Adam turned sharply to face her. “I thought we agreed that you would not do that any longer.”
Magnolia frowned. “I do not understand. Surely the journal is the key!”
“But you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary stress and danger. What are you thinking?”
She stood up, looking confused. “When did trying to avenge my family become a stress, Adam? This is my life. I am not going to rest until I find out who killed them.”
How could she be this stubborn still? “Magnolia. You are my wife now, and I care about you. Surely you remember the two times an attempt was made on your life, do you not?”
“Of course I remember. Those were just threats to make me back off. I do not succumb to threats. I am not going to rest until I find out who killed them.”
He stood up. “Magnolia! Listen to me. I forbid you from going to Richmond Manor in my absence!”
“You cannot forbid me, Adam!” she retorted angrily. “This was my life’s mission before you married me. Do not think it will change because I am married to you!”
With that, Magnolia turned and walked out of the room.
Adam was furious, but he knew there was nothing to do. He couldn’t cancel his trip just because of this. But he did very much want to talk to someone.
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
“Why would he just tell me not to go? Does he think I am a child?”
Caroline sighed. Magnolia had invited her over that morning, clearly in need of someone to listen to her thoughts since Adam had already left on his trip.
“You should take things easy, Magnolia. Remember that you are married now.”
Magnolia threw her friend a look. They were both sitting in the parlor and just then Rosa walked in to bring them both a cup of tea.
“So, because I am married now I should give up my life’s mission?”
“No. That’s not what I am saying,” replied Caroline. “I mean you must listen to your husband more. He cares about you and is responsible for you. He loves you and doesn’t want anything to happen to you. Have you forgotten those two times you were attacked, even when he was close by? He must be thinking of the danger you could get into if he is not there.”
Magnolia scoffed and leaned back. “I can take care of myself.”
“Can you?”
“Of course I can! Why are you defending him, anyway?”
“Magnolia, do you expect me to defend you because you are my friend?”
“Of course. That is what friends do.”
Caroline shook her head. “Friends may do that, yes – but good friends tell each other the truth. And I am telling you the truth, Magnolia. Your husband loves you and you should listen to him.”
“And only I should listen to him? He should not listen to me?”
Caroline sighed. “You are making things hard for yourself. Do not make this marriage difficult for you both.”
“But how am I making it difficult? He forbade me from going to my own parents’ house! Why would he do that? Clearly he is the one making things difficult for me!”
“What of his lordship’s mother? Is she around today?”
“No. Lady Strickland left for a social gathering this morning. She does not know what happened.”
Caroline left her couch and walked to her friend, taking Magnolia’s hands in hers. “Talk to your husband in a gentler way. Let him understand you love him and that you appreciate his care and concern.”
Magnolia started to pull away, but Caroline held tight to her hands. “No, Magnolia. Do not fight him. Reason with him instead and tell him your views as well. Adam is cool headed and he loves you. I am certain he will listen to you, and he will apologize if he’s wronged you in any way.”
She looked away, and then shrugged. “I will do exactly what you ask, Caroline. I shall be the dutiful wife he wants me to be. But first I am going to Richmond Manor to find those clues.”
* * *
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
“What do you think I should do, Richard? She does not even listen to me,” Adam said to his friend. He had decided to branch at Richard’s house before going on his trip to Spain.
Richard handed to Adam a cup of wine before sitting beside him. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.
“Why did you marry her?”
Adam frowned. “Because I love her of course.”
“No. I think not,” his friend replied. “I believe you married her because you wish to control her. I understand you love her.”
“I love her to death, Richard.”
“I know. But that love was not what prompted you into marriage, was it?”
Adam was quiet. He was lost in thought.
“You may love her, of course. We both know you love her more than you have ever loved anyone. But the marriage took place suddenly because you want to protect her. You want to own her.”
Adam remained silent. His friend was right. The whole thing had happened because he wanted to protect her . . . because he wanted to be the only one there for her.
“I think you are right,” he finally said.
“Do not misunderstand,” continued Richard. “You feel that way because you love her. You only protect people you care about, so that is clear enough.
“However, you placed the need to control her far above everything else and you know the kind of person she is. Magnolia is not someone anyone can control. She is like a bird who would rather die out there flying instead of being kept in a cage where it is safe.
