Felicity: An American Girl ROMANCE: Pt3, Ch32: Felicity's Intimate Party
Bel Hall looked breathtaking, all lit up with candles in every possible manner of candle-holder, be it the brass and mirrored wall-sconces, the polished silver candelabras on the tables, or in the magnificent chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. There was light in the fireplaces as well. There were as many attendees as could fill a ball-room, but they were mostly people Lord Eric held in the highest regard, including his late wife's family and the Babcocks, good friends such as Constable Poon and Sheriff Dribble. Among them were a few of his life-long acquaintances, a couple of Lord Viscounts, Marquis and Marquesses. While preparing for their entrances as guests of honor, Elizabeth stepped out of Felicity's room and took a peep downstairs. What she saw made her gulp and go racing back in a flurry of petite but hasty steps.
"Felicity!" she exclaimed breathlessly, quietly closing the door behind her. "There are so many people down there! And they all look so fine! They all look like important people of rank! I've never been to an event where there were so many members of gentry!"
What about those balls you and Annabelle attended when you lived here in England as children? inquired Felicity, amused, from her seat at her room's dresser.
Elizabeth gave a dismissive wave of her white lace-gloved hand. "Oh bosh! Those were nothing compared to this! Annabelle loves to exaggerate, as I'm sure you already knew. I was really too young to remember much of them, and what I do recall was only remaining present long enough to make polite greetings to whomever Father introduced us to, then we were either whisked back upstairs or into another room where other children were playing and told not to be frisky." She wrung her hands nervously. "This is entirely different! We are guests of a highly respected peer of the realm, and being a duke, he has very important associates and-"
Elizabeth, take a breath, won't you? Felicity laughed lightly. You will be fine. We all will. Have you considered that because Lord Eric is a kind, generous, sensible man that his 'associates' are bound to be as well? The people he has invited are people he cares about. He would not associate himself with people like the Forsythes, you know.
"Oh, I know. But I cannot help but be anxious! The last thing I ever considered in coming here to find you was the possibility of attending a ball! They may be decent, good-natured people down there, but they are still English high-society. They will still scrutinize our dress, our manners, our speech, everything! What has Lord Eric told them about us? I cannot help but worry!"
Felicity grinned over at her. "Well you shouldn't be worried! Ben isn't."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Of course not. He's Ben."
"Good point."
"And what If Ben goes around looking to rile people up about the war? What if he tells everyone that he's a Captain in Lee's Legion and all that military bragging that soldiers like to do?"
Felicity couldn't help but laugh again, not at Elizabeth specifically, but more at her friend's intense fretting. "Oh I can assure you that Ben will do nothing of the sort! He can be a hot head, that is for certain, but not only does he still maintain a bit of a shy streak, he has also been warned that if he does not present himself as the gentleman I know that he can be, he will indeed be sleeping in a chair-outside this room!
Elizabeth stopped her hand-wringing and smiled at Felicity. "And God forbid he should be more than a foot away from you."
"Exactly."
"I'm surprised he is not outside the door this instant, pacing and asking if you will be much longer!"
"I know. He and Arthur should be downstairs awaiting our grand introduction!" She gave Elizabeth an encouraging smile. "Do not fret so, Beth, it will all be fine. I trust the duke completely. Just do as I intend to, and use all of those lessons we learned from dear . Those important people are not made of pewter, you know. They are human beings just as we are. In fact, they are probably as curious about us as we are of them."
Elizabeth came to stand behind Felicity at the dresser to oversee the final touches on Felicity's elegant updo. You sound like Mama. And she quoted, 'If you do not bother the bees, the bees will not bother you.'
"Such sage advice," sighed Felicity with pretend drama.
"Now lets look at you. Ben will absolutely faint when he sees you! Arthur will have to assist him in picking up his jaw from the floor when he gets his eyes full of you." She smiled warmly at Felicity's reflection in the vanity mirror. "You look like royalty, Lissie, truly. The blue and gold suits you. You shall have every man in the room begging for a dance!"
