Dance with Deception: Scandalous Secrets, Book 1 - Exclusive Edition (Scandalous Secrets - Exclusive Edition) (42 page)

Although the position was the same as their last encounter, nothing else was. On this night, she felt joined not just in body but in soul as well.

Straddling her husband, Gwen rocked back and forth, prolonging their release. They moved to the same harmonious rhythm until spontaneous tremors overtook them both.

Afterward, neither wanted to break free from the other. Still intimately joined, together they collapsed against the fluffy pillows. Sebastian then reached for the thick satin comforter and covered them.

Gwen buried herself within the contours of his glorious body. “Don’t let go,” she whispered.

“Never again,” he promised, tightening his embrace, his voice rough with emotion.

Hours later, Gwen awoke in her husband’s arms, his palm cupping her breast as relief washed over her. The emptiness she had felt during their last intimate encounter was nowhere to be found, replaced with love, pride, and an unbridled happiness.

She smiled then cuddled closer to him, drifting back to sleep in his arms, thankful to God for salvaging their marriage.

In the wake of malevolence, something good did survive.

Gwen awoke sometime before dawn, the thought of the day that loomed before her making it impossible for her to fall back to sleep.

Although the room was dark, moonlight trailed through a narrow opening in the drapes. She withdrew from her husband’s warm embrace, creeping out from underneath the heavy bedding before picking her robe up from the floor. Gwen shrugged into the warm garment, knotting the sash around her waist. The fireplace had since burned out, yet the room wasn’t as frosty as she expected. She snuggled in overstuffed chaise next to the bed with her legs wrapped underneath her.

She couldn’t have asked for a more breathtaking view.

Moonlight illuminated her husband’s flawless form as he slept. The sheet was pulled up to his waist, revealing the bronzed chest that just hours before she’d lovingly explored with her mouth and hands.

Her admiring gaze drifted upward toward his face where several strands of raven hair fell haphazardly over his eyes giving him a boyish appearance. A sweet smile touched the corners of his lips and Gwen wondered what he dreamt about.

Her heart was light, a dark cloud having been lifted overnight with a simple declaration of love and an admission of truths untold. It was amazing how suddenly one’s life could change both for the
worse and better. She’d experienced the bad and it made her appreciate special moments like this even more.

Secrets were so very intimidating. They festered into a mass larger than life. Once they were out of hiding, they were no longer menacing, no longer threatening.

Sebastian’s eyes fluttered open. His voice, husky from sleep, stirred her from her thoughts. “Come back to bed, Duchess.”

“I missed hearing you call me that.”

“I’ve missed calling you that.” Sebastian’s husky baritone caused her heartbeat to quicken.

He combed his long fingers through his wavy hair before leaning on his elbow. “You should be sleeping.”

“I know, but my mind won’t let me. I keep dreading the events to come.”

A lazy smile drifted across Sebastian’s full lips. “I know just what to do to take your mind off of things.”

“You do?” Her voice was sultry. “What might you have in mind?”

“Why don’t you join me and find out?”

“Oh, I like the sound of that.” She stood then leapt onto the mattress beside him.

Sebastian pulled her toward him then kissed the nape of her neck. “You’re overdressed.”

His warm hands traveled downward, inching the robe from her shoulders. He kissed her neck then traced a hot path down to her breasts. Gwen soon forgot all about the day ahead as her husband made magnificent love to her.

Afterward, Sebastian embraced her, kissing her head. “Are you certain we can leave for home today, after the service? Not that I haven’t enjoyed every minute we’ve spent in this bed, mind you.”

Her hand rested on his chest and she coiled a curly strand of chest hair between her fingers. Gwen sighed before she spoke, her tone contented. “Seeing as we have beds a plenty at home, I am most certain.”

“I love the way you think.” He caressed her shoulder.

“And I love you, Your Grace.” She kissed his chest before snuggling closer to him.

“That’s good, because you’re stuck with me for at least a lifetime.”

They managed a few more hours of sleep before tackling the day. Gwen awoke to Sebastian stroking her face with his fingertips.

“Are you certain that you want to do this?” Concern clouded his eyes. “No one would blame you for not going through with it.”

Gwen kissed the warm palm of his hand. “I want to go through with it. We will leave right after the service.”

“That is non-negotiable, Duchess.”

He sealed their treaty with a tender kiss.

Aided by their valet and maid, husband and wife dressed and joined Tristan for breakfast, before traveling to the service with Tristan in the Montgomery family coach.

Though the Duke and Duchess would depart for home directly following the service, Tristan would remain for a week or so to tie up some loose ends.
Not only did he have legal matters to handle in regards to his father’s estate, but he also had to take control of his father’s properties until Colin could be found.

Gwen looked out the window of the coach. Swirling gray clouds hovered yet no rain fell. “Do you think the weather will hold out?”

“I don’t know.” Sebastian shrugged. “Either way, we’re leaving today. The servants’ coach will be ready and waiting for us back at the manor.”

Gwen turned to face him. “Sebastian, we’ve already decided upon it.”

“I just don’t want you to change your mind.” His voice was thick with emotion.

She understood at last. Her husband wasn’t afraid that she’d change her mind about their departure; he was afraid that she’d change her mind about him, their marriage.

Glancing in her brother’s direction, she noted with relief that Tristan was engrossed in some legal papers that he brought with him.

“I love you with my very soul.” Her voice was soft and sincere as she leaned closer to her husband. “Nothing will change that.”

“My heart understands but my mind …” He closed his eyes.

Gwen cupped his chin with her gloved hands. “Please look at me.”

Sebastian obeyed, meeting her gaze.

“I’m so sorry that I hurt you,” she whispered, “and I’m sorry it took me so long to admit the whole sordid truth to you.”