“She loves her freedom, but you must be careful with her, Adam. If you want to control her, you must let her desire to be controlled. Else, you will only end up making her hate you.”
“But surely she knows this is only for her protection? What else should be a reason to protect her? Magnolia was attacked twice, and she still wants to go back to that house?”
Richard shrugged. “That was her home before you married her, do not forget that. You cannot stop her from going. The only thing you can do is to put some security measures in her place for her.
“Besides – I understand that she is angry with you. She should be angry. Her family was killed! You telling her not to do anything is like asking her to forget about the only thing she has ever cared about – aside you.”
Adam inhaled loudly. “So, what do I do?”
“Just try not to control her too much. Instead, try to support her. Aside not going to her house, is there something else bothering you?”
He shook his head.
Richard smiled. “You are a good husband. Your wife is stubborn and smart, and she knows what she’s doing. Allow her to be free, or she would end up doing what you do not want behind you.”
Adam was deeply touched. He decided to go home and postpone his trip. He wanted to make things right with his wife.
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
Magnolia dismounted, handing the stallion to a groom.
“Lady Strickland. Welcome back.”
“Thank you, Sam,” she said before walking towards the door where Mr. Hartley was standing. The man looked disturbed.
“Is everything all right, Mr. Hartley?” she asked.
“His Lordship has returned early, my lady. And he does not seem pleased.”
Magnolia frowned. Was he not traveling again? Why should he be displeased? She walked past Hartley into the house where she found her husband, pacing.
“Adam! I am surprised. I thought you were going to Spain.”
“Yes. I canceled the journey,” he replied, now facing her. He looked angry.
“I hope all is well?” she asked, in a calm tone. Caroline had asked her to be calm.
“Where are you coming from now?”
She frowned. “I just went out riding. If you think I went to see Aunt Dorothy, I did not. I only went to spend some time riding.”
“Did you e
ven look at the time?” he demanded.
Magnolia, trying not to be angry, checked the time and saw that it was almost five o’clock in the evening. “I came in before dark. What is all the fuss about?”
“What is wrong with you, Magnolia?” he demanded.
Finally, her temper snapped. “What have I done?” she cried. “I do not understand!”
“Why would you even think of going out riding when I was not there with you? Do you remember how a fire started in your room? If this man could have access to your room - did you even think of what he could do when you are outside and alone?”
Magnolia shut her eyes. She could feel the anger building up in her, so she shut her mind away from everything he was saying.
“Did you even hear a word I said?” he asked, after a moment.
She turned to him. “No. I was not listening.”
The pain was visible in his eyes. “You are being unfair, Magnolia. You know I love you. You know I care about you. That is why you are taking me for granted.”
She gasped. “Taking you for granted? Adam, I am so tired of your overprotective nature! Am I not allowed to live my life when you are not close at hand? Do you think I am a child?
“I did what you asked by not going to Richmond Manor, but now you are saying something else! What exactly do you want from me? Would you be happy if I was to die of boredom inside your house?”
“I am only trying to protect you! I need you alive because I love you!”
“Then maybe that is the trouble!” she fired back. “Perhaps you love me too much. Perhaps you are insecure. And I am tired of all of those. You are making me think that this marriage has been a mistake!”
Adam winced. She knew she had said too much, but before she could take back any of her words, he had walked out of the door and closed it after him.
Chapter 21
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
“Perhaps you love me too much and you are insecure. I am tired of all these. You are making me think that this marriage has been a huge mistake!”
His wife’s statement rang in Adam’s ears one more time, and he shut his eyes. He could not shake it off no matter how much he tried.
He was a few miles from home. His stallion grazed on the field while Adam sat on the bank of the river, throwing pebbles into the water.
He had come back home with the hope of making everything better, but Magnolia had gone ahead to do something worse. Why did she blame him? Why couldn’t she see that he only cared too much about her safety?
A voice in his head seemed to speak to him. Well, of course she knows. Remember, she said it was a problem.
Adam understood that Magnolia was not a child. She was a woman with a fire burning inside her. He loved her for that, but that fire could also be the death of her. If only she would allow him to tame that fire!
He sighed and stood up. It had grown darker and it was past time to head home.
Several minutes later, Adam came riding back from the field. The stallion he rode was sweating and white lather had formed on his coat. Adam patted the horse’s neck and trotted him down the road towards home.