Felicity turned red and shook her head with a smile. "Please don't say that, or Ben just might start something after all!" They both chuckled. "Nay, Beth, there is only one man I care to dance with, and that's the man I shall marry. I want tonight to be a new start for us, the beginning of our future together. If I am ever going to get over all that has happened, then I need to make a new start. Clinging to hate and disappointment and mistrust is only hurting me more."
"Now that is sage advice," agreed Elizabeth, beaming sentimentally at her. "Stand up, so that I can see if there is anything missing."
Felicity rose and moved away from the dresser. Eizabeth had done her hair up, with perfectly rolled curls on either side of her neck, upon which lay a necklace composed of a few small diamonds, but a center blue sapphire that rested eye-catchingly at the base of her neck. The bodice of the silk blue gown was low, but Felicity knew it would be, and counted on it, to purposely drive Ben out of his mind. The gown itself was of the open-robe style, showing more silky blue trimmed in gold with blue ruffles. The neckline was trimmed in gold lace. as were the embellishments on the arms, the elbows of which had gold lace flowing from them in the most graceful fashion. There were shoes to match. Elizabeth had personally affixed a blue satin bow in the tamed mass of red hair, perfecting Felicity's look of refinement.
"Splenedid!" approved Elizabeth, beaming with pride. "I just couldn't help but think of how envious Annabelle would be if she could see you like this. I believe I shall tell her when we are on speaking terms again."
"I hate that Annabelle took part in Reginald's plans," Felicity said honestly. "I just didn't know she hated me that much."
" 'Twas jealousy, Lissie, always jealousy. I am sorry she is the way she is, but ultimately she has to be the one to live with herself. The Major Basil Crumb will marry her and then they will return to England, and the chances are good that I might not ever see her again. I would hate to part on such a sad arrangement, but 'tis Annabelle who made it that way, not I."
Felicity took Elizabdeth's hand supportively. You have always done the best you could with your sister, Beth. It is not up to you to mend your relationship with her. Time has a very good way of showing us what path lays before us. Let's go down now, shall we? I am most eager to see Ben's reaction. She gave Elizabeth a looking over as well. You look amazing, Elizabeth. But then, you always have.
They hugged, each of them thankful to have the other back in her life once more. It was indeed time to make their entrances now. They dabbed their eyes with hankies then went out of the room, drawing in their breath and trying to suppress their nervousness. Felicity was not quite as nervous as Elizabeth, but she couldn't help but feel excited anyway.
As they came to the top of the staircase, Elizabeth whispered to her gently, "Arthur and I discussed it last night, and we would like very much for you and Ben to marry before we do."
Felicity blinked in surprise. "Beth, that is so very dear of you both! But you needn't-"
No, Felicity, we want this for the both of you. So many terrible things have happened that could have been avoided, things that should have never happened at all, and I feel responsible for part of it, too. Allow me to do this for you, will you? I left specific instructions to my parents before I left Williamsburg to do certain things for me that should be, let us say, ready for you and Ben once you return."
Felicity's heart fluttered wildly. "Beth! I don't know what to say!"
Elizabeth grinned happily. "Say you will accept our gift to you, regardless of what it is when you discover what it is."
"Yes, I shall gratefully accept your gift! Does...Ben know?"
She chuckled softly at that. No. He has been hard to talk to for the past few months, so I have been unable to tell him squat. I would rather just see the reaction on his face when he finds out along with you what I hav e in store for the both of you.
Felicity was about to reply in amazement, but the sounds of the festive violins and fifes playing downstairs had come to a halt, indicating that the duke was about to make his announcement. Ben and Arthur would be waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
My family and friends, you know that I have had special guests for a season, and it is due to them that I have found inspiration to be among you once more. I have realized that I cannot endure being parted from young Thomas here any longer. Here there were sounds of joyful approval amongst the attendees. You have met these two fine young men here from the American colonies, two of four people I am very happy to call my friends. As for the other two of the four, they are very fine young ladies I am even further happy to introsuce you to: Miss Felicity Merriman and Miss Elizabeth Cole.
