by Jo Barrett
A shot cracked the air and the room went still.
Agatha clasped her hand to her throat, too terrified to speak, to say what she feared might be so, as neither body moved. A tunnel formed before her as she waited for some sign. She blinked, but the tunnel only narrowed further. Her lungs refused to take in any air, and her legs grew too weak to support her. The last thing she remembered was the room spinning around her and the sound of her name.
Magnus leapt from his prone position atop Beatrice, and took his wife's limp body from Crittenden. “Agatha, are you hurt? Agatha!"
He carried her to the bed as Crittenden reached down and felt for a pulse against Beatrice's throat as Katherine rushed into the room. Magnus hardly spared him a look, but saw him shake his head. It was over, but what of his wife?
"Agatha, love, wake up,” he begged, then kissed her gently and brushed a stray tendril from her cheek. “Wake up, my love. It's over."
Her lids flickered and blinked several times, then with a cry, she through her arms around his neck and sobbed against his chest. “I thought you—the shot—oh, Magnus."
"Shh, love. It's over. I'm fine, but you gave me a fright."
"I-I fainted?"
"Yes, love."
She looked up at him, her brows furrowed deeply. “But I never faint."
He chuckled at her confoundedness. “It would seem there's a first time for everything."
Katherine helped the maid sit up, as she cradled the back of her head. “Blimey, what happened?"
Agatha laughed roughly against his chest. “Let us hope this was a last."
"I second that,” he said, holding her tight.
Barstoke and many of the staff hovered at the door.
"Send for the magistrate and a physician,” Magnus said. “And someone help Tess to her room. I want the doctor to have a look at that bump on her head."
"Oh, I'm fine, my lord. But my lady—"
"I'm fine as well Tess. Just a bit overcome by everything,” Agatha said.
Tess eyed Beatrice's still body and made a wide berth as Crittenden and Katherine assisted her across the room to the door to a pair of footmen.
Magnus lifted his wife in his arms and headed for the connecting door to his room. “You need to rest and not in here."
"I said I feel fine,” she fussed softly.
"So you did,” he said, as he strode into his room.
He placed her on the bed, and pulled the coverlet over her. “Stay here while I take care of things."
"But Magnus—"
"Humor me,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead.
He returned to her room, the image of her sweet smile firmly etched in his mind.
Clarkson came and went, and without bothering to question Agatha, which was just as well, as far as Magnus was concerned. He wanted her fully rested and calm. Once this business was done, he planned to join her there, and show her just how much she meant to him. He'd come far too close to losing her.
Against her wishes, however, he had the doctor give her a good look, determined to know she was well. Tess too, was seen to.
"Both are well?” Crittenden asked as he entered the study, Miss Reynolds on his heels. The doctor and magistrate having left moments before.
"Yes, they are well, and Clarkson has it all in hand."
"That's a relief. I wasn't sure how this would end. That man is rather odious,” Miss Reynolds said.
"Yes, he is a bit of a curmudgeon, but he's fair,” Magnus said.
"Well then, in that case, I should prepare to leave,” she said, and turned on her heels then headed for the door.
"Leave?” Crittenden asked. “Now?"
She paused and looked back over her shoulder. “Yes, now. I'll leave as soon I've said goodbye to Agatha.” She looked to Magnus. “I thank you for being so hospitable. It's been a pleasure meeting you, my lord. If you're ever in America, do look me up."
He nodded, then she smiled and turned back toward the door.
"Just a minute,” Crittenden said, snagging her by the arm.
"I've not but that to spare if I wish to make London before dark.” She slipped from his grip and strolled into the hall, Crittenden following like a lost pup.
Magnus moved to the doorway and watched with a grin as she led his friend on a merry chase.
"Why such a rash decision?” Crittenden said, following her up the stairs.
"Rash?"
"Yes, why London, why now, why this instant?"
"Because that is where the ships are that sail to America,” she said, as if explaining the obvious to a child.
"And you must return now?"
"I see no reason to wait. I'll not hang about while Agatha and Lord Leighton begin their new life together, now that this mess is done. I'd be quite in the way."
Magnus followed, slowly moving to his own rooms, but still well within hearing distance.
"Then come to Haverton House,” Crittenden said, and the lady paused in her stride toward her room.
"Why?” she asked softly.
"Because—because—damn it all, Katherine, you know why."
Magnus hand rested on the handle to his door as he looked down the hall at the pair.
Miss Reynolds turned, a small smile on her face. “No, I don't know why. I'll not hypothesize, theorize, or make a single conjecture on this matter. I have to have the facts."
Crittenden paced back and forth, running his hand through his hair. Magnus wanted to laugh, but had been in the man's shoes before and quite knew the feeling. Then Crittenden did something he'd never expected of his old friend.
He fell to one knee and took her hand in his. “Will you marry me?"
The lovely lady tilted her head to the side, and said, “I know that was difficult for you, George, but I'll not marry a man who doesn't love me."
