Her brother chuckled. “Ah cannot say, lass, as ah never thought of mon as beautiful.”
She giggled. “Ye ken what ah mean.”
“Ah do. And ah am so happy for ye. Sebastian will never cause ye a moment of worry, nor will he ever be unkind tae ye, and for that, ah am forever indebted tae him. He will spoil ye rotten, as ye deserve tae be.”
As they approach the altar, Lachlan kissed both her cheeks and placed her hand in Sebastian’s. They faced the vicar united as one.
When he pronounced them man and wife, Teagan could hardly believe it. She’d been in a daze staring into Sebastian’s soft blue eyes the entire time and didn’t recall speaking her vows. Although she must have, as they were married and walking down the aisle with his family and what there was left of hers congratulating them.
As their wedding feast changed from course to course, Teagan smiled so much her cheeks ached. Once again, the Seabrook family made her comfortable with their informal banter and laughs as they enjoyed the delicious banquet before them. Whenever her new husband looked her way with smoldering eyes, heat pooled down below and she wondered how long they were expected to stay. She didn’t have to wait long, as the occupants of the table clinked their wine glasses.
Wentworth stood. “I would like to welcome Teagan into our family. The moment I met you, I knew you were the love of my brother’s life and he yours. To Lachlan and Bruce.” He turned and looked at each of them. “She will forever be cherished, loved, and safe within our family.” He turned back to her. “Welcome into the fold of the Seabrook’s.” Then he held up his wine glass even higher and bellowed, “To the bride and groom.”
Cheers broke out and Sebastian leaned over and kissed her, causing her to blush more than she already had been.
Lachlan stood next and tears pooled in her eyes. “Due tae recent events, ye and Uncle Bruce are the only family ah have left in this world. That is, until ah met the Seabrook family, who have graciously opened their arms tae me as weel. Ah feel blessed. Ah wish ye and Sebastian a world of happiness, many bairns, and a long life.”
Cheers broke out around the table again. Before she knew it, she was strolling around the table—her hand in Sebastian’s saying their farewells. Bridgeton and Amelie had offered them their estate, which bordered Stony Cross Manor, for their wedding night.
Sitting in the Wentworth’s carriage, on Sebastian’s lap, had her giving thanks for all the good in her life. A mere three months ago life looked bleak and hopeless. And now, the future beheld more than she could ever imagine all thanks to the man cradling her lovingly in his lap.
“Ah’m thankful we made love already, so ah dinnae have tae be nervous on our wedding night, and ah can enjoy ye having yer wicked way with me.”
Sebastian chuckled. “My wicked way with you? Don’t you mean you’ll have your wicked way with me?”
“That tae,” she said as she kissed him, wiggled on his lap, and moaned when his erection pushed against her bottom.
“See.” He groaned. “There you go being wicked.”
She shifted her body, pulled her skirts up around her waist, and straddled her husband’s lap. Her anxious fingers undid his pants, freeing his engorged cock into her waiting hands. She lowered her body, taking him inside her all the way to the hilt, and let out a breathy sigh. “Ah never get tired of having ye inside me. Does that make me a wicked person?
Her husband’s laughter caused both their bodies to shake. She ground her hips deep against him and his laughter died, replaced by a loud moan and her lips curled up into a smile right before he crushed her mouth with his and the blissful ride began.
Epilogue
“Have they arrived yet?” Teagan said to Sebastian as she entered the drawing room in early April. She’d been detained due to morning sickness, and she prayed it ended soon as her brother and uncle where arriving today for the London Season. For the next three months their calendar was full with balls, soirées, the opera, musicals, masquerade balls, and more. Her excitement was hard to contain because it was her first Season, even though it didn’t really count as she was married. It didn’t matter though, she was ecstatic and could hardly wait to introduce Lachlan to the list of eligible young ladies Emma, Bella, Amelia, and she had come up with. And that list included Penelope, who was making her come-out.
