In the end, he had decided that perhaps it was best to leave that distance between them for the duration of the journey to London. Otherwise, he might not have been able to keep his hands off Lydia and so cause even more tension. It had not been easy maintaining that distance from her this past week.
“Aren’t you going to open your letters?” Lydia prompted the moment the butler had departed after delivering their refreshments.
Gideon shook off the heaviness of his feelings to look up at Lydia. “No.” Instead, he leaned back against the front of his desk before holding out his arms to her. “I need to hold you first.”
Her expression was one of puzzlement as she slowly walked toward him until she stood between his parted thighs. “You could have held me any number of times during our journey here.”
Gideon winced at how stiffly she stood in the circle of his arms. “As we were alone for the main part, I believed it better not to do so. Also, there has seemed to be an invisible barrier about you, one that stated clearly you did not wish for physical closeness, least of all from me.”
She sighed heavily at the same time as the stiffness left her body. “I have felt…awkward, uncomfortable, since reading my father’s letter to us.”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed. “Why?” Although he had a feeling, now that Lydia had explained, that he might know the reason for her discomfort.
The last paragraph of Chessington’s letter had been ambiguous in that it could be interpreted in several ways.
Chessington had wished them both love and happiness in their future.
Separately.
Or together.
Gideon now believed it was the latter which had caused Lydia’s feelings of awkwardness these past ten days or so.
She gave an awkward shrug. “My father meant well, I am sure, but he should not have… He could not have known… He had no right to imply… To expect…”
“You are his beloved daughter, and he had every right to want a happy future for you,” Gideon cajoled.
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing.” His arms tightened about her to pull her even closer and force her hands to rest on his chest. He released a slow breath before making the next comment. “I love you, Lydia.”
She visibly swallowed before answering. “You love me?”
He nodded. “I wish you to know that before we read any more letters or look for diaries that might not exist.” He gazed into her eyes. “I love you, and it is my dearest wish to ask you to become my wife. I know that you could do so much better than me, but I truly believe that no other man could love you as deeply as I do.”
“I love you too!” she cried out joyously, her arms moving up about his shoulders. “And there is no man finer than you,” she added fiercely. “None.” She kissed him with that same fierceness.
Gideon had no doubt Lydia would bring that same fierceness into their marriage and the bed they would share. As his wife. As the mother of his children.
“Will you make love to me, Gideon?”
It was as if Lydia was able to read his mind, nor could he deny how much he wanted her when his fully engorged cock was pressing against the softness of her abdomen.
“You have not answered my marriage proposal yet,” he teased indulgently.
“Because of course the answer is yes!” she chided impatiently. “I will marry you today. Tomorrow. Any day you wish me to do so. But here and now, I wish for you to make love to me.”
Gideon chuckled as he swung her up into his arms. “Will you always be this demanding, wife?”
Color bloomed in her cheeks at his having called her that. “Undoubtedly.”
“Thank God!”
Gideon carried her up the stairs, a cloud appearing on his happiness only when they passed the mistress’s bedchamber in order to reach his own.
“Don’t.” Lydia reached up to smooth the frown from his brow. “Once we are married, I will not require a bedchamber of my own because I shall be sharing your bed every night. We could perhaps make the adjoining bedchamber into a private sitting room for us both. Or perhaps a nursery?” she added with a blush.
The thought of his and Lydia’s children caused Gideon’s chest to swell with happiness. “How many children shall we have?”
“I had thought four, but if you wish for more…?”
“Four!” Gideon echoed disbelievingly.
“Or more.” Lydia nodded. “I grew up an only child. I do not wish that same loneliness for my own children.”
Gideon’s arms tightened possessively. “Then you shall have half a dozen children, if you wish. A dozen!”
“Perhaps a maximum of six. After all, my love, you are approaching forty and would be into your fifties by the time I had given birth to a dozen children. I would not like for our eldest to have to push your bathchair by the time the youngest is born.”
His eyes narrowed. “Just for that…” He kicked open the door into his bedchamber, barely noticing the new blue-and-white furnishings, his attention wholly on the woman he loved beyond imagining as he laid her gently down on the bed before claiming her lips as he followed her down.
Lydia learned in the next hour exactly how it felt to be made love to and cherished by the man she loved and whom she knew loved her.
Gideon removed their clothes one garment at a time, until they lay naked on the bed together.
His slightest touch gave her pleasure. His lips were gentle at first and then unrelenting as he gave her climax after climax before lifting his body over hers and carefully but resolutely claiming her innocence.
There was only a little pain before it was followed by the most exquisite feeling of fullness, of belonging, as she gave herself to Gideon and he gave himself in return. Completely.
