Chapter 16

"I changed my mind. I don't want to go in there." She gripped the seatbelt tightly, her palms perspiring.

"You were the one who insisted on coming for dinner in the first place."

"This place is a fricking palace or- or castle." She stared at the sweeping, immaculately manicured, lush green lawns that seemed to go on forever. The building was old but decidedly stately, the vast windows reflecting the glow from the pale sun trying to peep through the gray clouds.

Flowers were blooming everywhere, and she could not identify some of them. There was a graceful white gazebo to the left and several expensive-looking urns to the right. There were no fences or gates because the place was miles away from anyone else.

"It's an old building that has been in the family for centuries." he corrected her. "And it's too late to cry off now."

"I am not looking my best." She hedged, wondering what she had been thinking about when she agreed to have dinner with his family. She did not belong here, and that was obvious.

"You look exquisite," he told her patiently. "The dress is new"

"It's not the damn dress!" Taking a deep breath, she tried to stop her rioting heartbeat and the panic attack that was coming to the fore. "It's me. I don't belong in these types of surroundings. I have lost weight, and the dress only makes it more obvious."

"You are being irrational-" he stopped at the look on her face. "I am here for you. There is no need to be afraid."

"I am afraid." She snapped. "I don't know what I thought when I agreed to this. I am going to go inside that mausoleum and end up being gauche and saying things that are not appropriate.

This will be some damned seven-course meal, and the time is going to stand still, and I will end up being uncomfortable. More than that, I will be the only black woman there and an American who does not have a title."

"I don't have one either." he tried to joke, his smile fading as she glared at him.

"They want you here, Tessa."

"No, they don't, and lying to me is not making me feel better." Leaning back, she pressed a hand against her stomach.

"I kid myself into thinking I have the right to be here. I am not the person they would want for you. I am not white, and I am not titled."

"I don't give a damn. You are the woman I am in love with and the one carrying my baby inside her. I chose you."

"And I am going to feel like I am the last resort. They are grudgingly accepting me because of the baby I am carrying. I will always know that."

Taking her hand, he forced her to look at him. "If you don't want to go inside, then we can turn around and leave. No questions asked. You are the one who is important to me, not the people waiting for us there.

You. I love you, darling, and I will do anything to ensure you are comfortable. If you never want to see them again, that's fine with me, too."

She blinked at him, her heart settling. "You would do that for me?"

"There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for you. I thought you already knew that."

The tears were threatening, and she did not want to ruin her makeup. He had ordered a dress from Romano's, and she did not dare look at the price tag. There wasn't one, which made it worse.

The stunning green cashmere was draped over her body like a shawl and hid the fact that she had lost so much weight. Her hair was brushed back from her face to reveal the diamonds that matched the square-cut diamond ring he had placed on her finger just a few days ago.

Taking a steadying breath, she lifted a hand to his face. He had shaved just this afternoon after their shower, and she had stood there watching him, feeling the intimacy of sharing a bathroom with him. "I love you," she said.

"That helps." he teased.

"I don't care what I have to go through in there as long as you are with me. I can face anything as long as you are by my side."

Lifting their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers. "I always will be. Want to stick around or get the bloody hell out of here?"

She burst out laughing and felt the tension dissipating. "I am staying."

"Then let's go; my parents hate tardiness."

*****

It was not so bad after all. Sir George Chapman was certainly not what she expected. He was tall but not as tall as Landen, and his hair was sandy brown and streaked liberally with gray. His hazel eyes were piercing, and he had an aristocratic nose.

The illness had put grooves between his nostrils and made him look older. His daughter Elizabeth looked more like him but had a lot more warmth, and she and her husband greeted Tessa with smiles.

The meeting was awkward initially, but the evening became even more tolerable when it became clear that Landen was sticking by her side.

She was asked several personal questions about her own family and when the wedding would be.

"We are assuming you will be having the ceremony here?" Lady Margaret asked during a lull in the conversation. Tessa had found herself awed by the sumptuous wealth and expensive wall artworks and had tried her best not to feel overwhelmed.

The dining room was a large oval room with a table that could seat twenty people, and there were maids hovering around, ready to do their bidding.

"We have not decided yet," Landen said firmly as he cut into her duck.

"Darling, it's fine." Reaching out a hand, she touched his lightly, grateful he had taken the seat next to her. "Your family is here, and this is going to be my home-" She smiled at the look on his face. "Where else would it be?"

Putting down his silverware, he took her hand, his expression unbelievably tender. "Are you certain?"

"I am. You are my family, and I am carrying this baby." She squeezed his hand before looking at his mother. "The wedding will be here."

"My dear-"

"It will not be a circus." Landen interrupted her firmly. "This will be private and tasteful with just friends and family."

"That's unacceptable-"

"It's either that or Tessa and I go off to get married in a chapel with two witnesses. She has been through a very rough time in her life because of the baby she is carrying, and it's not over yet.

Her blood pressure keeps elevating, and the doctor who came to visit her just yesterday instructed us to do everything to keep the stress level down. I don't give a damn about how many people we need to invite. This is our wedding, and I will not allow you to turn it into a society party for your so-called friends."

