Darkness In The Flames (21 page)

He could not remember a moment like this in his entire life, neither before he’d been savaged by Thérèse
nor
after.  He wanted to hold this second in his hands, to examine it, to experience it over and over again for the duration of whatever life he had left. Eternity would be too short to fully encompass the magnitude of this physical and emotional release.

But, as always, nature would not permit such liberties, and the woman beneath him fell back onto the bed, gasping for air, her legs sliding loosely from his hips, and her eyes closed in exhaustion.

His cock throbbed once more, reluctant to admit that his orgasm had passed. His balls were loose and empty, and for once he could have sworn that a warmth percolated from them to ease the icy ache of his loins.

Her scent was soothing, relaxed now, redolent of Kat and sex and her woman’s body. Adrian knew his own scent was blended with hers, but all he could detect was her as he breathed the unique fragrance into his very soul.

She was his. Kat. Come what may, Adrian had no doubts that they would lie together like this forever. Fate, in all its twisted and unfathomable brilliance, had delivered his woman to him. His salvation.

His Kat.

His cock softened and with a sigh he pulled himself regretfully from the slick silk of her sheath. It was as if he was leaving home, emerging from a cocoon of passion a new man.

Moisture welled beneath his eyelids as he closed them tiredly, and he tumbled down onto the bed beside her, gathering her into his arms, heedless of the sticky wetness that dappled them both.

“Kat.” Her name slipped from his lips as she snuggled close.

“I’m here.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. More than you can imagine.” A warm tongue gently flicked at his shoulder, tasting him. “I shall always love you. To the edge of madness, I think.”

She eased herself away a little, raising up on one elbow to look into his eyes. Wonderingly, she stroked his face. “Adrian, you’re in my soul now. Do not ever leave me. Do not ever doubt me. I don’t care what lies ahead, because I know we’ll face it together.”

She reached down for his hand and interlaced their fingers, lifting them and showing their clasped hands to him. “
This
, Adrian.” His hand was squeezed hard. “
This is us
. This is our strength. Each other. Joined—we are invincible.”

His lips curved at the fierceness in her voice as she released him and yawned. “Yes, my Amazon queen. I know. And we’re also tired from our joining. Sleep now.”

She obeyed him without demur, closing her eyes and slipping easily into her rest.

Tomorrow, she would be his. His wife. It might not be the wisest move for one such as Adrian, but he knew he could do nothing else.

He’d found his heart. He would never willingly let her go.

His pulse slowed to almost nothing as Adrian also surrendered to his rest, content that although his heartbeat might be negligible, there was another beating for him within the woman wrapped in his arms.

Chapter Seventeen

The bride was given away by her new father-in-law, the ceremony was held at night—lit by hundreds of candles—and there were no attendants or groomsmen to clutter up the proceedings.

But all present, which included most of the Chesswell household, agreed that the occasion could not be improved upon.

Katherine wholeheartedly agreed as she allowed Sir Sidney to bestow her hand in marriage to Adrian Chesswell, the love of her life. She cared little about the formalities, smiling as Cheverly, chest expanded with pride, passed the ring to Adrian. She squeezed Sir Sidney’s hand as he gave it to his son, knowing that she’d not only found a husband, but a father who would care for her as if she were truly his own.

His capacity to love Adrian, in all his turmoil, was astounding. She knew she would receive no less and the thought warmed and comforted her. She was truly
home
.

And when the bemused vicar finally pronounced them “man and wife”, telling Adrian he might kiss his bride, she was amazed at the gentle touch of his lips…almost reverently resting on hers.

It was a far cry from the hot and passionately searing kisses that had awoken her from their deep sleep. Hungry for her touch, Adrian had already begun arousing her as she lay beside him, half-awake and wanting as much if not more than he did.

He’d turned her onto her stomach, kneading her buttocks, nipping them, reaching beneath her and lying on her, crushing her mound into his hand and forcing her to move with him. It was hot, erotic and wonderful, and Katherine found her body willing and able to follow him down the road to bliss. He’d parted her buttocks and rested his cock against her tight opening, a shivering delight of surprise, arousal and nerves. He hadn’t claimed her there, but had played, teaching her of the amazing pleasures she had yet to experience.

