Always Come Home (Emerson 1) (27 page)

“That can wait ‘til spring. Now let me in under
those covers with you,” he said as he dove under the quilt and took her in his
arms.

For long moments in the moonlight they simply
kissed. He did not want to rush things, though his body did not want to wait
all that long.

“Colin,” said Ava from beneath him. “Are you sure
about this?”

He placed her hand on his hard cock. “Do you feel
any uncertainty?”

For a moment she could not speak. She ran her hand
slowly up and down his shaft, then closed her fingers around it.

Colin’s breath seized.

“I was not talking about this, Colin. I believe a
part of you wants to be with me.”

“A big part of me,” he smiled against her lips
before sucking in his breath yet again when she squeezed him as she stroked.
“Sweetheart, if you want to have a serious conversation you cannot touch me at
the same time.”

“Very well,” she said as she reluctantly took her
hand from him.

“Actually, I was hoping we could make love now and
talk later.”

“That does not surprise me, my lord,” she said in
the prim governess tone of voice he loved so much. Then she became uncertain
and his heart lurched. “But I do not wish to be a burden to your family.”

“Do not…”

“Hush,” she said, as she stopped his speech with a
kiss.

“Ordering me around again, Miss Conway?”

“Always, my lord. Colin, I do not have the breeding
to be your wife and half the
ton
will think I was Clayton’s mistress.
How can you marry me?”

“The question, love, is how can I not? Before I met
you, I looked at my life and only saw where I was falling short. Now I look at
it and think about how we can rise together.”

“That is beautiful.”

“Yes, it is. If only you could give me a book
contract.” He kissed her then and there were no more thoughts of the future.
Only what they had in that bed at that time.

The feel of his skin against hers. The heat between
them. The way it would always be.

He kissed her neck as he moved his hand down her
body, caressing her breasts, then moving lower. He kissed his way down her
body, then suckled at her breast as he moved his hand to the damp curls between
her legs. She was moaning softly beneath him but he had to make sure she was
as ready as she could be.

He continued his journey downward until he found the
heart of her. He began lapping at her, laving the pink bud. She was trying to
be quiet, but it was fortuitous that the master suite was as large as it was.

She pulled a pillow over to muffle her moans. He
reached up and took it away. He sucked once, twice, thrice more and she
quickly covered her mouth again before moaning in ecstasy.

And it was a good thing it happened when it did
because he could barely control himself any longer. He lay on top of her,
watching as the dazed look in her eyes slowly returned to normal. She reached
up and kissed him, then he parted her legs and began to slowly press into her.

She tensed and he slowed even further, praying for
strength. When he reached her maidenhead he gently rocked back and forth
before piercing it. She flinched, then reached up to kiss him.

“It gets better, doesn’t it?” she whispered in his
ear.

He panicked, then looked down to see the laughter in
her eyes.

The minx.

“Fill me, Colin. Fill me with your love.”

And he did. As he always would.

They moved together in passion and love. In relief
of finding each other. Of knowing that two good souls would be better
together.

This was unlike any experience Colin had ever had.
Even in his poorest days he’d never had to search too hard for a bed partner.
He was a physical, passionate man, but nothing had ever been like this. Nothing
had ever come close.

He moved over her faster and faster. She clung to
him, meeting his pace, matching his heart. He looked into her beautiful eyes,
then she tensed as she climbed the peak and flew away. He followed directly
afterward.

He lay on her, careful not to crush her as they both
caught their breath. He tried to pull out of her, but she clung to him. So he
carefully rolled onto his back taking her with him.

“I love you, Ava.”

“And I love you.”

“I hope I can be the man you deserve.”

“You already are, love. You already are.”

Colin and Ava arose much later than the rest of the
household the next day in part because they’d made love again that morning,
then had been reluctant to leave their bed. Ava had wanted to return to her
room the previous night, but Colin had said they should begin as they meant to
go on. Rose would not care and Letty would not notice.

Ava rather thought Letty noticed everything, but
she’d been all too happy to remain spooned together with him.

Rose and Letty were in the sitting room when Colin
and Ava joined them.

“Ava, I’ve been sketching ideas for your wedding
dress. As with Maude’s we’ll have to start with a gown in the attic, but I
believe we can alter it to make it look like it’s in the first stare of
fashion.”

“How lovely,” said Ava, as she looked at the
design. “But I am happy enough to be married in an existing gown so we can
save the fabric.”

“We can afford it, love,” said Colin. “And Rose is
an excellent seamstress.”

“I know she is, but perhaps she would like a new
gown.”

“Who’s coming up the drive?” asked Letty from the
window. “It’s a man and a little girl.”

*

James Emerson was tired. It had been a long journey
from America to Portsmouth and then from Portsmouth to Wilton on the mail
coach. But it seemed like the longest portion of the entire journey had been
the one mile walk from the village to the manor.

