In Pursuit of Miriam (20 page)

“You did not think I would invite you to lunch with me and then be ill-mannered enough not to sit at the table with you, did you?” he teased.

She took the seat opposite him and fussed over him. “Are you thirsty? Can I get you a drink? Are you warm enough? Shall I fetch you a blanket to cover your legs?”

“Enough, enough,” he laughed, enjoying her attention. “I am very comfortable, thank you. Be seated and eat before the meal goes cold.”

They enjoyed a meal of poached salmon with asparagus, and Vincent began to tell her about some of the sights he would take her to see in London when he was feeling stronger. As always, they talked easily, falling into comfortable silences every so often. When the meal was finished and cleared away, Vincent felt his eyes beginning to close. Miriam noticed.

“Vincent, you look tired. I think 'tis time you returned to bed. I promised the doctor that I would not let you do too much.”

“I think you are right,” he conceded, hating that he was so weak. “I'll call for Mason to give me a hand.”

“No, I can help you,” said Miriam, determined to be steadfast for her husband.

Vincent rose, took a moment to steady himself, then leaned on Miriam's arm. Slowly they began to make their way the short distance to the bed. They had just about reached it when his legs buckled and he fell forward onto the bed, taking Miriam with him.

As he lay there trying to get his breath back, he heard Miriam sobbing and feared he had hurt her. When he twisted around to look at her, he found that she was not crying, but laughing so hard that tears pooled in her eyes.

“I say, what's so funny, my lady?” Vincent was admittedly confused. “Do you find my weakness amusing?”

Miriam could barely answer him she was laughing so hard. “Oh, no, please don't take offence. I was thinking that it was foolish of
me
, whose legs give way at the slightest provocation, to think
I
could help
you
get back to bed. And then…I know this is wrong, and I pray you forgive me, but I also found it funny watching someone else have their legs give way under them. Now I know why, when I was a child, my friends were sometimes amused rather than sympathetic when I collapsed to the ground.”

“You cruel little minx.” Vincent laughed, then reached for her and pulled her over so that they were both lying fully on the bed, face to face. Then he put his hand behind her head and kissed her on the lips. What began as a playful gesture changed as he felt Miriam responding to his kiss. Suddenly feeling the beginning of arousal, he deepened the kiss, while his hand caressed her back and shoulders. She did not pull away from him; in fact, she began to tentatively explore his body with her hands.

He lifted his head slightly and groaned. “My God, Miriam, you do not know what you are doing to me. I want you so much.”

Miriam's answer was to bring her mouth back to his to continue with the kiss. When her lips parted, allowing him inside, he felt his body harden and knew for him there was no turning back if she continued. He made one last effort.

“Miriam, are you sure you want this? If we do not stop now, I don't know if I will be able to control myself.” He hesitated, then, “I love you Miriam, I will not hurt you.” There, he had said it. He had told her he loved her. It had come out naturally, and now he held his breath, wondering what her reaction would be.

He felt cold when she pulled away and sat up to look down at him. In that moment he thought that he had rushed things and lost her. Then he looked into her eyes and saw the wonderment in them.

“Did you say you loved me?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes, I did…and I do,” he admitted. “I know that I have been in love with you for many weeks, but have fought my feelings, aware that when you married me it was not for love.”

Vincent could see a sheen of tears in Miriam's eyes and then she said the words he longed to hear. “Vincent I love you so much it hurts. When I saw how ill you were when we came to London, I was afraid that I might never get the opportunity to tell you. I never expected you would come to love me; I never thought any man would love me in that way…Are you sure you love me?”

“Oh, yes,” he said, and to reassure her further, he took her once more into his arms and covered her mouth with his. He slowly began to undo the buttons on her dress and pulled it down from her shoulders to reveal her chemise, covering small, perfect breasts. He nudged the chemise aside to bare a breast, then brushed his fingers over the nipple and felt it immediately become taut. He then moved to gently suck it and heard her moan with pleasure. Dress now fully unfastened, she helped him remove it, leaving her clad only in her chemise. His hands began to explore her stomach and thighs through the thin cotton.

“Vincent, please, please,” she gasped as the ache in her womb caused by his suckling her became almost unbearable.

“What is it you want from me?” Vincent asked, needing to be sure that she would be ready for him. He could not hold himself back much longer.

“I don't know, Vincent,” she whispered, “but please, please …”

Vincent heard her catch her breath as he raised the hem of her chemise and tenderly probed that warm place between her thighs with one long finger. She was moist and ready for him. He knew that she was totally innocent and took time to warn her. “You may feel a little discomfort, my love, but I promise you I will be gentle and any pain will soon be over.”

