Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (32 page)

Season blinked her eyes. "How can you know about the baby? Did someone tell you?"

Molly gave Season an all-knowing smile. "Ain't I been looking after you most all your life? Don't I know everything that concerns you? I ain't said nothing because I was waiting for you to tell me. I know what all this secret wedding was about."

"I could never hide anything from you, could I, Molly? If you know that much, you must also know that the child I am carrying belongs to The Raven."

"Yes, I know that. If I was you I'd forget who the real father was. Mr. Carrington saw fit to marry you, and you owe him an awful lot."

Season smiled. "I believe you like Lucas, Molly."

"I suppose he's as good as some and better than others," the maid admitted.

Season's eyes moved to the pillow next to hers and she saw the imprint where Lucas had slept beside her. "Where is Mr. Carrington, Molly?"

"He ate breakfast bright and early and said to tell you he was going over to the Wolf Plantation to help Mr. Wolf with the wedding plans."

Season threw the covers aside and started to get up before she realized she wasn't wearing her nightgown. Blushing a bright red, she pulled the bedcovers over her nakedness. "Molly, I want a bath, and make it quickly," she said hurriedly, trying to cover her embarrassment. "If there is to be a wedding today, we have many things to do."

Molly smiled knowingly. "I must say you look the blushing bride this morning."

"The bath, Molly," Season reminded her maid firmly.

"I'll just bring your breakfast up first, and when you've eaten, then I'll prepare your bath," Molly stated, moving to the door. She wanted to remind Season that she still exercised some authority over her life.

When Season was alone, she reached for her robe, pulled it on, and belted it about her waist. She felt strangely light-hearted today. Remembering the night before, she smiled to herself. Lucas had penetrated the wall she had built around her heart. True, he had only cracked it, but she had hopes that he would soon pull it down all together.

The day passed quickly with everyone busily preparing for Rebecca's wedding. Hand-delivered invitations were sent out to friends and neighbors, and food had to be prepared. Season directed the packing of Rebecca's clothing and belongings, and had them transported to the Wolf Plantation.

By the time Season helped Rebecca into her wedding gown, she was exhausted. Standing back, she observed her sister-in-law, and smiled. "You look lovely, Rebecca. I just know you are going to be happy."

"I am a bit nervous, Season. Did you have butterflies in your stomach when you married Lucas?"

"That's a very good way to describe the way I felt, but put your fears aside. You are marrying a man who loves you, and you love him. Your marriage will be wonderful. I know you are going to be happy."

Rebecca hugged Season tightly. "No one will know that Robert and I were married just one day after you and my brother. Lucas said over breakfast this morning that he was going to announce tonight that you and he had been married several months ago."

Season motioned for Rebecca to turn around, and she studied her closely. "I have just the thing you need„ for a finishing touch."

Rebecca watched as Season opened a small black velvet case and removed a string of lustrous pearls. "I want you to have these as a gift from me to you."

Rebecca touched the pearls wistfully. "They are very beautiful, but I could never accept so valuable a gift from you, Season."

"Nonsense. I want you to have them." Season smiled. "Of course, you may not want them when you learn that they were given to me by Queen Charlotte for my twelfth birthday. She and my mother were good friends and every year she sends me a birthday gift."

"The queen gave you these?" Rebecca said in an awed voice. "Sometimes I forget that your father is such an important person."

Season fastened the pearls about Rebecca's neck. "I am much more important now than I ever was before, Rebecca. I am Mrs. Lucas Carrington of Virginia."

Rebecca hugged her sister-in-law. "I shall always treasure the pearls because you gave them to me, Season."

Neither of them knew Lucas had entered the room until he spoke. "I have missed you today, Mrs. Lucas Carrington of Virginia," he said softly.

Rebecca noted the twinkle in her brother's eyes and the blush on Season's cheek and giggled. "La, one would think the two of you are but newly wedded. This is supposed to be my day, remember?"

Season smiled as she crossed the room. "I will leave the two of you alone. I need to go to the kitchen and see if the food is ready."

Lucas reached out and took her hand. "Have you taken over the running of my house then, madame."

She smiled up at him. "I have been well trained for just that function. You will find me to be a very able housekeeper, Mr. Carrington."

He raised her fingers to his lips. "Until later," he said, his golden eyes dancing.

When Season had gone, Lucas turned to his sister. "You look beautiful, Rebecca. I believe for all your faults, I am loath to part with you."

She went into his outstretched arms. "I will miss you too, Lucas, but thank goodness we will be no more than a few miles apart."

"All I want is your happiness. I can let you go, knowing Robert will take good care of you. I just left him, and he is most anxious to make you his bride. If ever any man loved a woman, he loves you." . Rebecca looked at her brother and her soft brown eyes shone. "We are both fortunate, Lucas, for we love two very exceptional people."

He hugged her tightly. "Come, the guests have begun to arrive, and your bridegroom waits impatiently."

Season stood beside Lucas, whose hand rested on her arm, as Rebecca became Mrs. Robert Wolf. She felt a prickle of envy at the touching way Rebecca and Robert gazed into each other's eyes. How fortunate Lucas' sister is to be marrying the man she loves, Season thought. She could feel Lucas' eyes on her, and she looked up to see the soft light reflected there. She definitely felt something for this man, but she couldn't yet put a name to her feelings.

When the ceremony was over, the happy couple was soon surrounded by well-wishers.

When Season noticed Mariana Bartlett approaching her and Lucas, she tried to fade into the background, but Lucas placed his hand about her waist possessively and kept her beside him.

