Dark Passions

9.

Meredith slipped off of Mistral tiredly, feeling achingly aware of her muscles, both from the ride, and the vigorous sexual activity. She was yawning, as she handed the filly over to John. "Ye must have had a good ride," John commented, with a wink. "It was a good sunny day to be outside, ma'am." Meredith blushed, not sure if he was implying anything, but she decided she was being overly sensitive.

"It was indeed," Derek said, from behind her as he approached with Satan in tow. A stable boy appeared to take Mistral, as John took charge of the stallion. Taking Meredith's arm, Derek guided her out of the stables, and they headed back towards the manor. "You look like you could use a nice, hot bath, my dear," he said softly, as they walked through the courtyard.

"Oh, that does sound like heaven, but I really should sit with the boys while they have dinner. They are far too mischievous to leave alone, and your sister prefers me to stay with them. I will have to bathe later."

"That is unfortunate, love," he said, pulling her into his arms, in the shelter of a huge oak tree. "I was looking forward to washing away any of that chocolate that might be lingering on your skin."

She looked up at him, smiling softly. "I thought you licked every trace of that from me," she teased, smoothing the fabric of his shirt with her fingertips. "As I did from you...."

He brushed his lips across hers, igniting the flame of passion in her again with the brief kiss. "I may have missed a speck here or there," he murmured. His lips moved down her throat, feeling the wild beat of her pulse beneath his lips. His hands rested intimately on her hips, pressing her against him. For a few moments, they kissed slowly and sensuously, lost to everything but the touch of their lips. Reluctantly, they broke apart and walked slowly towards the archway that marked the main entrance, talking softly.

They parted at the foyer, and Meredith hurried up to change her clothes and brush her hair, in order to make it to the children's rooms to have dinner. Derek watched her run lightly up the stairs, waiting until she was out of sight, before heading to his own suite. As he headed briskly down the hall, his boots ringing on the flooring, his thoughts were consumed with Meredith, and he didn't realize his sister was waiting for him in the chair by the window until he was throwing his shirt off. "Kate!" he said in surprise. "What are you doing here? I was going to meet you as soon as I cleaned up. I smell of horses."

She sat with her arms crossed, her small foot tapping on the floor. "Is that all you smell of?" she asked. "You and Miss Grey were gone far too long for a simple ride."

"Kate...."

"I saw the two of you coming back from the stable. You were far too intimate with her. Are you fucking her?"

"Such language, Kate. If our mother heard you, she would not be pleased with you," Derek said lightly.

"Are you?"

"If I am, it's none of your concern, sister dear."

"I don't want you to hurt her. You should be looking for a wife, Derek, now that Addison has proved to be unsuitable, not bedding my governess! She doesn't need you to toss her aside when you are tired of her." Kate got up and paced back and forth.

Derek sat on the bed and tugged his boots off. "You would prefer me to wed some silly young society girl, who doesn't love me? You loved William, didn't you?" He regretted his harsh words when tears filled her eyes at the mention of her dead husband. "I'm sorry, Kate. Meredith has become very special to me, and I do not intend to hurt her. You have my word on that. And if, and when, I marry, it will be for love. That much I can tell you."

"That's very romantic of you, my brother." Kate sighed and walked over to him. "Well, you can explain that to our mother when she arrives. She sent a messenger to let us know she is heading out to stay with us for a while. She wants to talk to you about finding a wife. Does she know why you are not marrying Addison?"