by Merry Farmer
“How do you know what poor Beth has said?” Matthew demanded.
Lord Stanhope stopped, his mouth dropping open. It flapped for a moment before he said, “She’s obviously a liar.”
“What would she be lying about?” the duke asked, standing by Matthew’s side.
“She—” Lord Stanhope gulped, glancing from the duke and Matthew to Beth to the duchess. His eyes finally came to rest on the sack of stolen goods, which the duke had put on a small table beside the sofa. “There!” he shouted triumphantly. “You found that in my daughter’s trunk, no doubt. I bet she tried to escape without being noticed.”
A bittersweet grin spread across Fabian’s face and he turned to Alice as if to say he’d told her so.
“These items were not found in your daughter’s possession,” the duchess said, rising and stepping to her husband’s side. “Beth brought them to my son. She explained how you attempted to blackmail her.”
“See?” Lord Stanhope flung out his arm in Beth’s direction. “I told you she was a liar.”
“Yes, but you told us before any hint of a lie was brought forth,” Fabian growled, eyes narrowed. “As if you already knew the story you were about to be told.”
A hint of panic filled Lord Stanhope’s eyes, as though he realized too late that he’d played his cards badly. “I…I only said she was a liar because all women are liars.” Too late again, he glanced to Fabian’s mother. “That is, all maids are liars.”
“Beth has been a good and loyal servant these past five years,” his mother said, a hardness accentuating the lines of her face in an expression Fabian knew all too well. His mother wasn’t fooled. If Lord Stanhope was at all intelligent, he would run while he could.
But, of course, the man was a dolt. “Are you insinuating that I had something to do with this?” he bellowed, his acting as pitiful as his intentions. Not a soul in the room believed him, but he preened and sniffed as though he had been badly wronged. “I refuse to stand by and be treated this way. Come, Alice. We are leaving this place at once.”
“My fiancée is going nowhere with you,” Fabian said, glaring at the man. “And I advise, my lord, that you have all of Lord Stanhope’s things thoroughly searched. He would not have offered all of his plunder for discovery unless he held back an even greater share to line his pockets later.”
“Very wise,” the duke said. He gestured to the footmen, who grabbed Lord Stanhope’s arms and held them fast. “Search everything. And call the constable while you’re at it.”
“You cannot have me arrested,” Lord Stanhope shouted. “I am an earl, a peer of the realm. The law does not apply to me.”
“We shall see about that,” the duke said. He gestured for the footmen to remove Lord Stanhope from the room. “I may be needed for the search,” he told the rest of them before following the footmen out.
“I’ll help too,” Matthew said, hurrying after him.
“And I’ll see that Beth is settled,” Georgette said, fetching Beth from the corner and leading her from the room.
“My dear, please forgive me for doubting your innocence for even a moment,” Fabian’s mother said, approaching Alice with a kind smile.
“I forgive you completely, my lady,” Alice said, looking as though she’d rode through a thousand storms and come out intact but exhausted. “You had no reason to trust me, especially with my father speaking against me.”
“I should never have believed such a villain,” Fabian’s mother went on. “I should have believed my son when he told me you are the perfect daughter-in-law. I’m certain we will come to know each other quite well now.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Fabian’s heart swelled in his chest as his mother embraced Alice as though she were her own. He could see a beautiful future ahead of them, all of them.
“If you do not mind, Mama,” he said, gently taking Alice from her arms and folding her in his. “I believe my fiancée could use a meal and a rest. She should sleep well tonight, now that she has been let out of her captivity.”
“Agreed,” his mother said, her smile turning sympathetic. “You must rest well, my dear, for tomorrow is your wedding day.”
Chapter 10
Christmas Day dawned bright and fresh, with a dusting of snow that made the world glitter as though it were covered with diamonds. Alice had never awoken so happy in her life. She was greeted by sunlight pouring through her window, a warm, cheery fire dancing in the grate, her wedding dress laid out over the end of the bed, and the sure and certain knowledge that her father would never harass her, or anyone else, ever again.
With the duke’s help and influence, every bit of jewelry and coin that had been stolen the night of the ball and before was found. Better still, it was found among Alice’s father’s things, much of which had already been loaded into a carriage, as if he intended to make a speedy retreat. Her father was exposed as a thief and a liar and banished from Holly Manor. More than that, the duke vowed to use all of his influence to make certain that Alice’s father would be shunned in good society, even though, as a nobleman, it would be difficult to bring legal charges against him.
Alice hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her father before he left Holly Manor, fleeing to whatever dark fate awaited him, and she didn’t care. She promised herself she’d write to her Uncle Richard at once, informing him of everything, and of the likelihood that he would inherit the Stanhope title and lands in due course. She thought about penning the letter as soon as she woke up, but excitement about her impending wedding made it impossible for her to sit for more than three minutes on end, let alone compose her thoughts enough to write such a delicate letter. She thought about writing to Imogen as well, to tell her it was safe to come out of whatever hiding she and Lord Thaddeus had gone into, and to Lettuce. Perhaps there was a way to free her sister from her miserable marriage and to bring her home from America after all.
