The Viscount's Salvation (Honorable Rogue Book 3)
Page 27
Swallowing to clear the lump clogging her throat, her heart swelled when she took in the happy scene before her. It was such a blessing to have all her closest friends and family around her.
The butler came into the room to announce dinner and everyone made their way to the dining room. The conversation around the table centered on the parties the next day. She was glad they decided to go ahead and hold them, even though they were in mourning.
It was so sad, but neither she nor her brothers regretted their father’s passing. None of them wanted to seem callous, but they did not want to be hypocritical either. Considering the hell the earl had put them through, it was best to put his death behind them and get on with their new lives.
She took joy in listening to her brothers’ animated conversation. Michael and Charles could not wait to meet some of the young ladies that would be attending. Even Ben expressed a desire to dance.
The men did not spent much time over their cigars and rejoined the ladies after only fifteen minutes. They spent the rest of the evening singing Christmas carols and playing cards. At ten, the aunts excused themselves, and their friends and family soon followed them upstairs.
Cortland came to her after her maid left, and Mary fell asleep in her husband’s arms after they finished making love. Now that they had expressed their feelings for each other, her inhibitions fell away completely, and she let her passions soar to new heights in her husband’s loving embrace.
When her maid awakened her that morning, Mary went to the window to check the weather. She hoped they had received snow so they could take the sled to the party. Pushing open the drapes, the ground was indeed covered with snow. They would have a white Christmas.
After a hurried breakfast, Mary, Kathleen, and Anissa went upstairs to collect the children for the party. When they entered the schoolroom, Aimee ran to Mary and wrapped her arms around her. “I have new friends,” she excitedly told her. “I’m having ever so much fun playing with Harry and Melanie. Is it finally the day for the party, Maman?”
Mary loved hearing Aimee call her that. She was so relieved that the little girl had weathered her ordeal so well. “It is. I’m glad you’re enjoying your time with your new friends.”
She glanced over at Gerrard, and he seemed to be doing better after the praise he received for his part in helping Cortland find them. Even though he was quite a few years older than Anissa’s son Harry, they were becoming fast friends. That pleased her immensely.
She clapped her hands together. “All right children, time to go.” The nursemaid bundled Arianna into her outerwear, while the older children pulled on their cloaks and donned their mittens.
They made it outside, and the four older youngsters piled into the back of the red sleigh, while the adults, and Arianna on her mother’s lap, took their seats up front. Then they were off, singing Christmas carols as they rode along the snow-covered country lanes to the church.
When they arrived, the children clambered out and ran inside. The little ones’ eyes widened as they oohed and ahhed over the magical decorations. They particularly liked the huge chair all done up in red and green ribbons, because St. Nicholas was already seated, waiting to hear what they wanted for Christmas.
While the little ones waited in the queue for their turn, the aunts distributed gingerbread men. As soon as Arianna received hers, she crammed it into her mouth. Kathleen laughed. “I shall have to teach her some manners.”
Aimee and Melanie giggled, then daintily bit off the head of their cookies. The boys rolled their eyes. Harry eyed his treat, then grinned at his new friend and swallowed his all at once. For the first time, Mary heard Gerrard laugh out loud—a full-belly laugh.
She met Cortland’s gaze and smiled. His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed hard, and he quickly swiped his hand across his eyes to wipe the moisture away. He touched her hand. “I’m so pleased at the change in Gerrard. He’s actually acting his age, at last.”
His voice came out husky from the emotions he must be experiencing. They had both been praying that the young man would become more animated and less formal, and it certainly looked like they were getting their wish. Harry’s infectious enthusiasm had helped a great deal.
She leaned her head against his upper arm. “Isn’t this wonderful?”
“It is. I want to thank you for organizing this party. All the children are having a great time. I never imagined I would enjoy an event like this, but I am.” His voice deepened, and he raised her hands to his lips, then kissed her fingers. “I’m a lucky man.”
The warmth and tenderness in his eyes filled her soul, and her heart took flight.
No…I’m a lucky woman.
Chaos reigned for the next couple of hours. The village and gentry children played together in harmony as old St. Nick distributed toys and goodies. After all the games had been played, the cakes had been eaten, and the toys given out, they gathered up their children and returned to the house to get ready for the evening party.
Once Mary was dressed, she sent her maid away, telling her she would not need her again that night. As she picked up her black silk shawl, Cortland strolled into her room. “I’m glad I caught you before you went down. I have something for you.”
Her eyes widened. “You do? What is it?”
He sauntered over and pulled out a black velvet box, then handed it to her. “Take a look.”
She took it and flipped the lid open. Nestled inside, was the most gorgeous necklace of garnets and diamonds she had ever seen. “Oh, Cortland, this is breathtaking.”
