Later, Ava wasn’t sure if she’d kissed him or if he’d kissed her. She also could not believe they’d done so in front of everyone. But at the time, all she knew was she had a future with the man she loved.
“Jasper wasn’t in the attics….you’re kissing!” said Letty as she entered the kitchen, holding her surly cat.
“Poppet,” said Rose. “Ava is going to be your new sister. She is marrying Colin.”
Letty hugged her. “No more maths,” she said.
“More maths,” said Ava, as she hugged her back. “I am afraid that I will continue on as your governess for the foreseeable future.”
Despite that, Letty looked almost as happy as Ava and Colin.
Even though no one was as happy as Ava and Colin.
*
The rest of the afternoon passed in a festive mood. Colin’s sisters couldn’t be more thrilled that he would be marrying Ava. And, though the ledgers hadn’t changed and there were still debts to be paid, Colin had not felt peace in his heart like this for many years.
Somehow Ava had done that for him.
That night Colin carried Letty to bed, since the girl had stayed up later than usual with the excitement of planning another wedding. He and Ava read her a story as Colin thought of putting their own child to bed. He realized it would be yet another mouth to feed – he seemed to excel at increasing his expenses – but he was not worried. They would find a way to get by. Together. He and Ava, with Rose and Letty and Maude and Stemple.
Once Letty fell asleep, Colin and Ava tiptoed out of her room. Ava went to her door and turned back to him. “Good night, Colin.”
“No, sweetheart. The night is just beginning.” He swept her off her feet then rushed down the hall to his own bedchamber since it wouldn’t do for either of his sisters to take an ill-timed trip to the hall.
He opened the door, then locked it behind him. Only then did he put Ava back on her feet.
“Colin, I shouldn’t be in here.”
“Of course you should. You’re my countess now.”
“Not legally.”
“A mere technicality. Did you really think I could wait three weeks to have you in our bed? For it is our bed.”
“The Countess of Ridgeway does not have her own bedchamber?” Ava asked before kissing him.
“For all intents and purposes, no. You will spend your nights with me. In this bed. We’ll have to nestle into each other for warmth. I have no money, after all.”
“Does that mean on warm nights you’ll cast me out?” She kissed him again.
“On warm nights we shall have to nestle into each other because I won’t be able to sleep any other way. And you, Miss Conway, are wearing too many clothes.”
Colin remedied that in short order. As soon as she was naked, he took a long admiring look, then quickly deposited her in the bed under the down quilt. Because the room was incredibly cold and he really couldn’t afford to keep the fire going.
But he had no doubt he could keep her warm.
He quickly divested himself of clothing, aware that her eyes were devouring him. He began to run for the bed.
“Wait!” she said. “I want to admire you.”
“That can wait ‘til spring. Now let me in under those covers with you,” he said as he dove under the quilt and took her in his arms.
For long moments in the moonlight they simply kissed. He did not want to rush things, though his body did not want to wait all that long.
“Colin,” said Ava from beneath him. “Are you sure about this?”
He placed her hand on his hard cock. “Do you feel any uncertainty?”
For a moment she could not speak. She ran her hand slowly up and down his shaft, then closed her fingers around it.
Colin’s breath seized.
“I was not talking about this, Colin. I believe a part of you wants to be with me.”
“A big part of me,” he smiled against her lips before sucking in his breath yet again when she squeezed him as she stroked. “Sweetheart, if you want to have a serious conversation you cannot touch me at the same time.”
“Very well,” she said as she reluctantly took her hand from him.
“Actually, I was hoping we could make love now and talk later.”
“That does not surprise me, my lord,” she said in the prim governess tone of voice he loved so much. Then she became uncertain and his heart lurched. “But I do not wish to be a burden to your family.”
“Do not…”
“Hush,” she said, as she stopped his speech with a kiss.
“Ordering me around again, Miss Conway?”
“Always, my lord. Colin, I do not have the breeding to be your wife and half the ton will think I was Clayton’s mistress. How can you marry me?”
“The question, love, is how can I not? Before I met you, I looked at my life and only saw where I was falling short. Now I look at it and think about how we can rise together.”
“That is beautiful.”
“Yes, it is. If only you could give me a book contract.” He kissed her then and there were no more thoughts of the future. Only what they had in that bed at that time.
The feel of his skin against hers. The heat between them. The way it would always be.
He kissed her neck as he moved his hand down her body, caressing her breasts, then moving lower. He kissed his way down her body, then suckled at her breast as he moved his hand to the damp curls between her legs. She was moaning softly beneath him but he had to make sure she was as ready as she could be.
He continued his journey downward until he found the heart of her. He began lapping at her, laving the pink bud. She was trying to be quiet, but it was fortuitous that the master suite was as large as it was.
She pulled a pillow over to muffle her moans. He reached up and took it away. He sucked once, twice, thrice more and she quickly covered her mouth again before moaning in ecstasy.
