ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense) (86 page)

S
arah was cleaning
the evening dishes when Stephen found her later.

“Oh good, you’re not sleeping," he said, causing her to jump slightly at the sound. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

With a sigh, Sarah stepped back and wiped her hands on her towel before turning toward Stephen. In truth she had been so busy tidying up that she hadn’t even heard him come in. She had a quick and efficient system for every aspect of her job from drapes to the dishes. She had been drying the last plate when he came to see her. She was exhausted and really just wanted to go to sleep. She was sure the faint smudges showed like bruises beneath each eye. “Can I help you, Stephen?”

“I just came to talk and see how you are,” he responded, moving over to sit at the table.

“Okay, talk,” Sarah said, too tired to worry overmuch about manners. She took the seat across from him, resting her sore arms on the cool surface.

“I have a proposition for you,” he said, causing her breathing to catch and her face to contort. “Oh, no not like that,” he rushed to explain reaching out to touch her hand.  "I found out what the story around town about where you went after I left and I heard for myself what my mother and sisters call you. I want to make up for what they’ve done.  I would like to give you a debut of sorts, this Saturday.”

“But, I don’t have any money, and…”

“Before you object I will pay for this with money from my inheritance. You deserve a debut Sarah and it’s time you got one. Saturday’s ball is a masquerade so no one will even know it’s you. We can arrive before my family who, if I remember correctly, are always unbearably late so you can still be properly introduced. This will let suitors find you. Hopefully by the end of the night you will have at least one and will be well on your way to getting out of this house.”

Sarah bowed her head, hating it here, but not liking the idea of leaving Stephen so soon after reuniting with him one bit.

“Hey, it’s okay. We will not lose each other.” He said as if he sensed her thoughts.

That was a good thing to hear considering the strange attachment she seemed to have with him. Every time she saw him, she got nervous and could swear he could hear her heart beat, see her pulse in her neck and smell her nervous anticipation. Sarah wanted nothing more than to kiss his neck, throat, lips, savor his taste on her tongue. It was a feeling that simultaneously terrified and excited her. She couldn’t get enough of the feeling, she was starting to crave it.

“Okay, but I have nothing to wear.”

“I spoke with your friend Emily today,” Sarah leaned forward with that news. “She agreed to escort you to buy whatever you need. Like I said, I will pay for this debut and we will worry about what comes next when we know what that is.”

Tired, unable to believe her luck and desperately worried that the strange new feelings she had for Stephen would soon overwhelm her, Sarah stood up. “Sounds like a plan, now can I go to sleep?”

“Yes, but in my bed.” He said, standing also. Sarah was shocked to her core and she knew it showed on her face. She blinked trying to determine if she had imagined it and was even now dreaming, until Stephen blushed deeply and stuttered. “Again not like that, I’ll sleep down here tonight and you can sleep in my room. It will be much warmer there.” He finished lamely and shuffled his feet.

Sarah tried to breathe and gather her wits. “Stephen, I’m used to sleeping on the floor, I don’t need a bed.”

“And I’m used to sleeping on rocks, the bed would feel weird,” Stephen countered already turning to leave, as if the conversation was over.

“Like I said not necessary but appreciated. Now, I would like to turn in.”

“We can discuss taking turns after the ball, but right now you have circles under your eyes the size of grapes which will not do for a lady of quality.” He patted her on the back and Sarah was sure she didn’t imagine it when his hand lingered a little too long, and slipped a little too low.

“Fine, as long as we can discuss this again later.”

“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening here?” Stephen asked, just as Sarah was turning to leave the room.

“I didn’t want to bother you with something so foolish, plus the letter would have never made it to you.”

“It was hardly foolish, Sarah. You were being treated as a maid with no wages, that’s abusive. And that name they call you!”

“Cinderella.”

“I’m sure you could have gotten word to me, slipped in a line somewhere. Why in your last letter did you make it seem as if the nickname was a good one, instead of a mock like it was?”

“You were at war. I was trying to lighten your spirit. Nothing I said was untrue, I supported them and they kept me in this house instead of casting me out. They gave me a nickname, yes not a very nice nickname, but how was I to know you wouldn’t be the same as them? Four years had passed, you could have been a hard hearted person by then. I dreamed of you coming back and saving me somehow and I didn’t want that dream ruined by the idea of you not being the kind person you once were.”

“What made me the same was the thought of you happy and becoming the beautiful woman that you are, that my family were safe while I was off fighting, risking my life so they wouldn’t have to. Your letters helped with that, so whatever the reason for not being one hundred percent truthful, I can at least give you the knowledge that you helped this soldier find the strength to come home.”

With that, Sarah left the room for bed and Stephen settled down on the floor by the fire. Both were wondering what the next day would bring.