Correction. The dower house. He’d learned his
family had relocated to the dower house, which meant the finances were just as
bad as ever, which made him feel even more guilty than he already did. He’d
wanted to help his family, not add to their problems.

No one had recognized him in the village, but he couldn’t
really blame them. He’d been gone almost eight years, having left home at the
age of twenty. He’d changed quite a bit in that time. He was no longer the
slim son of the Earl of Ridgeway. He was built like a man who made his living
from the land – which is exactly what he had been doing. He was wearing
buckskin trousers and leather boots from a craftsman in Kentucky. By
ton
standards he needed a haircut. By his standards he did not, despite the fact
his straight black hair was well past his shoulders. He was wearing the rough
woolen overcoat of a man used to living in the wilderness. He had the tanned
features of someone who spent a great deal of time outside.

But the biggest change was that he was not alone.

His steadfast companion, all of six years of age, was
holding his hand, looking about quietly, with wide eyes. She’d never been to
England before. She’d never crossed the ocean. She was curious about
everything, but too shy to speak in front of others. That would come later.
When the two of them were safe at home.

Which brought up what he’d just heard. The village
gossips had been discussing the latest news. It had been assumed that the
impoverished Earl of Ridgeway would become engaged to the eldest daughter of
the rich Americans who now inhabited the manor. But the rich Americans were
moving to London very much without the poor earl in tow.

James had not known that his family was now in the
dower house. Perhaps Colin had sent word, but mail service in America was
sporadic at best. He also had not known Colin was considering marrying for
money, though it appeared that had come to naught.

Good. Colin deserved better than that.

James had passed the shopkeeper he remembered as
being a nosy gossip, but had not said a word to her. She’d eyed him with
suspicion and her eyes had widened at the sight of Anna’s skin, which was the
color of tea. Mrs. Watkins hadn’t recognized him and James had no doubt her
next topic of conversation would be the two strangers who’d just come to town
on the mail coach. But James would waste no more time thinking of her. Not on
a day like this. Not when he was coming home.

The walk to the house was silent and all but
overwhelming. He could tell Anna was tired, though she never complained. He
would carry her, except he was already carrying their luggage. He hoped she
would like her new home, though he had no intention of making it permanent. If
he was successful in his mission, they could be on their way back to America
within a month. If he was unsuccessful…

It didn’t bear thinking about.

James wondered what he would find at the house. He
wasn’t sure if he’d recognize Rose. She’d been but a girl of eleven when he’d
last seen her. From the letters she’d written, it was clear she was now a
young lady of intelligence, good sense and humor. He hoped she’d be able to
use the white silk he’d sent for her come-out ball. At least one of his
siblings should have a love match. It might be too late for Colin and it was
definitely too late for Win, who was married to a cold man who kept her away
from her family. And James had little faith that he would ever fall in love.
Not again. He would not allow that to happen. He had too much to lose.

He squeezed Anna’s hand and she looked up at him and
smiled. He was a father. He was still getting used to it, since he’d only
learned of her existence but a few months earlier. She was about the same age
as Letty, the sister he’d never met. He hoped they could be playmates for each
other. Anna had had a difficult, lonely, life. Half Indian, she’d been
ostracized by her tribe and it was only when her mother had been dying that
she’d tracked down James to tell him he was a father.

His biggest regret in life was that he hadn’t known
earlier.

He was anxious to meet Letty. They’d corresponded
whenever possible, but he’d left England just as she was born. He’d been told
how cruelly she’d been treated over the years and he resolved that he would
help make it up to her. His daughter and youngest sister had too much sadness
in common. He hoped they could find some joy in each other.

The house finally came into view as they began the
final quarter mile of their long journey. They must have been spotted while
still far up the drive because they were yet one hundred feet away when the
door was thrown open and a young woman stepped out. It was Rose. A grown up
Rose.

He began running down the drive, making sure Anna
could keep pace. He finally dropped his luggage and swung Rose into his arms.
He’d thought of his homecoming countless times over the years and now it was
finally happening.

Rose was laughing and crying all at once. “James!
What a lovely surprise! Are you really here? I cannot believe it!”

James held her close, in part because he didn’t want
anyone else to see the tears in his eyes. Then he looked up to see that a
small crowd had gathered, with what must be Letty smiling shyly at him.

“My dear girl, come let me hug you,” he said,
finally letting go of Rose.

That was all the encouragement Letty needed, for she
ran into his arms. Colin was beaming ear to ear. Then James realized he was
being dreadfully unfair to Anna.

“Anna,” he said. “Here are my sisters and brother
to come greet us. Colin, Rose, Letty, this is my daughter Anna.”

There was a moment of stunned silence from Colin and
Rose, but Letty wasted no time at all in making her feelings known. She hugged
Anna, who was startled at first, then tentatively returned the hug.

“Oh, Anna, it is so very grand to meet you,” said
Rose, as she, too, hugged Anna, being careful not to overwhelm her. “I am your
Aunt Rose and this is your Aunt Letty and we could not be happier to have you
here.”

