Josie Dennis
Page 9
“Miss Ellis,” Jon said with a smile. “Miss Cosgrove. You ladies look lovely this morning.”
Louisa tittered. “I can scarcely breathe for excitement, Captain Benton.”
Anne nearly missed it but she saw a flash of humor flicker across Patrick’s face. She greeted Mary and Charles and sat at the table for the morning meal.
Soon they were at the shore, the wind brisk and the air tangy with salt. She hadn’t been at the shore much, but it seemed to speak to her. Watching the waves crash, hearing the gulls cry, all seemed to pull at her. Perhaps it was because Patrick and Jon were so tied to the sea, salt water all but running in their veins. And in her child’s, if she proved fortunate. A flutter began in her belly, and she tamped down her desires for the moment.
Jon must have glimpsed something in her face, for he bent close to her. “Miss Ellis, what has you so pensive?”
She looked about and didn’t see the others paying her any undue attention, save for Patrick. He turned forward again, walking beside Louisa as she chattered on.
“Nothing of import, Captain Benton,” she said.
His eyes sparkled, and she guessed he thought she was thinking about last night in their bed. She was, in a fashion. But the time had come for her to cease thinking about the past and focus on the future. If that included Jon or Patrick, even as her heart broke to think of one separate from each other, so be it. One more night in their arms was the payment she would demand for letting them out of her life for good.
“Louisa, come down off of there!” she heard Mary cry.
She and Jon froze at the alarm in her sister’s voice.
“Really, sister,” Charles put in, his voice weak.
Louisa was poised at the top of the seawall, laughing gaily as the wind tore at her skirts.
“Will you catch me, Captain Wenworth?” she dared.
Patrick wore his familiar expression of consternation. “Miss Cosgrove, do come down from there. It is not safe.”
Anne hurried to catch up to them, Jon close behind. The girl was at least ten feet above the craggy soil. The weathered stairs to her left must have been her route, and even though Anne could guess Louisa’s intent, it was beyond foolish. “Louisa, be careful.”
“Miss Ellis, you should come up here with me.” She laughed again. “Perhaps Charles will catch you!”
Mary and Charles gasped as the stones crumbled beneath Louisa’s slippers. Her arms spun in circles as a look of horror replaced the teasing delight on her face. Letting out a scream, she tumbled to the rocky sand beneath the wall.
Louisa lay very still. Anne rushed to her side, seeing the bloody gash on her forehead and the awkward angle of her left leg. Mary was screeching like a gull as Charles stood stock-still.
Patrick and Jon joined Anne.
“Foolish girl,” Patrick said, his face ashen.
“What shall we do, angel?” Jon asked.
Anne glanced at him with worry. Oh, who cared who overheard the endearment? Louisa was obviously hurt, and there was no one to take charge except for herself.
“Give me your cravat, Charles,” she instructed.
Charles fumbled with the neck cloth, then handed it to her. “Will she be all right, Anne?”
Anne shrugged as she placed the cloth over the shallow cut on Louisa’s forehead. “Louisa, dear,” she said. “Can you hear me?”
The girl said nothing. Anne placed her ear to her chest, hearing a steady heartbeat and even intake of breath. “She’s breathing.”
Jon and Patrick watched her but she set them from her mind. “Check her ankle, Mary.”
Mary’s hands fluttered. “I don’t know what to check for.”
Anne let out a sound of exasperation and brushed her away. “Allow me.” She felt Louisa’s left ankle, feeling the swelling but no sharp protrusions. “Remember when Charlie fell in the garden, Mary?”
“Yes. Oh, you think it’s merely a sprain?”
“I believe so. She needs to elevate it.” She glanced back in the direction they’d come. “Patrick, can you carry her?”
He looked surprised by the use of his given name in company, then nodded. “Right. Let me take her.”
He cradled Louisa like a child and walked steadily but quickly back toward the inn. Mary and Charles ran to keep up with him, leaving Jon with Anne. He helped her to her feet, his eyes round.
