Chapter 2

"I have a daughter"

Richard watched her face for any sign of anger or upset. He did not expect the quiet acceptance. "Oh, Richard… Where is she?"

"The last letter came from Badajoz in Spain, the city is under reconstruction and they are restoring the family home. Antonia is with Teresa's family, but the letter came from the woman who was helping Teresa care for her, She tells me she is well, but Antonia does not know much about me, at least not from Teresa's family. And Teresa's family does not write to me of her welfare. They did not approve of me for being English. They really want no part of me in Antonia's life."

"Teresa, that was your first wife, yes?"

"Aye."

She really knew nothing more of Teresa, Richard usually shut down at the mention of her name. Much like he trying to do now.

Lucille's fingers entwined with his on the table, the gesture meant to comfort his worries. No jealousy whatsoever. How could she be? She had a dead husband as well. A husband she'd loved deeply and passionately; and she would always hold her love for Xavier in her heart. She spoke little of him to Richard either and she understood his reluctance to speak of his Teresa. "You loved her very much; I can tell by the look on your face as you speak of her, the way you say her name."

He stood, moving away from her, over to fireplace, staring down into the dancing flames. "I will not deny it, I loved her very much, she taught me much about loving a woman." Lucille could only give her mental thanks, if this Teresa was responsible for the kind of lover this man was to her.

She came to Richard, turning him to face her, her hand caressing his face, sliding her fingers into his hair, capturing the look of worry in his eyes with the promise she was making him in her own. "Tell me about her Richard. Please, so I might be able to tell your daughter things about her mother after you bring her home to us."

"How did you know that is what I wished to know from you, if you would be willing to take her in with us. If you could love her, be a mother to her. "

"She is an innocent child, Richard. She is yours, and that alone is enough for me to love her. I know you well enough now Richard Sharpe, how could you love our child without guilt, with your other child far away. You would always feel something was missing. She is part of you. I want you to go with my blessing, find her, my love, bring her home. Relieve the burden of worry in your heart. Your Teresa would want Antonia to be with you. As surely as you loved her you know this."

Richard's hands came to rest on her shoulders, "All I know in this moment is how much I love you, milady."

He brought his lips to hers, a gentle nibbling kiss, gently teasing her mouth with his tongue. Tenderly he captured her bottom lip with his teeth His ever-constant desire to touch and taste all of her swelling once more.

He drew her body closer, melding her body to his, as her lips parted, inviting his tongue to explore. Tiny shivers of anticipation were already beginning to swirl and pool in her belly. Without error, Richard's fingers found the laces of her bodice with practiced ease and slid the gown off her shoulders just enough to bare her breasts, his thumbs feathering across the hardening peaks. Gasping at the tender caresses, Lucille mirrored Richard's actions, her tongue dueling with his as she slid his suspenders off his shoulders. Deft fingers slipped inside his shirt her fingers skimming across his ribs and the muscles of his chest. Richard drew her close again her bare breasts against his bare chest. The contact was heated, smoldering, a fire that was steadily building. He broke the kiss momentarily, "C'mon to bed."

He lifted her in his arms, his tongue once more taunting hers as he delved again into her warm sweet mouth, carrying her to their bed. He stripped her of her dress and shed his clothes. Moving his naked body half over hers careful of his weight on her belly he began to rain kisses along her throat and shoulders, his fingers gliding in a feathersoft, teasing caresses around the taut nipples his mouth drawing each one in turn into the scorching heat of his mouth. His fingers moved downward skimming lightly across her rounding abdomen. His mouth following the path of his hands, pressing kisses over the baby on his quest lower. His fingers grazed the dark pelvic curls, damp with her moisture, gliding on to her entrance where she was wet with arousal. He slid a finger in the hot passage and she arched against the stroking finger.

"Richard." She whimpered in an appreciative cry as his thumb found her center of desire. Gently he urged her on to climax as she cried out his name. Even as her breathing began to even out again, he moved over her, gliding home within her. Holding himself with most of his weight on his hands, he thrust into her with a smooth flowing rhythm that she met with further passion and continued desire. Her hands stroking his ribs, caressing his back, her fingers teasing his chest while he thrust again and again, and spirals of a second orgasm began to swirl within her. Her tunnel tightened with her second completion as he spilled within her fertile body once again.

Dropping down on the bed he pulled her with him as he rolled to his back and she curled against him.