Thanks for the reivews as always! This chapter is just hot and steamy, that's all I going to say! Enjoy.

Chapter 25
Redemption

By the end of the evening, Meredith was not sure how much more anticipation she could bear. She managed to circulate among everyone, and make conversation, and ensure that there was enough food and drink available. The evening meal was not formal this time, just platters set out for everyone to help themselves and to spend time visiting in small groups.

Every time she caught Derek's gaze on her, her body felt warm and her pulse raced, and she was sure she lost the thread of conversations several times. Her thoughts were focused on the words he had spoken before; the erotic images were woven into her mind just as he had planned.

"Are you feeling all right?" Izzie asked, after Meredith settled next to her with a little sigh. "You seem rather distracted tonight."

"I blame my charming husband for that," Meredith admitted. "He has managed to turn the situation around…"

Izzie glanced across the room, seeing Derek and Marcus in conversation together. "They both look rather charming, if somewhat conspiratorial. What do you mean Derek has turned the situation around?"

"His penance for that riding incident…"

"Ah, I understand," Izzie smiled, lifting her eyebrows. "And you cannot resist the temptation…"

"Sadly no, and he is quite well aware of that." Meredith nibbled on a piece of fruit cake.

"Is that a bad thing, though? You did say you were ready to relent, as I recall. And if Derek is anything like Marcus, he will be more than willing to make you a happy woman."

"It is just the anticipation. He tells me just what he has in mind…before dinner, knowing how it will affect me. I swear, I do not recall any of the conversations I had tonight, or whether I ate anything. Nor could I leave early with him – it is torture, pure and simple."

"You could plead tiredness and escape. Everyone can entertain themselves well enough," Izzie pointed out.

Meredith laughed softly. "Oh, yes, I am sure everyone will understand we need to leave so that my husband can ravish me! I just cannot do that…"

"Oh really? Meredith, please...you and Derek have this almost legendary passion. I am quite sure that all of us here realize we have waited for you on occasion or how you both..."

"Izzie!" Meredith protested, her cheeks flushed, but laughing just the same.

Across from them, Derek heard the soft laughter, and he watched as she and Izzie continued to talk. "Are you forgiven yet?" Marcus inquired. "Or do you have a plan to redeem yourself?"

"I am working on both."

"At least you gave up the cane."

"It was a ploy for sympathy," Derek grinned. "Still I do not recommend falling off the horse in the snow, in the dark…alone..."

"And you accused me of poor horsemanship!" Marcus retorted.

"I should have realized that would come back to haunt me." Derek finished his drink, letting his eyes drift around the Great Hall. The older children were still there, weaving in and out of the groups of adults, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and visiting together. The candles glimmered in the large pine tree, and the air was scented with the fresh pine boughs adorning the hearth and the tables. Without fail, his eyes were drawn back to Meredith. "I do need to come up with something grand, however."

"Actions speak louder than words, Derek. Whatever you do, she will appreciate. She loves you, and the thought of losing you must have been very difficult. I'm sure you would feel the same if the situation had been reversed."

"Rather the way I feel about her going through childbirth again. But yes, I understand what you mean. When did you get so eloquent?"

"I owe it all to Isobel." Marcus shrugged, his eyes on his own wife.

"Well, between you and Lord John, I have been given a great deal of advice." He locked eyes with Meredith again, and his whole body tightened in desire. Her cheeks flushed, and he knew exactly where her thoughts were focused. "If you do not mind, perhaps I will try to instigate the first part of my plan..."

Marcus lifted his cut crystal glass in acknowledgment. "Go forth and enjoy, I believe I will escort Isobel to our quarters as well. She does need to rest, after all."

"Oh, damn I forgot...Meredith did mention that Izzie was not feeling well earlier. Is she all right?"

"Just tired, and too close to the time of childbirth for my comfort. Lord knows that I would prefer to be home, but this is a close second."

"Dr. Wilding in the village is just a short ride away if you need help."

