“It took you long enough.” Laura grinned. She came to give Fiona a hug. “If I’d had to place a bet, I would have said with confidence that the two of you would become engaged long before any of us.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Emily said.
Rachel nodded. “Considering how close you have always been, marriage did seem like the next logical step.”
“You are aware, my dear,” Belgrave said to Rachel, “that the heart cannot be dictated by logic. Though I must confess that where you and Fiona are concerned, Chadwick, we were all surprised by how long it took you to get to the point.”
“The important thing is, he got there in the end,” Lamont said as he too came to shake Edward’s hand.
“Felicitations to you both,” Montsmouth said, “and to you, Lord and Lady Oakland. You may now consider all of your children settled.”
“I trust you will want to say your vows tomorrow as well?” Fiona’s mother asked with a smile.
“If doing so is possible.” It was difficult for Fiona to hide her eagerness.
Her father chuckled. “Of course it is. In fact, your special license was the only one I had no doubts about procuring, which made it all the more surprising when your sisters announced their engagements first.”
“I’m sorry, Papa,” Fiona said. She smiled up at Edward who met her gaze with enough love and affection shining in his eyes to last her a lifetime. “We were both stubborn, I suppose, and too afraid of what the other might feel. I didn’t want to risk our friendship, and neither did he. Thankfully, the universe had different plans for us, and a bit of conveniently located mistletoe nudged us in the right direction.”
“Thorncliff does have a tendency to help things along like that,” Lady Duncaster said, a twinkle in her eyes. “Personally, I have to tell you all that I couldn’t be more pleased with the way everything has turned out. I do so love a good romance, and as I’ve said before, I believe everyone deserves a happily ever after.”
Fiona couldn’t agree more. She’d certainly found hers. And as she spoke her vows the following day, surrounded by the people she loved most in all the world – save for Kip, Chloe, and Richard, who would likely expire from shock when news of the quadruple wedding reached them – she’d never been happier.
Dressed in a pretty lace gown and with her great-aunt’s tiara adorning her hair, Fiona felt a comforting connection to a generation that was no longer with them. If only her grandmother could have seen her four granddaughters now, each carrying a piece of Marveille jewelry when they entered a new phase in their lives. The sentimental thought brought a tear to her eye while bright rays of sunshine illuminated the stained glass windows at that exact moment.
“Merry Christmas,” Edward murmured. He dipped his head with the clear intention of sealing their union with a kiss.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered back, right before his lips touched hers. She was vaguely aware of her parents and Lady Duncaster cheering, along with Lamont’s nieces and the servants, who’d been invited to witness the joyous event. They would walk back to Thorncliff together through the soft sprinkling of new-fallen snow. There they would enjoy a wedding breakfast, followed by games and the exchanging of gifts. It would likely take several hours before Fiona would manage to get her husband alone, not that she minded terribly much. The important thing was, they’d gotten this far and that they were as fortunate as they were to be surrounded by love for Christmas.
Chapter 25
When Fiona finally made her way up the grand staircase that evening, her stomach was so unsettled she feared she might be violently ill. Ahead of her, her sisters whispered and giggled with their husbands before calling a hasty, “good night” to her and Edward as they disappeared toward whichever room they had planned to occupy that night. All appeared self-assured and eager, while Fiona felt a mixture of excitement and dread. This was going to be the most important night of her life, and she didn’t want to muck it up. On the contrary, she wanted it to be everything Edward hoped it would be. In short, she wanted him to be pleased and satisfied with his decision to make her his wife.
“I think you need to relax,” he said when they reached the landing and turned left.
“I am relaxed.”
Her lie was met with a chuckle. “Whatever concerns are occupying that pretty head of yours, I do wish you’d put them to rest.”
She had no chance to respond before her feet were swept out from underneath her, and she was being lifted up into the air only to find herself suddenly – and rather awkwardly – flung across his shoulder as he marched along the hallway. “Edward!” Her outraged remark was punctuated by an unwilling squeal of laughter when he gave her backside a solid slap.
“I told you I might have to set you across my knees for a spanking.”
“Put me down!” She tried to kick her legs, which proved difficult since they were being restrained by an incredibly strong arm. Good heavens! When on earth had Edward managed to become so fit? Or maybe he’d always been so, and she hadn’t noticed because she’d been seeing him in a different, more brotherly, light?
Well, that was no longer the case. She was now acutely aware of the wide shoulder on which her belly rested and the fact he carried her as though she weighed nothing at all.
“Just a moment,” she heard him say with a touch of humor infusing his voice. He paused to open a door, then continued on through to a room, kicking the door shut with the heel of his shoe, while her head dangled against his back and her arms did what they could to punch at his sides.