“My, you do look lovely,” Georgette said, interrupting Alice’s scattered thoughts as she entered the bedroom. Alice hadn’t even heard her knock.
“I feel like a feather tossed in the wind,” she said with a laugh, sending a grateful smile to Beth, who had helped her dress and style her hair.
“I can imagine.” Georgette crossed to her and closed her in a sisterly embrace. “I simply cannot believe that you have endured so much at the hands of your father. But all that is over now.”
“Thank God,” Alice sighed.
“And I am quite certain that Fabian will love and cherish you as no woman has ever been loved or cherished,” Georgette went on.
“I pray the same will be true for you when you and Lord Loamley marry.” Alice hugged her back.
Another maid arrived in the room with tea and cakes, but Alice could barely eat a bite. Time snuck up on her, and before she knew it, Georgette escorted her downstairs to where Fabian’s mother was waiting. The three of them bundled up in fur cloaks and hurried across the grounds of Holly Manor to the family’s chapel at the edge of the property.
Everything was perfect. The small chapel had been decorated as befitted the season, with boughs of the holly that gave the estate its name, ribbons, and candles. Alice felt as though she had stepped into a dream as she glanced around the magical space. That feeling blossomed further when Fabian and Matthew joined them.
“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Fabian whispered to her as he led her to the front of the chapel where the vicar waited. “I’ve never been prouder of anything than I am of marrying you.”
Tears of joy stung at Alice’s eyes. “And I am beyond happy to be marrying you,” she said, blinking up at him. “You’ve saved me in so many ways.”
“We’ve saved each other,” he said.
For a moment, Alice was certain he would kiss her. But with the vicar and his family and most of the guests who were staying at Holly Manor for the party looking on, he restrained himself. Instead, he led Alice the rest of the way to the vicar, then stood by her side as th
e ceremony was carried out.
It all seemed to happen so fast. With a few, beautiful words, Alice and Fabian became man and wife. Alice could never have imagined that her heart would feel so light as she said the words binding her to Fabian forever. She’d thought she would be so miserable, that she was forced into the union, but the truth couldn’t have been more different. Her father may have set up the match as a way to increase his own fortune, but the marriage, the love that flowered between her and Fabian, was theirs and theirs alone.
The wedding breakfast was far grander than anything Alice could have expected. It was more than just a celebration of two people becoming one, it was Christmas. The food was exceptional. Song and merriment reigned. The family opened its doors to distribute gifts of food and drink to the poor of the neighborhood, then another grand feast was held in the evening.
By the time Alice and Fabian retired to his bedroom for the night, Alice was so exhausted and full, and her head spun with the wine she’d consumed, that she didn’t see how she could possibly live up to whatever plans Fabian had for their wedding night.
“You will simply have to ravish my slumbering body without my participation,” she said with a sigh, sitting on the bed, then flopping to her back, arms outstretched, eyes closed. “I don’t think I can move after the day this has been.”
“Oh, I’ll make you move, all right,” Fabian said in a low purr.
When he didn’t immediately join her on the bed, Alice opened one eye to peek at him. He’d taken a seat by the fire and was removing his boots. She giggled, remembering how difficult it had been to remove them the other night, a swirl of restless desire waking her up a bit. She pretended she was still too tired to move, but watched him all the same.
Fabian grinned at her, as if he knew she was coming alive but pretending not to, and tossed his boots aside. He stood, unbuttoning his jacket and waistcoat and tossing them carelessly aside as well. Heat infused Alice from head to toe, coalescing in her sex, as he tugged his shirt off over his head and went to work on the fastenings of his breeches. He made quick work of those as well, and within a minute, he was fully naked, clearly aroused, and stalking toward her.
Alice feigned a yawn and said, “Well, then, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, my love,” Fabian said, his voice suggesting anything but sleep.
He reached the edge of the bed and lifted her feet to remove her shoes, then slid his hands up her legs to loosen her garters and roll her thick stockings down. Alice shivered at the light brush of his hands against her calves, and even more when he traced lazy lines up her thighs, lifting the hem of her gown as he did. She resisted the urge to wriggle her legs wider and to give him easy access to the part of her that was now throbbing for him.
“I wonder what I can do to bring you pleasant dreams?” he went on, sensuality thick in his voice.
Alice answered by pretending to snore, but that clumsy sound turned into a gasp as he bunched her skirts around her waist, exposing her completely below the waist. It was all she could do not to throw her legs wide.
She was rewarded for her patience as he shifted closer to the bed, drawing circles on her knees, then hooking his fingers under them to tickle the sensitive skin there. It was surprisingly erotic, and Alice’s breath hitched at his touch.
She lost the ability to breathe entirely as he pulled her knees wide apart in a sudden and commanding move. The whisper of cool air against her hot sex left her moaning in anticipation, but he continued to take his time, driving her wild with desire as he dragged his fingernails slowly up her inner thighs. She could feel her sex weeping for him as he came closer and closer to touching her there and mewled in protest when he stopped just short.
“Sleeping Beauty was awakened with a kiss, wasn’t she?” he asked, a carnal rumble in his chest.
Alice sighed, “Perhaps.”
