I'm glad you appreciated Meredith's choice of penance for Derek, and it may be awhile yet before he has redeemed himself...or perhaps he has something else in mind...!
Oh, and I realized that I had forgotten one of Kate's children in that last update - daughter Beatrice, which I mentioned in the epilogue to Dark Passions. My bad - she is mentioned in this chapter!
I do apologize for the delay between chapters - I would love to post more frequently, but 3D life has a way of interfering, and before I realize it a week has gone by! I hope you can hang in there despite the delays.
Chapter Twenty-four
Turning Tables
By the time dinner was nearing completion, Derek had told the sad tale of his accident, much to the amusement of both Kate and Eleanor. Despite the fact it could have been more serious, but had turned out not to be, the situation was merely cause for laughter. Even Alex and Meredith's father were able to tease him, and Derek did his best to accept all of it with gracious good humor.
"Yes, I realize that the last time I was thrown from a horse was when I was likely wearing short pants..." he admitted wryly.
"Probably Michael's age," Eleanor agreed, her blue eyes twinkling. "And it was likely a pony..."
Derek met Meredith's eyes, where she was sitting far down the table from him, separated by the various family members. Dishes and glassware and candles still adorned the table, along with a massive centerpiece of pine boughs and holly branches, wound with red and green ribbons. Dessert was still being brought in, confections of peppermint flavored sherbet and plates of flaky shortbread cookies. It was too far away in his opinion, but he could clearly see her eyes shining, and her skin glowing in the candlelight. She had dressed for dinner in a green velvet gown, with a rope of pearls at her throat, and her hair up in a soft array of curls. She looked happy and alluring, and he felt a surge of desire for her.
She lifted her wine goblet and tipped it in his direction, acknowledging his intense gaze. Listening to the conversation flowing around her, she felt her own body respond to him. He was dressed impeccably as always, while forgoing the jacket, he looked every inch the country gentleman in his white linen shirt, patterned silk waistcoat and black trousers. His blue eyes seemed to smoulder in the candlelight, as he looked at her over the rim of his goblet. A small smile played along his mouth, and it sent warmth pooling in her core.
The last two days, she had managed to evade his attempts at seducing her into making love, determined to punish him just a little bit for his foolish actions. With emphasis on letting him rest, or pleading nausea from the pregnancy, it had been difficult to do but now she wondered if it was worthwhile. Still, perhaps the torment would be arousing in its own way, she mused, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
"Meredith!"
Startled out of her thoughts, she looked at Kate, seated at her right side. "Oh, I am sorry, Kate..."
"Distracted by my brother, no doubt," Kate observed with a smile. "I am glad to see that nothing has changed in that regard. And you are expecting again..."
"Oh my goodness, yes, on both observations, Kate," Meredith admitted, blushing a little. "Though I wanted this baby, so it was more my doing..."
"You look wonderful, and I am so happy for you! It's a shame that things did not work out as well as you hoped at court, but still I'm sure the experience was exciting." Meredith had shared some of the problems regarding Rhys, Rowena and Cordelia during dinner. Eleanor had been aware of some it, of course, but it was all exciting gossip for Kate.
"I heard from Cordelia, she seems happy. I do hope it all turns out well for her."
"You did your best, Meredith. I would have done the same in your shoes," Kate told her.
"You sound like Izzie."
"She is just as practical as I am."
"You will be seeing her again, she and Marcus should be arriving within a day or so. I am surprised you did not see them on the road."
"With that snow we were more concerned about just getting here."
"One of the problems with travel at this time of year," Meredith agreed.
"So you said that Derek is still in trouble over his incident?"
"For now, yes, though perhaps not much longer." Meredith took a spoonful of dessert, enjoying the tart taste of mint. "Still, it was very frightening for a time. I had visions of him being lost in the snow, hitting his head on a rock under the drifts..."
Kate nodded, her eyes saddened for a moment as she thought of her first husband, William. "It can happen, and Derek should know better. But accidents happen, and then life goes on..." Her glance flicked over to Alex, smiling at him happily. "I have to thank you in some ways for my life moving on. Alex has made me so happy."
"I'm glad it all worked out for you. And you have such a wonderful family, with Marianna, the twins, Beatrice, and now Thomas."
"It's a full life," Kate agreed. "I just miss seeing you and the rest of the family. So I'm glad that Mother and Lisbeth will be here for awhile too."
"It will be a busy time."
"You have a full life as well...and Michael is getting so big! Quite a handsome boy, very much like the portraits I've seen of Derek at that age."
"He had a bout of sickness when we came home from London; we were concerned it might be scarlet fever for a time. But now he's recovered and back to his usual antics."
"Goodness..."
"Oh, and be on guard for Henry, the ferret..." Meredith smiled.
"Ferret?"
