I thank those of you that reviewed the last chapter. This one is kind of steamy to begin with, and sets the stage for the big Christmas party.

Chapter 26
Preparations

"Meredith, will you be ready soon?" Derek called out, adjusting the cuffs on his pristine white shirt one more time despite the attentions of his valet trailing behind him. The fitted black jacket and dark green patterned waistcoat were pressed to perfection, and complemented Derek's dark looks. It was late in the afternoon on the day of the Christmas fete, and he was well aware it could take some time yet before she would be finished dressing.

He crossed through the dressing room adjoining hers, finding Rose fussing with Meredith's hair. His lovely wife was still wearing her dressing gown, and James was sitting on her lap. Michael and the twins were together close by, playing with an assortment of dolls and toy soldiers marshalled in some sort of game Derek wasn't about to fathom. When they saw him, they immediately abandoned their games and pulled at his hands to urge him into their play time.

"Derek...as you can see, it may be awhile yet," Meredith greeted him, lifting her face for his kiss. James reached out for Derek as well, always happy to be with his father.

"Papa..."

With a grin, Derek lifted James up, making the little boy giggle happily. "Listen to you, Jamie! Very good...!"

"Careful, he may have sticky hands," Meredith warned him, indicating the candy on the dressing table. "You look far too handsome to get mussed up before the party."

Derek deposited James with his siblings, and sat on the bed to supervise them all. "And you look far too unprepared yet, my lady."

"Soon enough. The children just wanted to spend time here before the guests begin to arrive. It has distracted me somewhat." She smiled indulgently at her family, while Rose continued to work on putting the final touches on the complicated twists and curls of hair, decorated with the amethyst and diamond studded combs. There was a lavender silk gown spread out on the chaise, trimmed with froths of dark purple lace, from what Derek could see. It made him think of her purple corset, and he shifted subtly on the bed, remembering how delectable she looked wearing just that and her stockings. After their first, intense round of lovemaking that night, he had kept to his promise of dabbing the cherry juice over her breasts and taking his time to lick away every last bit, right down to the spot between her legs that had been mingled with her own feminine moisture. It had been a long time before either of them got any sleep that night.

He met her eyes then, and a slight pink rose in her cheeks as she realized where his thoughts were headed. "Rose...that looks lovely," Meredith murmured, turning her head back and forth to admire the final result. "Can you please take the children to the nursery for now? I wish to speak with His Grace for a moment."

"Of course, m'lady..." Rose dipped a quick curtsey, hiding her smile, before collecting the children.

Once the door clicked shut, Meredith turned to face Derek, and lifted one eyebrow at him. "I will be much longer getting ready if you keep sitting there looking at me like that," she warned him.

"I cannot help it if you look so delectable there, and all I can think of is ravishing you all over again," he told her, crossing the room to stand behind her. "Especially after our indulgences the other night, and the memory of your breasts under my tongue, so sweet with cherry juices."

"Mmm...it was quite decadent. You liked the way I returned the favor for you, as I recall..." After he had licked and caressed her body to the point of madness, she had smeared the cherries over his abdomen, and lower, mixing the chocolate icing with it to make a lovely feast along his cock. It ended up being more of a mess than she anticipated, but he had appreciated her efforts at licking him clean, shaking from the effort of holding back his climax until she took him inside of her again.

His whole body tightened at that thought, and he gripped her shoulders tightly. "Sweetheart, you can arouse me with the slightest effort..." he muttered, and she could feel the hard evidence of his statement pressing against her back. Sudden heat knifed through her, and she could feel the dampness along her inner thighs.

"So have your way with me now, my lord...before Rose returns to finish dressing me..." she said softly, pulling the tie to her gown open slowly. "Just right here, at the table...hard and fast...my love, I know you want to..." The erotic allure of the moment made him catch his breath.

"Yes...you know me well," he admitted, as she stood up, letting the robe slide down to the floor. She was nude, her skin still gleaming with lotion from after her bath, just begging for his hands. "Right here, then..." he agreed, undoing the front of his trousers, and freeing his cock that was suddenly throbbing with need. Meredith took him in her fingers for a moment, and he shuddered.

