Notorious Deception (20 page)

The growing trepidation Diana had been feeling all afternoon was building with each unsteady step she made toward Derek. He regarded her with an unwavering intensity, and Diana felt the tension inside her twist into an even tighter knot.

The only thing Diana truly wanted to do was shout her objections and race from the room, but her throat was so closed with emotion that she doubted if she could even utter a sound.

Instead she stood trembling next to Derek, facing the pretend reverend as he began the pretend ceremony, hoping her panic would not give way to full blown hysteria. Out of the corner of her eye, Diana saw Caroline take a purposeful stride forward as the reverend began speaking, but Tristan grasped his wife tightly around her waist and hauled her back to his side.

“Who giveth this woman in marriage?”

“I do.” Morgan's deep voice startled Diana, and then panic set in as she felt the duke release his strong grip on her arm and place her right hand over Derek's.

The minute Derek felt Diana's cold hand touch his own, he knew he had made a mistake. He loved this woman. She had endured enough suffering at the hands of Rutledge men in the past. He could not, in good conscience, be party to another marital deception toward her. He had no right to deceive her, no matter how noble his intentions.

The Reverend Penley finally ceased speaking and there was a taut silence in the room. Everyone was waiting for Derek to repeat his vows.

“Would you kindly excuse us for a moment,” Derek said to the room in general. And then, he abruptly left the drawing room, dragging a dazed Diana behind him.

Derek negotiated his way quickly through the crowd of muttering servants in the hallway. He didn't stop until he'd reached Tristan's private study. Only after he had shut the door firmly behind him did he finally release Diana's hand.

“I can't go through with this, Diana.”

“Thank God.” Diana sank down slowly into a nearby chair. She felt dazed and shaken and immensely relieved. “I don't know what possessed me to agree to such a ridiculous charade, Derek. I am merely thankful you had the courage to put an end to it.”

“There is something I must explain to you, Diana,” he said in a grim tone.

Diana distractedly pushed her veil off her shoulders and lifted her face. “Yes, Derek.”

“About the Reverend Penley—”

“Reverend Penley? Who is that?” Diana asked.

Derek sighed. “Reverend Penley is the minister who is waiting to marry us in the drawing room, no doubt extremely curious as to why I stopped the wedding in the middle of the ceremony.”

“Oh.”

“He isn't an actor, Diana. Reverend Penley, that is.”

“He isn't,” Diana repeated vaguely, not at all certain why Derek was carrying on about this man.

“No.”

Diana shot him a scathing glance. “I presume there is a point to all of this, Derek. Kindly make it before my head explodes.”

“Reverend Penley is an ordained vicar, Diana.”

Diana went very still. “Are you saying he was going to marry us? Really marry us? Legally?”

“yes.”

Diana's eyes squeezed shut. “You weren't going to tell me, were you?”

“No.”

Diana slowly exhaled the breath she had been holding. “Then why did you stop the ceremony, Derek?”

“I could not bring myself to deceive you,” he said simply. Sighing audibly, he crossed the room and gently pulled her to her feet. He regarded her solemnly. “I take full responsibility for everything, Diana. I discovered the truth about Reverend Penley a few minutes before you came downstairs. Tristan felt he was protecting you by arranging for a legal wedding, and I agreed with him. I know now it was wrong. I only hope you can forgive me.”

Diana smiled fleetingly. Lord, what a mess. “Why does this have to be so damn complicated, Derek?”

He frowned slightly at her uncustomary use of profanity, and then he smiled down at her. “Let us make it very simple, shall we?” Gallantly, he dropped to his left knee in front of her. Holding her hand over his heart, he said quietly, “I love you, Diana, with all my heart, and I shall try my hardest to be a good husband to you. I shall endeavor to be a solid provider, a strong protector, a faithful companion, and a most willing lover. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Diana was silent for several heart skipping minutes. “Since I am already dressed for the occasion, my lord,” she finally said, breaking into a smile. “Why not?”

