Chapter 34: Returning Home
At the end of the day, Derek found himself at the club again, nursing a snifter of brandy. He had managed to wrap up all of his remaining business, and as well as purchase several gifts for Meredith, including her rings. He smiled indulgently, pleased with his selections. If all went well, he should be able to leave in a day.
His thoughts strayed to the vision he'd had of Meredith earlier that day, and he wondered if she was indeed, already, with child. It haunted him, making him even more eager to return home.
"Derek," Marcus's voice broke into his reverie. He looked up and waved him into the chair across from him. "Good to see you again. Have you made any decision about Addison?"
Derek frowned. "No. Only that I should perhaps speak with her father, the Earl of Smithwick. Maybe he can find someone wealthier than I for his daughter."
"I hear the Duke of Trent is available again. His fourth wife just died in childbirth," Marcus commented helpfully.
Derek snorted. "The man is nearly seventy years old, Marcus. Hardly worthwhile in Addison's sexual opinion."
"Ah, yes, but he is richer by far than anyone else, some say. The King recently bestowed another title on him, and even more lands. Money trumps sex sometimes."
"Touché." Derek said, raising his glass. "Or there's the Marquis of Rosewood, no, wait - he prefers boys, that won't do."
"Even better – she can take lovers to her heart's content then, and he won't care. He probably would join them," Marcus laughed suggestively.
They had more drinks, falling back into their camaraderie of old times, as they tossed names back and forth. Finally, Derek looked up and spotted a familiar face across the room. "Marcus – this is my lucky night. There is the Earl now," he said. He got up, as the older gentleman crossed the room to greet him.
"Your Grace," the Earl said, with a bow. "This is indeed an honor to see you tonight. I had heard you were back in the city. The women at court miss your handsome presence, my lord."
"I prefer the company in the country these days," Derek said dryly, as they sat down.
"I believe my daughter misses you as well, from what she tells me," the Earl commented.
"Your daughter, yes - I wish to speak with you about her, sir," Derek said, jumping at the opportunity to talk about it so quickly.
"Indeed?"
Derek spoke to him openly about why he no longer was marrying Addison, and how she had been behaving since then, including his own mother's attempt at speaking with Addison. The Earl shook his head slowly. "I know – she always has been too spoiled and tempestuous. Her mother died when she was young, and I admit, I was at a loss how to deal with her. She is willful." He sighed heavily, taking another drink. "I apologize for her appalling behavior, my lord. Let me take care of this. I will arrange another marriage for her as quickly as possible. She has had her own way far too long."
"Thank you, I do appreciate this," Derek said, relieved. He signaled for more drinks, and they sat for a while longer. Finally, the Earl rose, somewhat unsteadily, and bowed.
"I must be off – it is getting late for an old man like myself. I wish you all the best in your marriage, Your Grace. Please give my best to your mother as well – she is an admirable woman."
As soon as he was out of earshot, Marcus spoke up. "Do you think that will work, or will she find a way out of that as well? Believe me, I am staying away from her from now on myself. I can hear the screaming already, and I do not wish to be the one she screams at."
"We can only hope, my friend." Derek paused, considering his drink for a moment. "Marcus, I would like you to stand up for me at the wedding. Will you be the best man?"
"I always have been the best man," Marcus laughed. "But yes, of course, I would be honored. I will be delighted to make the acquaintance of your Miss Grey, the woman who has made you so happy and content. I only hope someday to find the same happiness myself."
"You will." Derek finished his last drink and stood up. "I'm off as well– I will visit my mother in the morning, and if all goes well, be on my way back to Gracewood after that. I will be sure to messenger you with the details for the wedding, as soon as I am home. Meredith and Amelia will have been working like mad in my absence, I am sure, to be sure all is ready."
"I look forward to it," Marcus said. "Good night, Derek."
Meredith and Amelia sat together in the solarium again, working on embroidery, as the sun set. "Amelia, may I ask you something?" Meredith asked.