"Oh you are ready, aren't you, my lord?"

"Turn around, vixen..."

Her legs shaky, she turned to face the mirror, resting her hands on the table. Derek moved closer, spreading her feet wider, running his hands up her legs, towards the damp folds of her sex. She trembled, so aroused she could hardly breathe.

"And you are dripping wet..." he murmured in her ear. "Dripping down your leg in anticipation...so do not move...just hold still for me..." He played with her damp folds, and then stroked the bud of her clit so suddenly she gasped. "And do not let yourself climax until I'm inside of you, all right? You can do that, can't you, my love?"

Meredith nodded, caught up in the way he made her feel, of the scent of their arousal in the air, and the decadent sound of his voice in her ear. His fingers moved in and out of her, teasing her, and she moaned softly. His other hand stroked the swell of her belly, and then higher, tweaking her nipples hard. His lips moved over her neck, while he continued to twist his fingers inside of her. Pure desire took over, and his hips rocked against her, overcome with the need to take her hard and fast. She sensed the shift in his mood, an she wiggled against him, so close to the edge of her climax herself. "Please, Derek...now..."

She bent over, offering herself, opening herself for him, as he put the swollen, aching tip of his cock between her legs, finding the right angle to sink into her. Meredith moaned, low and throaty, as he filled her completely. Derek braced on hand on her hip, the other still at her shoulder, as he pushed in deeper, buried as far as he could go. She felt wet and silky hot, and he paused, savoring the moment before he pulled back.

Then he drove into her again, lifting her up onto her toes, losing himself in the slick grip of her sheath. Meredith moaned, meeting his thrusts as best she could.

"You feel so good...," he managed to say, his teeth clenched. "And very very wet…" Her wetness seemed to be everywhere, sliding down the inside of her thighs, as he took her harder than ever. She moaned, and moved with him, their rhythm picking up, as he thrust into her. Stars seemed to float in front of her eyes, as she felt her climax tingling, so close…

"Are you ready to let go?" he demanded, feeling her squeezing him, her body shaking.

"Yes, yes..."

Then Derek bent over her, finding the back of her neck with his mouth, kissing her again, as he penetrated deeper. That was all it took to make her clench, coming in shuddering waves around him, as the delight mingled with the blessed relief of her climax. He held her tightly, as the force of his orgasm shot through him at last, his body bucking against her violently. Both of them swayed and groaned from the intensity, their eyes meeting in the mirror.

Meredith's body still tingled from the sudden encounter, and they both laughed softly with pleasure. "Oh my…" she sighed happily. "You did not even muss my hair this time, I admire your resistance."

"While I do love to have your hair in my hands while I make love to you, I did not wish to make Rose fix it," he admitted, kissing the back of her neck as he slowly released her.

"Mmm, bad enough she will be aware of what we did," Meredith agreed, pulling her robe on again, as Derek went in search of a damp towel to remove any evidence of their passion from their skin. He straightened his clothing, and ran a hand through his own hair, before returning to her.

"I would look after this myself, but that would only lead to further indulgences," he grinned, handing over the towel.

"Indeed you rogue…" Meredith smiled at him, and he dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, Meredith."

"I love you, Derek. Now go and find something else to occupy your time, so that I may finish dressing," she teased him, giving him a gentle push towards the door.

He gave her a quick bow. "Of course, my lady. I will be waiting for you in the Great Room. I look forward to the rest of the evening, after this pleasurable beginning..." Giving her one last kiss on her fingertips, he turned and headed for the door.

Some time later, Meredith swept down the main staircase, doing a last minute survey of the front hall and the decorations. Candles were flickering, candelabra were glittering, and she could hear soft music in the background as the musicians prepared for the evening. There was a hum of conversation emanating from the Great Room, and she paused for a moment before entering herself. It was all perfect, just as it should be, and it would be a grand time.

Winston appeared silently beside her, and put his hand out to open the door. "Good evening, my lady," he greeted her. "I believe all is in readiness."

"I believe you are correct," she started to say, when the quiet was broken by the sound of small scampering feet. "Oh dear, what now…?"

