Destiny for Three

by Lilly Hale

  Elise shot him a look. "Trey…"

  "No, it's all right, Miss McBride," Oliver interrupted. "Mr. Kingston's got every right to be concerned for Rachael, and I'll be glad to answer his question." He fixed Trey with an immovable gaze and declared, "Rachael came to me after the scandal broke.” Elise wondered how much Rachael had told Oliver about the scandal. “I'm not proud of what happened then, but I take full responsibility-"

  "Oliver, no." Rachael at last stepped forward, her jaw trembling, but set at the same stubborn angle as her older brothers. "I won't let you take the blame for what happened. I wanted it as much, or more, than you. I needed your love, and you gave it to me, it's as simple as that."

  "You mean he seduced you." Rad’s fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Sheahan, I should bust you in the-”

  “Rad,” Elise warned.

  Elise saw Rachael shiver at her brothers’ anger, but to her credit, she didn’t back down. "No, Rad. It wasn’t like that. Oliver and I love each other. We have for a long time. I was just too blinded by my ridiculous notions of social propriety and class distinctions to realize he’s the perfect man for me." She drew herself up and placed her hands on her husband's arm. "What we shared that night, what we share now, is beautiful, and I refuse to let you sully it with your unfounded accusations."

  "Rachael's my wife now," Oliver stated. "I apologize for the way we went about things, but I won't be apologizin’ for marryin' her. I love her. Now, we'd like it if you'd give us your blessin's, but if you can't see your way clear to doin' that, then I'll have to ask you to leave. You're upsettin' my wife."

  Everyone was silent for a long moment. Elise moved over to Rad and put a restraining hand on his arm, silently reminding him of his promise. He opened his mouth to say something, but evidently thought better of it and simply glowered at Oliver.

  She held her breath as Trey’s hard gaze shifted from Rachael to Oliver. "Exactly how do you intend to support my sister, Sheahan? You know better than anyone her penchant for shopping."

  "Rachael and I have already discussed that. I've three years at Union College in front of me, then a law apprenticeship. I've also got myself a job at the dry goods store just down the street, and Rachael's found a position with a seamstress. She'll be puttin' her shoppin' on hold for awhile, but we'll get by." His broad shoulders drew back proudly. "I'll not be acceptin' charity from you or anyone, Mr. Kingston."

  "I'll not let my little sister starve," Trey warned.

  "She won't be starvin', sir. I'll see t'that."

  Trey shifted uncomfortably in the face of his opposition. A long moment passed then he finally replied, "I'm not sure I can forgive you for denying me the pleasure of walking Rachael down the aisle, but seeing as how it's over and done with, I guess there's nothing left for me to do but welcome you to the family, Oliver." His offered hand was accepted with a smile which Trey grudgingly returned.

  All eyes shifted to Rad, who was standing stiffly next to Elise, his mouth set in a grim line. Elise frowned up at him. “Radcliffe Kingston,” she prodded. “Shake hands with your brother-in-law.” When he hesitated, she pinched him on the arm.

  “Ow, damn it,” Rad grumbled. “All right, Sheahan. But you’re on notice, you hear? I get so much as an inkling that my baby sister is unhappy and you’ll be answering to me.” He accepted Oliver’s handshake and the whole room breathed a collective sigh of relief.

  Rachael looked like she would melt into a puddle on the floor, she was so relieved. Tears pricking her eyes, Elise moved toward her tentatively and held out a hand. “Rachael, I’m so happy for you. I hope someday you can forgive me for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

  To Elise’s amazement, Rachael took her offered hand and pulled her into a hug. “How could I ever be angry at you for bringing Oliver and I together? If it weren’t for you loving my brothers, Oliver and I may never have found our way to each other.” Elise gasped at Rachael’s acknowledgment of her relationship with Trey and Rad in front of Oliver. She turned to the young man standing next to Rachael. His cheeks colored, telling her for certain that he did indeed know about them.