"Then you'd best plan the wedding, dearest, because I do love you.” With that he leapt to his feet and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
The sight put a wide smile on Magnus face, as he slipped inside his bedroom.
"Dare I ask why you're smiling so wide?” Agatha asked from the bed. He did so love seeing her there, her hair across his pillow, her gaze soft and warm.
"Crittenden just asked Miss Reynolds to marry him."
She sat up with a laugh. “Did she say yes?"
"After he confessed to loving her, yes."
He removed his clothes then slid between the covers.
"His mother will be pleased,” she said.
"No doubt.” He pulled her against his chest and using his chin, nudged the strap of her chemise aside so he could taste her shoulder.
"They make a good match.” She said. “If George can handle her intelligence and her determination. She's rather independent."
"Hmm,” he murmured against her skin.
"Um, Magnus, do you really think we should—well, after all, it is the middle of the day."
He pulled the small tie at the top and spread the fabric wide, exposing her full breasts.
"The magistrate is gone, the doctor as well,” he said, nipping at a tender bud, peaked and ready for his attentions. “And Crittenden will be on his way home with Miss Reynolds as his guest within the hour. There's no one left to bother us.” He pulled the red-tipped berry into his mouth and suckled.
"Ohhh, well—um—if you're certain,” she breathed.
"Positive.” He moved to divest her completely of her chemise, wanting all of her exposed to him.
"This just seems a bit improper. Scandalous, even,” she said, but squiggled to release the cloth from her body.
"That it is,” he said with a hearty chuckle. “But I refuse to bow to convention. You are my wife, and I plan on making love to you whenever I wish, for as long as I wish."
"Oh, I rather like the sound of that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"That isn't all you're going to like,” he murmured.
"You know, last night you snuffed all the lights and remo
ved my spectacles so I wouldn't see you, and not a moment ago you undressed before me without a hint of discomfort."
He paused, his lips hovering over hers. “I—I hadn't even realized."
She smiled up at him, sliding her hands over his bare chest. “I do love progress. Among other things,” she breathed, one hand moving lower to find him more than ready to fill her every desire.
"And I love a fast learner,” he groaned, then took her mouth in a long drugging kiss.
"I always was a good student."
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Epilogue
Agatha threw her arms around her cousin, so excited to see her, and relieved. She needed some help with organizing Katherine's wedding to Lord Crittenden.
They'd decided to marry in the country, instead of in London. Lady Crittenden wasn't all too pleased with that, but seeing her son happy and with a suitable woman, she did her best to remain quiet on the subject.
While Haverton House was overflowing with Lord Crittenden's relatives and friends, Bridley Hall was filled with Katherine's relations. And in that, Magnus was not all too pleased, but Agatha thought she'd managed to keep him happy even with all the intruders. Not a night passed that they didn't sleep wrapped in one another's arms.
"You look different,” Hattie said with a giggle. “I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's definitely something different."
Laughing, she took her cousin's hand and drew her to a chair. “I'm truly happy, and not merely content."
"Would that be due to your success with your fertilizer or due to your husband?"
"Both, but if I have to choose, then I choose my husband."
Hattie sighed, a happy gleam in her eye. “It's wonderful to be in love, isn't it?"
"There are no words to describe it. I cannot imagine why so many women of our circle choose to marry without it."
"I suspect it has more to do with their parents than anything else."
She patted her cousin's hand, a smile on her face. “You and I shall never do that to our children."
Hattie cupped her stomach, a tearful smile on her face. “No, I shan't."
"Oh, Hattie! Are you really?"
She nodded and a tear slipped away.
"How wonderful for you! And your husband, he's pleased with the idea of becoming a father?"
"Oh, yes,” she said with a watery giggle as she swiped away the tear. “He couldn't stop crowing for days."
Agatha wondered if Magnus would be as happy when she informed him. She wasn't one hundred percent sure yet, but soon she would know.
Katherine entered the parlor, her hands filled with papers, her gaze intent on them. “Agatha, have you seen—oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company."
"That's quite all right, Katherine. Come join us. This is my cousin Hattie."
They fell into a comfortable chat, Hattie and Katherine getting along famously from the start, just as she knew they would. They talked of Hattie's honeymoon, her trip to Italy, to be precise, and of Katherine's wedding plans and her own honeymoon.
Agatha wondered, although not seriously, what it would have been like to have gone on a trip with Magnus. They'd been at such odds in the beginning, both too afraid to say or do anything wrong. And there was that awful business with Beatrice Hayden. It's quite possible she would have followed them and created some sort of incident that looked like an accident. She shuddered at the thought.
"Are you all right, Agatha?” Hattie asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm fine.” She stood and pushed the past behind her. “But I've a few things I need to do. Will you be all right here with Katherine?"
"Of course, I'll see you a bit later."
With a nod, Agatha was out the door and in search of her husband. She only needed to see him, just to make sure he was well. Silly of her, she knew, but the memory of a gunshot and not knowing who had been hit stole up on her thoughts at odd times.
