Lost Pleasures Found (The Montgomery Family & Friends Book 1) Read online

  Thank God for his grandmother. “I do, sir. My grandmother left me her family estate, and I have an income of two thousand pounds per annum, plus numerous investments to supplement my income.”

  He watched the expression on Magnus’s face turn somber. His heart beat wildly in his chest. The man’s demeanor sent his anxiety level racketing up, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. Was he going to refuse? Oh God, surely not? He loved her desperately. Melody would never disobey her parents.

  Magnus looked intently at him. “Please, take a seat. I appreciate you speaking with me regarding your intentions. I’ve been waiting for you to say something. I can see that you and Melody care for each other a great deal. My main concerns are your military career and that you live so far away.”

  He fisted his hands to keep them from shaking. “I understand your concerns. I—”

  Her father raised his hand to stop him. “Melody told me you haven’t sold your commission. Do you plan to stay in? I’m not sure my daughter would do well following the drum, and I feel she would not want to be left behind while you are away.”

  Determined to win her hand, he assured him, “I plan to sell my commission within the next six months. I promised my commanding officer I would stay until most of my troops are cashiered out. I’ve spent six years with many of them. I don’t want to leave them until I have helped them get back to their lives.”

  Her father furrowed his brow. “Your dedication is commendable, but there’s still my concern over you living so far away.”

  He leaned forward in his chair. “My regiment is fairly close to my home. Melody can live with my family while I finish my commitment. Then we will go to my estate, which is less than a day’s ride from here. I’ll also be managing my father’s stables in Doncaster. I would like to marry your daughter soon, sir.”

  With his heart in his throat, he waited for her father’s answer. After what seemed like an eternity, Magnus said, “You have my permission. But make sure you take good care of my little girl. She’s all her mother and I have, and we want her to be happy and safe.”

  Adrenalin rushed through his system, and he could barely control his shaking hands. “Thank you, sir. May I go speak with her?”

  “Go on,” he chuckled. “I’m sure she’s waiting for you in the garden.”

  He rose, stuck out his hand, and Magnus shook it. Hurrying from the room, he rushed toward the garden. When he walked outside, he saw her sitting in the arbor. The sunlight glinted upon her hair, and her beauty had him reeling. He approached her and took a seat next to her.

  “I spoke with your father.” Her eyes widened as he vacated the seat he’d just taken. He got down on one knee and took her hand in his. Her dainty hand trembled. “Melody.” He cleared his throat. “I hold you in great esteem. In fact…I’m in love with you. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife? Please…say you’ll marry me.”

  Tears threatened to fall from her gorgeous sherry-colored eyes. He held his breath, waiting for her answer. “Yes…oh yes. I love you so much. It would be my great honor to be your wife.”

  As he rose, he pulled her up into his arms. Melody’s breath hitched, and her lovely cheeks flushed. Pulling her close, he gently touched his lips to hers. He did not want to overwhelm her, so he stifled his desire. It was difficult, since his heart swelled, threatening to burst. As he released her, he gave a slight groan. She opened her eyes and smiled.

  He looked at her. “Please tell me you don’t want a long engagement. I can’t wait to make you my bride.”

  She whispered, “I would marry you today if it was possible.” She raised the volume of her melodious voice. “Although I don’t need a big wedding, my mother and I will need a few weeks to plan it. It takes that long to have the banns read anyway.”

  Smiling, he pulled her close and tenderly kissed her. “Thank you, sweetheart, you have made me the happiest man on Earth. Let us go share our news with your parents.”

  Over the next three days, Melody and her mother rushed to arrange a small wedding. They set the date for the third Saturday in October, only three weeks away.

  Shortly after he proposed, Melody took him around the village, introducing him to her friends. As they walked holding hands, he loved watching her talk with her neighbors. He enjoyed meeting everyone, and the villagers went out of their way to welcome him.

