With words of love and endearments whispered into his ear, she claimed his heart.
Opening herself up to him freely and enthusiastically, she claimed his soul.
This time was different from the ones that had come before because this time was marking a beginning. The beginning of a new life together with no one to interfere. She was relaxed and joyous as she accepted her role in their lives: equal partner. No matter what challenges the future brought, they would face them together.
She was more than ready for him when he slid inside her, filling her with the wonder of him. The gentleness he managed even though she could feel the tenseness in his muscles, his need to conquer and possess. “I love you,” she said on a sigh.
He groaned low, his arms quivering as he held himself over her but buried his face against her neck. “I’ll never tire of hearing that, Vivi. Or saying it back. I love you more than life.”
He withdrew, then thrust forward, once again filling her. Over and over, withdraw, thrust. And each time her muscles closed around him, needing, wanting, to keep him near, within her, where he belonged.
Pressing on his shoulders, she urged him to roll off her. When he did, she immediately straddled him, positioned his cock, and slid down over it, not stopping until he was enveloped to the hilt, taking him deeper than he’d ever been before. His growl reverberated around them, filling her with such joy.
While he kneaded her breasts, she began moving against him, up and down, up and down, never leaving him completely free of her. She watched his face, the increasing hunger in his eyes, as though this journey was what he wanted, what he feared. Losing sight of himself.
But he’d never lose sight of himself as long as he could view himself through her eyes.
Continuing to slide up and down the length of him, she lowered herself enough to press her mouth to his, to be greeted with such welcome that her heart soared. A lifetime spent with this man would never be enough. He moved his hands to her hips, cradling them, guiding her movements, his hips thrusting upward whenever hers dropped down. They were moving in tandem, each enhancing the other’s pleasure.
The sensations began spiraling, taking her to the edge, their breathing growing harsher, their movements more frenzied. She teetered at the ledge, and when she jumped from it into the abyss of ecstasy, he followed, their cries mingling, their names on each other’s lips a benediction, an affirmation of their love.
And a heart that had once been shattered found itself whole once again.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
While the laughter of children echoed from the back gardens, Lavinia walked down the front steps to greet their latest visitors as the carriage came to a halt. A footman opened the door and Angela scrambled out, followed by her mother.
“Auntie Vivi,” her daughter cried as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her waist. Or tried to. Lavinia had been increasing for several months now.
She skimmed her hands over the child’s head, taking care not to mess the two braids that fell on either side of her head and were secured together with a ribbon at the back. “Hello, sweetheart. Are you ready for your lesson?”
Finn had begun teaching her how to ride.
Releasing her hold, she bobbed her head enthusiastically.
“Go on over to the paddock, then.” They had more than a dozen horses now. “Your uncle Finn is waiting for you.”
As she scampered off, Lavinia greeted Angela’s mother by entwining their arms and following the lass they both loved. “Fanny.”
“It looks like that little one is going to be coming any day now.”
“Not for two more months.” She pressed her shoulder to her dearest friend’s. “He’s doing an awful lot of kicking though, so he might come early.”
“What a wonderful thing that must be to feel.”
“Perhaps he’ll get active while you’re here.” Fanny had been so joyful when she’d learned that Lavinia was with child. She shared the experience with her as much as possible.
“Good progress being made on the new house,” Fanny said.
Lavinia looked toward the framed structure that was being built within the shadow of the residence that had been erected for them two years earlier. It had the hundred bedchambers Finn had promised, as would the second. They’d hired an extensive staff to see after the children. “We’re overflowing, so we’ll move all the boys into it when we’re finished. We’ll have a residence for the boys and one for the girls. And over there”—she pointed to vacant land where a few horses grazed—“we’re going to build a school. The local children can attend as well.”
“What a fine thing that will be. I read your latest article on the merits of not ostracizing women who give birth out of wedlock. You made some persuasive arguments.”
“I have a publication coming out next month addressing the inadequate laws when it comes to children.” Then she would be speaking to Parliament. She was becoming known for her work as a social reformer.
They came to a stop near Angela, who was standing on a fence railing, her hand slipping up beneath Sophie’s forelock as she petted the horse.