The next morning, with Stephen as an escort, Sarah walked toward Charlie’s to meet with Emily, whom she hadn’t seen in years. Suddenly she heard a squeal and a pale pink clad bundle bounced right into her arms. “Emily!” she shouted, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Why didn’t you ever call on me, I would have dropped everything to help.” Emily’s eyes were wet and a pout was on her lips.

Sarah did not wish to further distress her friend. “Don’t worry about that now, we have some shopping to do.” They went arm and arm towards the shops.

Emily swept into the first shop with the grace of a Greek goddess. Madam Delassio, a plump Frenchwoman with long loose hair and sharp dark eyes, lit up upon seeing who was visiting, “Lady Emily, who is this beautiful creature you brought me? What do you need from me?”

“This is my dearest friend Lady Sarah. She needs the most perfect dress for the masquerade ball on Saturday.”

“That does not give me much time to make one of my masterpieces. No time at all in fact if the ball is tomorrow.”

“Do you have anything on standby she could use? It’s really important.”

“All I have left are my mannequin dresses. If one fits her she can purchase it at a premium.”

“The Madam is world renowned for her artistic genius in designing the most unique and magnificent gowns every season,” Emily said, glowing with pride.

Right behind them was a white multi-layered dress with silver accoutrements. Sarah stood in awe. “Can we try that one first?” she asked, shyly.

“Of course, of course,” Madam Delassio said, clapping her hands for a ladies maid.

After putting on the dress it was perfect. Perfect fit, perfect look, just everything. It was definitely the dress and with a little luck, this dress would get her a husband. Even though, what she really wanted was someone a whole lot closer by her side. Would Stephen like this? Would he ever see her as a woman instead of a kid, a sister?

“We also need two walking dresses and an evening gown. We're in a rush for those too, but not necessarily today.” Emily said.

“Perfect, let me show you my fashion plates,” Madam Delassio said, pulling them over to her circular table on one side of the room. While Emily discussed fabrics, lace, whether the neckline was too high or low on each dress and what size skirt would be more fashionable, Sarah let her mind drift. Out of the two of them, Sarah had always been the least interested in fashion. Now even more so with her mind turned to other things. She knew that she could easily fall in love with Stephen. What she really wasn’t sure of was whether her heart would be safe with him. And whether he even returned her affections. She thought, judging by the way he listened to her, looked at her, that some feelings might be forming but what of those feelings.

Sarah’s father had always liked Stephen, had even offered to buy him a commission which Stephen declined. Stephen wanted to fight and learn the front line before moving up in the ranks. He wanted to do it himself not using someone else’s money or influence. He wanted to earn the title his own father had left him.

When they left the store, they were armed with the dress for tomorrow and ready for the next store. They continued on to buy gloves, shoes and the perfect mask to go with her dress; a beautiful swan complete with plumes of feathers. In every store Sarah fit perfectly in the model pair of shoes, gloves and the mask by the window, requiring no returns to the shop to pick anything up. By the end of the day, Sarah was more than a little tired and overwhelmed, so used to staying confined inside while cleaning the house.

“
A
re you ready to go
, Sarah?” Stephen asked from his stance at the bottom of the stairs. She looked absolutely beautiful, breathtaking, in her snow white multi-layered gown with swan-like appearance. Just then she covered her most beautiful feature, her face, with a filigreed white mask with plumes of feathers coming off the corners. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he needed to make her his.

He realized this with a start, hardly believing the direction his thoughts were going. Sarah was his sister. Actually no, Sarah wasn’t his sister but he had known her since she was small. He had left her while she grew up. Technically he wasn’t his sister, did that make this any more right? His feelings were real. If it was just a fling he was after then he would swallow his manly ways and keep his trousers buttoned. But he could picture them in front of the preacher, her quickening with his seed, them both holding their children and growing old together. He couldn’t imagine her even dancing with someone else, never mind spending the rest of her life with them. But could he tell her? Could he risk losing her just so he could have one chance at happiness?

Sarah descended the stairs toward Stephen’s outstretched hand, ready to take her and never let her go. She took it up and turned toward him at the bottom. “You look absolutely radiant this evening, I don’t know who will be courting you but they could never be good enough for you.” Stephen said, in earnest, knowing he did not even deserve to have someone so beautiful on his arm.

“Oh, enough of that, I’m sure I’ll be happy enough just to have one suitor vying for my attention, let’s not talk as if there will be droves.”

That was one of Stephen’s favorite things about her, she didn’t put on airs or think she was worth more than she was. Quite the opposite, she thought she wasn’t good enough, a trait that both warmed and broke Stephen’s hearts at the same time.

“Shall we be going then?” Stephen asked, after clearing his throat so he didn’t accidentally spill out
I am the one you should be with.
If Sarah found someone else, someone more worthy than he, he would let her go if he had to. He refused to take any risk that Sarah would end up with his mother and sisters again if something happened to him.

“Ready, my good sir,” she responded cheekily.

