Chapter Twenty-Two

W hen Adam heard female voices, he thought Alice had returned. Three days had passed since he’d left her. As intended, he’d stayed only the one night and had not invited her into his bed. Nor had she asked him into hers. If she had, he would have resisted. His heart was bruised by how easily his wife had left him behind, and he needed to know she was entirely committed to their marriage.

His hopes were dashed that Alice was in the foyer when he recognized Purity and Clarity’s familiar tones and went downstairs to greet them.

“Tell us you came home with her,” Clarity said, for they’d heard of Alice’s departure through their husbands.

He shook his head.

“I should have known you didn’t by the mopey look upon your face,” she said. “You are not happy, and I warrant your wife is not happy either.”

“If I had dragged her back here, I doubt she would be any happier,” he quipped, having the sudden primitive urge to do exactly that, to tangle his fingers in Alice’s glorious golden caramel hair and hold on to it like a horse’s mane.

“This does not look good,” Purity said. “It is highly irregular for a new couple to be so quickly separated and living apart. People will wonder and start to talk.”

He didn’t care too much for gossip, but he knew with Alice’s past, she wouldn’t like to be whispered about again.

Clarity frowned. “Adam is correct about not bringing her back if she doesn’t wish to be here.”

“I suppose you are right,” Purity said. “And if he knew she was resistant, then he wouldn’t enjoy her company to its fullest.”

He wished they weren’t discussing his marriage as if they were haggling over vegetables at an open-air market. And as if he wasn’t even there.

“Sisters, please, don’t worry. If Alice doesn’t return soon, then I shall fetch her back for I cannot live without her. I merely gave her time to consider her place with me and with us. Moreover, I told her she needn’t worry any longer about her former husband’s brother.”

“But why did she leave?” Clarity asked. “Didn’t she know we would help her?”

Purity raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you explained to her about the Diamonds?”

He knew what she meant, and if he hadn’t made it clear to Alice before, he certainly had when he saw her last. Even his older sisters’ husbands had learned that as much as their wives were now Hollidges and Foxfords, the men were equally members of the Diamond family. They looked after one another, from grandparents on down, whether a Diamond by blood or by marriage.

He’d been a tad harsh though and hoped Alice still understood how much he loved her. God help him if he’d put her off. For the first time, he wondered whether she might go farther away instead of coming back. What if she jarked it by ferry to the Continent?

“Now what is that distraught expression for?” Clarity asked.

“I told her how close we all are. She hasn’t had any experience with familial concern and caring like ours, as her parents were not supportive, and you know she has no brothers or sisters.”

Purity sighed. “She has four sisters now.”

“We must make it clear,” Clarity said, thumping her fist into her other palm. “We shall take the train to Reading station and tell her so.”

Adam knew they would do it, too. “I don’t think that’s wise. Alice needs time to get used to the notion and to decide to trust us.” All at once, he realized the utter truth of his own words.

“Even where I am concerned,” he added. “I know she loves me, but our courtship was quick and untested by strife. As soon as trouble came, she thought she had to deal with it as she has always done — by herself.”

He was feeling better already. Alice was smart, and she would come to believe what he’d told her after she’d mulled it over and let it sink in.

“What are you thinking?” Clarity asked, taking hold of his arm. “I can feel your spirit lightening.”

“Because you are all heart,” he said.

Purity crossed her arms. “And what am I? A pain in the neck, I suppose.”

“Not at all. You are the good sense that keeps us on track. And you are correct about appearances. Alice and I were going to throw a party at week’s end to finally welcome everyone into our new life as a couple, and I am going to do it anyway because I trust my wife will come to the correct conclusion.”

“Which is?” Purity asked.

“That’s it is better to be a Diamond than not.”

His sisters looked at one another. “Is that all?” Purity asked.

“No, although that is enough.” Adam linked his arms through each of his sister’s and took them into the drawing room. “Also, I hope Alice realizes she can depend upon me. That our marriage gives her strength, not weakness. That no one can use her against me or vice versa. If she understands all those things, then she’ll come back for the party. Don’t you think?”