The two men moved forward together, cutting through the laughing children, and focused on their wives. "I hope we do not require that, but good to know, just in case." Marcus kissed Izzie on the cheek, drawing her to her feet, just as Derek did the same with Meredith. "We should retire; the children are ready to go to bed as well."

Indeed, nannies were appearing at the doorway, ready to marshal their charges to bed so their parents could visit awhile longer. Rose and Meggie led the way, pulling Michael and the twins away from the tree, while the others followed suit. Everyone called out good night wishes, and the hall quieted considerably after that.

"We need to rest as well, my love," Derek whispered, helping Meredith to stand beside him. "And to fulfill the promises I made to you earlier."

"You mean to leave our guests to their own devices?" she asked, but ready to leave with him just the same.

"They will never realize we are gone. Trust me." His voice was dark and persuasive, and her knees went weak at the sound of it. After the earlier encounter, and the evening of distraction, she was willing to go with him to the ends of the earth if that was what he wanted. The children would all be abed soon, and the rest of the guests could find their own way to their rest. Her hand found its way into his, and she nodded silently.

"Oh, I trust you always, darling..." she murmured. "And I trust you are just as hard and ready to ravish me as you were before...that was your promise was it not?"

"It was my promise..." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Let me handle this now." They made their way towards the doorway, and he nodded amiably at anyone that looked towards them. As if he just escorting her to get some air, and yet Meredith was quite sure it was evident to anyone that it was not just an innocent walk he had in mind.

"Well that is the last we will see of them this evening," Kate remarked to Alex, who nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps we should retire as well, Kate," he suggested, raising one eyebrow.

"It is not that late..." she started to say, before seeing the look in his eyes. "However...that might be a good idea..."

Their bedchamber was ready for their arrival – the large fireplace was well stoked and flames were leaping, casting a welcome warmth. Candles were lit along the mantel and various surfaces, and the bed was turned down, with a multitude of pillows plumped invitingly at the headboard. There was even a small table with some desserts, along the fireside, with wine and brandy in decanters.

Meredith turned to look over her shoulder at Derek. "You were anticipating this...?"

"Was I too presumptuous? After all, I did make promises to you..." He was behind her, his hands on her shoulders. His lips trailed along her temple, as she relaxed back against him. "Now, I wanted to have the setting somewhat reminiscent of our first time together – the night you came to my bed, and stole my heart forever." Her head tipped, and he kissed the side of her neck. He felt the little quiver that ran through her, her little indrawn breath of anticipation. "Was I wrong to make you wait for this tonight?" he asked, reaching for the pins in her hair.

"I realized that you had taken the upper hand in this, and somehow I was the one not in control," she sighed, loving the feel of his hands pulling at her hair until it fell over her shoulders.

"So can you wait just a little longer?" He moved beside her, and took her hand to lead her towards the table. "I realize you likely did not eat much this evening, perhaps a small bite of something now...?"

Her eyes gleamed with desire as she looked at him in the firelight. "Something sweet, or perhaps more spicy...?" she murmured, thinking of their long ago conversation. Of eating sweet cherry pie, and offering him a bite, tantalizing him with the swipe of her tongue along her lips.

Derek grinned appreciatively, well aware of how his body responded now as much as then. "Here, sit down, my love." He helped her to the chair, and she sank into it gracefully, arranging her skirts around her. Derek took the seat across from her, and surveyed her over the rim of his wineglass, while she took a small bite of the cherry pie. "You still have that aura of sweet vulnerability mixed with the naughty vixen that I fell in love with that evening. I did not realize at the time how much my life was missing, and how much joy and fullness you would bring to me. I wanted a night of passion, to be sure, but you have given me passion and tenderness and a family that I am so thankful for every day." He paused, grasping her hand across the table, lazily stroking her fingers with his. His voice was low and emotional, and she found herself blinking away sudden tears. "More than anything, I want to apologize for making you worry about me, and to become frightened that I might have been fatally injured that night. I realize that it may not have seemed that disastrous to me at the time, more of a nuisance, but to you it was far worse. I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally, and yet I did."

