Chapter 7

“It is settled then. You and Jeffrey will be married here at Summerfield Castle two days before the Christmas festival begins on December first,” William said as he rose to his feet and walked out of his study.

Jeffrey turned to Penelope and took her hand in his. “What made you change your mind so suddenly?”

“I want to give you a chance to prove you can love only one woman, Jeffrey. I want to give myself a chance to finally get over Patrick.”

“You have made me a very happy man, Penelope,” he replied as he kissed her palm softly. “Let us return to our party.” A smile graced her cheeks, and Penelope allowed Jeffrey to lead her back to the gardens and their engagement party.

They moved gracefully around the dance floor, like a couple deeply in love. William and Marcus sat off to the side, watching them and chatting about the upcoming wedding.

“If I did not know better, William, I would say Penelope has finally forgotten about Patrick and moved on happily with Jeffrey.”

“She is resolved to marrying Jeffrey, Marcus. It is a step in the right direction. And speaking of Patrick, have you heard from him? How are things for him in America?”

“I have not heard from him since he first informed me that he settled in Norfolk. I do hope he is doing well in his new life. I only wish he could be here for his brother’s wedding.”

“Perhaps if you send him a note, it would arrive in time for him to make arrangements to return for the wedding.”

“I suppose I could try. I do not know how Penelope would react in Patrick’s presence,” Marcus said, glancing around the room and noticing that Jeffrey and Penelope had disappeared from the dance floor again. “I do not want to upset her, William. I have always thought of her as a daughter.”

“I do appreciate your concern and thank you. She is lucky to have so much love in her life, Marcus.”

“Stay with me tonight, Jeffrey,” Penelope breathed as she broke the deep, passionate kiss they shared.

“Are you sure that is what you want?”

“Yes, I want you to make love to me.”

Jeffrey took her hand and they headed back into Summerfield Castle. The party had wound down and there were only a few guests left. They said their good-byes and Penelope released Jeffrey’s hand and made her way up to her bedchamber.

Marcus approached Jeffrey, “It has been a long evening and I am quite tired. Will you be sharing my carriage home?”

“I shall not be home this evening, Father,” Jeffrey replied somewhat nervously.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I am staying here tonight, with Penelope.”

A broad smile crossed Marcus’ face and he patted his son on the shoulder before he turned to leave. Jeffrey blushed slightly at his father’s knowing look. He turned and immediately headed up the stairs that led to Penelope’s bedchamber.

Jeffrey froze in his tracks when he entered Penelope’s room. Her large canopy bed sat up on a dais, the flowing white sheer nylon curtains enclosed the sleeping quarters, except for one section, which was pulled back to reveal a naked beauty, partially covered by a white sheet. She extended an arm toward Jeffrey, inviting him to join her.

The massive fireplace crackled and warmed the room. The glow from the fire and the flickering candles placed around the room accentuated her graceful lines right to the ends of her fingertips. A light hint of jasmine wafted in the air as Jeffrey made his way to her bed.

Penelope gazed hungrily at Jeffrey, anticipating his undress as he approached. She fought to keep from caressing his bare skin while he sat on the edge of the bed and removed his boots. Her heart raced as he slid in beside her.

Penelope felt Jeffrey’s heat immediately; her hands roamed his body while she kissed him deeply. As he cradled her face in his hands, he broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.

“Are you sure about this, Penelope?” he asked.

“Yes, Jeffrey. I am sure,” she replied, bringing her lips to his before he could say anything further.

Jeffrey rolled to his stomach, pulling Penelope beneath him and devouring her moist, soft lips with his own. She parted her thighs, allowing his hips to settle between them, and his throbbing member twitched against her sex.

Eager to taste every inch of her warm flesh, he tore his lips from hers and trailed kisses along her neck to her ear. Jeffrey nibbled her earlobe softly and heard Penelope let out a soft whimper. His lips continued their exploration as he found his way to her breasts. He took one breast in his hand and brought the taut nipple to his lips.

Penelope gasped at the feel of Jeffrey’s lips on her breast and tangled her fingers in his hair to hold him to her. The sensations he was creating with his lips and his tongue sent desire coursing through her body, tugging at her womb. His lips left a trail of fire between her breasts as they sought out the other nipple. He drew the hard tip into his mouth and sucked gently, running his tongue around the tip and hearing her cry out in pleasure.

Jeffrey kissed down her body, swirling his tongue around her skin, tasting her sweetness. He felt Penelope tense when he reached the soft, curly hair at the top of her thighs. “Relax, my love,” he whispered as he gently pushed her thighs further apart.