"Lucas, you have allowed your sister to beat you to the altar," Mariana said, standing on her tiptoes and kissing him boldly on the lips.

Lucas pushed Mariana away and gave Season an apologetic glance. Seeing the look that passed between Lucas and Season, Mariana turned poisonous eyes on the woman she thought to be her rival.

"I see you are still lingering in Virginia, Mistress Chatsworth. You must find our climate agreeable."

Season glanced at Lucas, wondering if he had caught the biting undertones in the woman's voice; but he seemed not to notice as he studied the tip of his boot.

"I sometimes find the climate more agreeable than the people, don't you, Mistress Bartlett?" Season retaliated.

Mariana took Lucas' arm and pulled him away from Season. "I would like to talk to you, Lucas," she said, staring at Season with icy blue eyes.

"Whatever you want to say to me can be said in front of Season, Mariana," he answered.

"Very well, but she may not like what I have to say. There is considerable gossip going around the country about her remaining at Rosemont for such a long time. I think you should be aware of what people are saying."

"Can I assume you defended Season when people spoke ill of her, Mariana?" Rebecca said, coming up beside Season and taking her hand.

"Well... I hardly know her, and I don't feel qualified to defend her," Mariana said indignantly. By now other people had gathered about them to hear the exchange between Rebecca and Mariana.

Lucas gave Season an encouraging smile and pulled her closer to him. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention," he said, raising his voice. "I realize today is my sister's day, and I don't intend to steal her thunder, but I know she will forgive me if I make an announcement."

By now he had everyone's attention; all present waited for him to continue.

"Many of you have met Season Chatsworth. It was just pointed out to me by Mariana that there is much speculation going about as to why she is staying with my sister and myself. I would like to take this opportunity to clear up any misunderstanding. Season is in truth the daughter of the Duke of Chatsworth. I met her some time ago in New York, and I am happy to tell you she gave up her father's illustrious name to become Mrs. Lucas Carrington."

Season watched the color drain from Mariana's face as the wedding guests began to murmur among themselves. Lucas held up his hand and a hush fell over the crowd. "I hope you will all welcome her to Virginia, because she will be living here from now on."

Season was unprepared for the warmth of the people who now came to her side. She received so many best wishes and dinner and luncheon invitations that her head began to swim. It didn't escape her notice, however, that Mariana Bartlett and her mother were not among the well-wishers.

The house seemed strangely empty after the newly married couple and their wedding guests had departed.

When Lucas had excused himself and disappeared behind the doors to his study, Season had easily assumed the role of mistress of Rosemont and had supervised the straightening of the house and the disposal of the clutter created by the wedding party.

When at last everything was cleaned to her satisfaction, she walked out onto the veranda which had become a favorite spot of hers. The western skies were painted a glorious wash of color as the dying rays of the sun reflected off the gathering clouds.

She smiled when Lucas came up beside her and slipped his arm about her shoulders. "You did me proud today, Mrs. Carrington. I was the envy of almost every man present. The valley will talk of little else for weeks to come. They will rave about how fortunate I am for having married the loveliest woman who ever drew breath."

"You flatter me," Season said. She was unaccustomed to receiving such compliments, and she thought her husband might tend to exaggerate a bit. "I saw a wistful look in many young ladies' eyes, and anger in Mistress Bartlett's. I believe I walked away with the catch of the county."

Lucas turned Season to face him, and she saw a strange glow in his eyes—as if the dying sunlight were reflected in their golden depths. "We are alone now," he said, lowering his head and nuzzling her neck.

Season wanted to move away, but she felt a slow warmth move over her as his mouth caressed the smooth column of her throat.

"Suppose we go to our room, Season," he whispered in his deep voice. "I have thought about you all day. I am impatient to be alone with you."

"I don't think—"

His lips covered hers, cutting off her protest. Season's heart fluttered as he deepened the kiss. Raising his head, he took her arm and guided her into the house. When they reached the staircase, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

The room was aglow with the rosy hue of the last dying embers of the sun, and Season trembled as his head dipped to nuzzle her ear while he leisurely unhooked the back of her gown.

Lucas spoke no words as he removed her gown and tossed it aside. As his eyes caressed her body, Season boldly gazed back at him. She could tell that he was pleased by what he saw, and that thought caused her heart to beat faster.

She was unable to speak when he started unbuttoning his shirt. She wanted to turn away, but her eyes swept the wide expanse of his muscled shoulders and were then drawn to the black curly hair on his chest. He removed his boots, and when his hands went to his trousers, she watched, fascinated, as he stepped out of them and dropped them to the floor. Season had never seen a naked man before, but she knew that Lucas was as perfect as a man could be. With his long powerful legs, his flat stomach, and his handsome face, he was magnificent! Her eyes followed the dark hair of his chest, down past his thighs to his swollen manhood.

"My, God, you are tempting me, my lady," he said in a gruff voice. "Did no one ever tell you not to look at a man like that?" He pulled her into his arms.

Season threw back her head and parted her lips. "You looked at me first," she purred. Then, startled by her own daring, she wondered if he would think her too bold. When her naked body came up against his, a tremor shook her and her flesh seemed to tingle.

"Season, will you fault me if I say no woman has ever stirred my blood as you do?"

"I know there have been many women before me," she admitted.

"There have been many before you, but there will be none after you," he said in a deep voice. "Can you say the same, Season?" he asked. Picking her up in his arms, he carried her not to the bed, but to the thick, shaggy, white rug in front of the window. As he hovered above her, she reached up to him.

She knew when she looked into his soft golden eyes that he was silently waiting for her to answer his question. He wanted to know if she would break her wedding vows should The Raven come back.