"Yes, the girls rescued him from the clutches of one of the barn cats. We wanted to send him back to the barn, but somehow Hannah pleaded with Derek to keep the creature inside. The girls have their father wrapped around their little fingers."
"Oh, I can believe that...Alex is helpless to resist when both Marianna and Beatrice want something," Kate smiled. She glanced fondly at her husband, who smiled back at her.
"Indeed, men and their daughters..." Meredith agreed.
The footmen came around then to clear the dessert plates, and the men stood in preparation to take their leave for brandy and cigars. Derek came around to give Meredith a kiss on the cheek, while Alex and John spoke with Kate and Eleanor for a moment. "Vixen, you look so lovely tonight," he murmured, his hand resting at her waist. "Can we hope for mutual resolution to my penance?"
Heat flashed through her, and she leaned into him briefly. "You are not quite recovered yet, my lord..." she replied softly, indicating the cane still in his hand. "Rest is the best thing for you."
His eyes flashed wickedly. "What's best for me has nothing to do with resting..." he warned her. "However, I will abide by your wishes...for now..." He kissed her fingertips, and then left to join the other men in the library.
Within the next two days, the rest of their guests arrived, filling the Manor to the brim. Marcus, Izzie and their children arrived, bringing boisterous exuberance to the household with their three children and then Lisbeth, Lucian and their four children arrived. There was not much time to think of much else other than keeping everyone occupied, and entertained. The Christmas fete was drawing closer, and once again Meredith found herself consumed with the myriad of details that needed to be taken care of. With the help of the rest of the women, though, it wasn't nearly as bad as helping with the ball at court.
Eleanor was especially helpful, having planned many more balls and parties in her lifetime. She took over supervising the kitchen once again, while Kate and Lisbeth oversaw last minute cleaning crews. Meredith and Izzie looked after anything else, including the entertainment and the games for the children.
"It will be a wonderful time," Izzie smiled, as Meredith relaxed with her for a moment. "Everything will be perfect."
"Considering how many of the local gentry will be attending, I do want this to be perfect!"
"How is Derek faring with his leg?"
"Mmmm, better every day. Enough to be able to go outside with the bigger children and their sledding today," Meredith smiled.
"Good, Marcus and Lucian are joining them, I believe," Lisbeth observed, settling into the chair next to Meredith. "Fresh air will do them all good!"
"So long as Derek does not injure himself again, it will be a good afternoon for them."
"Are you still making him redeem himself for the worry he caused you?" Izzie inquired, resting her feet on the ottoman thankfully. She was feeling well, but every now and then the baby seemed to be more active, kicking her unexpectedly. Marcus had been rather concerned about travelling, but there was no way she was missing this Christmas party.
"For now, and we have both been so busy..."
"I cannot imagine he is happy with that situation," Lisbeth commented. "Knowing how much he loves you and how he is with you, after all."
"I will relent soon enough!" Meredith laughed.
"Just do not tell him in advance, Meredith. Keep him guessing!" Izzie laughed. Then she felt a little twinge and she gasped, clutching her teacup tightly for a moment.
"Izzie, what is it?" Meredith asked, alarmed at how pale her friend had turned suddenly. "Is it the baby?" She was instantly beside her, and Lisbeth on the other.
"Just a little twinge..." Izzie sighed. "I just need to lay down, I believe."
"All right, here, we'll help you. Should we send for Marcus?"
"Oh no, he will just be convinced we should have stayed home! After I get my feet up I will be fine. This little one has been much more active than the others," Izzie admitted as they made their way up the curving staircase.
"Well, you will be resting now until the party, my dear," Meredith said firmly. "I have more help than I need at any rate." Even though Izzie was experienced with helping women in childbirth, Meredith still did not want to take any chances.
Outside, Derek kept his feet planted firmly on the ground, while Marcus and Lucien spent time with the children on the sleds. There was a large group of older ones who helped with the younger ones, and they all managed to get down the hills with shrieks of glee and tumbles in the snow. Lord John assisted with some of the activities, but for the most part he kept back, content to watch.
"So, I understand that I am to be a grandfather once more," he commented to Derek during a lull in the activity. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir. Meredith is feeling well, and the baby will likely be born in early summer."
"So everything is well between you then?"
"Of course, why would it be otherwise?" Derek glanced at his father-in-law in concern.
John shrugged lightly. "I hear things. I believe my daughter was not pleased about your recent injury, even though it rather amusing to us."
Derek smiled a little. "Oh we are having a bit of a stand off in that regard, sir, but rest assured that we are quite happy."
"Good. After being at court, and seeing all of what goes on there, I do get concerned." The elderly gentleman clapped Derek on the shoulder. "I am glad to know that you have been good to my daughter. So many others take their marriage vows lightly in today's society..."