He could tell that she was too overcome with sensual feelings to respond to his words; she could only whimper and tell him of her need for him. His cock was throbbing and he could not hold back any longer. He removed the chemise and the sight of her naked body was nearly his undoing. He took several deep breaths to regain control and then, telling her of his love and how beautiful she was, he gently parted her thighs and moved on top of her. He tried to insert himself into her slowly, but found that this was not enough to penetrate the barrier of her virginity. Taking a deep breath, he quickly thrust into her. When she cried out in pain, he gathered her to him.

“My darling,” he said, “I am so sorry.” He used every ounce of self-control to pause, kissing her until he felt her relax once more. He then began to move deeply within her until she was moving in response and demanding more. He thrust harder and faster and she met him stroke for stroke, her back arching, her breathing heavy and both their bodies slick with sweat. Just when he thought he could not hold back any longer, he felt her climax and moments later had his own shuddering release. “You are beautiful, my love,” he whispered breathlessly.

 

Miriam lay on the bed next to him, feeling tired and languid after their lovemaking. She had never expected the act to feel so wonderful. Yes, it had hurt her momentarily, but any pain had been soon forgotten as Vincent made her body react and her senses reel in a way that she could not have imagined.

He lay next to her now, looking spent, but a small smile curved his mouth. She thought he was perhaps asleep, so propping herself on one elbow, she took her time looking at him and taking in all the beauty of his naked body. She could not remember him removing his own clothes, but her body tingled as she remembered him removing her clothing.

She perused him for some time, until she suddenly remembered that it was the middle of the day. She sat up and pulled the sheet around her. Her quick movements roused Vincent.

“Are you all right? I have not hurt you, have I?” His brow was furrowed in concern.

“No, I am not hurt, and in fact, I don't think I have ever felt so good in my life.” Miriam blushed prettily at her admission. “But it is the middle of the afternoon. What were we thinking?”

Vincent laughed. “It may surprise you to know that people can and do make love at all times of the day and night. We are married, so we are perfectly entitled to make love when and where we want.” With that, he pulled her back into his arms.

“Forgive me,” she pleaded, “but I know so little about these things.”

She blushed again as he replied, “I would be more than happy to teach you, my love.”

Miriam felt a warm glow inside at the endearment, and she spent the next few minutes telling him and showing him how much she loved him.

Eventually Miriam decided that she must get up and get dressed, and after she did, ensured that Vincent was properly attired and in bed resting. Just in time, too, for following a knock at the door, Vincent's mother came into the room. Not noticing anything amiss, she gave them details of her shopping trip.

Vincent got out of bed for dinner that evening and sat at the table in his room with Miriam and his mother. After the meal his mother took her leave.

“I should be going to my room now,” said Miriam, although she was most reluctant to leave.

Vincent reached out and took her hands in his. “This is your room now, Miriam. You are my wife and I love you and want you with me tonight and every night.”

Smiling, Miriam rose and called for her maid to move her things into Vincent's room and then dismissed her for the evening. Miriam and Vincent spent most of the night exploring each other's body and making love. Miriam didn't think she'd ever been so happy. Vincent had been right; there was no pain now when he entered her. She was ready for him and revelled in his love.

1814, Derbyshire, England

It was the end of August and Miriam and Vincent were guests of the Earl and Countess of Blackwood. They were there to attend the wedding of Robert Bright and Lucy Spencer.

Lucy and Robert were excited and thrilled about their big day, and anyone looking at them could clearly see that they were very much in love.

“It was love at first sight for us,” Lucy explained to Miriam. “I never believed that could happen until I saw Robert, and he said it was the same for him.”

Miriam was genuinely pleased for her friend. “I knew from the first time I saw you both together that there was something very special between you, and I am so glad to see my best friend so happy. I cannot wait for you to move into Fairleigh Manor after your honeymoon; we will be close neighbours.”

Lucy's mother, the Countess of Blackwood, joined them in the drawing room. She had been concerned about Miriam when she had first married Vincent; she knew that the girl was fonder of him than she admitted, and worried that she might get hurt. Having seen them together over the past couple of days, however, she knew that her fears were unfounded.

“May I ask you, Miriam, how you are enjoying married life?” the countess asked.

“I find it much to my liking.” Miriam smiled and unconsciously put her hand on her stomach.

The countess noticed. “Have you any news for us, Miriam?”

Miriam could not keep the happiness from showing in her face. “Yes. I am with child. I was not going to say anything until after the wedding because I did not want to take away from Lucy and Robert's special time.”

“Miriam, that is wonderful!” exclaimed Lucy, who had overheard this. “When is the baby due?”

“All being well, it will be born in December.”

“You look lovely. Have you kept well?” Lucy wanted to know.