  As they approached a stone cottage, Melody said, “Brandon and his wife, Lily, live here. I want you to meet them. You’re going to like them a great deal.”

  They walked up the path and knocked on the door. A pretty young woman, great with child, answered the door, and when she spied his intended, she pulled her in for a hug. “We wondered when you would bring your friend for a visit.” She looked over her shoulder her and called, “Brandon, come here. Melody and her fiancé have come for a visit.”

  A tall, thin young man with light brown hair and gray eyes came to the door, and when he saw Melody, he grinned. “It’s about time you came over. Please, come in. We’re so happy you’ve stopped by. Let me offer you my congratulations.” He turned to Henry and stuck out his hand. “I’m Brandon, by the way, and this is my wife, Lily.”

  Clasping the man’s extended hand, he shook it. “I’m Henry Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  After they went into their parlor, Brandon pointed toward the sofa. “Please, take a seat.” He turned to his wife. “Why don’t you get some tea for our guests?”

  Melody laughed. “Lily, please, don’t go to any trouble for us. We had luncheon less than an hour ago, so we don’t need anything.”

  Lily smiled and took a seat by her husband. “It would have been no bother. We’re glad you finally brought Lord Henry to meet us.” Brandon’s wife looked to him and added, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. Let me offer my congratulations as well. I hope you will be as blessed in your marriage as Brandon and I have been.”

  “I know we shall,” he replied. “I’m the most fortunate of men that Melody has accepted my proposal. Please, call me Henry. Any friend of my betrothed’s is a friend of mine.”

  By the time they took their leave, he was laughing and joking with Brandon as if they’d been friends for years. He could understand why Melody liked this couple so much. He found both of them friendly and easygoing, a true pleasure to be around.

  On their walk back to the vicarage, she asked, “What did you think of Brandon and Lily? Aren’t they wonderful?”

  He pulled her close to his side. “I enjoyed meeting both of them. I can see why you like them. How long have they been married? They both seem quite young.”

  They continued down the path under a canopy of trees. “They married eight months ago, and they are; Brandon’s one and twenty, and Lily’s nineteen. He met her when she was sixteen and immediately fell in love with her. Of course, he had to finish school before they could marry. He’s the schoolmaster at the local village school. I’m so pleased you liked them.”

  “Darling, while I enjoyed meeting them, I would rather take advantage of this time we have alone.” He pulled her behind one of the trees bordering the path, took her in his arms and kissed her. Melody returned his kiss. While allowing his hands to roam down her back, she sighed. He cupped her bottom and pulled her closer, and a fierce wash of pleasure ran through his body. Slipping his hand inside her gown, he gently squeezed her nipple. Desire wove its spell, and soon he had her trembling in his arms.

  After several steamy kisses and sensual touches, although it almost drove him to his knees, he released her. “I want you so badly I ache, but we must stop. I love you too much for your first time to be hurried. You deserve to be cherished, loved slowly and tenderly.”

  “I love you, Henry.” She reached up and stroked his jaw. “I know that when we finally…umm, make love, it will be beyond my wildest imagination. I’m glad you stopped before we got too carried away. Anyone could have come along this path and seen us. We need to get back anyway, because it’s almost time for tea.�
�

  The following day, he had to leave for Doncaster. He had promised his father he would check on his stables, and he needed to meet with his steward at Hyatt Hall. He also planned to prepare two carriages for them to use for the trip to Surrey, the second one for her maid and his bride’s belongings. He hated to be apart, but she seemed to understand how important it was for him to do this.

  Once he took his leave from her parents, Melody walked outside with him. He took her hands, raised them to his lips and gently kissed her fingers. “I promise to be back in plenty of time. Weston should arrive on Friday, the twenty-first, so I shall return the day before, if not sooner. I know you will be busy with the wedding plans, so I’m sure I shall miss you more than you will me.”

  “Oh, that is not true. I love you, and I’ll miss you desperately. I shall keep you in my dreams while we are apart, and when you return, we will become husband and wife. Please, be careful.”