"Of course, anything," Amelia replied, glancing over at Meredith. "Are you all right, my dear? You do look a little pale."
"Well," Meredith said slowly, "that is partly what I wanted to ask you. How did you feel when you were first expecting the twins?" She bit her lip, watching Amelia's expression.
Amelia looked confused for a moment, and then she smiled, touching Meredith's arm. "Are you... do you think you are with child?"
"I am not sure," Meredith confessed. "I woke up this morning and felt dizzy when I got out of bed. I thought I was hungry, but when Rose brought my breakfast, my stomach felt queasy just looking at the eggs. Is that a symptom, or am I just imagining things? I have no idea."
Amelia nodded. "It is possible – have you missed your monthly courses? It could be too early to tell, of course, but every woman is different."
"I am never regular, but now that you mention it, perhaps I have missed one," Meredith replied, feeling silly not to have thought of that earlier. "Rose even teased me about it today, when she came to take my tray away, and saw that I had not eaten much. So, it has been in my thoughts today, but I fear I am making too much out of it. I know Derek would be pleased, if there is a child." Meredith smiled softly.
"Yes, he will be. If you are, it will not be so noticeable at the wedding, with the cut of the gown. Again, it may just be nerves, with all that has happened in the last while - you will need to wait and see."
Meredith sighed in frustration. "You are right, of course, Amelia." She picked up the embroidery again, her thoughts drifting to Derek, and what his reaction would be when he got home.
It was a couple of days later, and Meredith was outside, playing with the twins, helping them attempt to fly a kite. The summer breezes were catching the small kite, as the twins laughed and ran across the velvet expanse of lawn. Meredith had let her hair fly loose, enjoying the warm sunshine on her face as she made sure they weren't getting into the rose garden. One of the kittens from the stables had strayed away from it's mother, and Meredith found the poor thing mewing softly in the rose bushes. As she cuddled it against her chest, it began to purr contentedly, it's tiny paws batting at the lace along the neckline of her dress. "Well, little one, you are a sweetheart, aren't you?" she whispered. For a moment, her attention was focused on calming the kitten.
"You have found a new friend in my absence?" Derek's warm voice came from behind her, and she jumped, almost dropping the poor kitten.
"Derek!" She spun around, seeing him standing a few feet away from her. He was disheveled, dressed in his riding clothes, looking tired but happy. Her heart jumped in her throat, and her hands tightened around the little kitten. He gave a squeak of protest, and she let him down onto the ground. She flew across the short distance to Derek, and he caught her up in his arms, spinning her around happily.
"I missed you!" she said, burying her face against his chest.
"I missed you as well, my love." He rained little kisses across her face, inhaling her sweet, now familiar scent. Then he captured her lips, and they parted eagerly, her tongue meeting his in a long deep kiss. His own scent teased her, enveloped her – the scent of his cologne, his skin, tinged with horses and leather. The sensual feel of his body against her made her legs tremble, and she moaned against his mouth. His hands wrapped in the silk of her hair, as dizzying desire swamped her.
"God, I want you," he said, his voice hoarse, his hands at the curve of her waist, moving down her hips, pressing her against his erection. "Meredith…"
"Derek…" The rough stubble along his jaw rasped her throat as he dropped soft kisses there, but she didn't care.
The excited shouts of the twins made them break apart reluctantly, and he took her hand, pressing it against his lips. The little kitten dug his claws into Meredith's skirts, and she giggled. "It appears we will have to wait, my love," she said softly. The look in his eyes burned into her, but he nodded, giving her a smoldering, sensual smile of promise, reminding her of her dream.
She bent down to pick up the kitten, and it snuggled happily against her chest. Derek slipped his arm around her waist, keeping her tightly against him, as they began to walk slowly back to the manor. The boys skipped along beside them, peppering Derek with questions about his trip, until they were all laughing and talking at the same time.