Lucien would have preferred to stay at home and look after Jean, but only he and Charlie could sort this out. The evidence had to be rock solid before they could present it, and not to the commissioner, because it was him they had to catch. This went as high as it could, to the minister of police.
Every file that Matthew had compiled was linked to a crime. From a relatively ordinary jewel theft in Melbourne to fraud, drug peddling and firearms offences. Everything led back to Froggy Morgan and the commissioner. Somehow, god only knew how, Matthew had obtained copies of some of the commissioner's bank statements! Much more than his salary went in, not regularly, but, if the dates were to be believed, and why wouldn't they, they coincided with major unsolved crimes or dismissed cases.
Matthew had made detailed notes on each case and linked them to Morgan or one of his henchmen, occasionally managing to get one committed to prison. Without Matthew's formal and first hand testimony they would get away with it.
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It had been two days since Jean had been shot. She was recovering well although being without much use of her right arm she was finding it frustrating. Sam was a great help as was Mattie, but Jean was so independent she wanted to do everything as usual. She continued to run the surgery, telling the patients she had had a fall when they asked about the sling Lucien insisted she used.
'I have to go to Melbourne with Charlie and Matthew,' he held her hands one evening, 'I'm sorry darling, I really am, but...'
'Lucien,' she sighed, 'I know.' she leant against his shoulder. 'It has to be done, and although I don't want you to go, I know you have to, but...'
'Yes?'
'When it's all over can we spend some time at the cabin, not when we've visited Ruby, but...?'
'Just us, and Amelia?' the last was a question.
'Of course..' She smiled tiredly.
'Anytime my darling, anytime.' He kissed her firmly and let her rest her head on his chest.
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Sam phoned his commanding officer and told him enough to get some extra leave. If it all went well he would be able to tell him the whole story.
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The meeting with the minister was enlightening. He had known there was corruption but didn't have any idea who, apart from Lawson, he could involve. He also knew it would be dangerous for whoever became involved. He was angry when he heard that Jean, innocent of all involvement, had been hurt and it furthered his resolve to help them get to the bottom of things.
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'Poor Sam.' Mattie sighed, 'surrounded by women who spend their time chewing their nails.'
'Speak for yourself,' Jean teased, 'I never bite my nails.'
They did their best to keep a smile on their faces, but it wasn't easy. Because she was pregnant and very emotional, Jean struggled to sleep so Mattie would go and lie on the bed until she dozed off, frequently going to sleep herself. In the mornings Alice would take a tray of tea in and they would find themselves giggling over tea while Sam, who Alice said deserved a medal, dealt with Amelia.
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The courtroom was stifling, the smell of worried sweat permeated through the wood panelling. Hushed voices and sidelong glances filled every sense. All Charlie, Lucien and Matthew wanted was to be back home in Ballarat with the three women who seemed to keep their world light.
The case against the defendants was overwhelming, the evidence, crushing, damning.
Lucien was first to give evidence. He was clear, concise. He did not embellish or bluster, he told the story from his point of view, answered questions succinctly and honestly, and above all, professionally.
Charlie answered his questions as a copper should. No ideas of his own, though he would have liked to add a few points, but the boss had said no, just answer the question.
Matthew, still showing the signs of his beating, took the stand. He was offered a seat, which he declined and then the questions started. And the cross questioning. Every question had a reply, a hard and honest reply. He referred to the evidence he had gathered, pointed to the defendants in the gallery, including one disgraced, and in handcuffs, William Munro, and all without a smug and satisfied expression. All the quietly obtained witness statements were brought to the fore, examined in front of the jury, countered and crossed by the defence and the prosecution.
For three days they attended court. Making frantic soothing phone calls home at the end of the day to assure their women-folk that things were progressing, if a little slowly.
Then a day waiting while the jury considered their verdict. Lucien wandered off, the waiting was interminable. Charlie made to go after him but Matthew stopped hm.
