In Rapture (Destined) (15 page)

After
the furniture stores they went to a bookstore. When they asked for books for a
nursery the shopkeeper led them to the back wall. Malinda had never seen so
many children’s books and had never dreamed that they existed. She picked up
several and handed them over to the shopkeeper, and all the while Grant was
smiling mysteriously at her. Grammar books, history books, maps, calendars, she
required them all for Sophia. Malinda wanted the little girl to feel confident
in the whole world around her, and the only way to do that was to provide her
with enough information so that she was well armed for whatever circumstance
came her way. Grant offered no argument against her choices, even when the
shopkeeper looked at her strangely when she mentioned Sophia’s name.

When
they left the bookstore, Malinda spied a toy store. She looked up at Grant as
if to ask his permission, and a smile lit up his face. “Can we?”

“Of
course. I do believe amidst all the learning you are expecting the poor girl to
do that she should be allowed some play time.”

Malinda
squeezed his hand and gave him what she hoped was her brightest smile. “Why
Lord Timberlin, I do believe you are buttering me up.”

“Is
it working?”

“Always.”
They strolled across the street and made their way over to the toy store. It
was a small building and had there not been a carved rocking horse in the
window Malinda might have missed it completely. When they entered the building
they saw toys lining the walls and floors. There were dolls with breakable
faces and sparkling dresses, and wooden toys with wheels and pull strings
lined the shelves. At the back Malinda saw a large dollhouse with intricate
furniture carved from delicate wood. She had always dreamed of such a house
when she was a younger child. She knew that Sophia would love it.

While
she knew that Wickford was prosperous, she did not know how much she should
spend, especially on such frivolities. She looked up at Grant in askance. “So
what should we get her?”

“Whatever
you like, Malinda. Make sure she has enough to keep her happily occupied.”

When
they were finished at the toy store Malinda had picked out the dollhouse, three
small dolls with beautiful silk dresses, a wooden duck with a beak that moved
when the wheels slid along the floor, colorful building blocks, a child-sized
paint set, and a wagon with wooden horses. She hoped that when they put them in
the nursery, it would lighten up the space. She also bought her own paints, for
she had some ideas about altering the seriousness of the nursery by adding a
wall with one large mural. It would take a week or more to get the items to
Wickford, for some of them were being personalized. Malinda managed to leave
the store with a small stuffed rag doll with a light pink dress.

When
they had finished eating dinner, Malinda snuck into Sophia’s room holding the
rag doll behind her back. She waited until Desiree had finished brushing the
brown curls before she stepped closer to her. “My little love, I have a
gift for you.” Malinda brought the tiny rag doll forward and was happy to see
the delirious glow that lit up her face. She handed the doll to Sophia and
patted her gently on the head. “Now listen up, Sophia. This tiny ragamuffin is
afraid of the dark. She likes to be hugged tightly through the night as it
gives her courage. She wants to go wherever you go, for she gets lonely. Do you
understand?”

“Yes,
Mama.”

Every
time Sophia called her Mama her heart melted into a puddle at her feet. Sophia’s
eyes were so solemn as she reached for the doll that Malinda had trouble
keeping a straight face. “Come here, my pet. One last hug before Desiree tucks
you in for the evening.” She held Sophia lightly in her arms and patted her
back gently with her hands. “Good night, then.”

When
Malinda returned to her room she was not surprised to find that Grant had
already fallen asleep. They had accomplished a lot in a small amount of time.
She climbed into bed beside him and watched the gentle rise and fall of his
chest. She could not help but admire the masterpiece that was her husband. No
sculptor could ever have created the sharp planes of his face hidden beneath
the golden hair of his beard. The depth of his eyes was so light that their
color was reminiscent of the finest gold. She already knew every inch of him
better than her own body, and every muscle was forever captured in her mind.
She closed her eyes and knew instinctively that she would dream about her
golden lover again tonight and she counted herself lucky to be able to wake up
in his arms. Her desire for him was real, yet tainted with the reminder that
while she could feed into the physical nature of their relationship, she must
continue to push against any emotional bonds between them. Her life, the magic
of Lena that created her, demanded it.

