A Bride by Arrangement (The Bride Series Book 2) Read online

  Pleased with the task, Justine began to follow her. She was stopped with Darren put his hand on her arm. He leaned down to kiss her once more. “I will see you at dinner, wife.” He released her and turned to walk toward his study.

  Chapter 10

  Justine’s head was still spinning from Darren’s kiss as she sat in a plush chair at a table that was off to the side in the kitchen. Mrs. Tindle laughed with delight at her mistresses’ bemused stare. “Now, that’s a pleasure for my old heart,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see you and the master getting on so well.”

  Justine nodded, “Lord Darren is the most wonderful husband.”

  Chuckling, Mrs. Tindle said, “Now, that’s just the right thing for a bride to be saying, just off her honeymoon.”

  “Yes, it was a rather wonderful trip. Even if it didn’t last as long as it was supposed to have,” Justine said, choosing to leave out the more dramatic details.

  The older woman nodded. “I’ve been meaning to ask why you have arrived a few days earlier than we were expecting.”

  Flushing, Justine said, “We decided not to continue our journey to the coast for our trip. Instead, we stopped at a beautiful inn that we saw along the way. It was utterly fantastic and we could not resist.”

  “How romantic!” Jenny said.

  “It was indeed romantic,” Justine said. “We ended up staying for a few days and Darren decided that he needed to get back home to check in on his affairs.”

  “The master was loath to leave his work behind for an entire week,” Mrs. Tindle confided. “We knew that it would be difficult for him to tear himself away, but we were certain that his new bride would help keep his mind off of things, weren’t we, Jenny?”

  “We sure as certain were. And we were also told that you were quite a beauty, missus,” Jenny informed her, chopping the food she was preparing at the counter.

  “We are so pleased that you are even more beautiful than anyone had said that you are. The master is certainly pleased with you, he can hardly keep his eyes off you!” the old woman said with joy.

  Blushing, Justine said, “I am happy that Lord Darren is pleased with me. I hope that I am everything that he could ever want in a wife.”

  Patting her hand, Mrs. Tindle said, “Don’t you worry about a thing, dear. In time you will see that you are a perfect match for each other.”

  Jenny walked over to the table and placed a plate of fruit and cheeses in front of her. “Please, missus,” she said. Have a bite to hold you over for dinner.”

  “Thank you, Jenny. This is most thoughtful of you.” Justine said, grateful for the snack.

  “It’s my pleasure, missus. Now, what can we prepare for this evening’s meal?”

  “Well, I am open to suggestions,” Justine said. She didn’t know what the women’s specialties were. She was more than happy to let them lead the way, until she got a better feel for what options were available. She knew that they had been cooking for her husband for a short while now, so they would have an idea for his tastes.

  “How about roasted pheasant with boiled potatoes? That seems to be the masters’ favorite,” Jenny said.

  Nodding, Justine said, “Very well, that is a favorite of mine, also.”

  “Splendid!” Mrs. Tindle said. “You see? That was your first decision as a new wife. I know that you are going to do remarkably well, my dear.”

  Justine certainly hoped that she was right. “Why, thank you, Mrs. Tindle. You are immeasurably generous and kind.”

  Getting up from her seat, Mrs. Tindle said, “Now, you go on upstairs and rest yourself for this evening. Jenny and I will take care of all of the details for tonight’s meal. I will be up to help you dress for dinner later in the evening.”

  “That sounds wonderful. Thank you both so very much for welcoming me here,” Justine said.

  “We’re pleased to have you here, missus,” Jenny said.

  “Yes, we certainly are.” Mrs. Tindle agreed. “Now you go on up and rest.”

  Justine smiled and left the servants to deal with their supper. She climbed the stairs, admiring the finery of the home once more. Entering the room that she would be sharing with Darren, she closed the door behind her. The room was majestic with its polished dark cherry oak furniture and black cast iron fixtures. The white curtains billowed freely in the wind coming in from the open window. The white coverlet looked comfortable and warm, and it called to her. She had quite a long day, so far. She sat down in a plush beige chair near the bed and unlaced her boots. Rising, she walked over to the bed and hoisted herself onto it. Her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep moments later, smiling.