“Not yet, my dear.” Sebastian escorted her to the settee and kissed her deeply, spreading warmth throughout her body. She may be increasing, but it had done nothing to lessen her desire for her husband. “Sit down. You’re positively glowing with excitement. I’m afraid you might fall down.”
“Only if ye sit with me and hold me.”
He sat, slid one arm around her shoulder, holding her close, and murmured in her ear, “I love you. Are you feeling any better today than yesterday?”
“Aye.”
“Good. I hate seeing you sick, it tears at my heart. I know it’s normal in the early stages of pregnancy, but still, I worry.”
“Ah love ye. And ah can assure ye ‘tis normal and each day ah feel better and better. Can ye believe Bella and ah will deliver in the same month.”
“It is exciting, what with Emma and Amelia each having delivered babies recently. An heir for Bridgeton and a spare for Wentworth.”
“Can ah confide in ye something?”
“Anything, my dear, anything.”
“When ah first met them ah was jealous. The three of them were so happy and in love and married tae wonderful mon. Ah wondered what ah had done wrong in my life tae have experienced such loss, violence, and sadness. And then ah realized ah needed tae encounter all that in order tae meet ye. For us tae meet and fall in love. As tragic as everything was, ah believe it happened for a reason. For us tae be together...forever.”
Sebastian turned to her with tears in his eyes. He cupped the back of her head and claimed her lips in a tender kiss that melted her bones. A kiss conveying a multitude of words, the most important one being love.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine Donovan is an International Bestselling Author and PAN member of RWA. She lives on the Southeast Coast of Massachusetts with her husband, four sons, and four cats. When she is not writing or reading, she is either painting or gardening.
Visit her at http://www.christinedonovan.org/ or email her at [email protected] follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christine.donovanauthor or Twitter at @cmdonovan.
COMING SOON
Chapter One
London 1806
“I’m finding it difficult deciding where to look,” Mr. Stuart Spencer said to his cousin, Lord William Spencer. “All these new debutantes making their formal entrance into society are straining my eyes.”
“Unless you want to find yourself leg-shackled, I suggest you look elsewhere. As you very well know, the debutantes and their mamas have one goal in mind. Matrimony.”
“It’s too bad really, I find the strawberry-blonde standing with Viscount and Viscountess Chambers quite alluring. Must be their one and only daughter if my memory serves me correctly?”
“You will do well and good to stay far away from her. Rumor has it the viscount made some bad investments, is utterly in debt and on the fringe of losing everything back to the crown, including his title. The family is relying on a match that will bring wealth back into their coffers.” William cocked a brow. “You, my dear cousin, may not possess a title, but you do have one thing they need—money and plenty of it. Your mother may have wed an untitled gentleman, but our grandfather was an earl and our grandmother a countess. You come from an aristocratic family and best watch yourself with.” He nodded in the strawberry-blonde’s direction. “That one.”
Stuart, called Spencer by most, laughed. “I’ll keep all this under advisement,” he said with a grin. However, I believe I’ll beg an introduction from her father. Excuse me.” Spencer didn’t need to glance back at his cousin to know he was scowling. And rightfully so. At the tender age of twenty-f
ive, Spencer had no plans to marry anytime soon. He had no business hunting down Lady Miranda Carlton, except he couldn’t help himself. While conversing with William he’d been watching Lady Miranda. Her head tilting side to side while carrying on a conversation caused her lovely hair, piled high upon her head, to bob this way and that. The vision had kept his eyes riveted to her. He’d been unable to look elsewhere. The white gown she wore made her skin appear iridescent in the flickering light from the chandeliers. Unfortunately, he could not make out her eye color from this distance, nor could he tell if her face was smattered with freckles as most strawberry-blondes were. But he would soon. His long strides ate up the distance between them until he finally arrived beside the Carlton family.