Their movements were fluid, perfectly in harmony, a symphony of naked bodies moving together toward the pinnacle of becoming, and forever remaining, one.
Gideon raised his head to look at her with tumultuous gray eyes. “I will love you forever, Lydia.”
“I will love you forever, Gideon,” she vowed in return.
She cried out then as the pleasure exploded inside her, quickly followed by the tensing of Gideon’s body above her, and then the warmth of his release entering and filling her.
If they had conceived the first of those children, then Lydia knew they would both be overjoyed.
Chapter Fourteen
It seemed almost anticlimactic to search through the trunks in the cellar and discover that Harriet had indeed kept a diary. There were a dozen of them there.
Even so, Lydia was shaken, and she could see Gideon was as affected, when they read the last entry for September 3rd, 1805.
I cannot bear it any longer. Esher must die if I am to be free to go to my beloved Michael.
Esher has been in his study all of this evening again. He will most likely fall asleep on the chaise if he drinks enough brandy. Once he is unconscious, I can go downstairs and place a candle where it will easily set light to the curtains and other soft furnishings.
It will look like an accident. No one will ever know that I have killed my husband.
Lydia took the diary from Gideon’s trembling fingers to place it back inside the trunk and close the lid. “I will instruct that those diaries be burned tomorrow.” It was testament to how shaken Gideon was that he offered no argument to her statement or when she took hold of his hand and led him back up the stairs to his study. “We will open your letters now,” she stated firmly.
She waited only long enough for Gideon to sit in the leather chair behind his desk before making herself comfortable on his muscular thighs and handing him the first letter.
After reading that last entry in Harriet’s diary, Gideon was unsurprised to open his solicitor’s letters and read that Harriet’s mother was indeed suffering from some sort of emotional melancholy, not talked about by the family and which kept her from Society.
Thirty years ago, Harriet’s grandmother had apparently walked naked in
to the lake on the family’s country estate and not walked out again. A verdict of accidental death had been recorded, but the gossip in the area had been that she had committed suicide.
Harriet’s great-grandfather had been known for his eccentric behavior in that a dozen chickens and a pig lived with him inside the house. He also liked to ride on his horse about the countryside wearing only his drawers, blowing a hunting horn and shouting, “Tally-ho!”
Those latter exploits would have been amusing if they had not been carried out by the great-grandfather of the woman Gideon had married without knowing any of the family’s history for strange behavior.
“I am so sorry, Gideon.” Lydia turned to look at him.
“Don’t be,” he dismissed. “If anything, these things vindicate my own feelings of unease and confirm your father’s opinion of a mental illness.” He shuddered. “Thank God we did not have any living children together.”
Lydia pulled his arms more tightly about her waist. “It pleases me immensely to think that even now, our child could be growing inside me.”
His expression softened; his eyes glowing. “That would please me immeasurably too.”
She nodded. “Then we shall continue, at every opportunity, to ensure our wish becomes a reality.”
Gideon smiled warmly. “I will enjoy every moment of that.”
“But do not think to cease our lovemaking once I am with child,” she warned. “Some of my married friends have assured me that they became insatiable during their pregnancy.”
“I have heard that too.” Gideon nodded. “You will hear no complaints from me if that should be the case with you.”
They stared at each other for several long moments, their love for each other and the future family they would create together there in the happy glow in their eyes.
Lydia was finally the one to give herself a shake. “You still have the Prince Regent’s letter to open.”
“And if he should have changed his mind about welcoming me back into Society?”
She shrugged. “Then we shall return to Cornwall and live out our days together there. I am not sure I would not prefer it, actually. Think of all that time we would have for making love together!”
Gideon never ceased to be amazed by this warm and beautiful woman. He never, for a single moment, doubted she would stand firm and proud at his side, no matter what the future held for them. As long as they were together, it no longer mattered to him either.
“We will always make time for that, my love, no matter what is in Prinny’s letter,” he promised.
But they need not have worried. Prinny’s letter did indeed enfold Gideon back into London and Society, as well as expressing regret that Gideon should ever have felt he was not welcome there. The Regent also demanded Gideon visit him the following day.
“When I see him, I intend to ask Prinny if he will give permission for and attend our wedding,” Gideon told Lydia. “Are you agreeable to that?” He did not wish to do anything in future without Lydia’s full agreement.
“Wholeheartedly!” Lydia threw her arms about him and kissed him.
Gideon placed the letter down on the desk and gave himself over to the kisses and love of the miraculous woman he held in his arms and would forever keep in his heart.
They were married three weeks later, in the presence of the Prince Regent and those members of Society currently present in London.
Within ten years, Lydia had given birth to their five children. Three boys, and then twin girls.
Over the years, they became fashionable patrons in Society, with the ton vying for invitations to their entertainments.