  Darren waited at the bottom of the stairway for his wife. It was dinnertime and Mrs. Tindle was helping Justine to dress. His mind was racing as he thought about all of the things he needed to accomplish within the upcoming days. Just as he knew it would, his work had piled up while he had been gone. Correspondences lay waiting for a reply in his study. More importantly, there were several invitations that he needed to accept. These matters required his immediate attention.

  He sighed deeply. These pressing demands would have to wait until after dinner. He was still supposed to be on his honeymoon. Although, he was glad that he had made the decision to come home early. He couldn’t imagine being able to iron out all the details that had been building up over the last couple of days, if it had gotten any worse. In any case, he would not deny his wife his company this evening. It was their first night dining in their new home. On this evening, he had decided to put aside his work and spend time with her.

  Mrs. Tindle descended the stairs, smiling at him and nodding. “Good evening, Sir,” she greeted. “The lovely missus will be down momentarily.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Tindle,” he said, and continued to patiently wait. Several moments later, he decided that the wait was well worth it. As Justine slowly made her way down the stairs, he thought that “lovely” didn’t do her justice. His wife looked magnificent in her satin sapphire blue down. Her gorgeous blond hair was styled on top of her head, and loose tendrils curled around her face to frame it charmingly. She was the most divine creature he had ever seen.

  He held out his hand to her. She placed her hand in his and he bowed over it, kissing the back of her hand. “My dear, you look absolutely splendid this evening,” he said.

  Justine smiled at his compliment and her eyes moved over his figure, as well. “You look most dashing this evening, husband,” she said.

  “Thank you, love. There is, however, one thing that is missing from your look this evening,” he said.

  Looking down at herself, Justine asked, “What? What is missing?”

  Darren took a small box out of his pocket and opened it. Showing it to her, she saw a brilliant diamond necklace.

  Justine gasped at the stunning piece of jewelry, sparkling in its velvet box. “Oh my, Darren. That is the loveliest necklace that I have ever seen.”

  “It was my mother’s necklace. One of the pieces that our father never could bear to part with. Nick gave it to me as a wedding present. Now, I am giving it to you.” Darren took the necklace out of the box. “Turn around now. Let’s see it on.”

  Darren slipped it around her neck and fastened the clasp behind her. Justine looked at her reflection in the looking glass that was hanging on the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Admiring the shining stones around her neck, she placed her fingers against them in awe. “Thank you, husband. This is the most wonderful gift that anyone has ever given me. It means so very much that they were your dear mother’s.”

  Darren leaned down and lightly kissed the nape of her neck. “You are welcome, love. I am so glad that you are pleased with them.” He kissed her again and said, “Cherish them, just as I will treasure you.”

  Justine’s eyes watered. She was married to the most generous and adoring man. Her head tilted back to look at him over her shoulder, and she said, “I shall cherish them always.”r />
  Just then, Eddison cleared his throat and said, “Begging your pardon, Sir. Dinner is served.”

  “Thank you, Eddison,” Darren said. Giving Justine his arm, he guided her into the dining room. He took out her chair, pushing her in when she sat down. After Darren was seated in his own chair, Eddison served them their meal of succulent roasted pheasant, boiled potatoes with butter, and garlic asparagus. Darren was pleased to see that his favorite meal had been prepared.

  “Dinner is most satisfactory, love,” Darren said. “Thank you for arranging this glorious meal.”

  Justine was delighted by his praise. “I am happy that you are pleased, husband.”

  Yes, he was very pleased with her. Justine looked every part the mistress of her new home. As they ate their meal, Darren marveled at how perfectly she belonged here. It was as though she had been made just for him. He savored the delicious meal, but tried not to rush. He was highly anticipating the time when he could take his beautiful wife up to his bed.

