Love Sneaked In (Montgomery Family Trilogy) (16 page)

When Helen and Matthew reached the bottom of the steps, Helen replied, “Yes, she found one. We had an excellent time. But when we went walking on the boardwalk, there were some very rude men. I’ve never come in contact with men that would behave like that. I got Margaret back to the gig right away. Oh, by the way, I met someone today that’s a friend of yours. Her name is Mrs. Arlington. For some reason she seemed to dislike me. I can’t imagine why.”

“I should have warned you to stay away from the pier. Most of those fishermen are crude and don’t know how to act around a lady. I don’t know that I would say I’m friends with Mrs. Arlington. We’re more acquaintances really. I’ve seen her at social gatherings for years.” With a casual expression on his face he continued, “I can’t imagine why she would dislike you. Well, I think I’ll go on up to bed. Can I escort you to your room?”

“Yes, I’m ready to come up also.” Helen couldn’t tell anything by his expression, and since he appeared so casual and nonchalant about Mrs. Arlington, she decided she could just be imagining things. After all, she was very cautious when it came to men because of her experience with the Duke of Somerset. She didn’t want to paint Matthew with the same brush, so to speak, just because the duke had turned out to be such a rogue.

When Helen and Matthew arrived at her door, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When he ran his tongue over her lips, she immediately opened for him, and he slid home. Soon she was breathing heavy, and he felt her quivering in his arms. There was no doubt that she was returning his passion.

Opening up the door of their sitting room, he steered her into the room, never breaking their kiss. He pushed the door closed behind them. Pulling her closer, he gently touched her breast and felt her nipple grow taut. With their tongues entwined, he felt hot fire in his loins rush to every nerve. Reaching down, he slowly pulled up her gown and touched her gorgeous red-gold curls. Slipping his finger across her core, he felt how hot and wet she was, and it almost drove him beyond his control. She whimpered, and he felt sure she was ready to allow him to make love to her.

Just as Matthew was ready to explore her charms further, the door to her room opened, and her maid started to enter. When she saw them, she looked embarrassed, turned, and left the room. Of course, this had given Helen time to realize what had almost happened, and she slipped out of his arms. “I’m still not ready Matthew. I want you, but I just need a little more time, all right?”

“I’m sorry darling. I just want you so much. I know I promised to give you time, but I certainly hope you’ll allow me to make love to you soon.”

God, he didn’t know how much longer he was going to be able to wait.

He didn’t want to push, but he needed her so badly.

Then, looking hopeful, Matthew reminded her, “We said a few weeks, and we’ve now been married for almost a month.”

With hesitancy in her voice, she said, “I know we said a few weeks. If you’ll just give me fifteen minutes, then I’ll be ready to do my duty.” She drew a shaky breath and smiled bravely at him.”

Disappointment flooded through him. He wanted her so badly, but he wanted her willing, not just doing it because she felt it was her duty. “As much as I want to make love to you, I don’t want you doing it just to please me. I’ll be fine. I didn’t mean to make you feel pushed.” Smiling gently at her, he softly kissed her cheek. “Good night, my dear. I look forward to our picnic tomorrow with Christina and Catherine.”

When Matthew entered his room, he went straight over and poured himself a glass of brandy, drinking it down in three gulps. His shaft was painfully stiff, but then he remembered her asking about Cecilia, and that immediately cooled his ardor. He was afraid this was going to happen. Cecilia was going to be difficult. He didn’t want Helen to find out that he’d had an affair with Cecilia.

Helen wouldn’t understand, especially after their conversation on the beach the other day. She’d made it crystal clear how she felt about adultery. Of course, he hadn’t been unfaithful to Helen, but nonetheless, she wouldn’t handle the news that he’d had a mistress when they got married well at all. She was so innocent; he didn’t want her tainted by Cecilia. If Helen found out about Cecilia, she would lose all trust in him. He did feel that she was beginning to trust him, and he didn’t want anything to change Helen’s mind about that.

Matthew’s feelings for Helen were growing stronger every day. He’d not planned on falling in love with her, but he had.

Why did her maid have to enter the sitting room when she did?

Helen had been so close to losing control. If he’d had just a few moments longer, she would have been so overcome by her passions, she would have allowed him to make love to her. Of course, He didn’t want her to do it just out of duty. He wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her.

Oh God, he would go mad if he didn’t have her soon.

Of course, it wasn’t just having her sexually. He wanted her to fall in love with him. He would just need to be patient. Since Helen had been so insistent about not having a love match, he would have to be very careful. Matthew suspected that Helen must have been hurt at some point in her past, since she was so wary of love.

Maybe this picnic with the twins was a way for them to draw closer to one another. Building a friendship was the way to go since that would help Helen trust him. He did want her in his bed as soon as possible. He became so aroused when he was around her, that it was driving him wild, and he was definitely tired of waking up during the night, stiff as a rod of steel. Pouring himself another glass of brandy, he sat down in his chair in front of the fireplace and sipped on it. Once he finished it, he crawled into his lonely bed.

The next morning turned out to be a beautiful day, a perfect day for a picnic on the beach. While Matthew had Cook prepare a basket, Helen went to the nursery to get Christina and Catherine. When she told them they were going to the beach for a picnic, the little girls got very excited. They ran to get their bathing costumes, so they would be able to play in the water. Helen laughed as she watched them struggle into their costumes and went over to help them. When they were ready, they went downstairs and found Matthew standing there with a big basket and a blanket.

