Part 51 (1/2)
Virginia began to shatter, crying out, clawing his shoulders.
”Oh, little one, wait for me,” he gasped, and suddenly she felt his ma.s.sive length sliding deeply into her.
But it was too late and she wept with the greatest pleasure she had ever known.
He surged more deeply, crying out hoa.r.s.ely, instantly spilling himself into her, his huge body racked with pleasure, convulsing over her. When he was done, he moved to his side, pulling her close.
Virginia smiled as she came back to the earth and their bed, turning onto her side, her cheek against his hard chest. He held her tightly there, kissing her temple repeatedly. His kisses were not all that gentle. She instantly realized that he remained huge and hard, ready to take her all over again.
She kissed his chest another time and boldly held him in her hand. ”What is this?” She was sly.
He laughed, the sound raw. ”I think you know.”
”And if I have forgotten?”
He grinned wickedly. ”Then I shall have to remind you, darling.” And he rolled her over, swiftly entering her at the very same time.
VIRGINIA SAT BEFORE HER dressing mirror, fully dressed, pinning up her coiled hair. Devlin's reflection appeared in the mirror as he moved onto the threshold of the dressing room. He was also fully dressed, but in civilian clothes. Virginia felt herself blush.
It was the following morning and they remained at Harmon House. The only reason that they were not in bed was because she had insisted they go downstairs before they irrevocably scandalized the entire household. In the mirror, Devlin smiled at her and came forward, pausing behind her.
Virginia tucked the last hairpin into her coiffure. ”I very much feel like a wife today,” she said softly.
He placed his hands on her shoulders. ”I should hope you still feel like a bride.”
She watched herself blush. ”A very happy bride,” she breathed.
He leaned down and kissed the bare nape of her neck. ”And a satisfied one, I hope.” It was not a question.
She turned around on her stool. ”You know just how satisfied I am.”
”You are such a bold minx,” he said with a laugh.
She stood and found herself in the circle of his arms. ”And it pleases you, I hope?”
He hesitated. ”I am very pleased, Virginia.”
Her heart burst into song. Did that mean what she thought it did-could it mean more? Did it mean he was coming to love her-just a little?
He reached into the interior breast pocket of his coat. ”I have something for you,” he began.
Her eyes widened with surprise as he produced a jeweler's velvet box. ”What is this?”
”It's your birthday present.”
Her heart stopped. Trembling, she met his steady gaze. ”But...you know it's my birthday?”
”Tomorrow, is it not?” He smiled slightly. ”All of nineteen, a true woman of the world,” he said, his tone teasing.
She smiled, wanting to cry with happiness. ”How...how did you know?”
”I made it my business to know. Open it,” he said gently.
”Shouldn't I wait until tomorrow?”
”I am sure you will be deluged with gifts tomorrow, as I have no doubt my mother has planned some kind of extravaganza for you.”
”No, I asked her for a small family affair. Rex is back in Spain and Sean at Askeaton, so it will be but two-thirds of our family.” She wished they could all be present. She lifted the box lid.
Virginia gasped at the sight of a gorgeous amethyst pendant encrusted with diamonds. ”This is beautiful, Devlin!” she cried.
”I ordered it made for you before I set sail,” he said with a small, pleased smile. ”I wanted something to match your eyes.”
”Devlin?” She was clinging to his arms. ”This is the best birthday I have ever had. Thank you. Thank you for the necklace and thank you for coming home!”
He hesitated. ”I had to come home. Happy birthday, Virginia.”
LATER THAT DAY, VIRGINIA heard hearty male laughter and recognized Devlin's rich tones. She paused outside of the salon, smiling to herself. Her husband sounded happy, indeed. She was thrilled to hear him laughing with his brothers. She was about to step into the salon when Tyrell spoke.
”And the war?” Tyrell asked. ”I've heard rumors that we'll be attacking the entire Chesapeake Bay.”
