Part 38 (2/2)
”...the said Simon Boulenger, and his children to be born in loyal marriage, shall hereby enjoy all honors, immunities, prerogatives, and pre-eminences which are customarily enjoyed by n.o.ble gentlemen of n.o.ble lines...”
As Colbert continued to read, Simon wrestled to accept what his ears were telling him. A dream come true. One he'd had for so long and had all but given up on. He squeezed the hilt of Robert's sword.
His gaze returned to Angelica. Her lovely cheeks were moist with tears of joy, her smile now hidden behind her trembling fingertips. His chest tightened, so overcome with emotion he could barely register the words Colbert read. Colbert suddenly stopped. Another roar of enthusiastic approval reverberated in the Grand Salon.
Colbert stepped back.
Louis silenced the crowd once more with a lift of his hand.
”Monsieur, since Sorbon has been bequeathed to you by the late Marquis de Nevelon, with these Letters Patent, I grant you the t.i.tle, Comte de Sorbon.”
Applause and cheers filled the air.
Louis stepped close to Simon and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. ”I have convened a special emergency a.s.sembly. Fouquet shall be on trial for his life. I expect a favorable result. Without the proof of the ledgers your men and Madame la Marquise provided me last eve, I could not have proceeded as I have today. I'd grown weary waiting to be rid of this man, acquitting him of his self-enriching role. Therefore, it is with tremendous grat.i.tude that I've bestowed upon you the honors you have received today. However, if you ever disobey me in public or private again... Need I say more to you, sir?”
”No, Sire.”
”Good. Your men have delivered your last capture of silver. Very impressive.”
”Thank you, Sire.”
”Now, I understand that the late Marquis de Nevelon's wishes were that you marry Madame la Marquise without delay, at which point both lady and Nevelon will be yours. Clearly, he loved you like a son.”
”And I loved him as greatly as any son could love a father, Sire.”
”Then, we shall respect his dying wishes. Thus, upstairs in chapel, at my request, Pere Martineau awaits you and your lady. Valid upon marriage, you will be the next Marquis de Nevelon. However, out of respect for the memory of the late commodore, you shall marry discreetly, if your lady is willing.” Louis gave Angelica a leering a.s.sessment. ”She's quite magnificent. I could be persuaded into further generosities if you are willing to share.”
”She is absolutely not negotiable, Sire.” Simon held his wrath in check, but his voice was firm, his words unequivocal.
Louis lifted a brow. ”Really? Pity.” He straightened and stood tall and regal. ”Monsieur le Comte, rise!” he commanded for all to hear.
Applause thundered in the salon as Simon rose to his feet.
Angelica rushed forward and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. Simon looked up at Louis. The king rolled his eyes. With an impatient wave of his hand, he dismissed Angelica's actions and walked away.
Simon wrapped his arms around her and pressed his cheek against her soft hair. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her soft fragrance. The joy of holding her once more swelled his heart until he thought it would burst.
She looked up at him; her green eyes shone tenderly. ”I'm so happy for you, Simon.”
”None of this could have been possible without you. You make my dreams complete. Angelica, will you marry me?”
She lowered her head and shook it slowly. Simon's heart lurched. She looked up again, this time with a radiant smile. ”I have loved you for so long. I thought you would never ask. Yes! Yes, I will marry you.”
Simon grinned like a fool in love. He knew it and didn't mind a whit. ”This is a day of miracles.” He squeezed her tightly.
Forced to remain at Vaux-le-Vicomte for the night, Simon swept into the bedchamber with his wife in his arms. Two servants were turning down the bed. He was instantly vexed. After all these hours, they were still not alone.
Married in the chapel at Vaux-le-Vicomte with the priest, Jules, Armand, and two other men from Simon's crew as witness, they'd been requested to join the king and the rest of the aristocracy present immediately following the ceremony. The party at Vaux-le-Vicomte had continued without their host and hostess.
Simon had remained at Angelica's side throughout the evening's festivities, wary of the king's amorous glances toward her. He couldn't wait to get her out of Louis's sight and into his arms. He'd barely tasted the endless courses, four different soups, pheasants, quails, partridges, salads, pastries with crystallized fruits and preserves. He drank little of the wine that generously flowed.
When finally the meal had ended, Simon managed to have them excused from attending the performance of Moliere's comedy, Les Facheux, in the gardens.
Angelica gave no indication she noticed the two servants in the bedchamber. The moment her feet touched the ground, she had her arms around him, pressing her hot mouth to his throat, softly kissing his neck. Stifling a groan, he heard the servants' soft snickers.
”That will be all,” he called out to them, startling Angelica. Her cheeks warmed to pink as she tried to step away from him. He tightened his arm, keeping her against him.
”Yes, my lord,” smiled the younger female servant as they both left, giggling.
Angelica smiled up at him lovingly. ”Simon Boulenger, Marquis de Nevelon, Comte de Sorbon. It sounds wonderful, but I care more for your other newly acquired t.i.tle. Husband.”
He returned her smile. ”And I, my beloved wife, care to consummate this marriage without further delay.” His voice was low and provocative.
Her hands were instantly at his waist, fumbling with the closures on his breeches. ”Then hurry.”
He stilled her hands by covering them with one warm palm. ”Let me,” he gently urged and began to undress, removing his doublet and linen s.h.i.+rt, tossing them carelessly to the floor.
He had her rapt attention as he undid his breeches. Her breathing deliciously quickened.
Tilting his head to one side, he studied her, the smallest smile touching upon his mouth. He stopped undressing, cupped her face, and kissed her, savoring the texture and taste of her mouth. It wasn't all that long ago that he believed he'd never know her kiss again.
”Please, Simon,” she said, breathless. ”I don't want to wait any longer.” She stepped back. Her gorgeous eyes were on his erection straining out of his opened breeches, and his sac, heavy with come. She fisted the skirt of her gown with both hands and began pulling up at the voluminous material.
Simon grasped her wrists, stilling her. She looked adorably puzzled and wildly aroused. ”No. Not like that. I want to feel you completely naked against me,” he managed to say despite his thundering heart.
She looked stricken. ”But that will take too long.”
”We have the rest of our lives, cherie. Turn around,” he coaxed while trying to maintain a grip on his own feral need. He trailed kisses along her neck and shoulder, enjoying the soft, satiny skin he'd missed so much, stripping off article after article until he had her completely unclothed.
Then he swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the generous bed. Placing her in the center, he sat on the edge of the mattress and pulled off his boots.
She was up on her knees in an instant, raining kisses on his shoulders and along his neck. He closed his eyes, delighting in her heated enthusiasm, reacquainting himself with her eager impatience in bed that he found both compelling and contagious.
Yanking the remainder of his clothing off at an accelerated rate, he twisted around and pressed her down, kissing her in the frenzied manner she desired, banis.h.i.+ng all thoughts of moderation from his mind. They could slow down when they were old and gray. For now, he would let her dictate the pace.
Arching hard against him, she urged him inside her. He needed no further prompting, driving home with one easy thrust.
Home.
She sobbed with pleasure. He groaned out his.
Controlling his thrusts, he plunged as deep and as hard as she wanted, filling her repeatedly, her juices bathing his c.o.c.k. Between heated kisses and caresses, they exchanged whispers and words of love.
She wrapped her legs tightly around him. ”Stay inside me,” she panted against his mouth. Her words sent a rush of raw heat shuddering through him. He'd never spent himself inside a woman. And he couldn't wait to spend himself inside his beautiful wife.
His moonlight angel.
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