“Other than the first couple of months when I felt a little queasy, I have been well. Vincent does worry and fuss over me. I let him because it makes him feel better.” Miriam laughed.

 

Vincent was in the library talking to Robert and telling him how much he was enjoying married life.

“As you know, Robert, when we decided to marry it was for practical rather than romantic reasons, but I think I always knew deep down that I loved her. Although I was quite determined to find a wife, as you recall, I never once considered asking any other woman. I ignored how anxious I felt when I thought my pursuit of Miriam was not going to succeed. I will tell you, though, that it will be a long time before I forgive myself for treating her so badly in the first months of our marriage.”

“Well, I am sure Miriam has forgiven you,” Robert told him. “I can see how much she loves you when she looks at you. I hope Lucy feels the same about me.”

“Robert, we both know that Lucy has been head over heels in love with you from the day you first met.” The two friends laughed in delight at their good fortunes.

 

The wedding day was a beautiful summer day with blue skies and a warm breeze. As Vincent and Miriam watched Lucy and Robert take their marriage vows, Miriam's eyes filled with tears. Vincent, seeing them, squeezed her hand and whispered in her ear how much he loved her. Miriam, not caring who was watching, turned and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, allowing her tears of happiness to fall unchecked down her face.

Fourteen-year-old Miss Diana Wells was walking past the library when she heard a loud thud. She cautiously opened the door to investigate however on scanning the room she did not see anything unusual. She was about to close the door when a muffled grunting sound brought her focus down to floor level. There was a stranger laying on the floor struggling for breath and, as she watched, his limbs begin to shake.

She immediately knew what was wrong with the man and, letting the library door slam shut behind her, she flew across the room to where he lay; his whole body was now racked with uncontrollable spasms. She quickly pushed aside a chair and a small table to ensure he did not knock into them and injure himself and then she sat down on the floor beside him to observe.

Diana had seen fits before on many occasions. Her twin brother had suffered from them throughout his childhood until his death two years ago. Mamma had told her that she was the bigger, healthier twin who was born first and Colin had been born much later and after a great struggle. He had not been expected to live beyond infancy but somehow he had. Her parents had little contact with him and left his care to a paid nurse. Colin was slow to learn and regularly had fits. Sometimes these were small lapses of consciousness when he stared blankly for a few seconds before resuming whatever task he was doing and sometimes they were big fits like the one the man she was now sat with was having.

Colin had been Diana's shadow up to his death and she still missed him greatly. Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered her precious brother. He had always been frightened and disorientated after a fit and she had always been there to comfort and calm him.

Gathering her thoughts she turned her attention back to the man on the floor and felt a wave of relief as the severity of the spasms gradually subsided. She grabbed a cushion from the nearest chair and gently lifted his head and placed the cushion underneath it. She took his now still hand and held it; without thinking she offered him the same care and reassurance she had always given her twin.

His breathing eased and Diana reached over and, gently brushing his hair away from his face, whispered words of reassurance. “Shh…You are safe…Do not worry…You will be yourself soon.” She watched his face anxiously and at length his eyes opened allowing her to see the confusion in his piercing blue eyes.

“I'll stay with you until you are properly awake,” she promised as his eyes closed and he drifted into an exhausted sleep.

The young man slept soundly for about quarter of an hour and she stayed next to him throughout. When he was fully awake she stood and kept hold of his hand to steady him as he also rose to his feet. He was tall; taller than her brothers and his clothes, although crumpled from his laying on the floor, were fashionable and of good quality. Diana suddenly became aware that she was still holding the man's hand and dropping it she ran out of the library. She returned to her room and, other than making the decision not to discuss the encounter with anyone as she felt it would not be fair to the stranger, she put the incident out of her mind.

 

The man, Viscount Maythorpe, stayed for a short time in the library gaining his composure after the girl had fled. He knew what had happened to him. He had suffered from occasional epileptic seizures when he was younger but, not having had one since he was thirteen years old, had assumed he had left these behind with his childhood.

His seizures were never talked about in his family and only those closest to him were aware he had ever suffered from them. If he had a seizure as a child his family left the room and servants were ordered to do likewise. He received no comfort from them and on his recovery it was never mentioned.

The look of concern he saw in the girl's large brown eyes had surprised him and he had sensed that he could safely rest until fully recovered. Why this should be so he had no idea. After all he was a fully grown man at 21 years of age and the girl could have been no more than 13 or 14 years old and, from her dress, obviously still in the schoolroom.

Viscount Maythorpe had journeyed to Yorkshire to visit Viscount Westbury who was acclaimed for his horse breeding and fine stables but, having had a seizure, he was greatly shaken and so he made up some excuse to the butler and left without having even having met Westbury.