It was a lovely wedding ceremony, despite the vicar's barely concealed irritation. Diana stood next to Derek, confident and relaxed, repeating her vows in a firm voice. Her previous doubts about his lack of trust in her had been banished. Derek had proven the ultimate confidence in her judgment by telling her the truth about Reverend Penley. And he had proven his own sense of honor by not being able to deceive her. It was, Diana believed, a good beginning.

“My lord, you may kiss your bride.”

Diana smiled as she heard a loud sniffle and saw Tristan roll his eyes heavenward, before good-naturedly stuffing a linen handkerchief into Caroline's hand.

Derek smiled also as he gathered his bride firmly into the circle of his arms and covered her mouth with a searing, passionate kiss. Reverend Penley, whose sense of propriety had been stretched past the breaking point, coughed loud and hard. Derek reluctantly released Diana, but the look he bestowed upon her was so filled with love and rampant desire, Diana noted that Reverend Penley colored visibly.

Fortunately, there was no opportunity for the minister to make a comment. The family enthusiastically moved in on her and Derek to offer their congratulations, and Diana embraced a tearful Caroline.

“I only hope you will be as happy as Tris and I have been,” Caroline said, sniffing and dabbing at her eyes with her soggy handkerchief.

“I hope so too, Caroline,” Diana whispered, feeling on the verge of tears herself.

Diana next hugged Alyssa and Katherine, but hesitated as she stood before Morgan. He regarded her with serious eyes.

“I have always believed Derek was an honorable man,” Morgan stated firmly, and Diana nodded her head. “Never the less, if you should ever find yourself in need of help, Diana, for any reason, you can always come to me.”

Diana's throat tightened with emotion. “Thank you, Morgan,” she replied simply, putting her arms around the duke in gratitude.

“Hey, what about me? Don't I get to kiss the bride?”

Diana turned around to face a grinning Tristan. “By all rights I should be furious with you, Tris,” Diana said as she allowed him to kiss her cheek.

Tristan had the grace to look embarrassed. “You have forgiven me though, haven't you, Diana?” He actually sounded worried.

“I went through with the wedding, didn't I?” Diana said with a soft laugh, hugging Tristan tightly, clearly demonstrating she harbored no ill feelings toward him.

Derek stood nearby, his gaze directed on his bride as she embraced his friend. His wife! The words sounded immensely pleasing to Derek's ears. He waited until she moved away from Tristan before he approached her.

“Happy, sweetheart?” Derek whispered, his lips softly grazing her temples.

Diana placed her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “I didn't think it was possible to feel this much bliss, Derek.”

“Just wait until tonight, my love,” he replied with a sensual grin.

Diana blushed prettily and was spared further teasing by Sutton's announcing dinner.

“May I go to dinner too, Father?” Katherine asked, her gray eyes sparkling as she hopped from one foot to the other in restless excitement.

“It is late,” the duke replied. “Besides, you have already eaten your dinner, Puss. 'Tis high time you joined your sister upstairs. Juliet is most likely asleep.”

“But Juliet is a baby,” Katherine protested vigorously. Wrapping her delicate fingers around her father's strong hands she said beseechingly, “Oh, please can't I stay up.”

Morgan sighed heavily. “If you promise to go to bed without a fuss, I shall save you a piece of the wedding cake.”

“May I eat the cake for breakfast?”

Tristan's deep laugh rang out clearly. Morgan scowled at his younger brother before bending low and whispering in his daughter's ear, “You may eat your cake for breakfast if you promise not to tell your mother.”

“I promise,” Katherine responded immediately. Gripping the duke's neck tightly, she pressed her small head to his chest. “Good night, Father. I love you.” With a parting hug, she quickly dashed across the room toward the young maid waiting to escort her upstairs.

Swallowing hard, Morgan straightened up and joined the celebration in the dinning room. Reverend Penley declined an invitation to dine and bid a hasty good-bye to all.

Alyssa shook her head as he left. “I am certain he thinks we all are candidates for Bedlam,” she remarked, smiling.