'No.' He smiled at the younger officer, 'let him go, he misses Jean and he's worried about her.'
'She'll be ok, though,' Charlie sat back down, 'won't she?'
'I'm sure she will,' Matthew smiled, 'but after losing one wife...'
'Yeah.'
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Lucien wandered the streets of Melbourne, not really knowing where he was going but ending up outside a jewellery shop. He stood, not really looking, thinking of Jean. God, he missed her. Alice would look after the wound, Mattie would look after Amelia and Sam would look after them all, but it was his place to protect his wife and children. At the moment he thought he was failing, as he had done once before. He stared into the window, thinking he would like to buy her something but he didn't know what. There were rings a plenty, necklaces and earrings, but nothing that particularly caught his eye. He started to walk away when the jeweller put a cushion back in the window. A sparkle caught his eye and he stopped. It was a necklace, a chain from which hung a small key, diamonds from the tip all up the blade and round the edge of the bow which was designed to look like a wheel, the spokes of which ended up in the centre with an emerald at the hub. Perfect.
He slipped into the shop and purchased it immediately, feeling ready to go back to his colleagues and the case.
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They headed back to court when Lucien returned, looking noticeably calmer. It was a hive of activity as the jury were ushered back in and everybody sat in nervous anticipation. The defendants were escorted in and lined up, to await their fate.
A hush fell over the room as the foreman was asked to give the verdict on each defendant, starting with the lowliest and ending with the commissioner. All were found guilty and there was a look of disgust on the faces of the jurors as each name was read out and each verdict was given, the worst were reserved for the police officers, supposed to protect the public from the activities of people like Froggy Morgan.
The judge would decide the sentences the following day, so everyone was discharged until then. Matthew, Lucien and Charlie, together with the minister were asked to join the judge in his chambers.
'Well, gentlemen,' he offered them whisky and indicated they sit. 'You certainly opened a can of worms.'
Matthew swirled his drink around. 'Mmm..' he mused, 'I still don't understand why they were so hell bent on removing Blake from the scene.'
'I don't think we'll ever know.' The minister leaned back in the chesterfield couch, 'I mean, just because he worked in intelligence, was like a terrier worrying sheep when it came to a case...'
'That's what his wife says.' Charlie laughed.
'Some people see things that others pay no mind to, and in order to get their own way stop at nothing to get rid of potential obstacles.' Lucien sighed, 'Munro had spoken to Major Derek Alderton about me. I had refused to re join the army and go back into Intelligence for him. I suppose if I had, I would have been out of their hair and he and the commissioner would have been free to carry on their nefarious dealings.'
'You were something of a thorn in his side.' The judge noted.
'I just didn't like him jumping to conclusions about anyone he interviewed. He never saw the person in front of him, just the crime. He interviewed my colleague, Dr Harvey, desperate to pin the murder of a surgeon on anyone who knew the man.' Lucien had been righteously angry at that.
'I take it...'
'God no!' Lucien laughed, 'Alice was phoned by the man's wife and she told the truth about his wandering hands.' He noticed Matthew's grimace.
'Some people don't like the truth.' He muttered.
'Indeed.' The judge smiled, he too had noticed Matthew's expression and wondered if there was something between the officer and the doctor. 'Anyway, gentlemen, I'm sure the minister will join me in thanking you for ridding society of such persons as these. They will all serve time in prison. The police officers will also lose their positions, of course, and their pensions.' They finished their drinks, 'I'll see you in court in the morning, I'm sure you will want to hear the sentences handed down.'
Surreptitiously looking at his watch, Lucien could see they wouldn't make it home that night so they might as well be there to see William Munro finally see how true justice worked. They'd be home for dinner tomorrow night.
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Jean handed the phone to Alice so she could speak to Matthew and left the study. Mattie looked up as she entered the nursery, Jean was smiling.
'All done?' Mattie finished tucking Amelia in.