"But-"

"I think he is serious, my dear." The support came from a surprising source. They all turned to stare at the man at the head of the table, who had been silent during the entire debate.

Putting down his utensils, he added gruffly. "I have been through a hell of a lot myself. I thought I was going to die, and I have been given a second chance." his gaze drifted to Tessa, and he shook his head. "Before this, you would not have been welcomed in this house-"

"Father-"

"No." he shook his head with a smile. "I am being honest. Now, I am looking at things from a different perspective. I heard you when you sat at my bedside, saying what I did to your life, the way I dominated it.

I have had a great amount of time to think, and I realize that time is short, and we need to make the best of it. A small wedding is acceptable."

*****

Tessa stood in front of the mirror and stared at her image, trying to find some kind of flaw. The weeks had flown by; before she could even grasp that it had, it was already August, and she was almost four months pregnant and barely showing. She and Elizabeth had become fast friends.

"I have always wanted a sister." The girl had confessed.

"Bet you never thought she would be a black American from nowhere." Tessa had teased her.

"Stop saying that!"

"It doesn't bother me." she had told the girl soberly. "I am proud of who I am, and I am head over heels in love with your brother. That's enough for me."

Landen's parents had grudgingly accepted her enough, but she knew they could never be friends. They would be tolerant because they would not want to lose their son and heir, but she knew what they thought of her. She was a usurper who did not belong, but it was OK with her.

"Honey, you look-"

She turned to look at her sister, who wore a beautiful pastel pink dress with bell sleeves. Landen had flown them over in the private jet, and they were staying at one of the flats belonging to the company. He had made all the arrangements with the help of his mother and sister and firmly told her that all she had to do was pick out her dress.

"There are no words."

"I have put the weight back on. No wonder I have been eating like a pig." Taking a deep breath, she stepped back from the mirror. "I am getting married."

"To a fricking prince."

"He is not a prince."

"He might as well be." Karen averred with a grin. "You hit the damn jackpot."

"I love him and don't ever want to think about his money. I signed a prenup."

"Of course you did."

"He was not in agreement, but I made him see sense. We are in this for the rest of our lives, so signing a piece of paper will not change that."

"Oh goodness, me!" They both looked up as Elizabeth swept into the room in a cloud of blue chiffon and expensive perfume. "Darling, you look ravishing. Wait until my brother sees you. Speaking of which, it's time."

*****

The lovely chapel was perfect, nestled in the rolling hills of the small town of Cotswold. It was a lovely morning, with a few puffy white clouds in the sky. The chapel was small and intimate, just right for the beginning of their new lives. The vows were repeated, and before long, they were husband and wife.

"I hope you will not object to a reception at the manor." Lady Margaret Chapman had a pleased smile, which said a lot.

"I already told you-" Landen began when Tessa stopped him.

"It's fine." Taking his hand, she squeezed his fingers. "We cheated her out of the ceremony she wanted to throw, so let's give her this."

"Thank you, my dear. Why don't you two return to your flat and rest a while we arrange this." Lady Chapman clapped her hands together. "You are going to love it."

Landen waited until the car whisked them to Kensington Gardens, where they would take wedding photos, to express his disapproval.

"You don't know what you just did."

"I gave your mother a present. You are her only son and heir, and I know the Chapman's standing in society. We were married in a small chapel in a small town compared to the huge Catholic church and the lavish ceremony that would have taken place there. I also want her to like me a little."

Taking her hand in his, he gazed into her eyes. She had stood before their families and pledged her life and love for him until death, and it had a profound effect on him. She was his. She had left her home and everything that was familiar and was in a strange land. She had done this for him, and he would always be grateful for it.

He had promised that they would fly over to the States whenever she felt lonely or homesick, and her siblings were welcome any time. He had put in the paperwork to get her to stay in the country, and very soon, because of who he was, it would be approved.

In the meantime, she was never leaving his side.

"It matters to me." She added as he continued to stare at her in silence.

"I know, love." Pulling her on his lap, he cradled her face. "Have I told you what a beautiful bride you are?"

"Have I told you how sexy you look in a tux?" She whispered. "Kinda like James Bond, especially with your gorgeous British accent."

"James Bond, huh?"

"Hmm." Bending her head, she kissed him in a way that had the passion surging into his loins.

*****

"If you are tired, just say the word, and we will be out of here," he whispered in her ear as he came to stand beside her. Tessa regretted giving her mother-in-law carte blanche over the whole reception deal. It was as if the woman was making up for the lack of a society wedding and had invited everyone in her social calendar.

She had been studied, questioned, looked over, examined, and one plump matron with a pretty roses and cream complexion wanted to know if she was from Africa. She had not bothered to respond.

The Great Hall was filled with people milling around and eating the sumptuous meal prepared by some fancy French caterer. The frothy pink and white cake was the only thing she could stomach, and now her chest felt like she was about to explode. She was also exhausted.

"I am tired." She admitted.

"Then we are leaving."

"Your parents-"

"I don't give a damn what they say." he hissed. "I told her not to enter a bloody circus, and she did exactly that. We are leaving."

"Thank you."