In truth, by the time he’d finished touching her, strumming her like a virtuoso on a favored instrument, she would have taken him into her body any way she could get him.  But he’d satisfied them both by raising her onto her hands and knees and pressing his length deep between her legs, filling her, and just stopping still for long moments.

“Yes, Kat.
This
is where I belong.”

“I know. There isn’t a doubt in my mind.” She’d breathed her answer as he began to move, once again pushing her body up the still-new slope of desire and passion. Each time was different, each time was wonderful, and Katherine wondered if each time with them would be as the first time—exquisite and incredible.

They cried out together, exploding into a shivering mass of muscles and flesh, Kat scrabbling for a grasp on the linens as Adrian’s arms pulled her ever deeper onto his cock. She swore she heard him sob, even as she herself struggled for breath.

This—this—
whatever
it was between them shocked her with its intensity. And as she tumbled bonelessly beneath him, the love she felt shocked her with its fierce protectiveness. She would move heaven and earth for this man, should the need arise.

And she had some matters to settle between them.

He pulled her close as he seemed to like to do after their loving, cradling the length of her body against his. “Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you?”

She chuckled. “Not a bit. I feel rather like a contentedly buzzing bee.” She stroked his chest. “Adrian…I need to tell you about the Byerly business. I need to tell you the truth.”

Katherine sighed. Now would come her confession, the admitting that she’d lied.

Adrian’s voice was encouraging. “Very well. Tell me.”

“First…” she paused, seeking for words to express herself. “I must apologize to you, as I must to Sir Sidney. I lied. To both of you.” Katherine swallowed. “I am a weak and godless woman, and I ask your forgiveness.”

The only answer was a snort. “Kat, you are cuddling a man who cannot tolerate sunlight, feeds on blood and may possibly have killed at some point over the last ten years. I have no identity, a fake father and I will quite brutally and unapologetically dispose of that piece of offal Byerly if he comes within ten miles of you. What the devil do
you
have to apologize for?”

“’Tis not quite the same. You were forced into all of that through no choice of your own. I lied consciously, deviously, with no other goal than to mislead you.”

Adrian humphed and tugged her even closer, resting his chin on her head as it lay against his shoulder. “We could debate our degenerate natures and who’s worse for hours and not agree. So perhaps you should just tell me and be done with it.”

“Very well.” Katherine relaxed a little. “It began when I was not quite eighteen. My parents were extremely strict, and I was raised knowing little of life other than what was permitted by them.  We were not poor, but not of the aristocracy either, a fact which seemed to trouble my mother more than my father. She worshipped at the altar of good
Ton
, he worshipped at the altar of the Lord. When Matthew Byerly came to our district for a visit, he seemed the answer to both their prayers.”

Something must have betrayed her tension, since Adrian began a gentle stroking of her shoulder and her arm. It soothed her and made it easier for her to continue. “Matthew was wealthy, possessed of substantial holdings and a devout man. He was also looking for a wife, having buried three. He wanted children, of course, not having produced any thus far.”

Katherine turned her head and touched Adrian’s chin in an affectionate gesture. “He was not a bad man, Adrian. He treated me with courtesy and gentleness, although his nature was Spartan and his devotion to the Church and the Bible quite sincere.” She sighed. “He visited my bed regularly, although briefly, and I think he was sad I never bore him a child. But it was not to be. We were wed for more than seven years.”

“Seven long years, Kat.” Adrian spoke quietly as she paused.

“Yes, they were long years. Quiet, dark years of worship and good deeds. Spent with a man who was intelligent and kind, but…but…”

“Passionless?”

Katherine turned fully and looked at Adrian. “Yes. Oh yes. There was
no
passion there, nor was I allowed to betray any on my part. It was hard. Many times I wished I could run to the fields and laugh or sing or dance. Or just shout out loud to remind myself that I truly lived.”

“And then he passed away.” It was a statement, but a leading one nonetheless.

