Page 55 of A Second Chance for Carys
And so at last, one Sunday evening, Carys watched him ride through the gate on his black stallion.
Rooted to the spot, she drank him in, taking in the freshly shaven jaw, the determination burning in his eyes, the beloved black tunic. He was back, he was safe, he was here.
She could start breathing again.
Matthew was at his side in an instant, clasping his arm in a manly handshake. “Dear God, James. I don’t know what to say. I never got to thank you before you left. You saved my wife from that bastard Lancaster, and almost died because of your courage.”
He ran a hand through his hair, his face a picture of anguish. Carys knew how hard it had been for him to know his beloved wife was being assaulted and not be able to do anything for her. He blamed himself for not having been at Sheridan Manor to welcome the earl in her stead, for having left at such a critical time. Branwen had assured him she did not blame him, that no real harm had been done but Carys could tell he’d only agreed to ease her mind. Deep down he still felt responsible. She could only hope that, in time, he would learn to shed the guilt.
“There is nothing,nothingI could do that will ever express my gratitude, but know that you have it nonetheless.”
“Please, I don’t need your gratitude, as long as I can have your affection.” James landed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, the gesture paternal.
“You’ve always had it. I’m proud to count myself as the son you weren’t able to see grow up.”
There was a pause, charged with emotion. Then James cleared his throat. “I could not have asked for a better one.”
Carys wiped a tear from her cheek as she watched the two men nod at one another, the gesture somehow more meaningful than if they had fallen into each other’s arms. She of all people knew the link that could bind two strangers and, in that moment, they did look like father and son.
“Now, come. Branwen has asked to see you when you came back. She, too, would like to thank you for what you did.”
“I’ll be glad to go to her as soon as I’m able. But if you will excuse me, right now there is something I need to do, something I’ve been prevented from doing for far too long.”
Matthew’s face did not betray any surprise, but his brown eyes were gleaming when he turned to look at her. “Of course. You do that. I will give orders to ensure that you are not disturbed.”
Carys felt herself blush to the roots of her hair. Not only had he guessed what that mysterious thing was, but he was giving his approval. There was no mistaking the warmth in his eyes. Would he go tell Branwen her adoptive mother and his second father had formed an attachment? Her daughter already suspected it, she was sure of it. Would she and her husband talk about what the future might bring?
Did it matter? No. Carys was not ashamed.
Let them think and say what they will, since she was certain they approved anyway.
Without further ado, James took her by the hand to lead her to his room. She didn’t even think to protest, didn’t utter a word, she simply allowed him to take her where he wanted—where they both wanted. Her heart started to beat a fierce rhythm when he closed the door behind him.
This was it. The moment they had waited so long for.
Instead of feeling shy, she felt thirty years younger.
“This could take a while. So I will be a bit cleverer than the other lovers at Sheridan Manor and ensure no one disturbs us, shall I?” He bolted the door as he spoke.
“Please.”
She would die if anyone interrupted them now. They had waited too long for this first joining. Years since their spouses’ deaths and months since they’d found one another. They had been thwarted at every turn, prevented to act on the desire they felt.
No more.
James stood in front of her, a tower of strength. Her core started to tingle in anticipation. Before she could say anything he lifted her into his arms, forcing her to wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, like he had that day in the sea.
“Carys, without you I would be dead, or married to Margaret. In more ways than one, I owe you my life,” he told her, eyes aglow. “I think it’s only fair you get to take charge of it from now on. Tell me how I can serve you?”
As if he couldn’t guess. Under her buttocks she could feel the proof that they might want the same thing. “I think you know what I want right now. But first, you could kiss me.”
Everything dissolved within her when he took her lips in a fierce kiss. The salt from the sea wasn’t there today, but there was spice, and all the sweetness she craved. It was even better.
“As much as I would like to take you here where we stand, I will take you to bed,” he said, speaking with his mouth at her throat. “I’m no green lad anymore.”
“And I am no lithe damsel. A bed will be just perfect.” She smiled, before taking his earlobe between her lips. “But before anything else, I’ll need to see you naked.”
“You will. You will see every inch of me. It’s all yours anyway.”
