**FINAL CHAPTER!***

Thank you all for such wonderful and kind reviews for this story…they are truly appreciated, motivational and inspiring! I hope you enjoy the final installment of At All Costs!

**Disclaimer: I am not much of a romantic writer…please forgive me if this seems a bit out of character for either Isobel or Lord Merton!**

"Just ring tomorrow morning when you're ready, milady," Elsa said with a smile. Isobel's eyes widened as she turned to her new lady's maid. Being called milady was going to take some getting used to…as was ringing for breakfast in the morning. She had never eaten breakfast in bed…not since she was forced to stay in bed after…

"I think you should have everything you need. Might there be anything else I can help you with?" the young maid asked, she herself nervous standing in front of the new Lady Merton.

"No, Elsa, thank you…you've been a dear," Isobel replied. "Go on…off to bed. I'll be fine."

Elsa let out a small sigh of relief, her smile widening as she bid Isobel good night.

And now…alone in a quiet room…Isobel's nerves overwhelmed her. She stood quickly, her hands wringing together as she began to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace. Would he come…she knew they had spoken of it, but now that the night was upon them…would he…?

"Isobel?"

She whipped around, her pacing stalled, as Dickie closed the door behind him. He turned and smiled but as he took in her appearance, his eyes widened considerably. Her hands still wrung together as she forced a small, shy smile for him.

"Everything all right downstairs?" she asked. He nodded, closing his slightly open mouth, and took a few steps forward. His momentary shock at seeing her in a beautiful dressing gown lifted as he clasped his hands behind his back.

"I asked Mead to thank the staff for a wonderful day. And Elsa...she took care of things for you?"

"Yes, she is lovely," Isobel replied. She clasped her fingers together in front of her and looked down. A moment of tense silence passed before she could handle the quiet no longer. "Well…"

Dickie cleared his throat, taking a few more steps toward her, also looking down. "Yes, well…it was a grand day…I'm sure you're tired…"

"I suppose so," she answered quietly, not daring to look up at him. Why she felt so nervous, she wasn't sure. It wasn't as if this were her first time with a man…though, it had been quite a long time…since Reginald….

"Might you…I guess that is…would you prefer…" Dickie began, stopping in front of her and chancing a glance in her direction, "…I suppose what I mean to say is…."

He ran a nervous hand through his hair and sighed. He really had no idea what he was saying. They were married now…it shouldn't be so awkward, should it?

His silence caused her eyes to lift and catch his features contorting with unspoken worry. Her sympathetic nature overrode her fears as she took a half step forward and touched his arm.

"Yes?"

His breath stopped short, his mind devoid of all logical thought, as her touch sparked a sleeping desire within his core. Rather than meet her eyes, he took her hand in both of his and brought it to his lips, placing a lingering kiss on the back of her knuckles. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against their hands, praying his overwhelming anxiety would not muddle their first night together.

Isobel, sensing his predicament, closed the distance between them. Reaching up, she placed her free hand ever so softly on his cheek. His head raised slowly, his eyes finally opening to meet hers. He offered a small smile as his hands tentatively came to rest on her waist. A lump formed in her throat that she quickly swallowed as his lips gently touched hers. He pulled back rather quickly, wanting to explain…

"Isobel…I'm quite out of my element…" he confessed, his lips mere inches from hers.

"As am I…"she whispered, bringing her hand to the back of his neck as he leaned in once more.

His hands gripped her waist as the simple, chaste kiss turned to one of longing desire. Throwing all caution to the side, he deepened the kiss to something he'd only heard was written in romantic novels. Isobel's eyes popped open upon feeling his tongue brush over her lips…but her immediate shock quickly turned in to a contented sigh as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Hearing her reaction, he gained a bit of confidence and allowed his hands to begin roaming up and down her back. She shivered at his tender touch, her hands holding tight to his shoulders to steady her shaky stance.

Before she realized it, they had crossed to the center of the room, too wrapped up in their passionate embrace to notice where they were. It was not until Dickie began placing tender kisses along her jawline that she saw they were standing at the foot of the bed. Butterflies filled her stomach once more, though it was hard to determine if it was from her nerves or the tingling sensation Dickie's touch created.

