A Most Delicate Pursuit

by Pamela Labud

  “So you say, but her father says otherwise. I have a letter he wrote, saying how you seduced her and then tossed her aside after you’d had your way with her.”

  Michael shook his head. “I have never done such a thing. She begged me…”

  “So you say. But her father tells a different story. Never mind that. What about your late wife? She killed herself because of you. How long will it be before the sweet Beatrice will come to hate you the way those other women did?”

  His temper set to the boil, he grabbed her and jerked her to him so close that there was barely the space of a breath between them. “Beatrice will never hate me.”

  “Is that what you think? I know the truth of you, Michael. Admit it. You were unable to save those women from themselves, and now you’re leading poor Beatrice down the same path.”

  That was when the fight went out of him. He relaxed his grip and stepped back.

  But, as tempting as placing his hands around her throat and squeezing her treacherous life right out of her was, he knew he could not. Another trial, one that he’d surely lose, was beyond even his foolish temper. And the humiliation to Bea, Ash, and Caroline was too much to risk.

  “Really,” he asked her, “why did you come here?”

  “Come with me, Michael. Come now and I swear all of your family and friends will be spared the pain of learning the truth about you.”

  “And what truth do you think that is?”

  The woman smiled. “That you think that you love that girl. You and I both know that one day you’ll grow bored. You’ll leave her behind and come to me as you always have. Face it, Michael. You want me.”

  “You’re wrong, Connie. I wanted a woman, someone to drink with me, to help me dull the pain. But no more. As far as I’m concerned, you are no better than a snake in the grass.”

  “How dare you speak to me so,” she said.

  “I do dare, and more. You’re a hateful, vindictive woman, Connie. I would rather die than spend another moment in your company.”

  With that, he turned away from her and strode back into the house. He heard her hiss and spit curses at him, but the words fell away into the morning light, disappearing like mists separating in the rising sun.

  There was only one thing on his mind now—the woman who now lay sleeping in his bed—for she alone had healed his heart and she alone now held his soul. It had been a most delicate pursuit, indeed. And he’d been blessed that she’d never given up on the hunt.

  —

  When at last he’d returned to bed, Michael had a moment to consider the strange turns his life had taken the past few months. It had been like one unending dream. First, his losing Beatrice, then finding her, only for her to be torn away from him. Then there was the duel, the imprisonment, and the trial…

  But now, here he was, finally with the woman he loved. Tonight would be special for them both. He would make her a promise that he would keep to his last breath.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Beatrice said as he climbed into bed beside her. The scent of wildflowers and female musk aroused a deep need in him. Not just the wanting her in his bed, although he did very much desire her. It was something more solid than that, something that lived in his soul. An incredible ache for her of a sort he’d never known.

  For the very first time in his life, he was wanted. He could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch as she slid her hands under the covers to lay her head against his chest. Turning on his side, he pulled her into his arms and she melted in his embrace. For a moment all he wanted was to hold her, to feel the heat of her against him, to hear the cadence of her breathing and marvel at her incredible beauty.

  “Are you all right, husband?” she asked in an anxious tone.

  He let out a breath. “For the very first time, I believe I am.”

  “How do you feel?”

  He grinned. “I feel loved and worthy of love. And I have you to thank for it.”

  She laughed, a light, joyful sound. “Silly man. You’ve always been worthy of love. It’s just no one ever bothered to tell you so.”

  “Perhaps. I feel new, somehow. As if I’ve been reborn as someone else and yet the same.”

  “I’m glad for you, husband. And for me as well.” She sighed. “The only thing that would make this moment any better would be for my husband to make love to me.”

  It was his turn to laugh. “As my lady wants.” Leaning down, he captured her mouth and kissed her. At first, he tasted the joyous sweet flavor of the wine they’d shared at dinner, the cakes they’d had for dessert. But as their kiss deepened, he enjoyed the essence of the woman he fell in love with. Headstrong. Brilliant. Amazing.

  “Please,” Bea moaned when their kiss broke, both of them gasping. “I need you, now.”

  Michael rolled over on top of her, spreading her legs with his own, balancing himself above her. “I love you, Beatrice.”

  “And I love you,” she muttered, placing her hands on his hips while raising her knees. Then, tilting herself upward, she wrapped her legs around him and slid her hands to cup his bottom. It had a profound affect on him, already hard and ready, his groin twitching and the urge to push into her almost more than he could stand.

  He kissed her again, suckling her chin, her neck, and bending so that when he pulled up, she moved with him. He captured her left breast in his mouth, where he proceeded to whirl his tongue around her hardened tip. She cried out when he nibbled at it, and then again when he gave his attentions to the other one.

  At last, when he thought he’d driven them both to near madness, he gently settled her on the bed and, kissing her once again, positioned himself at her opening. He paused for a moment, and she cried out beneath him.

  “Now, Michael,” she whispered, arms around his shoulders, their bodies pressed together. Doing as she urged, he pushed forward. Gentle and slow at first, building up momentum, harder and faster, until he felt her orgasm build; at the very peak, when he heard her scream, he drove home to find his own release.