Gideon was no longer known for being the scarred Duke of Esher, but became the broodingly handsome and devoted husband of his duchess, Lydia.
Lydia, for her part, never lost an opportunity to show her love for and pride in the man who made no secret of how much he loved and worshipped her.
Their love for each other only grew stronger and deeper as each year passed.
Newsletter and Social Media Links
For news on upcoming releases in the Regency Scandal, Russian Dragon Heat, Regency Club Venus, Regency Men in Love, Regency Lovers, Steele Protectors, Regency Sinners, Dragon Hearts, Regency Unlaced, Knight Security, and Alpha Series please sign up to my mailing list/newsletter: http://www.eepurl.com/2rfzz
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaroleMortimerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carole_mortimer
Visit my website: www.carolemortimer.co.uk
Or email me at: [email protected]
If you have enjoyed reading WAYWARD, please consider leaving a review of this book with your ebook retailer. Thank you.
About the Author
Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2015, RT Career Achievement Award 2017, RT Pioneer for Romance Award 2014. She was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her ‘outstanding service to literature’. Carole has written over 270 contemporary, Regency and paranormal romance novels.
* * *
She is happily married to Peter. They have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man. She also loves to hear from Readers!
Other books by Carole Mortimer
Regency Scandal:
* * *
WANTON (Regency Scandal 1)
WILD (Regency Scandal 2)
WAYWARD (Regency Scandal 3)
SINFUL (Regency Scandal 4)
More books to come in this series
* * *
Russian Dragon Heat:
* * *
VLADIMIR (Russian Dragon Heat 1)
VAUGHN (Russian Dragon Heat 2)
VIKTOR (Russian Dragon Heat 3)
More books to come in this series.
* * *
Regency Club Venus:
* * *
Bastian’s Surrender (Regency Club Venus 1)
Gabriel’s Torment (Regency Club Venus 2)
Benedict’s Challenge (Regency Club Venus 3)
Julius’s Passion (Regency Club Venus 4)
James’s Lady (Regency Club Venus 5)
Series now complete.
* * *
Dance with the Devil Series:
* * *
MATTEO (Dance with the Devil 1)
LEON (Dance with the Devil 2)
KILLIAN (Dance with the Devil 3)
JERICHO (Dance with the Devil 4)
KIERAN (Dance with the Devil 5)
Series now complete
* * *
Regency Men in Love M/M (Written as C A Mortimer)
* * *
Hidden Lover (Regency Men in Love 1)
Hidden Desire (Regency Men in Love 2)
More books to come in this series.
* * *
Regency Lovers Series:
* * *
INDECENT (Regency Lovers 1)
OBSESSION (Regency Lovers 2)
CRAVING (Regency Lovers 3)
FORBIDDEN (Regency Lovers 4)
SURRENDER (Regency Lovers 5)
SCANDAL (Regency Lovers 6)
Series complete
* * *
Steele Protectors Series:
* * *
LOGAN (Steele Protectors 1)
ATTICUS (Steele Protectors 2)
BRYCE (Steele Protectors 3)
ROURKE (Steele Protectors 4)
HAYDN (Steele Protectors 5) Author’s 250th book
LUCAN (Steele Protectors 6)
Series Complete
* * *
Dragon Hearts – Contemporary paranormal
* * *
Nathaniel (Dragon Hearts 1)
Deryk (Dragon Hearts 2)
Bryn (Dragon Hearts 3)
Dylan (Dragon Hearts 4)
Grigor (Dragon Hearts 5)
Garrett (Dragon Hearts 6)
Aeran & Rhys (Dragon Hearts 7)
Dragon Reunion (Dragon Hearts 8)
Se
ries Complete
* * *
Regency Sinners Series:
* * *
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3)
Wicked Deception Regency Sinners 4)
Wicked Captive (Regency Sinners 5)
Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)
Wicked Sinner (Regency Sinners 7)
Wicked Christmas (Regency Sinners 8)
Series now complete.
* * *
Regency Unlaced Series:
* * *
The Duke’s Mistress (Book 1)
Claimed by the Marquis (Book 2)
Taken by the Earl (Book 3)
Pursued by the Viscount (Book 4)
Desired by a Lord (Book 5)
Captured by a Gentleman (Book 6)
Pleasured by a Duke (Book 7)
Seduced by a Marquis (Book 8)
Tamed by the Earl (Book 9)
Series now complete
* * *
Knight Security Series: Spin-off to ALPHA series
* * *
Resisting Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5)
Defying Asher (Knight Security 1)
Challenging Gabriel (Knight Security 2)
Capturing Caleb (Knight Security 3)
Wayward (Regency Scandal 3) Page 11