by Connie Mason
“She had the locket bearing her father’s image.”
“Moira lost the locket; we no longer have that as proof, if you could call such flimsy evidence proof.”
“Moira left the locket in London. I found it. After some sleuthing, my friend’s father identified the man in the miniature. Have you ever heard of Lord Pembroke?”
“No. Should I have?”
“ ’Tis possible that Lord Pembroke, the Earl of Montgomery, is your grandfather. His title dates back to William the Conqueror. At one time he moved in high places. He has since retired to his country estate. He lost his only son before the son could produce an heir, and when his wife died several years later, he chose not to remarry. The earldom will die out for lack of an heir.”
Kevin sent Jack a measuring look. “What makes you so sure this earl is our grandfather? Have you spoken with him?”
“I haven’t contacted the earl yet. I intend to do so upon my return to England. Only Lord Pembroke can verify that he was…er…acquainted with your maternal grandmother. What was her name, by the way?”
“Sheila Malone. Our mother’s name was Mary. Is that why you’re so eager to marry Moira? Because she might be the granddaughter of an earl?”
“Bloody hell, O’Toole, I would marry Moira if she were a scullery maid. What will it take to convince you?”
Kevin muttered an apology of sorts, still not fully convinced of Lord Jack’s tender feelings for his sister.
“ ’Tis time I left to prepare for the wedding. Will you be there, O’Toole? It will mean a lot to Moira.”
“Of course we’ll be there,” Katie interjected. “If Moira consented to the marriage, that’s good enough for me.”
“Four o’clock, at the church,” Jack said, sending Katie a grateful look.
“Four o’clock,” Kevin repeated with grudging respect.
Jack took his leave soon after that, pleased with his progress. He knew Moira’s brother still didn’t trust him, but he hoped one day to gain his full approval.
Moira was still sleeping when Jack let himself into the room. He hated to awaken her, but he didn’t want to be late for their wedding. He shook her gently so as not to frighten her and watched with glittering interest as she stretched and smiled up at him. The blanket fell away as she lifted her arms, baring her breasts, and it took all Jack’s willpower not to join her in bed.
“Get up, lazybones, ’tis time to ready ourselves for our wedding.”
“So soon?” Moira’s grin widened as she reached for him.
Jack recognized the invitation and groaned in dismay. “There is no time, love. Your brother and his family are already on the way to the church.”
“You went to see Kevin, and he agreed to attend our wedding?” Jack nodded. “I love you, Jack Graystoke. If you join me in bed, I’ll show you how much.”
Jack’s manhood stirred and he shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t know I was marrying such a brazen wench. Do you want to be late for your wedding?”
“We’ve waited this long, a little longer won’t hurt.”
It took little effort on Jack’s part to relent. She looked so adorable, flushed from sleep and dewy-eyed that he couldn’t deny her any more than he could deny his own clamoring need. He undressed quickly, his hot gaze fastened on her breasts, which seemed to swell with each breath she took. When she pushed the blanket aside so he could join her, his glittering gaze slid down to that part of her that gave him so much pleasure. But he didn’t join her, not yet.
With slow purpose he walked to the washstand, poured water from the pitcher into a bowl and wet a clean cloth. When he returned, he spread Moira’s legs and gently washed away all traces of their previous loving. When he finished, Moira rose from bed, took the cloth from his hands, rinsed it, and shyly performed the same service for him. Jack groaned, his passion ready to explode. Then they fell together on the bed, arms and legs entwined, bodies touching from breast to groin. When Jack slid over her, Moira gave him a mischievous grin and pushed him down on his back.
“’Tis my turn to torment you, Lord Jack.”
Sitting astride him, she kissed and nipped and teased, her hot mouth gliding over his face, his neck, his shoulders, devoting special attention to the hard nubs of his male breasts. Jack caught his breath and slowly let it out as her lips moved inexorably downward. He groaned and thrust upward into the soft nest of her palm as she curled her fingers around him, stroking his thick length to the root. But Moira was far from finished. Lowering her head, she tasted him delicately, with teasing little laps of her tongue.