Fabian laughed low in his throat as he knelt beside the bed. For a split second, Alice was confused by the action, until he planted a sensual kiss on the inside of her thigh. She hummed at the sensation, gripping the bedclothes as he kissed her other inner thigh, slightly higher. He continued kissing her, coming closer and closer to her core, and Alice was suddenly glad she’d sat on the edge of the bed instead of climbing under the covers.
He tugged her hips closer as his kisses reached the apex of her thighs. Her breath came in ragged gasps and she instinctively moved her legs farther apart. When he brushed his tongue across her wet slit, she gasped and sighed.
“I told you Sleeping Beauty could be awakened with a kiss,” he purred, sliding his hands up to tease her inner folds.
Alice was beyond reply. He leaned toward her, teasing her with his tongue again before kissing and caressing her sex with his lips. It was the most shockingly sensual act she ever could have imagined, and it shot pleasure straight to her core. Her breath came in tight pants as he tasted her, his tongue stroking her. When he closed his mouth over her clitoris and gently sucked while circling her, she let out a wordless sound of pleasure that bordered on a sob.
Her body was primed and ready, and his ministrations were so expert, that she was throbbing with release in no time. Her orgasm hit hard and deep, even more so when he slipped two fingers inside of her to feel her body’s contractions. It felt so good to squeeze him, to come apart with pleasure, but in the back of her mind, she knew she wanted more.
Fabian rocked back, rising to his feet and leaning over her, planting his hands on either side of her shoulders. “Are you awake now, my bride?”
“Deliciously,” Alice answered with a smile.
“Then let’s get you out of this silly gown so that I can feast on your tits before fucking you until you scream.”
His words shouldn’t have aroused her so, but they did. She wriggled in more ways than one as he flipped her onto her stomach so that he could tug the ties of her gown, then pull it over her head. He rolled her back to her back and unlaced her stays, his brow knit in concentration as he undressed her. She should have done more to help him, but all she could think about was the bliss of submitting to him and letting him have his way with her. The Secrets of Love was right. Patience and submission were a glorious path to pleasure.
But she could only submit so much. As soon as Fabian discarded her chemise and repositioned her in the middle of the bed, as he bent to kiss her, she circled her hands around his hips, then closed them around his stiff cock and tight balls. He sucked in a breath, evidently surprised, then let out a deep sigh of pleasure.
“These are mine now,” Alice said with a grin, stroking him gently and rubbing her thumb over his tip.
“They are,” Fabian growled. “Yours and yours alone.”
“I promise I will treat them well,” she went on, mischief making her giggle. “And I’ll give them a good home.”
“I should say so,” he said, shifting position and lifting her hips so that he could drive home.
She sucked in a breath at the sudden invasion, making a sound of approval and pleasure. She squeezed around him, impatient for him to thrust within her until he found his release. But he still wasn’t in a hurry.
“I want to fill you with babies,” he hummed, bending down to kiss her. He balanced on one hand while caressing her breast with the other. “I want children laughing and running all around us and getting into as much trouble as we get into.”
“I want that too,” she sighed, arching her hips to encourage him to get on with the act of making them. “I want a life with you.”
“And you shall have it,” he said.
He began to move, slow and sensual at first, thrusting as deep as he could and driving Alice wild. He even went so far as to hook his arm under one of her legs, lifting it and twisting her into an impossible position that greatly increased her pleasure. It was only when he began to move faster that she realized why the position felt so familiar.
“You read my book,” she gasped, barely capable of words.
“And I intend to try out every pose i
t suggested,” he growled, thrusting faster.
Alice didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh or moan with pleasure. The sound that came out of her was a combination of all three. Her body was alive with coiling tension, and every one of Fabian’s powerful thrusts sent her closer and closer to the edge. The author of The Secrets of Love was a genius, as far as Alice was concerned, and as her body burst into a second, throbbing orgasm, she didn’t know whether to cry out Fabian’s name or to bless the author.
Fabian seemed equally impressed, and within seconds of the crashing wave of her orgasm, he tensed and cried out as he spilled his seed within her. The moment was one of such perfect bliss, the melding of two souls into one after hardship that she hadn’t been certain she could endure. The heat of love filled her even as the liquid sensation of spent passion overtook her, and when Fabian collapsed beside her, his energy drained, she curled herself in his arms.
“I love you,” she sighed, her arms and legs entwined with his. “I love you more than I ever thought possible.”
“And I love you,” he replied, panting and stroking the side of her face. “Beyond reason. I will never let anyone hurt you ever again.”
Alice smiled, a deep sense of peace filling her. She surged into him, kissing him with everything she had. She believed his promise, and she knew they would be happy and safe together for the rest of their lives.
Epilogue
The warm, Italian sun beat down on the veranda where Alice lay stretched out on a chaise that overlooked the glorious beauty of Fabian’s ancestral lands. The sunshine and balmy breezes of Tuscany were heaven after the stress and gloom of England. Alice smiled at the faded pages of The Secrets of Love that she held in one hand, rereading her favorite passage about how to tease a mate into submission by making them wait for release, rubbing her round belly with the other. The baby wasn’t due for a few more months, but she felt as though it were already part of the family.