To Tempt a Dashing Lord

by Lucy Langton

  “We will return to the countryside once we are able,” Catherine said as she stood with Marcus. “I hope you will consider coming with us.”

  “And old woman such as myself? Are you sure you would appreciate my company?” Lady Evergreen asked with a smile upon her lips.

  “Your company is most welcomed, Aunt,” Marcus said. “It is you who I should be listening to more often than I have.”

  “Well, if you insist,” she said with a chuckle. “Now, go on, you two. Rest up. We shall discuss travel arrangements once you have recovered.” Catherine smiled at one of her closest friends, thinking she had the best family and role model in the world.

  With Marcus’ help, Catherine returned to their bedchamber and slipped out of her gown. Resting it on the back of a chair, she then laid down in bed with the intent of resting for a bit so that she could feel well enough to have a proper visit with Lady Evergreen and enjoy playing with Beth. But as she rested her head on the pillow, she found herself feeling almost restless.

  “Would you like me to lay down with you?” Marcus asked as he came to her side of the bed and leaned down, planting a kiss on her head.

  “For a little bit. I believe it would help,” Catherine agreed as she moved over in the bed and created room for her husband. She wondered if she would ever be able to rest again without the feeling of his strong arms around her. It was only then that she was able to relax her body and drift off into a deep sleep.

  ~*~

  When it was finally convenient for them, the Kingstons endured the three-day trip back to the countryside. Marcus was ever conscious of Catherine, always making sure she was faring well.

  When they arrived at the inns, he had the footmen prepare their rooms so Marcus could make sure Catherine had a proper meal. The same went for Beth as the child was eating more solid foods, with the first of her teeth appearing.

  Marcus had not been this focused on a task since he was in the Navy. Like ensuring that his ship was in sailing order and that his men knew of their duties without needing to be managed, Marcus had the same perspective about Catherine. He fussed over her until she finally spoke up about it.

  “Please, Marcus. You are being rather foolish. I am not ill nor do I have some sort of disease. I can take care of myself,” she chided.

  “I just worry, that is all,” Marcus replied. “I want you to be healthy and well cared for.”

  “I must learn to stand on my own two feet again, Marcus. I must become the independent woman I’ve always inspired to be.” All Marcus could think to do in response was nod his head, thinking that she had a valid point. But once they stopped for the day, he couldn’t help but fuss over her to ensure she had everything she might need to be comfortable.

  Then, at night, he would hold her close in his arms and feel reassured that she was with him. Sometimes Beth would wake in the night in her bassinet, causing Catherine to roll away from him and see to her needs. He would only go back to sleep once the two were settled again and he could physically feel Catherine next to him once more.

  Finally making it to the Ralston Manor was a huge relief. Marcus knew he’d be able to breathe easier in a larger house with a full staff. Being away from Town, there was no need to worry about society or gossip. They could finally be at peace knowing that Lord Whetstone was no longer alive, and that Lord Hall wouldn’t be in the country to cause them any more problems with his ill management of money.

  “My word, does it feel good to be back,” Catherine said as she stepped into the entryway with Beth in her arms. The small child wiggled in her arms until she was finally let down and allowed to crawl freely on the floor.

  “Seems someone is quite ready to be done with traveling,” Marcus said as he gestured to Beth, causing Catherine to chuckle.

  “She is not the only one. I should like to spend the rest of the day exercising for I feel I have sat for too long,” Catherine said as she stretched her arms over her head.

  “Would you like me to accompany you?” Marcus offered.

  “It is not needed. Unless you desire a bit of exercise as well?”

  “I’m sure I could benefit from stretching my legs for a while.”

  When Mrs. Denton and the others came in from the carriages, Lady Evergreen’s lady’s maid was waiting to assist her to her bedchamber so she could rest. Mrs. Denton took over watching over Beth, and the house became alive once more as the staff came to welcome home master and mistress.

  “Everything has been thoroughly checked and secured, My Lord. Cook is already in the kitchen preparing for the evening meal,” Mr. Burg said as he came down the stairs and greeted them. There was still a lump on his forehead from where he’d been clobbered with Lord Whetstone’s pistol. But besides that mark, no one would have been able to tell he’d been assaulted.

  “Thank you, Mr. Burg. Lady Kingston and I will be taking a turn of the gardens,” Marcus announced.

  “Don’t stay out too long, my dears. I feel this cooler weather seeping into my bones and I don’t want anyone to catch a cold,” Lady Evergreen called from the stairs as she made her way to her bedchamber with the assistance of her maid.

  “Don’t worry, Auntie. We won’t be out too long,” Catherine said in a reassuring voice, a smile on her lips. Catherine then laced her fingers with Marcus’ and led him through the manor to the back door so they could enter the gardens properly.