Jean nodded as tears sprang to her eyes, she really would have to stop weeping at every turn, it was embarrassing. She took a deep breath to compose herself,
'They'll be home for dinner tomorrow.' Mattie pulled her into a hug.
'That's wonderful.' She whispered. 'I suppose we'll need to go shopping then, get something in.' They'd eaten a lot out of the freezer lately, having been warned about wandering around Ballarat while the case was on. Lucien had said it would probably be alright now, as long as she took Sam with her.
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Funnily enough, everyone slept much better that night, both in Melbourne and in Ballarat and all woke refreshed and ready for the day.
Court would be in session from ten o'clock so Matthew decided to have a wander, strangely nervous about seeing Alice again. He too found his way to a jeweller's, gazing absent-mindedly in the window. He was struck by a simple sapphire ring. White gold band a square cut sapphire with similar cut diamond either side. He'd never really thought about marrying, much less about marrying Alice, but she had been a friend lately, even before his beating, and they had dined together, ending some evenings with a kiss, which were not always chaste!
'Grow up, Matthew.' He muttered to himself, still gazing at the ring. It would suit her, he thought, and why not? He headed into the shop, leaving very soon after with the ring in his pocket, purchased before he lost his nerve.
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It had, at first, amused Charlie that his two older colleagues were making phone calls home to the ladies, until the second night when it struck him that he missed a certain someone he sparred with over the dinner table. However, he wasn't going to ring her at home, that would have Jean imagining all sorts. Having a good idea about her work schedule and when she would be in the hospital he used the lunch breaks to ring her, telling his colleagues he was ringing his mother to apologise for not being able to go and see her. They had talked about the mundane, as they would at home, he had said he missed the dinners at home, being in a hotel was all well and good but when your dinner companions were work mates involved in a complicated case, well...
She in turn had said she missed him. Simply and honestly. Mattie liked Charlie, he was good fun when they decided to give Lucien and Jean some space and, of course, when they had gone to see Ruby and stayed at the cabin they had grown close staying in the house without their chaperones!
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Jean and Sam took Amelia into town to shop, Mattie had gone to work and Alice had said she would do some of the housework for Jean, unless she got a call from the hospital or the station to go out.
Of course, Jean got some odd looks. She hadn't been out for a while and now here was Mrs Blake with her adopted daughter and a strange young man walking in town when it was known her husband was in Melbourne.
'Jean?' He noticed some whispering behind hands, 'Are we being watched?'
'I expect so,' she smiled, 'some people have minds somewhere between the gutter and the sewer. Take no notice.'
'But...'
'Sam, dear,' she patted his hand, which gave further fuel to the gossip, 'when I was Lucien's housekeeper and receptionist all sorts of things were said about us, none of which was true. I have put up with gossip and snide remarks for long enough for it not to bother me anymore. Some even think I had to get married.'
'Don't they have anything else to do?' He was appalled that someone so good and decent should have to put up with that sort of thing.
'Obviously not,' she smiled and nodded to Susan Tyneman, who, she knew, would tell Patrick and it would be all round the Colonist's Club later. Well Lucien would sort that out. Men were worse gossips than women. 'Now, lamb I think, Lucien is rather partial to lamb.'
They continued to shop for the groceries then Sam suggested they stop for a cuppa before heading home, he could see she was tired and a little pale. Still suffering the after effects of the shooting, he supposed.
'That would be lovely,' she grinned, 'nothing like teasing the locals.'
'Jean.' He hissed. Now seriously worried about her reputation.
'Don't worry, as I said,' she parked the pram outside a cafe and picked up the baby, 'they can think what they like, we know the truth.' She went into the cafe and chose a table by the window.
They spent a pleasant half hour or so drinking tea and eating cake, feeding tiny pieces to Amelia. Sam told her about Charlie as a boy, how he was always looking out for them, fighting their battles.
'Best big brother out there.' He smiled.
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'If we catch the next train we'll be home for dinner.' Lucien smiled as they headed for the station. At last it was all over and they could get back to Ballarat, simple murders, petty theft and such crime as they were used to. No corrupt officers blocking the investigations or convictions.