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
That night, Magnolia was unable to sleep. It had been hours since Adam had left home.
She laid on her bed fully awake, hoping her husband would come back. Magnolia knew she shouldn’t have said something so vile to him, but she just hated how he was treating her like a child! She was a grown woman capable of taking care of herself. Adam should have known by now that she was not going to allow someone else to resolve her vendetta for her.
The bedroom door opened suddenly, and Adam walked in. She was much relieved on seeing him, but quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be sleeping. He walked to the bed and waited for some time, and she could feel that he was looking at her. Then he climbed into the bed and covered himself with a blanket.
After some seconds she turned towards him and held his hands, but he only stared straight ahead and remained quiet.
“Darling,” she started. “I understand that that was a very horrible thing to say and I regret every word. At the same time, I realize you care about me so much and you are afraid; but nothing will happen to me. I can take care of myself. I just cannot give up on my findings – not now! I have a feeling that I am very close to discovering the truth and that is why my life is being threatened. But I can handle it.”
Adam was quiet for a while, but then turned to face her. “I know you did not mean it. But you must understand that I cannot afford to lose you . . . that I care so much for you.
“However, for the sake of peace we shall both go to the manor tomorrow and find the journal. I do not want us fighting, Magnolia. If doing this with you will make you happy, then I shall try all my best to be with you every step of the way.”
“It does make me happy.” She leaned closer and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, until he brought his head to her cleavage and kissed her there.
Magnolia laughed, but her laughter soon turned into a muffled sound as her husband brought his lips to hers. She could feel the heat rise in between them and then she began to slip out of her dress, very slowly.
She gasped as Adam’s lips came into contact with her nipple. The tip of his tongue circled around the pink bud until it peaked. Her moaning increased as he took hold of the other nipple. Her body shivered against his and her moaning became whimpers.
Adam smiled. She knew he was enjoying what he was doing to her and so he suddenly let go, causing her to whine in protest. Magnolia felt him move further down her body until his mouth was nearly equal with the apex of her tights.
Oh, goodness!
“I always have this great effect on you, my darling,” he whispered to her.
“Just you and no one else,” she breathed.
He spread her legs and slowly settled in between them. His gentle hands ran up and down her smooth legs.
Magnolia bit tightly into her bottom lip, waiting for his next move. He leaned down as before, placing a quick lick at her center, and her hips rolled at this gesture. He smirked and did it again a few more times as she threw her head back and moaned.
He responded by rising up and kissing her up her body. Then he stopped, hovering over her to admire her face.
“Now, Adam!” she cried, while taking a shallow breath.
But he only chuckled. “I want you to relax,” he said, as he climbed on top of her and prepared her for his intrusion. He leaned down to connect their lips. As he did so, he slipped out of his breeches and began to push his manhood against the entrance of her womanhood.
She squeaked with surprise. Magnolia wanted him so much and knew she could never have enough, for she loved every part of him.
Magnolia wrapped her arms around Adam’s neck to kiss him deeper and have his skin against hers. It felt like an eternity for both of them before he finally pushed his manhood all the way inside her.
She whimpered and whined at the fullness of him, loving this moment when she felt so close, so deeply close to Adam like never before.
“You are so enchanting,” he said, as he thrust slowly in and out. “I am the luckiest man on earth to have you as my wife.”
His words pushed her over the edge and the built-up feeling in her stomach was finally released. She shouted his name as he finished inside her, nearly falling on top of her.
They both lay breathless and weak.
“I love you very much,” he whispered into her ears. “That can never be a problem.”
She chuckled. “I love you, too.”
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
Aunt Dorothy was thrilled to see them the next day, even though she was all dressed up in a floral evening gown and seemed to be going somewhere.
“This is quite a surprise, Adam! Why did you not tell me you were coming?” she asked, looking at both he
r niece and Adam in surprise.
“Well, we wanted it to be a surprise, Aunt Dorothy,” Magnolia replied, sitting down. “You are all dressed up. Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes,” replied the older woman. “I have a tea gathering this morning and I think I am late. Will I see you when I get back?”
“Of course. We shall gladly wait,” Magnolia replied.
“Oh, good, good. And since your husband is here, I hope it will be all right to take Mrs. Clarke with me?”
A Mysterious Quest of a Seductive Lady: A Regency Historical Romance Novel Page 15