"What, my little innocent?" he said, gazing down into her eyes.
Merrie only shook her head, as she snuggled down into his arms.
He had called her his soul mate. She knew he would gladly give his life for her. She knew he cared—deeply. He wished for her safety more than anything else in the world.
But she fell asleep with great sadness, convinced that the word love might be one she was never likely to hear.
"I love you, Francis," she whispered softly, as she fell asleep in his arms.
CHAPTER 13
T he house was now filled with Christmas decorations, inside and out. Miss Constance had indeed put trees in every room, decorated with ribbons, small gifts for the staff and for Francis and Merrie. The ballrooms each had huge trees in them, and under them were gifts for the staff and their families. Wreaths, decorated, adorned the hearths in each room. Merrie's mother and father were already downstairs, making sure that everything was ready for the feast that was to follow. Lottie and David would be seeing them in a few days, and Merrie was dancing with excitement at the merriment of the season.
"Are you ready, my little sweetheart?" Francis put his head into Merrie's rooms, where Liliana was just finishing her hair, weaving scarlet ribbons through it to match her gown. "Ah, you look quite adorable, little one. But the rooms are starting to fill up downstairs. We need to hurry."
Liliana leaned back, after adding the last scarlet rose to her hair, and Merrie ran toward her husband.
"Milady!" Liliana called out. "Your slippers!" Francis reached for them and knelt down, taking her small ankles, adding the crimson velvet slippers, while she held on to his shoulders. Then, rising to his feet, he put his hands on her shoulders, looking down.
"Liliana, you may go on down to the celebration, if you like."
"Thank you, Sir Francis." She curtsied as she left.
Lifting Merrie's chin upward, he stared down into her sky-blue eyes and smiled.
"What is it, Francis?" Her innocent eyes met his, uncertainly.
"I just wanted to look my fill at you one more time, my little innocent, before taking you downstairs and having to share you with everyone." He was leaning down now, whispering into her ear, "And I am contemplating undressing you right this moment and taking you back to bed. They can have their own party, without us."
She giggled, and he popped her bottom soundly.
"You are laughing at me? I shall put you across my knee right this instant—"
"No, sir." Merrie leaned up on tiptoe, putting her hands on each side of his face. "I would never do that." She grinned up at him, her dimples showing.
"Quite sure about that, are you?" His hand lowered, sliding down her bottom and cupping it firmly.
"Oh, yes, sir." Her eyes were sparkling.
His voice was a growl now. "All right." His own eyes were twinkling. "I shall let you get away with it. This time. But next?" With that, he reached down, pinching her bottom, and she squealed.
"Francis," she said softly, blowing a kiss into his ear. "Have I ever told you just how much I love you? You are my hero…"
A brow rose. "Hmm," he said, in a stern voice.
"I do not suppose…that I would be so lucky that you would love me too, but—"
"What?" He took her by the waist, lifting her off her feet. "I dare you to say that again, you little brat." He brought her up so that her mouth was inches from his. "And just what, little disobedient child, would make you think that?"
She started to look away, but he held her fast. "Oh no. Answer my question, little girl, or I bring down your pantaloons and shall spank you, right here, right now."
"But—" Her eyes grew wide. "You have never voiced it, sir."
He stared down at her. "You are jesting."
She shook her head, her long curls tossing with ribbons and roses. "I am not, sir."
Francis set her down onto her small slippered feet and stared down at her, frowning. "Merriweather? I truly have not?"
"It is all right, sir. If you do not, then…"
Anger filled his eyes now. "It is most certainly not all right. You have not mentioned this before. Why in Heaven's name have you not?"
He stopped, seeing the sadness in her blue eyes, and picked her up again, carrying her into their bedroom. Sitting down with her in his lap, he stared into her eyes. "Merriweather Lynne. How could I have never voiced to you how much I love you? I cannot fathom it." He tilted her chin up toward him and met her eyes.
"My dearest little love," he said softly, incredulously. "I do love you. More than life itself. More than I have ever loved anyone or anything. You are the most precious, the most important—the most adorable little creature I have ever let my eyes rest upon. But I love the inside of you, even more than the outside, my girl." He punctuated by dotting her face with kisses. "Do. Not. Ever. Doubt. That. Is that terribly clear?"
Her gaze upward was filled with amazement, his, with desire.
"Merriweather? I am waiting on an answer, my little darling."
"Yes…" she whispered. "Terribly clear, sir…"
When she found herself crushed to his chest, she giggled once again.
"And now, my little brat," he said, the twinkling of his eyes at odds with the severity of his voice. "I believe we had better get downstairs and start this party going. Because as soon as it is over, I am bringing you back upstairs. And I am going to strip you naked and take you, over…" He kissed one cheek." And over." Then the other. "And over." Then, he whispered into her mouth, "Again." He lifted his head, looking down into her eyes. "All… Night… Long."
THE END.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pippa Greathouse
Pippa Greathouse has been writing since the fifth grade, after each student was given an assignment to read aloud a story to the class of her their writing. One horrified teacher later, and a class of students who thought the horror story was “cool,” and she was hooked.
She is married, and has two fantastic children, who have grown and left the nest.
Since then, the writing has continued. She now is an author for Blushing Books, and still loves what she does. Her favorite genre is writing historical fiction romances, where men are “strong, Alpha men” and their feisty ladies respond to that. And historical fiction is perfect for that! However, she also loves writing contemporary romantic fiction.
You may visit her website here: http://pippagreathouse.com
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Pippa Greathouse and Blushing Books!
The Strasburg Chronicles
Angelica’s Rescuer: Book One
Merrie’s Hero: Book Two
Available February 2017 - Cinderella’s Lawman: Book Three
Available March 2017 - The Return of Lucy Grace: Book Four
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Pssst... Amazon Customers.... Free Stuff
Prologue
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
EBook Offer
Blushing Books Newsletter
Blushing Books
Merrie's Hero Page 14