  After pulling her into his arms, he tenderly kissed her cheek and slowly released her. Stepping back, he turned and mounted Jupiter, and with a wave of his hand he rode away. It was so hard to leave her, but she would be busy with the wedding preparations. He had to prepare for their trip south, and he needed to pacify his father. The duke would be furious when he received his letter telling him of his marriage. He just prayed his father would accept Melody. However, he was not going to hold his breath.

  * * * *

  Melody missed Henry terribly, but with all the plans for the wedding, time went by swiftly. When he returned from Doncaster, she ran into his outstretched arms as he stepped out of the carriage. Even though he looked tired, he appeared jubilant.

  As he drew her close, he whispered, “It’s so good to see you again. Have you missed me as much as I’ve missed you?”

  “Oh yes, terribly,” she told him. “Even though my mother and I were extremely busy getting everything ready, my heart ached for your return. Did you get everything taken care of for your father? I can see you were able to procure us the carriages, so your trip must have been successful.”

  “Yes, and I even had the opportunity to watch the birth of a beautiful colt. His sire is one of the fastest racing horses of this century. I believe this new colt will be even faster. I also checked on my estate. My steward, Hinkle, has done a superb job of managing everything while I have been away the last two years.”

  Melody stroked his cheek, needing to touch him. “That is good news. I look forward to the time when you sell your commission and we can go there to live. From what you have shared with me, I’m sure I shall love Hyatt Hall. Just think, we’ll be married in three days.”

  “Not a day too soon for me.” Pulling her behind one of the carriages, he gave her a bruising kiss, and she melted into his arms. After he broke the kiss, he murmured, “I can’t wait to make you mine so no one can ever take you away from me.” The wind picked up and almost blew off his hat. “It’s certainly a blustery day. Let us go inside before you take a chill.”

  The next few days were so busy, before Melody realized it, her wedding day had arrived. After she donned her gown, she looked in her cheval mirror and could not believe her eyes. The ecru gown she had chosen made her look like a princess from the fairy tales her mother read to her as a child. The silk fabric underneath the Belgian lace overskirt draped her body, and the style set off her figure, making her appear almost slender. When she turned around and faced her mother, she saw tears in her eyes. “Oh, Mama, please don’t cry. I truly love Henry, and I know we are going to have a wonderful life.”

  Her mother gently smiled and dabbed at her tears with her handkerchief. “I know you are. It’s just a little overwhelming seeing you all grown up and ready to start your new life. I promise they’re happy tears. Your father and I are so proud of the woman you have become. We need to go downstairs. It’s almost time to leave for the church.”

  As she stood at the entrance to the nave and listened to the music swell, she looked at the altar and Henry stood with her father. As she walked toward them, her knees shook, and her hands trembled so badly she could barely hold her flower bouquet.

  The walk down the aisle seemed to take forever, but finally she stood by her future husband, and her father started the Mass. They turned toward each other as they repeated their vows to love, honor, and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. Each word took on a new meaning for her.

  Henry’s voice rang out strong and sure, while hers came out soft, yet steady. When he slid the wedding band on her third finger, a huge sense of rightness filled her soul. She would love Henry forever.

  Her father concluded with, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” Smiling broadly, he continued, “You may kiss your bride.”

  Henry raised her veil and gently brushed her lips with his. Although brief, the kiss was filled with promise. When he ended it, he whispered, “At last, you’re my wife.”

  The wedding guests stood as she and Henry walked back up the aisle to the rear of the church to sign the registry. Her hand could barely hold the quill; it shook so badly. They were truly married.

  The small wedding breakfast was set up on the front lawn of the vicarage. Thank goodness the day remained clear. Once all the guests were seated, Lord Weston stood and made the first toast. “Montgomery. You and I have been friends for a long time, and I know how happy you are about your marriage. I wish you both many years of wedded bliss. Best wishes, old friend.”