“Viscount, Viscountess.” Spencer bowed. “It is a pleasure to see you again.” If the viscount and viscountess appeared shocked at his words, they hid it well. Although they traveled in the same privileged circles, he’d never been formally introduced or spoken a word to either of them. He only hoped they knew his name.
“Mr. Spencer,” the viscount said with a knowing look. Spencer should have known he would have done research on the available gentlemen of the ton before introducing their daughter to society. No doubt, only the richest graced their suitable marriage list for their only daughter. Was he on it? Doesn’t matter. I’m not looking for a wife.
“May I present my daughter, Lady Miranda. Lady Miranda, this is Mr. Stuart Spencer, the grandson of the Dowager Countess of Bridgeton and the late Fifth Earl of Bridgeton.”
Miranda curtsied. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Spencer.”
Spencer bowed while taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “The pleasure is all mine.” He removed his hand quickly, not wanting to give her father any cause to think their search for a suitor was over. Spencer merely wanted to meet Lady Miranda and dance a waltz with her. Not spend the rest of his life as her husband.
Although, as he held her small, gloved hand in his and peered into her emerald green eyes, and noticed the light dusting of freckles on her pink cheeks, something shifted inside him. Something subtle and elusive, but something nonetheless. He would worry about the significance of that later. For the time being he would wait patiently for the first waltz as Lady Miranda promised it to him.
Begging his leave, he sought out liquid refreshments from a passing waiter and didn’t see his cousin sneak up on him.
“So, you met her. What do you think?” William asked with a shake of his head and a glare in his eyes. Almost as though he knew...something. But what?
Spencer downed his bubbly in one swallow, regretting it immediately as the fuzz made a comeback up his throat and nose making them tingle and him unable to speak. After a minute, he cleared his throat and replied, “Yes.”
“Yes. That is all you have to say.” William huffed. “I, cousin, watched from across the room and saw your eyes light up as you bowed, most gallantly, before her. And just now, as I approached you, you were lost in your own mind and had a lovesick look on your face. You didn’t even see me approach. Shall we go and find Grandmother and tell her the good news?”
“What?” Spencer could hardly breathe all of a sudden. “Me, getting married? Are you out of your bloody mind?” he yelled then cringed when several people glared their way. “It’s a waltz, nothing more, nothing less.”
“If you say so,” William said with a half grin. “Go have your waltz, I’m going to find the gaming tables and relieve someone of his precious coin.”
As William walked away and Spencer contemplated joining him at the tables, he realized his dance with Miranda was about to begin. He made his way back around the ballroom and bowed before her.
“Lady Miranda, I believe this is my dance.”
“So it is.”
She placed her tiny hand on his arm, paused, frowned at him and then allowed herself to be escorted onto the dance floor. So she had also felt the scorching heat they created when they touched? Good to know he was not alone on that front.
As he held Miranda in his arms, perfect form and distance between their bodies, he wished his insides would stop burning. He could hardly take his eyes off her beautiful face. Her eyes were a deep emerald green encased in long lashes. Her red-blonde hair, carefully piled high on her head with several curls cascading down her back promised to be silky and smooth to his touch. Unlike the so-called perfect English Lady, she had a smattering of freckles across her nose and high on her cheekbones. It only added to her allure in Spencer’s mind. She stood tall and willowy thin, not the highly sought after curvy and voluptuous. Only waltzing with her now, gave him imminent knowledge that she indeed had curves in all the right places. Her bosom pushed against her bodice, giving him a sneak peek of its creamy goodness.
“Mr. Spencer, are you unwell?”
“Pardon?”
The concern in her eyes was touching—albeit unnecessary.
“You groaned. I thought, perhaps, you were distressed.”
“Distressed?” He was distressed all right, but not for the reason she would guess. If he didn’t concentrate on something other than the delectable lady he was dancing with, the entire ballroom full of people would see what was happening to the lower half of his body.
“Forgive me, Lady Miranda, I am fine. Just in awe of your beauty and grace.”
