Aubree smiled at his doubt. “Until death do us part, milord, and most likely into the hereafter. I am a very stubborn person when I make up my mind.”
He grinned briefly, then sobered. “It is very possible that I will end up in the Tower, my love. Until I straighten things out with your father, perhaps you had better stay here with your aunt. I have no fear of prison, but I would not heap more scandal on you.”
“How you will persuade my father to tear up those warrants is your decision to make, my lord, but whether I care to risk scandal or not is my decision. You once yelled at me for interfering in your affairs, but it seems I have equal right to protest if this is your reason for sending me away,” she reminded him.
Heath stood and lifted her to her feet. “Perhaps we should come to an understanding, then. From now on, we will not hide anything from each other, but let each make his own decisions based on all the facts. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Daringly, Aubree lifted her hand to his bronzed face, caressing the hard knot of his muscle along his jaw. It relaxed beneath her touch, and she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Now will you give me all the facts?”
“Witch.” He caught her up and kissed her thoroughly before returning her to her feet. “Let us confer somewhere warmer, if you please. Your nose will soon be turning an enticing shade of blue if we do not.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and, lifting her skirts, ran over the crumbled stones of the garden path toward home. Hampered by the need to close up the stable and pick his way along unfamiliar paths, Heath did not catch up with her until they had almost reached the house. The sound of her giggles lifted his hopes more than her words of affection.
Words might lie, but Aubree’s laughter came from the heart. He swung her up in his arms and proceeded to carry her past the shocked footman up the stairs to their chambers.
It took hours before Heath could explain all the facts of the impounding of his ship and his reckless stealing of it from beneath the navy’s nose. With the evidence gone, the arrest warrants might be moot, but he feared the worst unless he had time to mend his bridges with the duke.
With concern, he traced the black circles under Aubree’s eyes. He had not dared take her to bed, not yet, not until she knew the full extent of the problem. If, as she said, she were not breeding, it would be better if they took no chances yet. Aubree might decide she could live with a jailbird, but their child would have no such choice. Instead, he sat in a chair beside the fire, and Aubree curled sleepily in his lap, her head upon his shoulder.
“There is still the chance I might lose the abbey, my love, and spend the rest of my days behind bars, or worse. You must see that it would be wisest for me to persuade your father of my suitability as a husband first.”
She yawned and curled closer to his warmth. “If my father has not answered your letters before this, he will not do so now. You might catch him at Castle Ashbrook if you wish to make the journey, but I cannot imagine how you will prove your suitability without me or the abbey. If the sheriff has dismissed the charges against you in Blanche’s death, and you are restoring the house, and you have no ship left, I cannot see how he could object to our marriage. We will flee to the Americas if he insists on being stubborn. Live in a cottage by the shore,” she finished sleepily.
“You would, too, wouldn’t you?” Heath brushed her brow with his lips and lifted her in his arms prior to rising from the chair. “And I daresay you’d make footmen of the Indians and train turkeys to talk.” She giggled softly as he carried her to the bed. “But in the meantime, you had better sleep on this decision. I will not leave until you are ready.”
“I want to go home,” she murmured.
“Then so you shall, my love.” He kissed her eyelids, then left her there, alone, before his resistance weakened.
Chapter 36
They met in the garden so early in the morning that the house still seemed asleep. The frost on the grass crackled as they walked down the lane toward the vicarage, and their breaths froze in the air.
Aubree swung his hand as they hurried through the morning air. All signs of the prior day’s illness had vanished and her eyes sparkled with merriment. She came to a halt and slid her arms unashamedly about his neck and stood on her toes to kiss him.
Heath clapped her small, bundled figure close and warmed his heart on the intensity of her love. To have her come to him like this was too new and exciting an experience to not savor every minute of it. But when he set her down on the ground again, his expression was grave. “You are certain the vicar will not object?”
“No! Why should he? He enjoys sounding pompous before an audience, and it is not often he has an earl to preach before. And if you are worried I am having second thoughts, you don’t know me very well.”
Since that was just exactly what he was worrying, he offered a sheepish grin. He knew her well enough, all right, he just could not yet believe his good fortune. He wanted it shouted to the world. He wanted to run through the streets yelling, “She loves me!” He had never felt so thoroughly young and foolish in all his life. And he loved it.
Aubree swept him a smile as she stepped over the stile and onto the vicar’s grounds.
“I love you, Mrs. Atwood,” he whispered against her ear before he set her down again.
“Fie on you, sir, to treat a poor girl so.” Aubree made a pretty pout. “And it is time enough and past that you be giving me your name before the whole world knows what a wicked man you are.” She darted from beneath his hand as he grabbed for her and ran laughing down the lane.
Lexa’s father looked astonished when the servant led the laughing countess and her husband into his study, but he agreed to their request. Why should a couple not repeat their wedding vows? It seemed an excellent example for many. Perhaps he could make a sermon of it. There had been many a time he had wished to preach a sermon at the hoydenish Lady Aubree. He could no more resist this opportunity than metal could resist lodestone.
And so it was that the Earl and Countess of Heathmont stood at the altar of the small village church before a country vicar to repeat the wedding vows they had not meant to keep on the first occasion.