“Enough!” Jack growled roughly as he seized her hips, lifted her high and thrust into her. She was open and wet and took him eagerly.
Arching her head sharply backward, Moira rode him shamelessly, her eyes glazed, her lips parted as tiny gasps of pleasure gurgled from her throat. Piercing her deeply, Jack could feel the tension quivering in his stomach and stroked her shallowly to regain control. When he felt he could carry on again, he took her breast into his mouth and began moving forcefully inside her, carefully bringing Moira to the point of no return.
By now Moira was wild to reach that elusive place where pleasure ruled. She wanted him deeper, faster, and she wanted it now. She was perilously close to the brink, and nothing short of sudden death would stop her from reaching it. Jack was more than willing to comply. With deep, probing thrusts, he brought her swiftly to climax. He continued stroking inside her until her explosive vibrations gained his own violent release.
“You’ll make an old man of me before my time, love,” Jack gasped as he lifted her from atop him and set her beside him on the bed.
“ ’Tis rumored that Black Jack Graystoke is sexually insatiable,” Moira countered saucily.
“Every man has his limits. But I readily admit that with you, my limits are severely strained. And before you get any more ideas, love, we really must get dressed. I’ll wager the priest and your family are beginning to wonder if we’re going to appear.”
The wedding took place thirty minutes past the appointed hour. After one look at Moira’s flushed face and Jack’s contented grin, no one had the slightest doubt about the reason for their delay. Fortunately, all were too polite to mention it, though Katie’s repressed smile said more than words.
The ceremony was blessedly brief and the children well-behaved. Jack’s intent gaze never left Moira’s face. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, relax until Father Sian pronounced them husband and wife. Then abruptly it was over, and at long last Moira belonged to him; no one could ever take her away from him.
Kevin’s grudging congratulations pleased Jack, and he knew it meant a lot to Moira. Afterward he invited everyone, including Father Sian, to the inn for a wedding supper, which he had arranged with the innkeeper beforehand.
The meal was surprisingly good and well prepared on such short notice, and after seeing his sister’s happiness, Kevin warmed up considerably. The children fell asleep over the meal and since the hour was late, Jack arranged for rooms for the entire O’Toole family. Moira slipped up to their room first, then Kate escorted the children to bed, leaving Jack and Kevin alone. Kevin raised his glass in salute.
“Here’s to long life and happiness, and a healthy lad or lassie.” He fixed Jack with a stalwart glance and said, “If you make my sister unhappy, you’ll have me to answer to. England isn’t so far away that I can’t bring her back home if need be.”
Jack returned the salute and drank deeply. “I’ll never give you or Moira cause to regret this marriage. This marriage was ordained before Moira and I met. Lady Amelia must be the happiest ghost in that dark place where spirits dwell.”
Kevin scratched his head. “Ghosts? Lady Amelia?”
Jack smiled. “Never mind, ’tis a long story. There is something I wish to discuss with you. I know your circumstances aren’t the best, and that all Ireland is in the grip of poverty, and I want to help. You’re my brother-in-law, and I have the means to make life easier for you.”
“It isn’t charity I offer. I’d like you and your family to accompany Moira and me to England. Whether Lord Pembroke claims you and Moira as kin is not the issue. You could live at Ailesbury Hall and see to its upkeep. I prefer living at Graystoke Manor. It’s in the process of being renovated in my absence. Think of the children, if not yourself. Ailesbury Hall sits amid countless acres. There are lakes, forests and gardens. I feel your family could be happy there.”
“Ireland is my home,” Kevin said with wavering conviction.
“It would please Moira to have you in England. It was what she was working toward when I met her. You could either sell your farm or rent it out. At Ailesbury Hall, Katie would have all the help she needs with the children and servants to wait on her. She deserves it, Kevin. Katie strikes me as a loyal wife and loving mother.”
Kevin could not argue with Jack’s logic. “I cannot pick up and leave on such short notice. You’re right about one thing, Lord Jack. My Katie deserves the best, and whether ’tis true or not, I need to know for my own peace of mind if this Lord Pembroke is my grandfather.”