At the sound of the clapping, Felicity and Elizabeth began to descend the staircase together, holding thier breath, tensing in preparation for whatever faces they were about to be greeted with. They needn't have worried. As Felicity predicted, Lord Eric had invited only the people who were the most important to him, so therefore they were people of class and warmth, and the two girls found themselves looking upon smiling faces, even grinning faces of approval and delight.
But no two faces were they so eager to see than Ben's and Arthur's. As also predicted, the two of them were open-mouthed, seemingly struck by enchantment as they took in the appearance of the ladies they loved. Arthur, needless to say, was mesmirized by Elizabeth. But Ben was staring with such astonishment and love that he had forgotten to breathe! But the ladies were affected to; Elizabeth was simply beaming at how dapper Arthur looked in royal blue, which well suited his blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. Felicity smiled at Ben proudly, for he looked simply scrumptious in the beige ensemble he was wearing. Her own eyes took note of how tight his breeches were; so tight that it showed what excellent thigh muscles he sported. So tight that she could not find a single crease or wrinkle in the fabric.
But rather than continue staring at Ben's breeches and get caught for it, she looked to the party attendees and refined her smile to graciousness. When she and Eiizabeth got to the bottom of the stairs, they faced the duke and curtsied perhaps the most properly they had ever done before. Both Ben and Arthur stepped forward to give their lovely ladies an arm, and Lord Eric nodded his formal greeting to them.
"My dear family and friends, let us rejoice in the happiness I have found with the return of my son and in the four new friends whom I will be escorting back to the American Colonies my very self!"
Felicity gaped at him, momentarily forgetting her manners. But there were other gasps of surprise among the party goers as she and Elizabeth exchanged a surprised look. Lord Eric went on to say, "I have discussed it with my son Thomas here, and we have agreed that we are in desperate need of adventure! We have long been apart due to my own selfish isolation, and we both agree that my brother, Lord Noah, is very much past due a visit!"
There was happy murmuring among the crowd, some who smiled cheerfully and those who smiled, but seemed concerned with sea-faring. With good reason, Felicity mused, recalling her own experience at sea, although at the time she was too consumed with rage, depression and powders to give much thought to being afraid of the sea. Felicity was also aware that Ben was staring at her. Nay, she needn't see him to know that his brown eyes were upon her-all over her, in fact- and that he was giving no ear to Lord Eric's announcement whatsoever. She almost wanted to giggle. Almost.
"Now I know some of you will be concerned with my going to sea with my young lad, here, but i assure you we will be sailing with the best, hardiest, meanest crew on the waters!" This earned him laughs from some of the men in the crowd, most likely those who knew of the crew he was referring to. "Be content to know that these men would soon as sacrifice themselves than to let anything happen to the man who employs them, or his young son! Lord Eric grinned. His good humor fit his appearance: although he wore a powdered wig he was still jovial in his silver on dark green attire, looking most dukely (as Felicity thought) yet festive. Rich. Empowered. Happy. Amazing how a man of such rank could look so powerful and yet so vulnerable in his joy. She was most glad for him.
"And now, everyone, let us enjoy the evening, and perhaps the following morning as well, if I do recall how some of you enjoy a breakfast gala was well!" More laughter and "Here here's!" He chuckled pleasantly. "And for those of you who enjoy a challenge in your festivities, the maze is open and torch-lit for any couple who dare to get through it! A prize will be offered for the first to come through!"
This was met with excitement and renewed enthusiasm as several couples appeared ready to bolt for the rear of the manor, Arthur and Elizabeth included. "Good luck to you who try it!" Lord Eric told them all, his amusement obvious on his face. "May you all have the best of evenings!"
In other words, they were dismissed. Indeed there was a flurry of attendees making for the back doors, leaving behind mostly the older guests, who merely laughed or wandered out patiently to watch from the top of the manor's patio the progress of those who dared the maze. "Felicity, Ben, come along!" called Elizabeth, a flush of pink coming to her cheeks as Arthur pulled her along.
Felicity turned to Ben, who's eyes were still upon her adoringly. "Well, shall we?"
