On the morning of her wedding to William Amelia had not only her maid Gretchen but also Bella, Emma, and her mother fussing over her. Thank God her mother had brought Amelia’s favorite pale yellow silk evening gown from London for her to wear. With her mother’s pearl necklace and earnings, even Amelia had to admit she looked beautiful. Against her mother’s wishes, her dark hair hung loose, curly and cascading down her back. The contrast between her light clothing and dark hair was stunning. At least Amelia thought so.
They were exchanging vows at eleven and then celebrating with the traditional wedding breakfast. Amelia did not think she would be able to eat with her stomach jumping around in excitement––she had to admit to a case of the nerves. She might not be pure, but she was worried about her wedding night nonetheless. Suddenly her lungs lacked air. “Could someone please open a window?” she whispered.
She stumbled over to the open window and took several deep breaths, hoping the cool morning air would settle her nerves.
“Amelia,” Emma said as she rubbed her back. “I felt the same way the day I married your brother. I remember switching back and forth between excitement and panic.” Emma continued to rub her back, which had a calming effect. “Bridgeton loves you. Anyone can see that. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Yes,” Bella chimed in, coming up on the other side of her. “The way he looks at you…” Bella sighed. “I would give anything to see that look on a man’s face.”
Emma burst out laughing, which had Amelia and Bella laughing as well. “I have seen many a gentleman look at you that way, Bella,” Emma said. “It is only a matter of time before we are here in this exact spot preparing for your wedding day.”
“I certainly hope so,” Bella said. “And it better be soon––before Society considers me on the shelf.”
“You…on the shelf? That will never happen,” Amelia said as she turned back from the open window, placing a hand on her now calm stomach. “Thank you. I think I’m ready to go now. Before we do, Gretchen, could you see if Olivia is ready?”
Amelia stood in front of the mirror one last time and ran her hands through her hair. “It is getting late. Can we please leave so Bridgeton doesn’t think I have left him at the altar?”
“I’ve never seen you so nervous before,” Spencer said to William as they entered the carriage that would take them to Stony Cross Manor.
“Indeed. I’ve never been before. What if she changes her mind? What if she comes to her senses and realizes I am too old or she cannot deal with my scandalous past?” If she did, William did not think he would ever leave his study again.
“She loves you,” his cousins Mary and Elizabeth said at once.
“My dear boy, you have been given a second chance at happiness. Take it and stop worrying,” William’s grandmother admonished.
“Does anyone else have anything to say?” William asked as he eyed the occupants of the crowded carriage. “Aunt Sarah, you have not said anything.”
“William, dear…” His aunt reached across the seat and patted his hand. “This is your wedding day. Relax and enjoy yourself. I only saw you and Lady Amelia together once, but even I could see she loves you.”
As the carriage pulled up to the front of the Seabrook family’s small stone chapel, calmness descended over William. Wentworth and Sebastian greeted them and led them inside the chapel, which was decorated with white candles and numerous bouquets of white roses.
William took his place at the front by the altar with Spencer and the vicar. The calmness he had felt moments ago was replaced with his pounding heart and sweat beading upon his brow. His slid his hand into his jacket pocket but found it empty.
“Spencer, I seem to have misplaced my handkerchief,” he whispered. “Do you have one?”
Spencer handed him a perfectly creased white handkerchief that William used to wipe his brow. “Thank you. Do you mind if I keep this?”
William did not hear Spencer’s answer. At that precise moment, Amelia entered the chapel and William’s heart stopped. Amelia, a vision in pale yellow, walked down the center aisle toward him, she never took her eyes off his and his never left hers.
“You look beautiful,” William said as they joined hands in front of the vicar and all of their family. During the short ceremony all William could do was grip Amelia’s hands to keep his from shaking and to keep himself from thinking he was dreaming the whole thing. When it was time to put a ring on Amelia’s finger, his trembling fingers placed a diamond and emerald ring there.
“William,” she whispered with tears in her eyes, “it is lovely.”
“It belonged to my mother.”
“Thank you.”
Amelia’s eyes went from the ring on her finger up to William’s face. So intent was the pull of both she never heard the vicar pronounce them man and wife.
When Amelia had first entered the chapel and her eyes settled on William her steps had faltered. He had never looked so handsome dressed in his black formal wear. And now, surrounded by their family members, Amelia realized how blessed they were. And to have her daughter present, while she and William said their vows, made it even more special
Sitting through the wedding breakfast, Amelia felt her body tingle every time William sent her a sensual, longing look. She knew what that look meant and what was to come, and her body hummed with anticipation. Which made her wonder if it would be considered bad manners if they were to leave their guests during the meal. Undoubtedly it would be. She pushed her food around her plate, sipped champagne, and waited for the real celebration to begin––the one where William made her his wife in every way.
“My dear,” William said as he stood behind Amelia’s chair, “I believe it is time for us to depart.”
