by Bree Wolf
Madeline smiled, then leaned closer to him and whispered, “Nothing short of perfection.”
Derek tried to suppress a chuckle as he felt his mother’s watchful eyes on him. “Can we assist you in carrying these platters to the dining room?”
After his mother pointed to the platters that were to go out first, Derek and Madeline set to work, going back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room, carrying delicious smelling food that made their mouths water. Roasted duck. Steamed vegetables. Warm bread. All these scents travelled through the house, mingling with the fresh scent of evergreen branches hanging over windows and doorways, decorated with red ribbons. Candles had been placed strategically throughout the house to highlight the decorations and give the rooms a warm glow, adding to the warmth coming from the fireplace.
For a moment, Derek stood by the long table and gazed at the house that had once seemed like a curse.
Certainly, it was still in need of repairs and improvements. The furniture was outdated; the wallpaper faded. But it was a warm and friendly place, filled with laughter and children chasing each other from room to room. Especially now, with some of their tenants under their roof, the house seemed to have come alive.
“It’s beautiful, is it not?” his wife asked, coming to stand beside him, her hand slipping into his, squeezing it gently.
Derek nodded, then shook his head in disbelief. “Except for the roof, we haven’t even begun with the repairs on this house, and still, it seems to have undergone an improvement.”
Madeline smiled. “It’s no longer simply a house.” Gently, she brushed her lips against his. “It’s a home now. Our home.”
Home.
Derek sighed. Never had he thought of a place as his home. Never had he thought he would ever find one…or even need one. Only now when he had finally found the one place in the world that made him feel at home, he wondered how he could ever have lived without it.
Gazing down at his wife, his heart filled with awe at the fortunate turns his life had taken, and Derek could not help but pull her into his arms. “I love you.”
As always when he spoke to her thus, she smiled up at him, her eyes shining as brightly as the sun. “I love you as well,” she whispered, biting her lower lip, trying to hide the unadulterated delight those simple words elicited. “And yet,” she continued, and Derek’s heart skipped a beat, “there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
Swallowing, Derek nodded. “Do tell.”
“You never asked for my hand,” she said rather unexpectedly, and her gaze dropped from his for the barest of moments. “Why did you never ask for my hand? The night at Lord Kingsley’s ball was not the first time you saw me, was it? Why did you not ask to be introduced? Why did you never ask me to dance?”
Derek inhaled a deep breath. “I heard about your expectations,” he told her truthfully, seeing a touch of understanding come to her eyes. “In fact, it was Tristan who said−if I recall correctly−I’d advise against her.”
Her lips thinned as she glared at him. “He did?”
Derek nodded, seeing the telltale twitch in her lower lip. “He sought to put me on my guard.”
“He’s a good friend,” she replied, the expression on her face once again gentle and calm.
“The best.” Holding his wife’s gaze, Derek thought for a moment. Then he asked, “If I had asked for your hand, would you have accepted me?”
As though frozen in time, Madeline remained still for a long moment, her gaze lingering on his before she opened her mouth to reply. “No,” was all she said, drawing in a deep breath, slowly, carefully, “and it would have been the biggest mistake of my life.”
A rush of excitement seized Derek’s body, and he pulled her into another passionate kiss, his hands slipping into her hair as hers pulled on the front of his shirt.
“I may be an old woman,” his mother’s voice interrupted the moment as they jerked apart, “but I cannot see mistletoe anywhere near ye.”
Working hard to suppress a smile, Derek glanced at his wife, seeing the same impulse to laugh on her flushed face. Then he turned to his mother, doing his best to ignore the teasing gleam in her sharp eyes. “I fail to see your point.”
Chuckling, his mother grinned. “Ye kiss your wife under some mistletoe. Don’t tell me ye don’t know that?”