As the words, “Wilt thou love, comfort, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” echoed through the tiny church, tears formed in Aubree’s lashes. She could not deny the fierceness and intensity of Heath’s gaze and the forcefulness of his “I will.” This time, there was no doubt in either of their minds. Whatever the future might bring, they would meet it as one.
Afterward, the vicar wanted to chat, but they had eyes only for each other. Reluctantly, he accepted Heath’s generous gift and watched them walk away.
But as they drew closer to the welcoming warmth of Southridge, Heath’s thoughts diverted from the solemn ceremony and he gazed hungrily upon his newly promised wife. Bundled up in a tawny-gold wool pelisse with fur trim that succeeded in hiding all her lovely curves, Aubree still appeared delectably feminine. And the bewitching light of her eyes as told him her thoughts did not stray far from his.
“’Tis a pity your aunt will be up and expecting us,” Austin murmured.
She nodded solemnly. “And that your son already has his days and nights mixed up and only leaves me comfortable in the mornings.”
Heath came to a dead Halt and swung her around. “My what?”
Remembering that she had not quite yet imparted that information to him, Aubree glanced slyly up at him. The look of sheer startlement upon his aristocratic visage was a joy to see. “Well, it could be a daughter, I suppose, but the first one really ought to be a son, I believe. Boys are so devilish difficult, you know, I would prefer to concentrate on just the one for a while. Don’t you agree?” she asked innocently.
“The devil, you say!” Heath exclaimed. “Aubree Elizabeth, you told me. . .” He stumbled, not certain what she had told him. Totally bewildered, he ran his hand through h
is hair and studied her with hope.
“I was mistaken,” she informed him gleefully. “I have thought about it and thought about it and there can only be the one answer. Act-u-al-ly,” she drew the word out, “if my calculations are at all right—and I never was very good with figures—it seems you might be a father by. . .” She mentally counted forward, checking her fingers. “By June. You know what that means, don’t you?”
Utterly flummoxed, Austin shook his head in confusion. June! By Jupiter, June! A father! By June. His mind whirled.
Aubree laughed, curling her gloved hand within the warm strength of his. “It means, my lord, that you never had a chance.”
And as the sun came out from behind a cloud to shine upon his face and brighten the day to glorious gold, he understood. He’d never had a chance. Heath turned his face up to the sky and crowed with laughter as he hugged her to him. June! He must have caught her that very first time. Or she had caught him. Totally impossible. Absolutely outrageous. Preposterous and absurd. And perfect.
He swung her around until they were both dizzy and giggling. Then, after covering her face with kisses, Heath marched them toward the door. If they could not have their honeymoon until the early hours of the morrow, he would spill his joy to the world today.
But when they entered the house, the butler helped them with their coats and intoned mournfully, “Lady Clara sends her regrets but she has been called to town and will not be back until luncheon. She asks that you make yourself at home.”
Heath’s gaze flew to Aubree’s and the ripple of conspiracy between them was almost visible as he deadpanned, “That’s quite all right, Bothwell. Lady Aubree is weary after our walk and needs to rest.”
Beneath the butler’s steady gaze, the earl offered his arm with supreme dignity to his lady, who could barely stifle her giggles. He bent her a severe look and formally escorted her up the stairs for the benefit of any watching. Arriving at his chamber door, he glanced up and down the corridor, then swept her into his arms.
“Now, my lady,” he whispered wickedly, “you are at my mercy.” He marched her into his chambers and, slamming the door behind him, tumbled her onto the wide bed.
Aubree shrieked with laughter and began assaulting his face with kisses.
“Shush, my lovely, you will tell the whole household what we do at this disgraceful hour,” he murmured while nibbling her ear and locating the tempting globe of her breast.
“Horrors,” Aubree replied without fear. As his hand nimbly unfastened the pearl buttons of her gown, her cheeks colored.
He grinned at this evidence of maidenly modesty. “I think I shall enjoy teaching you to be my courtesan, my dear. You’ll not remain innocent forever.” He undid the rest of the buttons and cupped her chemise-clad breast in his palm.
“If I am your courtesan, then you will need no others.” Brazenly, Aubree plucked the knot from his cravat.
His kiss was fierce and hungry as he took her mouth, claiming all for his own. They undressed each other carefully, savoring every sensation. In the morning light, the roped muscles of her husband’s shoulders and chest seemed magnificent,. She felt shy as he slid her chemise over her head, leaving her naked of all else but garters and stockings, but his gaze was worshipful.
When she lay stretched beneath his half-dressed frame, Aubree felt the power of love within her and basked in its flame. She wanted him to enjoy the new fullness of her breasts and the lushness rounding her belly. As his hands and gaze spoke their admiration, she flourished beneath his touch, and her longing grew stronger.
“My God, you are so lovely, Aubree,” he whispered, caressing her skin, memorizing the curve of her hip with his hand. “I cannot believe I have all this and be blessed with what you carry here, too.” His hands stroked the nearly invisible curve of her abdomen.
“I want to make you as happy as I am.” Aubree held out her arms and he came into them and their kiss removed any barriers that remained.
