“’Tis a large place, Trick. A fine home for the Quality—surely not the likes of us…”
“You’re every bit as entitled to a fine home as anyone, Jane.” Adalyn stood. “In fact, more entitled by virtue of your character than half the nobility I’ve run into. And I probably wouldn’t care much for the other half, either.” She nodded firmly to make her point.
“Very well then.” Jane let Trick pull her to her feet. “We accept, Mr Giles.”
The resounding cheer came from all throats, and for the rest of the morning, not a single bit of work got accomplished at Wolfbridge.
ChapterThree
The marriage of Trevallyn Jones and Jane Barnsley took place on a sunny but cold morning at the Church of St. Polycarp, not far from Wolfbridge Manor. Both bride and groom were happy to keep the event a private one, so only the families attended. It was a wonderfully simple ceremony, and both Jane and Trick smiled throughout.
Mrs Barnsley was heard to say that she’d always known Trick for a smart lad, and Lady Adalyn was observed wiping a tear away at the “I do’s”.
The following week, St. Polycarp’s was filled to bursting as everyone in the area gathered to witness the marriage of Lady Adalyn of Wolfbridge to Mr Daniel Fitzroy of Nordean Swale. This time around, the pews were crowded, not only with Barnsleys and the Wolfbridge residents but also the neighbours, villagers, farmers and others who had come to know her Ladyship, and especially Daniel. His years at Wolfbridge had gained him many friends, each of whom expressed both joy at his nuptials and sadness at his upcoming departure.
It was a time of great delight, gatherings, parties and celebrations, and coming right before Christmas, there seemed to be an extra festive glow over everything.
Adalyn sighed as she and Daniel bid the revellers good night, amidst jests, insinuations and a fair number of crude comments about their night to come.
“It’s only to be expected,” she laughed, and waved from the landing to those in the hall.
“Yes, but honestly, my love. I refuse to name our first child after Farmer Dowling’s prize bull.”
“Oh no, really?” She raised her eyebrows. “And I was just thinking Arbuthnot would be a perfect name for our firstborn.”
Daniel’s gaze lingered on her low-cut gown. “We have to create that child first. Let’s get to it.” He swept her off her feet, to the cheers of the crowd below.
“We are of the same mind, I see,” she chuckled as he carried her to her room. “However, ’tis fitting you should carry me over the threshold, husband.”
He caught his breath. “My wife. I may need to take a moment to absorb the enormity of it all.”
He set her down and kissed her, a lingering loving caress involving lips, tongue and hands.
She drew back and looked down at his breeches. “I think it’ll take me more than a moment to absorbthatenormity…”
He laughed. “Then we must waste no time.” He shrugged out of his coat and unbuttoned his waistcoat as Adalyn removed the pins and flowers from her hair and loosened her cuffs. “Let me help, love.”
He stood behind her and unlaced her gown, easing it from her shoulders and letting it slide to the floor. “It was chilly in the church. Were you warm enough?” His words sounded casual but his touch—ah, his touch lit fires within her, even though they were gentle and merely brushing the bare skin he revealed.
She unfastened the tie of her chemise and felt him push that from her shoulders as well, leaving her naked but for an extra petticoat that had kept her legs warm.
He’d asked a question, but she’d lost track of the conversation when he’d bared her skin.
“Ah, Adalyn,” his breath dusted her spine as he tugged off his clothing. She heard his boots hit the floor and then saw his breeches fly across the room.
His hands were hot, like fire against her breasts as he reached around her and cupped them, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples in the way he knew she favoured.
She let the petticoat fall to the ground and leaned back, seeking his body, doing her own share of caresses as she rubbed her buttocks against his hardness. “Take me, Daniel. Any way you want. I’m yours now. Truly yours. Use me as you would a wife…”
She turned to see the blaze of the fire reflected in his eyes, dazzling her.
He seized her and tumbled them both onto the large bed. “I can’t use you, Adalyn, wife or no. All I can do is love you with everything I am.”
“That’s all I ask…” She stretched beneath him, parting her thighs, offering her body, an invitation he would never refuse.
The look on his face was pure, delightful wickedness. “Arbuthnot…get ready…”
*~~*~~*