“You don’t owe me an apology.”

Gwen couldn’t disagree more. “Yes, I do. I have tugged you about while I tackled one thing after another. First my father’s demand that I marry someone else, then his horrid admissions. Through it all, you waited for me.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to speak, but she hushed him. “I won’t change my mind, not now and not ever. For the first time in my life, I know my heart and it belongs to you completely.”

As she pressed her soft, full lips against his, Gwen could feel his fear dissipating. He kissed her as if he were offering his soul, which she was eager to accept.

The carriage slowed to a stop in front of the small church where Lachlan MacAlistair’s friends had gathered to honor the man they thought they knew. In truth, very few people knew him, Gwen thought as her husband offered his hand to help her alight from the sleek, black carriage.

Her reason for attending today became clear as Gwen spied someone who did indeed know her father.

She had someone to thank.

“I see someone I must speak with.” Her voice was soft as she addressed her husband. “Would you mind giving me a moment?”

“Take your time. I know you’re not going anywhere.” He winked at her. “I’ll be with Tristan if you need me.”

Gwen stood on her tiptoes then embraced him. “I love you so much.” She kissed her husband’s cheek then strode to her other savior.

Minnie Dunlop stood alone outside the stone
edifice. The expression on her thin face was distant until she noticed Gwen walking toward her. The frail, elder woman’s eyes seemed to radiate with recognition.

Standing inches from her father’s mistress, Gwen was devoid of ill will. Instead, relief washed over her.

“I know that this must be awkward for you, considering the relationship between you and … well, you know.” Gwen didn’t want to insult the woman by saying any more.

“Yes, I know all too well.” Minnie’s eyes clouded. “It saddens me that you know.”

Gwen released an exasperated sigh. Though this conversation was more awkward than she expected, she knew this would be her one chance. “Thank you, for what you did for me.”

The mature woman’s brow snapped together revealing her confusion.

“I know you refused to allow my betrothal to your son.” Gwen’s words hung in the damp air. She was thankful for their release. “In doing so, you saved my life.”

Minnie’s gray eyes grew watery. “I must admit that I was quite relieved to hear of your marriage. I hope you believe that I never wanted to hurt your family or your mother.”

“I choose to believe it.” In the wake of so much cruelty, Gwen gave Minnie Dunlop the benefit of the doubt.

“Your father wasn’t always like … well, the way he was before he died,” the frail woman said. “He loved your mother, but she hurt him. His anger
was all that remained to console him.”

Gwen found Minnie’s memories of Lachlan to be clouded, but kept her opinion to herself.

Her father’s mistress continued, her gray eyes sullen. “I blame myself for what happened to your father. If I hadn’t fought with him, forced him to travel to England, he never would have been at that inn.”

“If you hadn’t done so,” Gwen countered, “if he hadn’t taken me to England, he would never have relented in his plan for me to marry Keir. My husband was the only reason he gave up his sinful scheme.”

“I saw you arrive with your husband. His admiration for you is quite evident.” Keir’s mother glanced toward Sebastian.

Gwen never expected the woman before her to still care for her father, but it was quite evident that she did. Lachlan had pushed his own family away, but he left behind a lover and illegitimate son who would both grieve for him.

“Thank you again for helping me.” Gwen paused before adding, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

A pink tinge crept over the pale woman’s cheeks. “My condolences to your family.”

Gwen joined her husband and brother with her head held high, satisfied with the way she treated Keir’s mother. Minnie Dunlop appeared to be kind and decent. Surely, Lachlan MacAlistair did not deserve such a woman.

Both gentlemen ceased whispering as she approached.

“Are you all right?” Tristan’s voice was rough
with concern. “I can’t believe you spoke with that woman.”

Gwen studied her brother’s expression then her husband’s. Both accompanied her for the sole purpose of lending support and protection yet neither was necessary.

Not any longer.

Gwen placed her small hand in her brother’s large one. “That woman, as you called her, is the reason father took me to England.” Her expression was soft as she explained. “She refused to allow him to broker the union we all know would have been sinful.”

Her brother’s features gentled. “I didn’t realize.”

“Do you want to be here?” Gwen asked him.

“It’s only proper.” Her brother answered the way he thought she wanted him to.

Gwen turned to her husband. “I suppose you didn’t have time to notify him of our new family edict, the one about no more lies?”

“No,” Sebastian mused, “I didn’t get to that one yet. I was relaying edicts two through five first.”

Gwen’s tone was light, much like her heart for the first time in ages. “Gentlemen, it’s simple. We should not be here.”

Tristan’s face was a mask of confusion. “But you’re the reason we came in the first place.”

“I know but I said what I needed to, and in the process, realized something,” Gwen almost smiled at her brother’s exasperated expression. “Keir’s mother loved Lachlan. She misses him. It is she who belongs here, not us.”

Sebastian feigned concern. “But what will everyone think?”

“I honestly don’t care. Do either of you?” Gwen glanced at both men. They each shook their heads.

“Shall we depart then?” she asked.

“Thank the Lord you came to your senses.” Tristan squeezed his sister’s hand. “The last thing I wanted to do was be hypocritical in that church. I was afraid lightning would strike.”

“A storm is approaching,” Sebastian mused.

Once the Duke and Duchess were seated in their opulent carriage, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m so proud of you.”

Gwen remained silent, resting her head on his broad shoulder. They bid goodbye to Tristan in town where he had business to attend and his carriage was waiting.

Though Gwen knew her brother would join them in Northamptonshire soon, she missed him already.

Sebastian sensed her mood. “He will be home safe soon enough.”

Nodding, she placed her hand against his heart.

“You were magnificent today,” his hands lulled her by caressing her back. “I have one favor to ask of you since you refuse to be hypocritical. Please stop wearing your mourning clothes.”