One True Love (36 page)

He started towards his wife when Anne grabbed his arm. "Shall we take a turn around the room brother?"

"Of course."

William would much prefer to go visit with his wife, but he would never purposefully hurt his sister's feelings. He escorted Anne about the perimeter of the drawing room. She looked particularly fetching tonight, dressed in a yellow gown the color of a rose in the evening light. Her fine figure and a lovely face embraced doe eyes, an upturned nose, and a well proportioned mouth. Some gentleman would someday sweep her off her feet.

His sisters avoided the marriage shackles as much as the men of the
ton
, but deep inside, he was quite certain they were romantics at heart, especially Anne. She would marry for nothing less than love. He smiled and waited for her to begin a speaking.

"I know you do not want to hear this, but I feel I must say it. I am convinced Cassie loves you. Leaving her alone has done great harm to her. She wants to make a go of your marriage, but she cannot do it alone. You must meet her halfway."

"Now see here, Anne..." William could say certain things to Stephen, Stephen was his brother, another man, but Anne, she was his sister, his
younger
sister, at that.

"Do not cut me off. Listen and listen well. Women want, no, they
need
romance. Flowers and picnics and random acts of thoughtfulness. Running off to your club all day, and doing, well...I do not know what men do at their clubs exactly, but I do know this is not the way to build a lasting relationship. You must talk to her, William. You have always desired marriage and children above all else. Do not lose your dream because of that silly curse and your foolish jealousy. Winnington is dead. You no longer need to consider him an adversary. Cassie is alive and with child. Go to her. Love her. Be a husband to her."

"Are you quite through?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am." Anne let go of his arm and strode away as if they just shared a private joke.

Sisters! And he was
cursed
with four of them. Thank heavens the other three did not come. He would not know what to do if they decided to lecture him as well. Of course, his mother was just as willing to offer him advice. He headed back towards his and Cassie's families, who sat talking, laughing, and waiting for dinner. Both mothers were deep in conversation. Stephen and his father stood by the hearth, drinking their brandies and laughing. Anne had returned to Cassie and Jocelyn's side.

William hoped for a moment alone with his wife. At least he was able to escort her into dinner, but since they had guests, they sat at opposite ends of the table.

"Have you heard the most shocking
on dit
of the year?" William's mother, a walking gossip column who always knew the most recent London news, which included some of the most secretive and scandalous pieces of gossip.

"Do tell Mother." He knew by the placement of her hand on her heaving bosom that his mother was dying to share.

"The new Duke of Montford is an
American
."

Shocked gasps echoed throughout the room. There was dramatic pause of one, two, three. "Of course, he was not
born
an American, he was simply
raised
as an American."

"He sounds positively fascinating," Anne teased. William laughed at his mother's raised eyebrows and shocked expression.

"Why would a duke raise his son in America?" asked Mr. Chambers.

"Oh, he is not the old duke's son. He is the grandson. Years ago the duke and his son had a fallout, so the son took his family to America. They say the new duke is incredibly handsome."

"I do believe I shall swoon at his feet if we meet." Anne placed the back of her hand on her forehead and pretended to faint as everyone laughed.

William watched his wife enjoy herself. Cassie's beauty entranced him. The rest of the table fell away and it became just the two of them. She lifted her eyes to meet his. She positively glowed in the candlelight.

He had spent each night in her bed since they declared themselves to each other. They did not make love, but, instead, they held each other, shared kisses, and talked long into the night. He wanted to give her time to heal and fully recover from her injuries. Her bruises were gone now, and she was back to her old self –strong, and full of love and laughter.

Tonight.

He would go to her and love her in every way possible.
Damn.
He really should watch his own thoughts at the dinner table. He hardened painfully as everyone talked on.

Their families stayed until they were certain of Cassie's health and recovery. Although William made a point to spend time with his wife during the day, his time alone with her was as rare as a blue rose. Someone was always with her. A mother, or sister, or both, or all of them. He cherished the nights when they all retired to their beds.

He loved his mother and sister, and he respected his mother-in-law and young sister-in-law, but he looked forward to their departures. Yet, he would miss the company of his brother, father, and even his father-in-law. He enjoyed their heated political discussions and late night card games, but if their leaving meant more private time with his wife, he would gladly shake their hands goodbye.

"William. William." His mother's voice broke through his private thoughts.

"Yes, I am sorry. I do believe I was woolgathering. Not well of me at all."

"I asked you if you and Cassie planned to return to London soon."

"No. We have decided to stay at Rosehill Manor for the rest of the Season. The country air is much better for an expectant mother's constitution."

Squeals of delight bounced around the room. Stephen, Anne, and his mother were the only family members who knew their secret. The mothers jumped out of their seats, cried, fussed, and carried on over Cassie's condition. Jocelyn clapped with joy and Mr. Chambers blustered something nonsensical at the news of becoming a grandfather.

