She was drawing shallow breaths, and he knew she was feeling the same rising pressure that he was. She reached out for him. He met her halfway, and their open-mouthed kiss was hot enough to set the sheets on fire.
"Take me now," she whispered.
"New rules?" he growled.
Wynne's hands tightened on her hips, his fingers biting into her flesh as he impaled himself fully inside her. Withdrawing his shaft to the very tip, he paused and then plunged into her again. Instinctively, Jo hooked her legs around his waist, urging him on. He kissed her mouth hungrily as their rhythms overwhelmed all conscious thought. Again and again he slid out and rocked into her, accelerating with each succeeding stroke.
Colors of orange and gold and red flashed in his brain and a roaring filled his ears. Still he held on, wanting her to come. Her panting breaths were moans and then pleasured cries. Her fingers were digging into his arms and then clutching at the sheets. Over and over he drove into her, filling her with all he had.
And then it came, a blast of glittering passions. Simultaneous, brilliant, mind-shattering, an explosion that consumed them both in a dazzling moment of oblivion. And in that instant, as their bodies melded into one, as they spiraled upward together, a heaven was created . . . a golden place for them alone where a throne was reserved for the winners of such inspired sport.
An eon later, as Wynne held her in his arms, Jo kissed his lips.
"You realize," she whispered happily, "we have two days left until our wedding, which gives us plenty of time for more competitions."
"Well, I hope you're not planning to forfeit the additional contests we have scheduled for tonight."
"I can't wait to hear the rules, Captain."
* * *
"Abram worked at Tilmory Castle before hiring on in the kitchens at the Abbey," Wynne told Jo sometime later, after another round of love-making. They lay face-to-face in the bed, her hands under her cheek, their legs entwined. "Of course, we knew nothing of that."
Jo had almost been convinced that Abram's schemes had no connection to the Bartons, but were the result of an old grudge. She'd been wrong.
"He now says that he was paid by Mrs. Barton to work here and to keep an eye on her son."
"Was it only her, or was Graham involved too?"
"He claims it was Mrs. Barton who called him in and gave him his orders. If Graham knew about it or not, Abram had no idea."
If one ignored all that happened after, Jo could understand the benefit of placing Abram in the Abbey. What better way to keep an eye on the care being given to someone you love? In this case, it was a twisted love, at best.
"Her motivation wasn't concern about her son, was it?" she asked.
"When Abram first came to work in the ward? It's difficult to say. But later?" Wynne's face hardened as he curled a lock of her hair around a finger and looked into her eyes. "The day she first saw you at the Abbey, Abram said she spoke to him as they left. He claims her exact words were that her son was already dead to her because of the state of his mind. Then she told him Charles wouldn't want to live like that and Abram was to end it. Kill him."
She couldn't fathom how a mother could order the end of her own child's life. No matter how old, or what the condition of his mind, it made no sense to Jo.
But she knew the truth. It had nothing to do with Charles's mind. The trigger was Jo's arrival at the Abbey.
"Why get Cuffe involved? Why the deception?"
"Abram claims he didn't trust Mrs. Barton. She was madder than the patients at the Abbey. He insists Cuffe misunderstood him. Says he intended no harm to come to Charles Barton. He never planned to follow through with her order. Of course, he's only admitting to any of this now because blame needs to be assigned somewhere-and he's pointing the finger at her."
"You don't believe him, do you?" she asked.
"He's a liar," Wynne told her. "Abram was smart enough to realize the likeliness and consequences of getting caught. If Charles's death appeared to be accidental, he'd still get compensated by the mother. If he didn't succeed, he'd play it as he is now."
"What will happen to him?" she asked.
"He'll be locked up for a while. Perhaps transported. But he won't hang for it."
A much better future than Mrs. Barton was facing, Jo thought.
Chapter 25
Three Weeks Later
Since passing through Melrose Village, Wynne and Cuffe had been riding along a road through heavy forests. Only a few cottages had broken the shade cast by the tall trees.
"What's Baronsford like?"
Wynne wasn't at all surprised by his son's curiosity. So far, their visit to the Borders had been a positive experience for him. He'd been made to feel very much at home at Highfield Hall. Meeting and spending time with his cousins had gone exceptionally well. And Wynne's brother and his wife had showered their nephew with affection. Today, however, he was taking Cuffe to the Pennington stronghold for the first time.
"Some say it's imposing."
He tried to imagine how a ten-year-old might see it, particularly one who'd grown up acutely aware of the strategies of running battles and survival.
"One might see it as a fortress, ready to withstand all attacks. The place has miles of footpaths that wind along bluffs overlooking the River Tweed where lookouts can spot an enemy's approach for great distances. And in case of siege, the deer park and the lake would make for a steady supply of food."
Cuffe rode along in silence for a while, contemplating his answer and looking through breaks in the wood for a glimpse of the castle.
Wynne had ridden over earlier in the week to meet with the earl and the countess, and formally ask their permission to marry Jo. It was no secret that they had already been married by the vicar in Rayneford. Still, a second ceremony would be performed at the church here, with a reception to be held the day before Baronsford's famous Summer Ball.
All of this was a matter of formality, but Wynne encouraged it, knowing how much the Penningtons meant to Jo. He was prepared to do anything to smooth over the bad memories of the past. He wanted them all to accept him and his son into their family circle.
And that led him back here this morning, for Jo's brother Hugh, Viscount Greysteil, had been away on legal business the day Wynne spoke to Lord and Lady Aytoun.
"Baronsford has always been seen by Lady Jo as home. She grew up here surrounded by a loving family and scores of people who, regardless of their rank or position, are treated with dignity and respect."
"Is there anything not to like about it?"
Wynne would be able to answer that better after his meeting with Hugh Pennington. Cuffe knew nothing of the duel he'd fought with Jo's brother sixteen years ago. Today was the first time he and Greysteil were meeting since that misty dawn in Hyde Park.
"Perhaps you can tell me when we ride back to Highfield Hall tonight."
They broke out of the woods into the sunlight, and Cuffe reined in his horse. In the distance, perched dramatically on a rocky rise, the castle reared up impressively over the rolling fields and meadows.
"Baronsford?"
"The one and only." He watched a hesitant expression cross Cuffe's face.
"Imposing."
"So I've heard," Wynne said with a smile.
"And why exactly are we going there today?"
"You need to meet your new mother's adoptive parents, her siblings and their spouses," he said reassuringly. "I was told her younger brother, Captain Gregory Pennington, was expected to arrive with his wife and niece from Torrishbrae yesterday."
"But why can't all of this wait until the day of the wedding? Won't there be scores of other people to meet?"
Wynne understood all the questions. In every new place since they arrived in the Borders, with every new group of people, questions and whispers had begun because of the darker color of Cuffe's skin. Questions about the legitimacy of his relationship to Wynne. Every time, he'd resolved the situation swiftly and efficiently, but Cuffe was aware of the tension.
"You shouldn't be nervous. The Penningtons are unlike any family you'll ever meet. They live according to their own values, without any regard for the opinions of society. They've weathered far greater scrutiny in their lives than we ever shall." Wynne reached across and placed a hand on top of his son's. "Besides, I need you there today to help me."
"How can I help you?"
"Be yourself and win their affection. Make sure they can't refuse to take you in as a member of the family."