'I'm up for that,' Matthew grinned.
'Well, you'll be dining with us.' Lucien grinned.
'I'm sure Jean will have enough to do, and she has that bullet wound.' Matthew stopped and turned. Lucien's tendency to invite him to dine with them was lovely but he had to think of Jean.
'Sam's been doing a lot of the cooking, Alice has been helping out and looking after the wound, which she should have taken the stitches out of now.' Lucien had his orders from his wife, when he'd told her they would be back, that Matthew was to join them. 'Jean said I was to tell you, you're expected. You can argue with her if you like, I know better, now.' He grinned.
Matthew knew when he was cornered and gave in.
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'I'll sleep at home tonight, Jean.' Alice stripped her bed, 'you'll have Lucien back.'
'I don't want you to think I'm throwing you out,' Jean laughed, the first time for a whole week, 'but I suppose you want to get back anyway.'
'Well, yes.' Alice smiled, 'but I think it was best we were all together.'
'I couldn't have coped without you and Mattie, really.' Jean touched her arm, 'I really appreciate everything you have done for me.'
'Isn't that what friends are for?' Alice squeezed her hand, and Jean thought she was learning a lot about being a friend.
Between them, Sam, and Mattie when she returned from work, they prepared a full roast dinner with vegetables and a fruit pie and custard, especially for Charlie. Amelia was played with mainly by Sam, who Mattie said was going soft, housework was finished, everything was as if it was a normal working day.
'Right,' Alice lifted her suitcase out of the guest room, 'I'm going to take this home and I'll be back in about half an hour!' She called and headed out.
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Alice unlocked her door and stepped in, smiling at the familiar decor. But it was so very quiet. Somehow she had got used to the general hum of a family home and the silence was... She put her case down and turned on the radio, tuning it to the same station Jean listened to.
She took her case and put her clothes and toiletries away, and found herself humming along to the music.
She walked back to Jean's with a light heart.
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Jean was feeding Amelia in the kitchen when Alice returned, letting herself in with the key she needed to return. The smell of the roasting lamb wafted up the hall and she could hear Sam and Mattie remaking the bed in the guest room. A sense of peace had descended on the house, replacing the almost tangible worry that had filled the air over the week.
From what Matthew had told her over the phone Munro and the commissioner were destined for long terms in prison and they would not be bothered by them again.
'Is there anything that needs doing, Jean?' She stood watching Amelia blow bubbles in whatever mush Jean was spooning into her.
'Just the table setting,' Jean didn't dare take her eyes off the baby who was such a messy eater and was likely to put her fingers in her dinner and smear it in her hair.
Alice set seven places and got the crockery out of the cupboard.
'Do you want me to pick them up from the station?' Mattie called from the hall.
'Lucien said they'd get a taxi,' Jean had managed to get a decent amount of food into the baby and was wiping her face and hands, 'Sam, would you mind putting the high chair out of the way for me while I sort madam out?' She called through.
'Right ho!' He crossed into the kitchen just as the front door opened.
Jean stopped and turned and found herself and the baby enveloped in Lucien's arms and his lips on hers, then his tongue...and she only just kept hold of Amelia.
Sam saw what was happening and although Alice had headed out into the hall she wasn't stopping to grab the baby. As he rescued Amelia, Alice was being wrapped in Matthew's arms and giving herself up to the most passionate kiss they had shared...up to now. He smiled and took his charge into the living room, and watched as Mattie stood looking up to the front door. Charlie stood there looking distinctly left out. She smiled and walked calmly up to him and tiptoed up and kissed his cheek.
'Hello, Charlie,' she smiled, 'busy week?'
'Yeah, a bit.' He smiled and returned the kiss. 'Any tea going?' She batted his arm,
'Come on, I'll put the kettle on.'