Ben's smile was mischievous, his voice low and husky. We will. I just want you to myself for a while.
"But we are always together," she grinned curiously. "Ever since you arrived."
"And that is the way it shall always be. But I would very much like to dance with you, if you don't mind."
Felicity's eyebrows went up in mild surprise. Ben never cared much for dancing, but there had been that one time he had come to Lady Templeton's Autumn Harvest ball right after joing Harry Lee's cavalry troop that he openly chose to dance with her, and her alone. Now here he was once more, in the home of someone distinguished and ranked, asking her to dance with him. The look of love was in his eyes and she could not refuse. She placed her gloved hand in his open one and he escorted her to the ballroom.
Despite the allure of the maze outside, there were still those who preferred to dance the minuets and waltzes. Felicity could feel eyes upon her as Ben led her out onto the floor with dignity and pride. The music was glorious; piano, flute, viols and harp, all blending into one flowing piece of romantic sound. She had never heard the tune before in her life, but when she found herself looking into Ben's soft brown eyes with helpless attraction, she forgot the sound itself and felt like she was floating in a dream. He gazed at her like she was the only thing in the world that meant anything to him. There was no shade of adolescent Ben here now; it was a man in love, a man who had found his sole purpose for living, his heart's only desire.
This, of all places, was where they were going to find themselves again? She would have never thought it possible. After all that she had been through, feeling that she and Ben were lost to each other forever, this was where they would reconnect. Felicity's mind spun. 'Twas known that many truths revealed themselves upon the dance floor, one of the many reasons many thought dancing to be taboo. But after being desolate for so long, she was finding herself being drawn in by his eyes and his handsome, serious face, and she could not hide the emotion from her own expression: I really do love you.
They danced for what seemed to be hours before they left the dance floor for refreshment. Ben was well aware of the eyes of male guests upon his fiance, but he kept his annoyance to himself for Felicity's sake. None of those men were the perverted type, but Ben knew looks of wishful thinking when he saw them. He knew when he was the envy of every hot-blooded male in the room. No man dared approach Felicity for a dance as long as he was stuck by her side. His possessiveness was rearing itself again, but Felicity found it rather amusing.
After a while, he took her aside, near the grand staircase, out of the way of speculative eyes and whispered, "I have never danced so much in my life!" His eyes were bright, his face flushed.
"So I noticed!" Felicity agreed breathlessly, holding both of his hands in hers. "I am beginning to wonder if you are the real Ben Davidson or an imposter!
Ben laughed good-naturedly. Oh I assure you, my beautiful bride, I am the Ben you have always known. In a softer, more serious voice he added, Aye, Lissie, I am the Ben you have always known. The very same Ben you saved out in the woods that time I ran away. The Ben who has loved you from the very first time he met you and later vowed to make you his wife one day. That day is coming, Felicity. And soon. I know it is.
She decided to play coy. "Indeed! You must be quite proud of yourself, seeing as how you have won me over again in such a short time. But I'll wager you will tire of me once we are married and seek challenges elsewhere."
"Absolutely not, my beautiful bride," Ben breathed into her ear most confidently. "The adventure will be truly just beginning! Just because I have you officially declared my wife before God and family doesn't mean I can relax. The adventure will be in keeping you!"
Felicity drew back, amused but slightly suspicious. "Are you implying that I might be some manner of runaway wife?"
Oh no, not that, not that at all! I meant only that I shall endeavor to make you happy in all things! HIs voice turned softly serious. I will see to it that you are not going ot be sorry that you married me, Lissie.
"Oh, Ben, I could never-"
he soothed huskily, his gaze moving past her toward the rear of the manor. Most everyone who went out to the maze earlier has come back in. Let's you and I try the maze ourselves now.
"Unchaperoned?" inquired she with a grin.
"Especially."
She giggled under her breath as Ben took her hand firmly encased in his and swiftly but quietly led her out of the mansion. as he had guessed, there seemed to be very few people outside now, having been lured back into the halls for the eating, drinking and dancing. The lively music was immediately less loud than just inside the doors, A few laughing couples passed them on their way in. Ben doffed his hat and Felicity curtsied as much as she could, considering that she was in mid-trot while doing so. Not that anyone cared about formalities this late. She and Ben were off the patio and just outside the entrance of the maze in a matter of seconds.