  “Rachael didn’t want to tell me, Miss McBride, but I’d already guessed the relationship between the three of you.” He cleared his throat and cast quick glances at Trey and Rad. “The uh…late mornin’s and locked bedroom doors didn’t leave much room for misunderstandin’ the circumstances.”

  Elise’s face flamed. “I guess we should apologize for that. We should have been more discreet. It wasn’t our intention to cause any embarrassment.”

  Rachael, bless her heart, just laughed and hugged her again. “Oh, Elise, please. Don’t apologize anymore. I should be the one apologizing to you for the awful way I treated you. I understand now how one can forget themselves in the throes of ecstasy.” She cast a glance at Oliver, and Elise recognized the sultry heat in that gaze.

  Oliver coughed then smothered a groan, his face beet red. Trey and Rad scowled.

  Rachael gave her brothers a quelling look. “For goodness sake, you two. I’m a married woman now, and considering the nature of your relationship with Elise, my speaking frankly about shared passion between lovers shouldn’t shock you. Speaking of which, Trey, when exactly do you plan to make Elise my sister-in-law?”

  As happy as she was over Rachael’s change of heart concerning Elise’s relationship with her brothers, Elise cringed at Rachael’s question. She wanted to know the answer as much as Rachael did, of course, but she absolutely didn’t want Trey put on the spot like this. Marriage was a big step, especially a ménage marriage. Maybe he wasn’t ready quite yet, and Elise didn’t want him to feel pushed into anything, which was why she hadn’t yet mentioned her possible pregnancy.

  To her surprise, Trey didn’t appear all that uncomfortable. He smiled and cast a questioning glance at Rad. Rad nodded and said, “Now’s as good a time as any.”

  “Well, I wasn’t planning on an audience,” Trey murmured, “but seeing as how we’re all family now…” He held out a hand to Elise. “Sweetheart, come over here and have a seat.” Her heart hammering in her chest, Elise took a seat on the settee. Rad and Trey took their places on either side of her, Trey held one of her trembling hands, Rad, the other. “Elise, darlin’, I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that Rad and I are hopelessly in love with you and can’t imagine living our lives without you. Would you consider taking pity on a couple of lovesick souls and agree to become our wife?”

  Rad lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Please, Elise, say yes and make us the happiest men on earth.”

  Elise smiled, her eyes filling with tears of joy and she gave a watery laugh. “Of course my answer’s yes! I love you both, so much.” She hugged and kissed first Trey, then Rad, her tears flowing freely. “Oh, my gosh,” she exclaimed, laughing and wiping at the wetness on her cheeks. “Look at me, blubbering like a ninny.”

  Rad handed her his hanky and a butterscotch candy. “Good thing I’m always prepared,” he said with a grin. Elise laughed and kissed him again. At Rachael’s loud sniff, he looked up. “More tears! Never fear, I’ve brought enough for you as well, little sister.”

  Beaming, Rachael rushed over and gave Rad a hug, then Elise and Trey. “Oh, I’m so happy for you all. I feel terrible for being so close-minded about you before. I can see now that you do truly love each other, and well, I don’t know how you’re going to manage this, but I’ll be there to support you, and Oliver too. Right, Oliver?”

  “It’s, uh, unusual, but if it makes you all happy, then I won’t be condemin’ you for followin’ your hearts,” Oliver answered, coming over to shake hands with the men, then drew Elise up for a hug.

  “You’ll have to let us know when the wedding will be,” Rachael went on. “Oliver and I want to make sure we can be there.”

  Trey smiled slyly. “I’m sure that won’t be problem, because the wedding will be tomorrow, here in Schenectady.”

  “What?” E
lise exclaimed. “Tomorrow? Here? How-”

  “That’s part of our surprise for you, darlin’,” Trey answered. “We’ve procured a license and made arrangements with a local minister. By this time tomorrow, you’ll be a married woman.”