Jean and Lucien, Matthew and Alice, were too busy to notice them wander into the kitchen and make tea and quietly say how much they had missed each other, with Charlie teasing her that she only missed his cooking, and she replying that Sam wasn't a bad cook.
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Jean had ignored the dull ache from her arm until she broke for air.
'Hello,' she breathed, 'you're back then.'
'Missed you,' he bent to her and kissed her again, and felt her fingers ruffle the hair at the back of his head. If there hadn't been other people in the house she'd have let him make love to her right there and then.
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Alice knew she had missed Matthew, and that she enjoyed his company, but this past week had shown her how much he meant to her. When he pulled her into the kiss she had no problems responding in kind and letting him run his hands down her back, only stopping him when she realised it was not going to stop there and it was going to get very, very embarrassing.
'Later,' she managed to whisper, in a brief break in their greeting.
'I'll hold you to that,' he smiled and nibbled her ear.
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Charlie, Mattie and Sam were drinking tea and chatting in the living room, when the lovers, and not quite lovers final found time to be a little more sociable. Jean smiled as she noticed Mattie and Charlie sitting on the couch, her hand on his thigh, unconsciously.
Lucien smiled at his family altogether: Charlie and Mattie were like his children, Sam could join them, he had known Matthew for so long he was like the brother he never had, and Alice, he felt as protective of her as if she was his sister. Of course, Amelia, his daughter, currently being played with by Sam. He held out his arms for her and held her gently, taking the special baby smell he knew but never paid much attention to, it was just part of her, but so lovely. He laughed as she wriggled her fingers through his beard and let her pull his bottom lip down and stick her fingers in his mouth. He pulled his head back then bent into her neck and blew little raspberries, making her shriek and giggle with delight.
Jean smiled and turned to the kitchen. Dinner was nearly ready and such things had to be seen to. Sam appeared at her shoulder,
'Shall I see to that,' he murmured, 'you and the doctor see to Amelia.'
'Thank you, Sam.' She smiled and left him to finished the meal.
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Lucien watched her change the baby and settle her in the cot, tucking the blankets round her and bending to kiss her forehead. In seven months, or thereabouts, she would be doing this to their own child. Would she feel any different, he doubted it, Jean had a love for all those close to her that crossed all generations.
She turned and looked at him, leaning against the door frame, arms folded. She smiled,
'She'll sleep now,' She leant against his chest, 'until morning.'
'I'm sorry, Jean.' He tucked a strand of hair out of the way, 'for not being here.'
'Tosh!' She hissed, 'you had to do what you had to do. You made sure we were cared for, and what you and Matthew have done was necessary. We'll all be the safer for it.'
'Jean...' he tried to say he should protect her first.
'Shut up, Lucien, my darling.' she kissed him, 'you can make it up to me later.'
'If you insist,' he grinned.
'Oh, I do.' She giggled.
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Over dinner they told the assembled what had transpired at the court in Melbourne. How the defendants had persisted in their belief that what they were doing was acceptable, and above the law. They told how all would serve quite long jail terms and would then be released but not allowed to have contact with each other. They all knew that there was always a chance that they would try to get at those who had been instrumental in their downfall and Lucien had suggested each was sent well out of reach of Victoria, at least.
Alice said there were punishments she would like to exact on Munro, after his treatment of her over the Orton case, and Lucien said he would hold her coat.
'I'll remember not to upset you, then.' Matthew smiled, slipping his hand under the table and stroking her thigh. She turned and looked at him,
'You'd have to go a long way to upset me that much.' The look said he was nowhere near the threshold!
Plates were scraped and wine and water drunk as the meal continued. Lucien said he would like to take Jean away for a couple of nights, to make up for not being at home, so would Matthew mind getting a locum in for police surgeon duties.
Alice insisted she would stand in for him, she'd had an easy week on that front.
Sam and Charlie volunteered to wash up leaving the others to have an after dinner drink.
Jean, Alice and Mattie told Lucien and Matthew how they had worked during the week. Jean was honest about the sleep she had struggled to get, as she sat on her husband's knee and leant against him.