"Shame on you two for keeping this a secret. Why did not you tell us?" asked Mrs. Chambers.

"Well, in truth, we wanted to wait until Cassie fully recovered and Dr. Ainsworth could assure us all was well. Cassie was enceinte before the accident."

"Oh, dear heavens!" exclaimed Cassie's mother. "Thank the Good Lord for miracles. You could have lost the child."

He watched Cassie's pink cheeks turn white, and William was immediately incensed at his mother-in-law's insensitive comment. "We would prefer not to think of what could have happened, since it did not. Cassie and the babe are perfectly fine."

"Of course not, it is just that I am her mother. I should have known. She might have needed me."

"I am fine, Mother. I am alive. Our baby is well. Dr. Ainsworth said I can expect a healthy delivery."

Mrs. Chambers dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes. "Yes, dear, I am just so happy for you."

The conversation turned to babies and nurseries until the ladies made their excuses and left the gentlemen to their port.

"Do you have one of those fancy cigars boy?" asked Mr. Chambers.

William smiled. The reverend loved cigars, but he would catch hell for it later. "Are you quite brave enough to smoke one with your wife present?"

"She can fuss all she wants. I am going to be a grandfather. A man only becomes a grandfather for the first time once. A celebration is in order, and a cigar is the perfect way to celebrate."

They laughed, and William sent a footman to fetch cigars. They took their smokes to the veranda off of the study. The cool, night air was exactly what his heated body needed. Seeing his wife flushed in pink beneath the candlelight did more to his lower regions than he thought possible. He could not wait to retire for the evening.

They finished their cigars and joined the ladies in the drawing room. William made his way to Cassie's side, bowed and took her hand. "My lady, may I have a private word with you?"

"Yes, my lord."

They walked arm in arm over to the far end of the room. "You are looking tired, my dear. I do not want to overtire you. I think we should retire early."

Amusement flashed in the deep green pools of her eyes. She playfully slapped him on the arm. "Silly man, I am not the least bit tired. You worry too much."

"Oh, but I am certain you are exhausted. Too much so to stay a moment longer. We should make our excuses, and I should carry you up to
bed
."

Awareness dawned in her eyes. "Oh, yes, I
am
feeling a bit tired, now that you mentioned it. Too much excitement over dinner. Perhaps it would be best if I allowed you to carry me to
bed
." She joyously laughed, and his heart burst with happiness.

They stayed for another quarter of an hour before they made their exit, then practically racing up the stairs, and fell onto the bed laughing, kissing, and tugging at each other's clothes.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cassie pushed against William's chest. "Wait."

"Wait?"

"Yes, wait. We have had precious little time alone. I think we should talk first."

William groaned and Cassie laughed. He was so hard he was near to bursting, and she wanted to talk. They had the rest of their lives to talk. They had all day tomorrow to talk.
Why now?

He watched her bottom as she sashayed over to a chair and sat down."Poor me a glass of wine, darling."

Wine. She wants wine and talk. He walked over to the sideboard and poured two glasses of wine. Perhaps they could talk fast. He handed Cassie a glass and sat down in the seat opposite of her. "What would you like to
talk
about, sweetings?"

The laughter drained from her face. "You are angry."

"I am frustrated.
Sexually
frustrated."

Cassie's cheeks went from rosy to white then back to rosy. "Oh."

Now it was William's turn to laugh. "I am going to make love to you tonight, Cassie. I plan to explore every inch of you over and over again. You will not get much sleep." William swirled his wine in his glass then took a swallow.

"Oh." She reddened.

His wife looked like an angel. No, she looked like a goddess sitting on the large cushioned green chair with her feet tucked beneath her pink silk gown. Cassie leaned against the arm of the chair, and her bosom pushed over the tops of her bodice. She appeared relaxed and stunning. She took a sip from her glass then licked her lips.

He experienced pain in his lower region, and he worked hard to tamp down his lust. He might need to order a cold bath, or to go take a dip in the lake. She deserved a thorough loving, that was long and slow, and perfect. He would do his damndest to give it to her even if it killed him.

"How will we spend our days here at Rosehill Manor?" she asked.

"Hmm..."

"I am serious."

"I know. We still have several rooms to furnish and decorate, including the nursery. I suppose we will need to interview for a wet nurse and nanny."

"I will nurse my own baby, but I do suppose we need a nanny. I want to decorate the nursery in yellow. A child's room should be bright and cheery."

"Nurse your own child? That is beyond the pale, you know. My mother will have a serious case of the vapors when she finds out."

She laughed and her entire face became animated. He loved her smile. A perfect set of white teeth accompanied her luscious pink lips.
Talk.
She wanted to talk. "And there is estate business. I, I mean,
we
, own a great deal of farm land. We should get to know our tenants, find out their needs, and begin establishing community relationships."