Chapter 20

Malinda
slept well that night, snuggled deep within Grant’s arms. Even though she was
in unfamiliar surroundings his energy was a peaceful balm that rocked her
gently to sleep with the sweet rhythm of his lovemaking—a surprise, for she had
thought he would remain asleep. She awoke to an empty room with the light of
day barely sending its glow through the window. She rubbed the remainder of
sleep from her eyes and prepared for the day.

When
Malinda opened the door she heard giggles erupt from the end of the hallway.
She smiled when the door opened up to show Sophia squirming with squeals of
laughter as Grant tickled her relentlessly. Both of them were so entertained by
their antics that they did not see Malinda. Malinda coughed loudly into her
hand.

“Mama!”
Sophia pushed so hard against Grant that he almost lost his grip on the child.

“Traitor.”
His teasing voice trailed down the hallway as Sophia launched herself at
Malinda.

“Mama,
look!” Sophia held up her little ragdoll in triumph.

“I
see you’re keeping her safe. We’ll have to think of a proper name for her soon.”
Malinda scooped the little girl up in her arms and planted tiny kisses across
her forehead before setting her back down. Desiree came around and held out a
hand to Sophia.

They
all descended the stairs to eat the delicious breakfast that the Regency Inn
was well known for. The table was covered in fresh fruits, jams, toasts,
muffins and freshly brewed tea and coffee. Malinda felt her stomach rumble as a
plate of freshly cooked food was placed before each of them. The tantalizing
smells from the toast covered in poached eggs, ham that was still sizzling hot,
pancakes smothered in maple syrup, and light fluffy biscuits were all teasing
her nostrils. It did not take much prompting for them to dig deep into their
food, and it disappeared quickly from their plates. By the time Malinda was
finished her stomach was so stuffed she thought she would have trouble moving.

“Are
you ready to go?”

“About
as ready as I can be right now.” Malinda put a hand to her tummy and rubbed it
awkwardly. “Remind me to eat less tomorrow.”

When
a few chuckles teased her Malinda eyed Desiree and Grant. “Oh, hush!” She poked
a finger at Grant’s stomach and flashed a wink at Sophia, who was watching the
display with wide eyes.

Instead
of taking a carriage to the dressmaker they decided to take a leisurely stroll.
By the time they made it to the large shop Malinda’s stomach had settled. She
looked up at the shop, which had large display windows decorated with yards of
silk dresses lined with lace and ribbons, all set on top of wire framed bodies
that resembled the female form. Hats were hanging on the walls near the dresses
with large feathers, flowers, and small replicas of fruit that were
perched precariously on top, all of which Malinda found to be quite bizarre.
Why would someone wear fruit on their hat? Then her eyes caught on a hat that
looked very much like a bird’s nest, including the tiny feathered bird and
small blue eggs, and Grant noticed it too. “Why in the world would someone wear
that on their head? I would be afraid a real bird would land on top of my head.”

Malinda
did not miss the teasing merriment that lingered in Grant’s eyes. She smirked
at him and sniffed. “Do explain that please?”

“I
could not. I, myself, have always wondered why women chose to wear such contraptions
on top of their heads.”

“So
you would not prefer to have your wife wear a bird’s nest on top of her head?”
Malinda looked up at Grant, a small glint of a challenge entered her head.
Perhaps she should purchase the hat just to spite him when he teased her so.

“No,
I would not. But alas, if you want to look like a cuckoo’s nest, I’ll not stop
you.”

They
all entered the shop and two women hustled over to them immediately. Malinda
was adamant that Sophia be measured first, for the child had very few clothes
at the manor. She watched them bring many different dresses over to Sophia,
each one crafted in a pastel silk and layered with yards of lace. The child
looked so much like a porcelain doll with her dark brown hair and vivid blue
eyes, when she was dressed in such frills. Sophia’s face lit up with each new
dress, and she twirled around in the mirror. “Pretty!” Her delighted squeals
ruptured the silence around them and everyone melted under her excitement.