"Trust me, sir, there is nothing I would ever do anything to hurt Meredith. She means everything to me."
"Except that you managed to injure yourself," John observed, raising one eyebrow. "I know how women think, Derek. Even if you do not believe it was a major injury, in her mind it was the worst thing that could happen. Especially in her delicate condition."
Derek nodded. "I understand, and I know I will need to make a grand gesture to redeem myself."
"Indeed, Derek. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to return to the manor. These old bones do not fare well out in the cold for long."
"Yes, of course. And the young ones do not feel the cold at all, I'm sure!" Derek laughed, watching the sleds careening down the hills.
"Good luck with my daughter," John said, in parting.
Derek nodded, thinking that he needed to plan something good...and soon...
After the sledding party, everyone trooped back to the manor where they were met with warm blankets and promises of hot cocoa and biscuits in front of the fireplace in the Great Room. Derek excused himself, and made his way upstairs to change out of the clothes that had become damp from a snowball fight between the older boys. As he stalked across the floor, he rubbed his hand over his hair, realizing he had gotten more chilled and disheveled than he realized. For a few minutes, he stood in front of the fireplace, grateful for the warmth. He heard the door open behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Meredith there, holding her skirts as she walked towards him.
"I did not realize you were back already..." she said, eying his damp attire. "I was just sitting with Izzie, she was feeling a little tired."
"Is she all right?"
"She says she is, and she does know best."
"Marcus should be with her soon, it's a madhouse of children in the Great Room," he grinned, reaching out to take her hand. "We could hide in here for awhile, and you can massage my leg..."
"Rogue..."
But she let him pull her against him. He slid his hands along her arms, and then up over her breasts, cupping them over the material of her gown. Her nipples puckered instantly, and a quiver shot through her at the caress. Leaning closer, he kissed her temple, and moving lower, to touch his tongue to the delicate shell of her ear. "I am sure you wish to help me warm up, don't you sweetheart...?" His breath fanned her sensitive earlobe, and another quiver arced through her nerves until she could barely breathe herself. His fingers toyed with the laces at the front of her gown, tantalizing her with his erotic insistence. After the last few days, this was almost exquisite torture, and not only for her. Derek felt hard and suddenly hot in ways that had nothing to do with the fire raging behind them.
"Are you ready to forgive me, vixen?" he whispered, his voice silky and persuasive. His brilliant blue eyes met hers, his damp hair falling over his forehead, as he held her tightly against him. There was raw desire for her in his gaze, and she could feel the hard ridge of his erection against her. For a moment, she was close to surrendering, needing that sensation of him pulsing inside of her. She cupped her hand around him, teasing him just as much, until he groaned softly.
"Do you believe you have repented enough, my lord?" she asked softly.
Derek closed his eyes briefly, willing himself to control the urge to pick her up and ravish her right then and there. This wasn't the grand gesture to redeem himself; not this way, he reminded himself. Taking a shuddering breath, he touched her cheek gently. "Perhaps we need to wait. Even though I want nothing more than to lose myself in your sweet body, and take us both into mindless pleasure..." he murmured, kissing her lips. "...and I am quite sure you are so warm and wet right now, and the anticipation of the moment is almost too much to bear now..." His mouth tracked lower, along her throat, hot kisses that made her willing to abandon everything else and give in right then and there. "Do you still want me to behave until you are certain I have paid my penance in full...?"
Chills and heat chased one another through her body, all the way to her core, to her legs and her toes. She suddenly did not want him to behave; she wanted to know he couldn't help himself and to lose control with his desire for her. "Derek..." Her voice was low as she reached for him again. "Whatever you have in mind right now would please me very much..."
"Ah, but would that be the best thing for me?" he teased, with a naughty lift of his eyebrow. "Not to mention we have guests waiting for us to join them. I believe we should wait just awhile longer to resolve this..."
"Are you quite serious?" she asked incredulously. Her whole body thrummed with the need for him, not sure if she could wait any longer.
"My little love, I vow that I will pay my penance in full, and take my time to satisfy you utterly and completely...kiss every inch of your soft skin...bury my cock into your delicious heat...make love to you until you cannot move a muscle in that sweet body of yours..." he whispered, while maneuvering her around to face the door. He gave her one last, lingering kiss along the side of her neck before swatting her derriere gently to propel her forward. "But not until later..."
Meredith's breath hissed in sharply, and she walked forward on unsteady legs, glancing at him over her shoulder as she reached the doorway. He was leaning one elbow on the mantel, his smile a dangerous invitation for her to return. "Later then..." As she made her way along the corridor, pulling her composure back together, she was well aware that he had turned the tables on her...but somehow it only made her laugh. Ever the rogue her husband...and her body hummed with pleasant anticipation...