Derek’s brows rose into arches. “Surely, you don’t expect me to only kiss her under some mistletoe, do you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t expect anythin’, dear boy. All I’m sayin’ is that the house is full of people as a myriad of your tenants just came traipsin’ in through the kitchen−you might want to speak to them about that−and there’s a bunch of children runnin’ around.” She lifted her hands in mock surrender. “But you do as ye choose.” Then she turned on her heel and left.
Once they were alone again, they burst into laughter, falling into each other’s arms. “She can complain as much as she wants,” his wife said, an affectionate smile on her face, “but nothing will ever convince me that she dislikes seeing us together like this. Your mother likes to tease, doesn’t she?”
Derek nodded. “She does have a rather childish and whimsical side.”
“Well, I suppose it is Christmas,” Madeline replied. “If one can’t be whimsical at Christmas, then when can one?” As childish laughter echoed from down the hall, his wife took a step back, winking an eye at him. “How about I go see to the little rascals while you go and tell your tenants to come in through the front door next time or meet your mother’s wrath. She is very particular about her kitchen, isn’t she?”
Grinning at his wife’s feigned attempt at a serious expression, Derek reached for her hand as she stepped away. Pulling her back, he glanced over her shoulder, making certain that no impressionable eyes were watching. “I don’t like it when we have to part ways,” he whispered, then brushed his lips over hers.
Inhaling a shuddering breath, Madeline smiled. “Neither do I, but it’s Christmas.”
Derek frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I know, but what do you expect?” Her arms came around his neck as she pulled herself closer. “You can be quite distracting.”
“As can you.” Once more he leaned down to kiss her.
“Uncle Derek!” Collin’s little voice echoed from down the hall. “Uncle Derek?”
Jerking apart for the second time that night, they looked at each other, and despite their annoyance with their nephew’s unfortunate timing, they could not help but laugh.
“I’ll see if your mother needs help in the kitchen,” his wife said, turning to go.
Reaching out, Derek grabbed her arm and pulled her back, his gaze locked on hers. “Let’s postpone this until later tonight,” he whispered, his gaze drifting lower.
Madeline drew in a deep breath. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Reluctantly, she stepped out of his embrace and headed down the hall until she was lost from his sight. “Your uncle is in the dining room,” her voice echoed to his ear before small footsteps echoed closer.
Shaking his head, Derek could not help but smile. He would never have thought himself the kind of man who delighted in a full house filled with noise and laughter. And yet, he was.
Never in his life had Derek been more relieved to have proved himself wrong.
Epilogue
One Month Later
“I give you my word that we will return home within a few days,” Madeline promised as she walked up the snow-covered steps to her father’s townhouse on her husband’s arm. “But they’re my family, and I do wish to see them.”
Squeezing her hand, Derek nodded. “Would you like to invite them to Huntington House?”
As the butler allowed them inside, Madeline stepped closer to her husband and whispered, “My aunt Odelia and your mother under the same roof?” Grinning, she shook her head. “I’m not certain that would be a good idea, especially not with all those projects to be taken care of. I sugge
st we wait until Huntington House has been restored.”
Her husband nodded, a deep frown darkening his face. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
As they proceeded into the ballroom, the soft tunes of a waltz dancing to their ears, Madeline felt as though an eternity had passed since she had last been here when in fact it had only been a couple of months. Now, with the new season beginning, the ton would return to London and societal events would recommence.
And yet, Madeline could think of no place she would rather be than at home with her husband.
“Madeline,” her father exclaimed, striding toward them. A large smile on his usually so sombre face spoke volumes, and Madeline felt her heart ache for his embrace.
When his arms came around her, she hugged him tightly. “It is so good to see you, Father.”
“I’ve missed you, my dear.” Stepping back, her father searched her face, his gaze watchful, enquiring. “Are you well?”
Madeline nodded.
“Are you happy?”
“Very much so,” she assured him, and her gaze travelled to her husband.
“Ainsworth,” her father greeted the man by her side. “I trust you’re taking good care of my daughter.”