  ****

  Elise’s voice shook as she stood before the altar of the small church and repeated her vows. Trey’s eyes were shining with emotion as he held her hands and listened as she pledged to love, honor and obey him for the rest of her life. Her gaze flicked over his shoulder to Rad, who was officially serving as best man. Elise hoped he was listening to her vows knowing they were meant as much for him as his brother. Her heart was near bursting with joy, but the moment was tinged with a little sadness that Rad couldn’t take part in the ceremony equally. He must have seen the longing in her eyes, because he gave her a smile and a reassuring wink as she finished speaking her vows.

  Trey’s voice pulled her mind back to the ceremony. “I, Trey Aloysius Kingston take you, Elizabeth Viola McBride, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

  Elise couldn’t help her mild look of surprise at his middle name. Aloysius? She never would have guessed that one in a million years. She bit her lip to stop her smile. Trey squeezed her hand and grinned back at her as he slipped the wedding band on her finger, then pulled her close for a kiss so tender and heartfelt, it brought tears to her eyes.

  “Trey, I love you, my darling…” she said as their lips parted. “I’m so happy.”

  When it was over, Rachael squealed and clapped her hands, then hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Elise and Trey signed their wedding license and it was done. She was now officially Mrs. Trey Aloysius Kingston. The church was empty except for them and Trey pulled the minister aside and requested that they have a few minutes alone in the chapel. The genial man consented and excused himself. Rachael and Oliver were going to leave as well, but Rad asked them to stay. He and Trey escorted Elise back to the altar and Rad took his place next to her, while Trey stood behind him.

  Rad took Elise’s hands in his own and said, “I know that when you recited your vows, you meant them for me as well as Trey, but I’d like the chance to make my vows to you.”

  Elise swallowed and managed a whispered, “Of course.”

  Rad smiled, took a deep breath and began. “Elise, I love you with all my heart and soul, as you’re everything I could ever hope to find in a woman. You’re loving, thoughtful, smart, and beautiful. Having your love makes me the happiest and luckiest man alive. I’m proud to have you as my wife, and I promise that I’ll always be at your side, through good and bad, and give you everything that is in my power to grant to assure your health and happiness for as long as I live. I’m yours forever darlin’….”

  Tears were spilling from her eyes as he slipped a gold band on her finger that fit perfectly with the ring Trey had placed there minutes before then he drew her close for a kiss, sealing their union for all time.

  “Rad, that was beautiful,” she whispered against his lips. “I love you so much, and I’m so honored to have you as my husband.”

  Rachael squealed happily again, breaking the spell and they all broke into soft laughter. Then Elise floated back down the aisle, her arms entwined with both her new husbands’ and her heart joyously full.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  After sharing a lunch with Rachael and Oliver in a local restaurant, Elise, Rad and Trey said their goodbyes to the young couple and boarded the train back to New York. Elise wished they were staying the night in Schenectady; she didn’t relish the idea of enduring a long train trip back to New York that day. It was to be their wedding night, and she looked forward to a long night of loving. She didn’t want to be too exhausted to enjoy it. But Trey and Rad had insisted they leave right after lunch.

  When the train stopped in Albany, Trey nudged Elise’s elbow. “We’re getting off here, sweetheart.”

  “In Albany?”

  Rad stood up next to her and urged her along. “This is the next part of your surprise. Come on, I think you’ll like it.”

  They ushered her out to a waiting coach and gave instructions to the driver. Trey and Rad took a seat on the same side and pulled her to sit across their laps. Elise snuggled back against Rad’s chest, enjoying the warmth of his body heat in the chilly coach, while Trey held her legs on his lap, his hand idly caressing her stocking covered calves.

  “So my surprise is that we’re spending our wedding night in Albany?” Elise asked, her nether regions already warming to the thought of the coming evening with her new husbands.

  “We are,” Trey answered, his tone implying he was thinking naughty thoughts as well. “I found a very special place for us where we can be assured of all the privacy we’ll need.”

  Elise smiled like a cat. “Mmm. I’m glad, because I was afraid if we went all the way back home today, I’d be too tired to enjoy our wedding night.” She sighed. “This has been a very nice surprise, indeed.”

  Rad chuckled. “It’s not over yet, sweetness. There’s more.”