“Yes,” Morgan agreed dryly. “I doubt he will soon forget this wedding ceremony.”

The Reverend Penley was soon forgotten as everyone settled in to enjoy the marvelous dinner Cook prepared. Striving for a more informal atmosphere, Caroline dismissed the servants after they placed a large assortment of culinary delights on the dining room sideboard.

“Since the ladies have spent an exhausting afternoon preparing for this evening's celebration,” Caroline said, “I think it is only fitting our husbands serve us our dinner.”

“Here, here,” Alyssa said, with a mischievous wink at Morgan.

Diana tapped her wineglass with her silver fork in clamoring agreement.

The three husbands exchanged pained glances before Tristan jumped up from his chair. “It shall be our pleasure, ladies.”

With a minimal amount of grumbling, Derek and Morgan soon followed.

Caroline gave Tristan a catlike grin of satisfaction as he set a filled plate for her, then returned to the buffet for his own dinner. Caroline's grin faded quickly.

“Tristan, you didn't put any chicken crepes on my dish,” Caroline said, enviously eyeing Diana's plate. “Nor any lobster and oyster pie, or fish pate or roast beef. And there is a very meager portion of honeyed carrots and spinach souffle.”

“Oh really, my pet,” Tristan said, swirling his glazed roast pork loin into the apple brandy sauce before taking a bite. “I am sorry. After you have finished eating what I have brought you, I shall be pleased to fix you another plate.”

Giving Tristan a suspicious look, Caroline lifted her fork, but she held it suspended above her dish.

“Touche, my dear, for serving me my least favorite foods,” Caroline muttered under her breath, swallowing her creamed turnips.

Tristan gave her a bold stare and promptly got up from his dinner to arrange a second plate of food for his wife. He poured wine into everyone's goblets and made a toast to the health and future happiness of Diana and her groom.

After dinner, Diana and the other women again defied convention by sitting at the table with the men as they indulged in their port. Then Caroline abruptly scraped back her chair and rose to her feet.

“I believe it is time for us to adjourn to the drawing room.”

“Will you play for us tonight, Caroline?” Tristan asked, pulling out his wife's chair.

“I would be delighted.”

Diana and Derek followed the two couples into the drawing room. Caroline sat in front of the pianoforte and sorted through her music sheets. Tristan lifted a branch of candles from the mantelpiece and thrust it into Derek's hand.

“I am sure you are both tired from today's excitement,” Tristan said with a straight face. “Mrs. Roget has prepared the corner suite for you. I believe you know the way, Diana. We will see you both in the morning.”

“Late morning,” Derek said firmly, and Diana felt her cheeks grow warm. “Good night, everyone. Many thanks to you all for sharing this rather unusual but very special day with us.”

Diana lowered her head, suddenly feeling quite shy, and she murmured her thanks and good night. She placed her hand into Derek's and they walked side by side up the stairs.

When they reached the suite at the end of the long corridor, Diana found her eyes riveted on Derek's strong, capable hands as he opened the bedchamber door. She shivered slightly, imagining how it would feel to have those wondrous hands on her body again, caressing and stroking her.

“Are you cold?” Derek asked. He held Diana's hand as they walked into the room.

“No,” Diana said, turning to face him.

“Nervous?” Derek shut the heavy mahogany door and leaned back against it.

Diana moved toward him very slowly. She reached up and stroked his jawline. “Impatient, my lord,” she said in a husky, sensual tone. “I am most impatient.”

Derek gave a throaty laugh and claimed her lips with an intoxicating kiss. Diana pressed against him and she felt his already swollen manhood against her belly.

“I feel as though I have waited a lifetime to have you near me like this,” Derek murmured.

“It has only been a few days, Derek.”

“A few days? It seems much longer.” He caught her fingers in his hand and began nibbling on the tips. “Besides, it is different now, Diana. You are my wife.”