"Interesting," Ben marvelled, as he looked up at the expertly trimmed hedges. "The greenery looks much taller when you're right up at it, doesn't it?"
agreed Felicity breathlessly, her face illuminated by the strategically posted torches all about the gardens. Distant laughing could be heard from within the maze, an indication that another couple was yet somewhere inlocated within it. The couple probably didn't want to be located, either, Felicity mused humorously.
"Ready?" Ben challenged with a beautiful smile that made her heart race.
"Ready!"
He squeezed her hand and they ran in, having to immediately turn left or right after entering. Ben chose left and that's the way they went, not really caring which turns they took as long as they advanced further and further. The excitement of being together, facing a challenge together, was exhilarating regardless of what the challenge was. Felicity felt her blood pumping fast, her mind spinning joyously, her feet light and flying as she ran with him, laughing at their own playfulness. Ben was grinning, too, holding on to his tricorn as he towed her along. Eventually they slowed, having indeed ran this way and that without giving their location and direction a single thought.
But then, young couples in love did not wander about in hedge mazes to find their way out directly.
They found themselves at a dead end. They looked at each other and their laughter sputtered goofily. Said Ben, 'Twould appear that I have gotten us lost already!
"Aye, so you have," said Felicity, not at all surprised. She smiled at him slyly.
"Look. Here is us a nice bench to sit down on and think about our situation."
"Wonder why His Grace had a bench installed at a dead end?"
Ben shrugged indifferently. So that lovers could sit down and think about where they are. And before Felicity could reply to that, he was sitting down on the bench, pulling her sideways onto his lap snugly. He smiled up at her mischeviously.
"I assume that being lost is not the situation in which you are thinking about? She threw her arms about his neck casually.
"Heavens no."
To prove that, he kissed her straight away, deep and hard, intense and wantonly. She was used to his way of kissing, but the deliriousness and passions he invoked were always overwhelming. It was as if he was the one who cast the spell, and she could not fight it, didn't want to. His tongue swept her mouth almost roughly, but his was a roughness she could take. And it was not as if she were a weakling incapable of responding in kind, for she did just that, taking a side of his strong jaw in hand to guide his intensity in the way she wanted.
She found herself having a crazed impulse to tear open his waistcoat and shirt. Instead, she shifted there upon his lap and he groaned with the pleasure that simple little movement of hers caused him. With parted panting lips, she purred sensuously, "Am I causing you frustration, Captain Davidson?"
His brown eyes were glazed with arousal. "Always. I would not have it any other way. I have wanted you forever, loved you for even longer, Lissie..."
She laughed at him, teasingly, sensing her own power to enthrall and torture. "Now Ben, how could you have possibly known that I was going to be yours someday?"
"My mind didn't know. But my heart always had a feeling..." He kissed her again, unable to stop himself. His left hand moved down the side of her body, over her hip and along a thigh. Even through the petticoat and dress he could feel the wonderful heat of her skin, a sensation that made his brain spin in his skull. His hand found her knee and gave it a squeeze. That made her melt against him suggestively, which in turn prompted him to kiss her harder. So hard that she wasn't even aware that he was slowly gathering up inches of her skirts with that hand of his as it caressed and wandered over her knee and leg.
When he felt bare leg under his hand, just at her knee, he stopped and she gasped, somewhat coming to her sense. She blinked at him with lazy, green curious eyes. "What are you doing?"
He gulped dryly. She hadn't sounded mad, accusing or frightened at all, Just curious. His reply came in a shaky whisper a mere inch from her own lips. "Would you...let me...try something, Lissie?"
"Such as?" She studied his pleading eyes, her heart beat accelerating all the more. He looked so longing, so enamored of her. So desperate to please her.
"I want you to feel the same way I do when the very thoughts of you...afflict me." And he added quickly before she could say yes or no, "I want you to know there is so much that is good between us, that I want only to dedicate my life to pleasing you."