His study door was ajar and she eased inside. He sat at his desk, his attention on a ledger spread open before him. She could smell the out-of-doors on him from across the room. It could not have been long since he'd taken his morning ride.
She silently closed the door and leaned against it to watch him as he worked. A familiar fluttery feeling wafted through her and she grinned. Although scarred, he was the most handsome man in the world—her world, and she loved him beyond anything.
"If you keep looking at me like that, we shall need to lock the door,” he said, lifting his head with a crooked grin.
"How long have you known I was here?"
He rose and circled his desk. “I knew the moment you peeked through the doorway.” He sat on the edge of his desk and held out his arms.
Laughing, she raced across the room and threw herself into the haven of his embrace. “You have a very keen sense of hearing, my lord."
"No, love. Hearing has little to do with it,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “My body—my heart responds to you wherever you are. But as much as I am enjoying this visit, are you not supposed to be visiting with your cousin?"
She linked her hands behind his head and soaked up the sight of him. “I left her in Katherine's care."
His brow furrowed. “Is something wrong, love?"
"Can a wife not seek out her husband for a few stolen moments?"
Magnus brushed a stay tendril from her cheek as he studied her sweet face. He knew of her nightmares, they'd begun the moment the house began filling with visitors. Bringing back all the memories of what had happened more than a month ago. Often, he pulled her to his side, held her close as she slept until her worried murmurings subsided. Not once had she awoken, nor had she mentioned them to him, and he feared they would plague her for some time. Even he had his share, but they would fade with time.
"You may seek me out anytime, night or day, love,” he said, and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"Oh, I do wish this wedding was in the past."
He chuckled. “Are you not enjoying your friends?"
"I'd rather enjoy more time alone with my husand,” she said, and nipped at his lips with her teeth.
"Do not move.” He released her and crossed to the door. With a flick of his wrist, the key was turned. He crossed back to her then lifted her onto his desk.
"You have that look in your eye,” she said, her breath soft and inviting.
"That I do.” One hand slid beneath her skirts as the other cupped the back of her head and held her as he ravished her mouth.
He made quick work of the barriers between them, and soon she was lying back across his desk and ledgers like a wanton, begging him to touch her, fill her—love her.
And he did, with his whole heart.
Haverton House was filled to the rafters for the wedding breakfast. There was barely enough room to breathe, but Katherine looked lovely in her wedding dress, while George looked a bit green around the gills, but he'd managed to remain upright for the service, which was saying quite a bit for the man.
A rather tenderhearted toast echoed about the dining room, and Magnus slipped his hand in Agatha's beneath the table. She squeezed in return, and wished for the bride and groom to hurry things along so they might return home and have a moment alone with her husband. She had something very important to tell him.
But the day wore on at a snail's pace, and once home, she collapsed in a chair in their rooms, exhausted.
"Tired, love?” Magnus asked, taking her hand and kissing the back.
"Beyond measure."
"You are still having dreams,” he said with a nod.
"How did you know?"
He chuckled, and she waved the answer away, it was obvious. They'd not slept apart since that awful woman tried to kill her.
"Now that the wedding is done, the Reynolds and their throng will be gone soon, and all will be peaceful once again."
"Um, yes."
He paused in tugging off his neck cloth and looked at her. “Agatha?"
She plucked a
t the lace edging her sleeves Hattie had insisted she wear. “It will be quiet for a time, but not for very long, I'm afraid."
He sat down beside her and tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. “Explain."
"I am—we are—that is to say—"
Chuckling, he lifted her and placed her in his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Out with it. What have you done or not done that is going to cause our peaceful existence to be spoiled once again?"
She bit her lip, and said, “We're going to have a baby."
He sucked in a breath, and stared at her with wide eyes. “You—we—"
"Yes. We are. In eight months the house will be turned upside down once again."
"You're not—happy about it?"
"Oh, no. I'm very happy, shocked, but happy. I just wasn't sure you would be. At least, not so soon."
"You, my love, may turn this house upside down and inside out with all the children you desire. That is a noise I will be more than happy to live with.” He cupped her face in his hand and kissed her thoroughly.
She threw her arms around his neck and cried happy tears. “I'm so happy."
"As am I. I will forever be grateful to those harpies at Crittenden's welcome home ball for driving you straight into my arms."
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A sneak peek at Jo Barrett's next book...
* * * *
Doorway To His Heart
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Chapter One
Emily opened her eyes and tried to focus on her surroundings. Something was very wrong. Where were all the blinking, bleeping machines? Why was she at the hotel instead of at the hospital? She vaguely recalled sirens, someone shouting out orders, and Lila crying. Somewhere amid the chaos she'd given up the fight and let the blackness take her. But surely they would've taken her to the hospital, or had she recovered enough to be sent home? Maybe she'd only been tired after all.
Maybe...wait. This wasn't her hotel room, she realized as she gingerly sat up. It was a beautifully appointed room, but it wasn't where she and Lila had been staying.
"Oh my. You're awake,” a voice said from the doorway.