Chapter 14

“It is good to see you home, Penelope. I trust everything is all right?” William asked as he hugged his daughter.

“Yes, Father. Everything is wonderful,” she beamed. “Jeffrey and I have some wonderful news to share with you.”

William glanced curiously at Jeffrey then his daughter as he broke the embrace then held her hands in his. “Come with me to the parlor and tell me your news,” he said.

As Jeffrey and Penelope settled on the sofa, William summoned for their butler, Edward, to serve refreshments. “Yes, M’lord,” Edward replied then bowed quickly and left the parlor to do as he was asked.

William sat on the chair adjacent to Penelope and Jeffrey then glanced at them anxiously. “What is your news, Penelope? Are you all right? Is the wedding --”

Penelope stopped her father’s round of questions by blurting out her good news. “I am with child!”

Without hesitation, William jumped to his feet and pulled Penelope into a loving embrace. “That is wonderful news, Penelope!” He glanced at Jeffery who simply stood there with a wide grin on his handsome face.

“When did you learn of this?” William asked, breaking the embrace.

“Last evening when we took Kimberly to Doctor Cohen’s office. She fell in the gardens at Ainsworth Castle and bumped her head. Doctor Cohen said I looked as though I was not feeling well. He conducted a few tests and when Doctor Martin arrived, he confirmed what Doctor Cohen had already suspected!”

“Kimberly fell? Is she all right?”

“Yes,” Jeffrey replied. “She has a concussion. Doctor Cohen gave her medication to help with any pain or dizziness she may have. Her unborn child was unharmed in her fall.”

William’s face lit up. “Kimberly is with child also?”

“You did not know?” Penelope asked.

“This is the first I have heard of it. What happened?”

Jeffrey explained about the argument in the gardens and what led to Kimberly’s injury. “She is a strong woman, William,” Jeffrey said. “She will be just fine,” he added then turned to Penelope when he felt her grasp his hand.

Penelope and Jeffrey returned to the couch and William stood in front of them, beaming. Edward entered, a sliver tray in one hand containing three tall glasses of fresh lemonade; a white towel draped over his arm. Before serving the refreshments he wiped the bottom of each glass and then set them on the decorative table in front of the sofa.

Edward stood awaiting dismissal. “That will be all Edward,” William said cordially.

As he turned to leave, he paused briefly in front of Penelope to voice his congratulations to the happy couple. “I overheard you telling your father, M’lady. Do forgive me for eavesdropping,” he said with a slight bow.

“There is no need to apologize Edward. You are as much a part of the family as I am.”

She took a few steps toward him, stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Edward,” she said as she took a step back.

“You are most welcome, M’lady,” he replied with another quick bow then exited as quietly as he’d entered.

Penelope turned back to her father. “Now all that is needed is for you and Kimberly to make amends, Father.”

William turned his gaze away from his daughter and fidgeted nervously in his seat.

“What is it, William?” Jeffrey asked.

“At the encouragement of your father, Jeffrey, I have written Kimberly a letter.”

“What did you say in the letter?” Penelope asked, taking her seat beside Jeffrey.

“I told her I would very much like to be a part of her life if she is willing to forgive me.”

“And what did she say?”

“I do not know. I had the letter delivered last evening. I was unaware of Kimberly being taken to Doctor Cohen’s office.”

“I believe that right now it is best to allow her time to rest, William. I will return home later to check on her.”

As Patrick entered his bedchamber, Kimberly made her escape, careful not to make contact with him. If she looked him in the eye or even touched him, it would weaken her resolve. She knew he deserved better than what she offered.

She pulled the strap of her satchel over her shoulder and hurried down the stairs. Marcus called out to her but she ignored him and made her way outside toward the stables.

“I need a horse,” she said to the stable boy as she entered.

“Yes, M’lady,” he replied as he disappeared into one of the stalls to retrieve a horse. He quickly groomed and saddled the horse then led it out and handed the reins to Kimberly.

Just as she took the reins from the stable boy, she heard Patrick’s voice behind her.