He lifted it from the velvet-lined interior. “It’s part of the family jewels. I wanted you to wear it tonight. Turn around so I can put it on.”
She did as he asked, and his fingers brushed the back of her neck as he fastened the jewels. Tingles spread along her shoulders. He leaned forward and kissed her neck just below her ear. Desire shot to her core.
He whispered in her ear, and his breath had her tingling even more. “You know what I want tonight?”
She quivered in anticipation. “What would that be?” she asked, her voice coming out breathless.
He spun her around and pulled her close. “I want to make love to you while you’re wearing that necklace…and nothing else.”
Her cheeks grew hot. “I think that can be arranged.” Shocked at her boldness, she looked down, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
He lifted her chin and stared directly at her. His amber eyes glowing. “Never be ashamed of your passion. It’s one of the things I love most about you. To the world you’re the prim and proper young matron, but when we’re alone, you unleash your inner temptress.”
“You truly don’t mind?” she shyly asked.
“Of course not.” He touched her lips in the gentlest of kisses. “While I would love to close us up in this bedchamber and never come out until morning, we have a houseful of family and friends, not to mention neighbors and tenants. I promise that once the party ends, I will spend the night showing you just how much I adore you. Come, let us go greet our guests.”
He playfully kissed the end of her nose and offered her his arm, then together, they went down the stairs to join the others.
Since this party was primarily for his tenants and the local families in the area, it was much less formal and a lot more enjoyable for all. The small orchestra hired to provide the music played dozens of country dances and reels. There were none of the silly rules that society thought so much of, so she danced with all her brothers, with Alex and Andrew, and even Lord Robert. But, most of all, she danced with her husband so many times she lost count.
Kathleen and Andrew graciously agreed to perform at midnight. Andrew truly had a glorious baritone voice and put so much feeling into the words that tears came to her eyes when he sang one of the arias from Handel’s Messiah. After they finished, to resounding applause, they encouraged everyone to join in when they sang several dearly-loved Christmas carols to end the musical part of the evening.
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sp; One thing that pleased Mary immensely was watching the budding romance between her aunt and Lord Robert. She would not be surprised at all if he offered for Aunt Mildred by twelfth night. She’d also noticed Ben playing particular attention to the vicar’s young daughter, Susanna. She was a sweet-natured young lady, but they were both so young, it was too soon for anything serious to come of it.
When the evening drew to an end, everyone wished them a happy Christmas as they departed and thanked them for the best night of entertainment they had enjoyed in many a year. Once the door closed on the last guest, the aunts bid them all a goodnight.
After the others retired, Cortland bowed to her, then offered her his arm. “Shall we go to your bedchamber? You promised to model your necklace for me, in all your splendid glory.”
Tingles raced through her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She gave a nervous little giggle. “It would be my pleasure, my lord.”
Then he grabbed her hand, and they dashed up the stairs where she spent the rest of the night showing him just what a naughty little temptress she could be.
As she drifted off to sleep in her husband’s arms, she thought back on the past couple of months. Her life had been so hopeless two months ago, but now it was filled with hope and love. She had a husband she loved, one who reminded her daily she was his salvation and that he would love her until the end of time. While she loved hearing that, she knew the truth. He…was the one who had saved her.
She was also blessed with the honor of caring for Gerrard and Aimee, such precious children. They had saved her beloved husband’s life, and for that alone she would be eternally grateful to those very brave children. And if what she suspected was true, she would give her husband an heir by the end of the summer.
Life couldn’t be any better than that.
THE END
About the Author
Vikki Vaught started her writing career when a story invaded her mind and would not leave. Ever since then, the stories keep coming and writing is now her passion. Over the last five years, she has written almost a dozen romances and is presently working on her next, while fighting off the other future characters shouting “my turn”!
Vikki lives in the beautiful foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with her husband, Jim, who is a saint for putting up with her when she is in a writing frenzy. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her curled up in a comfortable chair reading, lost in a good book with a cup of tea at her side. She also enjoys walking her little dog, Marlee who has captured her heart!
While all her books are love stories, she also writes sweet contemporary romances as Vikki McCombie.
Website: http://www.vikkivaught.com/home.html
Email: mailto:vvaught512@aol.com
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Amazon Author Page: http://smile.amazon.com/Vikki-Vaught/e/B008EE7TG2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1433778387&sr=1-2-ent
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5208041.Vikki_Vaught
Other books by this author:
Writing as Vikki Vaught:
Lost Pleasures Found
Love Sneaked In
Turned Around by Love
Lady Overton's Perilous Journey
Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron
The Viscount’s Salvation
Writing as V. L. Edwards:
To Live Again
Writing as Vikki McCombie:
A Christmas Miracle for Veronica
A New Beginning for Nanci
Cameron's Shocking Christmas Revelation, coming November 2016
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
About the Author