“Yes. A seizure of the heart. And then things went from bad to worse thanks to Arthur Byerly and his greed.” She took a deep breath. “I knew he coveted Matthew’s estate and assumed it would be his. I honestly had no idea that it wasn’t until Matthew’s will was read. Arthur’s fury knew no bounds. He could not overturn the will, so he determined on a course of action that would get him what he wanted—marrying me.”

“The worm-faced vermin.”

“Quite.” Katherine giggled. “And very apt, too. He spread the rumor that Matthew had wanted us to wed. Of course my refusal turned him into a rather angry worm-faced vermin, since apparently women didn’t turn him down. Especially ones he considered
needy
widows.”

“Hence your mad flight from Byerly and your arrival here?”

She nodded. “It became too untenable. I couldn’t spend every night of the rest of my life with a bureau in front of my door to protect myself. I refused to live like that. So I fled. With Jessie.”

Her thoughts turned mournful until hard lips claimed hers. “I am saddened by that loss.” Adrian kissed her in between his words. “But you are here now. With me. Where you were always meant to be.”

She kissed him back. “So you forgive me?”

He snorted, which—since his mouth was now against her breast at the time—made her laugh. “There is nothing to forgive and much to forget. Your life begins now, my Kat.” He sucked strongly on her nipple, making her sigh and squirm with pleasure. “As my wife.”

*~*~*~*

And it was as his wife that Katherine Byerly Chesswell walked proudly beside Adrian Chesswell into the dining room where a small but festive meal was to be served.

Adrian hadn’t wanted any fuss, Sir Sidney was simply happy that the son he’d come to love as his own had found happiness, and Katherine—well, Katherine just glowed. The Vicar joined them, along with his wife and the two guests who had served as witnesses. The conversation was cordial, those outside the family managing to politely suppress their curiosity, even though Adrian could almost hear the questions humming around their heads.

“I’m glad you feel well enough to take on the responsibility of a wife, Mr. Chesswell.” The Vicar’s wife glanced delightedly at her plate, piled high with a vegetable soufflé.  “Oooh, lovely. Local beans, I’ll warrant. Nothing tastier, Sir Sidney.”

Since she obviously enjoyed a lion’s share of beans along with everything else, Sir Sidney merely nodded and took a mouthful of his own meal.

“My wife is more of a help to me than a responsibility, Ma’am.” Adrian answered politely, winking quickly in Katherine’s direction and watching her bite her lip against a laugh.

“Just as it should be, lad. Glad to hear you say so.” The Vicar nodded sagely. “So few couples these days have an appreciation of just how to go on after marriage. I try to point them along the right road, but the Good Lord knows it’s most challenging.”

“Well, there’ll be quite a few tears shed at the news of your marriage, I’m sure, Mr. Chesswell.” Mrs. Entwistle smiled archly, secure in the knowledge that both her daughters had married well. “’Tis not often anybody as well-featured as yourself appears down here in St. Chesswell, and even rarer for his bride to be delivered to him atop a gate.”

Adrian swallowed a retort, knowing the woman meant well, even if her words were heavy handed. “Indeed, Ma’am. A wonderful series of coincidences that has served to unite me with my heart’s desire.  Who are we to rail against the vagaries of fate?”

“Well said, my son.” Sidney smiled and tipped his head in approval.

“Speaking of railing against the vagaries of fate, there’s some talk about a bluff and unpleasant man holed up in St. Chesswell, at the Lazy Pig I believe, ranting on about nightmares and horrid creatures.” The Vicar looked somber. “A tad too much liquid refreshment, I’m thinking. Ernest Wallingford tells me the man reeks of brandy.”

Adrian contrived a sympathetic expression. “How sad.”

“Indeed, lad. To see a fine mind turned rotten by the pervasive evil of strong drink.” Ironically, the man nodded his approval as his wine glass was refilled, but completely missed the connection and continued his dialogue, unaware that his dinner companions were doing their best not to laugh.  “Anyway, he’s packed and said he’s to be on the road home tonight. Good riddance, I say.”

Everyone agreed, and Adrian couldn’t help a quick glance at his father and his wife. An unpleasantness had been removed from their lives with a minimum of fuss and bother. He hoped others would be removed as successfully, but couldn’t guarantee it.  Threats still hung over their heads, but Adrian felt strangely at peace.