Derek smiled, nodding his head in acquiescence. “Always. As she is taking care of me.”
For a moment, her father’s gaze narrowed as he glanced back and forth between them, assessing, contemplating. “I’m delighted to see you both here tonight.” Then he turned back to Madeline. “Your aunt will be here soon. She instructed me not to allow you to escape before she’s had a chance to welcome you back to London.”
Madeline smiled. “I promise I shall wait to speak to her. However, we are not staying. This is only a short visit. Lord Elton was kind enough to offer us his townhouse while he and his wife are in Scotland.”
Her father’s eyes narrowed. “You might not want to share that with your aunt, dear, or I’m afraid she will go to great length to assure your visit is extended.” He wiggled his brows meaningfully.
Madeline could not help but laugh. “I shall be careful, Father.”
“Good. Good.” Smiling at her, he took his leave, greeting more arriving guests.
As her husband led her around the room, he looked down at her, his gaze tender. “He’s a good man. He cares greatly about your happiness.”
Madeline nodded. “He does. I admit I had my doubts when−”
“−he insisted you marry me?”
“Yes,” Madeline admitted, relieved to be able to speak to her husband so openly. “But now I’m glad he did. I suppose he saw something I did not.” Sighing, she glanced around at the life she had left behind.
“Any regrets?”
“None.” Turning to her husband, Madeline smiled. “I can honestly say that I love my life. I never thought I’d be able to, but now everything is different.” Placing a hand on the front of his jacket, she looked up at him. “Everything seems possible.”
For a long moment, they stood there as the world around them moved and changed, and despite the noise and the commotion, it was as though they were the only two people in the room, acutely aware of one another.
Maybe too aware.
As her husband’s gaze grew heated and his hand came up to cup her face, Madeline sucked in a sharp breath, feeling her body tremble. “Maybe we shouldn’t…”
Swallowing, Derek nodded. “I shall collect some refreshment,” he said, tearing his gaze from hers before he stepped back and headed off in the direction of the buffet table.
Watching him walk away, Madeline felt her heart beat wildly, and she drew in a deep breath, seeking to calm her rattled nerves. Retreating to a bit of a deserted spot in the corner of the room, she gazed out the window at the dark sky and realised that she would not be sad to take her leave of London.
Of her family, yes. But not of the city.
To her great surprise, she had come to appreciate the beauty of the country. The stars at night. The gentle breeze, fresh and untainted. The people, honest and friendly.
It was a better place. At least for her. For them.
“I wondered if I would see you here tonight.”
Madeline flinched at the sound of Lord Townsend’s voice, and a cold shiver ran down her back. Turning to face him, she drew in a deep breath, praying that her husband would not return before she could rid herself of this man’s company.
Meeting his gaze, Madeline wondered how she ever could have wanted to marry him. Granted, he was still as handsome as before. However, now she saw the selfish set of his jaw, the way his eyes remained untouched as he spoke as well as the heartless tone in his voice. “I admit after our last encounter,” he said suggestively, his gaze dropping from her face to more intimate areas of her body, “I was rather hoping we could…get reacquainted.”
For a moment, Madeline was taken aback by the audacity of his remark. However, remembering her sister-in-law as well as her little nephew−Townsend’s son!−her gaze hardened, and she took a step forward, her lips pressed into a tight line. Lifting her chin a fraction, she glared at him. “What happened between us was a mistake, my lord. One I’ve come to regret more than anything else in my life.”
A frown settled on his features, wiping away all pretence of politeness. “I’m certain your husband would be less than amused if someone were to inform him of your misconduct,” he suggested, his voice cold and threatening. “I would advise you to reconsider or the conseque−”
“He knows,” Madeline blurted out, feeling no small amount of satisfaction at the stunned expression that came to Lord Townsend’s face.
“Why would you…?” Glancing over his shoulder, he swallowed hard before his gaze returned to hers. “What did you tell him?”
