“Vincent, please, please,” she gasped as the ache in her womb caused by his suckling her became almost unbearable.
“What is it you want from me?” Vincent asked, needing to be sure that she would be ready for him. He could not hold himself back much longer.
“I don’t know, Vincent,” she whispered, “but please, please …”
Vincent heard her catch her breath as he raised the hem of her chemise and tenderly probed that warm place between her thighs with one long finger. She was moist and ready for him. He knew that she was totally innocent and took time to warn her. “You may feel a little discomfort, my love, but I promise you I will be gentle and any pain will soon be over.”
He could tell that she was too overcome with sensual feelings to respond to his words; she could only whimper and tell him of her need for him. His cock was throbbing and he could not hold back any longer. He removed the chemise and the sight of her naked body was nearly his undoing. He took several deep breaths to regain control and then, telling her of his love and how beautiful she was, he gently parted her thighs and moved on top of her. He tried to insert himself into her slowly, but found that this was not enough to penetrate the barrier of her virginity. Taking a deep breath, he quickly thrust into her. When she cried out in pain, he gathered her to him.
“My darling,” he said, “I am so sorry.” He used every ounce of self-control to pause, kissing her until he felt her relax once more. He then began to move deeply within her until she was moving in response and demanding more. He thrust harder and faster and she met him stroke for stroke, her back arching, her breathing heavy and both their bodies slick with sweat. Just when he thought he could not hold back any longer, he felt her climax and moments later had his own shuddering release. “You are beautiful, my love,” he whispered breathlessly.
Miriam lay on the bed next to him, feeling tired and languid after their lovemaking. She had never expected the act to feel so wonderful. Yes, it had hurt her momentarily, but any pain had been soon forgotten as Vincent made her body react and her senses reel in a way that she could not have imagined.
He lay next to her now, looking spent, but a small smile curved his mouth. She thought he was perhaps asleep, so propping herself on one elbow, she took her time looking at him and taking in all the beauty of his naked body. She could not remember him removing his own clothes, but her body tingled as she remembered him removing her clothing.
She perused him for some time, until she suddenly remembered that it was the middle of the day. She sat up and pulled the sheet around her. Her quick movements roused Vincent.
“Are you all right? I have not hurt you, have I?” His brow was furrowed in concern.
“No, I am not hurt, and in fact, I don’t think I have ever felt so good in my life.” Miriam blushed prettily at her admission. “But it is the middle of the afternoon. What were we thinking?”
Vincent laughed. “It may surprise you to know that people can and do make love at all times of the day and night. We are married, so we are perfectly entitled to make love when and where we want.” With that, he pulled her back into his arms.
“Forgive me,” she pleaded, “but I know so little about these things.”
She blushed again as he replied, “I would be more than happy to teach you, my love.”
Miriam felt a warm glow inside at the endearment, and she spent the next few minutes telling him and showing him how much she loved him.
Eventually Miriam decided that she must get up and get dressed, and after she did, ensured that Vincent was properly attired and in bed resting. Just in time, too, for following a knock at the door, Vincent’s mother came into the room. Not noticing anything amiss, she gave them details of her shopping trip.
Vincent got out of bed for dinner that evening and sat at the table in his room with Miriam and his mother. After the meal his mother took her leave.
“I should be going to my room now,” said Miriam, although she was most reluctant to leave.
Vincent reached out and took her hands in his. “This is your room now, Miriam. You are my wife and I love you and want you with me tonight and every night.”
Smiling, Miriam rose and called for her maid to move her things into Vincent’s room and then dismissed her for the evening. Miriam and Vincent spent most of the night exploring each other’s body and making love. Miriam didn’t think she’d ever been so happy. Vincent had been right; there was no pain now when he entered her. She was ready for him and revelled in his love.
Chapter Twenty
Lucy’s Wedding
1814, Derbyshire, England
It was the end of August and Miriam and Vincent were guests of the Earl and Countess of Blackwood. They were there to attend the wedding of Robert Bright and Lucy Spencer.
Lucy and Robert were excited and thrilled about their big day, and anyone looking at them could clearly see that they were very much in love.
“It was love at first sight for us,” Lucy explained to Miriam. “I never believed that could happen until I saw Robert, and he said it was the same for him.”
Miriam was genuinely pleased for her friend. “I knew from the first time I saw you both together that there was something very special between you, and I am so glad to see my best friend so happy. I cannot wait for you to move into Fairleigh Manor after your honeymoon; we will be close neighbours.”
Lucy’s mother, the Countess of Blackwood, joined them in the drawing room. She had been concerned about Miriam when she had first married Vincent; she knew that the girl was fonder of him than she admitted, and worried that she might get hurt. Having seen them together over the past couple of days, however, she knew that her fears were unfounded.
“May I ask you, Miriam, how you are enjoying married life?” the countess asked.
“I find it much to my liking.” Miriam smiled and unconsciously put her hand on her stomach.