“You are magnificent, angel. Even Patrick and I, with all of our military training, were at a loss at so dark a turn in a ridiculous situation.”
“I help care for my nephew, Jon. What is Louisa but an overgrown little girl?”
Jon hugged her. “If I didn’t love you already,” he said against her hair.
She pulled back, her heart racing as if she’d been the one to fall off the wall. “You love me?”
He smiled and brought her hand to his lips. “Yes. I know I promised Patrick to wait, but I could not.”
“Patrick knows you love me?”
He stroked her face. “I daresay that, after this, he knows he loves you as well.”
Anne could not think what to say to that. “Let us return to the inn, Jon.”
He nodded and took her elbow as they hurried toward the inn.
Louisa was in the retiring area set off the dining room, still quite pale. Patrick stood, his hands held in fists as Charles wrung his own. Mary looked up as she and Jon entered.
“Oh, Anne! Thank goodness. Tell us what to do.”
Anne called to the serving girl to fetch a cloth and pan of cold water. “That pillow, Charles.”
Charles grabbed the cushion from the nearby settee and handed it to her. She placed it beneath the now-visibly swollen ankle. “Remove her slipper, Mary.”
She soon had the situation well in hand, Louisa’s ankle elevated and a cold compress on her brow. The cut ceased to bleed, thank goodness, and Anne saw the color slowly returning to the girl’s cheeks.
“I believe she’s coming around,” she told the others.
Louisa’s eyelids fluttered and she glanced at her. “Did he catch me?”
Patrick snorted but Anne waved a hand. “How are you, Louisa?”
She moved then winced and brought a hand to her head. “My head hurts. And, ouch! Charles, let go of my ankle.”
Charles withdrew as if burned. Mary hugged Louisa. “Oh, you’re all right. I was so afraid.”
“Captain Wenworth?” Louisa said.
Patrick came forward. “Yes, Miss Cosgrove?”
“Did you catch me?” She managed a coy look even through her pain. “When I jumped?”
“You didn’t jump, dear,” Mary said. “You slipped and none of us knew what to do.”
“None save Anne,” Jon put in.
They looked at him in surprise, but he didn’t appear to regret the slip. Mary nodded and turned back to Louisa. “Anne knew what to do, indeed. Wasn’t she wonderful, Charles?”
Anne was stunned by the outpouring of gratitude and respect, things that never came easily to her in their cozy corner of Dorset. “I did what I could.”
Patrick and Jon shook their heads. Anne set them out of her mind and saw to Louisa’s careful settling in her room, leaving Mary to attend her as she retired to her own. It wasn’t long before the inevitable knock came at the door.
“Angel, do let us in,” Jon said.
She rose, her heart giving a tiny flutter. “Hmm, I could get used to that nickname.” She opened the door, pinning Patrick with her gaze. “I believe you have something to tell me?”
Patrick flushed red and Jon laughed. “I admit I told Anne of my feelings, Patrick.” He closed the door and locked it. “And of yours.”
Patrick scowled then gave a shrug. “I love you, Anne.” He let out a breath. “God, I’ve longed to admit it. The way you took charge of everything today, love. I should not be surprised, since you have such strength within you. Nevertheless, you astounded me.”
She felt a lightness fill her at his disclosure. “And what of you, Jon?
”
“I love you, angel,” he said, taking her hand again. “What are your feelings for us?”
She knew this question would come and braced herself for the tangle of emotions. When clarity struck instead, she grinned. “I love you both.”
They moved toward her, but she held up a hand. “I must have answers, gentlemen. There may be consequences to this liaison, and I need to know what my future holds.”
“Consequences?” Jon asked. His face lit with obvious happiness. “You mean a child? That would be a blessing indeed.”
“I cannot think of a woman who would make a better mother to our children,” Patrick said.
Their words, their expressions, all spoke of their sincerity. It was not quite enough, however.
“Then tell me. I have lived in limbo far too long since our parting, Patrick. I love you both, but I need to know what happens next.”
