Thank you again for all of the kind reviews, and your concerns regarding the appearance of Lord Rhys and his sister. Just keep in mind, I leave the over the top drama to Shonda & Co...MerDer in my fics stick together, and I will continue to write them as happy and passionate, so long as all of you out there continue to enjoy reading about that! I'm not going to go into how disappointed I am with the new season...let's just get into some hot sensual pleasure here!

Chapter Four
A Fiery Passion

After settling the Queen in her chambers for the night, and making sure that all of the young ladies in waiting were safely in their rooms as well, Meredith made her way along the now quiet corridors. She knew her way now to their suite of rooms without getting lost. Candles were burning in all the sconces, and the footmen were stationed at every branch of the many corridors at any rate, so she did not feel concerned. She hummed to herself, happy that the evening was coming to a close. They had made an exit from the festivities to spend some time with the children before Meredith had to see to the Queen, and they had been full of stories about their adventures in the gardens that afternoon. So far, it seemed to be going well, but many times she wished they were back home at Gracewood, without all of the other people around. Still, it was early in their time here, and the autumnal ball was still upcoming, so it would be awhile until they could be back home.

Hearing voices ahead of her, Meredith slowed her pace. It was unmistakeably masculine in tone, and then she heard a soft laugh of a woman. Some late night tryst, she realized, not wishing to intrude. Derek had been quite accurate in his assessment of the court – there were always plenty of romantic assignations going on. She peered around the corner, in time to see a broad male form standing over a slight female. He was speaking urgently to her, and Meredith couldn't make out who it was until he took a surreptitious glance over his shoulder. It was Lord Huntington, obviously not wasting any time to find companionship for the night. She ducked back quickly, not wishing to be seen, especially by that man. His manner was far too familiar; even though he tried to radiate a charming manner, she sensed he was the worst type of rake – a man who would enjoy seducing a woman just to see if he could.

After a few moments, she heard soft feminine laughter, before their footsteps moved on the stone floors, and then the close of the oak door signaled that they had taken their amorous adventure to the bedchamber. She gathered her skirts together, and hurried forward again, eager to find her own bed, where Derek was waiting for her. She put the thoughts of Lord Rhys and his unknown lady friend out of her mind as soon as she was out of earshot.

The footman outside their suite nodded at her, and held the door open for her. She gave him a quick smile before hurrying inside. The sitting area was quiet, the fireplace glowing to ward off the slight chill that pervaded the castle. Candles still glimmered in their bedchamber, she could see through the partially open door. The covers were pushed back on the bed, displaying the snowy white sheets and pillows. A smile curved her lips as she caught a glimpse of Derek's dark hair against the bedding, and she closed the door behind her. For a moment, she appreciated the sight...he was sprawled across the bed, his body half covered by the sheets. It gave her a tantalizing view of the muscles of his back, as he lay face down against the pillows. Toned and taut, the muscles flexed as he moved when he heard the door close. He rose up on one elbow, and gave her a lazy, seductive smile.

"Ah, there you are, love..." he murmured, pushing the covers back further, so that she could see he was indeed waiting for her as she had requested. "Is all well with the Queen?"

"Yes, she is settled in for the night, and all of the pretty young maids are abed, as far as that's worth," Meredith replied, pulling combs and pins from her hair as she walked towards the bed. It cascaded around her shoulders, catching the light from the myriad of candles around the room. She paused at the dressing table, and set them aside carefully. There would be no maid to assist her in undressing, Derek had made sure of that, needing to be alone with her. If she needed help, he was more than able to take care of her. Meredith unfastened the necklace, and put it aside in the small jewelery case on the dressing table, and he took the opportunity to come up behind her.

"Here..." he murmured, his fingers quickly undoing the row of buttons along the back of her gown. "I've been waiting patiently for you, but I want to see you out of this," he whispered against her ear. The heavy gown slid down her body, and she stepped away from it and gathered it in her arms.