Sam looked around and decided her was now surplus to requirements, but in a good way.
'Right, well,' he stood up, 'glad to hear that everything went well, I'm going to head off to bed, early start in the morning.'
Jean stood up, so did Lucien,
'Thank you, Sam.' Jean smiled, 'for being here and putting up with a dreadfully emotional woman and a baby. Also, for the gossip in town.'
'Gossip, Jean?' Lucien turned.
'I went shopping with Sam today,' she took her husband's hand and smiled, 'of course you were out of town, I was with a young handsome stranger...need I say more?'
'Ok, well,' he turned to Sam, 'thank you Sam, for keeping them safe, please come and see us again, but as a guest, part of the family.'
'I'd love to,' Sam shook Lucien's hand, 'I'd like to see how my little friend grows.'
Mattie went up shortly after, swiftly followed by Charlie. He caught her coming out of the bathroom.
'Mattie,' he held her arm, 'I hope you didn't mind me calling you.'
'Oh Charlie,' she smiled, 'of course not.'
They stood looking at each other and then he bent down to kiss her cheek. She reached up and caressed his cheek with her hand. He backed off a little and looked at her. He could drown in those eyes, he thought. Mattie turned her head and kissed him softly on the lips, knowing he was afraid he would spoil their friendship. Charlie reached over and pulled her close, right up against him and deepened the connection until, breathless she broke the kiss.
'Um,' Charlie mumbled, 'I'd er better...' he nodded in the direction of the bathroom.
'Good night, Charlie,' She kissed his cheek, 'welcome home.'
She went into her bedroom and over to the bed. As she turned the covers down she saw on the pillow something shiny. She reached over and picked up a silver locket on a chain. Nothing over ambitious as a gift, but she knew what he meant by it. She picked it up and wiped away a tear with the sleeve of her robe and smiled. She heard him leave the bathroom and go into his room. Waiting a few moments, enough time for him to put his pyjamas on, she tiptoed out of her room and into his, without knocking.
'Mattie,' He sat up and put his book down, 'is something wrong?'
She dangled the locket from her fingers and smiled.
'Thank you, it's beautiful.' She approached the bed, 'budge up.' She dropped her robe on the floor and lifted the covers, wriggling in beside him. 'I've got rather used to sleeping with Jean, to help her, but I don't think she needs me tonight.'
'Oh, right.' He was a little surprised and wondered if she was expecting him to make love to her. Not that he minded, in fact... She snuggled against him and put her arms round him,
'Night, Charlie.' She sighed.
He smiled and held her close, falling asleep quickly with a smile.
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'Come on, Dr Harvey,' Matthew stood up, 'I'll walk you home, unless you're stopping over.'
'Thank you, Inspector,' she accepted the hand he offered, 'I'm going home tonight.'
'Thank you, Alice,' Lucien smiled, as Jean slipped off his knee and he stood up, 'again, for looking after Jean.'
'She's a much better patient than me,' Alice smiled, 'or, I suspect, you.'
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Alice slipped her hand into the crook of Matthew's as they walked down the drive, comfortable with her companion.
'So, were you ok?' he asked, 'living in a house with a baby and other women?'
'What are you implying, Matthew?' She turned to him.
'Well, you are used to being on your own at home.' He took her hand in his and they continued to walk to her house, 'I just thought you might find it hard to take.'
'Actually,' she squeezed his hand, 'when I took my things home it was too quiet in my house, so I ended up putting the radio on. It seemed so odd, the silence.' They turned into her drive and she let go of his hand to get her keys out of her bag. 'I think I left it on. Nightcap?'