Meredith squeezed his fingers. "I know it was not your intention, Derek. I love you more than ever – this life with you has been more than I ever expected when I accepted your invitation to dine with you that night. All I can ask is that you think carefully next time you feel you need to ride alone. Your family needs you too much to take risks...I want to be sitting here with you when we are old and grey, with our grandchildren playing in the Great Hall and enjoying our company."

A smile lifted Derek's lips. "And will you still be tempting me with sweets, my love?"

"Sweets may be all I can offer at that time," she smiled in return.

"I am sure we will work something out to our mutual satisfaction, no matter our age," he assured her. "I love you with all my heart, Meredith. Forever."

"And I will love you forever, Derek..." She stood up then, and moved around to stand beside him. "Now, you made some other promises to me that need to be kept...something about kissing my body everywhere...and making love to me until I cannot move a muscle...?"

Derek took her hand and pulled her down into his lap. "I always keep my promises, vixen..." He met her lips then, the velvety taste of wine on his tongue as he crushed her mouth under his. His hands tangled in her hair, as the kiss deepened, until he backed away, breathing heavily.

Reaching to take the fork from the table, Meredith offered a piece of pie to him, placing it in his mouth, letting him savor the taste slowly. Their eyes never left each other, as she fed him another small bite, and then carefully wiped away a smear of cherry from his bottom lip. He captured her finger and licked it slowly, his tongue winding around in a sensual caress. Her body quivered at the simple touch.

His hands strayed along the bodice of her gown, and he managed to undo some of the buttons at the back, easing the silk away from her shoulders. It slipped down, exposing the swell of her breasts above the lace trimmed corset. Due to her pregnancy, she was not laced tightly, just enough to hold her breasts up. The corset was fine lavender satin, trimmed with delicate deep purple ribbons and lace; a tantalizing confection that he admired for a moment.

He dipped one finger into the cherry juices, and trailed a sweet path over her skin, letting his head drop to slip his tongue over her to lick the juice away. Sudden pleasure rocked Meredith to her core, and she tightened her grip on his arms.

"You're not finished eating…" she pointed out, reaching for a piece of chocolate cake with her fingers this time, putting it against his lips. This time he sucked her fingers in with it, his tongue snaking around the tips, licking the crumbs from them. Her fingers slid down his jaw, trailing down his throat, and over the fine linen of his shirt. Slowly, she unbuttoned the first button, then another, toying with the hair on his chest, scraping a nail over his nipple. "My lord…what would you like next?" she breathed, leaning in to kiss him. "More wine? The ginger cookies…?"

Derek sucked his breath in. "You are such a tease, vixen…you are all that I want right now, making you feel good, until your body spasms around me in complete and utter pleasure." Without a moment's hesitation, he quickly stood up and swept her up in his arms. "I have this urge to take you right here on the table, but I fear it's not strong enough to withstand the onslaught..."

"Is it going to be that forceful?" Meredith laughed, as he set her down next to the bed. He turned her to face the bed, while he swiftly undid the rest of the buttons, so that the silk gown was discarded within moments.

"The first time," Derek vowed, running his hands along her hips, and up the corset. "This stays on for now, though..." He bent his head and kissed her breasts, lifting the warm mounds out of the corset, and flicking his tongue over the nipples one by one. Her knees buckled and she tumbled backwards, onto the mound of pillows. Derek pushed her knees up, and held her there for a moment, admiring the sight of her already so wet, so deliciously pink and moist.

Then he buried his face against her drenched folds, his tongue driving into her, stroking her clit until she gasped in happiness. Her pussy contracted, as waves of blessed relief coursed through her. Derek continued to suck at her, tongue doing wicked things to her clit until she was unable to do little more than buck and twist against him, wordless sounds of gratification spilling from her. She let her arms lift over her head and she stretched luxuriously, her breasts arching up. He added his fingers to the torment, alternating the pressure until she was lost in the sensations.