“Thank you, Mr. Spencer.” Her brows drew together in the cutest way, then relaxed. “You are very light on your feet for a gentleman and quite graceful as well.”
He laughed. He couldn’t help himself which caused her cheeks to turn a most becoming shade of pink. “Indeed. It is because my grandmother not only insisted that my cousins and I take dance lessons, which all gentlemen take, but she also tested us until she was satisfied with our abilities. I fear she thought we would embarrass her. ”
“How wonderful to have a grandmother take such interest in you. Pray tell, who are your cousins? Perhaps I would like to dance with them as well, knowing I would be in capable hands. The slippers I wear on my feet give me no protection from a man’s foot, and I so value my feet.”
Spencer chuckled at her words. “The Earl of Bridgeton and his brother, Lord William Spencer.”
“Are your cousins married?” she asked, then paused, her eyes widening. “Oh, dear. I have offended you. I am truly sorry.”
Spencer’s heart sank at her words. He must learn to hide his emotions better around her. No doubt she had read his disappointment. “No offense taken. The Earl is married to Sir Phillip Trenton’s sister, Lady Katherine. William is presently unattached and according to him, he will remain so for the foreseeable future.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” He lowered his head and murmured close to her ear, and he heard her inhale right before her body quivered in his arms. “Don’t waste your time trying to snare William into matrimony. He will not relent to you or any other female in this room.”
“Why not? Does he prefer men?”
Spencer missed a step, and they nearly collided with Lord and Lady Northborough.
“Aren’t you a little young to know about things such as that?”
This time when she blushed it wasn’t just her cheeks that turned red. Her neck and the tops of her breasts flushed as well, and Spencer swallowed the moan trying to escape his throat.
“I heard the servants talking one night. Is it true? Can men sleep with men?”
Once again he almost collided with the Northborough’s who sent concerned looks his way. He smiled and mouthed an apology. Thank God it was someone like the Northborough’s. If he’d done, to other members of the ton what he’d just done to them twice, they would have given him a tongue lashing and caused a scene. How did he know? Once, last season, a young couple danced a waltz and one of them tripped, he did not know which, the lady or the gentleman, not that it mattered. What mattered was old Lord Easton danced with his new, young bride. He took offense and lashed out and embarrassed the young couple. The lady in question, ran in tears
seeking the shelter of her mother’s arms while the young man stood on the ballroom floor looking mortified. Eventually, his brother came to his rescue. It was all the gossips talked about until the next member of the ton caused a scandal and became the object of the gossips’ desires. Spencer didn’t relish being on the receiving end of the gossips. It could ruin one’s reputation and life.
“Lady Miranda,” before he could come up with a suitable answer, the music ended and he escorted her back to her parents and bowed off. While casually walking away, he looked over his shoulder once to see Miranda gazing back at him. He nodded his head and went in search of William.
***
As Miranda watched the handsome Mr. Spencer stroll away from her, she inwardly cringed. Once again her mouth landed her in a pickle. When he’d begged an introduction from her parents, she’d been thrilled. She may have never met Mr. Spencer before, but his reputation was well known to her. But not for the reasons one would think.
Her mother confided in her that they were in desperate need for funds. They’d gone into even more debt to purchase gowns for this season—her very first Season. And according to her parents, with any luck, her last.
Before coming here tonight her mother had gone over a list of eligible and suitable gentlemen whom they wanted her to consider. All rich and from well-connected families. Mr. Spencer and his cousin’s name were on the list.
At the time, she didn’t think much about the list. Several men whose names graced it she’d already met, and she truly hoped to never find herself betrothed to them. And if she did, she would run away rather than summit to being a wife to any of them. Deep down inside she resented the fact that she had to snare a husband quickly to appease her parents. And truthfully, how did her marrying a rich man help them? Didn’t it usually work the other way around when the gentleman received his intended’s dowry?
Lord Sebastian and the Scottish Lass Page 17