It wasn't another moment before Dickie stopped, pulling back to search her eyes.

"Are…are you all right?" he asked a bit breathless.

She nodded and allowed her hands to fall to his chest. "Are you?"

He grin widened as he kissed her gently. "I am quite all right…except…"

His eyes dropped to her neck before he hung his head sheepishly.

"Except…?" she prodded, tilting his chin up.

"Your robe is in the way," he answered softly.

Her cheeks flushed red and she averted her gaze, not knowing why she felt self-conscious. He was her husband, of course...but her body had aged considerably since she was last with a man. She feared what Dickie might think or…

Her breath hitched as his hands came to rest on her cheeks. He rested his forehead against hers, his eyes silently reassuring her that she should trust him. He tentatively reached up to unhook the clasp just beneath her neck. His hands were shaking in anticipation…in fear…

He cursed under his breath, the small hook difficult for his large fingers to detach. Leaning forward, he whispered in her ear, "This is why you need Elsa."

She laughed softly, grateful for the small break in tension, and placed her hands over his. She guided his fingers to unhook the clasp easily, smiling when she saw the relief wash over his face.

"Much better," he said, his lips touching hers briefly before moving back along her jaw line to find her neck.

So this was what he wanted… she thought, biting her bottom lip to suppress a giggle as his lips tickled her collarbone. And now his lips were on hers again, much more insistent than before…and his fingers had made their way to the top few buttons on her robe. And this time…this time, he needed no help from her.

Following his lead, she gently tugged on the sash of his dressing gown, her hands climbing up his chest and pushing the thick garment off. He mimicked her actions, sliding her arms out of her robe and throwing it to the side. He could not help but look her over, wanting to remember every detail of his new bride. The most skin he had ever seen was when her evening gloves were off at dinner…but now….now, she stood in front of him with only a silk nightgown covering her.

"Dickie?" she called, squeezing his hands gently to break his stunned expression. "What is it?"

"You are absolutely beautiful, my dear," he said quietly, pulling her close and kissing her softly. He knew she was a humble woman, but he could not help but be honest with her. He rubbed a thumb across her cheek, smiling at the blush that had crept down her neck.

"You are," he assured her once more. "And I am the luckiest, happiest man in the world to call you my wife."

"Not as lucky as I am in you," she countered, standing on her tiptoes to offer him another lingering kiss.

He hoped to quell both of their nerves once and for all. Breaking, he let go of her hands, coming around to the left side of the bed. He turned off the table lamp and then moved to do the same on the opposite side. Turning, he held out a hand and smiled, hoping she was a bit more comfortable.

"I believe we had a deal…the right side is yours," he said softly. Smiling, she walked over to him, gasping slightly as he put both hands on her hips and lifted her on to the bed. "And I do like to keep my promises."

"Cheeky," she whispered as his lips covered hers, his hands gently pressing her shoulders back on to the countless pillows lining the headboard.

Lying down beside her, he took his time in showering her with gentle caresses and deep kisses. But as the moments moved on, he realized his want of her was soon to overwhelm. Pushing up on his hands, his confidence wavered at he looked down at her.

"I…I don't want to hurt you, Isobel…I will stop if…"

Her fingers came to his lips as she softly whispered, "I wish you wouldn't."

"You're sure?"

Instead of words, she allowed her fingers to slip from his face to his pajama top. Unclasping the top button, she grinned shyly.

His breath quickened as she finished undoing the buttons and slipped his shirt off. Her hands shook slightly as they brushed over his chest. Not being able to hold still any longer, he leaned down and captured her lips. If anything was certain, it was that he would do all he could to show her just how much he loved her tonight.

And as he slowly pushed the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders, she realized that giving herself to her husband was worth all the trials and distressing memories they had endured. Looking deep in to his eyes, silent permission was granted….

…and finally, reservations were forgotten…and the journey of Lord and Lady Merton began…

Hope you enjoyed!