“Stop it, you willful little hoyden.” He spun around, making her squeal once more. Good lord, whatever would the rest of the household think they were up to? She wriggled her bottom, and he muttered something beneath his breath before she felt his hands on her waist. They lifted her down and planted her unceremoniously on the floor.
She stared at his bright expression, at his animated eyes, those lips that curved with unmistakable mischief, dimpling on either side. It brought out her own playful nature while emboldening her with the memory of what it had always been like between them. Why couldn’t it remain that way once they were married? She had no answer for that, so she chose instead to take a step back, edging her way around the bed and offering him the most teasing look she could manage. “You’re obviously up to no good as usual,” she declared. Her fingers trailed along the nearest bedpost.
He took a step forward, and she retreated once more. “Will you reprimand me?” His hands went to his neck, unfastening his cravat while her eyes followed the movement with fascinated curiosity.
“Should I?” She’d no idea what she was saying or why, but the words seemed to add a curious sense of urgent expectation to the overall mood of the room. Her mouth went dry when he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed his cravat aside.
His eyes studied her with a wolfish gleam she recognized from when he’d straddled her in the forest and kissed her in the maze. It heated her skin and melted her insides, producing a gooey mess only he would be able to put to right once more.
“I think not,” he murmured, still moving toward her. She’d reached the other side of the bed, her eyes hastily taking in the massive size of the mattress. He followed her gaze and smiled. “On the contrary, I think it is I who should reprimand you.”
“On what grounds?” Was that really her voice? It had never sounded so sultry before.
“On account of the fact that you take no pity in stripping me of my senses.” He lunged for her, but she quickly avoided his grasp, laughing with unabashed glee as she leapt onto the bed and bounced to the opposite side. He flung himself after her, forcing a shriek from her when he caught her around the waist and sent her toppling. “Got you!”
She landed with him on top, his hands caging her as he held her in place with his body. Her breaths faltered and awareness set in – his hard planes pressing her into the soft mattress, his legs snug against hers while he braced himself on his elbows and gazed down at
her upturned face.
Swallowing, he shifted his gaze to her lips, and the grin he’d been wearing instantly faded. And then he was suddenly kissing her, his mouth chasing hers with a hunger she’d never believed possible, while his hands – the same hands that had helped her down from the stable roof once and tickled her senseless whenever they’d played – were seemingly everywhere. They stroked along her thigh, grabbed at her waist, pressed against her breasts and wound their way through her hair, while tugging and tearing her clothes from her body with a swift efficiency that left her marveling at his skill.
“God help me, I cannot wait.” He pulled off his own clothes and settled himself between her thighs.
“Then don’t.” Her eyes met his, and she arched up against him – a natural instinct that brought him closer – inviting him to join his body with hers in the most elemental way possible. And so he did, his nimble fingers easing the otherwise painful transition and filling her body with light and warmth and an ever-increasing need for more.
“Fiona.” Her name was wrenched from him on a growl of wanton pleasure when he rocked his hips forward, teaching her the movements that would send them both soaring. And soar they did, while kisses rained down on both their faces and fingers splayed across their heated flesh. It brought a sensory satisfaction so intense, Fiona was certain she saw stars spark behind her eyes as she fell apart in his arms.
“I love you,” he whispered against her ear.
“As I love you,” she promised, clinging to him for support while he carried her through their passionate storm.
For long moments after, she felt as though she was drifting in a languorous, dreamlike state. Then his arm wound around her, catching her weightless limbs in a tight embrace that secured her to his side. His lips grazed her temple, and he curled himself around her, molding their bodies together beneath the thick duvet.
Peering through the darkness at the leaded glass window, Fiona saw that snow was falling once more. A beam of moonlight illuminated the tiny flakes that fell to the ground like blossoms spilling from fruit trees. The effect was made all the more magical with the sound of wood crackling in the fireplace and the feel of her husband hugging her tight. “This has, without a doubt, been the best day of my life,” she whispered.
His lips found her shoulder in a tender caress. “Merry Christmas,” he murmured as he swept her away on another wave of pleasure.
Epilogue
“Can you believe it’s already been a year since our wedding?” Fiona asked Edward when he handed her a glass of mulled wine. The scent of cinnamon rose from the hot liquid as she set the rim to her lips for a careful sip.
Bowing, he leaned in, as close as he possibly could. “Happy anniversary, my love,” he whispered, producing a lovely rush of heat all over her body. He must have said it a dozen times throughout the day – first, when he’d kissed her awake that morning while dangling a brilliant amethyst pendant before her sleepy eyes.
“I told you they’d make a perfect match,” Richard said from his position on a nearby sofa he shared with Mary and his mother.