As they walked along, the twins were chattering merrily. They made their way down the narrow path, and soon they were at the beach. Helen spread out the blanket and Matthew set the basket down. Christina and Catherine ran to the water. Matthew followed them so they didn’t get into trouble. Matthew stripped down to his breeches, and soon he was frolicking in the water with the girls. They squealed as he tossed each one of them into the air. They would run into the waves, and as they fell, Matthew would scoop them up, one in each arm.

Helen enjoyed watching them play. It was the most interaction she’d seen him have with his daughters, and it was obvious they loved every moment of it. She took off her stockings and shoes, tucked her skirt into the waistband so that it wouldn’t get completely drenched, and went to join in. As careful as she was, she still ended up getting soaked, but it was worth it, she was having so much fun.

Soon everyone came out of the water and went back to the blanket so they could eat their lunch. Cook had packed roasted chicken, cheese with bread, fresh fruit, and there was a jug of lemonade to drink. Everyone ate their fill, and after lunch, Christina and Catherine fell asleep.

As Helen and Matthew sat on the blanket, Helen stretched her legs out and crossed her ankles. “That was so much fun! I’m not surprised that the girls fell asleep. They had to be worn out after playing so hard with you. Matthew they loved every minute of it. We need to do this more often. They’re beginning to trust me, and that pleases me tremendously. Miss Tillman is doing a superb job on getting them to behave. It’s as if they’re different children from when I first met them. You appeared to be enjoying yourself with them.”

Matthew sat with his arms around his knees, gazing out at the sea. “I was having fun playing with them. This is the first time that I’ve brought them to the beach. You made it easy, and I appreciate all that you’re doing. I definitely want to do this again. I need to spend more time with them, so I can be a better father. I’ve always been so afraid I’d do something to hurt them that I’ve avoided spending much time with them. I do love my daughters, I’m just not very good at showing it, but that’s going to change.”

“Well, you definitely made a good start on that today. The girls loved every minute of it. I’m so pleased you agreed to the picnic.”

“We need to take advantage of this summer weather because before you know it, fall will be here, and we won’t be able to bring them to the beach. Let’s do this at least a couple of times a week for the rest of the summer. You’re soaked, aren’t you? Why don’t you slip out of your dress, and you can lay it out in the sun so it will dry. I promise to be a gentleman. We can just lay here beside each other until your dress is dried.”

Taking off her dress, Helen lay down on the blanket. Matthew lay down beside her and took her hand. It was very relaxing, laying there just holding hands, and soon Helen drifted off to sleep. When she woke up, Matthew was asleep, and she lay there watching him. He was such a gorgeous man. In sleep, his face was more relaxed, and he looked much younger. Helen decided she was ready to consummate their marriage. She desired him greatly, and she was tired of becoming aroused and not letting him make love to her. She wanted to have children of her own, and the only way to accomplish that was for them to make love. She would tell Matthew when he woke up that she wanted him to come to her tonight.

Christina woke up first, She yawned and stretched, then looked at Helen and smiled. “Thank you for bringing us to the beach. This has been the funnest day ever!”

She ran over to Helen, put her little arms around her neck and hugged her. Helen got tears in her eyes as she hugged her back. Soon, Catherine woke up, and the girls wanted to play some more. This time they played in the sand, and Helen helped them build a sandcastle. Matthew woke up and joined them.

Helen noticed that the twins were starting to get a little red, so she told them it was time to go back to the house. They loaded up the basket and went up the path. The girls chattered all the way back to the nursery. The new nursemaid, Katie, took them so she could get them cleaned up, and Matthew and Helen left to go get cleaned up themselves. While walking to their rooms, Helen asked, “Can you meet me in our sitting room after we’ve had a chance to freshen up?”

“Certainly, my dear. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes,” Matthew replied, as he smiled over at her and entered his room.

Matthew was already in the sitting room when Helen entered. Since she was feeling so nervous, she was twisting her hands and biting her lips. As she sat down on the couch, she cleared her throat. “Matthew, I’ve decided that I want you to come to me tonight. I’ve made up my mind that I’m ready to fully be your wife.”

Matthew sat down beside her, took her hand in his. “Nothing could make me happier. I promise to be gentle, and you’ll have no reason to regret your decision.”

He gathered her in his arms and gently kissed her. He stroked her beautiful hair, and she sighed with contentment. They just sat there in each other’s arms for quite some time. “As much as I’ve enjoyed sitting here with you, I have a meeting with Wilcox, so I need to go. I’ll see you at dinner tonight. Hopefully we can retire early. Try to get some rest, because you won’t get much sleep tonight.” Then grinning at her, he left the room.

Helen sat there, dumbfounded.

Oh my. What have I done?

She was nervous about tonight, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She wanted to explore her passions fully. She would have to be careful to keep her emotions in check, because she didn’t want to fall in love with him. She’d made that mistake once, and she wasn’t going to let it happen again.

No, she’d just make sure she kept her heart safe.

Helen rang for her maid and had Sally prepare her a bath. She had her add her rose scented bathing salts to the water, and Helen used her special rose petal soap. Matthew had made several comments on how much he liked the way she smelled. She relaxed in the tub and thought about what was going to happen that night. She got chills just thinking about it. Liquid heat burned in the place between her thighs. After she finished her bath, she dried off, used her rose scented lotion, and massaged it into her skin. Sally brushed her hair until it gleamed, and curls floated all around her head.