  When she had taken her last bite, Darren walked around to her chair, and held out his hand for her to take. Helping her stand, he lifted her into his arms and turned towards the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head against his shoulder, trustingly.

  “Thank you again for my necklace, husband,” she said against his neck. “It feels amazing against my skin.”

  Darren quickened his pace. He would give her something else that felt amazing against her skin. He shut the door behind him as he entered the room and lowered Justine to her feet. Pulling her close to him, he bent his head to kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him in return. His hands moved all over her body, sliding over the smooth fabric that covered her. She moaned into his mouth at his caresses.

  He led her over to the bed and sat down on it. Turning her around, he undid all of the buttons on the back of her dress and unlaced it. He made quick work of undressing her, kissing and caressing every bit of her as he uncovered it. He placed her onto the bed and removed his own clothing. Joining her on the bed, he covered her soft body with his own, and kissed her deeply. He was aching to take her, but he would give her pleasure, first. His mouth moved down her chest and he kissed and caressed her breasts until they were aching points. She writhed against him in her pleasure, panting, “Darren, please take me now!”

  “Not just yet, love,” he said, as his caressed moved down her stomach. He placed his mouth on her aching core and stopped his ministrations only after she had reached her climax. Climbing up her body, he kissed her mouth once more as he entered her sweet, wet heat. He rocked them both to a shattering climax, before they both fell into a deep, slumberous sleep.

  Chapter 11

  Lady Justine Wellington sat in the hostess chair of her drawing room. It was the day after she had returned from her honeymoon with Darren. Her mother and her aunts had come to call on her. Dressed in a new emerald green satin dress that had been a wedding gift from her mother, she had felt every bit the wife of a prominent business man, as she entertained guests in the drawing room of her new home.

  Her two aunts were excitedly prattling on. Having grown up with both of them being a regular presence in her life, she knew to let them calm down to the point where she could get a word in. Justine caught her mother’s look of understanding. Lady Serena was sitting across from her on the settee. After more than twenty years of dealing with her sisters-in-law, she knew when to stay out of their way.

  “Oh, my dear girl! How on earth are you back from your honeymoon so early?” asked Aunt Lydia.

  “Yes, the seacoast is so lovely this time of the year. How could you leave so soon?” Aunt Penelope wanted to know.

  “Maybe something has happened! I’m sure that something has happened!” exclaimed Aunt Lydia, nodding emphatically.

  “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Lydia!” called Aunt Penelope. “I’m sure there is a quite reasonable explanation for why our lovely niece and her handsome husband have returned home from their honeymoon, early.” The two aunts turned to look at her expectantly.

  Ah, here we are, Justine thought, smiling to herself. Her turn to speak had come and she would now enlighten her anxious aunts.

  “My husband and I had a wonderful time on our honeymoon,” she said, not willing divulge the more alarming details. “However, as you well know, Lord Darren is trying to make a name for himself as an associate in Campbell-Wellington Industries. He received a few invitations that he could not refuse while we were away.” That, at least, was the truth.

  “Oh, but you were on your honeymoon!” cried Aunt Penelope. “Surely the man could have waited until you returned before…”

  “Oh, Penelope! Don’t be so obtuse! It makes perfect sense that the right opportunities had come along and he just couldn’t wait…”

  “Don’t call me obtuse, you old cow!” cried Aunt Penelope.

  Lady Serena interjected by loudly clearing her voice and saying, “These actions that Lord Darren has taken are quite alright with you, my dear?”

  With all the ladies looking at her expectantly again, she said, “Oh, yes. It was quite alright with me to come home early. I am so very proud of the progress that Lord Darren has made in his endeavors. I fully support any action that he needs to take in order to meet his goals. In fact, my husband has now returned to work at his brother’s office, and I am entirely pleased that he has done so.”

  The two aunts gasped in delighted surprise. “Oh, you see! She is already the most wonderful wife to her new husband!” exclaimed Aunt Lydia.