“Then you’ll come with us to England?” Jack said, elated.
“Aye, as soon as I find the right tenant for the farm. I already have someone in mind. Young Peter Murphy is getting married and needs a place to live. He’s a hard worker and a good lad. I’ll lease the farm to him for nominal rent so long as he agrees to work the land. There is still some good left in the land, more than enough to feed him and his wife for a good long while.”
“Do you need more than two weeks to conclude your business and pack your belongings? You need take nothing but clothing and personal items you can’t do without. I’ll book passage if it’s agreeable to you.”
“ ’Tis agreeable, Lord Jack. And I will take care of your property as if it were my own.”
Before parting, they shook hands. Then Jack bounded up the stairs to join his bride.
Moira was waiting, propped up in bed looking like an angel with her dark red tresses spread about her naked shoulders. A tub of cooling water sat in the corner, and Jack decided to make use of it before joining Moira in bed.
“I’m sorry I had no time to buy you a wedding present,” Jack said conversationally as he lathered his chest and shoulders. “But I accomplished one thing I hope you’ll approve of.”
Moira watched his soapy hands move over his body, imagining they were her own hands on his warm, pliant flesh. She smiled in lazy contentment, recalling their passionate coming together in this room earlier today. Finally his words worked through her satiated brain. “What did you accomplish, husband?”
Husband. The word rolled over him like sweet honey. “Kevin and his family are coming to England with us. They’ll live at Ailesbury.”
Moira’s smile was dazzling. “That’s the best wedding gift you could have given me. The only reason I took work in London was to help Kevin and his family, but all I did was get myself into trouble. If not for you, I might have become a victim of Roger Mayhew and the Hellfire Club.”
“Your own resourcefulness saved you,” Jack reminded her. “When I attempted to rescue you, all I did was get myself shot. You and Matilda escaped the disciples of the Devil on your own. But I’m glad you’re pleased about Kevin. We’ll bide in Ireland until Kevin has made arrangements for the farm.”
He lifted himself from the tub and walked dripping wet to the fireplace, where he shook himself like a shaggy dog. Moira watched as dancing flames burnished his flesh a deep gold, thinking him the handsomest man she’d ever seen. Her hands went to her stomach, where her child rested beneath her ribs, and she eagerly awaited the day she’d hold Jack’s babe in her arms. Life had never been so good or so rewarding. With a smile on her lips, her eyes drifted shut and she fell asleep.
Jack climbed into bed carefully so as not to awaken Moira. Guilt rode him. Their vigorous lovemaking this afternoon had been too much for her, even though the last time had been at her instigation. Gathering her into his arms, he was content to hold her close to his heart and contemplate their future. For the first time in his life, he dared to dream about children of his own. He looked forward with relish to fatherhood.
A small smile lifted his lips. Who would have thought that Black Jack Graystoke would welcome fatherhood? Certainly not he. All Black Jack the rake had to look forward to was perdition. But thanks to Moira, he could thumb his nose at the Devil. He wondered if Lady Amelia knew that he’d married Moira. Of course she did, he decided, answering his own question. Everything he now held in his arms, his whole world, had been the result of Lady Amelia’s meddling.
Chapter Twenty-one
Two weeks later Moira, Jack and the entire O’Toole family left Ireland aboard the Bonny Prince. The day was extra fine, the weather bright and sunny, the channel crossing uneventful. For the first time in her memory, Moira felt as if everything was right in her life. She had her family whom she loved and a husband she adored. And she had the baby growing inside her. Being so happy helped her to forget all the unpleasantness that had taken place in London. She was safe now, safe from Roger Mayhew and the Hellfire Club.
Once they debarked at London Pool, Jack hired coaches to carry the two families and all their baggage to Graystoke Manor. As Moira climbed into the carriage, she caught a glimpse of a man she thought she recognized and her breath froze in her throat. Her gasp alerted Jack to her distress.
“What is it, sweetheart? Are you ill? Is it the baby?”