He said wife with such love and passion, Diana felt her stomach knot with emotion. Derek's hands slid around her waist, reaching automatically for the small buttons at the back of her dress. Diana heard him curse softly as he succeeded in unfastening only one of the buttons while ripping out three.

“Have a care, Derek,” Diana said, reproaching him, when she heard the buttons hit the floor. “This is Caroline's dress and I'll not have it ruined.”

“Oh, all right,” he grumbled. “Turn around so I can properly unhook the damn thing.”

Obediently, Diana presented her back to him and lifted up her unbound hair.

Finally, he succeeded in separating all the fastenings and his hands touched her bare back and shoulders as the lovely dress fell to the floor. Derek leaned in closer, brushing his lips against her earlobes.

“Are the petticoats and chemise you're wearing also borrowed from Caroline?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Diana heard a loud rendering sound, but not until she felt the cool air on her posterior and legs, did she realize Derek had torn off all her underclothes.

“Derek!”

“Sorry, love. But I am afraid I have reached the limits of my endurance. Too many damn buttons.”

Diana shook her head and turned around to face him. He had somehow managed to remove his jacket, waistcoat and cravat, and they lay in a heap on the floor next to her gown. She glided her hands sensually up his chest, reaching for the studs on his shirt. With a wicked grin, she gripped the edges of the soft linen tightly, wrenching it apart.

The fine pearl studs fell to the floor in a shower of light. Derek's eyes gleamed as he looked into her eyes. “I truly am the most fortunate of men, to be so blessed with a wife whose lack of patience rivals my own.”

Diana giggled and danced away from him toward the bed. A large fire roared in the hearth and the room felt deliciously warm on her unclothed body.

Derek shrugged out of his breeches, tossing them casually on the floor. Quietly, he moved toward his unsuspecting bride as she stood near the bed, her back to him.

“I love you, Derek,” she said.

Derek smiled slowly. He did not answer her with words, but instead reached around her waist. He rubbed her soft belly; then his hands drifted up to cup her breasts, his thumbs teasing the sensitive buds of her nipples. Diana moaned softly and pushed back against him.

“You drive me beyond thought, Derek.”

“As you do me, my love.”

He gently pushed her onto the bed and rolled her on her back. His hand slipped between her thighs, just as his lips descended on her mouth.

“You are so sweet, my love,” he whispered thickly as her felt her thighs relax and her legs part. He eased a finger into her damp heat.

“Oh, Derek.”

He moved his body down the length of her, kissing her breasts, her ribs, her flat stomach, and the silky skin of her upper thighs. Her fingers clenched his scalp as he lowered his mouth to intimately caress her inner softness.

“My God!” she exclaimed, truly shocked at his actions. “Derek, you musn't—”

Diana's voice trailed off as the excruciatingly sweet pleasure inside her tightened. She could barely breathe as he gently sucked on her sensitive flesh. Derek continued his intimate caress and she arched her back in savage surrender to him when the searing climax overtook her.

Diana groaned and drew him deeper into her body, her legs hugging him, her hands frantically clutching the solid muscles of his upper arms.

Derek moved inside her with slow, even strokes, and when her body begin to convulse, he increased the pace. He let out a loud, uninhibited shout as his shuddering climax broke, filling her with his seed. Fully sated, he collapsed on top of her and several minutes passed before he stirred.

“Am I crushing you?”

“No,” she lied, still too filled with languid delight and contentment to care.

Derek rolled onto his side and gathered her close against him. She immediately placed her leg over his and cuddled up to his chest.

Diana sighed. “I do believe this is the most wondrous part of making love, Derek.”

“Now? After it is all over?” She felt, rather than saw, his questioning frown. “Pray, go on, Diana.”

She struggled to sit up so she could see his face and better explain. He allowed her to lift herself up, but he shifted her body so she was pinned atop his chest, their chins nearly touching. Derek's expression was unreadable.

“You know, Derek, in some ways, what comes after can be even more intimate than the act of love itself,” she said solemnly.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “How so?”

“I firmly believe, in these special moments, together, we form the true bonds of love and devotion.”