Finally. That was all Amelia could think. They said their farewells and traveled the short distance to William’s country estate in his phaeton. The fresh air invigorated her and made her all too aware of her husband sitting close beside her. Several minutes later she found herself scooped up into William’s arms and carried up the curved staircase to the master chambers.
“I apologize that I have not redecorated since my brother and his wife occupied these rooms.” He bowed. “I’ll leave you to prepare yourself.”
Amelia watched William leave through an adjoining door that she presumed led to his bedchamber. She smiled as her eyes scanned her new bedroom. The previous countess had beautiful taste. The wood floors were covered with a lovely thick cream Oriental rug, with subtle splashes of pink and light blue flowers intricately woven here and there. On the large sleigh bed sat a soft blue silk coverlet. Numerous pillows made it inviting. A pink chaise sat in front of the blazing fireplace. Amelia didn’t think she had ever seen a warmer, more inviting room.
Gretchen, her maid, knocked and entered her chambers. “My lady, marriage suits you. You look radiant.”
“Thank you,” Amelia said as her heartbeat sped up in anticipation of what would come next in this fairy-tale day.
When William knocked on the door a short time later Amelia stood ready in a long white chemise and dressing gown which did little to hide her figure beneath the gossamer silk fabric.
“You look…beautiful,” William said as he entered the room wearing a thick navy robe.
“Thank you,” Amelia said as she studied her husband. She wondered what he wore beneath his robe. Heat scorched her cheeks.
“Blushing becomes you, my dear,” William said as he held out his hand, which shook ever so slightly, she noticed. “Shall we?”
William led Amelia into his bedchamber. She would have to admire the decorating style another time as her heart soared, her body trembled, and her mind spun. She kept expecting to wake up and find this whole day a dream. Please, God, let it be real.
“I have brought you into my room in hopes you will share it with me. I do not wish us to sleep in separate beds, ever,” William said, his eyes dark and serious.
Nothing he could have said would have pleased Amelia more. As they stood face to face she realized for the first time how much he towered over her. His large hands combed through her long hair, sending intoxicating shivers up her spine. “William?”
“Yes?” William answered as his hands left her hair and began undoing her robe. It quickly pooled around their feet. She felt one hand gently caressing her back, the other tilting up her chin. “You are beautiful, Amelia. So beautiful and I…thank you for becoming my Countess,” he said right before his lips made contact with hers. He kissed her hesitantly at first and then deepened the kiss. She heard him groan. Or was that her? William pulled her tightly against his hard body, and Amelia held on as her knees weakened. He tasted familiar and good, and she didn’t think she would ever tire of his kisses.
Warm lips left her mouth and kissed a path down her neck, making her shiver. “William,” she heard herself say.
“I need to explore,” he murmured. “Need to taste every inch of your silky skin.”
Amelia removed her hands from William’s shoulders and untied the belt at his waist and let his robe fall from his broad shoulders to join her clothing on the floor. She gasped at the magnificent sight of William, naked and aroused.
“You are beautiful, too,” she whispered.
Deep laughter surrounded them. “Me, beautiful?” He kissed her cheek, then lifted her up into his arms and gently placed her on his large four-poster bed. His body came down upon hers. Instantly she wrapped her arms and legs around him. William groaned. “If you keep this up, it will be over before it even starts. I wish to savor this. Our first time together. Make it memorable in even more ways.”
This time Amelia laughed. It was replaced by a gasp when William’s tongue suckled one of her nipples. Warm moisture pooled between her thighs as she tingled all over. “William, what are you—”
She gasped as his hot mouth traveled down her belly and found her womanhood. “Oh. Oh, my.” One part of her screamed in protest at such an intimate act, while the other part reveled in it and never wanted it to end.
“Amelia,” William breathed out as he thrust his tongue into her soft warm body, tasting her juices. Her taste intoxicated him. His mind spun and his body trembled. He could feel her body quivering, too. She was close, so close. He wanted to continue tasting her, but he also wanted to be inside her when she climaxed. William slid up her delectable body.
“Amelia,” he cried out as he thrust deep inside her with one push until she gasped. His muscles froze in place. “Did I hurt you?”
Though his wife was no virgin, had he hurt her?
“Did I hurt you?” William repeated as his heart pounded inside his chest.
“No,” she replied, panting softly. “Just surprised me, that is all.”
William still did not move. Then slowly his wife’s body became soft and pliant beneath him. She stroked his back with her hands, causing his nerve endings to scream out. Her legs wrapped around him and her body arched up into his, taking him deeper inside her.
“Amelia,” he moaned as his hips began moving with hers––faster, harder, deeper. Her insides convulsed, gripping his cock, over and over until at last he fell over the precipice with her.
As his senses returned, and their breathing slowed, William rolled off Amelia and pulled her tightly against his chest. The same chest that held his heart, which now belonged to his wife.