The countess noticed. “Have you any news for us, Miriam?”
Miriam could not keep the happiness from showing in her face. “Yes. I am with child. I was not going to say anything until after the wedding because I did not want to take away from Lucy and Robert’s special time.”
“Miriam, that is wonderful!” exclaimed Lucy, who had overheard this. “When is the baby due?”
“All being well, it will be born in December.”
“You look lovely. Have you kept well?” Lucy wanted to know.
“Other than the first couple of months when I felt a little queasy, I have been well. Vincent does worry and fuss over me. I let him because it makes him feel better.” Miriam laughed.
Vincent was in the library talking to Robert and telling him how much he was enjoying married life.
“As you know, Robert, when we decided to marry it was for practical rather than romantic reasons, but I think I always knew deep down that I loved her. Although I was quite determined to find a wife, as you recall, I never once considered asking any other woman. I ignored how anxious I felt when I thought my pursuit of Miriam was not going to succeed. I will tell you, though, that it will be a long time before I forgive myself for treating her so badly in the first months of our marriage.”
“Well, I am sure Miriam has forgiven you,” Robert told him. “I can see how much she loves you when she looks at you. I hope Lucy feels the same about me.”
“Robert, we both know that Lucy has been head over heels in love with you from the day you first met.” The two friends laughed in delight at their good fortunes.
The wedding day was a beautiful summer day with blue skies and a warm breeze. As Vincent and Miriam watched Lucy and Robert take their marriage vows, Miriam’s eyes filled with tears. Vincent, seeing them, squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear how much he loved her. Miriam, not caring who was watching, turned and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, allowing her tears of happiness to fall unchecked down her face.
Read on for an excerpt from
The Earl of Ice
By Helen A. Grant
Coming in early 2015 from Arrow Publications
Prologue
Fourteen-year-old Miss Diana Wells was walking past the library when she heard a loud thud. She cautiously opened the door to investigate however on scanning the room she did not see anything unusual. She was about to close the door when a muffled grunting sound brought her focus down to floor level. There was a stranger laying on the floor struggling for breath and, as she watched, his limbs begin to shake.
She immediately knew what was wrong with the man and, letting the library door slam shut behind her, she flew across the room to where he lay; his whole body was now racked with uncontrollable spasms. She quickly pushed aside a chair and a small table to ensure he did not knock into them and injure himself and then she sat down on the floor beside him to observe.
Diana had seen fits before on many occasions. Her twin brother had suffered from them throughout his childhood until his death two years ago. Mamma had told her that she was the bigger, healthier twin who was born first and Colin had been born much later and after a great struggle. He had not been expected to live beyond infancy but somehow he had. Her parents had little contact with him and left his care to a paid nurse. Colin was slow to learn and regularly had fits. Sometimes these were small lapses of consciousness when he stared blankly for a few seconds before resuming whatever task he was doing and sometimes they were big fits like the one the man she was now sat with was having.
Colin had been Diana’s shadow up to his death and she still missed him greatly. Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered her precious brother. He had always been frightened and disorientated after a fit and she had always been there to comfort and calm him.
Gathering her thoughts she turned her attention back to the man on the floor and felt a wave of relief as the severity of the spasms gradually subsided. She grabbed a cushion from the nearest chair and gently lifted his head and placed the cushion underneath it. She took his now still hand and held it; without thinking she offered him the same care and reassurance she had always given her twin.
His breathing eased and Diana reached over and, gently brushing his hair away from his face, whispered words of reassurance. “Shh…You are safe…Do not worry…You will be yourself soon.” She watched his face anxiously and at length his eyes opened allowing her to see the confusion in his piercing blue eyes.
“I’ll stay with you until you are properly awake,” she promised as his eyes closed and he drifted into an exhausted sleep.
The young man slept soundly for about quarter of an hour and she stayed next to him throughout. When he was fully awake she stood and kept hold of his hand to steady him as he also rose to his feet. He was tall; taller than her brothers and his clothes, although crumpled from his laying on the floor, were fashionable and of good quality. Diana suddenly became aware that she was still holding the man’s hand and dropping it she ran out of the library. She returned to her room and, other than making the decision not to discuss the encounter with anyone as she felt it would not be fair to the stranger, she put the incident out of her mind.
The man, Viscount Maythorpe, stayed for a short time in the library gaining his composure after the girl had fled. He knew what had happened to him. He had suffered from occasional epileptic seizures when he was younger but, not having had one since he was thirteen years old, had assumed he had left these behind with his childhood.
His seizures were never talked about in his family and only those closest to him were aware he had ever suffered from them. If he had a seizure as a child his family left the room and servants were ordered to do likewise. He received no comfort from them and on his recovery it was never mentioned.