  It was in those few seconds, as they hung together, that Michael knew they’d become more than just husband and wife. They were two souls joined together for all eternity. At last, Michael had found his destiny and her name was Beatrice.

  —

  Hours later, Bea awoke to the sound of her husband’s snore buzzing in her ears. She smiled, knowing full well that there would likely come a time when she’d not be so thrilled at hearing him make such a racket.

  He’d been through so much. It broke her heart to think how he’d suffered. Unwanted and abandoned, how lonely he must have felt. How cruel everyone had been, from his family, his former mistress, and even she could have treated him better.

  Well, she could do nothing to change the past, but she very well could make his future brighter.

  First, she would begin writing letters. Judging by his memories, it seemed his mother had left under terrible circumstances. Chances were, she didn’t even know that Michael’s father had died. More than that, who knew what her circumstances were? Was she afraid to return because of threats he’d made against her?

  Whatever the case, Michael’s mother needed to know that her son was alive and married. That’d he’d prevailed against those who’d tried to destroy him and come out victorious.

  So, with Amelia’s help, Bea would do her best to try to find her. One way or the other, Michael would at least know the truth of her life, and if she were still alive, she would know the truth of his.

  All the ghosts of the past must be put down in order for them both to have a future.

  Sighing, Michael turned to his other side, more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. She scooted up beside him, wrapping her arm around his waist and resting her head in the crook of his neck. Then he reached back, took her hand, and brought it up to cradle against his chest.

  Bea couldn’t believe all that had happened to them and would never have guessed she could fall so completely in love. Michael was hers in a way no other would
ever be and she thanked the heavens for it.

  Epilogue

  Michael had been dreaming. He was on a ship, sailing to some distant land with Beatrice at his side. Snuggled together, he was content to go anywhere she led him. As long as they were together.

  “Are you asleep?” Beatrice said beside him.

  It had been six months since they’d returned to Slyddon. Every day had been pure joy for him, and each night had been filled with love and laughter. The entire time they’d spent planning for their future, making love and enjoying each other’s company. He was sure Heaven would be no better than the life he’d known with Beatrice.

  “I’m awake, but not for long.” He yawned. “What is it you want, woman?”

  She giggled. “I want you to make love to me,” she whispered.

  “By the heavens, three times last night wasn’t enough?”

  He rolled over and took her into his arms, kissing her, and despite only a few hours having passed since they’d been together, his desire for her rose in him like a summer tide.

  “Wait,” she said. “Before we do, I have news.”

  He sat up, pulling her with him. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Fear shot through him.

  “Michael?” She gave him a puzzled expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing. Tell me your news.”

  She gave him a long look and he knew she could read his mind.

  “Oh, for Heaven’s sake. I’m not leaving you.” She paused. “You’re not still having that dream, are you? The one where I’ve left you stranded on a beach somewhere?”

  “It hadn’t gotten that far. You woke me up.”

  “For the thousandth time, I’m not leaving you.”

  “Of course not.” He’d known she was telling the truth, but the old fears had not yet died.

  “You’re quite stuck with me. But the other news is something that I hope will make you happy. Well, there are two things, actually.”

  “What is it, Beatrice? You’ve got me on tenterhooks.”

  “Poor man.” She smiled, patting his face. “We’re going to have a visitor.”

  “A visitor? Who?”

  She bit her lip, and then, turning to the bedside table, she leaned over and pulled open the drawer and took out a letter. Handing it to Michael, she settled back again.

  “I think you should read it. The truth is, I think I know what’s been bothering you. What it is that’s making you think that I’m going to leave you. I’ve never been to the beach and I’ve certainly never been sailing. That was how your mother left you, wasn’t it? Your father put her on a ship and you never saw her again?”

  Michael swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “Yes.” He gingerly opened the letter and pulled it from the envelope.

  “I know I should have asked first, but I was afraid you’d say no. The truth is when we returned to London, with Amelia’s help, I started writing letters to find out where your mother was. I knew that your father had shunned her, sent her to Heaven only knew where, so I thought it best that you know the truth of all of it.”

  “And this is?” He held out the letter, not daring to even look at it.

  “It’s your mother. She’ll be here in a few weeks. She was living in Corsica, working at an orphanage. It seems she never got over losing her son.”

  Michael looked at the letter in his hands, turning it over and over. “He threatened her, didn’t he?”

  “He did, and because of that she never came back.”

  Michael nodded. “I need…” He started, but the words left him.

  Bea smiled and hugged him tight. “You need some time. I’ll go and see to breakfast. You come down when you’ve finished.”

  Michael nodded. “Thank you,” he said, his voice thick with the tumultuous emotions stirring inside him.

  —

  It was nearly an hour before Michael came down. He looked shaken, but Bea could tell immediately that whatever demon had plagued him, he’d finally put it down.

  She was in the dining room, finishing a cup of tea, her breakfast hardly touched in front of her.