'Er, yes, please.' He waited while she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
She turned and closed the door, turning the key. Matthew helped her out of her coat and bent to kiss her neck. She rolled her head appreciating the light touch of his lips and hummed. Sensing that what she meant by a nightcap wasn't her usual offering he put his arms round her and nudged aside her dark curls, nibbling her ear lobes and down inside the collar of her dress. She turned round and put her arms round his neck pulling him down to her lips, which parted and he slipped his tongue over hers. He tasted a hint of apple from the dessert and sherry she had drunk after the meal, but it was all Alice. She could taste his whisky and this time as the kiss deepened she didn't stop him running his hand over her bottom, but if he was going to do that... She moved her hands down his uniform jacket and undid the buttons, pushing the garment off his shoulders and to the floor then moved to his tie and his shirt. Matthew's hands fiddled with the button on the waistband of her skirt and pushed it down until it landed round her feet. He started to push her backwards towards her bedroom, glad they had come to her bungalow and not his house. She stepped out of her shoes and the ring of her skirt and as they staggered towards the room he undid the buttons of her blouse and pushed it off. She pushed his singlet over his head and ground herself against his obvious arousal. His hands were under her slip, between her legs and her breathing was quick, gasping as she finally managed to get his trousers down. He pushed open the door of the bedroom and pushed her onto the bed. Somehow the rest of their clothes were left on the floor as he found her ready for him and he entered her. A frantic coupling, a desperate need, leading to a rushed release for both of them and a groan of satisfaction from Alice.
'Alice,' Matthew gasped, 'god, you're wonderful.'
She batted his shoulder and looked into his eyes, 'you're not so bad yourself' as he rolled off her and lay looking at her, stroking her, seeing her nipples rise. He leant over to kiss the parts he hadn't had chance to touch yet, his tongue elicited little shivers of excitement and he knew that pretty soon they would be able to join again, but this time he hoped a little more slowly, more sensual.
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Jean and Lucien watched the last of their houseguests leave and she leant on his arm.
'Tired?' He whispered, kissing the top of her head before locking the door.
'Maybe.' She smiled.
'I think I'll have a quick shower,' he winked, 'shan't be long.'
'I'll be through in a minute,' she leant up and kissed his cheek, 'I'm so glad you're home.'
Jean washed the few glasses left and headed for their bedroom. Before she entered it she looked in on Amelia, sleeping sweetly in the cot. She closed the bedroom door and looked at the bed, and smiled. She undressed completely and slipped her robe on then went into their bathroom. She could see the silhouette of her husband behind the shower curtain and, slipping her robe off and hanging it on the back of the door, she slipped in behind him and started to stroke his shoulders. He stiffened, momentarily, then recognised the touch of his wife and smiled. She reached round for the soap and gently massaged his shoulders, then his back then his buttocks and the backs of his legs, not caring that her hair was getting wet and would be a mess in the morning. He felt her stand up and turned.
'Your turn.' He murmured and he took the soap and did to her what she had done to him. When he had finished her back he reached over and started to soap over her shoulders down over her breath, pulling her against him so she could feel his hardness against her lower back. He moved his hand down right to her sweet spot and she gasped. 'You shouldn't start something...'
'Care to finish it?' She whispered and turned round inviting him to kiss her. Never one to turn down such an invitation he obliged then turned the shower off and lifted her out of the shower. She clung on with her legs round him as he wrapped a large towel round her and carried her into the bedroom where he gently lowered her onto the bed. He moved over her and started to tease her before taking her round the world and back again, loving the groans and sighs of satisfaction as she released more than once, finally lying exhausted and curled against him.
'Oh Lucien,' she sighed. 'I do love you.'
'I love you too,' he kissed her lips softly, and reached over to the bedside cabinet. 'Here is the key to my heart.' He held up the necklace he had bought in Melbourne.
'Lucien,' she took it, 'it's beautiful, oh darling, thank you.' She lifted her head off the pillow and kissed him, a kiss that promised more.
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So that's William Munro dealt with. Wonder what else will happen in Ballarat. Can't wait for the new season, it will bear no resemblance to my ramblings but it will be nice to see which way the official writers take them.
Thank you for all the lovely reviews, so glad you like my waffle.