“Why do you feel I do not deserve your love, Kimberly?”

He glanced at the stable boy, the look in his eyes saying everything that needed to be said. The stable boy bowed slightly, returned the horse to its stall then turned and left the stables, closing the doors behind him and leaving Kimberly and Patrick alone. With the doors closed, the only light in the stables was the afternoon sun that shone through the small windows along each wall.

Kimberly turned to face him, but kept her gaze averted from his eyes. She wiped the tears away before she spoke. “I am the illegitimate child of a British lord, Patrick. I am a poor woman. What could I possibly offer you?”

Patrick pulled her into his arms, closing the gap between them. She struggled to get free but found it useless, he was stronger than her and even though she knew he deserved better, she loved the feel of his arms around her. Kimberly looked up into Patrick’s eyes a moment before he bowed his head and claimed her lips in a fierce kiss.

As her arms snaked around his neck, she parted her lips to allow him access. Patrick smiled into the kiss when Kimberly relented, her moan tickled his lips. The heat and passion that bound them flared with that kiss.

After several seconds, Patrick broke the kiss and cradled Kimberly’s face in his hands. “You are not going anywhere, my love. You are home now.”

She held his gaze and felt her heart swell with love for the man holding her. “I have nothing to offer you Patrick. You deserve so much --”

“All this talk of what I deserve is nonsense, Kimberly. I love you and I do not care about your past. You need to only offer me your love and companionship for the rest of my days.”

Reluctantly, Kimberly pulled away from him and took a few steps back. She glanced up at Patrick then ran her hand over her belly where their unborn child lay.

“You shall always have my love, but I do not want you to regret anything, Patrick.”

“The only thing I would regret is letting you leave here, Kimberly. You and our unborn child are my life now, no matter where we are, no matter who your father is. I fell in love with you, the woman. I do not care about what you do not have, as long as I have your love. I want to spend the rest of our lives showing you how much you mean to me.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“Yes!” Patrick replied. “What did William Summerfield write in that letter that made you think you do not deserve my love?”

“He mentioned that he and my mother had fallen in love. He cast her aside because of what it would do to his family name, Patrick. I cannot put you through the same thing.”

Patrick closed the gap between them and took her hand in his. “So you think that because of who you are, people will ridicule me?”

“Yes,” Kimberly replied quietly.

“That is nonsense, Kimberly. I do not care what people say. Unlike lord Summerfield, who would allow others to dictate his life, I will not. It is he who made the mistake, not you.”

“But my mother told me a different story of what happened. She said he forced himself on her. But what he wrote in his letter states otherwise. I need to know the truth, Patrick.”

“Then perhaps it is time you confronted William,” Patrick replied. He held her hand when she turned and began walking toward the closed doors. “Not now, however. I have other plans for you,” he added as he took her satchel and placed it on the ground in front of the stalls.

With her hand still in his he turned and walked to the small bench a few feet away. Patrick sat down then pulled Kimberly between his parted thighs and with an arousing caress he slid his hands beneath her dress. When his hands reached her waist, he removed the garment, taking her shift with it. Patrick trailed kisses down her neck to her shoulders and felt her shiver beneath his touch as he pulled her to his lap.

“What are you doing, Patrick?”

“If you need to ask, then I am not doing something correctly,” he replied with a chuckle as he turned her to face him, her legs straddling his thighs. Patrick looked into her eyes and saw all the desire and love she held for him. “Are you feeling all right? Is it too soon after your injury for this?”

“I am fine, Patrick,” she breathed. “Make love to me.”

“As you wish, my love,” he replied. He laid out a blanket then guided her down onto it. He dropped to his knees and removed her pantalets before getting to his feet to remove his own clothing. Kimberly watched with a look of disappointment on her face. “What?” he asked as he laid down beside her.

“You should have allowed me to undress you,” she replied with a giggle.

“Today is about you, love. I want to show you how much I deserve your love.”

“That is why I should have undressed you. You have no idea what looking at your body does to me, Patrick.”