And it was a good thing it happened when it did because he could barely control himself any longer. He lay on top of her, watching as the dazed look in her eyes slowly returned to normal. She reached up and kissed him, then he parted her legs and began to slowly press into her.
She tensed and he slowed even further, praying for strength. When he reached her maidenhead he gently rocked back and forth before piercing it. She flinched, then reached up to kiss him.
“It gets better, doesn’t it?” she whispered in his ear.
He panicked, then looked down to see the laughter in her eyes.
The minx.
“Fill me, Colin. Fill me with your love.”
And he did. As he always would.
They moved together in passion and love. In relief of finding each other. Of knowing that two good souls would be better together.
This was unlike any experience Colin had ever had. Even in his poorest days he’d never had to search too hard for a bed partner. He was a physical, passionate man, but nothing had ever been like this. Nothing had ever come close.
He moved over her faster and faster. She clung to him, meeting his pace, matching his heart. He looked into her beautiful eyes, then she tensed as she climbed the peak and flew away. He followed directly afterward.
He lay on her, careful not to crush her as they both caught their breath. He tried to pull out of her, but she clung to him. So he carefully rolled onto his back taking her with him.
“I love you, Ava.”
“And I love you.”
“I hope I can be the man you deserve.”
“You already are, love. You already are.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Colin and Ava arose much later than the rest of the household the next day in part because they’d made love again that morning, then had been reluctant to leave their bed. Ava had wanted to return to her room the previous night, but Colin had said they should begin as they meant to go on. Rose would not care and Letty would not notice.
Ava rather thought Letty noticed everything, but she’d been al
l too happy to remain spooned together with him.
Rose and Letty were in the sitting room when Colin and Ava joined them.
“Ava, I’ve been sketching ideas for your wedding dress. As with Maude’s we’ll have to start with a gown in the attic, but I believe we can alter it to make it look like it’s in the first stare of fashion.”
“How lovely,” said Ava, as she looked at the design. “But I am happy enough to be married in an existing gown so we can save the fabric.”
“We can afford it, love,” said Colin. “And Rose is an excellent seamstress.”
“I know she is, but perhaps she would like a new gown.”
“Who’s coming up the drive?” asked Letty from the window. “It’s a man and a little girl.”
*
James Emerson was tired. It had been a long journey from America to Portsmouth and then from Portsmouth to Wilton on the mail coach. But it seemed like the longest portion of the entire journey had been the one mile walk from the village to the manor.
Correction. The dower house. He’d learned his family had relocated to the dower house, which meant the finances were just as bad as ever, which made him feel even more guilty than he already did. He’d wanted to help his family, not add to their problems.
No one had recognized him in the village, but he couldn’t really blame them. He’d been gone almost eight years, having left home at the age of twenty. He’d changed quite a bit in that time. He was no longer the slim son of the Earl of Ridgeway. He was built like a man who made his living from the land – which is exactly what he had been doing. He was wearing buckskin trousers and leather boots from a craftsman in Kentucky. By ton standards he needed a haircut. By his standards he did not, despite the fact his straight black hair was well past his shoulders. He was wearing the rough woolen overcoat of a man used to living in the wilderness. He had the tanned features of someone who spent a great deal of time outside.
But the biggest change was that he was not alone.
His steadfast companion, all of six years of age, was holding his hand, looking about quietly, with wide eyes. She’d never been to England before. She’d never crossed the ocean. She was curious about everything, but too shy to speak in front of others. That would come later. When the two of them were safe at home.
Which brought up what he’d just heard. The village gossips had been discussing the latest news. It had been assumed that the impoverished Earl of Ridgeway would become engaged to the eldest daughter of the rich Americans who now inhabited the manor. But the rich Americans were moving to London very much without the poor earl in tow.
James had not known that his family was now in the dower house. Perhaps Colin had sent word, but mail service in America was sporadic at best. He also had not known Colin was considering marrying for money, though it appeared that had come to naught.
Good. Colin deserved better than that.
James had passed the shopkeeper he remembered as being a nosy gossip, but had not said a word to her. She’d eyed him with suspicion and her eyes had widened at the sight of Anna’s skin, which was the color of tea. Mrs. Watkins hadn’t recognized him and James had no doubt her next topic of conversation would be the two strangers who’d just come to town on the mail coach. But James would waste no more time thinking of her. Not on a day like this. Not when he was coming home.
The walk to the house was silent and all but overwhelming. He could tell Anna was tired, though she never complained. He would carry her, except he was already carrying their luggage. He hoped she would like her new home, though he had no intention of making it permanent. If he was successful in his mission, they could be on their way back to America within a month. If he was unsuccessful…
It didn’t bear thinking about.
James wondered what he would find at the house. He wasn’t sure if he’d recognize Rose. She’d been but a girl of eleven when he’d last seen her. From the letters she’d written, it was clear she was now a young lady of intelligence, good sense and humor. He hoped she’d be able to use the white silk he’d sent for her come-out ball. At least one of his siblings should have a love match. It might be too late for Colin and it was definitely too late for Win, who was married to a cold man who kept her away from her family. And James had little faith that he would ever fall in love. Not again. He would not allow that to happen. He had too much to lose.