“Yes!” Clarity said, sounding delighted. “She will. I’ll help plan it if there are any loose ends.”

“There are plenty to be tied up,” he assured her, tugging the bell-pull.

“And I’ll make sure Alice knows that you are still hosting it,” Purity said. “A pretty invitation from one sister to another, reminding her of her own newlywed party.”

“Thank you,” Adam said. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” He couldn’t imagine being Alice and having grown up alone. She could have used sisters like his.

“I hope when she returns, she will let you two boss her around.” He paused and smiled at them. “I mean, help her — as you do me.”

Adam had been utterly certain his wife would be back home by the night of the party. Yet there he stood in his fine twill suit, watching his family make sure all was in order before the first guests arrived. And still, no Alice.

So why did he feel so calm?

His mother was suddenly at his side, asking him nearly that same question.

“How can you be so serene when guests shall be descending upon us? I always feel a flutter of nervousness.”

“Do you?” he asked. “You always appear as if you have absolutely everything managed to your satisfaction.”

“I usually do,” Caroline Diamond said. “Regardless, I still have that flutter. By the way, you look so handsome, my love. Nearly as good as your father.” She glanced across the room to where Lord Diamond was chatting with Ray, and Adam’s gaze followed.

He envisioned his own large family one day, so his wife had better return soon.

“What will you do if —?” She broke off as the voices ascended from the first floor.

He was glad his mother hadn’t had a chance to ask him. Because he didn’t know the answer.

And then Mr. Lewis began to announce the first guests as they entered the drawing room. Adam caught the butler’s eye, giving him a querying look for the hundredth time that day. Again, he received a brief shake of the head. No Alice.

For twenty minutes, Adam greeted couples, friends, and family. Each time someone entered, it was the same soaring expectation and then dashing disappointment. Until everyone was there.

No one asked, for they didn’t know she was gone. As far as they were concerned, except for his family, the guests thought the lady of the house was somewhere on the premises, maybe taking too long to dress. He wished that were the case.

Drinks were served, the sound of chatter rose and fell, and still, he waited.

The moment Alice entered, he knew, even though his back was to the door. Adam was speaking with Lord and Lady Fenwick when a hush fell, and the hair on the back of his neck rose. He turned.

His Alice! And she looked as if she had truly just come from her dressing room, touching her coiffure with one hand, giving a little wave to some people she knew.

“So happy you all could come,” she said. “I am sorry for my tardiness. My dear husband knows I am not the most punctual person.”

“Worth the wait,” he said, closing the gap between them, not caring if it looked as if they’d been apart for weeks instead of minutes. For they had, and he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

Sweeping her into an embrace, Adam hugged her. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but his throat was choked. Instead, he brushed a chaste kiss across her forehead, breathing in her familiar scent.

After a moment of stillness, feeling her heartbeat and hearing those around them resume their talking, he finally stepped back while still holding her hand.

“A glass of wine, my love?” he offered.

“Yes, thank you.” She looked at him with happiness shining from her eyes, and he felt entirely peaceful.

“At last, we can eat,” his father said in a loud voice, making everyone laugh.

Alice’s cheeks pinkened slightly.

“Don’t worry,” Lady Diamond said in an equally loud voice. “The earl only teases family.”

Nevertheless, Adam felt his wife tremble slightly. And then she nodded, a dazzling smile beaming from her lovely face.

“Then let us go into the dining room,” she announced. “I would ask my hungry father-in-law to escort me.”

The earl took her arm, and Adam saw them start to chat as they strolled from the drawing room. He took his mother’s arm and followed, with the rest of their guests coming behind.

And then Adam knew the frustration of being a host at a long table. He fervently wished he could be alone with Alice for an hour. Maybe two. Instead, he had to look at her down the other end, past the candlesticks and floral centerpieces.

Until he had her in his arms after the guests had departed, she would be too far away.

Finally, the pudding course was served — an array of desserts including a brandy-doused trifle, a sticky toffee pudding, and lavender sponge cake. And then Adam rose to his feet, signifying the meal’s end, for he couldn’t wait another instant.

