taking my hand.
****
I heard the stallion’s wild braying before we even reached the stables. I held on to Ashton’s hand tighter. When we entered, two men were rushing around. Both men had panic plastered across their faces. Thundering hooves and screeching whickers echoed through the space.
“Stay here,” Ashton instructed with a stone seriousness to his face as he let go of my hand.
I stood, watching Ashton head off to the end stall. Small bands of light crossed the floor of the stable in front of me. The window invited the dusky color of twilight in. The smell of dust, hay, horses, and oats floated in the air.
“He is wild, my lord,” the stick thin blond man said as Ashton approached. “Every evening he breaks from his stall.”
The redheaded man interjected, “My Lord, he has given us nothing but hell-fire every night. Maybe hell-fire should be his name instead of Zeus.”
I worried my bottom lip with my teeth when Ashton approached the end stall. He started speaking in a low voice, with a cadence and the dialect I had heard him speak with his horse, Phantom, the day we went riding on my birthday.
The new horse must have kicked up his hooves because I heard the clash of them when they hit the ground. I inched forward, slowly making progress until I was finally within eyesight of Zeus.
Zeus was stunningly beautiful, powerful. He must have stood almost twenty hands high. The mighty stallion was snow white, with dark, almost black eyes. His ears were twitching. I noticed the inside of his ears were the color of midnight. The stallion’s nostrils flared. His eyes were wild. Scared. I knew fear, when I saw it. I’d lived it.
I took in the whole picture. Zeus’s stall was at the very end of the stables, away from the other horses, and located in a dimly lit area. The window closest to his stall was blacked out, covered. It was too dark in his stall. I glanced up. The lighting stopped three stalls ahead of his.
He is afraid of the dark.
“Why do you have him away from the other horses?” I asked the blond man.
The Good Sister: Part Two Page 5