When
they had finished picking out clothes for Sophia the dear child had at least
ten new fancy dresses that made her look like a veritable angel. She had
pantaloons, silk stockings, silk slippers, small white gloves, a white velvet
fur-lined cloak for colder weather, and several simple calico dresses for when
she played outside. Malinda had also made sure to pick out hair ribbons and
hats to keep her small curls from continually getting in her eyes. When they
were done fitting Sophia, Grant suggested that Desiree take the child for a
walk in the park and then return to the inn for her nap.

As
soon as they left it was Malinda’s turn to be ogled by the women. Within
moments Malinda found herself swarmed with three other women who started to
take her measurements. She was pulled into the back room and the women assisted
her out of her clothing. Malinda stood with her arms crossed over her chest,
feeling more vulnerable than she had ever felt in her entire life. She was not
accustomed to strange women sizing her up while every inch of her was as open as
a blank canvas. The women quickly brought her undergarments that fit her bottom
and a corset that felt like it was two sizes too small. They had assured her
that was the fashion and that it fit her perfectly. She stood there, looking in
the mirror at the woman in front of her. She had no idea that proper clothing
could enhance her body so much. Her breasts were almost cascading over the top
of the corset, so ripe and plump that she thought they would burst through the
contraption.

She
did not turn at the sound of the curtains moving. She sensed his energy before
he had even touched the curtain. He sat in a chair near her and she assumed
this must be commonplace for a husband to watch over his wife’s fittings. The
other women shuffled about her nonchalantly, holding up different colors of
silk.

“No
pastels. Try the darker colors.” He nodded at the ladies when they brought in
vivid reds, blues, greens, and purples.

Malinda
felt almost as if she were not even part of the process as the day proceeded in
a blur. There were three dresses in the shop that currently fit her stature,
and she would be leaving with those today. Silk stockings, long silken gloves,
under garments, corsets in an array of colors, hats and shoes were ordered
along with a massive amount of dresses, so many that Malinda stopped counting.
When the women had her order under control they left Malinda in the room to
dress in the deep blue dress. The black velvet trimmed bodice with small
black stripes sewn deep into the blue silk came into a v-shaped curve before
connecting with the flounces of the skirt.

Malinda
went to step into the dress, but was interrupted by the sound of Grant’s husky
voice. “Wait.”

She
turned to him, looked deep into his eyes and was mystified by the golden heat
forecasted within. She walked over to him, for his hands had beckoned her
closer. She stood before him, her chest bound tightly, her legs covered in silk
stockings that were tied to the corset, and even though he sat in the chair
with his legs crossed Malinda was fully aware of his arousal. “Yes?”

She
felt his gaze roam over every inch of her. He gathered her into his lap and
Malinda sucked in her breath when his mouth met hers. She squirmed in his arms
as his hands delved below the corset to stroke the nipples trapped within its
confines. He pulled her breast loose and teased her nipple with his fingers
before releasing her mouth. He leaned her backwards with one arm and captured
her breast in his mouth. Malinda thrashed under the heat of his silken tongue
that teased her relentlessly. Malinda raised her hands to his head and tempted
him closer, as close as one could without smothering into her. Her moans became
so loud that Grant moved his head back up to capture the sound within his
mouth.

Malinda
felt his fingers pulling against the fabric that covered her bottom and felt
them run across the small nub before her entrance. She grabbed onto his
shoulders as his fingers created a delicious rhythm that matched the movement
of his tongue within her mouth. Soon, her breath was coming in short hot gasps
and Malinda had to pull her mouth away to catch her breath. She could feel a
swarm of energy humming through her, a precursor to the rapture she was soon to
feel if Grant continued to work her so.