Page 74 of What a Widow Wants

“As you command, my lord.” In a liquid motion she dropped her shift, revealing her overly plump breasts, nipples hardened into tiny points, and mounted him, sliding herself onto his thick cock.

He grunted as she seated herself and sighed with the exquisite pleasure of having him deep inside her once more. “You may also remember our interlude in the trees just beyond the field.”

“I remember nothing at the moment,” he said, cupping her breasts, kneading them, a look of pure bliss on his face.

“Allow me to jog your memory.” She eased herself up and down, slowly at first, then faster as he began to counterthrust into her. Leaning over she seized his lips, plunging her tongue into him as her need reached its ultimate peak. Groaning into his mouth, she shattered around him, complete and whole again.

Moments later he strained into her as his release came, calling her name. Sweeter words she’d never heard.

As they lay panting, entwined together in the rumpled sheets, Matthew grasped her hand, lacing their fingers together. “If you will agree, I’d still like for us to be married from Hunter’s Cross, in my parish church, All Saints.”

“I would like that very much. Will you get a special license?” They need not rush, but if he suddenly worried about Society’s gossip, then they should wed as quickly as possible.

Matthew stared at the cracked gray plaster on the ceiling, then shook his head. “I want us to have a proper wedding, with the banns read. Sometime early in the new year.”

“But where will I live until then?” The realization hit that she no longer had a place at Theale’s house where she’d lived for close to eight years. “We must journey to Copsale tomorrow and explain all to my cousin. She will likely take us in for the few weeks before we marry.”

“Absolutely not.” He grasped her around the shoulders as though she might disappear on the spot. “You will journey with me to Hunter’s Cross and there remain, ever after.”

“Won’t your mother object?” Lady Lathbury had been friendly toward her even after she learned of Ella’s parentage; however, she could not help but wonder how the lady would react to her future daughter-in-law’s moving into her home while she was still mistress of it.

“Once she hears the tale of this day, I seriously doubt it. And she has told me she approves of you becoming my wife. She believes us well matched.” He squeezed her to him. “So do I.”

“And so do I.” Drowsily, she snuggled against him. “I am truly glad to hear of her approval. After these past days I need no more discord in my life.”

“Only harmony from now on, sweetheart, I promise.”

A new life with a true love. Apparently happy endings did come true, if only you had the good sense to see them and accept them. “Yes, my love. Oh, yes.”

CHAPTER 31

Backed by a small army of four strapping footmen, a grim-faced Matthew arrived at Theale House and knocked at the door.

After Fanny’s ordeal, he had ensconced her at Hunt House, along with Ella and a hastily summoned Jane, to allow her and his daughter to recover their strength before journeying on to Hunter’s Cross. There they would stay until the wedding. Today, he’d come to retrieve her and Ella’s trunks. He expected trouble, but nothing he and four other fit men couldn’t handle.

The door opened a crack, revealing a wary butler who kept glancing over his shoulder.

“I am Lord Lathbury,” Matthew intoned, using his deepest voice. “I have come for Lady Stephen’s and Miss Ella’s belongings.” He peered at the quivering man until he at last opened his mouth.

“You may not enter, my lord.” The little man whispered so low Matthew had to lean forward to catch the words.

“What do you mean I ‘may not enter’?” He drew himself up to his full height, now towering over the cowering butler.

The man craned his head back to look up at Matthew. “Lord Theale has given instructions you are not to enter Theale House, my lord.”

“Has he indeed?” Well, they would see about that.

With a nod to his footmen, none of whom were shorter than six-foot-one, Matthew pushed his way into the entry hall, his men following behind in a flying wedge, like so many soldiers going into battle. “Where is your master?”

The stunned butler had fallen back before them, his back now pressed against the wall. “I’m certain I do not know, my lord. His lordship roams the house these days. It’s difficult to say where he might be at any given moment.”

What the devil did that mean? With a sharp glance at the manservant, Matthew surged forward to the staircase. “Take me to Lady Stephen’s chamber or I will find it for myself.”

“Oh, no you won’t.” The cracked, high-pitched voice from above jerked Matthew’s attention up to the first landing. Lord Theale stood, his excellently cut coat strangely askew, as though he’d been interrupted while dressing, belying the man’s reputation of not stirring until he was impeccably dressed. “You are banned from this house, Lathbury. Defiler of wives.” His voice rose in a shriek. “Spawn of the devil.”

Glancing over his shoulder at the footmen, eyes wide and murmuring to one another, Matthew firmed his lips. “Steady, men.” He’d never led troops into battle, but it seemed there might be a first time. “I want nothing but the property that belongs to my betrothed, Theale. Have her trunks and Ella’s brought down and we will retire peacefully.”

“You’ll never take them. Never take them!” Brandishing an imaginary sword, Theale ran down the steps toward Matthew.