“So you did,” Kip said. He and Sarah had chosen to join the rest of the family for a grand Christmas celebration at Thorncliff Manor, bringing their triplets with them. The birth had not been an easy one, but the absolute delight with which he and Sarah had welcomed their boy and two girls into the world made Fiona anxious for her own delivery, which was expected to take place in another couple of months. Frowning, Kip asked his brother, “Did we make a wager?”
“No,” Richard replied, “unfortunately not.”
“So even you were certain we would marry?” Fiona asked. After all this time, she still could not believe how easily her entire family had seen what she and Edward had failed to realize – that they were perfect for each other.
A bit of easy laughter prompted Fiona to look at her sisters, who were all joined by their husbands on a selection of chairs. “It was an inevitability,” Chloe said with a smile. She appeared to be as amused by Fiona’s question as Laura, Emily, and Rachel were. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to witness the moment when the two of you finally came to your senses.”
“Nobody was there to witness that.” Lady Duncaster winked and leaned back in a comfy armchair.
The comment produced a blush in Fiona’s cheeks. She dropped her gaze, biting her lip the moment she spotted her rounded belly. Looking up from beneath her lashes, she met the warmth of her husband’s gaze.
“And that is just as well,” he said. He reached for her hand and squeezed her fingers lovingly between his own.
“So tell me, Rachel,” Lord Oakland said from where he stood by the fireplace, “how are your scientific pursuits coming along?”
“Quite well,” Rachel said, a note of hesitance tingeing her words. Looking at Belgrave, the two appeared to share a secretive smile for a long second before she shifted her gaze to the rest of the family. “Belgrave and I will be traveling to Paris in the spring so I may meet Marie-Sophie Germain. She won a prize from the Paris Academy of Sciences in 1816 for her paper on elasticity theory. As you can imagine, she faced a great deal of opposition on account of her sex but was still acknowledged for her efforts, even though she dropped her male pseudonym and entered the contest as herself. It is my hope to learn from her experience and apply it to my own pursuit of entry in the Royal Academy.” She paused and looked toward Belgrave once more before adding, “But as far as my electric lamp is concerned, I have chosen to put it on hold for now since I’ll soon be embarking on a close study of children.”
A hush filled the room, and then Lady Oakland gasped. “Does that mean? Rachel, are you…”
“Yes, Mama.” Rachel’s smile was broad and filled with delight as she reached for her husband’s hand. “You and Papa will soon become grandparents again.”
Loud congratulations followed, along with embraces and handshakes. When it was all over and she was back in her seat, Fiona considered the people who were closest to her heart. It had been a busy year for all of them. It wasn’t just Sarah who’d become a mother. Chloe and Mary had both delivered girls one week apart, while Laura and Emily had given their husbands a couple of healthy heirs. The art exhibit and auction Montsmouth had organized for his wife had been written about by critics so favorably, it had turned Emily into an overnight sensation. Her work was now on tour somewhere in Italy, while Laura’s latest novel was being read by Mary Shelley, who’d personally requested a signed copy of The Lady and the Duke.
A knock sounded at the door and the butler, Caine, stepped in. “My lady,” he said, addressing Lady Duncaster. “The nannies have brought all the children to the Christmas room and await your presence there.”
“Thank you,” Lady Duncaster said. She rose with Lord Oakland’s help. “Well, we’d better go join them. I’m sure your nieces are especially eager to unwrap their gifts, Lamont.”
“More so than the babies, I’d wager.” Lamont followed Lady Duncaster from the room with Laura by his side.
Edward offered Fiona his hand. “Only Lady Duncaster would think to create a Christmas room.”
“I love the idea,” Fiona said as she let him help her up. Linking her arm with his, she said, “Considering all of her other themed salons, I’m surprised it took her so long to consider it. I dare say it will be a hit with the children who come to visit Thorncliff this summer. Imagine how delighted they will be to celebrate Christmas each day!”
“As delighted as I am to celebrate it with you for the rest of my life, I’ll wager.”
Tugging his arm, she drew him to a halt, not caring if anyone saw what happened next. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. It was gentle and perfect – a loving reminder of how well they suited each other and of how lucky they’d been to stand beneath a bit of mistletoe the previous year.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the Killion Group for their incredible help with the cover art and edits. And to my wonderful bet
a-readers, Carol Bisig, Barbara Rogers, Jacqueline Ang and Barb Hoffarth, thank you for your insight and advice. You made this story shine!
About the Author
Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor's degree from Parson's School of design. But most impressive of all - she's been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing.
When she's not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.
You can contact her through her website at www.sophiebarnes.com
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Other Books In This Series
Christmas At Thorncliff Manor Page 21