Hand in hand they travelled over to the carriage, Stephen helping her up before following behind and sitting across from her behind the driver’s seat. At first there was silence as Stephen tried to think of an amusing thing to say. “Do you have any accomplishments, Sarah?”

“Accomplishments?”

“Yes they are rather important for a young lady, sewing, music, the like.”

“I know what accomplishments are, I’m just surprised at the sudden turn in conversation.”

“I was just thinking that if you find suitors they would want to know what your accomplishments are,” never mind his own curiosity on the subject.

“I clean, I sew; although not embroidered pillows like most would expect. I also sing.”

Stephen perked up at that, imagining her low melodic voice wrapped up in a song. Surely she was an alto. “Sing something short for me, I am curious as to your sound.”

“Okay, let me think.”

“Is that good enough?” she asked when finished. Brilliant absolutely brilliant, her sweet timber caused a trance while listening to her. So beautiful was her voice that he was in a daze until he noticed her staring at him.

“That was breathtaking Sarah,” he said, causing her to blush “Truly I forgot everything we were talking about before that moment.”

“Accomplishments,” she quipped a smile in her voice.

“Ah yes, well you have music covered so well I don’t think anyone will care that you did dishes and mopped floors for a living. I certainly don’t”

“Stephen you tease me!” she said, tapping him on the shoulder with her fan.

“Believe me, I am in earnest. Any man who isn’t driven to distraction by your music alone is most definitely not worthy of you.” He realized they had arrived at their destination. Alighting first so he could help Sarah down, he couldn’t help but notice the pretty turn of her calf as her dress allowed a quick view. By the blush that lit up young Sarah’s face she had noticed as well. They pair headed towards the doors of the well lit mansion getting into line with the other guests. They were on time by regular standards, which meant late to anyone who could read the time on an invitation.

They stood in the slight mud, Sarah in her dirty half kid boots with a bag containing her shoes in Stephen’s hand. If he had any say in it she would never be forced to carry a thing in her life, not that she would allow such foolishness.

In the entryway to the room Sarah sat to change her shoes and accepted a cup of tea. Although the other men were already gathered across the room talking politics or whatever it was they spoke of, Stephen refused to leave her side. At this rate how was she supposed to find a suitor when the one of her dreams was right beside her. After changing her shoes, Sarah laid aside the cup and her belongs and stood, straightening her dress and mask upon doing so.

Stephen stared at her transfixed just wanting this night to be over so he could whisk her away into his arms. They made their way up the opulent stairs and into the main hall where the dancing was already underway. The couples were beautiful as they moved in a quadrille. Each one more mysterious than the last in their masks. Just after being announced, a man approached Sarah to dance the Scottish Reel. Watching them together, even with his holding her at a respectable distance was excruciating for Stephen. As soon as that dance was done and the next dance, the waltz, came on Stephen swooped in, ready to claim her in at least one way tonight. After several minutes just staring down at her he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Sarah I love you.”

Sarah looked up at him in beaming disbelief.

“I don’t want you to marry someone else, I want to marry you.”

“I want to marry you too.”

As the dance ended, Stephen spun her around and whispered in her ear, "Make towards the ladies room but wait at the end of the hall, I will be right up." He tapped her on the bottom to emphasize his point and she scurried away in the direction he ordered.

Stephen on the other hand, found Cooper.

“So that is the beautiful Lady Sarah,” Cooper said with a smile.

“That is the undeniably beautiful Sarah,” Stephen said, crossing his arms and regarding another beautiful lady in the room.

“So what do you think of Lady Emily?”

“I think she is beautiful and not one of these ninny headed debutantes you’re usually after.”

With that, Stephen was ready to meet his beautiful love down the hall. He walked towards where he sent her. Upon seeing her, looked into a parlor to make sure it was empty before pulling her inside and into his arms.

Stephen used the tip of his nose to skim her cheek as he inhaled the scent of her skin, taking his time, his warm breath tickling the corner of her mouth. He moved his hand to her throat, feeling her pulse raise, his hand hot as he cupped the side of her neck then kissed her earlobe. Then he kissed her bottom lip, nibbling so gently she could barely feel it.

“
Stephen,”
she moaned. At her voice he slid his arms behind her back and under her bottom before lifting her onto the settee. Pressing her down gently with the full length of his body, he whispered again, “I love you,” before gathering up her skirts around her waist, pausing at what he found there. She wasn’t wearing any drawers! Right away he stroked her creamy white thigh, making light circles ever closer to her warm center. Sarah squirmed beneath him as if ticklish, but her next words showed off her anticipation, “Stephen, please, touch me,” she nearly gasped out like she couldn’t get enough oxygen.