"Let me put this aside for the maid to look after, it's far too beautiful to be wrinkled," she said, walking to the chaise where she laid it over the brocade seat. She turned back to Derek, who was watching her every move. Now only in the stockings and garters, with the thin chemise not hiding much of her skin, she was the vision of erotic decadence, and all he ever wanted. He held his hand out to her, and she glided towards him. Once she was close enough, he grasped the delicate material and pulled her against him, her back to his chest. Sliding his hands over the chemise, her breasts filled his palms, the nipples hardening against his touch. The sensation of silk over skin was erotic and her senses tingled in anticipation.

"You were the most beautiful woman there tonight..." he breathed, kissing her neck, pushing her hair aside. "And I was so proud that you are my wife...and so happy that we would be here like this at the end of the evening..." His hands slid lower, to cup her derriere and bring her against his already raging erection. His cock slid against the silk of her skin, and she moaned in appreciation as her eyes caught their reflection in the mirror at her dressing table. His hands roamed higher again, pushing the chemise upwards to expose her breasts bit by bit. Before she could lift the garment away, he ripped it impatiently and shivers raced down her spine. Derek's touch was knowingly confident of her response, of how her senses reacted to him. "You have others to replace that..." he muttered, completely unrepentant, needing to touch her skin. Having her was his addiction, like a hunger in his blood that only she could fill. And he was well aware that when they came together like this, it was the same compulsion and craving between them; a soaring, fiery, all consuming passion.

Meredith sucked in a tight breath, leaning back against him, gripping the long muscles of his thighs at the pleasure of his hands and fingers on her naked skin. His hands sculpted and caressed until her breasts were heavy and aching under his seductive touch. His fingers circled her tight nipples, then squeezed lightly so that she gasped. He bent his head, tracing the curve of her ear with his lips.

"Are you looking in the mirror?" he asked, loving the way she looked against him.

She raised her eyes to see them together again, his strong masculine presence behind them, as the light spilled over them, golden and flickering from the fire, muted and soft from the candles. Her breath suspended, her body all his, she watched as he watched her. Every touch, every brush of his fingertips across her taut skin made the ache in her core intensify. He knew just how to release that wild passion inside of her, which she had to keep reined in when they were apart.

"I know exactly what you are thinking, my love." Derek's voice was a dark rumble in her ear. "Between us there will always be the joining of senses and souls along with the physical joining...the combination is much more precious."

Meredith nodded, caught up in his voice as always. One of his hands slid lower, skimming over the curve of her hip towards the swollen folds of her sex. In the mirror, he watched her face, as he caressed the slick skin, sliding one finger into her with excruciating slowness. She shuddered and closed her eyes, felt his lips at her temple, felt his breath against her cheek. "I do adore this part of being with you..." he whispered, and the ache and want built inside of her to a fever pitch. "Just like this…" His fingers delved deeper. "And this…" His other hand still toyed with her breast, and the combination made her quake.

The rumble of his words, explicit and evocative fanned the flames between them. Her body tightened, pleasure spreading throughout her. Meeting his eyes again, the unspoken need in her expression told him all he needed to know. She turned in his arms, and let her own hands roam along his body, returning the pleasure to him. A tremor went through him, as she slid lower, falling to her knees to feather soft kisses along his abdomen. As her tongue danced along his shaft, he hissed at the sensation, his hips rocking forward.

"I want you too, love…" he muttered, guiding her towards the bed before he lost control. "Just like this, on your knees here…lean forward for me…" Still clad in the stockings and shoes, she looked absolutely delectable and he had to pause for a moment to take a steadying breath.

The angle to the mirror was just right, she turned her head and saw him move behind her, saw the expression of passion on his face as his hands made contact with her bare skin, as thumbs and palms caressed while he prolonged the moment between them. His cock was moving between her thighs then, the head parting her slick, throbbing flesh as he slowly eased his way inside of her. For another moment he held himself back, and she moaned softly, asking him for more.

"Yes, love…I will give you all of this…" Then he thrust into her and she lost her breath on a gasp. Passion roared and flared inside of her, as she embraced him with her body. Derek held still again for a moment, his eyes flicking towards the mirror, watching the way she responded, feeling her clench around him sinuously. It was too much, his restraint snapped and he lost himself in the moment. They gave themselves over to the pleasure between them, giving and taking to oblivion and beyond.