"Pleasing me how, Ben? In body, in spirit, heart, what?"
"In everything, Lissie. Because you are everything to me. I want you to feel what it is you do to me. May I?"
She cocked her head, gazing at him thinkingly as she held a side of his jaw affectionately. Can I trust you, Ben?"
"Always, Lissie. I will never disappoint you again."
"Then touch me."
He gulped and resumed moving his hand firmly but gently up over her knee, slipping under her skirts. His breathing, too, had increased, a sign that he was just as nervous about this as she was. Hesitantly, she let a leg slide slowly off his lap, allowing him to move further up along the inside of her thigh. She held to his shoulders steadily, feeling an intense tingling rush to life in her nether regions, but this did not take her by surprise, for she was accustomed to feeling that sort of reaction when she thought of Ben being intimate with her. Or her with him. Mingled with her nervousness was heated pangs of desire growing stronger with each inch he kneaded and felt of her soft warm skin.
Instictively she stiffened when he had reached further than he'd ever had. It is all right, Lissie, 'tis only me. I swear I will not hurt you.
"I know," she murmured, letting her head rest against the side of his. "Continue."
He felt her leg muscles relax a little more, and his gentle stroking moved her thighs a little more apart. He could feel heart radiating from her very core. It aroused him ferociously, but he dare not push. If she was willing to trust him with his explorative curiosities, then he was determined to remain in control. I love you, he whispered thickly. and with one finger, stroked against her moistened center.
She gasped and shuddered against him, but her sigh was sweet in his ear. Then she inhaled deeply and said into his ear, "Again."
He stroked her again, this time with more pressure, just on the outside of her very entrance, and she inhaled again, making a sort of whimpering sound in her throat, then clenched and relaxed her thigh muscles. "Again."
Eagerly he touched her again, but this time he did not draw away. He moved his finger up and down, feeling her, exploring, and her eyelids fluttered shut as she went a little limper agains him. And then that explorative finger of his slipped into her, almost teasingly, testingly. She gasped again, her eyes flying open, her lips parting, but Ben kissed her quick and smoothly. A muffled issued from her thraot once more, but she made no move whatsoever to stop him doing what he was doing. In fact, she released her grip on one of his shoulders and grasped his arm beneath her skirts. In am ove that clearly surprised the both of them, Felicity pulled his wrist at her entrance, forcing him to insert his finger all the way. She moaned pleasuredly against his mouth.
he whispred, mesmirized by her, the beauty of her, her willingness to trust, to explore with him what made her feel good. They kissed hotly, seductively, in a slow hungry rhythm that matched the way she was allowing Ben's touch to stroke. Up and down, in and out, slowly and wanderingly. Ben was barely aware that she had begun rocking back and forth upon his lap gently, as though she herself was unaware of it. His response to that was the insertion of a second finger, adn this time she did not gasp or flinch, but merely whimpered again.
So he began working his fingers with a little more pressure and a little more rhythm. The workings of his tongue kept pace with those of his fingers. She felt a thumb brush through her hair down there, and she pressed down upon his hand with instinctive need. Ben wanted desperately to see where he was touching and how, but he knew damn well that if he were to see her undressed he would lose all control and the sex-hungry beast that lurked just beneath his skin would be unleashed with a fury.
They would have their wedding night to contend with that beast, he decided.
She felt so inviting to him, so hot and so willing that it was a damn struggle to hold himself together. Oh Ben, she sighed, so needily that he could not resist kissing her jaw and neck intensely. She herself was working his wrist in the way that she liked, discovering her own likes with the use of his fingers, which was what he had hoped she would do. Her thighs clenched around his arm suddenly. She gripped his wrist even harder and bore down upon his fingers, gasping, and then he felt it: the rapid throbbing and fluttering of her peak of pleasure, such a amazement to the both of them. She panted helplessly as she released her tension fast and hard, then slumped against him bonelessly, having been shaken to the core with what she had just experienced.