  Then Brandon offered his toast. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. I know you will be as happy as Lily and I are.”

  The butterflies in her belly flitted around so much that she could barely eat, but she did manage several bites of the beautiful wedding cake her mother had made for them. The pale yellow sugar roses were so lovely, it seemed a shame to eat them.

  When it came time for her to change into her traveling dress, she went upstairs with her mother. Love and pride shone in her mama’s eyes. “You’re a beautiful bride. I’m so pleased you found someone who can love you as you deserve. Henry’s a nice young man. I know he will take good care of you.”

  “Oh, Mama, while I love Henry desperately, I shall miss you and Papa so much. I could not ask for more loving parents. Thank you for all your love and support. I love you, Mama.”

  Her mother pulled her into her arms and hugged her. “Darling, your father and I will miss you as well, but we shan’t be sad, because we know you will be happy. Besides, you’re going to be living in Doncaster eventually, which isn’t too terribly far away. I probably should have asked you this earlier. Do you have any questions regarding the wedding night before you go back downstairs?”

  Melody hesitated for a moment. “Mama…what will happen tonight? I don’t know what to expect, and I am a little…frightened.”

  “Your husband will be gentle, and he shall take care of everything. You needn’t worry. The physical side of love is beautiful when shared between two people who love each other. Just let your husband guide you.”

  “All right. I shall put my trust in Henry. I’m sure you’re right. He will know what to do.” Then fear colored her voice. “It’s just…I’ve heard—” she hurriedly finished with, “it’s painful to lose your virginity.”

  “There may be some mild discomfort, but fleeting, and then everything will be fine,” her mother assured her. “It’s perfectly normal to be apprehensive. I promise you all will be well, and tomorrow you will be so happy you shan’t remember you were afraid. It’s time to go downstairs to your handsome new husband. You have a long drive before you, so you need to get started.”

  She came down the stairs and met Henry’s gaze. His eyes held so much love that tears pooled in hers. He took her hand as she stepped down to the stone floor. “My love, it’s time for us to go. We have a long drive before we’ll stop for the night.”

  After a great many hugs and kisses from both her parents, at last, h
er husband helped her take a seat inside the carriage. He climbed in and sat beside her and grinned. “Well, Lady Henry, shall we be off?”

  A thrill ran through her when he referred to her by her new title. She had never expected to become a lady. Of course, that did not matter to her. She would love Henry even if he were a plain mister instead of a lord. Thank goodness it was only a courtesy title. She certainly hoped his brother would marry before too long and have an heir. Heaven forbid if anything happened and Henry had to become the duke. She would never want to be a duchess.

  The jolt of the carriage as it got underway pulled her back from her thoughts. She looked out the window and watched her parents grow smaller and smaller, until she could no longer see them. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks. With worry showing on his face, Henry asked, “What’s amiss, my love?”

  Hearing the concern in his voice calmed her, and she smiled through her tears. “Everything is splendid, really it is. I just realized I’ll never live with my parents again, and I love them so much. I shall miss them terribly. I know I’ll come back for visits, but it shan’t be the same.”

  “Thank goodness.” He picked up her hand and raised it to his lips. “You had me worried when I saw your tears. I promise I shall always love you and keep you safe. I’m thrilled that at last you’re mine. There isn’t anything else bothering you, is there?”

  She hesitated. Should I voice my concern? “There is one thing. Your father is a powerful man, and your mother is one of the grand patrons of the ton. I wonder if they will accept me. Do you think they will like me?”

  He pulled her into his arms. “It will take some time for them to adjust to our marriage, but I’m sure you can win them over with time. I need you to understand, my parents are cold and distant. They’re like that with everyone, so I don’t want you to take anything they may say personally.”

  While she still had reservations, she did not want to worry Henry on this special day. “I’m sure I shall be fine. I’m relieved you told me how they are. Now, I’ll know what to expect. I was so excited last night, I barely slept at all. Do you mind if I lay in your arms and take a short nap?”