Virginia stiffened, her smile vanis.h.i.+ng, drawing back out of sight. What was this? Until that precise moment she had refused to dwell on the fact that he had just returned from a war with her own country. Since his arrival home, she had not asked him a single detail of his tour of duty and he had not volunteered a single fact. She strained to hear, her heart racing madly with distress and fear.
”I'm afraid I can't discuss cla.s.sified matters, Ty.” Devlin's voice had an odd edge to it. ”I just received my new orders, however. The war is escalating.”
Virginia's heart sank. In the time he had been gone, there had been the news of the defeat of the Vixen and some talk of a blockade of the Chesapeake, which was where her own home was located. But that had been all, and it had been convenient to forget the fact that Devlin was in a war being waged against her country and her kin. What did Devlin now mean? And what was the rumor Tyrell referred to? Suddenly she was afraid for Tillie and Frank and everyone at Sweet Briar. But surely the British would not roam about the Virginia countryside, doing battle there! And if he had just received new orders, was he already preparing to leave, when he had only come home yesterday?
She was dismayed, and unconsciously, she touched her belly. What if she was pregnant? They were finally falling in love, they had a future to share. There was simply no place now for a war-any war-in their lives. And especially not one against her homeland.
Virginia hesitated and then darted past the open doors of the salon and into the library. It was late afternoon and the draperies were open, so soft daylight filled the room. But even from the threshold, she could see the papers on his desk.
Her heart lurched, and even knowing that she should not look at a cla.s.sified doc.u.ment, she hurried to it. The papers there did not interest her, though, and she opened the center drawer. Instantly she found what she was looking for.
Her heart slammed to a stop. Any sense of composure vanished. Trembling, she seized the parchment and read.
Lord Admiral St. John to Sir Captain Devlin O'Neill Waverly Hall Greenwich March 18, 1813 Sir Captain O'Neill, Pleased be advised of the following. Your orders are to proceed by March 24 to the Chesapeake Bay, where you shall report to Admiral Sir George c.o.c.kburn. In conjunction with Admiral c.o.c.kburn, you are to destroy any and all American wars.h.i.+ps, including those in port. You shall destroy all depots suspected of harboring possible American supplies, including those on land, and any farms or factories involved in the government supply effort; you shall all make every effort to effect the utter ruination of the American coastal trade. You are accorded complete discretion as to the means necessary to carry out the above orders; aiding and abetting runaway slaves is highly suggested, especially to guide marines through the American countryside. While efforts are to be made to avoid harmful intercourse with American noncombatants, any suspicion of direct involvement on the part of such American civilians is to be deemed a serious military threat and you are therefore to act accordingly.
The Right Honorable Lord Admiral St. John The Admiralty 13 Brook Street West Square Virginia went into shock.
”Virginia?”
She looked up, trembling, and saw Devlin in the doorway. She flinched, but somehow she managed to return the letter to its original position in the drawer. Her heart now slammed, hurting her terribly. He was to destroy American s.h.i.+ps, including those in the harbor. He was to take his marines onto American soil and destroy farms, factories and depots. He was to encourage runaway slaves, using them as spies and guides. Oh, G.o.d. These were terrible orders, indeed!
”What are you doing?” he asked, as still as a statue.
She had had no idea of the extent of his orders. How could he partic.i.p.ate in such death and destruction when he was married to her? How many American lives would be lost because of his efforts? She swallowed, staring at him. She was chilled to the bone-no, she was chilled to her very soul. ”I overheard you and Tyrell,” she said unsteadily.
His gaze sharp, he walked toward her slowly, his face that impersonal mask she had hoped to never again see. His gaze slid over the desk-so did hers. He looked up-so did she. Quietly he said, ”Did you read my orders?”
”Yes,” she whispered, wondering if she were ashen. For she felt terribly faint. She swallowed hard and cried, ”Don't go! I need you here! Resign. Resign your commission. Don't go back to war-I can't bear it.”