  “It looks rather different since we were last here a month ago,” Marcus commented as they walked hand-in-hand through the maze of hedges and rose bushes.

  “That is because the plants are preparing for winter. Lady Evergreen was right. The air does feel cooler,” Catherine admitted.

  “The fireplaces will need to be maintained and prepared for the cooler months. I shall speak to Mr. Burg about ensuring there is plenty of wood in the cellar before the snow comes.”

  “And the tenants. We should write to them to ensure they are prepared for the winter as well. If they are not maintained, then we shall not be, either.” Marcus smiled, thinking how lucky he was to have married an intelligent woman. She did not pine for things and new gowns. But instead, she thought of others and their needs.

  “A good idea,” Marcus said as they walked together. Silence came between them as they simply walked, enjoying the fresh air and the opportunity to move about after having been stuck in a carriage for so long. It reminded Marcus of the times he would be able to walk on shore once more after being out at sea for an extended period of time. It was refreshing and a much-needed activity before settling down for the remainder of the day.

  “It will be Christmas before too long,” Catherine said as they rounded the edge of the garden and made their way back towards the house.

  “Is there something you have in mind for the holiday season?” Marcus asked, wondering why Catherine had mentioned it since the beginning of fall had just begun.

  “Delivering toys to the orphanage last year was one of the highlights of my life. To see them so happy on such a special day really brought me joy,” Catherine said. “I hope we can send the orphanage something special this year.”

  “Between Aunt Daniella and yourself, I am sure the two of you could think of something. Then I shall write to my solicitor to make sure that it is taken care of,” Marcus said. “All you have to do is ask.”

  “Then, in that case,” Catherine said, pulling Marcus to a halt and looking up into his eyes, “I want you to kiss me.”

  Marcus swallowed because he had refrained from kissing Catherine so as not to make her feel overwhelmed. He didn’t want to pressure her after she’d been kidnapped because he was certain she was still recovering from the terrible night. Sometimes, when he held her tight while they slept, he would feel her shiver and shake from bad nightmares that still plagued her.

  However, now that she had asked him to do such a thing, he wouldn’t refuse her. He was certain that no matter what Catherine asked of him, he’d never be able to tell her no now that he felt completely devoted
to her and Beth. So, with his hand coming to rest on her cheek, he leaned down and pressed his lips firmly to hers.

  As Catherine’s arms came up and rested around his neck, Marcus placed his hands on either side of her hips and brought her closer to him, deepening their kiss. He parted her lips with his tongue, tasting her essence and breathing deeply her wonderful scent. Passion bloomed in his body in a way that made him hungry for more than just the feeling of her lips pressed up against his. He wanted to taste all of her, if she would let him.

  “Perhaps we should take a short rest before the evening meal,” Catherine suggested, breaking their kiss and looking up at him with hooded eyes of desire.

  “I am willing if you are,” Marcus replied, feeling his member twitch with excitement.

  “I am ready, Marcus. It has been too long,” Catherine said as she lowered her arms from around his shoulders and started walking towards the house. The sway of her hips was hypnotising, and he was quick to follow after her.

  Epilogue

  Snow was falling lightly outside the window when Catherine rose in the morning. The air was warm despite the weather, for the fireplace had been kept through the night by the faithful footman. Catherine would be sure to have Marcus gift the staff something very special this year for their continued service and loyalty. Catherine knew that she only was able to live so easily because of the help of many others.

  Catherine was slow to rise from the bed as her middle continue to grow with child. Soon after returning to the countryside at the beginning of fall, Catherine had started to guess that she would soon be expecting when her monthly stopped coming. And now that Christmas was soon approaching, she could easily tell that by Spring she would be giving birth to their first child.

  Though Catherine would always consider Beth her own and the eldest of their children, she was excited to experience for herself the joy of birthing a child of her own. And with them already having a little girl, Catherine was hoping she would be able to bear a son for Marcus and secure the family name.

  With a hand supporting her lower back, Catherine stood from the bed and padded over to the dressing room to take care of her personal needs. Thinking it would be good to warm herself by the fire before changing into a wool gown for the day, she went to sit by the fire as it burned bright and filled their bedchamber with light.

  Sitting in the chair, Catherine smiled as she heard Marcus snoring lightly. It was good that their relationship had strengthened over the months, and now that she was expecting, Marcus had become a more doting husband than ever before.

  As the morning progressed and the sun began to fill the bedchamber past the falling flakes of snow, Marcus stirred in the bed. Catherine watched as he reached across, searching for her. He was quick to raise his head and look about the room, panicked for a moment until he saw her sitting by the fire. He smiled as he pulled the covers around him and stepped from the bed before padding over to her.