  “Oh yes, so very supportive and loyal. You are a most patient and kind wife, my dear,” said Aunt Penelope.

  Justine looked across the room at her mother, who was watching her carefully. Clearly, the plans they had made for Justine to go to her Aunt Theresa’s home in the north to escape her married life not happened. Only, they had executed the first part of the plan, so her mother must be dying to know how is it that they are sitting here now. Justine was in anxious for a moment alone with her mother to tell her how she went from being a runaway bride, to the happy mistress of her husband’s home.

  Rising, Lady Serena said, “Come daughter. Let us take a turn about the garden. I wish to see the beautiful azaleas that caught my eye on our way in, up close.” Knowing that the aunts would decline because they didn’t like to be outdoors, she asked, “Lydia, Penelope, would you join us?”

  “Oh, you know how badly our allergies get this time of the year,” Aunt Penelope said.

  “Yes, go on without us, dears. We are quite content to sit and wait here for your return. Have a lovely walk.

  “Very well, then,” Justine said, as she and her mother curtsied to the aunts.

  Alone in the garden, her mother’s arm was linked through hers. “So, out with it, my dear. What happened? How did he find you?”

  Not wanting to get her former maid in trouble, she said, “Darren intercepted the driver, who took him directly to me.”

  Shaking her head and clucking her tongue, Lady Serena said, “That will be the last time I will use that service.”

  Laughing, Justine said, “Nonsense, mother. If he hadn’t, I never would have gotten the chance to know my husband. He is a most extraordinary man. He is kind and caring, and so very strong. He doesn’t have the steel in his veins that papa has. He cares about me, mother, he truly does.”

  Nodding at her daughter’s assessment of the man, she said, “Well then, it is most fortunate that our plan did not work. I do sincerely hope that the man continues to make you happy.”

  “As do I, mother. He appears to be everything that I have ever wanted in a husband. I will do my best to make him happy.”

  “Yes, that is the duty of a good wife. Just be certain that he always does his best to make you happy, as well.” Lady Serena cupped her daughter’s beloved face in her hands. Nothing in this world was as important to her as this girl’s happiness.

  “I will, I promise.”


  Not wanting to crush the girl’s spirit, but still wanting her to be aware of what is going on around her, Lady Serena asked, “You truly do not mind that you are returned home from your honeymoon early and that he has already gone back to work?”

  “I truly do not mind. I completely support him in his efforts,” Justine answered earnestly, without a hint of despair.

  Smiling, Lady Serena clasped both of her hands into her own. She trusted her daughter’s judgement and would support her if this was what she wanted. “Then it is settled. You are a happy and newly married wife. Now, let us go and see to the aunt’s, before they send out a search party.”

  The next morning, Justine sat alone at the breakfast table. Darren had returned home late the previous night, after she had already retired for the evening. She felt him get into bed beside her and pull her in close to hold her against him. He was asleep within moments. Darren had already gone for the day when she woke up the next morning. Alone in her bed, she considered that his business matters must truly be pressing. She hoped that his endeavors were successful and that he was making tremendous strides in his efforts.

  As she buttered her toast, she wondered how to best keep herself busy. The maids worked to keep the entire house in order. They already had the meals planned for the next three days. There was really nothing for her to do.

  After breakfast, Justine wandered idly around the rooms, looking for some inspiration. When she entered the library, she gasped in delight at all the books she saw lining the shelves. She remembered them from her tour on her first day here. In all the excitement, she had forgotten about them. Fortunately for her, someone had dearly loved to read. All of the classics were present. Justine walked over to the shelves and selected her favorite, Homer’s “Iliad.” Settling into a comfy chair, she let herself get caught up into the world of Achilles.

  The hours passed by and before she knew it, it was four o’clock, and it was time to dress for dinner. Marking her page with a bookmark that was laying on the end table, she closed it and went up to change her clothing. As Mrs. Tindle was dressing her for the evening, they heard a commotion downstairs.