"So, Lord Shepherd...what say you of my stables?" The King was waiting for Derek at the stable doors early the next morning. "Will there be need to bring in more stallions for breeding?"

In the quiet of the stables at that hour, Derek bowed quickly, surprised to see the regent standing there. "You have many good horses now, but yes, I believe that you could benefit from some fresh blood. What do you hope to accomplish with your stables in the long run?"

"There is a new sport of horse racing that has caught my interest. I would hope to have some horses to compete, and of course...win." He smiled confidently at that idea.

"Of course, the royal stables should be able to win," Derek conceded. "I am not all that familiar with the sport, but several of the grooms have been speaking about a race track that is being readied at Ascot. Is that true?"

"Most definitely. I foresee it will become a great event, and you will be a part of that. However, it will be some time before it is ready. Newmarket should be our immediate focus – more established, and there are several races upcoming we can attend to see the current contenders." The King stroked the velvet nose of one of the horses close to him. "Do you have any suggestions for breeding?"

"Indeed, sire...I have bred several stallions with Arabian mares for speed, and I believe you would benefit from that. If you approve, I would like to bring one of my stallions here to mate with your mares. He is extremely fast, and has good stamina as well."

"That would be agreeable to me. How soon can this be arranged?"

"As soon as I can send word to my home, and the groom can arrange to bring Midnight up here. We still have time to breed the mares this season."

"Very well, I will make my trusted courier available to you immediately. I wish to be able to present a foal to the Queen as soon as possible so that we can work toward racing it. She is just as eager about this as I am."

"It will take time, my lord," Derek cautioned him.

The King waved his hand dismissively. "It will happen. I have every faith in you, Shepherd."

"Thank you, sire."

The King nodded, and then turned to head back to the castle, the retinue of servants at his heels, leaving Derek with a smile on his face at this turn of events. To be able to breed one of his own horses to the royal mares was a wonderful opportunity, but he also recognized the responsibility as well.

He was immersed in watching some of the horses being exercised in the paddock some time later, leaning his forearms on the fence, his shirtsleeves rolled up past his elbows. The sun was beating down on him, and he could feel the trickle of sweat down his back. It was warm for the season, but he enjoyed the unseasonal temperatures. Much better than any chill.

"Well, this is where you are hiding, Lord Shepherd." The feminine voice behind him took him by surprise, and he glanced over his shoulder, groaning inwardly to see Lady Rowena daintily picking her way towards him. She was trailed by two other of the young ladies in waiting, all of them carrying delicate parasols to guard against the sun.

"Not such a mystery," he said dryly, but he turned to nod at the three of them. "The ground is a little muddy here, you may want to watch your step." He wasn't about to have a close encounter with her, even with the other girls close by. As he told Meredith last night, Rowena was indeed young, but he recognized the feminine predatory nature that she exuded, and he didn't need to give her any perceived encouragement.

"Oh, I do not mind getting a little dirty, my lord," she smiled suggestively. "Would you be willing to take me out for a ride one day? Along with some of the other ladies, or course..." She twirled her parasol, as she regarded him intently.

"Perhaps you would be better served to have the groom set up the carriage to take you around," Derek suggested. "The horses are quite spirited; after all, they are being bred for racing."

Rowena pouted prettily. "Such a shame. Perhaps you would give us a demonstration of your horsemanship, then? We would adore to see you ride, Lord Shepherd." Her eyes gleamed as she considered the image of him on a horse; the tight breeches and loose shirt leading her thoughts into naughty territory. The girls behind her hid their giggles at her bold invitation.

"Another day, perhaps," he demurred. At that point, one of the grooms pulled up along the fence, and Derek took the opportunity to take his leave. "Excuse me, ladies, but I must speak with William. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon." He moved away, to grasp the bridle of the dark roan stallion that danced along the fence. The women watched him for a moment, before reluctantly departing the paddock area.

"He is very handsome, Rowena," one of the girls sighed. "Lady Meredith is so lucky to be married to such a virile man."

"She is indeed," Rowena agreed pleasantly, but her eyes were cool as she considered what she could do to find out just how virile the Duke really was. Men were so easy to seduce, she had been doing that ever since she turned fourteen. He was just as susceptible, she was quite sure.