He squeezed Anna’s hand and she looked up at him and smiled. He was a father. He was still getting used to it, since he’d only learned of her existence but a few months earlier. She was about the same age as Letty, the sister he’d never met. He hoped they could be playmates for each other. Anna had had a difficult, lonely, life. Half Indian, she’d been ostracized by her tribe and it was only when her mother had been dying that she’d tracked down James to tell him he was a father.
His biggest regret in life was that he hadn’t known earlier.
He was anxious to meet Letty. They’d corresponded whenever possible, but he’d left England just as she was born. He’d been told how cruelly she’d been treated over the years and he resolved that he would help make it up to her. His daughter and youngest sister had too much sadness in common. He hoped they could find some joy in each other.
The house finally came into view as they began the final quarter mile of their long journey. They must have been spotted while still far up the drive because they were yet one hundred feet away when the door was thrown open and a young woman stepped out. It was Rose. A grown up Rose.
He began running down the drive, making sure Anna could keep pace. He finally dropped his luggage and swung Rose into his arms. He’d thought of his homecoming countless times over the years and now it was finally happening.
Rose was laughing and crying all at once. “James! What a lovely surprise! Are you really here? I cannot believe it!”
James held her close, in part because he didn’t want anyone else to see the tears in his eyes. Then he looked up to see that a small crowd had gathered, with what must be Letty smiling shyly at him.
“My dear girl, come let me hug you,” he said, finally letting go of Rose.
That was all the encouragement Letty needed, for she ran into his arms. Colin was beaming ear to ear. Then James realized he was being dreadfully unfair to Anna.
“Anna,” he said. “Here are my sisters and brother to come greet us. Colin, Rose, Letty, this is my daughter Anna.”
There was a moment of stunned silence from Colin and Rose, but Letty wasted no time at all in making her feelings known. She hugged Anna, who was startled at first, then tentatively returned the hug.
“Oh, Anna, it is so very grand to meet you,” said Rose, as she, too, hugged Anna, being careful not to overwhelm her. “I am your Aunt Rose and this is your Aunt Letty and we could not be happier to have you here.”
“I’m an aunt?” said Letty, laughing.
James watched his daughter anxiously, for she was not given to showing emotion, especially to strangers. But Letty’s enthusiasm must have been contagious, for Anna gently returned Rose’s embrace and even smiled at Letty, who was now talking non-stop about all the things they would do now that James and Anna had come home.
“Ava! I can call you Ava now that you’re to marry Colin, can I not?” Letty called to the attractive woman James had not recognized.
“Of course you can, sweetheart,” said Ava.
James looked at his brother in surprise. He was betrothed to a woman who, while quite attractive, did not seem to be an heiress. Now he understood why the American family was currently decamping from the manor.
Letty continued. “Ava, I have a niece!”
“That is very exciting,” said Colin’s betrothed, “but perhaps we can all move inside since it’s dreadfully cold out and I’m sure our niece and your uncle have had a long journey.”
“An excellent idea,” said Colin, as he ushered the ladies into the house, but remained behind to face James.
As two brothers who’d grown up with a
tyrannical father, they’d been through a great deal together. Neither of them had been all that comfortable showing emotion earlier in life. Colin had often retreated into playing the court jester, making everyone laugh. James had simply been quiet, tending to mull things over again and again until he could make sense of them. Even when there was no sense to be made.
And now they were face to face once more.
For a moment, neither moved. Then one or the other moved – it was impossible to tell who’d started first – and they hugged each other, culminating in pats on the back that could have felled oxen. James observed that while Colin hadn’t spent the past eight years working the land as he had, he certainly hadn’t gone to fat, either.
“Welcome home, brother mine,” said Colin grinning. “And you have brought a wonderful niece to us. I know you have not been the most avid correspondent…”
“The mail service is rather erratic.”
“I am sure that it is. But do you think that in, perhaps, one of your letters you might have mentioned I am now an uncle? She’s quite beautiful, by the way. I can only assume she gets all of her good looks from her mother. Will she also be joining us?”
James shook his head, sadder about Alawa’s death than he’d ever been. He hadn’t known Anna’s mother well, which made him feel ashamed. But she had been a good woman and had done her best to raise Anna despite the resistance of her tribe. He would be forever grateful that she had reached out to him before her death. “She died four months ago. I was unaware of Anna’s existence until a short time before that.”
“I am sorry,” said Colin. “But not to make too fine a point of it, you couldn’t have told us in your Christmas letter?”
James had to laugh. “Is it not enough that the two of us are here now in the flesh?”
“A perfectly valid point. Surprising, coming from you. Now I would like to meet my niece.”
“And I shall meet your bride-to-be. Which begs the question: could you not have mentioned the delectable lady in one of your letters?”
“That will be the last time you refer to my wife-to-be as delectable, unless you would like to sleep in the stables.”
Always Come Home (Emerson 1) Page 24