She kissed him urgently, clinging to him. He tortured her with his slowness, making her wait while he caressed those places that made her weep and beg for more, arousing a need within her so great she thought she might die from it.
And then he was inside her, righting her world and making it quake with the thunderous rhythm of his passion. She had not remembered the moment so clearly as this, and the beauty and violence of it rose up within her until she felt the explosion that sent her beyond her body and into his, where they drifted in sweet bliss.
The aftershock was quite as nice, and Aubree smiled peacefully as Heath eased his weight from her, keeping her safe within the shelter of his arms.
“How did I ever live without you, my love?” he murmured in wonderment, breathing in the scent of lilacs. Her soft weight pressed against his side had an amazing effect on his senses, among other things.
“With great difficulty, evidently.” Aubree nibbled at his ear and pressed temptingly against him.
He groaned and twisted so that she lay sprawled on top of him in a most compromising position. “I can see my difficulty has only just begun. You will become a demanding, greedy wench if I do not take serious steps to keep you in the traces.”
“Atwood Abbey will never lack for heirs, then,” she murmured as he hardened against her thigh.
Heath caught her hips and thrust against her. “I trust our son will be reasonable about this. I have lost too much time to make it up quickly. It was most incautious of him to be in such a hurry.”
His gaze rested on her breasts with fascination, and a slow blush of color rose between them. “In a few months, I will be so unwieldy you will lose all interest in me,” she announced.
Heath smiled as he studied pert breasts and tiny waist and slender hips. He knew all of her now, but he was eager to learn more. The sight of her belly swelling with his child was one in which he intended to take much pleasure. He chuckled and lifted her above him.
“Do not count on that, milady,” he murmured, thrusting deep within her once more.
Lady Clara watched them descend the stairs for luncheon, and joy filled her heart at what she read in their eyes. As Aubree came up to kiss her cheek, Clara hugged her tightly, then turned to Heath to do the same.
“Bless you, my boy. I knew you would make her understand.”
Heath hugged her in return and gave Aubree’s questioning eyebrows a grin. “I believe it worked the other way around, my lady. She has made a believer out of me.”
Clara stepped back and searched Aubree’s face, noting the quiet joy and the new maturity with which she held herself. The young hoyden had too much spirit to ever be a proper lady, but she gave every appearance of being a proper wife. Right down to the most important part. Clara nodded knowingly.
“Good. Your father can make no objections to this marriage now. I shall write him at once and tell him I have sent you home to be with the father of your child. See if that does not bring him running.”
Aubree and Heath stared after the amazing lady as she regally led the way to the table. Then, grinning at each other, they followed. If all the world could read their secrets, they had nothing to hide.
When they retired to bed that night, Aubree curled up in the security of Heath’s arms. Now that she had what she wanted, she had time to worry about the consequences. She had a child growing within her, and the responsibility weighed upon her shoulders. And if her father should still be angry enough to have Heath arrested, how could she bear to part with him again? She curled her fingers in the hairs upon his chest.
Heath settled her more against his shoulder and covered her belly with the flat of his hand. “Is he causing trouble so soon?”
Aubree reveled in the gentleness with which he treated her. All he had ever wanted was a home and a family, just as she had. If they could only lay all scandal behind them, he would settle down to be an excellent father and a loving husband. She could only pray the world would leave them alone.
“He is learning to behave. I think I s
hall be well enough to travel in the morning.”
“Are you certain? We could stay here awhile until the sickness passes.” Heath held her anxiously.
“The sickness might stay for weeks or disappear tomorrow. No, I want to go home and see my pets and see what you have done to the abbey and let you give your news to your mother. And then we will come back here for Lexa’s wedding. Your son shall have to learn to behave, for I don’t mean to pamper him.”
“I can’t think all this gadding about can be good for you.”
“My decision, remember?” she whispered sleepily.
“That’s what you think, madam,” Austin informed her.
But her giggles left the matter open to conjecture.
Chapter 37
The clouds lay leaden across the sky as Aubree rode down the drive toward the Sothebys’ manor house, but a smile played about her lips despite the weather. She had grown fond of the crotchety old man over these past weeks, and she looked forward to seeing Anna and Maria again.
Although Heath had not been informed yet, she and the sisters were planning a special treat for Boxing Day, a surprise for the servants and tenants of the abbey, and a chance for a merry gathering for the rest of the neighborhood. They would put the finishing touches on the packages today and announce their plans when the Sothebys arrived for dinner tonight. Heath might be doubtful, but Aubree had confidence his friends and neighbors were ready to support him.
A horse stood tied to a tree at the end of the Sothebys’ drive, and Aubree gave it a curious glance. Guests generally rode up to the house and a stable lad would take their mounts in out of the cold. To leave one tied to a tree was in bad taste, but the Sothebys’ servants were often lax. Anna was much too softhearted to reprimand them.
Since she was only going down the road a way, little Michael had been appointed as groom to accompany her. Away from the slatternly household he had been raised in, he was growing into a fine, strong boy. Normally, he was at her heels whenever possible. When he didn’t hurry to help her dismount, she turned to find him frowning at the strange horse. Aubree dismounted and handed her reins to the mesmerized boy.
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