Rounding the table, he drew out Alice’s chair. Finally, with her arm upon his, they led their guests back to the drawing room for port and sherry.

“Are you surprised?” she asked, her silvery green eyes shining with glee.

Although his heart pounded swift and strong just looking down at her, he shook his head.

“I believed in you. I knew you would think about everything and then return, especially knowing how Purity would chastise you if you didn’t show up to host your own party.”

She smiled at him. “I would never risk Purity’s reprimand.”

But Adam wanted her to know something more, something deeper. “You are every inch a lady. I could see it the first moment I laid eyes upon you, and that’s why I fell in love with you, even when I thought you to be a governess.”

“Even then,” she murmured, tilting her head. “Did you marry me to help me out of my lowly status?”

He had never thought of it that way. “After all, the Diamond family motto is Miseris Succurrere Disco . Is your Latin up to snuff, or shall I translate?”

His Alice enjoyed a challenge. “I believe I can work it out,” she said. “Something along the lines of I learn to help the wretched .”

“Well done.” One woman in a thousand could have translated that. Her intelligence was almost as alluring as her shapely figure.

“And was I the wretched?” she asked.

He considered his life before her. “Not at all. I was until you agreed to be my wife. I married you to help myself. And now, will you do me the honor of a dance, my lady?”

“We don’t have a ballroom,” she reminded him, starting to laugh.

“Then we shall have to move to a larger house,” he quipped.

“No need. We have a serviceable if modest ballroom at Stonely Grange, and it won’t take much to restore it to use. Perhaps we could host the next Diamond family Christmas there.”

His heart squeezed thinking of enjoying their first Christmas together, and he desperately wanted to kiss her.

“I’m awfully glad you’re back. I missed you, Wife.”

“I missed you, Husband ,” Alice replied. She glanced at the front of his trousers to see if the magical word still worked. He grinned back at her and then did a strange shuffling with his legs.

Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, “Come chase away the spiders, and I’ll eat your watercress.”

Desire, hot and intense, coursed through her, stronger than any fear. She would never walk away from him again. Despite any threat, she knew she was stronger with him than without him. And how magical to know she was not alone.

After the party, when he scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs, she understood it was his masculine way of bringing her back despite having allowed her to return in her own time.

When Adam stripped her more swiftly than he ever had before and then sent his own clothing flying hither and yon, Alice knew there wouldn’t be any drawn-out sensual play beforehand. Usually, he kissed her skin with the whisper softness of butterfly wings, but this time, he pulled her naked body hard against his own.

Instead of a tender joining, there was a ferocity about their love-making, both knowing what they had nearly lost. Adam barely pressed his lips to hers before she felt herself tumbled backward onto their bed.

Their bed! How she had missed it.

She parted for him at once, not needing anything but the feel of him deep inside. Sensing this, her husband drove into her, making them one.

The rude and naughty term, “the two-backed beast” seemed entirely fitting. Hungry for him, Alice arched, tilting her hips to give him better access. And Adam growled like the beast she’d just imagined before threading his fingers between hers, anchoring her hands to the sheets as he rocked back and surged forward.

“You are so wet,” he whispered against her neck.

“I missed you.”

“No as much as I missed you,” he vowed.

She was about to protest, but the motion, the friction, the pleasure quickly overtook her thoughts. In another moment, they were both soaring toward repletion. He released her hands, so she could drape her arms over his damp back as he finished thrusting.

When her heartbeat calmed, she turned to look at her husband now lying beside her. His eyelids were heavy, but his eyes were open. The love shining from within took her breath.

“Did I mention how happy I am to have you home?” he asked.

“Yes. Did I tell you how much I love you?”

He nodded. “When we swive the next time —”

“In about ten minutes,” she interrupted, feeling cheeky.

He barked out a laugh. “Yes, if we can wait that long, it will be slower, I promise.”

“We have the rest of our lives, after all,” she reminded him.

“Indeed,” he said, placing his large palm over her stomach and the secret she suspected was growing within. “Indeed, we do.”