“If it is anything similar to what looking at you does to me, then I do have a very good idea.”

Kimberly sighed happily as Patrick nestled his hips between her legs, the tip of his cock grazing her slick opening. He held himself up on his elbows as he brought his lips down to hers. Kimberly wrapped her arms around Patrick and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

Patrick tore his lips from hers, trailing kisses along her jaw line to her neck. He nibbled softly on her ear and heard her let out a whimper of his name. He nipped gently at her neck as he made his way to her breasts. Kimberly arched into Patrick when he took one of her taut nipples in his mouth and began sucking softly. She ignored the pain in her head, all she wanted to feel was the intense pleasure she knew Patrick could give her.

“Are you all right?” Patrick asked softly when he saw the look on Kimberly’s face.

“Yes,” she replied and pulled him closer to her. “Don’t stop!”

He continued his pleasurable assault; his lips hot on her skin as he kissed down her belly and gently ran his tongue over her navel. Patrick inhaled the musky scent of her arousal when he reached the dampened curls at the top of her thighs.

Kimberly moaned his name louder when he gently inserted two fingers into her warm, wet cavern. Patrick blew a warm breath of air across the hardened nub of her clit and watched as Kimberly pushed her hips up to meet his eager mouth. He closed his lips around the velvety soft skin and suckled softly.

As he continued to gently thrust his fingers in and out of her sweet channel, he felt her muscles contract. Kimberly’s body tensed as a powerful orgasm rocked her body. Patrick pulled his fingers from her and replaced them with his tongue, allowing her juices to flow into his mouth. He moaned at the sweet taste of her release on his tongue.

He lapped up the last of her spending then slowly planted kisses up her relaxed body. Kimberly’s eyes were closed as she continued to ride the high of her release. Patrick found her lips with his, allowing her a taste of herself on his tongue. He settled his body over her, holding his weight off her.

“You still taste like springtime, Kimberly,” he said between kisses.

She entwined her legs with his and pulled him closer to her, causing his throbbing erection to rub against her wet slit. Kimberly reached between them and guided his cock into her. Patrick pushed himself inside slowly, relishing the feel of her hot wetness wrapped around him.

Buried to the hilt, he began slow movements of his hips. She matched his movements with her own and let out a soft whimper when he pulled out so just the head of his cock was inside her, then slowly plunged back in.

Patrick wanted to love Kimberly slowly, but found it increasingly difficult. The feel of her wrapped around him, of her hips moving with his caused him to fight desperately for control. He wanted her to reach her peak before he reached his.

Kimberly contracted her muscles around him, forcing a groan to escape his lips. She dug her nails into his back as he continued his slow, deep movements. It was driving her mad.

“Patrick, please,” she breathed.

“Please what?” he asked.

“Faster! Please!” she cried as her orgasm slowly worked its way through her body.

“God, yes!” he exclaimed, plunging into her harder.

He pulled her legs up over his shoulders and drove himself deeper into her. Patrick felt her muscles contract around his cock as her orgasm consumed her. With three more powerful thrusts, he found his own release, her name roaring from his lips as he filled her with his seed.

Patrick collapsed on top of her, their sweat soaked bodies pressed together, each trying desperately to regain their breathing. He pushed himself off her and pulled her close.

“No more talk of what I deserve,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead. He reached for another blanket and covered them with it.

“Mmm-hmm,” Kimberly breathed, resting her head on his chest and drifting off to sleep.

“Did Kimberly receive William’s letter?”

“Yes,” Marcus replied. “She was distraught and ran out of my study. She told Patrick she could not marry him because she did not deserve his love.”

“That is nonsense, Father. I have only met Kimberly once, but I could sense that she was well suited for Patrick.”

“I agree, Jeffrey. I do believe that she is confused of her feelings toward William.”

“I am sure Patrick will help her sort it out, Father. Are they here in the castle?”

“The stable boy told me that Patrick and Kimberly were in the stables, Jeffrey,” Marcus said with a knowing grin.