What You Wish For (26 page)
Authors: Catherine Winchester
As though to show him just how wild and uncouth she could be, she left her seat and settled herself on his lap. John was used to her forward behaviour now and even quite enjoyed it. She was usually very careful to keep such displays relatively private, though she wasn't above giving him a quick kiss in public. Most women privately ridiculed her for such forward behaviour, but most men of his acquaintance envied him a wife who expressed her affection so freely.
John's arms found their way around her waist to hold her to him and she kissed him deeply, a display of affection what would make any servant who happened upon them blush a deep shade of crimson! John found he wasn't in the mood to care though. To his surprise, she then offered him some of her drink, holding the mug to his lips for him as though he were a child. Again, this behaviour was very inappropriate but over the years, instead of educating her on the proper decorum of this time, he had instead been educated in the ways of Carrie's world and had discovered that in many arenas, he much preferred her way of doing things.
“
Milk?” he said, having drunk a sip without knowing what was in the mug. “This is supposed to be a party, woman!”
Carrie smiled.
“
My stomach wasn't up to anything stronger,” she confessed.
She finished her drink and then kissed him again.
“
Better?” he asked.
“
I think I might be able to raise a glass of champagne in your honour now,” she smiled. “How long do you think, until we can kick everyone out and have our own celebration?”
“
I fear we will have to accommodate them for a while longer, given that many of them have supported me during the campaign.”
“
Very well.” Carrie pouted. “But I feel it only right to warn you that you will not be setting a foot out of this house tomorrow. I want you all to myself for a day.”
John smiled. Very little would be expected of him tomorrow, since almost everyone here tonight would be nursing a sore head. John wasn't much given to excessive drinking since it upset his ability to made decisions. Tomorrow he would have no hangover (as Carrie called the after effects of excessive drinking) but for once he found himself grateful for the excesses of others since it meant few, if any demands would be made of him.
“
I think I can oblige you there,” he smiled wickedly at her.
Carrie laughed and got off his lap. She held her hand out to him and he allowed her to pull him to his feet.
“
I'm proud of you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist, not quite ready to return to the party yet. “And your mother would have been proud too, you know.”
“
Thank you,” he said, kissing the top of her head and holding her tightly.
There were many important people upstairs, more powerful, wealthier and more respected than his wife but now that his mother was gone, it was only Carrie's good opinion that he cared about keeping. He sought her advice on almost everything and if he hadn't had her full support, he would not have even considered running for parliament.
Hannah Thornton had lived to see both of their children born, as well as three of Fanny's five children, before she finally succumbed to a nasty bout of pneumonia. If she could be here now though, Carrie was in little doubt that she would be the proudest woman in all of England at this moment. John missed her dearly and though their relationship had never been exactly easy, even Carrie missed her, for anyone so wholly on John's side couldn't be all bad.
“
I could always throw a fainting spell,” Carrie said, her voice slightly muffled by his jacket. “Then you would be obliged to care for me and leave the party.”
“
Oh, do not tempt me, you wicked woman,” he smiled and removed his arms from about her. “Come on, let's get it over with.”
He took her hand and they headed back to the party. She stayed at his side for most of the evening and was every inch the elegant hostess, making conversation with even the most boorish people there. She excused herself for a few minutes to tuck the children into bed, then returned to his side and made what would otherwise have been a tedious evening bearable, even pleasant for him.
Finally at around 2 o'clock the party began to break up. Carrie and John congratulated Margaret and Bernard once again, and thanked them for all their help with the campaign, then finally they closed the door behind the last guest and headed upstairs to their bedroom.
Carrie undressed, took her hair down and climbed under the covers to wait for John to join her. He slid under the covers a few moments later and Carrie curled into him, resting her head on his chest.
“
I do hope you're not expecting anything from me tonight,” he said, only half joking.
Carrie raised her head and looked up at him.
“
Why do you think you're under house arrest tomorrow?” she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“
Have I told you lately that I love you?” he asked, smiling at her words.
“
I believe you have, but frequent reminders are always welcome,” she teased. “I love you too, you know?”
“
I do,” he assured her. He put his hand on her head and gently pressed down, encouraging her to lie back against him. “Now sleep,” he urged her. “You can have your wicked way with me until your heart's content tomorrow.”
“
Mm,” she agreed as she snuggled against him. “I'll hold you to that,” she assured him, a playful smile still on her lips when she drifted off to sleep a few moments later.
The End
Northern Light – A sequel to North and South
by
Catherine Winchester
Sometimes described as the female Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell's classic novel, North and South, feminism, social reform and the plight of the working classes, entwining those themes seamlessly with a timeless romance between Margaret Hale and John Thornton. Northern Light is a continuation of that novel which sees John and Margaret embarking on their lives together whilst working to improve the lives of their work force.
With the threat of another strike, a series of bad mill accidents, a lethal fire and failed speculation, life in Milton is not easy for anyone and it won't be long before the mill masters and their workers clash once more, with devastating consequences.
Getting married and starting a family is difficult enough at the best of times but for John and Margaret, married life will present unique challenges and despite the reforms they are making, even they will not escape Milton's troubles unscathed.
by
Catherine Winchester
When housemaid Martha began an affair with her Master's son, Lucien, the future Earl of Marchwood, it was always destined to end badly.
Single, pregnant and unemployed, Martha struggles to forge a new life for herself and her daughter, only for Lucien to inadvertently destroy it.
She and her daughter are homeless and starving when they come to the aid of a man who proves to be their salvation.
Lucien is still obsessed with his lost love, the only woman who has ever rejected him.
A chance meeting seven years later could spell disaster but can they put their pain and pride behind them and seize this opportunity, or will old ghosts ruin their last chance at happiness?
Other Books by Catherine Winchester
Historical Novels
Short Stories
A Merry Little Christmas (a companion story to Northern Light)
Past Series
Urban Fantasy
About the Author
Cat Winchester was born in East Anglia. After her wanderlust finally abated, she settled in Edinburgh with her family and three dogs.