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

  “There was no need to. You were sleeping and I was warming myself before calling for my lady’s maid,” Catherine explained.

  “Are you cold at all?” Marcus asked as his brows furrowed.

  “No, I am not cold. But it will be chilly to change.”

  “Then I shall have the footman stoke up the fire before then,” Marcus said as he then went to the wall beside their bed and pulled on the servant’s cord.

  “Marcus, it is winter. It is going to feel cold till spring comes again. I shall wear my wool stockings with my house slippers and be comfortable enough,” Catherine reasoned.

  “I simply don’t want you catching a cold. You are already enduring plenty with this pregnancy.” Marcus returned to her side and sat down in a chair with the covers still around him. Catherine couldn’t help but smile because he looked so much like a child who had just woken up. Even Beth had pulled the covers around her small body as she tried to toddle from her bed in the nursery over to her one morning.

  “Many women experience pregnancy at one point in their lives, Marcus. I’m allowed to feel tired and sore from time to time,” Catherine chided, remembering how Marcus had taken her to bed early last night because she had felt exhausted after a full day of reviewing the ledgers together and reading the many letters from their tenants to ensure everyone was well prepared for the impending snow.

  “I am trying to be as reasonable as possible, Catherine. But you must accept the fact that I will be mindful of you till the day I pass on from this life. It is just a fact of life you shall have to become used to,” he said, raising his chin as he looked into the fire.

  Catherine chuckled as she pushed herself up and waddled over to him. She leaned down and placed a kiss to his head as he raised his hand and rested it on her hips. They looked into each other’s eyes, and the scowl on his face softened into a smirk.

  “Sometimes I like the way you dote over me. And other times I fear that I’ll start pulling my hair out in frustration. Regardless, it does not change how I feel about you,” Catherine said with a smile. “I love you so much, Marcus.”

  “And I you, Catherine,” Marcus said, tipping back his head and giving Catherine the opportunity to press her lips upon his. Soon after, a light knocking came to the door, signalling that the maids had arrived.

  “Come in,” Marcus called as he stood and tossed the blankets back on the bed, gooseflesh appearing on his bare torso. Even in winter, he had refused to wear anything other than his long underwear to bed. She couldn’t help but chuckle as she was led to the dressing room by her lady’s maid to ready for the day.

  With her hair brushed and lightly braided down her back, Catherine felt ready for the day. She wore a large wool gown dyed a sapphire colour that kept her warm and allowed her to feel comfortable with her growing stomach.

  As promised, she wore wool stockings with her house slippers to ensure she would be plenty warm as she moved from room to room. Once full dressed, she returned to their bedchamber to see Marcus wearing a comfortable cotton shirt with a wool vest over it.

  “You look as lovely as the day I met you,” Marcus said as he offered her his arm. Catherine accepted as she shook her head. “What? Do you not believe me?”

  “Marcus, my body is rapidly changing. I doubt I still look anything like how I did when you first saw me in the orphanage,” Catherine reasoned.

  “But your spirit has not changed. Nor your heart and kindness for others. So, I stand by my earlier statement. You are as beautiful as the day I met you.”

  “You’re too kind, Marcus. You seem to find a way to flatter me even though I feel rather large.”

  “Motherhood has always suited you, Catherine. Never forget that,” Marcus said, his eyes looked down at her. She nodded in return, happy that her husband still thought of her so highly even though she was expecting.

  They stopped in the nursery to find Lady Evergreen talking to Beth as though she was a young lady who could easily speak. Beth stood in her crib, bouncing up and down on her feet as she looked up at the widow. And Lady Evergreen looked down at her as she leaned over the crib.

  “Now, Miss Beth, you really shouldn’t make so much noise in the mornings. I could hear you from all the way in the other room,” Lady Evergreen said with a pointed look. And all Beth could do was reply as continue to bounce on her little legs and squeal with delight. Her joyous shouts filled the air, causing Lady Evergreen to wince. Yet, the older woman still smiled as Beth used her hands on the crib to pull herself over to her.

  “Looks like someone is ready to start the day,” Marcus said as they came into the room.

  “She’s been talking and squealing since the sunlight touched the horizon. Mrs. Denton just left to take care of the laundry and I agreed to stay and talk with her,” Lady Evergreen explained.

  “Well, let’s carry her down for breakfast. She’ll be wanting to toddle around the sitting room until she tires of moving and playing with t
he blocks Mr. Carver made for her,” Catherine said. She went to pick Beth up from the crib, but Marcus rested a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.