  “A surprise wedding in Schenectady, a honeymoon getaway in Albany, and there’s still more?” Elise grinned. “It seems my new husbands have been very busy behind my back.”

  “Only to please you,” Trey assured, gently massaging her legs until she sighed again.

  They left the city limits of Albany and traveled into the countryside, finally coming to a stop in front of large brick Federal style home set back from the road by a sweeping expanse of lawn and neatly trimmed hedges.

  “Wow,” Elise exclaimed as Rad helped her from the carriage. “This is beautiful. Is it an inn?”

  Trey chuckled and took her hand. “No, Elise. It’s yours.”

  “What? Mine?” Elise was so shocked, she nearly lost her footing on the flagstone path that led up to the house.

  “You said you’d like a home in the country,” Trey reminded her. “Rad and I want to make you happy.”

  “It’s not as big as the house in New York, but it has plenty of room for us and our children, when they come,” Rad added. “And it will afford us plenty of privacy to live as we please.” He squeezed her hand and smiled suggestively. “Which means, if I want to chase my wife around the house buck-naked and take her on the dining room table, I’ll damn well do it.”

  Elise gasped at his outrageousness. “Not so fast, buster. We’ll still have servants. I won’t have you shocking the life out of poor Jemma.”

  “There’s a separate cottage behind the house. I thought Jemma might like her privacy as well,” Trey said. “If Ned decides to come work for us, I’ll have another built for him. There’s plenty of room here.”

  Elise gaped at the house in wonder, then back at her men. “But when did you- How did you-?”

  Trey laughed at her astonished rambling. “I looked at it when I was here a couple of weeks ago. The gentleman I purchased the steel mill from owned this and wanted to sell it as well.” He unlocked the front door and ushered her inside to the foyer. A beautiful open staircase dominated the entry and swept gracefully upward to the second floor. There was a lovely dining room to the left, a spacious formal parlor to the right and a long, wide hall that led from the entry to the rest of the house. “I was lucky in that I was able to negotiate most of the furnishings to be included in the sale. Only because I wanted it to be ready for us as quickly as possible. If there’s anything you don’t care for, we’ll change it to suit your taste.”

  Elise pulled her wide eyes away from the elegant interior and slid a glance at Trey. “That paperwork you were hiding from me the other night… was that about all this?”

  Trey smiled and kissed her. “It was. I wanted everything finalized and ready for us to move in today.”

  “You mean we’re not going back to New York?” Elise marveled.

  “We had enough clothing and suppli
es brought in for a week,” Rad explained. “We’ll go back to New York to bring Jemma and the rest of our personal things later. Trey and I will hire an agent to manage our offices there and we’ll focus on the steel mill here.”

  “And we’ll be close to Rachael and Oliver,” Elise added, then squealed with joy and grabbed both men around their waists, hugging them to her. “It’s perfect! Everything is so perfect. And we have a whole week here completely alone?” Her thoughts turned lustful and she pulled each man’s head down for a kiss then purred, “Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”

  Rad’s lips stretched into a crooked smile. “I brought the cards, the lemons and the Tequila…”

  Trey lowered his head and nipped her earlobe. “And I was thinking we might enjoy a nice game of Truth or Dare.”

  ****

  “I swear, you guys must be cheating somehow,” Elise grumbled as she pulled off her drawers and flung them at a grinning Rad, then flopped back on the soft carpet in front of the parlor fireplace, stretching her arms over her head and letting the fire warm her naked skin.

  “We’re not cheating. You’re just amazingly bad at poker,” Trey teased, licked the sprinkle of salt from his hand, tossed back a shot of Tequila, then quickly bit down on a lemon wedge, grimacing as the fiery liquor burned down his throat. “Good God, that’s awful,” he rasped.

  He sat back, braced on his hands and let his gaze caress her naked body. The bulge in his pants told her he more than liked what he saw. She liked what she saw as well. He’d lost his shirt in the game and his reclined position accentuated the hard muscles of his chest and biceps. Elise’s gaze roamed over his trim belly and followed the thin trail of dark hair as it disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. She licked her lips, contemplating following that same trail with her tongue.