  Sitting down beside her, he shook his head. “All these years, and my father kept her away. He sent her support for a while, but according to the letter, once he decided to stop, she was forced to manage some other way. She started as a governess and then found work at the orphanage. It seems my father told her if she ever came back, he’d have accused her of adultery and would have dragged her through public humiliation.”

  “Of course, he would. He didn’t want her but he wouldn’t let her have a happy life.”

  Michael shook his head. “All these years I believed my father’s lies. I never questioned him. I never looked for her.”

  “My love, the time for such talk is past. You had no way of knowing what that wicked old man had done. You must look to the future. We’re building a life, you and I. And I spoke to Ash and he’s already made arrangements to bring her home.”

  He nodded. “At last we can talk and I can learn the truth of it from her.”

  “Good. Now, I’ve one other bit of news for you, my good man. But I need to give it to you on a full stomach.”

  Bea called for the butler, who made him a plate of food. For the first time since she’d known him, Michael ate with fervor. One bite after another until he’d finished everything on his plate.

  “So, what’s this ‘other’ news?” he asked, sipping his tea. “I’m thinking you and your sister have been planning some party to announce my mother’s return to London, I suppose.”

  Bea watched him a moment and thought about how to share her news. “Hmm, we should celebrate that. I’ll discuss it with Amelia and Caro straightaway.”

  He sent her a puzzled expression and Beatrice grinned. She could stand it no longer.

  “Wait right here,” she said, leaving him momentarily in the dining room, his mouth open and his eye wide. What he didn’t know was that Lizzie waited outside the door, her arms laden with a large box, wrapped in gold paper and white satin ribbon tied to a prim bow. Bea motioned her to follow.

  “Bea, I don’t understand…”

  She held up her hand. “Open the gift, husband.”

  He shook his head. “But where’s it from?”

  Bea smiled. “It’s from Caro and Ash. Go on, open it.”

  Michael did as she asked, setting the box on the table. Slowly pulling the ribbon off of it, he rose from his chair to lift the lid and peer inside.

  “Beatrice, what the blazes?” He lifted up the small, rose-colored spun-cotton infant nightdress.

  “Congratulations, husband. You’re going to be a father.”

  He looked at her, mouth open, but not a sound came from him. Then, her strong husband, the war hero, the man who’d fought Heaven and Hell to be with her, lost his footing and flopped backward. Thankfully, he landed with a thud into the chair behind him.

  “Michael?” Bea rushed around the table to see if he was all right. But as she made it to his side, he sprang to his feet once again and crushed her against him. The next thing she knew, he was kissing her and lifting her in his arms.

  “My love,” he said, gasping for air when he finally pulled out of their kiss. “You are the most amazing woman,” he said.

  “And you are a most worthy husband.”

  He nodded. “I must be to be loved by you.” He sighed. “Now, let’s take the rest of our meals in bed today.”

  “I think that is a most inspired idea.”

  With that, he carried her out of the dining room and up the stairs to their bed, barking orders to the servants as they went.

  For Bea, it was the culmination of her life’s dreams. She hadn’t needed to travel to distant lands to build her life after all. She’d found more happiness than she ever had imagined in the arms of the man she loved.

  And that was the greatest adventure of all.

  As always, this book is dedicated to my family—my awesome husband and real-life hero, Bill, and also t
o my terrific daughters, Jamie and Caitlin. Love you guys!

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people who have a hand in making books possible. Two of those who helped me the most are amazing writers on their own.

  Tammy Strickland has long been a dear friend and has helped me develop this book and others. As a plotter and a critique partner, she’s a rock star!

  The second person I have to thank is Angela Drake. An amazing author and blogger, she read each version of this book, on an incredible time-crunched schedule. Her insight and sharp eye for detail helped me immensely. I simply cannot thank her enough for her efforts.

  Of course, I’m very blessed to have so many awesome writer friends I can’t possibly name them here. Among them are members of the Romance Writers of America, especially my fellow authors in the following chapters: Central Florida Romance Authors, Spacecoast Authors of Romance, Tampa Area Romance Writers, and the Georgia Romance Writers.

  Finally, I have to thank my editor, Susan Grimshaw, for her encouragement, wisdom, and patience throughout the process.

  BY PAMELA LABUD

  Hunt Club

  To Catch a Lady

  A Most Delicate Pursuit

  An avid reader since childhood, Pamela Labud had dreamed of being a novelist. At age thirteen she begged her parents for a typewriter for Christmas, and she started creating romantic stories of her own. Now, many years later, she’s realized her dream and become a multipublished author. In 2005, her first novel was a double finalist in the RWA’s prestigious RITA contest.

  These days Pamela has a full life as a romance author and also works full-time as a registered nurse. She and her husband have raised two daughters and now manage a busy house with six dogs and two cockatiels.

  In addition to reading romance novels obsessively, Pamela enjoys going to spin class, as well as visiting the beach and local theme parks. When she’s not doing that, she spends her downtime watching TV crime shows, old movies, and anime.