With a curt nod, he walked away, and she watched him wade through the crowd to get to his mother, who was holding court with several friends.

Putting down the glass of champagne she had been nursing for a few minutes, she waited for him to return for her.

*****

"We are back in Scotland?"

"I thought this was where we could get some peace and quiet." He knew she was wilting, and even though she had slept on the flight over, she still looked a little worn. He was upset that his mother had disobeyed his request to keep this thing at a manageable level, even though he had told her so in no uncertain terms.

"Let me get that for you." Turning her around, he unhooked the tiny buttons of her wedding dress and took it off her. "I was thinking we could both do with some sleep tonight-"

"Not a chance." Turning around, she stepped out of her shoes and stood there wearing a sheer white lace teddy that showcased her gentle curves. "I know what you are doing?"

"What am I doing?"

"I told you I was tired, and you are trying to get me to sleep."

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes. Tonight is our wedding night."

"We will have other nights." Stepping back, he began to take off his clothes.

"Not like this one. It's our wedding night, and I intend to make love with my husband."

He went still and stopped in the middle of taking off his underwear.

"Say it again." He whispered hoarsely.

"My husband." A seductive smile touched her lips as she bridged the gap between them and slid her hands into the waistband of his boxers. Reaching in, she lifted her brows. "What have we here?"

"I believe it is-" He forgot what the hell he was going to say when she wrapped her fingers around the swollen head of his shaft.

"Lost your voice, darling?"

"Yes. We go slow."

"As slow as you want to." She promised. She let go of him, shimmied out of the flimsy material, and climbed into bed. Getting rid of his underwear, he joined her, reaching for her immediately. "Hi, love," he whispered against her mouth.

"Hi darling." her arms came around his neck as she sunk into the torrid kiss.

"What happened to taking it slow?" She murmured when his mouth slid from hers to trail a blazing path up her cheek and then to her chin.

"We are practicing restraint." he plucked the nipple gently before rolling it between his teeth.

"Oh. Landen." She breathed, her body arching towards him in eager anticipation. His mouth drifted down her stomach, where he lavished attention on the slight bump that was his baby nestling inside her.

"I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. I am going to love our child whatever the sex," Lifting his head, he stared at her, green eyes smoldering.

"Is that so?" She whispered, already on fire for him.

"Yes." Bending his head, he resumed the journey down to the apex of her thighs, kissing the soft, downy hairs covering her sex until he was using his tongue on her swollen flesh.

"I can't." Her fingers tugged at his hair, her knees lifting and moving restlessly. When he plunged his tongue inside her, the scream that had been trapped inside her throat escaped and echoed around the room as the climax slammed through her viciously.

Her body was still trembling when he moved over her, sliding himself into her wet warmth. "My wife," he whispered raggedly, feeling her enveloped him completely.

His heart was thundering inside his chest, his body so heated that he could barely stand it. "My love." He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her cheek, and the tip of her nose. "My life."

Her arms came up to wrap around his neck as she moved her hips. A groan escaped him, and he could not help but move. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. Don't stop." She was mindless with passion, her fingers digging into his back and shoulders.

"I couldn't." Burying his lips on hers, he drove his tongue into her mouth, his body moving into her relentlessly. The control was already in tatters, and he could feel the strain of holding back working through him. But he wanted her to feel the pleasure again before he erupted.

He was rewarded when he felt her stiffening, her body arching. Swallowing her moans, he held her hips as his thrusts deepened and quickened. The climax had her tearing her lips from his and sinking her teeth into his skin as the waves tumbled all over her.

He followed her in minutes, his body shuddering, heart pounding until he could barely hear anything else. Tangling his fingers in the strands of her hair, he mashed his forehead against hers as he fought to regain control.

Sliding his weak, battered body off her, he gathered her up against him, cradling her gently.

"I guess it was different because we are now married." She finally whispered into his chest.

A chuckle escaped him as he stroked her back soothingly. "Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

"Hmm." She was so sated and content just to be in his arms that nothing else mattered. "We are legal now, so the lovemaking is more intense."

"Is that right?"

"Hmm."

"I suppose I have to agree with you." Tucking his hand under her chin, he studied the slumberous eyes. "I adore you, Mrs. Chapman."

"I thought I would get to be Lady Chapman."

His laughter echoed around the room. "Is that a title you would want?"

"It might."

"We will see about getting you one," he promised as his lips claimed hers again.

*****

Their son, Noah George, was born on a blustery day in February. His proud father and grandparents were gathered around the cot, staring at the beautiful baby with ink-black hair and a creamy complexion.

"He has those beautiful hazel eyes." Lady Margaret Chapman murmured in an emotional voice as she stared at her grandson. "He is perfect."

"He is." Her husband agreed gruffly.

Two days later, she was sent home with her healthy baby boy.

"Now that we have gotten rid of my parents, my sister, and her husband, we are finally alone." Wrapping his hands around her waist, he stood there staring at the miracle they had created together. "Have I told you how much I adore you?"

"Not since this morning. Are you taking me for granted?"

"Never." His arms tightened around her waist. "Thank you for what you have done for me. For my son, for loving me and giving me hope."

Turning his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are most welcome, darling."

The end...