The Regimental Heroes Anthology(41)

“You hate our lessons.” She smiled and looked at the pages. “There is more here than I asked. You completed extra?”

“I added words… of my own.”

She flipped to the second page and her hand stopped, hovering over the black, bold letters.

“If you can read what I wrote, what does it say?” he asked, softly.

 She met his gaze, but said nothing.

“I hoped to address enough of the letters in the correct order that you would understand the meaning, but if not, I will repeat what I wrote.” He reached in his pocket, produced a velvet box and opened it to reveal a ring. Dropping to one knee, he took her hand. “Vivienne Ravenhill, will you marry me?”

 “Marry you? I… I can’t,” she stuttered.

Before that moment, he’d never seen her flustered. She was delightful.

“I mean, you don’t mean, I can’t. I have a son.”

“So do I. If you say yes, I will have two sons. I will also have you and I will be the luckiest man on earth. Please, Vivienne. Make my life complete.” He took her hand and slid the ring on her finger. “This ring belonged to my grandmother. When I think back, I remember she and my grandfather were happy. There was happiness in my family, and I want that again… I… I need that again. With all my heart, I love you.”

She started to cry.

He took her in his arms, and when he looked up, the boys were next to them.

“Why is mama crying?” Charlie asked.

Vivienne sniffed and brushed back her tears. “I’m happy.”

John turned to face the Charlie. “I asked your mama to marry me. Can I have your approval, boys?”

Charlie grinned revealing a missing front tooth. “Does this mean that Graeme will be my real brother?”

“Yes. Graeme will be your brother… that is if your mother says yes.” He looked at her and kissed her hand. “Say yes, please, say yes.”

“Yes, John. I’ll marry you.”

The little boys jumped up and down, hugging each other.

It was a good day.





Chapter Six





The wedding and then the giddy anticipation of being alone with John made Vivienne’s skin tingle. John closed the door, flipped the key in the lock and dimmed the lamp. Desire was evident on his face when he turned to face her.

“Come out with me. The moon is full and shining for us.” Dressed in black with a white shirt and cravat, John was heart-stopping handsome. He took her hand and led her out the door of the master bedroom and on to the balcony. They faced the horizon. “Lady Mitchell, I happily share all this with you.”

She smiled. “I must insist that you call me Vivienne.”

He slid his hands up her bare arms and grinned. “Vivienne seems too formal for daily use. I will call you my wife or…better yet, my love.” He stroked his fingers against her cheek.

He let her tug his head lower and draw him in for a kiss. Vivienne nudged higher on her toes to increase the pressure on their mouths. She swayed as he ran a hand around her waist and tugged her tight. His gentle mouth coaxed hers until she parted her lips in surrender. He tasted sweet and salty with a hint of the wine from dinner.

Now as his wife, she knew this kiss was different. It didn’t need to end, it could go on until neither of them could breathe. John traced the fullness of her bottom lip with his tongue. John released her arm and slowly slid a hand up the bodice of her gown to cup her breast. Vivienne wasn’t sure if that small moan she heard was hers or his. He toyed with the fine berry of her nipple until she mindlessly begged for more. He kissed a path down her throat. It involved lips, tongue and teeth. The intimate bulge of his ferocious erection was rigid against the fabric of her belly.

“Inside…” she said, breathless. Wanting him. Needing him.

“No.” He shook his head and smiled. “Out here in the moonlight, I want to see you like the angel you are.” John plucked at the ribbons until the neckline gave way and her breast popped free. He slipped a hand inside her gown. The heat of him seemed to be everywhere as his hands warmed her skin in the cool night air.

The minty scent of his hair trailed to her nose as he kissed a path down her throat and then took a nipple between his lips. She made a sound between a whimper and a gasp as he applied his tongue with skill. As he continued to kiss her senseless, his fingers deftly undid the buttons, ties, and laces, leaving her to stand in nothing but a transparent chemise and drawers.

John stepped away to take her in and swallowed audibly. “You are so… beautiful.”

Vivienne was no innocent, but with John’s eyes boring into hers, this felt like the first time. His gaze at first left her shy, but as he continued to stare, she was emboldened. “Would you like me to remove my remaining under things?” she asked, toying with the ribbons.