As soon as the throbbing subsided he made to remove his fingers form her body, but was once again surprised by her actions as she stilled his wrist demanindingly. No, don't! she commanded, her voice low and breathless. Not yet. Stay like you are until I...just stay like that a minute.
Ben managed to find his voice. "Did you like that?"
Mmmm, yesss, she exhaled against his neck, the sensation of her breath making every hair on his body rise with erotic longings. What was that? What...sort of feeling is that?'
Unable to help himself, Ben grinned against her neck. "Lissie, my love, that was what is referred to as a 'pleasure assault,' at least it is by the fellows in the Legion."
Without lifting her head from his she said, "That was...It was...nice."
"Nice?" Ben repeated, feeling giddy from having felt her reaction. "That is all?"
"I don't know how to describe it. Goodness, Ben, words are failing me just now."
He sighed longingly against her skin. "Now you know something of what I experience whenever even the thought of you possesses me until I cannot contain it anymore."
"Oh you poor, poor man."
He chuckled softly. But you know, Felicity, once we are married, these sensations will be even greater, even more pleasurable than this. Well, at least it will after the first time. I hate that you will have to feel pain when I- Blast! I'm sorry. I am ruining the moment, arent I?
This time she raised her head and gazed at him with pleasure-sated sleepy eyes. Her smile was goregeously sloppy. "No, Ben, by no means. 'Tis merely a fact that you are stating. But if great pleasure is to come after a little pain, then it is a pain that I am willing to endure for that brief time. We have the rest of our lives to pleasure each other senseless after that."
He gazed at her with utter amazement. "I love the way your mind works, pretty Lissie. So help me God, you will never regret marrying me!"
I know I won't, she replied softly, sighing with pleasureabe ease as his hand withdrew from her, drawing down a limp thigh and over the fabric of her skirts. He pulled both of her legs securely onto his lap, hugged her tight to him and just sat there with her, revelling in how wonderful her willowy body felt in his possession. He felt as though he'd just made a significant step in making her his. No other man would touch her, no other man could have her, and he'd be damned if any man ever hurt her again. She was more precious to him now more than ever. She just had to know that.
"We will be going home day after tomorrow," she murmured at his ear. "It seems to good to be true, doesn't it."
"Felicity Davidson," he told her decidedly, "we have simply got to cease this depressing too-good-to-be-true sort of thinking! Nothing can be too good for us, ever. By God, we are allowed to have good things happen to us, and often. Look at us, Lissie: I nearly destroyed us because of my own selfishness, Forsythe stole you away and forced a marriage to you that really wasn't a marriage at all, and we are now in each other's arms as we were meant to be once more. We cannot be separated ever again, my girl. Even though I do not trust fate one bit, fate keeps bringing us together. Every day keeps bringing us closer to being married. Why, we could marry right now if you wanted it! But I understand how you feel; about wanting to be at home, surrounded by your family, our family, to celebrate and all that..."
Muffled by his own neck, she chuckled lightly.
He inhaled deeply. "And I know you do not want to be with child on the way home. You would be miserable, what with the pitching of the ship and the morning purges. I understand."
"There you go again, saying all perfect things." She raised her head again and grinned sleepily at him. "What man would be so sympathetic to a woman's plight, especially a man that is in a state of constant arousal?"
"Ah, so you noticed." Shyly, he shifted her body so that she was less pressing on his manhood. He cleared his throat, attempting to ignore his protesting need. "A man who has learned his lesson the hard way that his love is by far more meaningful that his lust."
"Blast it all, Ben, I had set my mind to being angry with you for quite some time! But then you go and say things like you are, and you look at me with those-those- puppy-eyes, and my resolve just melts away like snow before the fire!"
Ben felt a rush of sentimental heat and love course through him and gave her a squeeze. "You have every right to remain angry with me, Lissie, however long you want and even after we are married, too."
She eyed him with sly amusement. "You'd marry an angry woman?"
"Not just any angry woman, but an angry Felicity. For an angry Felicity is far better than no Felicity."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Now you are talking nonsense!"