“Nothing but the truth.” Seeing the self-important earl quake at the thought of Derek’s wrath brought a large smile to Madeline’s face. “I suggest you leave, my lord, before my husband returns.”
Lord Townsend’s jaw clenched as he glared at her. “I will not be threatened by a harlot,” he hissed, his eyes ablaze with fury.
“Watch your tongue!”
At the quiet yet deadly authority in Derek’s voice, Townsend almost jumped out of his skin. He spun around and almost tripped over his own feet before remembering to regain his composure…or what was left of it. “Ainsworth,” he croaked, brushing none-existent wrinkles out of his jacket. “I was just−”
“Leaving,” Derek snarled, his dark eyes drilling into the earl as he took his place by Madeline’s side, gently, and yet, possessively pulling her into his arms. “And I would advise you to keep your distance, or I shall be forced to call you out.”
A surge of fear shot through Madeline’s heart at the thought of losing her husband. However, seeing Lord Townsend mumble an apology and flee the ballroom, she felt herself relax, knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that the earl would never be brave enough to act on his anger.
Inhaling a deep breath, Madeline suddenly found herself swept into her husband’s arms as he drew her back against the far wall where they were shielded from prying eyes by a large potted palm tree. His gaze burned into hers, and his hands on her waist held her tightly. “You’re mine,” he growled, his eyes demanding as they held hers. “Only mine.”
Swallowing, Madeline nodded. “Only yours, as you are only mine.”
In the blink of an eye, his mouth came down on hers, and he kissed her with a desperate passion she had never seen in him before. Instantly, her body responded, and she had to fight the urge to undress him right then and there in front of the whole ton. Wrenching her lips away from his, she gasped, “We need to−”
“Leave,” he finished, equally short of breath. Brushing a tendril behind her ear, he drew her arm through his and led her past the dancing couples toward the front hall. However, once they stepped through the arched doorway, a familiar perfume assaulted Madeline’s senses and she knew that every chance of a fast getaway was dashed.
“Madeline, dear, how
good to see you.”
Cringing, Madeline shot an apologetic look at her husband, who closed his eyes in annoyed defeat. Then she forced a polite smile onto her face and turned to face her aunt. “Aunt Odelia, you look wonderful.”
Snapping her fan closed, her aunt regarded her through narrowed eyes. “You weren’t trying to slip away, were you, my dear?”
Smiling, Madeline shook her head. “Not at all. We were merely…”
“Taking a turn about the room,” her husband supplied, his shoulders still tense as he forced his feet to remain in place.
Aunt Odelia’s eyes narrowed even further, and Madeline could tell that she did not believe them. Preparing herself for another one of her aunt’s tirades, Madeline found her mouth drop open when a large smile came to her aunt’s face.
“Oh, I cannot even be upset with you,” her father’s sister exclaimed, shaking her head. “I’m just so delighted to see you so happy. It’s always been my dearest wish to see you happily married.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “I promised your mother, you know.”
Madeline froze. “I did not.”
Aunt Odelia nodded. “It is true. However, I admit I might have gotten a little carried away that night.”
“What night?”
“The night of Lord Kingsley’s ball,” her aunt replied as though there should have been no question. “I knew what you were up to, and I could not in good conscience allow you to ruin your life.”
Glancing at her husband, Madeline’s eyes grew round. “What are you talking about?”
Aunt Odelia shrugged. “Well, since I knew Townsend was not the right man for you, I concluded that I would need to see you safely married to keep him away from you. Therefore,…” Her voice trailed off and her gaze travelled to Madeline’s husband. “You’re a much better catch than he is, believe me. I always know who people are, and I never liked him.” She shook her head, a disgusted expression on her face. “Too gallant. Too obliging. I could see right through him.” Then she blinked, and a large smile came to her face before she clapped her hands together in delight. “I’m just so glad to see you two so happy,” she beamed for the second time that night. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak to.”