“All in good time my love,” he said, moving to the next inner thigh to continue his languid circles, fighting to keep his outward calm while inside all he wanted to do was claim her as his. Patience had never been one of his virtues, but he must use all of it that he had to make this perfect for Sarah. He didn’t want to scare her away from him right after admitting their feelings.

Finally, he reached her springy curls and cupped her mound, causing Sarah’s back to bow up off the surface of the settee. He leaned forward for a gentle kiss, trying to pour all his feelings into it as he slipped a finger slowly inside her. He body clenched around the intrusion at first then her core melted as he gently pressed deeper.

Once her body had adjusted Stephen deepened the kiss matching the actions of his tongue with those of his finger deep inside her. Her warm honey began to coat her and drip out until his hand was soaked, just begging for a taste. Moving out of her arms and soothing her protests he did exactly that. He pushed her knees wider as he settled between her legs looking at the beauty opening up before him. Still moving his finger inside her, he slowly leaned forward and took her small nub into his mouth, before sucking and licking it. Stephen was in total rapture when in that moment Sarah exploded around his finger, softly crying out and writhing in ecstasy. He slowly pulled his finger out of her and lapped up her juices like a man dying of thirst before cleaning his hand in much the same way. He reached for his trousers, ready to claim her as his own before gazing at the exhausted face of his love. Instead he prowled back up the sofa to a sleepy Sarah, her eyes already half closed though still sparkling with her love for him. He flipped them so she was on top, pillowed on his chest, before kissing her on the forehead. Sarah’s eyes blinked open again for a moment and a smiled played across her features.  

“I love you,” Stephen said in complete reverence.

Just before she fell asleep, an exhausted Sarah whispered back, “I love you too.”

Stephen only allowed Sarah ten minutes of sleep before waking her up in the stranger’s parlor, straightening her clothes and calling them the carriage. The next morning Sarah stretched awake, feeling more content than she had in years and wishing that Stephen could be here beside her. He said today was the day they would speak to his mother. Both Sarah and Stephen wanted to be married as soon as possible, although she suspected part of the reason for Stephen was because of life under this roof. She wasn’t sure if she was okay with that: she would rather he be free to love for real, then forced to marry. But Stephen was determined to share their plans with his family today. Maybe when they were married she could be sure about their path, until then she would be cautiously optimistic. She gathered her things and got dressed, still amazed that Stephen allowed her to stay in his room. Would that change after last night? Would he not want to share with her now that he’d had his way with her?

“How dare you go to the ball without my permission last night!” Christina harped, immediately setting upon Sarah when she entered the morning room. “It is such an embarrassment to have suitors coming to call without my knowledge as to why they would appear at all. You did not have permission to leave this house, never mind go to a party. What were you thinking?”

“I gave her permission to go,” boomed Stephen, entering the room they were in. He leaned over and gave Sarah’s hand a squeeze of support before taking a seat in the armchair.

“What were you thinking giving your permission for something without my say so? What will people think after she’s been gone for four years?” Christina started pacing the room.

“They will think you are a liar and a cheat for keeping Sarah locked up without anyone knowing what really happened. For making her clean the house so you could save money on maid service and keep her under your thumb. They will think it’s despicable that you are having a viscount’s daughter dress as a scullery maid and clean when she has more money than you do.” He stood up and stood in front of the still pacing Christina. “What kind of guardian treats their ward the way that you have been? What kind of person lies and says that someone is bedridden when they are not? I took her to the ball so she could find a suitor and get out of this house. What I never imagined is that I would come up with a new plan.”

Stephen crossed over to Sarah’s side and took her hand in his. “I have asked Sarah to marry me and she has agreed. We are going to announce it in the paper tomorrow.”

So soon? She had no idea that he was this serious about her. Her heart started to pound at the thought, maybe this all was possible after all.

“No way will I give my permission for you to get married,” Christina said in a shrill voice, her hand grabbing her throat in shock like she was having trouble breathing. “You need my permission until she is nineteen years old. She’s only sixteen.”

“And you will give your permission unless you want everyone to find out exactly what has been going on in this house. Unless you want everyone to find out that the injury that Sarah had wasn’t even real. She has been a slave in this house for the past four years since the viscount died. All this dirt on you will come out if you stop two people in love from being together.”

“But you’re siblings,” Christina shouted, grasping at straws.

“Only by marriage, it may seem different to the outside world but it’s no worse then when people marry their cousins, something that happens all the time in the aristocracy. We love each other, we are not related, and we are going to be together no matter what you say.”

“I can send her away,” Christina said, smiling at her new brilliant plan.

“Where? She has no other relatives,” Stephen reasoned, knowing for a fact that this ‘family’ was the only one she had.

“She can go to finishing school,” Daphne chimed in. Stephen whirled around, not knowing they had an audience. How long had she been standing there? How much did his sisters know? He felt as if he couldn’t trust a single member of his family. He suddenly realized that besides Sarah he really had no one. This thought made their marriage even more important to him.