"You look so beautiful like this, giving yourself up to the pleasure…" he murmured, glancing up to see the flush across her skin, and the hard nipples indicating her satisfaction. Another shudder went through her, before he released her hips, letting her legs fall apart further. "I love to watch you like this, you know that, don't you, my vixen?" he muttered, stroking the damp skin of her thighs, feeling her tremble, and sigh in happiness. Her hips rocked upwards, seeking more of his touch, but he backed away with a devilish grin.

"Derek..." she entreated, her eyes half open, her voice a breathless whisper. "Make love to me...you promised..."

He devoured her with his eyes, the creamy skin glistening with perspiration, her breasts so plump and perfect above the corset. "Touch yourself for me first..." he muttered, his hands going for the fastening on the trousers, kicking his boots off at the same time. "While I undress..."

Her hand strayed lower, brushing her belly and lower, over the soft curls of her sex. Moisture slicked her fingers and she moaned, stroking her folds slowly. Her other hand cupped her breast, over the aching nipple, and another involuntary whimper escaped her at the feeling. As he stripped, his cock springing free, she rolled her hips, more daring now, knowing he was aroused even further as she toyed with herself. She rose to her knees, locking her eyes on his, and rubbed her breasts against him, his cock prodding her belly.

"Come for me..." he urged, letting her move harder against him, even if his cock was demanding to be inside of her. "Please, Meredith...just like this...now..." Her breath came faster, as she rubbed and slid back and forth, until her body convulsed in the sudden climax. He caught her against him, lifting her upwards over his cock. In one fast movement, he pushed her backwards and drove into her completely. She wrapped around him, still in the throes of her climax, welcoming him deeply into her. Her head went back, as he gripped her harder, thrusting into her with abandon. "So hot, so wet..." he murmured, sliding in and out as she met every thrust equally hard.

"This is all I could…oh…think…about…all evening..." she panted, her body bouncing from the intensity. "Like this…god…YES!" They lost themselves completely in the moment, as he buried himself in her slick, tight heat. The pillows scattered and the bed creaked, as they gave in to what they both needed at this point.

"Was it worth it?" Derek demanded, feeling his own body tensing, his climax ready to let go. Without waiting for her answer, he pulled her up to meet his mouth again, needing to kiss her tempting lips, as he started to come. It was almost more intense than any other time, and all he could focus on was the softness of her body, the heat of her sheath around him, and her lips beneath his. He kissed her mouth, her throat, and across her cheek, as they rocked faster. He could feel her tense around him, and she cried out in bliss.

"Yes…" she murmured, sighing as his tongue found hers again, drowning in the heat and the passion that flowed between them. Rocking a little more slowly, unwilling to let go of each other, as the last of the aftershocks fired in her core, squeezing him one last time. His hands slid lower, cupping her against him as he rolled them over. They shared kiss after kiss, slow and easy, until he lifted his head and gave her a sinful smile.

"Have I redeemed myself?"

Meredith paused, considering. "Hmmm...it is a promising start to redemption, my lord..." she teased, her fingers drifting over the muscles in his arms and then down his torso. "But I believe I need more proof..."

Derek lifted her upwards quickly and she giggled in surprise. "Then you shall have more proof, my darling girl. I believe I need to see you with some of that cherry pie decorating you, and then I plan to lick every inch of your body to remove it...is that too decadent?"

"Hardly...we started with chocolate very early in our relationship as you may recall...and then there was the raspberries and cream, I believe..."

"Food and sensual play go well together," he agreed languidly. "However, if it seems wrong for an old married couple such as we are to indulge in that..."

"Never wrong...and we are hardly old," she sighed happily. She tapped his chest playfully. "Now do not keep me waiting...indulge me my lord..."