The look of concern he saw in the girl’s large brown eyes had surprised him and he had sensed that he could safely rest until fully recovered. Why this should be so he had no idea. After all he was a fully grown man at 21 years of age and the girl could have been no more than 13 or 14 years old and, from her dress, obviously still in the schoolroom.
Viscount Maythorpe had journeyed to Yorkshire to visit Viscount Westbury who was acclaimed for his horse breeding and fine stables but, having had a seizure, he was greatly shaken and so he made up some excuse to the butler and left without having even having met Westbury.
Chapter One
Rollo, the Earl of Brockwood, checked his reflection in the mirror without any vanity. His shirt was pristine white and the double breasted burgundy waistcoat fitted him perfectly. His necktie was elaborately tied in a fashionable Gordon Knot; cream close fitting drop front drop breeches and brown boots which shone from prolonged polishing completed his outfit. All that was needed was for his valet to help him into his tailcoat, hand him his hat and gloves and he would be ready.
His destination tonight; no different from the previous Wednesday and the one before that, was the ball at Almack’s Assembly Rooms. According to his mother it was not an option not to attend and Rollo usually found it was easier to acquiesce to her. He would dutifully dance with half a dozen young ladies and stay just long enough to satisfy his mother and then escape to White’s for the rest of the evening.
‘The Earl of Ice.’ Rollo was quite aware of this nickname and why it was bestowed on him. Having unexpectedly suffered a seizure four years earlier on a trip to Yorkshire he had come to the decision that he would never marry for the simple reason that he did not want to reproduce offspring who may be similarly afflicted. Having had one more seizure since that time he had no thought to changing that decision. On his father’s death he had taken the title of Earl of Brockwood and, following this, had endured much pressure from his mother to find himself a suitable wife but he had no intention of ever doing so. He had younger brothers who would be able to produce enough heirs to satisfy.
Rollo had sown plenty of wild oats as a teenager and, despite rumour to the contrary, he had not been celibate since. He was however extremely discreet. He always exerted great care when in contact with single young ladies and was even more careful in any conversation with their mothers.
He never danced more than one dance with any young lady and made a rule never to escort one into supper. He did not permit himself anything other than the most circumspect conversation and did not ever succumb to teasing or flirting. He had learnt to school his face to ensure that he never smiled or showed any encouragement during conversation. Friends and family who knew him when he was younger would say this was a great loss because, although considered extremely handsome, he was even more so when he did smile. He had trained his blue eyes—which he had heard described as being piercing—to show no reaction.
He was intentionally cold towards all women and not only was he aware of his nickname he found it served him very well indeed.
As none of his friends were aware that he suffered from seizures he did not enlighten them as to the cause for his apparent indifference to women. He knew that some malicious gossips had even questioned whether he had a preference for boys but he ignored this knowing it to be unfounded.
Rollo had a very small circle of people who he could describe as his true friends. He had many acquaintances and found the number of people who claimed friendship with him had vastly increased when he inherited his title. Only his closest friends saw the true Rollo; to all others he maintained his cold, frosty façade at all times.
Tonight, as usual, Rollo would stoically endure the Ball. Occasionally he even found some amusement at the lengths the ladies, both married and single, would go to in order to try and gain his attention.
Arriving at around nine o’ clock the ballroom was already over crowded. He acknowledged Lady Sefton, the patroness, and then made his way towards his mother and brother, Oliver, who were surrounded as usual by a number of old friends and acquaintances. Rollo, assuming his customary bored, rigid expression joined their party and endured a slight scolding from his mother about his late time of arrival. He imperceptibly raised an eyebrow and only Oliver recognised this and smiled at him sympathetically. Let the
onslaught begin thought Rollo. The sooner he could get out of there the better.
Lady Fanshaw was the first to capture his attention and so he dutifully marked her daughter’s card for a dance; he knew that would please his mother. He was next approached by Lady Devonson and he obliged her eldest daughter, Miss Daphne Spence, with the offer to dance. She was a plain little thing but very rich; he would not have any trouble keeping his distance from her. Lady Bellhouse was more of a problem because he did find her very attractive indeed so he steered her towards Oliver who was more than happy to agree to partner her.
Rollo took the floor with Miss Spence and, after she had tried to make conversation with him and gained little response, she thankfully gave up and he could let his mind drift; his feet automatically completing the steps and staying in time to the music.
He returned Miss Spence to her mother at the end of the dance and seeing his old friend, Bono, namely Viscount Bonton, he crossed the room to talk with him.
“Dashed dull affair as usual,” commented Rollo. “What say we escape to White’s for a nightcap?”
“Excellent notion,” agreed Bono. “I am engaged for the next set so shall we say about eleven o’ clock?”
Rollo checked his fob watch. “Only another hour to survive.”
Bono was engaged to dance the next dance with the beautiful Miss Elizabeth Stannidge and he went off cheerfully to do this leaving Rollo unable to escape from Lady Sefton who was heading his way.
In Pursuit of Miriam Page 20