“Next?” Jon asked, pulling her close. “What happens next is you marry one of us, doesn’t matter which one really, and live with us at the seashore.”
“Be our wife and raise our children, Anne. It’s all I want, and what Jon wants as well.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “And what I long for, in truth!”
They kissed her, undressed her, and she was soon between them again. Yes, her bed was narrow but it seemed perfect for what she knew was going to happen. She straddled Patrick’s powerful thighs, stroking his cock with her hands as she kissed him. “Will you both love me, then?”
“Yes, Anne,” Jon said from behind, pressing close so she felt his cock stroke her bottom. “If you wish it.”
She did. Everything inside pulled tight as Patrick suckled her breasts and Jon stroked her pussy. The three of them were soon filmed with sweat, moving in concert as their soft moans of pleasure and whispers of breath filled her senses. Their scents mingled, as unique as her men themselves, and Anne breathed in.
“Take me, Patrick,” she urged, shifting to place her aching pussy over his cock.
“Not yet,” Patrick bit out. “Let Jon inside first.”
She flushed with anticipation at his meaning. They would indeed love her at the same time! She smelled the balm Patrick had used and clenched her muscles.
“Easy, angel,” Jon said, his mouth close to her ear. “I cannot wait to be in your bottom, but you must relax.”
His fingers, first two then three, stretched her, and she felt herself unfurl. Patrick held her hips still as Jon pushed inside. He let out a low moan as he seated himself tight.
He moved slowly in and out then began to increase his thrusts. Her bottom felt so full, her pussy undeniably empty in comparison. She burned, itched, pulsed for something inside. “Now, Patrick?” she begged.
He said something in answer and at last he lowered her onto his shaft. It was amazing, the two of them moving in alternating thrusts to raise her passions higher than they’ve ever been. “Oh, hold me,” she said to neither one in particular. She was so close to orgasm now, every muscle pulled taut. Patrick began to shudder within her, grunting as he pushed high inside.
“I’m coming, Anne,” he panted. “Jon, are you coming?”
“Yes, yes,” he answered, his voice harsh. “Anne, do join us?”
She could feel then deep inside, touching her very soul as she tumbled over the edge into ecstasy.
Afterward she draped over Patrick’s chest, boneless from the pleasure they’d given her.
“I love you, Anne,” Patrick said, holding her close.
“As do I.” Jon brushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her neck. “You are ours now. Forever.”
Jon withdrew and stretched out beside her as she climbed off of Patrick. She nestled between them, relishing every kiss and caress.
“I cannot wait to begin my life,” she said.
“Our lives,” Jon said.
Patrick stiffened and she raised her head to catch a glimpse of worry on his face.
“What is wrong?” she asked.
“What of your family, Anne?”
She smiled. “I daresay they can get on without my assistance, for once.”
“What of their persuasion?” Jon continued.
Ah, how her men knew her. “Let them try to dissuade me from the men I chose. They will be sorely disappointed.”
Jon laughed and hugged her. “Our avenging angel.”
She snuggled closer to them, certain to her bones that this was the forever she’d craved for so long. She’d been living a half-life in Dorset, dependent upon her family and beholden to them as well. Now she would have a full life with the men she loved. By the sea with her own home, her own men, and her own children.
She would take charge of her own life and be happy at last.
THE END
WWW.JOSIEDENNIS.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josie Dennis writes erotic romances for the discerning reader. Her characters find love in the most amazing places, and the Happily Ever After is a guarantee. Readers who like their romances hot and their heroes and heroines open to ideas they’ve only explored in their fantasies will find her erotic romances quite satisfying.
Also by Josie Dennis
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 1: Wild Heights
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 2: Emmy’s Lesson
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 3: Tessa’s Redemption
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 4: Madison Park
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 5: Jane’s Heart
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 6: Norrington Abbey
Ménage Amour: Classics Rekindled 7: Return to Norrington Abbey
Available at
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
About the Author
Also by Josie Dennis