"Well, I have been at sea in the company of Arthur Pratt for a few weeks, you see. He grinned back at her. But nontheless, a man in love will allow nothing to deter him from the attempt to win his lady.
"Oh, do hush!" She rolled her eyes comedically and laughed, "Take me indoors, Ben Davidson, and put me to bed. 'Tis past midnight, I'm sure, and I feel rather...spent."
Exhausting, is it not? With little effort, he rose to his feet with her securely in his hold. She laid her head on his shoulder and smiled. And with just as little effort he brought the both of them thorugh the maze as if he knew exactly where to turn. Felicity was too drowsy to inquire about his sense of direction, which if she had he would have had to confess that he'd already figured it out whilest standing upon the patio overlooking the hedges. A man of the Legion was supposed to be a fast problem solver!
When he entered the back of the mansion, Elizabeth and Arthur were coming toward them with curious looks on their faces. Elizabeth took one look at Felicity in Ben's clutches again and rolled her eyes. "Goodness gracious, Ben, you have gone back to carrying her around everywhere again?"
Felicity raised her head and smiled goofily. 'Tis fine, Beth, I told him to. I'm tired and we are going to bid Lord Eric a goodnight before we retire.
Elizabeth gave her a curious look. "Tired already? We were just coming to look for you, for fear that you had gotten stuck in the maze. Lord Eric was asking where you and Ben had gotten to." To Ben she said a little stiffly, "You really ought to put her down before you see the duke, you know. It would be improper to-"
"I know Elizabeth, I know." Ben shrugged. "I am not a total lackwit. He put Felicity onto her feet, but she still clung to him happily.
Well, come along, then. She and Arthur led the way back to the ballroom, with Arthur chatting endlessly about the magnificent array of spirits the duke had ordered put out, and how he had sampled each and every one. This was obvious in the deliriously joyful way the blonde Brit moved and hiccupped, but he was no more soused than most of the other attendees, men and women alike. Indeed, many of the guests were either being shown to rooms where they could spend the night, or ordering their transportations brought up outside. But everone was in a good mood, it seemed, which made the fact that it was past midnight not so shocking. Even the duke, having put young Thomas to bed himself, was giddy with liquor and good company.
Ben leaned toward Felicity from the side and whispered, "Apparently the chandelier is not the only grand thing in here pleasantly lit," and Felicity cackled outrageously, which in turn had Ben laughing good naturedly himself.
And so it was that Lord Covington greeted his four guests of honor again with gushing warmth and happiness, and they bid him goodnight with curtsies and bows, which delighted what remaining guests were left in the ballroom. Bur as soon as Ben and Felicity were back at the foot of the deserted staircase, he scooped her up like a boneless doll again and took her upstairs, as was her original wish, and this time she did not scold him for doing the legwork for her.
There were times when she didn't mind being pampered.
"We're going home, Felicity," Ben whispered to her, as they went to bed at last. "We are really going home. You will be reunited with your family and then we will be married. Our dreams are going to come true, and we deserve to have it so."
"Yes, Ben, I agree." She yawned as she snuggled into his open arms and allowed him to wrap her up tight. His heart was still beating rapidly in his chest. She smiled sleepily, hoping that his predictions were truly going to come to pass. Yet something nagged at her, something about the future she couldn't quite figure out, but she was bound to figure it out in the coming weeks.
Author's Babble: For Emma Rose, I liked your idea for 'Canon In D Major'! It's a lovely piece of music and I am considering using it! A very good suggestion indeed! Also, you guys don't forget that this month (the 15th, I believe) the DELUXE edition of the Felicity movie comes out. I would certainly like to know what all that includes, in detail. If anyone knows, let me know, because I love DVD goodies, and if there's a possibility of seeing more of Kevin Zegers as Ben, then I'll be willing to fork over the money. Otherwise I'll be happy with the DVD I already have.
For some reason I cannot get the link to the picture of Felicity's gown I had in mind for this chapter to post, so I will tell you that it was made by the magnificently talented AlAlNe, and you can see more of her work at her page on deviantart. It is called '18th Century Gown update', it is blue and gold and gorgeous!