“No. We are leaving. But you will reap what you sow, daughter. You should never turn your back on family,” he angrily warned.
Beatrice quirked an amused brow.
“We are not family. Remember?”
“Take them,” Algernon commanded the guards, and without another word, Simon, Elspeth, and Verity turned away and moved toward the doors, the guards closely following them.
“Are you all right, my love?” Algernon asked, turning to her as soon as the three were gone.
Beatrice smiled as she turned to him and reached up to cup my cheek.
“Perfect,” she replied, and meant it. “It feels… over now.”
“It is,” Algernon vowed. He cupped her cheeks and leaned down until they were face to face and whispered, “I am so proud of you.”
Warmth tingled up her spine, over her shoulders and into her heart.
“Thank you, husband,” she breathed. “I think I am proud of me too.”
Algernon nodded, a slow smile forming on his lips.
“You should be,” he whispered and then sweetly kissed her lips.
Turning in Algernon’s arms so that her back was to his chest, Beatrice took a long look around the reception hall. She took in her friends, her new acquaintances, the numerous families Algernon and Henry shared business with, and decided it was time to go.
The ceremony had been beautiful. Her dress, thanks to Henry, was immaculate, and the reception, save for the brief visit from Simeon, had been warm and full of laughter. Now, though, she wanted her life with Algernon to truly begin.
“Take me home, husband,” she sighed, reveling in the way Algernon was nuzzling into her neck. “Make me your wife ineveryway.”
She felt Algernon’s lips form into a smile then he placed a kiss on her neck. It was small, but even so, it sent tiny lightning bolts through her waiting body.
“Let us take our leave then,” Algernon whispered back, “Henry can handle the lingering guests.”
Despite her excitement, Beatrice felt a tremor of anxiety run down her spine as she looked at herself in the mirror. Algernon had seen her naked before, but it seemed different now—more important than ever that she appealed to him.
She combed her fingers through her curls then arranged them over her breasts to provide a small covering. Then her eyes dipped down further, and she blushed, wondering if she was actually bold enough to carry out the plan in her head.
“Beatrice?” Algernon’s voice came muffled through the closed door. “Is all well, my love?”
Beatrice smiled at herself in the mirror. That is what Algernon called her now, and she loved it. She could hear the longing and worry in his deep voice, and it smoothed over some of the sharp edges of her nerves.
“I am perfect,” she called back, turning away from the mirror. “I shall be right out.”
She waited until she heard his footsteps move away then after taking a steadying breath, she opened the door and stepped into Algernon’s bedroom. He’d closed the curtain, blocking out the sun that still sat in the sky, and he had lit the fireplace and candelabras, filling the room with a warm, soft yellow glow.
Her breath hitched as she found Algernon leaning against the foot of his bed—theirbed—naked save for his trousers. He looked up as he heard the door open, and when she heard his breath hitch and saw the way his eyes widened as he took her in, she knew she made a good decision in her boldness.
“Oh, my love,” he breathed, his gaze slowly moving down the length of her naked curves. He drew the corner of his bottom lip between his teeth and shook his head. “You spoil me.”
A smile of relief spread across Beatrice’s lips, and she relaxed just a little as she walked as confidently as she could to her new husband. Her body hummed at the thought.Her new husband.Not Henry but Algernon. The man she truly wanted, yearned for, and loved.
As if he could not wait, Algernon shoved away from the foot of the bed and quickly closed the space between them. His large arms wrapped around her, encasing her with warmth, and they both let out a wanting moan before their lips even touched.
“Mrs. Sheer is still at the reception, correct?” Algernon groaned between kisses.
Beatrice let out a throaty laugh as their lips pressed and parted needily. Mrs. Sheer had crowed with happiness when they announced their engagement to the staff, but she taken it upon herself to be Beatrice’s true chaperone in the week leading up to their wedding. There had been no continuing of lessons, no sleeping in one another’s arms as they’d once discussed. The matron of the estate had seen to that by taking a seat outsideBeatrice’s door every night, and while Beatrice sometimes overheard Algernon threatening to dismiss her if she did not allow him in, the older woman still refused.
“Yes, I think so,” Beatrice panted then moaned as Algernon’s hand slipped down her back and toward her cheeks, grasping them tightly.