They turned to look, as Hannah, Ella and Michael came running down the stairs, in pursuit of Henry who was leading them in a chase. There was an object in his mouth, as he darted quickly across the polished tile flooring. "Catch him!" Hannah called out.

"He took Grandmama's spectacles!" Michael added. "She cannot see anything without them!"

All three children pelted past them, through the entrance way and then skidded around the corner into the smaller family parlor. Meredith exchanged a helpless look with Winston, her lips twitching. "At least the guests have not yet arrived," she murmured, gathering her skirts to follow the children. She found the three of them on their hands and knees, looking under settees and behind potted plants.

"Have you found him?"

"Noo…." Ella sighed loudly. "He must have escaped!"

"I will arrange a search party," Winston said gravely.

"Thank you." Meredith patted his arm. "I do hope we find him soon. Lady Eleanor will be quite upset if she has to miss the receiving line. I know she was looking forward to seeing some of the village folk again."

"I will endeavor to succeed promptly, my lady."

As Winston turned to summon the young footmen for the search, Meredith shook her head at the situation. "All right, you three keep looking as well, and get your cousins to help if need be. Your grandmother will be very upset if we cannot find her glasses."

"Yes, Mother!" All three of them looked suitably concerned, and she held her arms out to them.

"Give me a hug, then, and do your best," she urged. "But do try to keep Henry out of sight for the evening once you find him. I would prefer not to have him pop up during dinner or make off with someone's pocket watch during the festivities."

"He is very tricky," Michael noted, frowning with very serious intent.

"Indeed. Perhaps in the spring we should consider setting him free…"

"Mother, no…!" Hannah protested. "Papa said…"

"Hush, we can talk about this afterwards, Hannah. Just find him for now, all right?"

"All right."

Meredith smiled to herself as they trooped out. It was never boring at Gracewood Manor, she mused, making her way to the Great Room once more. This time, Derek was waiting for her at the doorway, and he gave her a puzzled look.

"Henry is on the loose again, Derek. With your mother's spectacles," she said sweetly, as he kissed her cheek.

"I wondered why she and Lord John were not down here already," Derek said. "I should go and speak with her, sooth any ruffled feathers."

"I believe that would be wise. Winston and the footmen will be searching, along with the children, so hopefully they will recover them soon."

"I hope so."

By the time the clocks were striking seven o'clock, the missing ferret and his booty had been found, and Derek and Meredith were waiting along with Eleanor and John, for the first guests to make their way into the foyer. Several carriages were pulling into the yard, and it was a matter of moments before the receiving line would begin.

"I am so sorry about Henry," Meredith apologized again, touching Eleanor's arm.

"It could have been worse, Meredith. I believe I was more taken aback when the little creature appeared on my dressing table and filched the glasses to do anything, and by that time my maid was in hysterics! She is deathly afraid of mice, poor girl, and this was almost too much for her."

"I can understand completely." Meredith made a mental note to have Rose take the maid some extra sweets to make up for the scare as well.

"But all is well, and I am looking forward to speaking with some of the people I have not seen in a long time. This was such a grand idea," Eleanor smiled. The older woman was wearing a dark green gown, with touches of white lace at the cuffs and at the modest neckline, and her hair was up with studded emerald combs. A necklace of emeralds and diamonds circled her throat, and gems sparkled at her ears. She looked every inch the Dowager Duchess, and Lord John beside her was just as sharply attired in black evening clothes. They made a striking couple, and Meredith wondered again if they would ever marry, or just continue as they were now.

"You both look wonderful," Meredith smiled.

"And you look very radiant," John noted. The lavender gown was cut to disguise most of the slight roundness of the pregnancy, while the décolletage was just low enough to tantalize with the display of creamy skin. "You are glowing with good health, my dear."

Meredith exchanged a quick glance with Derek, thinking of their encounter earlier that likely had more to do with her glowing skin. His arm at her waist tightened a little, and she smiled happily at her father. "I feel wonderful and ready to start the evening…" At that moment, the doors opened and the guests began to make their way forward. "Let the festivities begin…"

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