Chapter 33 #2
Hester gave him a small smile as she looked down at the tiny bubbles popping in her glass.
“It has already started,” she told him, “Today at the conservatory, several ladies apologized to me. It was a…it was like a fever dream, I suppose, being asked for so much forgiveness from them.”
Deborah leaned closer to her sister and put her arm around her. Hester gave her an appreciative smile, then leaned her head on her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around Deborah’s waist.
“Still, if the invitation is still open, I should like to travel to Calder with you. Even if I have their apologies, I am not ready to integrate fully back into society as of yet. Maybe in a year or two…” Hester said, her words drifting off as she fell into obvious thought.
“Of course you are still welcome to stay with us,” Deborah replied, giving her a little squeeze. “Besides, selfishly, I want you all to myself for a while. Society can have you later.”
Hester’s laugh was a bit hollow, but she nodded as she set her still-full glass of champagne on the nearby table.
“Forgive me, but I feel so very overwhelmed by the day,” Hester sighed. “I think I shall follow Adeline’s plans and ask for a cool bath before settling down with a book. Would you be terribly offended if I took the rest of the day in my room?”
Worry laced through Deborah’s heart, but she understood that hovering over her sister would do no good.
“Of course we would not, my darling,” Deborah assured her. “Take as much time as you like. The servants will do most of the packing tomorrow so you needn’t worry about anything until we leave for Calder. Even then, the most you have to do is get into the carriage.”
“Thank you,” Hester replied, her tone full of gratitude as she looked from Deborah to Cedric, “Both of you. I would not be here if it weren’t for your valiant efforts.”
“You are most welcome, dear sister-in-law,” Cedric replied, his tone solemn as he raised his glass toward her.
“I would do anything for you,” Deborah whispered, pulling Hester into a hug.
“You already have,” Hester rasped, hugging Deborah tightly.
As Deborah watched Hester take her leave, she felt Cedric’s arms come around her and wrap around her waist. With a sigh, she let herself relax into his arms.
“You did it,” she said softly, relishing the feel of his strong arms holding her tightly.
“We did it,” Cedric corrected her, then planted a kiss on the side of her neck.
Deborah’s smile grew more serene, but she said nothing. She was still trying to forgive herself for all of her mistakes, even though, despite them, they were still able to redeem Hester and punish Sylvester.
“So my love,” Cedric said, turning her in his arms so they could face each other, “I have a question.”
“Hmm. I think I know which one it is,” she mused, reaching up to lace her arms around his neck. Even though there was no music, Cedric began to sway her gently back and forth as he smirked.
“You do, do you?” He teased. “Well then pray tell, what is this question that you know I am going to ask you?”
Deborah mirrored his smirk as she playfully reached up into his hair and gave it a teasing yank. Cedric’s answering laugh was low and throaty, sending those delightful tingles throughout her body.
“I believe it is something along the lines of ‘after’?” She asked.
“Hmm,” Cedric hummed, staring deep into her eyes with stark affection, “What a wise wife I have.”
His hands traced down her back, sending sparks along her body. They stopped at the ties of her dress, where he slowly began to loosen them.
“And tell me, my wise darling, does the question still spark fear in you?” He asked.
Deborah’s smirk shifted into a warm smile as peace radiated through her.
“No,” she confessed, “It sparks hope for our future.”
Her dress free, Cedric dragged it down her body, letting the fine fabric pool at her feet.
In turn, she reached for the hem of his shirt and tugged it free from the waistline of his trousers.
Cedric pulled away, just enough so that she could lift it up and away from him.
When he was free of it, she leaned close and snuggled her cheek against the warm planes of his muscles, reveling in the sound of his heartbeat.
"And what do you want for our future?” He asked, his deep voice dropping an octave as he loosened the strings of her corset.
“You. Us. All of us, together,” she murmured, then sighed in relief as she was freed from the confines of her corset.
“And you?” She asked, freeing him from his trousers, “What do you want?”
Cedric answered by wrapping his hand around her throat and lifting her chin. She met his lips with her own, accepting the kiss and all of the delicious sensations it gave her.
“I want you,” he rasped against her lips, “Everything and anyone else will simply be a delightful bonus.”
Deborah whimpered as he kissed her again, her body melting into his as he lifted her onto his hips and began walking her back to his desk chair. Already, he was hard and pulsing, his manhood straining and at attention as it was pressed between their bodies.
“And when you are ready,” he hoarsely continued, sinking slowly down into his chair with her on his lap, “I want a baby. Our baby. I want to watch your belly grow and know that it is I that made you that way.”
Deborah let out a soft gasp as he gripped her hips and slowly lowered her onto his throbbing cock. Her entrance, already slick with need, made it easy to accept him, and without thought, she began to rock her hips.
Cedric let out a soft groan as he rested his forehead against her shoulder, content with allowing her to take the lead in the slow culmination of pleasure.
She rocked slowly, letting herself guide their pleasure as she thought of what it would be like to be ripe with child- his child.
The very idea made her gush, and she whimpered his name as she already felt herself approaching climax.
“You want it too?” Cedric breathed, leaning back so he could meet her eyes. He began to move his hips with hers, his grip on her hips tightening as they took deeper, sharper thrusts.
“Yes,” she panted, her lashes fluttering as her pleasure built from deep within, “Ohhh, yes.”
“You want me to worship you like my own fertility goddess?” He asked, moving them faster as the tip of his cock surged deep, “You want me to kiss your belly and rub your feet? Feed you grapes by fingertips and tell you how utterly beautiful you are while you grow our child?”
“Oh, God,” Deborah gasped, working her hips faster as his words painted a vivid image in her mind.
“I will do it,” Cedric grit out, driving them both closer to the edge, “I will give you everything, Deborah. Everything. All you have to do is let me.”
His deep voice was so raw, so clearly filled with ache that it sent Deborah over the edge.
“Cedric!” She moaned, her body spasming with pleasure as her orgasm swept through her.
“Yes, love, yes, give me your release,” he grit out, thrusting into her harder and quicker as she pulsed and quivered around his cock.
A few seconds later, he let out a guttural groan as his own release swept through them, and he pressed her close; his fingertips digging into her flesh as they both fought to catch their breath.
For several long moments, they stayed that way, holding onto one another as if to let go meant to fall apart. Then Cedric reached for her throat again, and as he lifted her head, Deborah tilted her lips and met his passionate kiss.
“I love you,” he breathed, guiding her head back to his chest so she could rest.
“I love you,” she panted, in return, “I love you so much.”
And this time, as she said, she knew without a doubt that there was no reason to fear her feelings.