Moira gave her head a vigorous shake. The man she thought she recognized had already disappeared into the milling crowd. “ ’Tis nothing. For a moment I thought…Never mind. I’m sure I was mistaken.” Then the children climbed excitedly into the carriage and the moment was forgotten.
Moira was breathless with anticipation when their conveyance stopped before the stone facade of Graystoke Manor. She hadn’t realized until now that she had missed the place. Already she could see improvements that Jack had ordered done in her absence and was anxious to see the inside all spruced up.
Pettibone met them at the door. “Welcome home, milord,” Pettibone greeted enthusiastically. “And Miss Moira. We were all worried about you. I knew His Grace would find you.” He eyed Kevin and his family curiously but was too polite to inquire.
“’Tis good to be home, Pettibone. Damn good,” Jack replied as he led the small entourage into the house. “Please greet your new mistress properly. Moira and I were married several weeks ago in Ireland.”
Pettibone’s face lit up. “Married you say?” He turned to Moira. “Felicitations, milady. You’ll make a wonderful duchess. Wait until Matilda and Jilly hear.”
“Have the upper floors been renovated yet, Pettibone?”
“Aye, milord. A hundred men worked virtually around the clock to finish before you returned.”
Jack nodded. “Very good. Have the west wing prepared for Moira’s brother and his family. Mr. and Mrs. O’Toole will stay with us for a time before moving on to Ailesbury Hall.” He turned to Kevin and Katie. “This is Pettibone. As you come to know him, you’ll learn why I cannot do without him.”
Pettibone flushed with pleasure. “Lord Jack is generous with his praise. You must all be tired after your trip. I’ll see that tea is served in the drawing room directly.”
Katie appeared to be in shock. The grandeur of Graystoke Manor boggled her mind. Matilda and Jilly materialized from somewhere in the manor and introductions were made. Then Matilda bustled the children into the kitchen for cookies and milk. “Your manor is magnificent, Lord Jack,” Katie said appreciatively.
“The downstairs isn’t completely renovated yet, but soon it will be as grand as it once was. It’s not as impressive as Ailesbury Hall, but this place is more like home to me. I will be taking Moira to Ailesbury Hall soon. She’ll love the country.”
“What do you intend doin
g about Lord Pembroke?” Kevin asked.
“I’ll send a messenger to his estate tomorrow and ask when it will be convenient for him to receive us. I’ll also send a note to the newspaper announcing my marriage to Moira.”
Moira shifted uncomfortably. “Do you think that’s wise?”
“Wise and necessary,” Jack said crisply. “Once people become accustomed to the idea, they will accept you as the Duchess of Ailesbury. For my part, society can go to the Devil, but I won’t have them slighting my wife.”
Moira didn’t argue despite her feeling that both she and Jack were likely to be treated as outcasts. She had tried talking him out of his folly, had even left him in hopes that he’d come to his senses. But Jack had been adamantly determined to marry her. She loved him so much that she hadn’t the stamina to resist. For better or worse, they were husband and wife, and she prayed Jack would never regret his decision. The possibility that she was Lord Pembroke’s granddaughter was too slim to set store by.
Later that night, ensconced in the master bedchamber, Jack endeavored to show Moira how much she meant to him. His loving was tender and excruciatingly intense as he skillfully teased and caressed her to gasping ecstasy. His gaze, dark and brilliant, rested on her in waiting silence as he brought her to shattering climax, then allowed himself to join her.
Lord Pembroke’s return reply granted Jack a private audience two days hence. He expressed curiosity, since he’d never met the Duke of Ailesbury, but graciously granted the interview if it was kept short, due to his failing health.
Moira was nervous the day the meeting was scheduled to take place. She changed gowns at least three times and finally settled on a green satin morning dress with beige and green striped sleeves. Since Kevin had nothing decent to wear, Jack loaned him a suit of clothes, and once dressed, he looked every bit as elegant as his benefactor. Katie did not accompany them, preferring to remain home with the children.
Lord Pembroke’s estate lay several hours west of London, so they left early in order to arrive at the appointed hour of two in the afternoon. “What if Lord Pembroke denies knowledge of my grandmother?” Moira asked anxiously.