His head was spinning as he inhaled her aroma. He could see how wet she was and slowly traced her slit, grazing her clit and hearing her let out another soft moan. He pushed one finger inside her as he lowered his head and captured the hard nub of her clit between his lips.

“Oh God, Jeffrey!” she cried out as excruciating pleasure consumed her.

Jeffrey felt her body writhe and increased the movements of his tongue. Her legs clamped on his head as he pushed a second finger inside her snug opening. He continued to lap at her clit until her body relaxed and she let out a heavy, satisfied sigh. Slowly he removed his fingers from her sweet opening then planted feather-light kisses back up her body. He kissed her lips softly before he stretched out beside her once more.

Penelope scooted in closer to him, her head resting on his shoulder. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced,” she breathed as she traced a finger through the smattering of dark blond hair on his chest.

“You tasted sweeter than the finest wine, Penelope,” Jeffrey replied as he kissed her forehead.

Penelope turned her eyes downward and saw that Jeffrey’s erection was tenting the sheet that covered them. “You have not found your pleasure yet,” she said as she caressed his chest, then stomach. Jeffrey drew in a harsh breath when Penelope’s hand ventured under the sheet and her fingers wrapped around his cock.

“How does something so hard feel so soft?” she inquired as she stroked his engorged member slowly.

“I -- do not know --- Penelope,” Jeffrey breathed. “But -- if you keep that up -- I will spend like a school boy.”

Penelope threw the sheet back and pulled herself up to lay astride Jeffrey. His breath caught in his throat when he felt her wetness rub against his hardness. She shifted so that his cock was lined up with the opening to her pussy then reached between them slowly guided him into her.

Jeffrey held his body still as Penelope unhurriedly lowered herself onto his shaft. “God, Penelope,” he grunted, “You feel so good.” Unconsciously, Jeffrey’s hips began thrusting upwards, pushing himself deeper inside her.

“Mmmmm, Jeffrey,” she breathed as she glided herself up and down slowly on his cock. Jeffrey sat forward and captured a nipple in his mouth. Penelope held him to her as her hips continued to move.

She placed her hands on Jeffrey’s shoulders and increased her movements, feeling every inch of him stroking inside her, bringing her closer to another explosive climax.

He felt his cock swell within the confines of her soft, warm pussy and fought desperately for control. He matched her movements with his own, wanting to bring her pleasure before he found his.

Beads of perspiration glistened on their bodies as their lovemaking intensified. Jeffrey felt her muscles flutter around his cock and knew her orgasm was close. He pushed his hips harder into her and felt his balls tighten, signaling his release. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as they both rode the wave of pleasure together, her slick juices coating his throbbing shaft, his hot seed spewing deep inside her.

Both cried out the other’s name, then collapsed onto the mattress, entangled and breathless. Jeffrey’s cock was still buried inside Penelope as she brought her head up and kissed him tenderly. She slid off him and stretched out beside him, resting her head on his shoulder and sighed contently.

“I was wrong,” she said between ragged breaths.

“About what?” he asked, trying to regain his breathing.

“That was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced,” she replied. “I did not know it could be that way.”

“You are an amazing, passionate woman, Penelope. Each time with you is better than the last,” he replied, caressing her hair and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “I truly look forward to a lifetime of pleasure with you, my love.”

“Will every night be like this once we are married?”

“Yes,” Jeffrey replied, pulling her closer. “Every night will be like Heaven on Earth with you in my bed.”

“I told you not to come any closer!” Leonard shouted as his grip tightened on the gun, and he slowly squeezed the trigger.

Kimberly saw Leonard hesitate and took the opportunity to push herself between him and Patrick. She knocked Leonard off balance just as he fired the gun, causing him to shoot upwards and graze her shoulder.

She screamed in pain as she fell against Patrick. Leonard immediately dropped the gun and raced for the door. Patrick lowered Kimberly to the floor and tore away the sheet from his waist, wrapping it around her shoulder and applying pressure to the wound. His gut churned with angst between allowing Leonard to escape and caring for Kimberly.

“Just lie still,” he told her when she tried to get up. Kimberly cried out when Patrick squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Kimberly. It is the only way to get the bleeding to stop.”

“Go,” she whispered. “Go after him.”

“I will not leave you, Kimberly. We will deal with Leonard later.”

Patrick picked her up as gently as possible and carried her the few steps to the bed. He laid her down, then left briefly to get a bucket of water and a cloth. Upon his return, he found Kimberly whimpering softly, her eyes partially closed.