“I’m an aunt?” said Letty, laughing.

James watched his daughter anxiously, for she was
not given to showing emotion, especially to strangers. But Letty’s enthusiasm
must have been contagious, for Anna gently returned Rose’s embrace and even
smiled at Letty, who was now talking non-stop about all the things they would
do now that James and Anna had come home.

“Ava! I can call you Ava now that you’re to marry
Colin, can I not?” Letty called to the attractive woman James had not
recognized.

“Of course you can, sweetheart,” said Ava.

James looked at his brother in surprise. He was
betrothed to a woman who, while quite attractive, did not seem to be an
heiress. Now he understood why the American family was currently decamping
from the manor.

Letty continued. “Ava, I have a niece!”

“That is very exciting,” said Colin’s betrothed,
“but perhaps we can all move inside since it’s dreadfully cold out and I’m sure
our niece and your uncle have had a long journey.”

“An excellent idea,” said Colin, as he ushered the
ladies into the house, but remained behind to face James.

As two brothers who’d grown up with a tyrannical
father, they’d been through a great deal together. Neither of them had been
all that comfortable showing emotion earlier in life. Colin had often
retreated into playing the court jester, making everyone laugh. James had
simply been quiet, tending to mull things over again and again until he could
make sense of them. Even when there was no sense to be made.

And now they were face to face once more.

For a moment, neither moved. Then one or the other moved
– it was impossible to tell who’d started first – and they hugged each other,
culminating in pats on the back that could have felled oxen. James observed
that while Colin hadn’t spent the past eight years working the land as he had,
he certainly hadn’t gone to fat, either.

“Welcome home, brother mine,” said Colin grinning.
“And you have brought a wonderful niece to us. I know you have not been the
most avid correspondent…”

“The mail service is rather erratic.”

“I am sure that it is. But do you think that in,
perhaps, one of your letters you might have mentioned I am now an uncle? She’s
quite beautiful, by the way. I can only assume she gets all of her good looks from
her mother. Will she also be joining us?”

James shook his head, sadder about Alawa’s death
than he’d ever been. He hadn’t known Anna’s mother well, which made him feel
ashamed. But she had been a good woman and had done her best to raise Anna
despite the resistance of her tribe. He would be forever grateful that she had
reached out to him before her death. “She died four months ago. I was unaware
of Anna’s existence until a short time before that.”

“I am sorry,” said Colin. “But not to make too fine
a point of it, you couldn’t have told us in your Christmas letter?”

James had to laugh. “Is it not enough that the two
of us are here now in the flesh?”

“A perfectly valid point. Surprising, coming from
you. Now I would like to meet my niece.”

“And I shall meet your bride-to-be. Which begs the
question: could you not have mentioned the delectable lady in one of your
letters?”

“That will be the last time you refer to my
wife-to-be as delectable, unless you would like to sleep in the stables.”

“You wouldn’t do that to your niece.”

“To her? Never. To you, in a heartbeat.”

“I would think you’d be much more welcoming. I
have, after all, been gone for several years.”

“Yes, well, perhaps Maude can make a pudding for
your return. But Ava is not your present. Now get your sorry arse in the
house before I kick it all the way back to America.”

“I would like to see you try.”

But they were, unfortunately, interrupted before it
could be attempted by Rose, who’d stepped outside. “Colin, James, come in the
house. It’s freezing out there.”

“She’s grown into a bossy chit, hasn’t she?” said
James, grinning.

“Intolerably so. Who do you think took the
initiative to get us moved to this place? If left to my own devices, I’m sure
I could have solved our financial problems in only another two or three
decades.” He kissed his sister as he reached her. James put his arm around
her waist.

“This is turning into the very best of years,” said
Rose, as she entered the house with both her brothers. “And I think it was
most clever of James to bring me such a lovely niece.”

When they reached the foyer, Letty was still happily
chatting away. Apparently, her plans had evolved into swims in the lake during
summer and hikes through the hills.

Ava was removing Anna’s wet things. She took off
her own shawl, placing it around Anna’s shoulders to warm her up, all the while
smiling and making her feel at home.

A man James did not recognize bowed, then helped
divest him of his things. He was badly scarred on one side of his face,
probably as a result of the war.

“James,” said Colin, “this is Stemple, my poorly
paid valet in London, who has been promoted to unpaid butler at the dower
house.”

“Lord James,” said Stemple as he bowed. “Welcome
home, sir.”

“Thank you, Stemple. It is a pleasure to meet you.
If you suffered through as my brother’s valet, I can only assume you are a hearty
soul impervious to boredom. Well done, sir.”

“Ignore him, Stemple,” said Colin.

Stemple ignored Colin. “Lord James, I shall take
your luggage upstairs. Do you have any thoughts as to where Miss Emerson shall
sleep?”