“I love you.”
Amelia’s hand played with his chest hair. “I love you too.”
Right then and there William knew he was finally complete. And for the first time, in twelve years, William slept soundly.
Amelia’s breath paused in her lungs at the sight of William sleeping. Never had she seen his features relaxed in such a way. Had he ever relaxed before? She doubted it. Not for a longtime anyway. But tonight the worry lines around his eyes were soft and barely visible. Same went for the deep crease between his brows. His full lips were turned up into a half-smile. His breathing was deep and even. A calm contentment and joy filled her heart. The path that took them both to this place was filled with pain, tragedy and death.
She believed fate brought them together that first day by the stream.
She believed in her heart they were meant to be together.
They were meant to heal each other.
They were meant to raise Olivia together.
As Amelia’s eyelids fluttered closed for the last time before succumbing to the pull of sleep, she whispered, “I love you.”
Amelia found it easy to fall into the wonderful routine of spending nights wrapped up in her husband’s loving arms. Days were spent mothering Olivia and listening for William’s voice as he worked in his study. Once they took a picnic lunch up to the white cliffs and watched ships travel into and out of the Port of Dover. Each day brought new adventures and feelings. Not a day went by that she didn’t thank God for her new and wonderful life.
One afternoon, while Olivia napped and William sat locked up in his study with his estate ledgers, she visited the stream where she’d first met her husband. As a family, the three of them spent many leisurely afternoons on the banks of that stream.
Today Amelia found the solitude refreshing, giving her time to reflect on her good fortune. She laid back on the soft grass, her bonnet on the ground beside her. When the sun poked through the puffy clouds it warmed her face. It wasn’t long before every muscle in her body relaxed. Her heart slowed and she drifted into sleep. Dreams flittered in and out of her mind. Dreams of Captain Rycroft, William, and Olivia filled her with joy as she slept.
In the dream that day, Rycroft came to her. “My dear Amelia. I love you, and I am so thankful you have found the earl to be a father to our daughter. You have my blessing. He loves you very much and will be a good husband and father. Please do not be saddened by my death anymore. I am with God. ”
Amelia stirred in her sleep, and cried out, “Daniel, don’t go.”
“Calling out for someone to help you will not do any good, Countess.”
Amelia heard the deep voice invade her dream. Try as she might, she could not shake off the deep sleep.
“Come now, Countess, wake up. It is time for you to pay the price for marrying Bridgeton.”
Amelia shivered as a shadow blocked the warmth from the sun. The sudden chill had her sitting up abruptly. After rubbing her eyes, she focused on the gentleman standing in front of her. The murderous look on his face froze her blood.
“Yes, Countess, you should be frightened,” warned the intruder.
“Why are you here?” Amelia struggled to her feet and smoothed down her skirts, more to occupy her trembling hands than caring that her skirts were wrinkled and out of place.
“I just told you. I’m here to make you pay for marrying Bridgeton.”
“My husband is meeting me here; you’d better leave before he finds you on his estate,” Amelia said with a calmness she did not possess.
Distorted laughter filled the air around her.
Amelia fought to keep control and not give in to the sheer terror that filled her body and mind. “Please, I only warn you for your own protection. My husband has a temper.”
More crazed laughter. “It will grieve me to kill you, Countess. You have courage. But because you had a moment of bad judgment and married Bridgeton, and he needs to be punished for his previous sins, I must snuff out your life. And when you are found, poor Bridgeton will look guilty of murder once again. Only this time I believe, your brother, the duke, will see that Bridgeton hangs for his sins.”
With her body quaking in terror, she picked up her skirts and turned to run. The intruder anticipated her actions. He shot out his hands, gripping both of hers. He wrapped them behind her back, causing her to bend forward. He gripped her more tightly to free one of his hands. Before she could scream out he covered her mouth with his hand. She bit down hard on her attacker and tasted his blood.
Amelia tried to break free of his hold but only made it worse. He dragged her to the stream. Somehow she found herself kneeling in the cold water. And it was then she knew what he intended to do. Drown her in the stream, as Katherine had been. All Amelia could do was scream William’s name over and over again inside her head. Poor William. He would indeed be suspected of causing her death. Please, God, do not let me die. Do not let William be blamed for something he did not do. Please, God, my daughter needs me.
Everything that happened next happened quickly. Cold, wet darkness surrounded her. Amelia fought to keep her mouth closed and not take in water. Her battle was lost. She gulped in water as she attempted to scream. A beautiful calm overtook her as she saw her family sitting at the dining table, laughing and eating. The day she gave birth to Olivia flashed before her eyes. William, on the day he rode up to her at the stream on horseback for the first time, came into her vision.
Amelia witnessed her body floating through a white cloud toward Rycroft, who looked horrified, standing there with tears in his eyes. And then there was nothing––utter silence and darkness.